Jinfang Zai Fu Mansion

Jinfang Zai Fu Mansion

The Jinfang Zai Fu Mansion is a cultural relic protection unit of Xiajiang County.

The Zai Fu Mansion is located in Jinfang Village, Jinfang Village Committee, Yanxi Town. It was originally built during the Qing Dynasty to commemorate Zeng Ying, who passed the imperial examination in 1616 during the Ming Dynasty. Constructed from brick and stone, the three-gate structure features the inscription “Zai Fu Mansion” on its lintel, and the pillars are engraved with couplets: “The golden gate issued decrees repeatedly, appointing him both Minister of War and Chief Chancellor; the memorial archway stands for eternity, its words rooted in the Great Learning and its deeds in self-cultivation,” as well as “From Eastern Lu to Southern Feng, branching into three lines; two local sages and dual hometown scholars gathered within one gate.” The memorial arch is 19 meters wide, 6.02 meters tall, and 57 centimeters deep, with doors that are 2.5 meters high and 1.23 meters wide, oriented north-south.

In March 2002, it was listed as part of the second batch of cultural relic protection units in Xiajiang County.

【Zeng Ying (circa ?–1648)】 Zeng Ying, styled Zhonghan, was a native of Jinfang (now Jinjiafang, Yanxi Town). He passed the imperial examination in 1619 during the Ming Dynasty and was appointed as an official in the Ministry of Revenue. In 1622, he served as Prefect of Changzhou. Zeng Ying was known for his integrity, fair governance, and fearlessness in the face of power. At the time, imperial censors overseeing the Nanjing salt warehouses, river transport, and military agriculture all held the authority to accuse officials and often extorted bribes. When their demands were not met, they would wrongfully accuse officials, leading to a flood of accusatory reports. Zeng Ying submitted a formal request to the Nanjing Censorate “urging them to warn the censors against such practices, prevent guilt by association, and abolish all corrupt customs.” His appeal garnered serious attention from the Chief Censor, who then addressed the misconduct of the censors… More details about Zeng Ying ++