Former Residence of Ji Hongchang in Guangshan

Former Residence of Ji Hongchang in Guangshan

The former residence of Ji Hongchang in Guangshan is a cultural heritage site of Henan Province.

A provincial-level cultural heritage site and a municipal red tourism attraction — the former residence of General Ji Hongchang is located in Huweizi Village, Chengguan Town, 8 kilometers west of Guangshan County. To the north are the Ningxi Railway, Yelu Expressway, and National Highway 312; to the east are the Beijing-Kowloon Railway and A’shen Expressway. It is 90 kilometers from Xinyang City, a major hub of the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway.

Ji Hongchang’s former residence was originally the ancestral hall of the Pei family, constructed starting in the seventh year of the Republic of China (1918) and completed in the ninth year (1920). It was personally organized and built by Pei Qixun, then the garrison commander of Jichang (Jilin and Changchun) and a general in the military government. The building faces south with a north orientation, consists of two courtyards with 18 rooms in total, and has a central courtyard surrounded by corridors. It includes a main hall and east and west wing rooms, all built with brick and wood, covering an area of approximately 640 square meters. In the spring of 1931 and the winter of 1932, General Ji Hongchang led his troops to Guangshan twice and stayed at the Pei family ancestral hall. During this period, Ji Hongchang inscribed stones to express his aspirations, sought truth in the Soviet Area, cleverly assisted the Red Army, eliminated evildoers, and pacified the people. His footprints covered the Zishui and Xuanshan regions, and his revolutionary activities remain widely celebrated across southern Henan to this day.

In the spring of 1931, General Ji Hongchang, then commander-in-chief of the 22nd Route Army, was ordered by Chiang Kai-shek to lead his troops to Guangshan to attack the Eyuwan Soviet Area. He set up his headquarters at the Pei family ancestral hall. Ji Hongchang was known for his strict military discipline and formidable reputation. However, despite his capable and battle-hardened forces and an aggressive strategy of “no enemy where I am, no me where the enemy is,” he repeatedly suffered defeats when attacking the Soviet Area. In contrast, the Red Army under the leadership of the Communist Party achieved victory after victory, leaving Ji deeply puzzled. Determined to find out why, he disguised himself as a merchant one foggy morning and visited the Soviet Area with an aide. Upon entering, he saw a liberated population who were in charge of their own lives, full of joy and fighting spirit. Soldiers and civilians supported each other like family, working the fields and sharing life’s burdens together. There was no exploitation or oppression, no darkness or decay—only a new world, filled with songs and laughter. As the ancient saying goes, “He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world.” Ji Hongchang was profoundly moved and came to understand the true reason for his repeated defeats. Faced with the invasion of Japanese imperialism and Chiang Kai-shek’s refusal to defend the nation, instead instigating civil war, Ji Hongchang—who once declared, “Do not lament a hero’s uselessness; use him, and he can restore China’s dignity”—found himself without the opportunity to serve. His 18 years of hard-fought battles had resulted only in a broken land and starving people. He realized that only under the leadership of the Communist Party could the suffering Chinese people move toward a brighter future. “The rise and fall of the nation concerns everyone.” He used stone to voice his ideals, carving the words: “Chiang Kai-shek, wake up quickly. Let the sleeping lion rise and lead the people.” On March 1, 1931, General Ji Hongchang personally wrote these words in clerical script, which were then engraved on the backs of a pair of stone lions in front of the old county yamen in Guangshan. These words expressed his deep concern for the nation and its people. Today, these majestic Yuan Dynasty stone lions still clearly bear Ji Hongchang’s inscriptions. They stand as vivid history textbooks, educating generation after generation of young people.

General Ji Hongchang and his troops hated evil but never harmed the people. During their time in Guangshan, they stayed in examination halls and ancestral temples, setting up camps in the fields, and never seized civilian homes or oppressed the masses. They engaged in fair trade, regularly swept streets, cleaned ditches, repaired wells, and fixed bridges and roads. In gratitude, local residents brought boiled water to show their appreciation. For every bowl of water the soldiers drank, they left a copper coin. Though these events happened long ago, people still speak of them with admiration.

Although General Ji Hongchang stayed at the Pei family ancestral hall for only a few months, he did many good deeds for the people of Guangshan. As history turned a new page, the people of Guangshan came to cherish the memory of this passionate national hero even more. His legacy continues to inspire the people of Guangshan to strive courageously, unite in purpose, and revitalize China. The site now houses an exhibition on Ji Hongchang’s revolutionary achievements, featuring photos and artifacts, and is open to the public, receiving about 60,000 visitors annually.

In 2005, as the country vigorously promoted the development of red tourism, Ji Hongchang’s former residence was included in the red tourism development project of Xinyang City. In 2006, it was designated as a provincial-level cultural heritage site by the People’s Government of Henan Province.

Ji Hongchang

In 1895, in the backyard of a small tea house owned by the Ji family in Lutan Town, Fugou County, Henan Province, a boy named Hongchang was born. For Ji Yunting, Hongchang’s father, the birth was a joyous occasion, but also meant another mouth to feed. Ji Hongchang managed to reach the age of 18, just as Feng Yuxiang was recruiting soldiers in Henan. He signed up and began a lifelong military career.

From childhood, Ji Hongchang admired heroes such as Yue Fei and Wen Tianxiang. As a soldier, he was sincere, hardworking, disciplined, brave, and skilled in combat... More details about Ji Hongchang ++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Henan Provincial Cultural Heritage Sites