Marshal Wu Junsheng’s Former Residence

Marshal Wu Junsheng’s Former Residence

Marshal Wu Junsheng’s Former Residence is a cultural heritage site protected by Jilin Province.

On the north side of the central section of Xinglong Street, the busiest thoroughfare in the ancient city of Taonan Prefecture, stands a three-story grayish-blue building resembling European Gothic architecture. This is the renowned Marshal Wu Junsheng’s Former Residence. Though it may not be as world-famous as the Shenyang Imperial Palace or the Puppet Emperor’s Palace in Changchun, it stands as a historical witness to the era of warlord conflicts and the Japanese imperialist enslavement of the Chinese people.

In December 1925, “King of the Northeast” and Fengtian Clique warlord Zhang Zuolin rewarded Wu Junsheng for his role in suppressing the Guo Songling rebellion. At a celebratory banquet in Fengtian, Zhang personally conferred the rank of General on Wu and granted him 500,000 silver dollars to reward his troops. Wu used this sum to build this commercial building in Taonan for his third concubine, Jin Dapeng, and their daughter. Construction began in the spring of 1926 and was completed in 1927. The building has a total floor area of 2,925 square meters, with the main structure measuring 64 meters in length from east to west, 12 meters in width from north to south, and 22 meters in height. It was the first high-rise building in the history of Taonan.

This commercial building, blending Chinese and Western architectural art, features a novel design and unique style. From the outside, a ring of balconies between the first and second floors divides the entire structure into upper and lower sections. The building stands as a cohesive unit, like a massive foundation stone supporting the lofty second and third floors. Meanwhile, the first floor is embraced by 11 square pillars along the walls, giving a sense of solidity and strength. The second and third floors are encircled by 16 round pillars and 11 square pillars, totaling 27 columns, each extending from the ground to the top. The second and third floors form a unified, towering whole. The facade has 66 windows, designed in three styles—rectangular, square, and semicircular—creating a harmonious yet varied aesthetic that avoids monotony. There are eight entrances along the street, with the one at the southeast corner facing the street center serving as the main entrance. Inside is an entrance hall where tables and benches can be placed for guests to rest. The other seven entrances lead to seven separate units, each capable of functioning as an independent shopfront, each with its own signboard, resembling seven distinct businesses. However, the seven business halls on the first floor are interconnected by arched doorways, unifying the space. Entering the first floor through any of the seven doors allows access to all the business areas on that level, as well as vertical, harp-shaped staircases leading to the second and third floors of each unit. The business halls on the second and third floors of each level are not interconnected, so entering via one staircase only grants access to that specific unit’s upper floors. Overall, the internal layout of the first, second, and third floors combines unity and separation. Unity is achieved as all business halls are part of a single building connected via the first floor, while separation is maintained as they function as seven distinct shops, with the second and third floors operating independently. With seven business halls per floor and 21 in total across three levels, the people of Taonan came to refer to this commercial building as the “21-Room Building.” No matter which of the eight entrances you use to enter the building, once you step into the hall and take in the dazzling array of goods on display and the stream of customers moving between floors, you’ll feel as though you’re in a bustling shopping mall.

After its completion, this commercial building flourished for a time, becoming the premier shopping destination for the people of Taonan and a symbol of the city’s economic prosperity and fame. However, the good times did not last. On the morning of June 4, 1928, Wu Junsheng was assassinated by the Japanese on the railway bridge near Huanggutun, 3 kilometers northwest of Shenyang, while escorting Zhang Zuolin back to Fengtian. The building thus became the legacy Wu left for Jin Dapeng and their daughter. After the September 18 Incident in 1931, the iron hooves of Japanese invaders mercilessly entered this remote town. From then on, the people of Taonan endured 14 years of occupation. Marshal Wu’s commercial building was not spared from this fate. Jin Dapeng and other relatives of the Wu family fled to Tianjin, and the building, constructed with the sweat of the people, was briefly occupied by the Japanese. Following Japan’s surrender on August 15, 1945, and the liberation of the ancient city of Taonan Prefecture, the building finally became the property of the nation and its people. It was subsequently used as a department store and retail outlet.

Wu Junsheng (1863–1928), styled Xiufeng, later known as Xingquan or Ziqin, nicknamed “Wu the Big Tongue,” was a native of Changtu, Fengtian, and a Fengtian Clique warlord. At the age of 17, he joined the Liaoyuan Bandit Suppression Camp. In 1912, when Manchu nobles conspired with the Japanese to instigate “Manchu Independence,” Wu Junsheng led his troops to deliver a heavy blow to the movement. In 1921, he was appointed Governor and Military Governor of Heilongjiang Province. In 1924, during the Second Zhili-Fengtian War, Wu served as Commander of the 5th Army. In 1925, when Guo Songling rebelled against the Fengtian Clique, Wu was named Commander-in-Chief of the Anti-Rebel Army and Commander of the Left Route Army Corps, defeating Guo’s forces. In 1928, during the Northern Expedition... [More details about Wu Junsheng]++