Record of the Reconstruction of Returning Dragon Bridge (Text)

Record of the Reconstruction of Returning Dragon Bridge

            Is there any evidence to support the geomancers’ theory that the “water mouth”[1] is the key? At first, I did not believe it. Our hometown is called Guodong. It is located at a mountan pass. Water from the two springs comes from the south, turns to west, and then turns around to the northeast, covering several hundred meters.[2] We created an embankment to create a reservoir and built a bridge above [the water-mouth]. Geomancers say that the mountain is a dragon mountain, and that if people live here the dragon will return. Therefore the bridge is called Returning Dragon Bridge. Since it is dammed downstream, the water winds around and lingers, tranquilly flowing around our hamlet. Those who take their relaxation here only appreciate the beauty of the stream and mountains, but forget the benefit [the bridge offers for] crossing the stream.

            In the yiwei year (1715), the bridge collapsed. We do not know when the bridge was built for the first time. But it was during the Longqing reign period (1567-1573) that our ancestor the Gentleman Jingshan assembled the lineage to rebuild it, and changed its name to the current one. Alas! When the bridge existed, people did not pay attention to it; since it collapsed, misfortunes have happened frequently to the villag and people of the four occupations[3] lost their work. Disasters occurred year after year and the population did not prosper. Although we cannot completely blame [the collapse of] the bridge for these misfortunes, when we contemplate the present and recall the past it is clear which situation is better. We invited a geomancer to divine for us. He thought that [the landscape configuration here] has the images of the gen trigram.[4] Its sign is a covered bowl. The water of the reservoir flows to the north, going smoothly and fully. We have only the bridge to stop it from departing. . could it have been abandoned? Furthermore, the explanation for the hexagram states: “When what is below is rapid, what is above will be conflicted. If its shape is like a bow released then it will go west and east This is detrimental to the residents.”[5] I say: “All this is right. Is this not what our ancestors did to protect their families and benefit their descendants?”

This spring I encouraged our people, and they agreed with one voice. They then appointed me one of the six directors. Once the plan was set we proceeded to raise money. WThose working inside the village we asked to donate according to their abilities and those working outside [in the fields] we asked to donate grain in proportion to their harverst. After we had collected enough money we chose an auspicious day to buy the materials and recruited workers to finish the stones. After the work was done, the elders of our hamlet brought their accomplished youths and celebrated the speedy accomplishment. We toasted to each other and enjoyed the banquet. I told them: “Our lineage’s [bridge] has been damaged for several years, and then in a flash it has been restored to its former condition! Henceforth the prosperity of our people and the glory of our literati will no doubt doubly surpass that of the former generations. Therefore I have composed this to tell [the descendants] so that they will know that this could not have been achieved without the efforts of you gentlemen.”

Furthermore, since I have personally experienced the rise and decline [of our village’s fortune], I am doubly convinced that our ancestors’ construction [of this bridge] was not simply for relaxation or for the utility of crossing [the stream]. Zuo Commentary says: “From now on, I really understand the value of divination.” I record this to tell later generations so that they will not think the old embankments[6] useless and get rid of them! 

As for things such as the duration [of the construction] and the amount spent, those who participated have their own accounting which I will not repeat.

On the thirteenth day of the 11^th month in the xinchou year, sixtieth year of the Kangxi Reign Period (1722).

Written by

 the the villager [He] Fuyue