Dehua Stele of Nanzhao Kingdom in Dali City
Introduction
Located in the ruins of Nanzhao Taihe City (南诏太和城遗址) west of Taihe Village (太和村), Dali City (大理市), the Dehua Stele (德化碑) stands as a black ancient monument, acclaimed as “the first stele in Yunnan” (云南第一碑). The stele is 3.97 meters high, 2.27 meters wide, and 0.58 meters thick. The front side features 40 lines of inscriptions, totaling approximately 3,800 characters, although only 256 characters of the original inscription remain intact. The reverse side has 41 lines detailing the titles and names of officials such as the Qingping Officer of Nanzhao and the Great General. After centuries of weathering, over 800 characters remain.
The inscription on the Dehua Stele is traditionally attributed to Zheng Hui (郑回), the Qingping Officer of Nanzhao, while the calligraphy is said to be by Du Guangting (杜光庭), a Tang Dynasty (唐朝) official. However, this attribution remains contentious. The text primarily praises the governance and military achievements of Ge Luofeng (阁逻凤) and discusses the relationships between Nanzhao, the Tang Dynasty, and Tubo (吐蕃), outlining the reasons and processes of various wars. It reflects both the necessity of rebelling against the Tang and a desire for reconciliation. This stele is a valuable artifact for studying the history of ethnic groups in Yunnan and local Tibetan history.
Stele Specifications
- Height: 3.02 meters
- Width: 2.27 meters
- Thickness: 0.58 meters
Overview of the Artifact
Taihe Village, located 7 kilometers south of Dali County (大理县, now part of Dali City), was once renowned as the capital of the Nanzhao Kingdom (南诏国) over 1,200 years ago. Although the remnants of Nanzhao have faded into history, the ancient village still proudly displays the Dehua Stele. The text on the stele continues to resonate deeply, attesting to Nanzhao’s historical prominence and narrating its complicated relationship with the Tang Dynasty. The eloquence and grandeur of the inscription are unmatched in ancient Yunnan.
The Dehua Stele is the largest Tang Dynasty stele in Yunnan, standing at 3.02 meters tall, 2.27 meters wide, and 0.58 meters thick, with a total of 3,800 characters on one side and 1,200 characters on the other. Made from red sandstone, it is an important cultural relic for studying Nanzhao’s history and has been designated as a key national cultural heritage site alongside Taihe City.
Historical Background
The stele was erected after the “Tianbao War” (天宝战争) when Ge Luofeng, the ruler of Nanzhao, decisively defeated the Tang general Li Mi (李宓) and his army of 100,000 soldiers. The victory allowed Ge Luofeng to establish a commanding presence, leading him to inscribe the stele to commemorate his triumph. The inscription passionately conveys his grievances about being forced into rebellion against the Tang, while also expressing a desire for peace.
Sequence of Events
Background of Ge Luofeng’s Rebellion
After establishing its kingdom, Nanzhao grew in power and aimed to expand eastward. The Tang Dynasty, while seeking an alliance with Nanzhao, was reluctant to see it grow too strong, leading to rising tensions. During the Tianbao period, corrupt officials like Yang Guozhong (杨国忠) exacerbated the situation through military aggression and mismanagement, resulting in frequent conflicts along the borders.
In the ninth year of Tianbao (750 AD), Ge Luofeng traveled to Yunnan to pay his respects to the then-governor Zhang Qiantuo (张虔陀). However, his wife was insulted by Zhang, leading Ge Luofeng to demand justice from the Tang court. When the court failed to respond, he retaliated, killing Zhang and seizing numerous territories.
The following year, General Xianyu Zhongtong (鲜于仲通) led an army of 80,000 against Ge Luofeng. In a display of diplomacy, Ge Luofeng attempted to negotiate but was met with hostility. Faced with overwhelming odds, he allied with Tubo, leading to a significant defeat for the Tang army at the West Er River, with 60,000 casualties.
