The northern edge of Yuan County's seat adjoined the mountains. Yuan Mountain was thickly wooded, its terrain high but gently sloping, with numerous peaks.
Dinghe Peak, near the north of town, was a scenic spot in Yuan County that overlooked the entire town. Whenever a Literary Assembly was held, it was the ideal location.
Another peak farther from the county seat, Changju Peak, was a burial ground with excellent feng shui.
In earlier years, any resident of Yuan County could be buried on Changju Peak after death, but as the number of the deceased increased, the county government continually raised the requirements for burial there.
After Liu Shan became a Grand Academician and took office as Left Prime Minister, the requirements for burial on Changju Peak rose again. Whether this was the work of the county magistrate at the time or instructions conveyed by Liu Shan's disciples was unknown. Only patriarchs of prominent clans, Provincial Graduates, and those of higher standing could be buried there after death. Graves that did not meet the requirements had to be relocated.
Once this became known, the entire county erupted in an uproar. Families who had only just buried their elders were particularly resentful.
Yet the county magistrate applied pressure without mercy. Under the slogan of removing graves to restore the forest, he forcibly compelled those families to relocate their graves.
Had it truly been for Yuan County's benefit, many families would have moved the graves no matter how reluctant they were. After all, the authorities compensated them for the relocation costs. But during the process, many families discovered that ordinary households received one tael for relocating a grave, while members of the Liu Household received a full five taels.
Many people in Yuan County grew even more dissatisfied, but they soon discovered something