Hu Zongxian’s Shaobao Mansion

　　Hu Zongxian, courtesy name Ruzhen and art name Meilin, was a renowned anti-pirate official during the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty. He served as Minister of War and concurrently as Governor-General of Zhejiang and Fujian. Hu Zongxian was the first to incorporate – into China’s territory. Emperor Shenzong of the Ming posthumously honored him with the title “Xiangmao.” In 1562, Hu Zongxian, then Provincial Commander of Zhejiang, compiled the “Charting the Sea and Compiling Strategies,” a book described as “using maps to document terrain, and texts to record strategies,” containing 114 maps and approximately 260,000 words. The “Map of Coastal Mountains and Sands” marked various islands along the coasts of Luoyuan County and Ningde County in Fujian Province, including islands known as “Diaoyu Yu,” “Huangwei Shan,” and “Chi Yu.” This important historical document shows that – had been regarded as Chinese territory and included in China’s maritime defense zone during the Ming Dynasty. Japan’s earliest “discovery” of – occurred in 1884, after Japan annexed the Ryukyu Kingdom and renamed it “Okinawa Prefecture,” which is 322 years later than the record in the “Charting the Sea and Compiling Strategies.” Hu Zongxian’s heroic deeds in resisting pirates have been celebrated by his fellow countrymen throughout generations.

　　To showcase the patriotic spirit of Hu Zongxian, a Ming Dynasty politician and military strategist, to visitors in Longchuan, Jixi County decided to rebuild this historic structure on the original site of Hu Zongxian’s Shaobao Mansion in the Longchuan scenic area. On August 18, 2009, a review meeting for the construction plan of the Hu Zongxian Shaobao Mansion (Anti-Pirate Memorial Hall) in Longchuan, Jixi County, was held at the Jixi Hotel. Professors from expert groups including the Beijing Military Academy, Renmin University, Fudan University in Shanghai, and the Huizhou Studies Research Center of Anhui University, conducted on-site inspections, listened to presentations, and reviewed planning documents and drawings. They concluded that the proposal had a clear guiding concept, fully considered the geographical location of Jixi as the hometown of notable figures and a national historical and cultural city. The proposal featured diverse forms, rich content, and a rational spatial layout. The panel deemed the plan feasible and unanimously approved it.

　　Hu Zongxian’s Ministerial Mansion, also known as his former residence and ancestral home, is located in Longchuan Village, Jixi, Anhui. It is exquisitely built, uniquely laid out, and ingeniously designed, famous for its “numerous gate towers, horse-head walls, and ancient alleys.” Hu Zongxian’s Ministerial Mansion is hailed as the “First House of Huizhou” and is an iconic representation of Huizhou-style architecture. Historically, it was celebrated for having “seven generations under one roof.” Despite the large family population living in separate sections, they remained united as one family and lived in harmony, hence the residence is also poetically referred to as the “Twenty-Four Gate Towers.” The Ministerial Mansion integrates the Congshan Hall, Songgong Family Ancestral Hall, Huizhou Official Hall, Wenchang Pavilion, Children’s Study Hall, Temple of Earth, Sedan Chair Pavilion, Yutingtang Clinic, Young Lady’s Tower, Xiaoyao Studio, as well as the Hui Opera Garden, Hanxiang Garden, Xiyue Pavilion, Buddhist Garden, and Meilin Pavilion in the backyard garden. Among these, the Hu Family Well — with its nested wells, circular shape featuring a square within, and water that never dries up year-round — particularly fascinates visitors.

　　Hu Zongxian’s Shaobao Mansion presents his life story to visitors in the new form of an Anti-Pirate Memorial Hall. It is divided into four exhibition halls: the first introduces Hu Zongxian’s life; the second covers the rampant pirate threat and his critical appointment; the third highlights his intelligence and bravery in achieving great feats in the southeast; and the fourth depicts his unjust imprisonment and lingering spirit amidst the white clouds. The exhibition halls emphasize images and multimedia through innovative displays and atmospheric design. By utilizing modern high-tech audio, light, and electrical effects, they vividly showcase Hu Zongxian’s heroic achievements in combating pirates and pacifying the maritime frontier. Hu Zongxian’s Shaobao Mansion will officially open to the public in March 2010, playing a significant role in enriching the cultural and tourism appeal of Longchuan and enhancing the humanistic tourism offerings of Jixi.