The Former Residence of Wan Zhengse

The Former Residence of Wan Zhengse

The Former Residence of Wan Zhengse is a cultural heritage site protected by the Quanzhou Municipal Government.

The Former Residence of Wan Zhengse is located in Wancuiting, Third Lane, East Street, in downtown Quanzhou. Originally the residence of Wan Zhengse, who served as the Fujian Naval Commander during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1662–1722), it was later sold to a family surnamed Wang and is commonly referred to as “Wang’s Residence at Wancuiting.” The owner, Wan Zhengse (1637–1691), styled himself Weigao and also known as Zhong’an, was a native of Jinjiang, Fujian. In the third year of the Kangxi reign, he was commended for persuading the pirate Chen Can to surrender and was promoted to the rank of Guerrilla General of Xing’an, Shaanxi. He joined General Valikha of Xi’an in suppressing Wu Sangui. In the fifteenth year of Kangxi’s reign, he was awarded the title of Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent, transferred to become the Fujian Naval Commander-in-Chief, and later promoted to the Naval Commander. In the eighteenth year, he was further honored for his role in capturing Yangping Pass and was appointed as Left Commander-in-Chief. He fought alongside Prince Kang, Jieshu, in battles across Fujian, convincing Geng Jingzhong to surrender and driving out Zheng Jia (also known as Koxinga’s successor Zheng Kezang), earning him a hereditary military title. He passed away in the thirtieth year of Kangxi’s reign at the age of fifty-five. He authored works such as *Memorials on Pacifying Mount Yue*, *Memorials on Pacifying the Seas*, and *Records of Military Achievements*. As a youth, he studied martial arts for five years at the Renying Academy in the home of his aunt’s eldest brother, Panhu Soun Huang Xigun, a high-ranking official, and in the early Qing period, he adopted the Huang surname and entered military service, becoming known as General Huang. Parts of the existing structure still retain their original appearance. It features a five-bay, three-courtyard layout with double side wings and an eastern hall. The layout is rigorous and rational, and the decorations are exquisite, making it a treasured example of Qing Dynasty residential architecture.