Former Residence of Xu Yunuo

Former Residence of Xu Yunuo

The former residence of Xu Yunuo is a cultural heritage protection unit in Henan Province.

The former residence of Xu Yunuo is located in Xuying Village, Xinji Township, Lushan County. It dates back to 1894. The site is listed as part of the seventh batch of cultural heritage protection units in Henan Province.

The former residence is a small courtyard enclosed by red brick walls, facing east with its back to the west, featuring three tiled rooms on both the eastern and western sides. Though called a former residence, the red bricks used for the courtyard wall are new. Regarding this, Chang Dali, the second daughter-in-law of Xu Yunuo who came specially from Lushan County town upon hearing the news, said that the courtyard wall was newly built just a few years ago, and although the interior houses were also renovated recently, they were largely reconstructed based on the original structure. The exterior walls were specially coated with a mixture of mud and straw to preserve the original appearance.

In front of the gate of the former residence stands a sign reading “Former Residence of Xu Yunuo.” On the back is a brief biography of Xu Yunuo, which states: Xu Yunuo (1894–1958), originally named Xu Yanxin and using the pen name Honghuo, enrolled at the age of 20 in the First Provincial Normal School of Kaifeng. In 1919, he published his first short story, “Conscience,” in the newspaper Morning Post. He was a renowned writer active in China’s New Literature Movement of the 1920s and had close ties with Zheng Zhenduo, Ye Shengtao, and others.

Upon entering the residence, the northernmost of the three rooms in the eastern section serves as a passageway, while the other two are used for storing miscellaneous items. Inside the western rooms, the walls are adorned with many photos and image materials from Xu Yunuo’s youth and post-liberation period. Notably eye-catching is his group photo with classmates during the May Fourth Movement at the First Provincial Normal School of Kaifeng, showing a tall and spirited Xu Yunuo. There are also photos of him attending the First Consultative Committee of the People's Representative Assembly of Various Circles in Henan Province in 1950, and the Henan Delegation to the First Central-South Literary and Art Workers Congress in 1951.

The western room also displays several old items once used by Xu Yunuo, including a bed, two wooden trunks, a cabinet, a desk, and a lounge chair. On the black antique desk sits a black oil lamp. Zhao Hua, an 88-year-old villager from Xuying Village, said he heard from his elders that Xu Yunuo was extremely diligent in his studies as a child and often studied poetry and books late into the night.

At the entrance of the courtyard of the former residence, there is a large square stone slab that has been polished extremely smooth. Zhao Hua said this was Xu Yunuo’s “mounting block.” Xu Yunuo was tall and fond of horseback riding. When he was away teaching or working and returned home, he often rode his horse, tying it to this stone and using the block to mount. Over time, the repeated tethering left a deep groove in the middle of the stone. A closer look indeed reveals this distinct mark.

Xuying Village: Xuying Village... Detailed information about Xuying Village++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Henan Province