Former Residence of Cai Xin

Former Residence of Cai Xin

The former residence of Cai Xin is a cultural tourism attraction.

The former residence of Cai Xin is located in Xiàlóu Village (formerly known as Xiàbù Village), Danban Town. The residence consists of a main hall, an earthen tower, and a garden, forming a large architectural complex. The main hall is situated on the western side of the complex, covering a construction area of 695 square meters, with a width of 19.2 meters and a depth of 36.3 meters, facing east. It is composed of an entrance hall, a courtyard corridor, the main hall, and a rear building, with a five-bay width, the main hall being two bays deep, the walls made of rammed earth, the beams and columns of wooden structure, the column bases of bluestone, and a flush gable roof. The rear building has collapsed.

Originally, a plaque inscribed with the imperial calligraphy “Wuku Qiying” (Arsenal of Veterans) by Emperor Qianlong was hung in the main hall. There is also a plaque titled “Huangfei Suyan” (Distinguished Scholar of the Imperial Study) bestowed upon Cai Xin when he was appointed Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Hall and concurrently Minister of Personnel at the age of 77 in the 48th year of Qianlong’s reign. At the age of 90, he was granted another plaque, “Lüye Hengsi” (Evergreen in the Fields). On both sides of the hall hang wooden couplets rewritten by Cai Xin in the 41st year of Qianlong’s reign based on those originally composed by his ancestor Cai Zuoxi. In front of the main hall lies a platform about 200 meters long, with a garden to the right front of the platform. The garden covers an area of about 5 mu (approximately 0.33 hectares), now abandoned, only preserving an oval-shaped pond, artificially piled rockeries, and the ruins of an arched bridge. The surrounding area retains numerous architectural components and some lake stones. To the north of the garden is the earthen tower Yongqing Fort built by Cai Xin, which is a county-level cultural heritage protection unit.

Cai Xin (1707–1799), courtesy name Ciming, style name Geshan, also known as Jizhai, was a native of Zhangpu, Fujian Province (now Linxiqian, Xiàlóu Village, Danban Town, Zhangpu County), and served as a high-ranking official during the Qing Dynasty.

He became a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) in the first year of Qianlong’s reign, and successively held positions such as Shujishi (imperial scholar), Hanlin Academy editor, attendant lecturer, and eventually rose to the positions of Chief Instructor of the Imperial Household, concurrently Minister of War and Supervisor of the National Academy, Minister of Rites concurrently supervising the Ministry of War, Minister of Personnel concurrently supervising the National Academy, Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Hall concurrently Minister of Personnel, and was further conferred the title of Grand Tutor to the Heir Apparent.

In December of the fourth year of the Jiaqing reign, he passed away at home. He was posthumously honored as Grand Preceptor, granted a state funeral, and given the posthumous title Wen’gong (Cultured and Reverent).

Figure…… Detailed information on Cai Xin++

Xiàlóu Village: Xiàlóu Village…… Detailed information on Xiàlóu Village++