[Collection Name]: Rubbings of the Lifa Bridge Stele
 

[Historical Era]: Republican Era
 

[Collection size]: 87 centimeters horizontally; Vertical 172 centimeters
 

This collection was donated by Mr. Zhong Zhenzi, a famous calligrapher and painter from Hai'an in the last century. The full text consists of 17 lines and 467 words, with clear rubbings, uniform ink density, and distinct black and white colors, recording the long history of the Lifa Bridge in Hai'an. The current sentence is as follows:

It is called Wei Li Fa, formerly known as Fa Yang. Lu Wei Hui Yun, it is said that this place existed during the Spring and Autumn period. Wu chiseled the Hangou River, led the Huai River to the sea, and headed north along the route. This is for an important meeting. Residents are stable, travel has stopped, and there is a pavilion in Fuyao. During the Wei and Jin dynasties, when the bridge grid was first built, we cannot trace its history. In the tenth year of the Baoda reign, the county was renamed as a county and its old name was restored. During the Song Dynasty, a supervisor was established in Hailing and the county was relocated for governance. It has been worshipped for over a thousand years and has been worshipped until now. Following the east of the moat, we trace back to Dingyan and Matang, and branch through the excavated harbor, with a narrow focus on abundant resources; Turning north and heading towards Libao and Xichang, he made a comeback and started, winding and twisting for more than 200 miles. To the northeast of Baoxian County, it is called Chuanchang River. The river is like a jade ring, and the bridge connects its nose. Salt ships and merchant ships, connecting with each other, must pass through the road. Spring and summer are scattered, waves and pens overflow, thousands of evil promises are made, and there is no such thing as an endless cycle. The genus Pianchuan is characterized by the intersection of ravines and sinuses, moth holes and burrows, waves gnawing on sand and rinsing, water losing its stillness, and stones dying its firmness. According to the Qing Dynasty calendar, it will be rebuilt again. During the reign of Emperor Guangxu, the summer sun descended horizontally, and the two stacks were tied together. The public opinion was not in harmony, and people were not allowed to get involved. Tu Yu flowed far away. Complaints about luggage, looking at Qi Meng and Li Fuk Sheng. The shepherd of governance knows no bounds. So, the Governor General of Liangjiang, Duke Jiande of Zhou, patrolled Huainan in Yan, with a tired eye on Min and Chu, a love for discipline and a sense of duty, and served as a commander and commander. Officials monopolize officials and refuse to lend money. The movement of symbols is easy, but they are still repeated. Ye Jun from Huiwu County, with the courtesy name Hanfu, passed through Guangling. How much benevolence is there? With more than a letter and edict, I am willing to spend five thousand and work hard. The countryside admires the wind, and the birds rise up in a gentle manner. Wang Junren, a dragon, has trained Xiao Jianzhu and appointed him as his supervisor. Cutting wood and stones is nothing but envy. On the sixth day of the lunar month, the gold exceeds ten thousand yuan. During the summer season of Jia Yin, one's achievements have come to an end. Strong and diverse, the group is free from interference, and pedestrians enjoy it. Without Duke Zhou, who would have let him fall! Without Ye Jun and Dunhong Qihui? Kid He De, not named for it. Inscription on stone, with a mournful sound. As the poem said, "Earth can be pond and desolate, rivers can be blocked and shored, stones can be sharpened and decayed, and Peizai: Huishi will not be published!"!

Built in December of the fourth year of the Republic of China

Written by Yuan Bing of Rugao Sand

Gu Xijue's Book

Ni Jingshan Inscription

According to the Zuo Zhuan, in 483 BC, the state of Wu summoned leaders of the three states of Lu, Wei, and Song to meet in Yundi with the intention of forming an alliance and vying for control of the Central Plains. The term 'Yun' here refers to the area around Lifa Bridge in Hai'an. At that time, Yun was a territory of the Wu state. After the Wu state excavated the Han River, it led the Huai River into the sea and flowed outwards through the Fayao mouth. Therefore, in ancient times, the area near Lifa was known as the 'throat of the 36 salt fields in northern Jiangsu and a key route to dozens of prefectures and counties'.
 

During the Song Dynasty, a north-south stone bridge named Lifa Bridge was built at the confluence of Tongyang River and Yunyan River. According to historical records, "This bridge is four zhang and five chi high, and over nine zhang long. There is an arched bridge gate built under the bridge to facilitate boats and boats
 

Years have passed, and due to its location on a major transportation artery, Lifa Bridge has been in disrepair for many years, ultimately resulting in severe damage. In the eleventh year of the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty, the officials of the Hailing Palace re funded the construction of this bridge and renamed it "Lifan Bridge". Due to multiple floods, by the eleventh year of the Xianfeng reign of the Qing Dynasty, almost all of the bridge had collapsed. After local gentry Chen Shifu and others jointly petitioned for donations from wealthy households in various urban and rural salt fields, the Lifa Bridge was rebuilt and its original name was restored.
 

In the summer of the 31st year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, part of the Lifa Bridge collapsed, forcing sedan and horse riders to take a long detour, causing resentment and lamentation among the people. When Ye Hanfu from Wu County came to Yangzhou to manage salt administration, he invested 5000 yuan, which led to the villagers raising funds one after another. The renovation was completed in the third year of the Republic of China. The locals carved stone railings and columns with couplets: "Welcoming the Huai River to the west, locking the sea and sky tide to the east", "Turning to the Yao Pavilion, pointing to the shadows of thousands of sails, defending the seawall and crossing the smoke of thousands of stoves". The following year, during the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty, Jinshi and Hanlin Academy editor Rugao Sha Yuanbing wrote an article, county resident Gu Xijue wrote it, and Ni Jingshan carved a monument to commemorate it.
 

The original bridge was demolished in the middle of the last century due to the diversion of the Chuanchang River. The stone monument is now located in the History Museum of Hai'an Lifa Middle School, and the Faqiao Bridge was built at a later site.