Former Residence of Chen Shijie

Former Residence of Chen Shijie

The former residence of Chen Shijie is a cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province.

The former residence of Chen Shijie is the birthplace of Xiangkun Opera and the only official hall in Guiyang County designed and built to the specifications of a second-rank official. It is also the place that boasts the most calligraphy works and visits from prominent statesmen of the Tongzhi Restoration period, the founding site of Chen Shijie’s Guangwu Army, as well as the location most severely burned by the Taiping Army. Chen Shijie (1825–1893), courtesy name Juancheng and style name Junchen, was a native of Sizhuzhai, Guiyang County, Hunan (Guiyang Prefecture, Qing Dynasty). He was an important military aide to Zeng Guofan. He played key roles in rescuing famous generals such as Bao Chao and Wang Xin, defeating Shi Dakai at Huayuan Fort, and devising strategies for capturing Jiujiang. Highly regarded by Zeng Guofan, he successively held positions including Judicial Commissioner of Jiangsu, Provincial Administration Commissioner of Shanxi, Governor of Zhejiang, and Governor of Shandong.

The former residence of Chen Shijie is located on the left side of the Three-Li Official Street in Sizhou Street and has a history of over 150 years. In the third year of the Xianfeng era (1851), Chen Shijie’s father, Chen Weizhi, passed away, and he returned home to observe mourning. On the eighth day of the third lunar month the following year (1852), Emperor Xianfeng decreed the posthumous conferment of the title “Wenlin Lang,” a seventh-rank central government official of the Ministry of Revenue, upon his father, and “Da Ru,” a noble title for women, upon his mother, Madam Yin. On the twentieth day of the tenth lunar month in the fifth year of Xianfeng (1855), as Chen Shijie had become a Principal Clerk of the Ministry of Revenue, Emperor Xianfeng further bestowed the title “Chengde Lang” upon his father and “An Ren” upon his mother. Accordingly, the official hall and flower hall of Chen Shijie were built during his mourning period, between 1852 and 1855. Today, only one flower hall and one main hall remain. Both are constructed with gray bricks, black tiles, and ancient wooden materials, standing side by side. The official hall consists of upper, middle, and lower sections, covering an area of over 1,600 square meters. Its exterior is majestic, while the screens, doors, and window frames inside showcase exquisite craftsmanship, creating an enchanting atmosphere that captivates visitors.

Only the main hall and the flower hall of Chen Shijie’s former residence still exist today. Our current location is the main hall, which features a three-courtyard layout. The original gateposts on either side of the main hall’s entrance bore a couplet composed by the Qing scholar Wang Kaiyun: “A lone fortress guards the divine capital; through discussions with Luan and Fan, sharing blame for the people’s sake ensures immortal merit; a new shrine neighbors the old residence; with Zeng and Yang joining arms, the family tree flourishes under ancient trees.” The door studs featured hollow-carved designs, and there were also stone lions symbolizing authority on both sides, all of which were destroyed during the “Campaign to Eliminate the Four Olds.”

According to Qing regulations, Chen Shijie was a second-rank official. His main hall was constructed accordingly, combining features of Beijing’s traditional quadrangle courtyards, local southern Hunan folk architecture, and the native bluestone carving artistry of Guiyang. The entire official residence is thoughtfully designed, with a rigorous layout, clear hierarchy, symmetrical arrangement, front-to-back elevation, and an overall grand and imposing presence.

The main hall was built in 1862 as a two-story brick-and-wood structure in a quadrangle courtyard style, covering a total area of more than 800 square meters. It includes corridors, a central courtyard, and wing rooms. Chen Shijie had many children—ten sons and ten daughters—so the residence was built with considerable floor space. The architectural forms mainly consist of halls, chambers, towers, corridors, rooms, and gates, with originally 60 rooms. After the liberation, the building was repurposed as a township government office and a brigade headquarters. As its function changed over time, the structure was significantly altered, and the wing rooms, towers, pavilions, and halls have not yet been restored to their original appearance. The entire residence is divided into an upper hall, a middle hall, and a lower hall. The upper hall serves as the main ancestral altar and is used for receiving guests and conducting worship ceremonies. It features a couplet personally written by Chen Shijie: “Clouds shine and stars gleam, the resplendent layers hang like the North Star; orchids and osmanthus fragrance, the noble legacy thrives through generations.” The middle hall consists of wing rooms; according to hierarchy and seniority, the left side was for the sons’ quarters, and the right side for the daughters’. The lower hall was where servants lived, including the kitchen and storage rooms. All three levels have upper and lower floors, separate staircases, and entry vestibules.

