Mao Enpu

Ma Yichen was born in the 26th year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign (around 1781) and passed away in the 10th year of the Guangxu Emperor's reign (around 1884). He was buried in Shaoshan and left behind a son, Mao Yichang, and two daughters. Mao Yichen and his wife, Liu, led a life of poverty, occasionally interacting with Wen Zhiya of the Tang family. Wen Zhiya, seeking to forge an alliance through marriage, betrothed his daughter, Wen Qimei, to Mao Shunsheng. Although Mao Shunsheng was only 10 years old at the time, Mao Yichen agreed. Wen Qimei married into the Mao family in 1885 at the age of 18 and bore Mao Zedong. Since his first two pregnancies resulted in stillbirths, Mao Yichen was overjoyed at finally having a grandson. As days passed, life gradually improved. Mao Shunsheng worked hard and became prosperous, expanding the Mao family's land to 22 acres, becoming a middle-class farmer. When Mao Yichen died in 1904, Mao Zedong, who was already aware of his surroundings, felt grief at his grandfather’s passing. Mao Yichen was buried on a steep hilltop atop a large rock called Dishi Gan. Later, Mao Zedong would visit the grave annually during Qingming Festival. To protect the tomb, villagers buried the gravestone. In 1966, during Mao Zedong's southern tour, he attempted to visit the mountain but was unable due to the steep terrain. In 1986, during the construction of a tourism area, Mao Yichen’s grave was rediscovered and restored, becoming a site for visitors to pay their respects.