Former Residence of Song Zheyuan

　　Song Zheyuan had two residences in Tianjin, located at No. 17 and No. 29 roads in the British Concession (now No. 253 Xinhua Road and No. 86 Nanjing Road in Heping District). The residence on No. 17 Road (now No. 253 Xinhua Road) was purchased by Song Zheyuan in 1932 under the name Mingren Hall from the British firm, Sincere & Co., which managed the property. It is a two-story brick-and-wood structure, comprising 21 rooms upstairs, 8 rooms on the ground floor, 2 verandas, with a total construction area of 763 square meters. The side of the building facing Xinhua Road features floor-to-ceiling glass windows. During his time in Tianjin between 1932 and 1937, Song resided here with his wife and children. The original building has been demolished and replaced by the Franklin Hotel.

　　Song Zheyuan (1885～1940)　　Song Zheyuan (1885–1940), courtesy name Mingxuan, was from Zhaohongdu Village, Leling City, Shandong Province. From an early age, Song Zheyuan was diligent and studious, often rising early to read under the first light of dawn and refusing to put down his books until dusk. He completed the “Four Books,” the “Book of Songs,” the “Three Rites,” and the “Zuo Zhuan” within four years—not only committing them to memory but also thoroughly understanding their meanings. Within seven years, he had thoroughly studied the Confucian classics such as the “Great Learning,” the “Doctrine of the Mean,” the “Analects,” the “Mencius,” the “Book of Songs,” the “Book of Documents,” the “Book of Rites,” and the “Zuo Zhuan.” He also extensively explored the heroic deeds of emperors and generals such as Emperor Gaozu of Han, Emperor Taizong of Tang, Emperor Taizu of Ming, as well as historical figures like Guanzi, Yanzi, Zhuge Liang, and Yue Fei, which inspired his aspiration to achieve great deeds... More+