Address/ The fields near Fan P'o at the northwest side of An-ho Village, Hsin-kang Hsiang, Chiayi County
Construction Date/ 1844
Wang Te-lu, whose ancestors came from Kiangsi, was a native of T'ai-pao hsiang in Chiayi. Born in 1770, he was enrolled in a military academy at the age of fifteen. In 1778, when Taiwan was plagued by a state of disorder and confusion due to the large-scale Lin Shuang-wen rebellion, Wang assisted in the recruitment of soldiers for the army led by Chai Ta-chi, and recovered Chu-lo. Because of this meritorious achievement he was awarded the rank of Lieutenant. In the early 1800's, he was transferred to the navy. In 1809, in recognition of his merits in defeating the pirate leader Ts'ai Ch'ien, he was created a viscount and made the commander-in-chief of Chekiang. In 1822, he pleaded for retirement on the grounds of illness. In 1838 the title of Grand Protector of the Heir Apparent was added to the honors bestowed on him by the emperor, and from this title(T'ai-tzu T'ai-pao) his home town received the name of T'ai Pao by which it has since been known. At the time of the First Opium War he was placed in command in Penghu, where he died of illness early in 1842 at the age of 72. He was posthumously raised to the rank of Earl, and the even more prestigious title of Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent(T'ai-tzu T'ai-shih)was added to his name. He was canonized under the name Kuo-i and a state funeral held for him. Afterwards, his burial place was transferred to this site. The scale, layout, and style of this tomb all reflect Wang Te-lu's favored status; such burials were rare, made only by imperial fiat. The site occupies an area of some two hectares, with a length of 87.5 meters, and a width of 43.4 meters. As is usual in Chinese burials, a memorial tablet is erected before the burial mound; flanking it in rows on either side are stone pillars mounted by representations of auspicious animals: dragon, phoenix, lion and elephant. A total of eight figures is set at random in the field beyond the paved court before the tomb. A grand and stately air predominates throughout.
The tomb of Wang Te'lu is accompanied by assorted memorial sculptures: a pair of civil officials, a pair of military officials, a pair of horses, a pair of sheep, and a pair of tigers.
After Wang Te-lu's death, the honorary title 'Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent' was bestowed upon him by the Ch'ing government. The design of his grave accordingly reflects rules laid down in the statutes of the Ch'ing dynasty regarding the usages to be followed in the burials of those of exceptional status.
A series of sculpted figures stand in various attitudes in the area beyond the mortuary courtyard before the burial mound. Seen here is one of a pair of representations of civil officials. Traditionally, Chinese government personnel were divided into civil (wen) and military (wu) ranks. The serenity and uprightness of expression in this particular representation of civil virtue contrasts sharply with the attitude of the military figure opposite.
Imposing statue of a military official, sculpted in green stone, is imbued with robust pride and a certain virile beauty.
[Government & Public Service Pavilion]
[Education]
[Science & Research]
[Transportation & Communications]
[Industry]
