When it comes to the unique culture of Xinyang, most people think of the tea culture represented by "Xinyang Maojian" and the red culture represented by "Dabie Mountain Spirit", but little do they know that the root culture here is equally rich in history. As one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization, many surnames in China, such as Huang, Lai, Jiang, Luo, Liao, and Pan, originated from or had a branch in Xinyang. The four large-scale population migrations to the south in the history of the Central Plains are related to Xinyang. Especially in the early Tang Dynasty, Chen Yuanguang led his army to suppress rebellions, established Zhangzhou, spread Central Plains culture, and shook Fujian and Guangdong. This was one of the important reasons why Gushi in Guangzhou became the starting point and distribution center for the southward migration of Central Plains. Chen Yuanguang, also known as Tingju and Longhu, was born in Gushi, Guangzhou in the second year of Xianqing reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang Dynasty (657). He was born sensitive and knowledgeable in classics and history since childhood. He enjoyed horseback riding, archery, Confucianism, and strategic planning. At the age of only thirteen, he was recommended as the top scholar in his hometown. Why did he embark on an expedition to southern Fujian from Gushi, with a splendid career, and why was he revered as the "Holy King of Kaizhang" by the local people? Why did Gushi, thousands of years later, become the "first hometown of overseas Chinese in the Central Plains" and one of the top ten root seeking holy sites that Chinese people around the world aspire to? What legendary stories are hidden in the scroll of history? The horizontal sword immediately suppressed the chaos and shook the hearts of the people in Fujian, Guangdong, and Anhui. Before the Sui and Tang dynasties, ethnic minorities such as Miao, Yao, Li, and Han people coexisted in the vast area between Quanzhou and Chaozhou, and a large number of uncivilized ethnic groups poured in from Lingnan and eastern Guangdong, making the ethnic conflicts here increasingly acute. In the early Tang dynasty, this Han barbarian conflict that had lasted for nearly 800 years intensified and escalated. In the second year of the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang (669), turmoil broke out, known as the "Barbarian Roaring Rebellion" in history. Chen Yuanguang's father, General Chen Zheng, was ordered by Emperor Gaozong of Tang to lead the troops stationed in Gushi, Guangzhou, southward to quell the rebellion. Chen Yuanguang abandoned literature and joined the army with his father, embarking on the mighty 'Ten Thousand Miles of Military Expedition'. They fought all the way, overcoming numerous tests such as climate, soil, and malaria, defeating the main force of "barbarians", eliminating bandits and thieves, and ensuring the stability of the Fujian Guangdong border. In the second year of Yifeng reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang Dynasty (677), Chen Zheng passed away due to overwork and illness. At the age of only 21, Chen Yuanguang inherited his father's position and took on the important task of pacifying the town. After taking control of the military power, he implemented the "Seven Commandments" of fear, laziness, arrogance, slowness, cowardice, extravagance, and greed, and rectified the military atmosphere. From then on, the military was strong and prosperous, and he was invincible in all battles. In the second year of Yonglong reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang Dynasty (681), Chen Qian led a rebellion and captured the state, posing a threat to Chaozhou city once again. Chen Yuanguang realized that the barbarian forces were constantly invading, and if they were not eradicated, the Fujian Guangdong region would not be able to truly achieve long-term stability. So he led his army to Chaozhou and joined forces with the local Tang army to launch a fire attack, breaking through the enemy's camp and eliminating the barbarian forces that had been harassing the Lingnan region for a long time. After 17 years of arduous battles, the stability of the Fujian Guangdong region has been initially achieved. Transforming customs and promoting education, and pragmatically governing Zhangzhou for the people. During the years of pacification, Chen Yuanguang believed that the fundamental reason for the long-term instability in the southern Fujian region was the lack of a mature management system. After more than ten years of governance and development, the conditions for establishing counties in Jianzhou were basically mature. Chen Yuanguang then submitted the "Request for Jianzhou County List" to the Tang court in the second year of the Chuigong reign (686), requesting the establishment of a new state between Quan and Chao, named Zhangzhou. Wu Zetian approved the proposal and appointed Chen Yuanguang as the governor of Zhangzhou. From then on, a complete administrative management system was established for the vast wilderness between springs and tides, laying a solid foundation for subsequent governance. Chen Yuanguang implemented many effective policy measures for the governance and construction of Zhangzhou. In terms of military affairs, he retained a management system similar to the prefectural military system, and engaged in both farming and warfare. He established thirty-six fortresses and five mobile platforms within the state, and patrolled the border continuously throughout the year to prevent thieves from emerging; In terms of people's