Former Residence of Martyr Ji Hongchang

Former Residence of Martyr Ji Hongchang

The Former Residence of Martyr Ji Hongchang is a cultural tourism attraction.

Ji Hongchang, a renowned anti-Japanese national hero and outstanding Communist Party member, styled Hengli and named Shiwu, was born on September 18, 1895, in Lütan Ancient Town, Lütan Township. On November 24, 1934, he was executed by Chiang Kai-shek in Beiping at the age of 39. His untimely death, with his fighting spirit unfulfilled, caused irreparable losses to the Party, the nation, and the people. General Ji Hongchang devoted his life to resisting Japan and saving the nation, as well as promoting education in his hometown, leaving behind a series of moving and heroic deeds. The existing Former Residence of Ji Hongchang and Ji Hongchang School are invaluable spiritual and material legacies left by the general for future generations.

In early 1895, Ji Hongchang’s father, Ji Yunting, was adopted into the family of his close uncle, Ji Danai, and lived in two thatched cottages belonging to Ji Danai. On September 18 of the same year, Ji Hongchang was born in those two thatched cottages. The cottages were located in the old Ji family residence, slightly south of the school. In 1931, Ji Hongchang’s father, Ji Yunting, passed away in Kaifeng due to illness. His coffin was transported overnight from Kaifeng to Lütan and was placed in the two thatched cottages. To facilitate condolences from people of all walks of life, the local residents of Lütan worked overnight to build a traditional three-sided courtyard complex right next to the school to the east. This included a main house with three visible and five hidden rooms, along with six rooms each on the eastern and western sides—this is the preserved Former Residence of Ji Hongchang seen today. In 1980, the People’s Government of Fugou County allocated 25,000 yuan to renovate the residence. To protect the site, the Lütan Township Party Committee and government relocated the township cultural center into the former residence. They also invited relevant personnel from the county museum to create pictorial displays of the martyr’s revolutionary deeds during his lifetime, exhibiting them inside the residence for public visitation and education. In 1980, Ji Fengxian—who was elected as a National People's Congress deputy, a National New Long March Pioneer, and a National March 8th Red-Banner Pacesetter—donated over 4,000 books she had purchased with more than 2,000 yuan of her own money, moving them into the residence for free public borrowing. In 1994, the township cultural center moved to the location of Shangcungang Township government, and the village committee of Lütan No. 2 Village has been operating in the residence ever since. The residence is now a Provincial Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Source: Fugou Government Affairs Website

Ji Hongchang

In 1895, in the backyard of a small teahouse owned by the Ji family in Lütan Town, Fugou County, Henan Province, a boy was born and named Hongchang. For Hongchang’s father, Ji Yunting, the addition to the family was a joyous occasion, but it also meant another mouth to feed. Ji Hongchang managed to survive until the age of 18, and coincidentally, Feng Yuxiang was recruiting soldiers in Henan at the time, so he signed up for the army, thus beginning his lifelong military career.

From an early age, Ji Hongchang admired heroes such as Yue Fei and Wen Tianxiang. As a result, he was sincere in his dealings with others, hardworking, strictly adhered to military discipline, and was brave and skilled in combat.  More detailed information about Ji Hongchang++

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Henan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units