Xiangdian Liu Family Ancestral Hall

Xiangdian Liu Family Ancestral Hall

The Xiangdian Liu Family Ancestral Hall is a cultural tourism attraction.

Liu Guangdi (1859–1898), from Zhaohua Town, Fushun County (now part of Zigong City), Sichuan Province, was originally from Wuping, Fujian. His fifth-generation ancestor, Liu Yonglin, migrated from Wuping to Fushun County in Sichuan during the early Qing Dynasty and took the courtesy name Peicun. Coming from a poor family and orphaned at a young age, Liu was intelligent and studious. At 19, he passed the county-level imperial examination for youths and ranked first in the entire county. At 21, he became a Xiucai, at 23 he passed the provincial examination in Sichuan, and at 24 (in 1883) he earned the title of Jinshi (advanced scholar), after which he was appointed as an assistant official in the Ministry of Punishments.

During his time as a central government official in the capital, despite living a frugal life, he remained upright and incorruptible, untouched by any form of misconduct. He was dedicated, diligent, and prudent, with outstanding performance in his duties. In his spare time, he shut himself away to read and kept his distance from the powerful. Although he had a good reputation as an official and faced no obstacles in his promotion, seeing the nation in crisis often filled him with worry, to the point of sleeplessness and loss of appetite. He pondered strategies to save the country and its people, concluding that only through reforming corrupt policies, promoting new education, and implementing new policies could progress be made.

In the year of the Jiawu (1894), at the risk of being dismissed and investigated, he urged the Empress Dowager not to interfere in politics, leading to the Emperor issuing an edict of self-criticism. In 1898, when Kang Youwei established the Baoguo Society (Protect-the-Nation Society), Liu Guangdi “readily joined as a member.” Together with fellow Sichuanese officials in the capital, he advocated for the establishment of the Shuxue Society (Sichuan Study Society) to study current affairs. He repeatedly organized discussions among Sichuanese officials and candidates for the imperial examinations in the capital, emphasizing that given the national crisis, efforts to achieve prosperity and strength must begin with the promotion of learning.

In June 1898, Emperor Guangxu issued the decree to define the state’s course—inaugurating the Reform Movement—and tasked Chen Baozhen, the Governor of Hunan, with recommending capable individuals. Though Chen and Liu had never met, having heard of Liu’s reputation, Chen recommended him. On September 4, Guangxu summoned Liu. Liu spoke forcefully about the nation’s perilous situation and the deep-rooted problems both domestically and abroad. The next day, Guangxu issued an edict awarding Liu, along with Tan Sitong, Yang Rui, and Lin Xu, the rank of fourth-rank Qing official. They were assigned to serve as Junior Secretaries in the Grand Council, participating in the implementation of new policies. While serving in the Grand Council, Liu worked the same shift as Tan Sitong, with whom he shared a close bond. Together, they co-signed a letter vouching for Kang Youwei’s integrity with the backing of a hundred people. When reviewing memorials and signing off on opinions, Liu remained fair and impartial.

When the political coup occurred, the four Junior Secretaries along with Kang Guangren and Yang Shenxiu were arrested and executed at Caishikou on September 28 (the 13th day of the eighth lunar month), historically known as the “Six Gentlemen of the Hundred Days’ Reform.” At the execution, Liu Guangdi refused to kneel, questioning why he had not been tried before being sentenced to death. He remained calm and composed, facing death with the serenity of one prepared.

Liu Guangdi excelled in prose, poetry, and calligraphy. He once said, “If one’s poetry and prose contain not a single false word, then it can be considered a fine work.” Though he had few social connections, his aspirations were often reflected in his writings. Later generations compiled his works into two volumes of Collected Essays from Zhongsheng Studio and two volumes of Poems. In 1986, the Zhonghua Book Company published a selected collection of his poetry and prose titled Collected Works of Liu Guangdi.

Liu Guangdi (1859–1898), courtesy name Peicun, was a native of Fushun County, Zigong City, Sichuan Province. He was one of the “Six Gentlemen of the Hundred Days’ Reform” and a renowned patriotic poet of the late Qing Dynasty’s Reform Movement.

Originally from Wuping County, Fujian Province, a Hakka, Liu was born in Zhaohua, Fushun, Sichuan. He was the seventh-generation descendant of Hakka migrants who moved to Sichuan during the Ming-Qing migration period. Coming from a poor family and dedicated to his studies, he ranked 88th among the second-class successful candidates in the 1883 imperial examination (Guimao Year) and was appointed as an assistant official in the Ministry of Punishments. During his time as a central government official in the capital, despite living a frugal life, he remained upright and incorruptible, untouched by any form of misconduct. He was dedicated, diligent, and prudent, with outstanding performance in his duties. In his spare time, he shut himself away to read and... Liu Guangdi – Detailed Information++