Despite these victories, the Tang Dynasty sent General Li Mi with another 100,000 troops to attack Nanzhao in the thirteenth year of Tianbao (754 AD), resulting in further destruction for the Tang forces in what became known as the “Tianbao War.”
Ge Luofeng’s Political Vision
Despite his victories over the Tang, Ge Luofeng was a visionary politician who, considering Nanzhao’s long-term interests, sought to avoid prolonged hostility with the Tang Dynasty.
Details of the Dehua Stele
The Dehua Stele is located west of Taihe Village, about seven miles from Qilichang (七里桥乡).
Ge Luofeng’s strategy involved respecting the fallen Tang soldiers. He built a memorial called “Datang Tianbao Warrior Tomb” (大唐天宝战士冢), also known as the “Tomb of Ten Thousand Soldiers,” and annually held memorial services. He also constructed the “Temple of General Li” (将军庙) at the foot of Cangshan Mountain (苍山), honoring the fallen Tang general Li Mi and his officers. These actions demonstrated Ge Luofeng’s deep consideration for the consequences of war and laid a foundation for future peace between Nanzhao and the Tang.
Peace with the Tang Dynasty
After Ge Luofeng’s death, his grandson Yimou Xun (异牟寻) succeeded him and sent envoys to Chengdu, requesting a return to the Tang Dynasty. At that time, the Tang was weakened and had to confront reality, accepting Nanzhao’s request. Recognizing past mistakes, Prime Minister Li Pi (李泌) acknowledged that “Yunnan has been a tributary of China since the Han dynasty, and Yang Guozhong’s interference led to rebellion,” thus proposing a strategy of “Southward communication with Yunnan” to counter Tubo’s influence, which was ultimately accepted by the Tang Emperor Dezong (唐德宗).
In the tenth year of the Zhenyuan period (794 AD), the Tang Dynasty dispatched Yuan Zi (袁滋) as a special envoy to confer the title of king upon the ruler of Nanzhao, marking 28 years after the establishment of the Dehua Stele and re-establishing Nanzhao’s connection with the Tang Dynasty.
Historical Significance
Historical Value
The Dehua Stele serves as a monumental historical record, documenting various aspects of Nanzhao’s history, including city planning, bureaucratic structures, agriculture, and industries like horse breeding, mining, and weaving. It even includes details about local hot springs used for healing. Therefore, it is an essential primary source for studying Nanzhao’s history, economy, politics, military affairs, culture, customs, and ethnic relations, filling gaps left by official historical records.
Literary Value
The Dehua Stele is revered as a literary masterpiece. Its narrative style is intricate and nuanced, capturing the complexities of historical events. The emotional depth and grandeur of the writing reflect the fierce justice of Nanzhao and the invincibility of its army. The text conveys a powerful sense of pride and defiance, describing the battles against Li Mi in vivid detail, illustrating the ferocity of the Nanzhao forces.
Authorship
The authorship of the Dehua Stele’s inscription is traditionally attributed to Zheng Hui (郑回), who was initially a magistrate in the Tang Dynasty’s Xilu County (西泸县, present-day Xichang County, Sichuan). After being captured by Nanzhao, he was entrusted with significant responsibilities and served as a teacher to royal family members. However, scholars like Wang Shuwu (王叔武) argue that based on the date of the stele’s erection, its narrative, and the author’s self-description, the inscription was not written by Zheng Hui.
The author of the inscription claims to be from a prominent family with ties to the Han dynasty, and some scholars suggest he might be Wang Miansheng (王蛮盛). Others speculate that he could be a descendant of the Sima family from the Jin dynasty (晋朝) or even Zheng Hui himself.
The calligraphy on the Dehua Stele is credited to Du Guangting, but this attribution is also debated.
