Fuzhou Prefecture Gazetteer

Here’s the story. On the Gengchen day of the 10th month of the 34th year of Jiajing, November 12, 1555, a general who had just delivered the greatest anti-Wokou victory of the southeast coast was executed at Beijing’s Western Market. When I first opened Volume 55 of the “Wanli Fuzhou Prefecture Gazetteer” and saw the name “Zhang Jing” in the “Biographies, Meritorious Achievements” section, I expected a routine loyal-official narrative. ...

Geographic Connections Mountains: Pingshan, Wushan, Yushan (The Three Mountains), North Ling Mountain Range. Water Systems: Min River, Jin’an River, Baima River, Antai River (Hongqiao River), Xima River, Dongxi River. Lakes: West Lake (Xihu Tang), East Lake (now reclaimed). Landmarks: Sanfang Qixiang (Three Lanes and Seven Alleys), Tongji Bridge, Wumen Sluice, Wanzao Canal, Daqiaotou, Wuyi Square. I. City Built on Water: The Foundation of Drainage in Jin and Tang Dynasties The drainage logic of ancient Fuzhou began with its unique “basin” geography. Located in the lower reaches of the Min River, Fuzhou is flanked by the North Ling Mountains and the Min River to the south. According to the Fuzhou City Gazetteer, the foundation of Fuzhou’s urban planning lies in the deep coupling of “Mountains, City, and Water”. ...