Zhaxi Ancient Village

　　During the third cultural relics survey in Jiangxi Province, cultural heritage workers in Anfu County discovered the oldest existing ancient residential building in the county, which dates back over 600 years. The house is still inhabited and well-preserved, holding significant research value in fields such as folklore and architecture.

　　 The ancient residence is located in the center of Zhaxi Ancient Village, Jintian Township, at the foot of Snake-shaped Mountain within the village. The house faces west and was built along the mountain slope. Its exterior walls are adorned with many inscribed bricks marked “Zhaxi Yu Made.” According to the *Genealogy of the Liu Clan of Zhaxi*, “Yu” refers to Liu Yujie from the 19th century, who lived during the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, indicating that the house was likely built around that time. - Cultural heritage workers found that the main structure has not undergone major alterations, and the interior beams retain their original style, showcasing a combination of post-and-lintel and mortise-and-tenon construction. The wooden pillars and plinths in the central bay have endured the test of time, marked with numerous corrosion holes. The wooden lattice windows are simply decorated, with their upper sections woven from reeds and coated with white plaster, exhibiting a typical Ming Dynasty style. The steep roof pitch still reflects architectural influences from the Song and Yuan dynasties.

　　 It is quite rare and remarkable for an ancient residence in the humid Jiangnan region to have been preserved for over 600 years. Zhaxi Village was established during the Dazhong Xiangfu era of the Song Dynasty, dating back a thousand years, and has long been the settlement of descendants of Liu Chu. Due to the snake-like shape of the land, it is referred to as the “Snake Belly Lius.” Legend has it that the area was once overgrown with reeds, making it unsuitable for construction, so houses were built on the mountainside. The homes were constructed along the terrain, ensuring dry ground and good drainage. In the past, generations of the Zhaxi Lius regarded this house as their place of origin and took great care to preserve it. Young couples would use it as their bridal chamber, living there for a full month before moving back home. This tradition continued until shortly before the liberation. According to 70-year-old Liu Mengzhuang, the house has been repaired over the generations, and he personally witnessed two renovations, but the beams and walls indeed retained their original form.