Inscription:
恭闻清浊初分，运阴阳而生万物；川岳旣列，树元首而定八方。故知悬象著明，莫大于日月；崇高辨位，莫大于君臣。道治则中外宁，政乖必风雅变。岂世情而致，抑天理之常。我赞普钟蒙国大诏，性业合道，智覩未萌。随世运机，观宜抚众，退不负德，进不惭容者也。
王姓蒙，字阁罗凤，大唐特进云南王越国公开府仪同三司之长子也。应灵杰秀，含章挺生。日角标奇，龙文表贵。始乎王之在储府，道隆三善，位卽重离。不读非圣之书，尝学字人之术。抚军屡闻成绩，监国每著家声。唐朝授右领军卫大将军兼阳瓜州刺史。
洎先诏与御史严正诲静边寇，先王统军打石桥城，差诏与严正诲攻石和子。父子分师，两殄凶丑。加左领军卫大将军。无何，又与中使王承君同破剑川，忠绩载扬，赏延于嗣，迁左金吾卫大将军。而官以材迁，功由干立。朝廷照鉴，委任兵权。寻拜特进、都知兵马大将。二河旣宅，五诏已平。南国止戈，北朝分政。而越析诏余孼于赠，恃铎矟，骗泸江，结彼凶渠，扰我边鄙。飞书遣将，皆辄拒违。诏弱冠之年，已负英断，恨兹残丑，敢逆大邦。固请自征，志在夷扫。枭于赠之头，倾伏藏之穴。铎矟尽获，宝物并归。解君父之忧，静边隅之祲。制使奏闻，酬上柱国。
天宝七载，先王卽世，皇上念功旌孝，悼往抚存。遣中使黎敬义持节册袭云南王。长男凤迦异时年十岁，以天宝入朝，授鸿胪少卿，因册袭次，又加授上卿，兼阳瓜州刺史、都知兵马大将。旣御厚眷，思竭忠诚。子弟朝不绝书，进献府无余月。将谓君臣一德，内外无欺。岂期奸佞乱常，抚虐生变。
初，节度章仇兼琼不量成败，妄奏是非。遣越巂都督竹灵倩置府东爨，通路安南。赋重役繁，政苛人弊。被南宁州都督爨归王、昆州刺史爨日进、棃州刺史爨祺、求州爨守懿、螺山大鬼主爨彦昌、南宁州大鬼主爨崇道等陷煞竹灵倩，兼破安宁。天恩降中使孙希庄、御史韩洽、都督李宓等，委先诏招讨，诸爨畏威怀德，再置安宁。其李宓忘国家大计，蹑章仇诡踪，务求进官荣。宓阻扇东爨，遂激崇道，令煞归王。议者纷纭，人各有志。王务遏乱萌，思绍先绩。乃命大军将段忠国等与中使黎敬义、都督李宓，又赴安宁，再和诸爨。而李宓矫伪居心，尚行反间。更令崇道谋煞日进，东爨诸酋，并皆惊恐。曰：“归王，崇道叔也；日进，弟也，信彼谗构，煞戮至亲。骨肉旣自相屠，天地之所不佑。”乃各兴师，召我同讨。李宓外形中正，佯假我郡兵，内蕴奸欺，妄陈我违背。赖节度郭虚己仁鉴，方表我无辜。李宓寻被贬流，崇道因而亡溃。
又越巂都督张虔陀，尝任云南别驾，以其旧识风宜，表奏请为都督。而反诳惑中禁，职起乱阶。吐蕃是汉积雠，遂与阴谋，拟共灭我。一也。诚节王之庶弟，以其不忠不孝，贬在长沙。而彼奏归，拟令间我。二也。崇道蔑盟构逆，罪合诛夷，而却收录与宿，欲令雠我。三也。应与我恶者，并授官荣，与我好者，咸遭抑屈，务在下我。四也。筑城收质，缮甲练兵，密欲袭我。五也。重科白直，倍税军粮，征求无度，务欲蔽我。六也。于时驰表上陈，屡申寃枉，皇上照察，降中使贾奇俊详覆。属竖臣无政，事以贿成。一信虔陀，共掩天听，恶奏我将叛。王乃仰天叹曰：“嗟我无事，上苍可鉴。九重天子，难承咫尺之颜。万里忠臣，岂受奸邪之害。”卽差军将杨罗顚等连表控告。岂谓天高听远，蝇点成瑕，虽布腹心，不蒙衿察。管内酋渠等皆曰：“主辱臣死，我实当之。