Shicheng Association Tablet in Qujing

Overview

The Shicheng Association Tablet (石城会盟碑, Shíchéng Huìméngbēi), also known as the Duan Clan and Thirty-Seven Tribes Alliance Tablet (段氏与三十七部会盟碑, Duànshì yǔ Sānshíqī Bù Huìméngbēi), is located in the Cuan Bei Pavilion (爨碑亭, Cuàn Bēitíng) within the Qujing No. 1 Middle School (曲靖市第一中学, Qǔjìng Shì Dì Yī Zhōngxué) in Qujing City (曲靖市, Qǔjìng Shì), Yunnan Province (云南省, Yúnnán Shěng). It was erected in the third year of the Mingzheng reign (明政, Míngzhèng) of the Dali Kingdom (大理国, Dàlǐ Guó) by Duan Su Shun (段素顺) in 971 AD.

The tablet is rectangular, measuring 1.25 meters in height, 0.58 meters in width, and 0.16 meters in thickness, and it has no pedestal. The inscription consists of 212 characters, divided into two parts: the upper section contains the main text, while the lower section lists official titles. This tablet is not only an important artifact in Dali's history but also a valuable resource for the study of ethnic relations.

On March 4, 1961, the Shicheng Association Tablet was announced by the State Council of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国国务院, Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó Guówùyuàn) as one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protected units.

Key Details

• Chinese Name: 段氏与三十七部会盟碑
• Geographical Location: 云南省曲靖市曲靖市第一中学爨碑亭内
• Historical Period: 大理 (937-1094年)
• Protection Level: 第一批全国重点文物保护单位
• Also Known As: 石城会盟碑, 盟誓碑
• Approval Authority: 中华人民共和国国务院
• Catalog Number: 1-0129-4-005

Historical Background

The Shicheng Association Tablet was established during the third year of the Mingzheng reign (明政, Míngzhèng) of the Dali Kingdom (大理国, Dàlǐ Guó) in 971 AD. In the 18th year of the Kangxi era (康熙, Kāngxī) (1679), the tablet was unearthed and initially placed in the Wuhou Temple (武侯祠, Wǔhóu Cí) outside the north gate of Qujing. In the 29th year of the Daoguang era (道光, Dàoguāng) (1849), Yu Huaixin (喻怀信) and others moved the tablet inside the city to the Kui Pavilion (奎阁, Kuí Gé) (now part of the affiliated No. 1 Primary School, as the Kui Pavilion has been demolished), embedding it in the wall of the main hall and inscribing a record of its discovery and relocation.

During the warlord conflicts in Yunnan in 1927, the tablet nearly faced destruction. In January 1937, to welcome a visiting delegation from the Nanjing government via the Jing-Dian highway, the Yunnan Provincial Department of Education allocated funds to construct a pavilion at Qujing Middle School (now Qujing No. 1 Middle School), where the surviving "Shicheng Association Tablet" and the Cuan Baozi Tablet (爨宝子碑, Cuàn Bǎozǐ Bēi) were relocated for preservation.

Artifact Features

The Shicheng Association Tablet is rectangular, measuring 1.25 meters high, 0.58 meters wide, and 0.16 meters thick, with no pedestal. The inscription is divided into two sections: the upper section has 11 lines written in regular script, while the lower section has 8 lines in semi-cursive script. This unusual writing format is rare in ancient inscriptions.

Inscription Text

The full text of the inscription is as follows:

明政三年，岁次辛未，宣谕足屈奉承统率戎行，委服恩，抚安边塞。是以剪除辶众镇长奇宗、求州首领代连弄、兔覆磨乃等三邑，统置辶众镇。以二月八日回军，至三月七日到石城，更讨打贼郎羽兮、阿房田洞，合集卅七部女考伽诺、十二将弄略等，于四月九日斫罗沙一遍，兼颁赐职赏。故迺共约盟誓，务存久长，上对众圣之鉴知，下揆一德而血占血。

Three armies' chief commander, Prince Bu Xie Duan Zi Wang (长皇叔布燮段子王示), and others such as Duan Yan Zhen (段彦贞), and various officials, are listed in the inscription.

Importance of the Tablet

The tablet documents the alliance and oath taken by the Duan clan with 37 tribal leaders to suppress rebellion in places like Apang and Dongtian after receiving the imperial edict from the Song Dynasty. This significant historical event is critical for understanding Dali's military and political history. The writing style of the inscription is also renowned for its strength and elegance.

Preservation Measures

On March 4, 1961, the Shicheng Association Tablet was designated by the State Council of the People's Republic of China as one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protected units.

Travel Information

Location

The Shicheng Association Tablet is located within the Cuan Bei Pavilion in Qujing No. 1 Middle School, Qujing City, Yunnan Province.

How to Get There

• By Car: Depart from the Qujing City People's Government, passing through Wenchang Street (文昌街, Wénchāng Jiē) and Jianshe Road (建设路, Jiànshè Lù). It is approximately 1.1 kilometers and will take about 5 minutes by car.

Travel Tips

• Best Time to Visit: Aim to visit during weekdays for a quieter experience.
• Duration: Allow at least 1-2 hours for your visit to fully explore the pavilion and the artifacts.
• Respect the Site: Be mindful of the cultural significance of the tablet and its surroundings.
• Photography: Check for any restrictions on photography inside the pavilion.
• Pre-Visit Research: Familiarizing yourself with the history of the Dali Kingdom and the significance of the tablet will enhance your visit.