Legends of the Grand View Tower

This novel follows the inheritance and development of Kunming’s culture. It tells the life story of Sun Ranweng and the famous long couplet he wrote for Daguan Pavilion. It also introduces Zhou Shanfu and his “Ode to Spring City,” exploring how these cultural treasures have been passed down and shaped people across different eras.

The beginnings of cultural inheritance: During the Kangxi reign of the Qing dynasty, Yunnan Governor Wang Jiwen oversaw the construction of Daguan Pavilion. Sun Ranweng, a talented scholar of humble means, caught Wang’s attention, and the two became friends. Sun also rescued A Yue, a fisher girl, and they fell in love. After Daguan Pavilion was completed, Sun wrote his famous couplet, but it offended powerful figures. Framed and thrown into prison, he was freed only with the help of Yunnan Military Governor Ma Rulong.

The legacy continues: Sun and A Yue withdrew from public life. Later, Wang Jiwen came to visit, and they discussed compiling an annotated edition of the couplet to preserve its cultural legacy. But local gentry sabotaged their efforts and stole the manuscript. Wang uncovered the truth and punished the culprits, allowing the annotated edition to be published. Sun later opened a private school, passing on his knowledge and educating many talented students.

Cultural inheritance in the new era: As society developed, Chenggong District began developing the Santai Mountain Scenic Area. Li Ming, one of Sun Ranweng’s students, and his team took part. They retraced Bing Xin’s steps in Chenggong, helped restore her former residence as a memorial, contributed to carving “Ode to Spring City,” and helped build a monument to revolutionary martyrs. They also gathered materials on Chenggong’s sixteen scenic spots, supporting the cultural development of the scenic area.

Cultural exchange and outreach: The renowned actor Yu Rongguang decides to film a documentary, “Kunming’s Daguan Pavilion and Chenggong’s Santai Mountain,” for free, and Li Ming and the others lend their support. The documentary receives an enthusiastic response when it airs, drawing poetry enthusiasts from every province in China to Kunming...