livelihood, it advocates that "good governance lies in nurturing the people, and nurturing the people lies in lenient taxation", and "no labor, no taxes" for the barbarians. It also teaches advanced agricultural production technology from the Central Plains; In terms of education, taking "promoting order and running education" as the "urgent task of saving the times", the earliest institution in the history of education in China named after a school, "Songzhou Academy", was established, forming a good social atmosphere of "shifting ugly folk customs and warm local customs"; In terms of economy, "establishing settlements, attracting exiles, cultivating crops, selling ceramics, and promoting commerce and industry" is the foundation of governance, with the development of production and the prosperity of the economy as the basis. With the implementation of various beneficial policies for the people, Central Plains culture and advanced production technology have rapidly spread in southern Fujian. The two banks of the Zhang River have gradually become the political, economic, and cultural hubs of the southern Fujian region. This remote "nest of barbarians" has become a "treasure land of mixed flowers and green winters, with two new harvests" in Fengrao. The establishment and development of Zhangzhou ended the long-term semi independent state of the Minnan region, and the Tang Dynasty began to implement effective administrative jurisdiction over this area. The connection between the Minnan region and the Central Plains became closer, and Central Plains culture began to spread widely. In the second year of Jingyun reign of Emperor Ruizong of Tang (711), Chen Yuanguang unfortunately sacrificed himself in battle, at the age of 55, and left a heroic name that has been passed down through the ages. Upon hearing this terrible news, the people were filled with tears and grief. In order to commemorate Chen Yuanguang's achievements, memorial halls were set up and incense was burned and worshipped to express their grief. From the Tang Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, emperors of all dynasties posthumously honored Chen Yuanguang 22 times. In the fourth year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1739), he was officially posthumously honored as the "Holy King of Kaizhang" in the Tang Gaofeng Sacrificial Ceremony. Thus, a generation of meritorious officials ascended to the altar and were revered by later generations. According to incomplete statistics, there are currently over 600 temples around the world commemorating Chen Yuanguang. In the poem "Praise to the Statue of Chen Yuanguang" written by Tang Dynasty poet Wang Wei, it is written: "With both literary and martial arts, who can be with Wu? With filial piety and loyalty, the heroic spirit of martyrs can be spread throughout the ages. More than 1300 years ago, Chen Yuanguang interpreted the meaning of "serving as an official and benefiting the community" with unwavering loyalty. Under his leadership, 87 surnames and nearly 10000 soldiers and their families who entered Fujian and Zhangzhou settled down on the spot and multiplied for generations. Their descendants became an important part of the population in the Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, and Chaoshan regions, and continuously migrated in a fan-shaped pattern to Taiwan, Hainan, Hong Kong, Macau, Southeast Asia, and Europe and America. They identified themselves as "Tang people" and the places where overseas Chinese and overseas Chinese lived were called "Chinatowns". In April 1981, Professor Huang Diancheng, a dialectologist at Xiamen University, published an article titled "Searching for Roots and Native Language to the Central Plains" in Henan Daily, clearly stating that the starting point for Taiwanese compatriots to search for roots is in southern Fujian and the end point is in Gushi, Henan, which sparked a heated discussion in the academic community. The Tang Dynasty soldiers who developed Fujian and Guangdong and settled in southern Xinjiang became the founding fathers of the Central Plains' "He Luo Lang" who entered Fujian and Guangdong, as well as their descendants who migrated to Taiwan. They also became the "roots" of Chinese and overseas Chinese who gradually migrated from Fujian and Taiwan to Southeast Asia. They became the historical source of "Chinatowns" in Europe and America, and a spiritual bridge connecting Fujian and Taiwan compatriots, overseas Chinese, and visitors from around the world. They formed a cultural phenomenon of "visiting ancestors from Taiwan to Fujian, and tracing roots to Gushi in Zhangjiang", attracting a large number of Chinese and overseas Chinese to Gushi to seek roots and ancestors, and to remember their ancestors. History tells us that those who drive history forward will always be remembered by history; Those who benefit the people will always be remembered and admired by the people. As the saying goes, the Great Farewell, Wuyi, and Alishan are surrounded by mountains, and the idea of the same root cannot be separated; The Huai River, Minjiang River, and Sun Moon Lake, with their clear waters trickling down, cannot fully express the bond of brotherhood. May the 'Heluo Lang' at home and abroad visit Gushi more often, seek roots and pay respects to their ancestors, remember their ancestors, gather with relatives and friends, and find the bonds of family ties from the depths of their bloodline. Where is the 'Holy King'? In Zhangzhou, Xinyang, Alishan, Sun Moon Lake, and in the hearts of Chinese and overseas Chinese, he has always been there. (New Society)