建中寺
Jianzhong Temple
普泰元年尚書令樂平王爾朱世隆所立也本是閹官司空劉騰宅屋宇奢侈梁棟踰制一里之間廊廡充溢堂比宣光殿門匹乾明門博敞宏麗諸王莫及也在西陽門內御道北所謂延年里
In the first year of the Putai era, it was built by Erzhu Shilong, the Grand Chancellor and Prince of Yueping. This site was originally the residence of the eunuch and Minister of Works, Liu Teng. The buildings were extravagant, with beams and roof beams exceeding proper regulations. Within the span of one street, the verandas spread out expansively, the main hall rivaling the Xuanguang Hall and the gates matching the Qianming Gate. It was vast, spacious, and grandly beautiful—beyond what any prince could match. Situated on the north side of the imperial avenue inside the West Yang Gate, it lies in what was called Yan'ning Village.
劉騰宅東有太僕寺寺東有乘黃署署東有武庫署即魏相國司馬文王府武庫東至閶闔宮門是也
East of Liu Teng's residence was the Grand Coachman's Temple. East of that temple was the Celestial Yellow Office, and east of that office was the Armory Office. This was originally the residence of Sima Wen, Prime Minister of Wei. The armory extended eastward to the Gate of Heavenly Palaces.
〔魏書〕劉騰平原人靈太后臨朝封長樂公與領軍元乂害清河王懌廢太后於宣光殿生段之柄決於二人之手內外屬請公然受納逼奪鄰居廣開室宇騰之治宅也周特筮之不吉止之騰不聽特告人曰必困於三月正光四年三月騰死聽事甫成陳屍其下
[Book of Wei] Liu Teng was from Pingyuan. When Empress Dowager Ling was regent, he was enfeoffed as the Duke of Changle. Together with the Commander-in-Chief Yuan Yi, he caused the death of the Prince of Qinghe, Yuan Yi, and confined the Empress Dowager in Xuanguang Palace. The reins of power were firmly held by these two men. Officials and locals alike had to make personal requests to them, and they accepted bribes openly, unlawfully seizing their neighbors' land to expand their own estates.
When Teng built his mansion, Zhou Te consulted the oracle bones and obtained an unfavorable omen, advising Teng against it. Teng ignored the warning. Zhou Te told someone, "He will definitely face ruin in the third month."
In the third month of the fourth year of the Zhengzhen era (AD 523), Teng died. The reception hall had just been completed, and his body was laid out beneath it.
西陽門內御道南有永康里里內復有領軍將軍元乂宅掘故井得石銘云是太尉荀彧宅
Inside the Western Yang Gate, on the south side of the Imperial Way, there is Yongkang Lane. Within this lane stands the residence of General-in-Chief Yuan Yi. While digging an old well, a stone inscription was unearthed, which reads: "This is the former residence of Grand Commandant Xun Yu."
正光年中元乂專權太后幽隔永巷騰為謀主乂是江夏王繼之子太后妹壻熙平初明帝幼沖諸王勸上太后拜乂為侍中領軍左右令總禁兵委以腹心反得幽隔永巷六年太后哭曰養虎自齧長虺成蛇至孝昌元年太后反政遂誅乂等沒騰田宅元乂誅日騰已物故太后追思騰罪發墓殘尸使其神靈無所歸聚以宅賜高陽王雍建明元年尚書令樂平王爾朱世隆為榮追福題以為寺朱門黃閣所謂仙居也以前廳為佛殿後堂為講室金華寶蓋徧滿其中有一涼風堂本騰避暑之處淒涼常冷經夏無蠅有萬年千歲之樹也
During the Zheng'ang era (520-525 AD), Yuan Yi held total power and had the Empress Dowager confined in the Yong Alley. Liu Teng acted as his chief conspirator. Yuan Yi was the son of the Prince of Jiangxia, and his wife was the Empress Dowager's sister.
At the beginning of the Xiping period (516 AD), Emperor Mingdi was young and weak. Many princes urged the Emperor to appoint Yuan Yi as Palace Attendant and Commander of the Imperial Guard, placing both left and right forces under his command and entrusting him with the most vital military responsibilities. Yet instead of being grateful, he turned around and had the Empress Dowager confined in the Yong Alley for six years. The Empress Dowager wept and said: "This is like raising a tiger that eventually bites you, or raising a snake that grows into a dragon."
In the first year of Changyuan (525 AD), the Empress Dowager returned to power. She had Yuan Yi executed and confiscated Liu Teng's house and lands. By the time Yuan Yi was killed, Liu Teng had already died. Still furious with him, the Empress Dowager had his grave exhumed and his corpse mutilated, ensuring his spirit would find no peace. She granted Liu Teng's mansion to the Prince of Gaoyang.
In the first year of Jianming (530 AD), the Minister of the Chancellery, the Prince of Pingyang, Erzhu Shilong, named this mansion a temple to pray for Erzhu Rong's well-being. It was designated a monastery, with vermilion gates and yellow chambers — it was called the "Immortal Abode." The front hall became a Buddha hall, and the back hall converted into a lecture room. The halls were decorated with golden flowers and jeweled canopies everywhere.
Inside was a "Cool Wind Hall," originally built as Liu Teng's summer retreat. It was always cool and chilly, so much so that in summer there were not even any flies. Ancient trees, said to be a thousand or even ten thousand years old, grew there.
〔魏書〕元乂小字夜叉道武裔孫也乂妻靈太后之妹為太后所信委聲勢日盛清河王懌裁之以法乂遂殺之遂幽胡太后乂與高陽王輔政肅宗呼為姨父後為高陽王解其兵柄乂解侍中為人告謀反賜死