自可齐心戮力，致命全人。安得知难不防，坐招倾败。”于此差大军将王毗双、罗时、牟苴等扬兵送檄，问罪府城。自秋毕冬，故延时序，尚伫王命，冀雪事由。岂意节度使鲜于仲通已统大军，取南溪路下；大将军李晖从会同路进；安南都督王知进自步头路入。旣数道合势，不可守株。乃宣号令，诫师徒，四面攻围，三军齐奋。先灵冥佑，神炬助威。天人协心，军羣全拔。虔陀饮酖，寮庶出走。王以为恶止虔陀，罪岂加众，举城移置，犹为后图。卽便就安宁再申衷恳。城使王克昭执惑昧权，继违拒请。遣大军将李克铎等帅师伐之。我直彼曲，城破将亡。而仲通大军已至曲、靖。又差首领杨子芬与云南录事参军姜如之赍状披雪：“往因张卿谗构，遂令蕃、汉生猜。赞普今见观衅浪穹。或以众相威，或以利相导。傥若蚌鹬交守，恐为渔父所擒。伏乞居存见亡，在得思失。二城复置，幸容自新。”仲通殊不招承，劲至江口。我又切陈丹欵，至于再三。仲通拂谏，弃亲阻兵，安忍吐发，唯言屠戮。行使皆被诋呵。仍前差将军王天运帅领骁雄，自点苍山西，欲腹背交袭。于是具牲牢，设坛墠，叩首流血曰：“我自古及今，为汉不侵不叛之臣。今节度背好贪功，欲致无上无君之讨。敢昭告于皇天后土。”史祝尽词，东北稽首。举国痛切，山川黯然。至诚感神，风雨震霈。遂宣言曰：“彼若纳我，犹吾君也。今不我纳，卽吾雠也。断，军之机；疑，事之贼。”乃召卒伍，撊然登陴。谓左右曰：“夫至忠不可以无主，至孝不可以无家。”卽差首领杨利等于浪穹参吐蕃御史论若赞。御史通变察情，分师入救。时中丞大军出陈江口。王审孤虚，观向背，纵兵亲击，大败彼师。因命长男凤迦异、大军将段全葛等，于丘迁和拒山后赞军。王天运悬首辕门，中丞逃师夜遁。军吏欲追之。诏曰：“止。君子不欲多上人，况敢凌天子乎。苟自救也，社稷无殒多矣。”旣而合谋曰：“小能胜大祸之胎，亲仁善邻国之宝。”遂遣男铎传旧、大酋望赵佺邓、杨传磨侔及子弟六十人，赍重帛珍宝等物，西朝献凯。属赞普仁明，重酬我勋効。遂命宰相倚祥叶乐持金冠、锦袍、金宝带、金帐（状）[床]、安扛伞、鞍银兽及器皿、珂贝、珠球、衣服、駞马、牛缕等，赐为兄弟之国。天宝十一载正月一日，于邓川册诏为赞普钟南国大诏，授长男凤迦异大瑟瑟告身、都知兵马大将。凡在官僚，宠幸咸被。山河约誓，永固维城。改年为赞普钟元〔年〕。
二年，汉帝又命汉中郡太守司空袭礼、内使贾奇俊帅师再置姚府，以将军贾瓘为都督。佥曰：“汉不务德而以力争，若不速除，恐为后患。”遂差军将王（兵）〔丘〕各绝其粮道，又差大军将洪光乘等，神（州）〔川〕都知兵马使论绮里徐同围府城，信宿未逾，破如拉朽。贾瓘面缚，士卒全驱。
三年，汉又命前云南都督兼侍御史李宓、广府节度何履光、中使萨道悬逊，惣秦、陇英豪，兼安南子弟，顿营陇坪，广布军威。乃舟楫备修，拟水陆俱进。遂令军将王乐宽等潜军袭造船之师，伏尸遍毘舍之野。李宓犹不量力，进逼邆川。时神川都知兵马使论绮里徐来救，已至巴蹻山。我命大军将段附克等内外相应，竞角竞冲。彼弓不暇张，刃不及发。白日晦景，红尘翳天。流血成川，积尸壅水。三军溃衂，元帅沉江。诏曰：“生虽祸之始，死乃怨之终。岂顾前非而亡大礼。”遂收亡将等尸，祭而葬之，以存恩旧。
