Former Residence of Zhao Puchu

　　The Shi Tai Shi Di (Former Residence of Zhao Puchu) is situated on Tiantaili Street in Yingjiang District, Anqing City. As four generations of the Zhao family—beginning with Zhao Wenkai, followed by Zhao Tianyun, Zhao Jiyuan, and Zhao Zengzhong—served as Hanlin scholars, it was historically known as the “Shi Tai Shi Di” (House of Generations of Hanlin Scholars) or the “Residence of Four Generations of Hanlin Scholars.” In the late Qing Dynasty, Li Hongzhang, son-in-law of Zhao Tianyun and Viceroy of Zhili and Minister of Beiyang, personally inscribed the golden plaque “Four Generations of Hanlin Scholars,” which hung above the main gate of the Shi Tai Shi Di (Former Residence of Zhao Puchu). Unfortunately, it was looted by Japanese invaders during the War of Resistance. On November 5, 1907, during the 33rd year of the Guangxu reign in the Qing Dynasty, Zhao Puchu, the great-grandson of Zhao Tianyun, was born here.

　　On November 5, 1907, Zhao Puchu, the great-grandson of Zhao Tianyun, was born here.

　　The residence covers an area of 4,463 square meters, with a building area of 2,773 square meters. A granite-paved plaza features an exquisitely designed ancient well of the Zhao family. The architectural complex faces south and is enclosed by gray brick walls with clear joints, giving it a simple and elegant appearance. The horse-head walls rise and fall with rhythmic elegance. The main structure is built with a brick-and-wood frame, rectangular in shape, stretching 42 meters from east to west and 84 meters from north to south. It consists of seven sections: four on the eastern side and three on the western side. Except for the western third section, which has three bays, all others have five bays, each about 20 meters wide, arranged neatly along two central north-south axes. Each section is connected on both sides by wing rooms or corridors. The first and second sections on the east, the third and fourth on the east, and the first and second on the west feature courtyards that serve to admit light and channel rainwater from the surrounding eaves. The northwest part of the ancient architectural complex houses a 982-square-meter backyard garden, where a 32-meter-long stele corridor is built on the western side, inlaying 11 stone tablets engraved with calligraphy works by Mr. Zhao Puchu.

　　The architectural style of the Shi Tai Shi Di (Former Residence of Zhao Puchu) combines the grandeur and boldness of northern traditional architecture with the delicacy and refinement of Huizhou-style buildings, showcasing strong local characteristics and significant historical, scientific, and artistic value. It is also one of the better-preserved and larger groups of Ming and Qing dynasty buildings in the province.

　　Zhao Puchu (1907–2000) served as Vice Chairman of the 9th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Honorary Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, and President of the Buddhist Association of China. He was a renowned social activist, an outstanding patriotic religious leader, a close friend of the Communist Party of China, as well as a world-renowned writer, poet, and master calligrapher.

　　As the birthplace and cultural hub of the Zhao family, the Shi Tai Shi Di (Former Residence of Zhao Puchu) serves as a research center, preservation center, and exhibition center for Zhao family artifacts and documents. It is also an excellent patriotic education base for commemorating and honoring Mr. Zhao Puchu. Starting in 200

　　In 2001, the Anqing Municipal People’s Government raised over 10 million yuan from various sources to relocate residents and comprehensively restore the residence.

　　In May 1998, the Anhui Provincial People’s Government designated it as a provincial-level key cultural relics protection unit. It is now being applied for recognition as a national-level key cultural relics protection unit.

　　Zhao Wenkai (1760–1808), styled Yishu and also known as Jieshan, was the great-great-grandfather of Zhao Puchu. A native of Wangtian Township, Taihu County, Anqing, he passed the imperial examination as a Juren (recommended man) in 1787 during the 52nd year of the Qianlong reign, and became the Zhuangyuan (number one scholar) in 1796 during the first year of the Jiaqing reign. He was appointed as a Hanlin Academy editor, compiler for the Veritable Records Office, and academician of the Wenyuan Pavilion. In 1799, the fourth year of the Jiaqing reign, the court selected Zhao Wenkai as the Emperor’s chief envoy to bestow the title and coronation upon King Shō On of Ryukyu. He traveled eastward with full imperial authority and was bestowed the first-rank official attire of Linpan. During his mission to Ryukyu, Zhao Wenkai strictly adhered to regulations, declined generous gifts from the host country, and earned widespread praise from both the government and the public in Ryukyu. His “reputation for integrity spread overseas, earning the reverence of the entire nation.” In recognition, King Shō On commended Zhao Wenkai’s integrity to Emperor Jiaqing and composed a birthday poem for Zhao’s mother, praising her for her exemplary parenting. (In 1987, when Mr. Zhao Puchu visited Japan, he toured Ryukyu and viewed the calligraphy relics of his ancestor Zhao Wenkai.)

　　Zhao Wenkai passed away in 1808 at the age of 48 while serving as the Yanping Defense Commissioner in Shanxi.

　　Tomb of Zhao Wenkai

　　Located on Renxing Mountain in Chayuan, Wangtian Township, Taihu County, Anqing. In 1843, the 23rd year of the Daoguang reign, Zhao Wenkai’s coffin was relocated from Shanxi’s Yanping to Taihu, where he was buried alongside his wife and concubine. The tomb faces southwest and is built with a semi-circular dome made of tung oil and lime. The tombstone, five feet high and three feet wide, bears an inscription in regular script on the front: “Tomb of the Late Father Zhao Jieshan, the Illustrious Gentleman of the Imperial Court of the Qing Dynasty.” The left and right sides are inscribed with the names of Zhao Wenkai’s wife and concubine, all still clearly legible. It is listed in the “China Scenic Spots Dictionary.”

　　Zhao Wenkai authored many works, including “Essays from My Travels in Chu,” “Manuscripts from My Journey on the Raft,” “Poetic Collection from the Shimujiu Mountain House,” and “Ancient and Modern Prose from the Duxiu Thatched Cottage,” though many have been lost or damaged.

　　In May 1998, the Anhui Provincial People’s Government designated it as a provincial-level key cultural relics protection unit.

　　

　　Zhao Puchu (1907~2000)　　 Zhao Puchu (1907–2000), a native of Taihu, Anhui, was a renowned Buddhist scholar, social activist, calligrapher, patriotic religious leader, and member of the China Democratic League. Zhao Puchu was born in the Anqing Scholar-Official Mansion known as the “Residence of Four Generations of Hanlin Scholars.” His father, Zhao Weiru, graduated from the Provincial Higher School and was later appointed as a provisional county magistrate in Hubei Province. However, he had no interest in officialdom and devoted himself to studying calligraphy and painting at home. Zhao Puchu benefited greatly from this environment. All household affairs were managed by his mother, who often told him stories of ancient scholars’ diligence and perseverance in their spare time, laying a solid foundation of family education for him.... Details+