Former Residence of Chen Boyuan

Former Residence of Chen Boyuan

The Former Residence of Chen Boyuan is a cultural tourism attraction.

Chen Boyuan (1886–1967), whose given name was Fengshao and childhood name Shenglu, was from Daning Town, Wencheng County. He was the first anti-Qing revolutionary in Wencheng County during the late Qing Dynasty. In 1908, he entered the Northeast Military Preparatory School to study military science. After graduation, he served under Wu Luzhen, the commander of the Six Towns of Baoding, and was involved in planning the attack on the capital to overthrow the Qing Dynasty. Due to a leaked plot, the Qing court launched a sudden attack, leaving him seriously wounded. After breaking through the encirclement, he was sheltered by local people and returned to Hangzhou, where he joined the Restoration Society. Following the Wuchang Uprising of the Xinhai Revolution, he participated in the revolutionary army under Liu Fengwei, attacking Hangzhou through Fengshan Gate and helping liberate the city. After the founding of the Republic of China, he served as a lieutenant colonel staff officer in Zhou Fengqi’s Third Army Division, and was later selected to attend the first class of the Artillery Department at Baoding Military Academy and the fourth class of the regular course at the Army War College. After graduation, he held positions such as company commander, regiment commander, and educational director at the Northwest Army Officer School. In 1935, he became a major general and head of the Communications Office at the Wuhan Field Headquarters. Later, he served as a lieutenant general and head of the Transportation Office at the Chongqing Field Headquarters, and as director of the Recruitment and Replenishment Division under the Military Service Bureau of the Ministry of War. In 1941, he was promoted to lieutenant general and deputy director of the Military Service Bureau. In 1943, when the Military Service Bureau was expanded into the Ministry of Military Service, he was appointed as a lieutenant general and chief advisor of the ministry's Advisory Office. After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, unwilling to engage in the civil war, he resigned from his post and settled in Hangzhou. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, he served as a member of the Shanghai Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang.

General Chen Boyuan led a life of simplicity and integrity, maintaining a spotless record, unwavering righteousness, and placing the interests of the nation and its people above all else without any personal gain. During his lifetime, he did not seek luxury or accumulate property, serving with honesty and living frugally. After his death, he was buried in his hometown with only a simple earthen tomb.

The Former Residence of Chen Boyuan is located in Chenzhai Village, Daning Town, Wencheng County. The building covers an area of 80 square meters and is a four-story wooden structure. Some of Chen Boyuan’s descendants still reside there.

Source: Party History Research Office of the Wenzhou Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China