Jiahe Zhquan Academy

Jiahe Zhquan Academy

Zhquan Academy is located in Jiahe, Hunan. In the third year of the Daoguang reign during the Qing Dynasty (1823), Magistrate Yan Xiang donated his salary to initiate its construction. It was named after its proximity to the Zhquan Well. The academy includes a main gate, front hall, lecture hall, rear hall, and four study rooms: Zhengyi, Mingde, Xiude, and Jinye. The "Zhquan Academy Regulations" were established, and “individuals of outstanding character and scholarship” were hired as headmasters to “deliver regular lectures on the classics and histories.” In the 24th year of the Daoguang reign (1844), Magistrate Da Linxing added the Zhquan Pavilion and composed the couplet “Whenever I meet people, I speak of how fine this spring is; I am ashamed that my own heart isn’t as clear as this water” to inspire students. However, at that time, there were very few school fields, and “funding the teaching master was always a struggle.” In the seventh year of the Xianfeng reign (1857), Magistrates Yuan Huiye and Chen Zhongguo successively acquired more land and hired headmasters, so expenses were finally “no longer a concern.” In the second year of the Tongzhi reign (1863), Magistrate Wu Guozhong renovated the academy and increased the school fields to 229.6 mu. In the 15th year of the Guangxu reign (1889), the buildings were renovated again. Headmasters over the years included Wu Furong from Shanhua, Huang Yunhan from Linwu, Deng Bingming from Guiyang, Li Fu from Qiyang, and Liao Rushui from the county — all were “upright in character,” “devoted to learning and aspiring ideals, encouraging scholarly virtue.” In the 28th year of the Guangxu reign (1902), Lei Feipeng from the county, who also served as the instructor at the Yizhang County School, concurrently managed the academy courses, “discussing both ancient knowledge and new systems with the students.” The following year, it was converted into an official primary school. During the Republican era, it was successively changed into a county-level First-Class Normal School, Higher Primary School, Jiahe County Middle School, and No. 2 Middle School. Today, it is part of Jiahe County No. 1 Middle School. The academy buildings still include 16 structures such as the front hall and Zhquan Pavilion, covering a total area of 2,150 square meters. The plaque in the front hall inscribed with “Cultivate Integrity and Learning,” along with the couplet written by Headmaster Huang Yunhan: “The pearl shines by nature, the jade charms naturally; if one’s character is true, it becomes a rare treasure upon emerging; the spring is called ‘Honest,’ the water ‘Yielding’—look not far for reflection, in years to come remember its mountain-born clarity,” and the two couplets “Encourage learning, starting with me; when it comes to righteousness, do not yield to your teacher,” are all relics from that period. From *The Analects · Wei Linggong*: “The Master said, ‘When it comes to benevolence, do not yield to your teacher.’” Zhu Xi commented: “‘When it comes to benevolence’ means taking benevolence as one’s own responsibility — even toward one’s teacher, one should not hold back. It means one must press forward and act decisively.” This couplet urges students to start with themselves, study earnestly, take initiative, and never back down. Though the academy may no longer be what it once was, its legacy endures through the ages.