五年，范阳节度使安禄山窃据河、洛，开元帝出居江、剑。赞普差御史赞郞罗于恙结赍勅书曰：“树德务滋长，去恶务除本。越巂、会同谋多在我，图之此为美也。”诏恭承上命，卽遣大军将洪光乘、杜罗盛、段附克、赵附于望、罗迁、王迁、罗奉、清平官赵佺邓等，统细于藩从昆明路，及宰相倚祥叶乐、节度尚检赞同伐越巂。诏亲帅太子藩围逼会同。越巂固拒被僇，会同请降无害。子女玉帛，百里塞途，牛羊积储，一月馆谷。
六年，汉复置越巂，以杨庭琎为都督，兼固台登。赞普使来曰：“汉今更置越巂，作援昆明。若不再除，恐成滋蔓。”旣举奉明旨，乃遣长男凤迦异驻军泸水，权事制宜。令大军将杨传磨侔等与军将欺急历如数道齐入。越巂再扫，台登涤除。都督见擒，兵士尽掳。于是扬兵邛部，而汉将大奔，回斾昆明，倾城稽颡。可谓绍家继业，世不乏贤。昔十万横行，七擒纵略，未足多也。
爰有寻传，畴壤沃饶，人物殷凑。南通渤海，西近大秦。开辟以来，声敎所不及；羲皇之后，兵甲所不加。诏欲革之以衣冠，化之以义礼。十一年冬，亲与寮佐兼总师徒，刋木通道，造舟为梁。耀以威武，喩以文辞。欵降者抚慰安居，抵捍者（颈系）〔系颈〕盈贯。矜愚解缚，择胜置城。裸形不讨自来，祁鲜望风而至。
且安宁雄鎭，诸爨要冲。山对碧鸡，波环碣石。盐池鞅掌，利及牂、欢，城邑绵延，势连戎、僰。乃置城监，用辑携离。远近因依，闾阎栉比。十二年冬，诏候隙省方，观俗恤隐。次昆川，审形势，言山河以作藩屏，川陆可以养人民。十四年春，命长男凤迦异于昆川置柘东城，居二诏佐鎭抚。于是威慑步头，恩收曲、靖。颁诰所及，翕然俯从。
我王气受中和，德含覆育。才出人右，辩称世雄。高视则卓尔万寻，运筹则决胜千里。观衅而动，因利兴功。事叶神衷，有如天启。故能拔城挫敌，取胜如神。以危易安，转祸为福。绍开祖业，宏覃王献。坐南面以称孤，统东偏而作主。然后修文习武，官设百司，列尊叙卑，位分九等。阐三敎，宾四门。阴阳序而日月不僭，赏罚明而奸邪屏迹。通三才而制礼，用六府以经邦。信及豚鱼，恩沾草木。戹塞流潦，高原为稻黍之田。疏决陂池，下隰树园林之业。易贫成富，徙有之无，家饶五亩之桑，国贮九年之廪。荡秽之恩，屡沾蠢动。珍帛之惠，遍及耆年。设险防非，凭隘起坚城之固；灵津蠲疾，重岩涌汤沐之泉。越赕天马生郊，大利流波濯锦。西开寻传，禄郫出丽水之金；北接阳山，会川收瑟瑟之宝。南荒渀凑，覆诏愿为外臣；东爨悉归，步头已成内境。建都鎭塞，银生于墨觜之乡；候隙省方，驾憩于洞庭之野。盖由人杰地灵，物华气秀者也。于是犀象珍奇，贡献毕至，东西南北，烟尘不飞。遐迩无剽掠之虞，黔首有鼓击之泰。乃能骧首邛南，平眸海表。岂惟我钟王之自致，实赖我圣天帝赞普德被无垠，威加有截。春云布而万物普润，霜风下而四海飒秋。故能取乱攻昧，定京邑以息民，兼〔弱〕侮亡，册汉帝而继好。
时清平官段忠国、段寻铨等咸曰：“有国而致理，君主之美也。有美而无扬，臣子之过也。夫德以立功，功以建业，业成不纪，后嗣何观。可以刋石勒碑，志功颂德，用传不朽，俾达将来。”（□成）〔蛮盛〕家世汉臣，八王称乎晋业，钟铭代袭，百世定于当朝。生遇不天，再罹衰败。赖先君之遗德，沐求旧之鸿恩。改委清平，用兼耳目。心怀吉甫，愧无赞于周诗，志効奚斯，愿齐声于鲁颂。纪功述绩，寔曰鸿徽。自顾不才，敢题风烈。其词曰：
