Former Residence Site of Xue Lingzhi

Former Residence Site of Xue Lingzhi

The Former Residence Site of Xue Lingzhi is a cultural tourism attraction.

In the Lianxi River of eastern Fujian, crystal-clear waters wind around an ancient village — this is Lian Village, the hometown of Xue Lingzhi, Fujian’s first imperial scholar.

Lian Village is located in Xitan Town, Fu’an City. Originally called Shijijin, the reason behind the village’s name change is rooted in a distant past. According to the genealogy of the Xue clan: In the second year of the Shenlong era of the Tang Dynasty (706 AD), Xue Lingzhi “broke through the cultural wilderness of eight Min regions” and became an imperial scholar, eventually holding the positions of Left Remonstrator and Tutor to the Crown Prince. After Emperor Suzong of Tang ascended to the throne, to commend his teacher Xue Lingzhi for his noble character and unyielding integrity, he granted the village the name “Lian Village.” It is the only village in Chinese history to be officially named with the character “Lian” (integrity) by imperial decree.

Strolling along the river through the ancient fortress, you’ll find a roughly 1,200-meter-long city wall that outlines the grandeur of the ancient village, with two well-preserved arched gateways built from strip stones standing firmly. Inside the village, the ancient roads are structured with three parallel longitudinal smooth flagstones as the framework, in between which are neatly inlaid decorative small cobblestones.

After Xue Lingzhi, the village produced 24 imperial scholars. Many historic sites remain intact here: ancient residences, old official roads, ancient docks... The plaques hanging in the ancestral halls and main halls of the residences include many precious cultural relics. “The greatest joy lies in doing good; reading is a fine pursuit,” is a calligraphy piece left by Zhu Xi. The four-panel landscape screen depicting the scenes of spring, summer, autumn, and winter was painted by Li Can, a disciple of Huang Shen, one of the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou...

Since Xue Lingzhi’s courtesy name was “Mr. Bright Moon,” the temple where the village worships him, Houhu Palace, is also called “Bright Moon Shrine.” To this day, villagers from far and wide continue to come here to worship, praying for the success of their children in their studies. A short turn along the village road in front of the shrine leads to the former residence site of Xue Lingzhi. About ten meters from the residence lies an ancient well known locally as the “Well of Wisdom.” Legend has it that whenever a worthy person was about to emerge from the village, the well water would rise on its own. When the mother carrying the future scholar drank three sips of the water, the level would subside back to normal.

On the other side of Lianxi River, in the Lingyan Mountain of Chengshan Village, there is a place where Xue Lingzhi studied in his youth, known as the “Spirit Valley Cottage.” The cottage was converted into a temple in the first year of the Xiantong era of the Tang Dynasty (860 AD), and the current temple structures were rebuilt in the early years of the Republic of China.

Xue Lingzhi, courtesy name Junzhen, also known as Mr. Bright Moon, was a native of Chixi County in Fujian (now Lian Village, Xitan Township, Fu’an City). He was born on the 15th day of the eighth month in the second year of the Yongchun era of the Tang Dynasty (683 AD). His great-grandfather, Xue Xu, once served as a registrar in the Sui Dynasty. His father, Xue Fachu, was renowned for his literary talent, and was posthumously honored by Emperor Suzong of Tang as the Duke of Court Lecturer. In his youth, Xue Lingzhi came from a poor family but was intelligent and studious. He once built a cottage halfway up Lingyan Mountain to immerse himself in study and wrote the poem “Ode to the Cottage”: “Have you not seen Su Qin and Han Xin — who among them stood alone as heroes? But once they met a wise ruler, each wore a golden seal at their waist,” expressing his aspirations.

In the second year of the Shenlong era (706 AD), Xue... More details about Xue Lingzhi++

Lian Village: Originally called Shijijin, Lian Village is located 15 kilometers southwest of Fu’an City, Fujian Province.

During the Tianjian era of the Liang Dynasty in the Southern Dynasties (502–519), Guanglu Grand Master Xue He migrated from the south of the Yangtze River to Fujian and eventually settled in Shijilü. His sixth-generation descendant, Xue Lingzhi, diligently studied and ultimately became the first imperial scholar of the eight Min regions in the second year of the Shenlong era of the Tang Dynasty (706 AD). After passing the examination, he was appointed as Left Remonstrator and Tutor to the Crown Prince. At the time, Prime Minister Li Linfu abused his power, and officials of the Eastern Palace were neglected. Feeling indignant, Xue Lingzhi wrote a self-lamenting poem on the wall: “The morning sun rises round and bright, shining upon the master’s tray. What is in the tray? Sprouting alfalfa along the edge. The rice is dry, the spoon...” More details about Lian Village++