Huang Wei's Tomb Introduction
Huang Wei, courtesy name Mengwei, style name Yisou, also known as Yisuo, hailed from Wenshui Tou (now known as Houshuitou). Born in the first year of the Hongzhi era (1488) during the Ming Dynasty, he served as an official in Quanzhou and became a jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the ninth year of the Zhengde era (1514). Initially appointed as a principal official in the Nanjing Ministry of Justice, he was known for his clear, cautious, bright, and forgiving approach to handling legal matters. Later, he was promoted to governor of Nanhsiung, where he reduced labor and taxes, emphasized moral education, prohibited the presence of courtesans, and abolished obscene temples. Due to his achievements, he was recommended to serve as governor of Songjiang Prefecture, where he continued to achieve remarkable results. However, because of his frank and straightforward petitions, which did not align with the current authorities, he returned to his hometown to care for his elderly parents and teach. Under Huang Wei's influence, local customs and practices underwent significant changes; in Kinmen, there is a saying, "Literature belongs to Xu Zhongdou, while virtue belongs to Huang Yisou," and he is often honored as an exemplar of moral integrity and listed among the ten learned men of Wenling. In the sixteenth year of the Jiajing era (1537), during a great famine in Quanzhou, the censor Li Yuanyang requested that Huang Wei, Xu Fu, and Yu Dayou assist in disaster relief. Huang Wei worked tirelessly, which led to exhaustion and illness, and he ultimately passed away on March 17 of the following year. His tomb was constructed in the seventeenth year of the Jiajing era (1538) and is located on the northern slope of Mount Taiwu in the "Doumen Re-planning Area," between the villages of Houshuitou and Doumen. The burial site resembles a bird spreading its wings, referred to as "Flying Crow Landing in the Field," and boasts a majestic presence. In front of the tomb lies a level field, with the Doumen Stream and Jinsa Stream flowing gently from two sides and converging not far from the front of the tomb. The tomb is backed by Mount Taiwu, with various peaks of the Fujian coastline serving as a backdrop. At that time, it was regarded as one of the four auspicious fengshui sites in Kinmen. Most grave mounds are located at the back of the site, while Huang Wei's tomb features a protective wall at the rear. The mound is divided into two tiers; the lower tier is carved from a single block of stone, with the middle part protruding in a character-like form, while the upper tier is covered with convex-shaped stones, commonly referred to as "official seal turtle" in Kinmen. On either side of the front end of the mound, there are stone railings with relief sculptures, and the highest protective wall of the entire cemetery is at the back of the tomb. Descending two steps from the center of the tomb leads to a tablet, which is divided into three sections by reliefs of bamboo stalks; the center features a celestial being holding a fan amidst deer and cranes, symbolizing fortune, rank, and longevity, while the sides depict koi fish leaping over the dragon gate and phoenix motifs. Extending outward from both sides of the tablet are two pathways leading to the grave hands; the space between the second grave hand serves as a ritual area. The inner sides of the third grave hand each feature a stone bench for descendants to rest during rituals, which is a rare design for this tomb. In front of the tomb are pairs of stone horses, stone tigers, and stone watch pillars, though the watch pillars have since been lost due to decay. Not far northeast of the tomb, by the bank of Jinsa Stream, lies a fallen stone tablet. The upper half of the inscription has been worn away, while the lower half remains clear, featuring high-quality engraving, detailing Huang Wei's life and achievements. The inscription concludes with the words "composed by Jin Gui Xiang," who was a disciple recommended by Huang Wei during his tenure as governor of Songjiang and had visited Kinmen numerous times. Originally, this tablet was protected by a pavilion, which unfortunately has been destroyed. The tomb pathway's tablet was originally located alongside the ancient road near Doumen Village, but after land re-planning in the seventy-sixth year of the Republic of China (1987), it is no longer by the roadside and has gradually become obscured by underbrush. The inscription at the top of the tablet reads "Ming Dynasty," while the text states "The tomb pathway of the Zhongshun Grandmaster, former governor of Songjiang Prefecture, Master Huang and his wife, Mrs. Chen." This design reflects the tomb of a fourth-rank official from the Ming Dynasty, making it uniquely characterized among the Ming tombs across the island.
