Former Residence of Zhang Jingjiang (Zunde Hall)

Former Residence of Zhang Jingjiang (Zunde Hall)

The former residence of Zhang Jingjiang is located in Nanxun Town, Huzhou City. It is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. Also known as Zunde Hall, the residence was built in 1898 (the 24th year of the Guangxu reign in the Qing Dynasty) by Zhang Songxian, also called Zhuzhai, Zhang Jingjiang’s grandfather and one of the “Four Great Tycoons” of Nanxun.

Zhang Jingjiang (1877–1950), whose given name was Zengcheng and also known as Renjie, with the courtesy name Jingjiang, the Buddhist name Yinguang, and the alias Wochan, was a close friend of Sun Yat-sen. He came from the Zhang family, one of the four wealthiest families in Nanxun. At the First National Congress of the Kuomintang, he was elected as a Central Executive Committee member and once served as the acting Chairman of the Zhejiang Provincial Government. He is regarded as one of the Four Elders of the Kuomintang.

The former residence retains the traditional Qing Dynasty architectural style of a three-courtyard, five-bay structure. Each courtyard contains one hall and five rooms, with open sky wells between them. Each successive courtyard is slightly higher than the last, symbolizing “rising step by step.” Fire-resistant straight alleys connect the courtyards. The residence exudes an air of luxury, simplicity, and depth. The firewalls rise above the rooftops, and the sloped roofs are covered with small green tiles resembling fish scales. The eaves are fitted with drip tiles that aid drainage and protect against wind. The interior beams are arranged like fish scales, resembling a palace, and feature exquisite carvings, primarily of theatrical scenes and folk motifs, embodying a rustic and natural beauty — a true rarity in Nanxun. Notably, the back of both the front and rear gates feature elaborately designed and finely carved brick reliefs. One reads “有容乃大” (Greatness lies in tolerance), taken from Lin Zexu’s poem: “The sea admits all rivers for its vastness; standing firm without desire makes one strong.” The other reads “世守西铭” (Upholding the Western Inscription through generations), derived from the story of Song Dynasty scholar Zhang Zai, who after resigning from office, taught students using the “Eastern Inscription” and “Western Inscription.” These eight characters were inscribed by Zhou Mengpo (also known as Zhou Qingyun, one of Nanxun’s “Eight Bulls” and a modern industrialist and collector). Above the main gate of Zhang Jingjiang’s residence hangs a horizontal plaque reading “Former Residence of Zhang Jingjiang,” while the central hall displays a black-lacquered, gold-character plaque inscribed with “Zunde Hall,” written by Zhang Jian of Nantong. On either side are a couplet by Sun Yat-sen: “A hall drunk with flowers welcomes three thousand guests; a single sword chilled with frost rules forty states.” The pillar couplet was written by Weng Tonghe, tutor to Emperors Tongzhi and Guangxu: “For centuries, noble families have thrived by accumulating virtue; the greatest deed under heaven remains the pursuit of learning.” The second and third halls display calligraphy by Zhang Jingjiang presented to Chen Lifu: “Bear righteousness with iron shoulders, write articles with thorny hands,” along with family genealogies, historical accounts of the Zhang family, major events in Zhang Jingjiang’s life, various photos, letters, and official appointment documents. Among these are precious historical photos and materials from the Xinhai Revolution, the Northern Expedition, and the early Republic of China, provided by the Second Historical Archives of China in Nanjing, including photos of Sun Yat-sen, Soong Ching-ling, Feng Yuxiang, and others; handwritten letters from Sun Yat-sen, Soong Ching-ling, He Xiangning, Yu Youren, Chen Bulei, and Chiang Kai-shek; group photos of the “Zunde Hall” family and numerous candid shots of Zhang Jingjiang’s wife Zhu Yimin and her friend Chen Jieru; letters from Eugene Chen proposing marriage to Zhang Jingjiang, photos of his children, the Zhang family account books, birthday gift records, and “Full Happiness Invitations.” The side halls feature wall hangings of paintings and calligraphy copied by Zhang Jingjiang inspired by “Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou,” along with a zither table. The main hall also houses a Ming Dynasty table (made of rosewood), one of the few surviving pieces. There is also a redwood “crown prince bed,” mainly used for naps and tea. Additionally, there are six carved wooden panels (originally eight) inscribed with Liu Ling’s “Ode to the Joy of Wine” by the Jin Dynasty’s “Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove,” handwritten by famed calligrapher Dong Qichang. These are engraved on ginkgo wood and are rare, valuable historical relics in China.

In May 2013, the State Council (State Council Document [2013] No. 13) designated the Former Residence of Zhang Jingjiang (Zunde Hall) as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Zhang Jingjiang (1877–1950) was from Nanxun Town, Huzhou, Zhejiang.

Born into a wealthy family of silk merchants in the Jiangnan region, he once served as the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Central Executive Committee of the Kuomintang. His life was full of legend. After meeting Sun Yat-sen, he began providing financial support to him, earning the title “Sage of the Revolution” from Sun. Later, when Chiang Kai-shek established the Nanjing Nationalist Government, Zhang oversaw the Construction Committee and was referred to by Chiang as the “Mentor of the Revolution.” He was a member of the presidium at the First National Congress of the Kuomintang and was elected to the Central Executive… More details about Zhang Jingjiang++

Nanxun Town: Nanxun is a prosperous and culturally vibrant ancient town in the Jiangnan region. Its geographical coordinates are 120°25′–120°26′ east longitude and 30°52′–30°53′20″ north latitude. Located by Taihu Lake and bordering Suzhou, it serves as the eastern gateway for Huzhou to connect with Shanghai’s Pudong area. The Chang-Hang-Shen waterway and National Highway 318 run through the town, offering superior geographic conditions and convenient land and water transportation. The town covers a total area of 141.3 square kilometers, governs 51 administrative villages and 10 residential communities, with a total population of 116,000 and cultivated land area of 122,500 mu. In 2000… More details about Nanxun Town++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units