Zhongfa Mountain Village

Zhongfa Mountain Village

Zhongfa Mountain Village is located south of the Qi Great Wall, nestled against mountains and beside water, facing south. Ancient buildings and cultural landmarks can be found throughout the village. Among them, the Wu Family Traditional Chinese Medicine Courtyard has been passed down through generations, featuring a unique "Erlang Carrying Mountains" architectural design that showcases exceptional craftsmanship. A 500-year-old Xanthoceras sorbifolium tree in the backyard stands as a testament to the glorious history of the Wu family’s medical legacy. The Qinglong Street, which runs east-west through the village, not only records the wisdom and integrity of the ancestors but also leaves behind a beautiful scenic view. The Gambling Prohibition Stele from the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty, overhanging-eave stone houses, stone steps, stone mills, stone grinders, and stone-paved roads are scattered throughout the village, creating a rustic and ancient tableau. The village is also widely known as a model anti-Japanese resistance community, with over 20 villagers sacrificing their lives for the country. The Anti-Japanese Drama Troupe nurtured a large number of talents in the arts and political work for the nation, and Wu Shouxian later served in Beijing’s 8341 Unit.

Qinglong Street

Qinglong Street was first built in 1934, stretching 182 meters in length with an average width of 4 meters, constructed from locally sourced bluestone. The stone bridge at the street entrance is shaped like a dragon’s head, the central bluestone slab represents the dragon’s spine, and the cobblestones on both sides resemble dragon scales. The entire street resembles a long dragon lying in front of the five major alleys of Zhongfa Mountain Village. The street was personally funded and built by a villager named Wang Qinglong. Wang Qinglong was hardworking and helpful from a young age. However, after falling into bad habits, he lost all his family wealth, became estranged from his wife and children, and suffered from illness. After being treated by a renowned local doctor, he had a profound change of heart, turned over a new leaf, and performed many acts of kindness. To make travel easier for the villagers, he paved the village’s east-west main street with bluestone slabs. To promote righteousness and warn future generations, the street was named Qinglong Street.

Wang Family Courtyard

The Wang Family Courtyard faces south and is divided into eastern and western wings, with a grand stone-arched gate in the center, exuding dignity and solemnity. The owner of the courtyard was Wang Hanting, a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations during the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty, who served as the magistrate of Huang County in Shandong. He was diligent in governance and loved the people, maintaining clean and honest conduct throughout his official career. After serving for five years, he returned home to visit his parents and spent five taels of silver to build this residence for his parents to live in upon his return. However, due to insufficient funds, only the gate and the enclosing wall of the western courtyard were completed. Back at his post, the yamen runners informed the local gentry and wealthy families of his integrity and filial piety. Moved by his virtues, they collectively submitted a petition of praise to the emperor. Emperor Guangxu was delighted and awarded him one thousand taels of silver, ordering the governor of Shandong to construct his family residence. Wang Hanting only spent a little over ten taels of silver to complete the house, returning the rest of the funds to the government for use in disaster relief. He worked tirelessly and eventually passed away in office due to overwork.

Righteousness Stele

This stele is located to the west of Zhongfa Mountain Village and was erected in June 1905. It was written and inscribed by Li Jidong, a candidate for official scribe, and represents a set of village rules and agreements jointly established by the villagers of Zhongfa Mountain. It reflects the local community's tradition of despising evil and promoting virtue. The inscription roughly states: During the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty, vice was rampant in the village, with theft and robbery occurring frequently. In response, Wu Xianyu and Wang Lichun gathered all the villagers to discuss and erect this stele to prohibit gambling and improve public morals. Those who repeatedly broke the rules would be dealt with severely. Additionally, after discussions and consensus among all villagers, it was agreed to prohibit illegal logging and harboring bandits. Offenders would be punished harshly without leniency. This also reflects the local people’s tradition of despising evil and promoting righteousness.

Wu Family Traditional Chinese Medicine Ancestral Home

The Wu Family Traditional Chinese Medicine practice originated during the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty. Its founder, Wu Xin, dedicated himself to the study and practice of medicine, saving countless lives and eventually becoming a renowned physician. Over seven generations, more than 60 family members have been involved in traditional Chinese medicine, making it a genuine lineage of healers. The ancestral home’s gate bears a plaque inscribed with “Diligence and Frugality in Managing the Household,” flanked by stone-carved couplets reading “Ancestral Medicine, Virtuous House” and “Diligent Study, Established Farmstead.” On either side of the gate are exquisite stone carvings: on the left, a teapot symbolizing “healing through medicine”; on the right, two teacups adorned with two patterns—the “卍” symbol representing the Medical Sage Zhang Zhongjing, signifying the family’s ability to diagnose and prescribe, and flowers representing the Medicine King Sun Simiao, signifying the family’s skill in preparing herbal remedies. There is also a mounting stone on the right side of the gate.

Xanthoceras Sorbifolium Tree

The Xanthoceras sorbifolium, belonging to the Sapindaceae family and the Xanthoceras genus, is a deciduous shrub and a uniquely Chinese edible oil-producing tree species. Its fruit is easily digested and absorbed by the human body, with effects such as dispelling wind-dampness, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. This tree is over 500 years old and is said to have cured various difficult and complicated ailments in the area. Additionally, its name, Xanthoceras sorbifolium, carries the meaning of ensuring smooth bureaucratic careers for scholars.