Former Residence of Lu Jianzhang

The Former Residence of Lu Jianzhang

The former residence of Lu Jianzhang is a cultural relic protection unit of Anhui Province.

The former residence of Lu Jianzhang is located in Mengcheng County.

Lu Jianzhang (1862–1918), courtesy name Langzhai, was a native of Mengcheng, sixty li to the southeast, from Luwafang Village. He held positions such as a second-rank official in the Qing dynasty, military commander of Caozhou, and military governor of Shaanxi under the Yuan Shikai government. He was later lured and killed in Tianjin by Xu Shuzheng under the orders of Duan Qirui, and was buried in his hometown of Mengcheng.

The general’s mansion and tomb were constructed and chosen by Lu Jianzhang during his tenure as military governor of Shaanxi. The mansion is located within the village, while the tomb lies at the eastern end of the village, with approximately 100 meters of straight-line distance between them, separated by a large north-south ditch. The mansion is 60 meters long from north to south and 27.3 meters wide from east to west. Currently, only the front gate, side wing rooms, and rear hall remain. The gate tower is over three feet taller than the wing rooms. The buildings are all of brick-and-wood structure, featuring carved wooden patterns and door sills about one foot high. On both sides of the sill are two rectangular horse dismounting stones, intricately carved with flowers, birds, fish, and insects on the front and inner sides — the craftsmanship is exquisite and the figures vivid. The rear hall is relatively tall, with seven parallel rooms, eaves extending outward, wooden pillars, and stone plinths as bases. The main hall is roofed with small tiles. In this former residence, one can still sense the presence and bearing of General Lu, as if there's an eternal truth that all things return to their roots. As a native of Mengcheng, though not necessarily returning in glory, the general left behind this piece of architecture in his hometown — a cultural accumulation and also an inspiring emblem.

Lu Jianzhang (1862–1918), courtesy name Langzhai, was a native of Mengcheng, Anhui. He graduated from the Beiyang Military Academy in Tianjin. In the 21st year of the Guangxu reign (1895), he joined Yuan Shikai in training the New Army, holding positions such as mid-section officer of the right-wing third battalion, patrol inspector and vanguard officer, and assistant commander of the left-wing first infantry battalion. In the 29th year of Guangxu (1903), he was promoted to deputy director of the Military Training Department under the Ministry of War; in the 31st year (1905), he became commander of the seventh brigade of the fourth division of the Beiyang Army. He was later appointed as military commander of Caozhou in Shandong, Gaozhou in Guangdong, Beihai in Guangdong, and also served as commander of the seventh brigade of Gaozhou in Guangdong. In 1912... More detailed information about Lu Jianzhang ++