Former Residence of Yao Ying

Former Residence of Yao Ying

The former residence of Yao Ying is a cultural relic protection unit of Anhui Province.

The former residence of Yao Ying is situated in Sixiang Lane within the urban area of Tongcheng. In the past, the residence covered a vast area, featuring halls, chambers, pavilions, towers, and courtyards. The courtyard was planted with bamboos, pomegranates, red and green plum blossoms, as well as red and white roses, all accented with Taihu rocks. A couplet in the front pavilion reads: “Bamboo by the gate welcomes gentlemen; red plum by the window greets old friends.” To the east of the residence lies the Daning Temple, to the south the Shangqing Nunnery, to the west the boundary of Sixiang Lane, and to the north the North Main Street. Currently, only the core building in the form of a quadrangle courtyard remains. This structure faces south and consists of two courtyards, east and west wing rooms, with a courtyard in the middle and corridors surrounding all sides. The layout is symmetrical and well-organized.

The structure follows a traditional timber-framed post-and-lintel architectural style. Brackets support the eaves, while lattice windows and carved decorations adorn the building. It has a double-sloped roof covered with grayish-blue tiles, and brick-paved corridors. The residence exhibits the typical residential architectural style of Tongcheng.

Yao Ying (1785–1853), styled Shifu, also known as Mingshu, and in his later years as Zhanhe or Xingweng, was a disciple of his great-uncle Yao Nai and displayed a strong aspiration to reform the world in his youth. He passed the imperial examination in the 13th year of the Jiaqing reign (1808). In the 20th year of the Daoguang reign (1840), when British forces invaded China and attacked Taiwan, Yao Ying was specially appointed as the Administrator of Taiwan with the additional title of Surveillance Commissioner. Together with General Dahong’a, he defended the island, repelling British forces three times. They destroyed British ships, captured over a hundred British soldiers, and seized numerous weapons and artillery, recovering lost territory. Upon hearing the victory, the Qing court bestowed rewards and conferred upon Yao Ying the hereditary title of Yunqi Duyong and promoted him to the second rank. However, the enemy leaders, humiliated by their defeat in Taiwan, falsely accused him of “falsely claiming credit and executing shipwrecked foreigners without cause.” Peace-seeking ministers and the Fujian governor, envious of his achievements, jointly submitted accusatory memorials, leading to the arrest and imprisonment of Yao Ying and others. Although the Daoguang Emperor yielded to British pressure, he recognized Yao’s innocence and, within days, reassigned him to Sichuan as a Prefect. During this time, he trekked across icy mountains and snow-filled valleys, walking thousands of miles on two separate occasions into Tibet to mediate disputes between two Hutuktus. After the Xianfeng Emperor ascended the throne, Yao was appointed as the Surveillance Commissioner of Guangxi. He passed away in Hunan in the 3rd year of the Tongzhi reign (1853). He was a prolific writer, leaving behind works such as "Collected Writings from the Eastern Sea," "Memorials," "Poetry Collection from Latter Xiang," "Records of the Eastern Journey," "Gleanings from Spare Moments," "Biographies of the Virtuous Ancestors of the Yao Family," "Posthumous Writings," and "Complete Works of Zhongfutang."

In September 1985, the People’s Government of Tongcheng County designated the former residence of Yao Ying as a county-level key cultural relic protection unit.

Protective boundary: 3.5 meters east of the residence’s foundation wall, 3.7 meters south, 10 meters west, and 2.3 meters north. The eastern side of Zhongfutang faces Sixiang Lane; 2 meters west, 3 meters both south and north.

Construction control zone: 21 meters east to the east gable wall of the rice mill dormitory building, 20 meters north, and the same as the protective boundary to the west and south. Zhongfutang is 5 meters west of Sixiang Lane, and 10 meters both south and north.

Yao Ying (1785–1853), styled Shifu, also known as Mingshu, and in his later years as Zhanhe or Xingweng, was the grandnephew of Yao Nai, a Qing dynasty official and litterateur.

Yao Ying passed the imperial examination in the 13th year of the Jiaqing reign (1808). He successively served as magistrate of Pinghe, Longxi, Taiwan, Wujin, and Yuanhe counties. Later, recommended by Governor-General Tao Shu of the Two Jiangs and Governor Lin Zexu of Jiangsu Province, he was appointed as Taiwan's Intendant of Military Affairs, with the additional title of Surveillance Commissioner. From the 20th to the 22nd year of the Daoguang reign (1840–1842), Yao Ying collaborated with Taiwan’s General Dahong’a, leading local military and civilians in repelling five British naval incursions. They destroyed three British warships and captured more than 150 British soldiers... More detailed information about Yao Ying ++

Further reading:

· Fifth Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Relic Protection Units in Anqing City