The First Family of Jiangnan

　　  Guide:     The "First Family of Jiangnan," also known as the Zheng Clan's Righteous House, is located in Zhengzhai Town, Pujiang County, Zhejiang Province. Covering an area of approximately 6,600 square meters, it is an internationally renowned and important site of ancient family culture in China.   Introduction:       The Zheng family who lived here were famous for governing their household with filial piety and righteousness. Starting from the Jianyan era of the Southern Song Dynasty, spanning the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties, fifteen generations lived together and shared meals for over 360 years. At its peak, more than 3,000 people ate from the same pot. Their family values of filial piety and virtue were repeatedly commended by imperial courts. In the 80th year of the Hongwu era (1385), Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, personally bestowed upon them the title "The First Family of Jiangnan."     Today, Zhengzhai still retains a collection of important cultural relics including the Zheng Clan Ancestral Hall of the First Family of Jiangnan, with over twenty heritage sites. The ancestral hall served as the center of activities for the clan members during their communal living period. Built in the early Yuan Dynasty, it covers about 6,600 square meters, featuring a grand structure and a classic, simple style. Amazingly, no birds nest, spiders spin webs, or mosquitoes and flies linger inside the hall, and it remains remarkably cool in summer.     The main hall of the ancestral hall displays many plaques and couplets inscribed by historical figures, holding high artistic and cultural value. In the front hall and the worship hall courtyard, there is an ancient cypress tree planted by Song Lian, with gnarled branches reaching toward the sky.     Surrounding the ancestral hall are other historic sites such as the Filial Piety Spring, the Nine-Generation Communal Living Tablet Pavilion, Dongming Academy, Old Buddha Society, and Jianwen Well—rich in content and forming a remarkable ensemble.     The First Family of Jiangnan scenic area also boasts numerous attractions. The winding Bailin Stream flows through the town, featuring "ten bridges and nine sluices." Xuanlu Mountain is home to the Eight Scenic Spots of Xuanlu including the Crane Drinking Stream, the Flower Bead Cliff, the Flying Rain Cave, and cliff inscriptions from the Yuan Dynasty.   Transportation:       Take a bus from Pujiang West Station.   

　　 Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province