Feng Bao Memorial Pavilion

Feng Bao Memorial Pavilion

Feng Bao (1859–1922), originally named Longjie, later changed his name to Bao, with the courtesy name Dizao, also known as Diqiao. In his later years, he used the pseudonyms Wuweng and Yuzheng Shanren. He was a native of Huang’ao Village (also called Fenghuang Village) in Baishi Town, Yueqing. From a young age, he received a strong education from his father, was diligent and eager to learn, and had an exceptional memory. By the age of 7, he could recite the "Poems by a Thousand Poets," and at 13, he wrote "Poems on Mountain Village Scenes," earning him the title of "child prodigy" among the locals.

In his youth, Feng Bao studied at Meixi Academy and was once a student of the renowned scholar Chen Futian (courtesy name Jieshi) from Rui’an. He earned deep praise and high regard from his teacher. After the imperial examination system was abolished by the Qing court, Feng Bao, at the age of 43, founded the "Yanxiang Academy" on Phoenix Mountain in his hometown in the 27th year of the Guangxu reign (1901). He hired He Kuhou, a late Qing scholar from Lingkun, Yongjia, to teach there. The following year, together with Wu Xizhou and four others, he helped establish Liushi Higher Primary School, contributing significantly to the development of local education and earning the group the title of the "Six Gentlemen of Education."

During this time, Feng Bao learned about Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary activities overseas aimed at overthrowing the Qing court and driving out the Manchus, and thus devoted himself to the revolutionary movement. In December of the 29th year of Guangxu (1903), Feng Bao actively worked with fellow revolutionaries such as Ao Jiaxiong and Chen Naixin (also known as Nai Xin or Mengxiong), making great efforts to plot revolutionary activities. Together, they organized the "Patriotic School Society" and the "Chinese Education Association" in Shanghai. In the summer of the 31st year of Guangxu (1905), the Wenzhou-Taizhou-Chuzhou Guild Hall was established in Jiaxing, and Feng Bao was tasked with spreading popular revolutionary texts such as "New Mountain Songs," "Turn Your Head Sharply," and "The Revolutionary Army" in the Jinyun Huzhen area, actively engaging in anti-Qing revolutionary activities. In June of the same year, Feng Bao attended as a representative of Yueqing and served as a committee member of the Wenzhou-Chuzhou Educational Affairs Sub-bureau. The following year, when Yueqing established its Education Promotion Office, Feng Bao became its first director. In the 33rd year of Guangxu (1907), when leaders of the Restoration Society, Xu Xilin and Qiu Jin, prepared for the "Anhui-Zhejiang Uprising," which ultimately failed and led to their tragic deaths, Feng Bao was implicated and fled to Nanyang (Southeast Asia), soon after traveling to Japan. The next year, he was called back to China to participate in the Wuchang Uprising and was involved in the liberation of Hangzhou. In 1912, after the establishment of the Republic of China, Feng Bao was awarded the title of Marshal of the Yuhuan Revolutionary Army and subsequently served as Magistrate of Jinyun. In 1914, he was appointed Magistrate of Qian but declined the post, instead becoming Principal of Chuzhou Normal School. Later, due to various reasons, Feng Bao felt that "the world’s affairs were beyond remedy," leading to disappointment and resignation. He returned to his hometown in despair and lived in seclusion by Lianxi. In his later years, he amused himself by chanting scriptures, composing poetry, and fishing. His poetry was bold and vigorous, with works such as "Du Tong’s Odes," "Eagles Soaring Over the Wilderness," and "Songs of the Revolutionary Army."

Feng Bao Memorial Pavilion is located on Fengxi Road, south of Fenghuang Village, Baishi Town, Yueqing City. The memorial pavilion was completed in the spring of 2000.

Source: Party History Research Office of the CPC Wenzhou Municipal Committee