While the inauguration ceremony of the Zao Fu Literature and History Research Society was held on March 3 in Pingdingshan, Guo Jie, vice-mayor of the city of Ruzhou, in Central China’s Henan province, introduced the tomb of Zhao Tingmei – the fourth brother of Zhao Kuangyin, the founding emperor of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) – to representatives of the Zhao clan from around the world.

Zao Fu was a charioteer who is said to have lived in the Western Zhou Dynasty (c.16th century- 771 BC) and was considered to be an ancestor of people with the surname Zhao.

The tomb of Zhao Tingmei was discovered in the Lingtou township of Ruzhou in October 2012. Guo Jie gave an undertaking to the attendees of Ruzhou’s intention to protect the tombs. The protection and development plan of this archeological discovery has been divided into two phases; the overall development is being carried out following the surrounding residents being moved away from the tomb’s location. The relic’s development plan has been designed by authorities from Luoyang’s relics departments.

Guo delivered a warm welcome to the Zhao clan’s visitors, especially to the direct descendants of Zhao Tingmei.