There’s an “Anle Bridge” in Hangzhou’s Shangcheng district. Three other “Tofu Bridges” are also located side by side across the same river. All four bridges were built during the Southern Song Dynasty, standing for over 800 years.

A Hero Broke Arm

When Yue Fei (a marshal of the Southern Song Dynasty and a national hero of China) was defeating the Jin army, he had a general under his command named Wang Zuo.

Wang Zuo used a self-torture tactic to persuade the enemy general Lu Wenlong to surrender, effectively defeating the enemy commander, Jin Wushu. He was left without an arm, unable to fight again.

Yue Fei recommended him as Prince Anle. The emperor also promised him a palace within Hangzhou for his retirement.

Prince Anle Built His Palace

Prince Anle’s palace was built on the riverbank. When construction began, mud, lime, slate, and timber piled up on the riverbank. There was no bridge over the river. The original ferryboat was occupied by craftsmen transporting bricks and tiles. The common people were unable to travel and were furious, so they composed a song:

“安乐王，安乐王，为你的安乐大家都得忙！”

Means “Prince Anle, Prince Anle, everyone is busy for your peace and happiness!”

Build a Bridge Before a Palace

Wang Zuo learned of this. He thought, “Why would I need such a large palace by myself? Why not use the materials to build a bridge across the river? That would make things easier for everyone.”

So he instructed his craftsmen to first select solid blue bricks and slabs to build a large bridge across the river. With the remaining materials, they could build two houses for the palace.

When the people heard that the bridge was being built before the palace, they all came to help. In less than a month, a wide, smooth bridge was built across the river.

The bridge made travel much easier. The people were so delighted that they composed a new song:

“安乐王，好心肠，造座大桥通四方。”

“Prince Anle, with his kind heart, built a bridge connecting all directions.”

The Jealous Prime Minister Builds Tofu Bridges

As word spread, Anle Bridge became increasingly famous. The news reached Prime Minister Qin Hui, who was filled with jealousy. He exclaimed, “Wang Zuo, Wang Zuo, is famous for building just one bridge! Now I’ll build three. Each one wider and taller than the last. I’ll compete with you, Wang Zuo, for wealth. Let’s see who’s stronger!”

With just a word from Qin Hui, his officials were on the run: they increased taxes and levies. They conscripted laborers and forced the people to work day and night.

After three full months, three bridges were built side by side across the same river as Anle Bridge. As expected, each one was wider and taller than the last. Qin Hui, delighted, personally named the three bridges: “Dou Fu Yi Qiao,” “Dou Fu Er Qiao,” and “Dou Fu San Qiao.” (Dou Fu means a competition of wealth and is homophonic with the Chinese word for tofu.)

One bridge on each river was enough. Why build so many?! The people hated Qin Hui so much that they refused to cross his three bridges, out of spite.

To mock Qin Hui, the people called those three bridges “Tofu Bridges.” That name persists to this day.