The flower hall refers to a parlor in traditional residences, separate from the main hall. It is often built in a cross-courtyard or garden. The flower hall in Chen Shijie’s former residence is adjacent to the main hall and can be entered through the main gate or the side gates. It also follows a quadrangle courtyard design. The original gate of the flower hall bore a couplet handwritten by Chen Shijie: “A dwelling chosen for good omen, with water as a sash and mountains as a screen, gracefully connecting to the Xiang River and Heng Mountains; auspicious omens revealed, with flowers casting shadows and trees providing shade, often accompanied by shepherd’s flute and fishermen’s songs.” The flower hall was originally a venue for leisure and opera performances. Upon entering, one could see the stage, flanked by a couplet related to Kunqu Opera. This stage is considered the birthplace of Kunqu in Guiyang. During the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, when Chen Shijie served as Judicial Commissioner of Jiangsu and returned to his hometown, he frequently invited performing artists from Jiangsu and Zhejiang to teach local artists, and this stage served as the main venue. Two of Chen Shijie’s daughters-in-law were also from the Suzhou area, especially his third wife, Zhang Fangqin, who was very knowledgeable about Xiangkun Opera. She not only performed on stage but could also compose melodies. Thanks to Chen Shijie’s strong advocacy, Xiangkun Opera eventually took root in Guiyang.

Flanking the stage are corridors, with a central courtyard in between. Beyond the courtyard lies the main hall, where tables and chairs could be arranged for opera performances. A side exit from the main hall leads to the actual flower hall, where one can find a couplet personally penned by Chen Shijie: “Dew falls as sweet rain, clouds gather in festive knots; upright bamboo shoots like arrows, moist walls embrace distant hills.” The refined elegance of a literati spirit shines through the couplet. The flower hall blooms with flowers year-round—peonies in spring, peonies in summer, chrysanthemums in autumn, and plum blossoms in winter—making it Chen Shijie’s botanical paradise. Cultivating bamboo and tending to flowers was also one of Chen Shijie’s cherished pastimes.

Originally, the flower hall was surrounded by auxiliary structures such as Chen’s Charitable Estate, Grain Storehouse, Study Room, Stables, Warehouses, Firewood Storage, and the Chen Family Ancestral Hall. The stables were where the Guangwu Army trained. However, most of the flower hall buildings have “been weathered away by wind and rain,” and their historic traces are now hard to trace. Here, we highlight the Study Room in the flower hall.

The study room was how Chen Shijie referred to his library. As a man of culture, Chen had a deep love for collecting books. He said, “I gradually collect them, especially those related to the mind, body, and scholarly pursuits, and personally peruse them.” From his essay “Preface to the Banana Cloud Mountain House” in the collection *Pine Cloud Mountain House Writings*, we know he had three book collections: first, the Banana Cloud Mountain House (now Sizhou Middle School), for which he wrote the “Preface to the Banana Cloud Mountain House”; second, the Mirror-Framed Mountain House, roughly located at the confluence of the Si River and Cui River, where he wrote *Record of the Mirror-Framed Mountain House*; and third, the library in the flower hall, which he called the study room and for which he wrote *Record of the Library*. In the latter, he wrote: “Rather than leaving wealth to descendants, why not leave books as assets for learning?” He founded the Longtan Academy (now Guiyang No. 1 Middle School) and donated a large number of books and materials to the academy, some of which were quite avant-garde, such as *On the Origin of Species*.

Chen Shijie not only compiled and published the posthumous writings of Tang Xunfang from Changning, but he himself was also a prolific writer, authoring works such as *Poetry Collection of the Banana Cloud Mountain House*, *Poetry Collection of the Banana Cloud Mountain House* (note: likely duplicated in source), and *Memorials of Imperial Commissioner Chen*. He placed great emphasis on family education; among his descendants, his nephew Chen Zhaowen and son Chen Zhaokui both became Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), his grandson Chen Yuying was a designer of the Canton-Hankow Railway, and his great-grandson Chen Bing’an was a renowned writer.

The former residence of Chen Shijie once housed calligraphy works from notable Tongzhi Restoration statesmen such as Zeng Guofan, Zuo Zongtang, and Peng Yulin. According to Chen family descendants, Zeng Guofan’s calligraphy once hung in Chen Shijie’s study, bearing the words: “Cherish your body, always avoid reckless actions like throwing jade at magpies; cultivate your spirit, be as skillful as cutting an ox with a knife.” These artifacts have since been lost. We can only reminisce about the past glory, reflect on history, and draw strength for the future through parts of the restored architecture.

Chen Shijie

(1825-1893)

Qing Dynasty Governor

Native of Guiyang Prefecture (now Guiyang County), Qing Dynasty. Courtesy name Juancheng. Born in 1825. Studied at Yuelu Academy in Changsha in his youth. In 1849, he was selected as a seventh-rank central government official of the Ministry of Revenue through the examination for exceptional scholars. In 1851, he returned home to observe mourning for his father. The following year, he led local militias to suppress the uprisings of Li Mingxian and Li Guanlong in the county.

In early 1853, Chen Shijie joined Zeng Guofan’s military staff in Hengzhou. At the time, Bao Chao faced execution for breaking military law, and Wang Xin was trapped in a city due to disobeying orders. Chen strongly advocated for their rescue, which succeeded. In 1854... [More details on Chen Shijie]

Sizhou Village: Sizhou Village... [More details on Sizhou Village]

Further Reading:

· Ninth Batch of Hunan Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units