Blue-and-white slippers%sViewing Banqiao Lin Family’s Philosophy of Life from the Garden Mansion

 

Old China had the "Four Great Families" of Jiang, Song, Kong, and Chen, whose later years and developments were not smooth, but old Taiwan also had the "Five Great Families" of Keelung Yan, Banqiao Lin, Wufeng Lin, Lukang Ku, and Kaohsiung Chen. As Taiwan moved toward democracy, their influence in Taiwan did not end but continued to evolve along with the times, deeply rooted in Taiwan. Today, we’ll take you to explore the Banqiao Lin Benyuan Garden Mansion (Lin Family Garden) to catch a glimpse of the lifestyle and stories of Taipei’s foremost influential family.

First, I have to admit my ignorance—I initially thought Lin Benyuan was the name of the Lin family patriarch, believing this was his residence, assuming that back then, the elite probably named their homes after themselves. But that wasn’t the case. The head of the Lin family was Lin Pinghou, who had five sons: Yin, Shui, Ben, Si, and Yuan—each representing a family business name (store name). Later, because Lin Guohua and Lin Guofang (of Benji and Yuanji) were the most capable, the name “Benyuan” was adopted.

 

The Lin Benyuan Garden Mansion is divided into two parts: one is the Three-Courtyard Residence (the mansion), and the other is the garden courtyard (the garden). Perhaps because the garden area is larger than the residence, it’s called the “Garden Mansion.” Currently, only the garden part is open to the public, while the Three-Courtyard Residence remains privately owned and requires a reservation to visit.

 

Exactly because the Three-Courtyard Residence is someone’s private home—in short, a rich person’s private space—how could ordinary folks just walk into a tycoon’s private quarters? It’s said that in the past, people trying to peek over the walls would be questioned by the surrounding guards, with security as tight as today’s Presidential Office. It’s rumored that the Lin family’s wealth was once comparable to a nation’s. Now it’s more accessible—if you’re willing to make a reservation, you can still get a glimpse inside.

It’s said that the Lin Family Garden cost 500,000 taels of silver to build, while the entire Taipei City at the time cost only 300,000 taels.

 

Here, all guided tour services are free. It’s recommended to first visit the Three-Courtyard Residence and then enjoy the garden, as the guides will tell you stories along the way. More importantly, you’ll gain a fuller understanding of the Lin Family Garden. As the saying goes, insiders see the details, outsiders see the spectacle.

 

I don’t need to write a bunch of architectural structures or historical anecdotes here, because if you really want to go, the guides will honestly tell you everything. I’d rather share how to learn a living philosophy of life from rigid architecture.

 

The general public’s impression of the Lin family is limited to owning land and money. Few know that the Lin family has now reached seven generations, and how these descendants have maintained the family business. I’ll use three buildings to talk about the Lin family’s philosophy.

 

It’s not a big deal for a wealthy family to have a small book house, but being able to educate children through architecture is something not every family understands. If interpreted from the perspective of installation art, every detail holds hidden meaning. For example, the pavilion in front of the house looks coiled like a roof but also resembles a coffin, symbolizing “promotion and prosperity.” The two pillars at the entrance of the book house are round on one side and square on the other, symbolizing the hope that Lin children will be upright in character and flexible in action. The entrance with three gates and six panels is not only designed to prevent dampness and improve ventilation, but I guess it also encourages children to fully comprehend their studies. The Lin family’s education truly emphasizes leading by example over mere words.

This was once the guesthouse for hosting distinguished visitors. It’s said that Li Hongzhang and Liu Mingchuan both stayed here. Given its scale at the time, it could be called six-star. Without considerable status, it was hard to even get upstairs. The exquisitely carved details inside and outside the building, along with a theater pavilion constructed in front of the pavilion, show that hosting guests was more valued than family.

 

To this day, the Lin family maintains strong political and economic ties, and their political contributions are no less remarkable. For Empress Dowager Cixi’s 60th birthday, the Lin family donated 30,000 taels of silver—the largest individual donation at the time. The strength of a small Taiwanese merchant even surpassed that of the then-Governor-General of Liangguang Zhang Zhidong and the Governor of Jiangxi Liu Kunyi. During Liu Mingchuan’s era, when he took a liking to the camphor bureau office in Taoyuan Daxi, the Lin family immediately donated it without hesitation. Later, one of the two patents for camphor development was granted to the Banqiao Lin family, allowing them to accumulate another two generations of wealth.

 

During the eras of the two Chiangs, they generously donated Taoyuan Daxi. No matter which party is in power today, they have never been at odds with the government.

 

“Politics is about communication. Whether the other party opposes or not, bring them in first. Once they’re in, they’re friends,” said Lin Mingcheng, the seventh-generation descendant.

 

The power of connections is evident in wealth-building.

 

As the name suggests, it was built to oversee the farmlands. In those days, you could see the entire Dahan River and Tamsui River from here, with the view filled with the Lin family’s fields. It was this commanding vantage point that made the Lin family immensely wealthy.

 

“Standing at the highest level to do things is very important,” said Lin Mingcheng.

 

To run a big business, you won’t see far if you don’t stand high. This is somewhat reflected in the family’s marriages. Lin Mingcheng’s grandfather, Lin Erkang, married the sister of Puyi’s teacher during the reign of Emperor Xuantong. His father, Lin Xiongzheng, married Sheng Guanyi, the daughter of late Qing politician Sheng Xuanhuai—and Sheng Guanyi’s English teacher was Chiang Kai-shek’s wife Soong Mei-ling’s elder sister. Lin Mingcheng’s aunt, Lin Mu’an, married the grandson of Viceroy of Liangjiang Shen Baozhen. By Lin Mingcheng’s generation, he married Yan Xuanmei, the third-generation member of the Keelung Yan family—one of the Five Great Families. This further proves that “more people means smoother business.”

 

It’s said that before every meeting, Lin Mingcheng would walk around his large office, shaking hands and greeting every attendee. During meetings, he would listen attentively to suggestions and scribble notes, and after meetings, he’d circle the room again, bowing at a 45-degree angle to thank everyone.

 

The Lin descendants insist on not selling the land. Lin Mingcheng is no exception—even as property prices soared, he has never sold any family property. He even believes that he is merely the guardian of the family estate, not the owner.

 

We all think the Lin family only owns wealth, but what they truly possess is great magnanimity and the way of being human. Next time you visit the Lin Benyuan Garden Mansion, besides taking photos and memories, please also take away the Lin family’s philosophy.

 

References:

1. Shan Xiaoyi (2008), Business Weekly, Issue 1075

2. Official website of Lin Benyuan Garden Residence

I encourage everyone to have a “rational rebellion.”

 

 

●  Further Reading:

Meat Lu %s Discovering the Beauty of Formosa from Yilan

http://goo.gl/IhdND6