Bajiao Hall

Bajiao Hall

Bajiao Hall is located about 20 meters north of Wang Honghui’s former residence. Originally built during the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli era, it was constructed by Wang Honghui after he retired and returned to his hometown. The hall faces southwest and is situated to the northeast. It was destroyed by fire caused by bandits in the late Ming Dynasty and was later renovated during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty. The structure features a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof in a palatial style, with a ridgeline decorated with grey plaster sculptures of two dragons playing with a pearl. Bajiao Hall serves as the front hall of the Wang Family Ancestral Hall and, together with the hall’s entrance gate, rear hall, and east and west side halls, forms a courtyard layout covering approximately 1,000 square meters. Originally, an imperial portrait of Emperor Wanli was enshrined inside, where incense was burned morning and evening in reverence. Today, the entrance gate and the east and west side halls have been lost. The hall is three bays deep and five bays wide, with round golden pillars used in the central bays, each with a diameter of 24 cm and resting on traditional drum-shaped stone bases. The front eaves feature square stone pillars, while the rear eaves have octagonal stone pillars. Both the front and rear doors are missing. The rear hall is also three bays deep and five bays wide, with a single-eave gable roof, and its shrine has been dismantled. The ancestral hall has historically served as an elementary school. During the Cultural Revolution, it suffered damage and partial destruction. In 1981, villagers raised funds to restore the front hall (Bajiao Hall), and in 1984, the government allocated funds for minor renovations to the rear hall. The ancestral hall currently houses a plaque from the 16th year of the Kangxi reign (1716), reproducing the imperial decree from Emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty that conferred honors upon Wang Honghui and his wife, Madam Zhou. There is also a wooden plaque inscribed with “Loyal and Righteous Lineage,” half of a stele inscription titled “Record of the Reconstruction of the Wang Family Ancestral Hall,” and another wooden plaque reading “East Pavilion in the Clear Breeze,” which is hung above the main entrance of the front hall. Bajiao Hall was designated as a county-level cultural relic protection unit in 1986 and a provincial-level one in 1994.

Legend has it that after Bajiao Hall was completed, certain officials who had been reprimanded or punished by Wang Honghui and held grudges against him submitted memorials to the emperor, accusing Wang of privately constructing a palace with ambitions of rebellion. These memorials were handed to Dong Qichang, who was in charge of state affairs. Dong had a deep friendship with Wang Honghui and greatly respected his character. He knew full well that Wang had no intention of rebellion, but given the seriousness of the charges—which could have led to the execution of Wang’s entire family—he acted discreetly. Before the special investigators arrived, Dong sent a secret letter to warn Wang. Soon after, the imperial inspectors and local magistrates came to Longmei Village to inquire about the matter. Wang Honghui explained that the purpose of building the hall was that, after retiring and returning home, he was far from the capital and unable to serve the emperor directly. Longing to show his respect, he specially built the hall to enshrine the current emperor’s portrait and pay morning and evening respects. After learning the truth, Dong Qichang reported it to the emperor, who not only pardoned Wang but also bestowed praise upon him, while those who made the false accusations were punished with caning.

Although parts of Bajiao Hall have been damaged, its grandeur remains. The scholarly spirit of Minister Wang continues to inspire future generations. Descendants have followed his example, dedicating themselves to study. From the reinstatement of the national college entrance examination in 1977 until 2006, Longmei Village saw an average of more than ten students admitted to university every year.

Wang Honghui, styled Shaochuan and also known as Zhongming, was a native of Ding’an County in Qiongzhou Prefecture, Guangdong (now Hainan Province). He was born in 1541 AD and passed away in his hometown of Ding’an in 1617 at the age of 76. After his death, the imperial court posthumously awarded him the title of “Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent” and granted him a ceremonial burial. Wang Honghui was a renowned official and educator of the Ming Dynasty. He held various positions including Shujishi (imperial scholar), Hanlin Academy reviser, compiler, associate examiner for the metropolitan examination, National University academic director, Vice Minister of Personnel in Nanjing, and Minister of Rites in Nanjing. A master of literature in his own right, he authored works such as Shangyou Tang Gao (Writings from the Shangyou Hall), Wuyue Youji (Travels in Wu and Yue), Tianchi Cao (Grass from the Heavenly Pool), Laihe Xuan Ji (Collected Works from the Crane-Coming Studio), Nanming Qidian Lu (Records of the Marvelous Reaches of the South Seas), Nanli... [More details on Wang Honghui]++