In the vicissitudes of the late Qing Dynasty, the fall of a national hero added a heavy sadness to this difficult era. On July 27, 1885, the sky of Fuzhou seemed to weep over the departure of this great man, and it rained heavily. He was the mainstay of the late Qing Dynasty, the national hero Zuo Zongtang, who died at the age of 74. His death is not only the end of an era, but also the end of a legend.
At the last moment of his life, Zuo Zongtang was still concerned about the future of the country. In his testament, he expressed his deep concern for the security of the country and his suggestions for future development. He stressed the importance of naval construction, the development of railways and mines, and the need for the emperor to be diligent in his administration and love for the people. These words are not only a warning to the imperial court, but also a warning to future generations.
After reading Zuo Zongtang's testament, the Empress Dowager Cixi was deeply moved, and tears couldn't help but fall. She posthumously presented Zuo Zongtang with great courtesy, gave him the honorific title of prince and concubine, nicknamed Wenxiang, and sacrificed in the Zhongli Ancestral Hall of Jingshi Zhaozhong Temple and Xianliang Ancestral Hall to show her affirmation of his life's contributions.
Zuo Zongtang's life is closely linked to the recovery of Xinjiang. At that time, Xinjiang was facing the covetousness of foreign enemies, but Zuo Zongtang tried his best to defy public opinion and insisted on recovering Xinjiang. He objected to the views of Li Hongzhang and others, believing that Xinjiang is not only a place rich in resources, but also a strategic place for the country. His persistence and efforts were eventually supported by the Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu.
In 1875, Zuo Zongtang was appointed Minister of the Imperial Mission, with full responsibility for military affairs in Xinjiang. With firm determination and courage, he led the soldiers on a journey to recover Xinjiang. His actions are not only a defense of the country's territorial integrity, but also a defense of national dignity. In this arduous struggle, Zuo Zongtang demonstrated his extraordinary military talent and political wisdom, successfully recovering Xinjiang and consolidating the country's borders.
Zuo Zongtang's cemetery is located in Baizhu Village, Jumping Horse Town, Yuhua District, Changsha, Hunan. It was damaged but rebuilt in 1986. In front of the cemetery, the couplet engraved on the two Chinese watches is "Hanye Tang Gui West Forever, Qinchuan Longdao Sailiu Evergreen", which is the best interpretation of Zuo Zongtang's life's achievements. These 16 characters not only represent Zuo Zongtang's adherence to the country's borders, but also symbolize his contribution to the country's prosperity and national rejuvenation.
The guardian of the cemetery, Huang Zhiqing, as the fourth generation of grave keepers, his family has been guarding it for 138 years. They silently guard the resting place of this national hero, inheriting the respect for the hero and respect for history. Huang Zhiqing said: "Lord Zuo is a hero who deterred the Russian and British invasion and recovered Xinjiang, and it is insignificant for our family to do this, which is nothing. This kind of obscurity is the best inheritance of Zuo Zongtang's spirit.
Zuo Zongtang's life is a magnificent history, and his deeds and spirit will always inspire future generations. His grave is not only a personal memorial to him, but also a tribute to all the heroes of that era who paid for the country. Here, every visitor can deeply feel Zuo Zongtang's feelings of worrying about the country and the people, as well as everything he has done for the country and the nation. His life is the best interpretation of national loyalty and national righteousness, and it is also the best education and inspiration for future generations.
Text/Compendium