Zhuang Gongsheng Old House Introduction
Zhuang Tingcan, whose ancestral hometown is Guiyang Township, Nanjing County, Zhangzhou, Fujian, moved to Taiwan in 1756 with his great-grandfather Zhuang Chaoxin. His father, Zhuang Yuanzhu, relocated to Shuangxi in 1851 (the first year of the Xianfeng era), continuing the family tradition of agriculture and education. Zhuang Tingcan became a xiucai (a type of scholar) in 1877 (the third year of the Guangxu era) and received an official stipend in 1888 (the fourteenth year of the Guangxu era). In 1895 (the year of Yima), he returned to Zhangzhou to avoid the Japanese army, and in 1901 (the twenty-seventh year of the Guangxu era), he went to Zhangzhou to take the provincial examination. Later, he returned to Shuangxi to live out his old age. After becoming a xiucai, Zhuang Tingcan established the "Meizhu Academy" near his former residence, focusing on Confucian teachings and nurturing talents. During the Japanese occupation, the locals referred to him as a remnant of the Qing dynasty. His elder brother, Jinbo, also participated in the imperial examination, and both brothers earned respect, thus the Zhuang Gongsheng family is closely linked to the historical development of the local area, traditional Confucianism, and cultural advancement. This hundred-year-old ancestral house is built in a traditional Minnan style and remains in use within the Shuangxi District. The overall structure of the house has not undergone significant changes, and the interior walls have not been modernly decorated, preserving its original stone appearance. Although the exterior shows the ravages of time, the intricate carvings from that era are still clearly visible, especially the tea flower relief on the left wing room, which symbolizes wealth and prosperity and is well-preserved, making it worth a visit. The Zhuang Yesheng ancestral house is located across from the Camellia Zhuang Educational Farm.
