In China's long history, there have been countless heroes who have inspired generation after generation of Chinese with their noble integrity and indomitable spirit. Chen Wenlong in the Southern Song Dynasty was such an admirable national hero. He is not only famous for his talent, but also for his heroic deeds against the Yuan Dynasty and his unyielding national integrity, which has become a model for future generations.
Chen Wenlong, formerly known as Zilong, was born in the fifth year of Shaoding in the Southern Song Dynasty (1232), and was born in Putian, Fujian. He was smart and studious since childhood, and in the fourth year of Xianchun (1268), he became the Wenlong personally given by Emperor Duzong of the Southern Song Dynasty. Chen Wenlong is not only full of literary talent, but also deeply respected by people for his uprightness, loyalty and perseverance.
In the seventh year of Xianchun (1271), he was the secretary of the provincial school. Jia seems to love his writing, and Yali values it. Later, Chen Wenlong's integrity and courage gradually angered Jia Rudao. When Xiangyang was lost, he complained to the powerful minister Jia Yidao for improper use of people, and asked for the removal of Huang Wanshi, Fan Wenhu, Zhao Qian and others. This behavior angered Jia Nidao, and Chen Wenlong was demoted to Fuzhou. However, with the surrender of Fan Wenhu and the defeat of Jia Yidao, Jia Yidao regretted not listening to Chen Wenlong's words, and re-appointed him as the left secretary, and later moved to serve the imperial history, and then moved to the governor's office. In the midst of the internal negotiations and the sound of peace, Chen Wenlong insisted on protesting and asked to return to his hometown for the elderly, which was granted.
In the first year of Jingyan (1276), King Yi ascended the throne in Fuzhou, and Chen Wenlong was again appointed as the governor of the government. In the face of the rebellions in Zhangpu and Xinghua, he quickly quelled the turmoil with firm determination and resolute means. However, as the iron hooves of the Yuan army approached, the defenders of Quanzhou and Fuzhou surrendered one after another, and the rivers and mountains of the Southern Song Dynasty were like candles in the wind, and they were in danger. In order to recruit Chen Wenlong, the Yuan army sent envoys to Xinghua twice. However, with his firm will and unyielding spirit, Chen Wenlong burned the letter of persuasion and killed the messenger, showing his unyielding determination to die. He once said: "The gentlemen are afraid of death, and they don't know if they can die in this life?" This sentence is like a morning bell and a dusk drum, awakening the wavering morale of the army and strengthening the people's determination to fight to the end.
Unfortunately, due to the betrayal of his generals, Chen Wenlong and his family were eventually captured by the Yuan army. In the face of humiliation, he was unwavering, and said with his fingers: "This righteous article can force evil!" On the way to Hangzhou, Chen Wenlong began a hunger strike to show his unyieldingness. After arriving in Hangzhou, Chen Wenlong was imprisoned in Taixue, and on April 25, 1277, he went to pay homage to Yue Fei Temple, where he was deeply grieved and died of physical exhaustion caused by hunger strike that night at the age of 46, next to the Zhiguo Temple in Hangzhou's West Lake. His death was a deep affection and indignation for the Southern Song Dynasty court and the capital city of Lin'an, and the final proof of his infinite loyalty and love for his nation and country.
Chen Wenlong's death is not only a personal tragedy, but also a family tragedy. His mother, imprisoned in the Buddhist Monastery in Fuzhou, was seriously ill and had no medicine, and everyone else wept. However, Chen's mother said: "I died with my son, why hate? In the end, she also went with her son, and everyone sighed: "If there is a mother, there should be a son." "Bury her with the faithful soul of her son.
Chen Wenlong's noble integrity and heroic deeds are deeply admired by future generations. At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, the first temple to commemorate him was built in Yangqi, Fuzhou, and later Chen Wenlong was gradually revered as the "protector of the sea" because merchants and fishermen who went to sea came to worship here and said that it was extremely effective. He was posthumously named "Shangshu of the Ministry of Water", the temples were collectively called "Shangshu Temple", and Chen Wenlong was also called "Shangshu Gong".
In order to commemorate this national hero, the Longjin Society of Puwei Community, Handong Street, Hanjiang District, established the Chen Wenlong Memorial Hall, which collects precious cultural relics such as the "Longjin" plaque and statue written by Chen Wenlong. The Wanshou Shangshu Temple in Fuzhou is famous for its grand scale, exquisite architecture and long history, and has become an important place to promote the spirit of patriotism, promote the reunification of the motherland, and enhance cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries.