Yao Jian

Yao Jian, styled Yifu, was a person of the Sui Dynasty. According to the "Great Mountain Taihe Mountain Annals" and the "Junzhou Annals", he assisted Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, in seizing the throne. After Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, he appointed him as the governor of Junzhou and the military governor of Wudang, in charge of the political and military affairs in the area of present-day northwestern Hubei. During the Zhenguan period (627-648 AD), large-scale droughts and locust plagues occurred throughout the country. Emperor Taizong of Tang sent court officials to offer sacrifices to famous mountains, but none of them responded. Then he ordered Yao Jian to pray to Wudang. When Yao Jian was in office in Junzhou, he had already heard from the local people that on the Five Dragons Peak of Wudang Mountain, there was a Dragon King of the Five Qi who was in seclusion. Whenever there was a disaster of drought, flood or epidemic, he would go there to pray and it was very effective. So Yao Jian resolutely followed the imperial edict and went to the mountains. As I was approaching the Five Dragons Peak, I met five men dressed as Confucian scholars, who were of extraordinary charm. I calmly said to them, "We are not ordinary people from the mortal world; we are the Five Dragons Lord you are looking for." We are guarding this mountain by the order of Emperor Xuan. Knowing that you are upright in character and honest in governance, and now you spare no effort to ward off disasters and pray for blessings for the people, your sincerity has long moved Emperor Xuan. Emperor Xuan ordered me to convey a message to you. In response to your prayer, please return home immediately." Having said that, a cloud of mist rose from the ground and all five people vanished. Yao Jian knew he had met an extraordinary person and immediately turned away. From time to time, thunder rumbled and rain fell everywhere. After several days of nourishment, the withered rice plants thrive again and the locust plague vanishes. All the people cheered and jumped for joy. Yao Jian immediately submitted a memorial to the emperor. Emperor Taizong was overjoyed upon hearing the report and immediately ordered the construction of the Five Dragons Shrine on the Five Dragons Peak to honor the Five Dragons Deity. After praying in Wudang, Yao Jian developed a dislike for official positions and a desire for the Tao. He then petitioned Emperor Taizong to grant him permission to take office and enter the Taoist path. Emperor Taizong approved the memorial. So Yao Jian, along with his entire family, went to the Five Dragons Shrine to offer incense and worship. Later, he achieved enlightenment and passed away. According to the "Great Mountain Taihe Mountain Annals", after Yao Jian achieved enlightenment and became an immortal, Emperor Xuan appointed him as the god to guard the territory and protect the mountains of Junzhou. In the early Song Dynasty, due to the drought and locust plague, many people went to Wudang Mountain to pay homage to Yao Jian, and there were frequent responses. The imperial court immediately bestowed upon Yao Jian the posthumous title of "Zhongzhi Weilie Wang" and built a Weilie Wang Shrine east of the Zixiao Palace to offer incense. During the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, the ancestral hall was expanded into a temple and was awarded the title "Weilei Temple". It still exists today.