Ouyue is a land of treasures. Zhang Cong, a well-known reformer, once appeared in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, a place of outstanding people. He was a famous politician, etiquette scholar, poet, and the head and assistant of the cabinet in the Ming Dynasty. He was known as “Zhang Ge Lao”, and also an important reform figure and benchmark in Wenzhou history.
In order to inherit the good tradition of the sages and actively respond to the cultural revitalization of the “four revitalizations”, Longwan District, Wenzhou City promoted the establishment of Zhang Cong Memorial Hall by means of “public construction and private management” and “micro reform and refinement”. After the washing of history, Zhang Cong’s spirit and culture are still fresh and shining.
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A corner of Longwan City. Photographed by Xiang Shaoxiong
Respecting the sages and preaching the spirit of a generation of cabinet ministers
The millennium Yongjia Fair is full of brilliant culture. Throughout the long history, Zhang Cong is like a brilliant pearl, which shines on Ouyue.
In the 11th year of Chenghua, Emperor Xianzong of the Ming Dynasty (1475), Zhang Cong was born in Pu Men Tang, Sandu, Huagai Township, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province (now Pu Men Village, Yongzhong Street, Longwan District, Wenzhou City). Zhang Cong was young and ambitious. At the age of 18, he was admitted as a scholar, and at the age of 24, he was elected as a scholar. However, he failed in seven subsequent examinations, so he gathered students to give lectures at Zhuluofeng Academy in Yaoxi, Longwan, and finally became a scholar at the age of 47.
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The portrait of Zhang Cong, the first cabinet assistant in the Ming Dynasty. Picture provided by Longwan District Publicity Department
Zhang Cong not only opened the door of the reform of the Ming Dynasty, but also left behind profound humanistic resources and precious spiritual and cultural wealth for future generations.
The History of the Ming Dynasty made a high evaluation of him: “In the early Ming Dynasty, he was bold and did not avoid suspicion and resentment. Qingxun Qi Zhuangdian put the whole world off guarding his officials, kept his integrity, hated the dirty officials, and made a straight way out for a while”. Wang Shizhen, a famous historian, highly praised his achievements.
A generation of cabinet ministers, just bright and noble. “As a virtuous minister, Zhang Cong’s integrity, self-reliance, erudition, and innovation of virtue, talent and spirit are still respected and praised by the world today.” The relevant person in charge of Longwan District Culture, Broadcasting, Tourism and Sports Bureau said that we should commemorate and inherit Zhang Cong’s culture with practical actions, and encourage and shape a new generation of Longwan people.
Integration of ancient and modern times to create a distinctive cultural tourism style
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Zhang Cong Memorial Hall. Photographed by Chen Xianbao
In October 2022, Zhang Cong Memorial Hall will open in Pumen Village, Yongzhong Street, Longwan District. The memorial hall is adjacent to Zhang Cong Ancestral Hall, covering an area of more than 4000 square meters. The museum displays the legendary life of this cabinet leader in the Ming Dynasty with rich exhibits. It is reported that this is the largest, fully functional and representative thematic museum in Wenzhou Historical and Cultural Celebrity Memorial Hall.
Entering Zhang Cong Memorial Hall, you will enter a unique historical and cultural space. Walking in the memorial hall with Chinese architectural decoration style, the stories of ancient saints and sages are always echoed in the cultural relics.
It is reported that the Zhangcong Memorial Hall has three floors, including three chapters: “Image Hall”, “A generation of famous ministers made contributions in the country”, and “The attic style has been handed down from ancient times to the present”.
The preface hall is equipped with a brief introduction to Zhang Cong’s life and a chronicle of events. Its decoration and display of cultural relics highlight the relationship between Emperor Jiajing and Zhang Cong. On the second floor of the exhibition hall, Zhang Cong’s life history was displayed, mainly telling his stories about his family, eight times of examinations, standing up and discussing rites. In addition to introducing dozens of Zhang Cong’s friends, the third floor of the exhibition hall also has a plane model of “Zhang Fuji” and a simulated Zhenyi Academy.
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The preface hall on the first floor of Zhang Cong Memorial Hall. Photographed by Chen Xianbao
In addition, the museum also displays many pieces of rubbings, handwriting and calligraphy written by Zhang Cong, as well as Zhang Cong’s existing bibliography, collection of books and other cultural relics.
The people of Si have died and their spirit lives on. The scenes and cultural relics displayed in the memorial hall protect and build the spiritual home of Wenzhou people. Relying on the profound historical accumulation of the millennium Yongjiachang, Longwan District will further implement the cultural heritage action and build a spiritual and cultural highland.
Public and private buildings help to inherit the spirit of the old
“Zhang Cong, a famous minister, is a golden card of Longwan. I am both moved and proud to see the memorial hall open smoothly from repeatedly discussing the design scheme.” At the opening ceremony of the Zhang Cong Memorial Hall, Zhang Xianjin, a descendant of the Zhang family in Pumen Village, Yongzhong Street, Longwan District, was excited.
Zhang Xianjin was the only one to attend the opening ceremony that day, and many descendants of Zhang family came to the scene. They are the backbone hidden behind the Zhang Cong Memorial Hall, which cannot be completed without the help of Zhang’s descendants.
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The donation ceremony of Zhang Cong Memorial Hall. Picture provided by Longwan District Publicity Department
Zhang Xianmiao, an entrepreneur, donated 1.2 million yuan to the construction of the memorial hall, Zhang Guoguo donated 1 million yuan to the construction of the memorial hall, and Zhang Xuelang, an 80 year old descendant of the Zhang family, donated 1 million yuan… In July 2014, Zhejiang Zhangcong Cultural Relics Management Committee and the Zhang Cong Memorial Hall issued the Proposal on Donating Funds to Build the Zhang Cong Memorial Hall, setting off the climax of the Zhang family’s donation. The Zhang people responded in groups, giving generously to the construction of the memorial hall, and actively mobilizing the clansmen to contribute to the construction of the memorial hall.
“More than ten years ago, it was Yongqiang Court. With the help of government departments and social personages, Longwan District has transformed this place into the present Zhangcong Memorial Hall with the concept of” micro transformation and fine promotion “.” The relevant person in charge of Zhang Cong Memorial Hall said that after the opening and operation of the memorial hall, it will also further innovate the working ideas, promote the cultural research of Zhang Cong, and continue to enhance the cultural influence of Zhang Cong Memorial Hall.
Culture is the soul of a city, which can make it more attractive. Today, Wenzhou is firmly on the road of cultural self-confidence. The main person in charge of Longwan District Party Committee said that, next, Longwan will take the opening of Zhang Cong Memorial Hall as an opportunity to further implement the cultural heritage action, deeply tap historical and cultural resources, and gather a strong force to forge a new journey with a more firm sense of cultural pride. (Liu Jiahui)