Zhuang Gongsheng Old House Introduction
Zhuang Tingcan, born in Guiyang Township, Nanjing County, Zhangzhou, Fujian, has ancestral roots in the area. His great-grandfather, Zhuang Chaoshen, moved to Taiwan in 1756, while his father, Zhuang Yuanzhu, relocated to Shuangxi in 1851, continuing the family tradition of agriculture and education. Zhuang Tingcan became a scholar in 1877 and secured a stipend in 1888. In 1895, he returned to Zhangzhou to avoid Japanese troops and participated in the provincial examination in 1901 before eventually returning to Shuangxi to live out his later years. After achieving his scholarly title, he established a private school named "Meizhu Garden" near his ancestral home, focusing on Confucian teachings and nurturing talents. During the Japanese occupation, he was referred to by local people as a remnant of the Qing dynasty. His elder brother, Jinbo, also succeeded in the provincial examination, and both brothers were highly respected, leading to a close connection between the Zhuang Gongsheng family and the historical development, traditional Confucianism, and cultural advancement of the local community.