降祉自天，福流后孕。瑞应匪虚，祯祥必信。圣主分忧，遐夷声振。袭久传封，受符兼印。其一。
兼琼秉节，贪荣构乱。开路安南，政残东爨。竹倩见屠，官师溃散。赖我先王，怀柔伏叛。其二。
祚不乏贤，先（庸）〔猷〕是继。群守诡随，贬身遐裔。祸连虔陀，乱深竖嬖。殃咎匪他，途豕自殪。其三。
仲通制节，不询长久。征兵海隅，顿营江口。矢心不纳，白刃相守。谋用不臧，逃师夜走。其四。
汉不务德，而以力争。兴师命将，置不层城。三军往讨，一举而平。面缚羣吏，驰献天庭。其五。
李宓总戎，犹寻覆辙。水战陆攻，援孤粮绝。势屈谋穷，军残身灭。祭而葬之，情由故设。其六。
赞普仁明，审知机变。汉德方衰，边城绝援。挥我兵戎，攻彼郡县。越巂有征，会同无战。其七。
雄雄嫡嗣，高名英烈。惟孝惟忠，乃明乃哲。性惟温良，才称人杰。邛泸一扫，军郡双灭。其八。
观兵寻传，举国来宾。巡幸东爨，怀德归仁。碧海效祉，金穴荐珍。人无常主，惟贤是亲。其九。
土于克开，烟尘载寝。毂击（犁）〔犂〕坑，辑熙羣品。出入连城，光扬衣锦。业留万代之基，仓贮九年之廪。其十。
明明赞普，扬（于）〔干〕之光。赫赫我王，实赖之昌。化及有土，业着无壃。河带山砺，地久天长。其十一。
辩称世雄，才出人右。信及豚鱼，润深琼玖。德以建功，是谓不朽。石以刋铭，〔可长〕可久。其十二。
How to Get There
To visit the Dehua Stele, you can take a bus or taxi from Dali City (大理市) to Taihe Village (太和村). The site is well-marked and accessible, allowing visitors to explore this significant historical monument.
Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: The ideal times to visit are during spring or autumn when the weather is mild and pleasant.
- Guided Tours: Consider joining a guided tour for a more in-depth understanding of the historical context and significance of the stele.
- Photography: Respect preservation efforts and be mindful of where you take photographs, particularly around excavation areas.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Be aware of the cultural significance of the site and maintain a respectful demeanor while visiting.
