Former Residence of He Ru Zhang – Renjinglu Architectural Complex

He Ru Zhang’s Former Residence – Renjinglu Architectural Complex

The He Ru Zhang’s Former Residence – Renjinglu Architectural Complex is a cultural relic protection unit of Meizhou City.

The He Ru Zhang’s Former Residence – Renjinglu Architectural Complex is located in Dabu County, dating back to the Qing Dynasty, and is classified as an important modern historical site and representative architecture.

Renjinglu is located in Shuangkeng Village, Huliao Town, Dabu County, Meizhou City, Guangdong Province. It was the former home of He Ru Zhang, a late Qing reformist thinker and diplomat, and was first built in the 10th year of the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty (1805). He Ru Zhang’s former residence provides a rare historical specimen for understanding and studying the cultural history of Dabu, the history of Hakka figures, and even modern Chinese history. In April 2005, He Ru Zhang’s former residence was listed as a cultural relic protection unit of Dabu County by the Dabu County Government and was selected as a key city tourism destination by the Meizhou City cultural tourism authorities. In 2007, it was rated as one of the top forty tourist sites in Guangdong Province by several major travel companies from Guangdong and Zhejiang provinces.

The Renjinglu architectural complex is nestled against mountains and beside water, facing east and situated in the heart of Tianxin in Shuangkeng Village, Dabu County. The former private school buildings “Rixin Book House” and “Gengjing Villa,” along with the ancestral home “Taishi Mansion” (Maotang Ancestral Hall), the former residence “Renjinglu,” “Tongfeng Mansion,” and “Gongzhan Mansion,” are arranged in an orderly “vessel” formation. Among them, “Renjinglu” is a civil-structured building with a construction area of over 280 square meters. These buildings each represent different stages of He Ru Zhang’s long journey through various historical periods. He Ru Zhang was born in the ancestral home “Maotang Ancestral Hall,” where the inner hall plaque bears the three golden characters “Shi De Tang” (Hall of Virtuous Lineage) on a black background, written in bold and unrestrained calligraphy by He Shaoji, a renowned calligrapher of the Qing Dynasty from Daozhou. This reflects the noble ideals pursued by his clan: “cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world.”

Stepping into the study, the worn inner hall, though weathered by a century of wind and rain, retains its scholarly essence. This study was well known throughout the local area and had an extensive collection of books, earning it the reputation of being the “library of Shuangkeng Village.” Zou Lu, former president of Sun Yat-sen University, often borrowed books here in his youth. Wu Qiw ei, an anti-Japanese general, was also a frequent guest at the study, always visiting Shuangkeng upon returning home, and always stopping by the study when he did. “Here, one can ‘savor the tea flavor of the study,’ and secondly, ‘borrow books that are hard to find elsewhere.’” In his childhood, He Ru Zhang studied Confucian classics in the “Rixin Book House” and “Gengjing Villa,” passed the imperial examination as a Juren (successful candidate in the provincial exam), obtained the degree of Jinshi (advanced scholar), and entered the Hanlin Academy. He devoted himself to Western learning, was well versed in foreign affairs, and was appreciated by Li Hongzhang. He was appointed as the first Qing Dynasty envoy to Japan, thus beginning his official career.

A short walk away, to the south of “Gengjing Villa,” stands He Ru Zhang’s temporary residence “Tongfeng Mansion.” In front of the ancestral hall is a courtyard, and to the left of the courtyard once stood a row of flagpoles, erected in honor of He Ru Zhang’s achievement of ranking 27th among the second-class successful candidates in the metropolitan examination and being appointed 25th by imperial decree. He was the first person from Shuangkeng Village in hundreds of years to pass the imperial examination. In the second year of the Guangxu reign (1876), the Qing court conferred upon He Ru Zhang the title of “Tongfeng Daifu” (Grand Master for Thorough Service), hence this mansion was specially built.

Walking eastward through an alley and advancing a hundred steps leads to “Renjinglu” and “Gongzhan Mansion,” which He Ru Zhang built after completing his term as envoy to Japan. As the Qing envoy to Japan, He Ru Zhang fulfilled his mission admirably, particularly by reclaiming consular jurisdiction from Japan and striving to prevent Japan from annexing Ryukyu. After completing his term and returning to China, He Ru Zhang returned to his hometown with a hint of reclusion in mind and built “Renjinglu.” The house is divided into upper and lower halls, with a central courtyard. However, before He Ru Zhang could fully enjoy this “earthly paradise,” he was quickly appointed as the Minister of Fujian Ship Affairs and, in the same year, additionally appointed as the Junior Supervisor of the Crown Prince’s Court, earning him the title “Gongzhan Gong.” Subsequently, the construction of “Gongzhan Mansion” began.

On January 14, 2014, it was announced by the Meizhou Municipal People’s Government as part of the second batch of Meizhou Cultural Relic Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Meizhou Cultural Relic Protection Units