国立中山大学牌坊

“A general’s valor, a poet’s grace,” a passerby hummed, a snatch of Cantonese opera drifting down u7ea2u7960u5802u76f4u8857. This seemingly ordinary street holds a tale of two remarkable men, Zhang Liang and his son Zhang Mai. u7ea2u7960u5802u76f4u8857, or “Memorial Shrine Straight Street,” was once the site of “Memorial Shrine of Loyalty and Righteousness.” This shrine, erected around 180 AD, honored Zhang Liang, one of the earliest recorded generals in Guangdong’s history. He fought bravely in the late Qin dynasty peasant uprisings. He later aided Liu Bang in his campaigns, ultimately helping establish the Han dynasty. His son, Zhang Mai, inherited not his father’s martial prowess, but a talent for music and poetry. Zhang Mai became one of the earliest recorded poets and musicians in Guangdong, a cultural icon celebrated for capturing the voice of the people in his songs. The original shrine is long gone. However, the legacy of the Zhangs lived on in the hearts of the people. In 2002, u7ea2u7960u5802u76f4u8857 and the surrounding community underwent a revitalization. A new statue of Zhang Liang and Zhang Mai was erected. The statue, carved from a single block of granite, stands tall, depicting Zhang Liang holding a Han dynasty official’s cap and Zhang Mai a bamboo flute. A 28-meter-long bas-relief mural adorns the walls of the nearby Dadong Street Primary School, now renamed Zhengyi Primary School. This mural vividly portrays scenes from their lives. The school embraces the principles of “loyalty and righteousness” in its curriculum. They aim to cultivate students’ appreciation for these virtues, just as the shrine once inspired the community. u7ea2u7960u5802u76f4u8857 stands as a testament to these two men. Their contributions to the region’s history and culture continue to resonate even today.