Classic Chinese Geography Stories 300 - East and West Wanderings in China (New Curriculum Recommended Reading for Primary and Middle School Students' Extracurricular Reading Gold Edition)

Author: Editor-in-Chief: Yan Bangyi / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features:
4. The Stone Lion Shot by a Bullet
Among the most famous stone lions in China are the two pairs of giant stone lions in front of Tiananmen. They are male and female, exuding solemn and fierce majesty, standing alongside the Hua Biao to accentuate the grandeur of Tiananmen. If you look closely, you will notice a deep pit about an inch long on the belly of the stone lion on the western side of the Jinshui Bridge. It looks as if it has been pierced by something. What happened?
Legend has it that after Li Zicheng captured Beijing, the Ming general Li Guozhen refused to flee and fought with Li Zicheng on Qipan Street in front of the gate. Li Guozhen, however, was no match for the Rebel King. After just a few exchanges, he was defeated and fled, hiding behind the stone lion at the head of the Jinshui Bridge. Li Zicheng pursued him with victory in sight. When he reached the Jinshui Bridge, a rebel general suddenly exclaimed, "Hey, why are the stone lions moving?"
The Rebel King roared, "Nonsense! Stone lions can't move!" With that, he took off his iron-pointed steel spear, raised it, spurred his horse, and charged straight toward the stone lion. In truth, Li Zicheng had already seen someone hiding behind the stone lion, but he deliberately pretended not to notice.
Before you know it, with a loud "thud," sparks flew everywhere. Li Zicheng's spear missed Li Guozhen but struck the belly of the stone lion. This exposed Li Guozhen, who had no choice but to come out and surrender.
There is also a folk tale that says during the late Qing Dynasty, when the Eight-Nation Alliance invaded Beijing, the "foreign devils" swaggered in front of Tiananmen. Enraged, the stone lion came to life, baring its teeth and claws as it charged the invaders. The foreigners were terrified and fired their guns in panic. As a result, a bullet hole was left on the stone lion's belly.
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