Former Residence of Zeng Muzhai

Former Residence of Zeng Muzhai

The former residence of Zeng Muzhai is a cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province.

The former residence of Zeng Muzhai is located in Group 4, Goulou Village, Shangjia Township, Leiyang City, Hengyang, Hunan Province. Built during the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty, it faces northwest and is situated to the southeast. The structure is made of brick and wood, with two stories, a width of five bays, a flush gable roof, and three-character gables on both sides, covering a construction area of 440 square meters.

This residence is an independent folk building in the style of a "suo tongzi wu" (locked tube house). It stands against Xiangfu Mountain at the back and faces an unnamed creek in the front, with a distant view of the opposite ridge. The total width is 20 meters and the depth is 22 meters. The foundation of Zeng Muzhai’s former residence is built on a 0.7-meter-high platform, with a front eaves corridor featuring two eaves columns. The central entrance gate has double-leaf solid doors. Upon entering the gate is the central hall, behind which is a shrine, with side doors leading to the secondary rooms. The roof has no beam frame but instead uses gable walls to support the purlins, covered with a double-sloped flush gable tile roof, with three-character gables on both sides sealing the eaves. In 1876, Zeng Muzhai was born here and spent most of his revolutionary life in this house. The residence has been continuously inhabited by his descendants, who have been responsible for its daily maintenance, and it remains largely intact. The large areas of exposed brick walls, straight three-character gables, four-divided-five-water tiled roofs, and the lock-head style all reflect typical local characteristics and architectural styles of southern Hunan.

The former residence of Zeng Muzhai is an important site and physical relic directly associated with Zeng Muzhai.

In 1876, Zeng Muzhai was born in this residence and spent his childhood and adolescence here. The residence still preserves the bed where Zeng Muzhai slept, as well as furniture and daily items he used.

In 2019, the former residence of Zeng Muzhai was approved as part of the tenth batch of provincial-level cultural relic protection units in Hunan Province.

Zeng Muzhai (1876–1928)

Born on the 20th day of the ninth lunar month in the year of Bingzi during the Guangxu reign (1876), at the hour of Chou, in a prominent family of the Zeng clan in Jietou, Shangjiaqiao, Shangjia Bridge, Leiyang County, Hengzhou Prefecture, Hengyongchen Gui Dao.

From a young age, he learned martial arts from a folk martial arts master and developed excellent skills. He had a bold personality and was known for his integrity.

In 1891, he entered the Chuanshan Academy and studied under Wang Kaiyun, a master of imperial studies. In 1894, he passed the imperial examination at the prefectural level.

In 1895, he entered the Imperial College in Beijing and later was appointed as a county magistrate assistant.

After the “Hundred Days' Reform,” influenced by progressive ideologies, he developed a deep hatred for feudal rule and secretly organized the “10…” More detailed information about Zeng Muzhai++

Further Reading:

· Tenth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Hunan Province