Yixing Yangxiang Old Street

Yixing Lu Zhongsu Ancestral Hall

The Yixing Lu Zhongsu Ancestral Hall is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Zhongsu Ancestral Hall, located at the eastern end of Dongzhu Lane in Yicheng Town, Yixing City, was built to commemorate Lu Xiangsheng, a prominent military general and Minister of War during the late Ming Dynasty who fought against the Qing invaders. In January 1985, the Yixing County People's Government designated it as a county-level cultural relics protection unit.

Lu Xiangsheng (1600–1639), styled Jiandou and also known as Jiutai, was a native of Mingling in Yixing. He passed the imperial examination in 1622 during the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty and successively held positions such as Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, Prefect of Daming, Censorate Official, Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, Vice Minister of War concurrently serving as Inspector-General of Huguang, Left Vice Minister of War, and ultimately Minister of War. He was thrice bestowed with the Imperial Sword. Though a scholar-official, Lu was skilled in horseback riding and archery, adept in military strategy, and capable of leading troops. He led armies in quelling rebellions and achieved numerous military successes. During his tenure, he strongly advocated resistance against the Qing and opposed peace negotiations. On December 12 of the lunar calendar in the 11th year of the Chongzhen era, he died in battle against Qing forces at Haoshui Bridge in Julu, Hebei. In the 12th year of Chongzhen, he was posthumously honored as Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince and Minister of War, granted a state funeral, and his family was awarded hereditary titles as officers of the Imperial Guard. During the Southern Ming under Emperor Fu, he was further honored as Zhonglie (Loyal and Heroic).

Originally called the Lu Ancestral Hall, the Zhongsu Ancestral Hall was first built in 1687, the 26th year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty. In 1776, the 41st year of the Qianlong era, Emperor Qianlong conferred the posthumous title Zhongsu upon Lu Xiangsheng, after which the temple became known as the Zhongsu Ancestral Hall. It was destroyed by fire in 1854, the 4th year of the Xianfeng era, and was rebuilt in 1870, the 9th year of the Tongzhi era, through funds raised by local gentry and descendants of Lu Xiangsheng.

The original structure of the Zhongsu Ancestral Hall faced south and was situated on the north bank, bordered by Changqiao River to the north and Dongzhu Lane to the south. It comprised over 20 rooms across two courtyards, covering an area of about 1,000 square meters. In front of the hall was a small plaza paved with bluestone slabs along the river. The central hall of the first courtyard displayed a plaque inscribed with the words “Jin Gu Yi Ren” (A Rare Man of Ancient Times), written by Zhou Fohai, former Minister of Education of the Nationalist Government. The east and west wing rooms contained wooden stands for enshrining spirit tablets. One tablet was inscribed “For the Spirits of the Fallen Soldiers Under the Command of Ming Minister of War Lu Xiangsheng,” while another commemorated Gu Xian, a loyal servant who died alongside Lu. The first and second courtyards each had three wing rooms on the east and west sides. The west wing rooms enshrined the spirit tablets of Lu’s uncles—Lu Guoyun, Lu Guojun, and Lu Guohong—and his brothers Lu Xiangguan, Lu Xiangguo, Lu Xiangjin, and Lu Xiangzhen. The east wing rooms housed the spirit tablets of Lu’s generals Hu Dawei and Yang Guozhu, the intelligence officer Yu Zhenlong, and the groom Yang Lukai. The main hall of the second courtyard consisted of three rooms with one side room on each east and west side. Above the central doorway hung a plaque inscribed with “Zhong Xiao Wen Wu” (Loyalty, Filial Piety, Literary, and Martial Virtue), flanked by a couplet reading “Without Si Chang, one would not surpass Guo Fenyang; with Tinglin, one becomes Yue Wumu.” Inside the hall stood a golden-lacquered full-body clay sculpture of Lu Xiangsheng. Before the statue was a spirit tablet inscribed “For the Spirit of Lu Zhongsu, Minister of War, Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince.” On either side were statues of the adjutant and seal keeper. Above the shrine hung a blue plaque with gold characters reading “Ying Ling You Zai” (The Noble Spirit Lives On). On both sides of the hall were additional spirit tablets: on the west those of Lu’s parents, and on the east those of his wife. The side rooms served as studies and stored the Complete Works of Lu Zhongsu.

After the 1950s, the Zhongsu Ancestral Hall was repurposed and most of its structures were altered or demolished. In 2001, the Yixing Municipal Government allocated funds to rebuild the site on its original location. The reconstructed hall faces north and features a main hall with three rooms, inside which a purple clay sculpture of Lu Xiangsheng stands. Each of the east and west wing rooms also has three rooms—the east room displays a purple clay group sculpture of Lu and his soldiers, while the west room features a scene of Lu studying in purple clay. The site also exhibits historical materials and accounts of Lu Xiangsheng’s life for public viewing.

Address: Eastern End of Dongzhu Lane, Yixing City, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province

Transportation: Take bus routes 1 or 7 within Yixing City and get off at Renmin Yiyuan Station.

Lu Xiangsheng (1600–1638)

A late Ming Dynasty official who resisted the Qing. Styled Jiandou and also known as Jiutai, he was a native of Yixing, Jiangsu. He passed the imperial examinations in 1622 (Tianqi era) and served as Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, then as an External Secretary, later becoming Prefect of Daming and Administrator of Daming. In 1629 (Chongzhen 2), he raised troops to defend the capital (modern-day Beijing) and suppress peasant uprisings. In 1634 (Chongzhen 7), he was promoted to Vice Censor-in-Chief for his military achievements and appointed as Inspector-General of Yunyang. During his tenure, he organized troops, established garrisons, fortified strategic locations, and repeatedly petitioned the court to suppress rebel forces, earning great trust. Known for his strict military discipline and aggressive tactics, he achieved multiple victories. In 1635 (Chongzhen 8), he was promoted to Inspector-General… [More details on Lu Xiangsheng++]

Yicheng Subdistrict: The Yicheng Subdistrict Office is located in Yixing’s municipal government seat, serving as the city’s political, economic, and cultural center, as well as its window to the outside world. Covering an area of 40 square kilometers with a population of 240,000, it governs 30 community committees and 6 administrative villages. The subdistrict is divided by the Wuxi-Shenjiang Canal: the area inside the canal adjacent to the urban core falls under Yicheng’s jurisdiction, while the outer area belongs to the Yixing Economic Development Zone. Communities, villages (groups), and enterprises originally part of Yicheng but now in the outer zone are managed by the Development Zone. Non-incorporated villages (groups) may establish new village committees or merge with neighboring ones… [More details on Yicheng Subdistrict++]