Nanzhao Stele
 In
A.D. 766 Geluofeng, King Piluoge's son, ascended the
throne and erected the stele of Nanzhao in the city
proper of Taihe. The stele measures 3.03 X 2.27 X 0.58
metres. It is the largest stele of the Tang Dynasty
kept in good condition in Yunnan. On the facade, there
are carved 3,800 Chinese characters which vividly describe
the early history of Nanzhao Kingdom, its relationship
with the Tang emperors and the whys and wherefores of
the Tianbao warfare. The language is touching and eloquent
and the calligraphy powerful, very similar to the handwriting
of Li Beihai (Li Yong). But actually, they were written
by Zheng Hui, the Qingpingguan or prime minister (second
only to the king) of Nanzhao Kingdom at the time. On
the back of the stele, there are engravings of the names
of the high ranking officials, generals and administrators.
The inscriptions carved on the stele are important information
for the study of Nanzhao Kingdom's history and her relations
with the Tang Dynasty.
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