Fang Xiaoru’s Study Place

Fang Xiaoru’s Study Place

Fang Xiaoru’s Study Place is a cultural heritage site protected at the county level in Ninghai County.

Designated as a county-level cultural heritage site in December 1982

It is said that Fang Xiaoru studied here before being summoned to serve. The study place was built during the Ming Dynasty's Wanli era and underwent multiple renovations during the Qing Dynasty and the Republican period. ——It was damaged during a certain period.

Fang Xiaoru (1357–1402), originally from Xishangfang, Goulicheng, Ninghai, courtesy name Xigu, also known as Xunzhi. He was also granted the name “Zhengxue” (Rectified Learning) for his study place by Prince Shu while serving as a professor in Hanzhong Prefecture, hence he was respectfully called “Mr. Zhengxue.”

From childhood, Fang Xiaoru was highly intelligent and studied under the renowned scholar Song Lian. In the 15th year of the Hongwu era (1382), the imperial court ordered officials to recommend virtuous scholars, and Grand Secretary Wu Chen, among others, recommended the 26-year-old Fang Xiaoru. By the 25th year of Hongwu (1392), he was appointed as tutor to the crown prince. In the 31st year of Hongwu (1398), after the death of Emperor Taizu, Emperor Huidi (Yunwen) ascended the throne. Following Taizu’s last will, he summoned Fang Xiaoru to the capital to serve as Hanlin Attendant Lecturer. The following year, he was promoted to Hanlin Academician and assigned to Wenyuan Pavilion. Emperor Huidi treated him with the respect of a teacher, keeping him by his side daily for counsel. In the 3rd year of the Jianwen era (1401), Prince Yan, Zhu Di, rebelled. The next year, Emperor Huidi died in the palace fire. Thereafter, Zhu Di ordered Fang Xiaoru to the palace to draft the imperial succession edict. Dressed in mourning, Fang Xiaoru entered the hall, publicly denounced Zhu Di, and refused to draft the edict. Zhu Di, enraged, asked, “Do you not care about the extermination of your nine clans?” Fang Xiaoru retorted boldly, “Even if you slaughter ten clans, what then?”