Xinghua Travel Notes (3) – Zheng Banqiao's Former Residence

After finishing the tour of the Qianduo Fields, I took a shuttle bus back to Xinghua city center.

Then I transferred to a public bus and arrived at Xinghua Old Street.

The first attraction on the old street was Zheng Banqiao's Former Residence.

Zheng Banqiao was the leading figure of the Yangzhou Eight Eccentrics, renowned worldwide for his poetry, calligraphy, painting, and seal carving. What I admire even more is that during his tenure as an official, he was considerate of the people's hardships, upright and incorruptible—qualities that many old bureaucrats could not match!

Zheng Banqiao's Former Residence is located in Zhengjia Lane outside the east gate of Xinghua city. He spent his childhood and youth here. Zheng Banqiao's imperial examination journey seemed rather difficult. He became a Xiucai (scholar) during the Kangxi era, a Juren (recommended man) during the Yongzheng era, and it was not until the first year of the Qianlong era, at the age of 44, that he passed the Jinshi examination and embarked on his official career, leaving this place.

The former residence was originally built in the Qing Dynasty. What we see now was rebuilt in 1983. Whether it matches the original remains unknown.

The residence faces south, a row of brick-tiled bungalows. The stone inscription 'Zheng Banqiao's Former Residence' on the gate was handwritten by Zhao Puchu.

Upon entering, there is a small courtyard. Whitewashed walls, brick floor, and rustling bamboo shadows—though small in area, it is full of charm.

The main house has three bays: the central hall and two side rooms.

In the center of the hall are a typical long table, a square table, and two armchairs on either side. The couplet on both sides of the central painting reads: 'In the evening water, gray mosquitoes and remnants of summer fans; between the river, red trees and early autumn pears.' It was composed by Xu Wenchang and written by Tianchi.

This is the study. The horizontal plaque on the study door bears the four characters 'Liao Bi Feng Yu' (Shelter from Wind and Rain).

The desk and bookshelves look very new, so they are probably not original. On the wall is a piece of Zheng Banqiao's calligraphy—'Nan De Hu Tu' (Hard to Be Foolish). These four characters were once posted on the walls of many muddled officials' studies, becoming their favorite 'motto'. In fact, the essence of Zheng Banqiao's inscription lies in the word 'Nan De' (hard to attain), while what these people valued was 'Hu Tu' (foolishness).

This is the Qingfeng Pavilion. The couplet on the front corridor pillars reads:

'Seeing a lantern moving among the trees, I know a guest has arrived; seeing smoke rising among the bamboos, I call for tea to be served.'

This couplet comes from Mr. Banqiao's poem 'Little Garden':

'The moonlight coldly shines on the tower; in the shallow night, the fence gate is still half open. Seeing a lantern moving among the trees, I know a guest has arrived; seeing smoke rising among the bamboos, I call for tea to be served.

A few barks of dogs, the autumn stars fall; a few gusts of wind carry distant flute sounds, sad. Sitting long, talking deep, the sky gradually dawns; red clouds and cold dew fill the gray moss.'

The former residence also has a back garden. Though small in area, it features a flower pavilion, waterside pavilion, lotus pond, and bamboo grove.

This is the 'Shu Yan' (Comb Smoke) Pavilion. In the long corridor connected to the pavilion, there are many stone inscriptions of poems and writings. Among them is one by Wu Zuoren, which is also worth a look.

Sitting down to rest, I recalled a poem by Zheng Banqiao:

'Lying in the official chamber, listening to the rustling bamboos, I suspect they are the sounds of the people's suffering. Though we are minor county and prefecture officials, every twig and leaf touches our hearts.'

This is the most commendable poem by Zheng Banqiao and the attitude most worth learning!