Former Residence of Hong Chaoxuan

Former Residence of Hong Chaoxuan

The former residence of Hong Chaoxuan is a cultural tourism attraction.

The former residence of Hong Chaoxuan is located in Hongcuo Village, Xindian Town, Xiang'an District. It is a two-courtyard structure built with a combination of brick, stone, and wood materials, featuring a swallow-tail gable roof with hard mountain-style tiles. The building is 12 meters wide and 20 meters deep. It was constructed during the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty. In the early 1950s, the front courtyard collapsed, and it was rebuilt in 1976 on the original foundation. The rear courtyard suffered from woodworm damage and cracks in the lime-concrete walls, so the central beam was replaced and the gable walls were rebuilt. However, the wooden pillars in the hall, as well as the stone bases and column capitals, were preserved. The exterior walls, windows, and door frames of the residence are all meticulously constructed from granite strips. Above the exterior walls is a set of lattice-style low railings, and above the railing directly opposite the main gate are seven cement-poured Chinese characters for “happiness” (喜). The window openings in the exterior walls are divided by three short granite strips, allowing for both ventilation and sturdiness—a distinctive feature. Above the left and right windows are inscribed couplets: “A Hundred Blessings Shine Brightly” (百福千辉) and “Blessings, Longevity, Health, and Peace” (福寿康宁), each with a ventilation hole featuring two symmetrical openings above them. Both the windows and the main gate are adorned with colorful paintings of landscapes and flowers. The main gate consists of two iron doors, and in front of it lies a small stone-paved courtyard. Originally, there were two iron trees over six meters tall in the courtyard, said to have been brought back by Hong Chaoxuan from Guangdong and planted in front of the residence when he returned home by sedan chair. To this day, there is an ancient couplet in the hall of the residence: “The hall sits beneath a golden hook, exuding auspicious air; the courtyard plants iron trees, enveloped in blessed light,” which serves as testament to the legend of the iron trees. Unfortunately, due to inadequate preservation, the two iron trees withered in 1986. A single iron tree was later replanted in the same spot and enclosed with a stone barrier. These iron trees have dark brown, stout trunks that stand upright and proud; their dark green, needle-like leaves are as tough as steel spikes—symbolizing Hong Chaoxuan’s character as someone “of unyielding integrity” and “intolerant of others’ faults.”

Today, the former residence of Hong Chaoxuan may seem very simple, but it was the old house where Hong Chaoxuan was born, studied, and began his official career. It is also the birthplace of the local delicacy “Sweet Potato Starch Cake” (番薯粉粿). According to folklore, after Hong Chaoxuan passed the imperial examination and was appointed as an official in the Ministry of Punishments in Nanjing, he was preparing to take up his post when his hometown was gearing up to celebrate the March Festival. His mother, Madam Ye, asked him to “stay for the March Festival” before leaving. However, he could not disobey the emperor’s decree, so he packed his belongings and set off immediately. His mother, unable to persuade him to stay, quickly grabbed a handful of sweet potato starch noodles from the stove, added some lard, chopped scallions, mackerel, oysters, and other readily available seaside ingredients, and cooked a fragrant bowl of sweet potato starch cake. Hong Chaoxuan ate it and immediately set off on his journey. Later, when Hong Chaoxuan became Vice Minister of the Ministry of Punishments, he returned home to visit his family one year. The villagers prepared an extravagant feast to welcome the honorable official, but Hong Chaoxuan was saving room for that one dish—the “Sweet Potato Starch Cake”—which wasn’t even on the menu, as it was considered too humble. Fortunately, the chef, skilled in cooking for all tastes, quickly served up a bowl of soft, sweet Sweet Potato Starch Cake. As he ate, Hong Chaoxuan praised, “It’s still the Sweet Potato Starch Cake that tastes the best, it’s still the Sweet Potato Starch Cake that tastes the best!” Since then, “Hongcuo Sweet Potato Starch Cake” has become widely renowned and is served as the first dish when entertaining guests. The tradition continues to this day, and overseas members of the Hong clan still pass down this beloved hometown dish.