Yao Ying’s Former Residence

　　The former residence of Yao Ying is situated in Sixiang Lane in downtown Tongcheng. In the past, the residence covered a vast area, featuring halls, chambers, pavilions, towers, and courtyards. The courtyard was planted with bamboos, pomegranate trees, red and green plum blossoms, and red and white roses, accented with Taihu rocks. A couplet on the front pavilion reads: “The gate faces verdant bamboos to welcome gentlemen; the window shows red plums as if greeting old friends.” The residence was bordered by the Daning Temple to the east, Shangqing Nunnery to the south, Sixiang Lane to the west, and North Street to the north. Only the core quadrangle-style structure remains today. This building faces south and consists of two courtyards, east and west wing rooms, with a central courtyard surrounded by corridors arranged symmetrically, showcasing a well-organized layout.

　　The structure follows a traditional wooden post-and-lintel construction. Bracket arms support the eaves, and latticed doors and windows feature carved decorations. It has a double-sloped roof with gray-blue tiles and brick-paved corridors, exemplifying the typical residential architectural style of Tongcheng.

　　Yao Ying (1785–1853), courtesy name Shifu, also known as Mingshu, and in his later years as Zhanhe or Xingweng, was a disciple of his great-uncle Yao Nai and harbored lofty ambitions to save the world from a young age. He passed the imperial examination in the 13th year of the Jiaqing reign (1808). During the 20th year of the Daoguang reign (1840), when British forces invaded China and attacked Taiwan, Yao Ying was specially appointed as the Taiwan Intendant with the additional title of Judicial Commissioner. Together with General Dahong’a, he defended the island and successfully repelled three British attacks. He destroyed British ships, captured over a hundred British soldiers, and seized numerous weapons, reclaiming lost territory. Upon hearing the news of victory, the Qing court bestowed rewards upon him, granting Yao Ying the title of Yunqi Duyong and promoting him to the second rank. However, the British commander, humiliated by the defeat in Taiwan, falsely accused him of “falsely claiming military merit and executing shipwrecked foreigners.” Peace-leaning officials and the Fujian governor, jealous of his achievements, jointly submitted accusatory memorials, leading to the arrest and imprisonment of Yao Ying and the general. Although the Daoguang Emperor succumbed to British pressure, he recognized Yao Ying’s innocence. Within days, Yao Ying was exiled to Sichuan as a Tongzhi Zhizhou official. During this time, he trekked across icy mountains and snow-filled valleys, walking thousands of miles twice into Tibet to mediate disputes between two Hutuktus. When Emperor Xianfeng ascended the throne, Yao Ying was appointed Judicial Commissioner of Guangxi. He died in Hunan in the 3rd year of the Tongzhi reign (1853). He left behind a rich body of work, including *Dongming Collected Writings*, *Memorials*, *Houxiang Poetry Collection*, *Dongcha Records*, *Cunyin Series*, *Biographies of the Virtuous Ancestors of the Yao Family*, *Posthumous Manuscripts*, and *Zhongfutang Complete Works*.

　　In September 1985, the People's Government of Tongcheng County designated Yao Ying’s former residence as a county-level key cultural relic protection unit.

　　

　　Yao Ying (1785~1853)　　Yao Ying (1785–1853), courtesy name Shifu, literary name Mingshu, and in his later years known as Zhanhe or Xingweng, was the grandnephew of Yao Nai and a Qing dynasty official and litterateur. Yao Ying passed the imperial examination in the 13th year of the Jiaqing reign (1808). He successively served as magistrate in Pinghe, Longxi, Taiwan, Wujin, and Yuanhe. Later, recommended by Viceroy of Liangjiang Tao Shu and Jiangsu Governor Lin Zexu, he was appointed Taiwan Defense Commissioner with the additional title of Judicial Commissioner. From the 20th to the 22nd year of the Daoguang reign (1840–1842), Yao Ying collaborated with Taiwan General Dahong’a, leading Taiwanese troops and civilians to repel five British naval attacks. They destroyed three British warships, captured over 150 British soldiers, and seized a large amount of military equipment. The Qing court, recognizing Taiwan’s resistance against the British, issued an edict... Details+