Former Residence of Xu Shiying

Former Residence of Xu Shiying

The former residence of Xu Shiying is a cultural relic protection unit of Anhui Province.

The former residence of Xu Shiying is located in Xucun Village, Guan'gang Town, Dongzhi County.

The former residence of Xu Shiying is situated in Xucun Village, Guan'gang Town, Dongzhi County. Nestled among mountains and flanked by two streams, the village features tranquil green waters and shady trees, creating a beautiful landscape. From the edge of the village, one can faintly see Mingwang Chan Temple while looking toward Sijiaojian. Xu Shiying lived a disciplined and simple life, refraining from acquiring land. The former residence is composed of three parts: the old house, the central hall, and the guest-receiving hall, covering a total construction area of 770 square meters.

The old house of the Xu Shiying Residence was built during the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty. It has three sections and 12 rooms, featuring blue brick walls, small tiles, and aligned eaves. The architectural lines are smooth and harmonious, with carvings on the brackets, beams, lintels, and window frames, all showcasing an ancient and elegant craftsmanship. The central hall and the guest-receiving hall were built in the late Qing Dynasty, with a total construction area of 519 square meters. The central hall is a two-story building, with an inner corridor at the front that connects the old house and the guest-receiving hall. The guest-receiving hall has two sections in depth, with stepped horse-head walls on both sides. The interior is spacious and bright, and its architectural style is largely similar to that of the old house.

Xu Shiying (1873–1964), also known by his courtesy names Junren or Jingren, and his late pseudonym Shuangxi Laoren, was a notable figure in modern Chinese history. He served as the governor of Fujian and Anhui provinces, as well as the Premier of the Beiyang Government. During the Sino-Japanese War, he was appointed as the full-power ambassador to Japan and later held long-term positions in the NationalistGovernment, including Chairman of the Disaster Relief Committee and the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission. Xu Shiying was a renowned statesman and diplomat of the modern era. He held various positions including Minister of Judicial Administration and Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of China, Governor of Anhui, Premier, Ambassador to Japan, and Chairman of the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission. He played significant roles in advocating for the abdication of the Qing emperor, establishing new laws and court systems, opposing the restoration of the imperial system, supporting Sun Yat-sen’s peace efforts, resisting warlord Sun Chuanfang, providing disaster relief, and upholding national dignity and ethnic unity. He was hailed by Sun Yat-sen as “the foremost man of the North.”

The Xu Family Ancestral Hall remains relatively well-preserved, although over ten plaques have been lost, with only a “Guest-Receiving Joyful Announcement” still hanging from the roof beam. The “Ten Thousand Buddhas Pavilion” at the entrance of the village, locally called the “Paper Character Tower,” has been destroyed, though its site remains. Had the pavilion survived, visitors could have recited Xu Shiying’s “Eight Scenic Poems of Jishan” and viewed the stone tablet inscribed with a preface to the Xu family genealogy written by President Li Yuanhong of the Republic of China.

Protected area: extends south to the riverside flagstone path, and 15 meters east, west, and north.

Construction control zone: outside the protected area, extends east to the alley at the east end of Xiaodian, south to the riverbank, west to the lane, and north to the foot of the small hill.

Xucun Village: The village consists of 7 villager groups, with 413 households and a population of 1,432. The arable land area is 376 mu, averaging 0.26 mu per person, and the mountainous area spans 24,100 mu.

There are 6 impoverished university students (Xu Shuanghong, Zhu Huijun, Zhu Bingrui, Xu Zhiyuan, Zhu Huixiang, Zhu Huifang), 48 left-behind children, including 6 disadvantaged children (Wu Ling, Wu Ting, Zhu Yangkai, Xu Lijuan, Zhu Yawen, Hu Zhiqing).

The number of people receiving subsistence allowances is 52, with 1 receiving preferential treatment, and 7 classified as the Five Guarantees. Among them, 10 individuals eligible for subsistence allowances have not yet received them, and 3 eligible for the Five Guarantees have not been covered... Detailed information on Xucun Village++