Zhenwen Academy (Wenci Temple) Introduction
The last of the Four Great Academies was established in 1797, originally as the Wenchang Dijun Temple. It was a gathering place for many literary figures and is filled with a rich cultural atmosphere. It is one of the few remaining academies among the Four Great Academies of Yunlin. The plaque from the Jiaqing period preserved on the beam is considered a national treasure. The Zhenwen Academy is located at the intersection of Xingnong West Road and Wenchang Road. Its predecessor, the Wenchang Dijun Temple, was built in 1797 (the second year of the Jiaqing era) to honor Wenchang Zitong Dijun, Wenheng Dijun, Fuyou Dijun, Zhu Yi Dijun, and Lvyu Dijun, commonly known as the Five Wenchang Dijun. The locals referred to it as the "Wen Temple.” Within the temple, clubs such as the "Zhenwen Society" and "Tanshe" were established, providing a venue for literary enthusiasts. In 1812 (the 17th year of Jiaqing), Wang Youcheng and others from the Zhenwen Society initiated the establishment of the academy, with gentry like Liao Chenghe enthusiastically donating funds for its construction. It was completed the following year, with a plaque from 1813 (the year of the Jiaqing Guishou) hanging on the beam, inscribed with the words "Qianqiu Shuzu," making it one of the few remaining academies in Yunlin County.
