Xiaoximen Model Toilet Introduction
The Xiaoxi Men Model Toilet was built in the 6th year of the Republic of China (1917) with funding from Wu Chaoping after he returned home from business abroad. Wu Chaoping (1854-1936), also known as Jinzhang or Guangping (the latter being used in Indonesia and Singapore), was from Xiaoxi Men. In the 13th year of the Tongzhi era (1874), he went to Sumatra, Indonesia, and, along with friends, invested in the business "Chengshunfu" in the port city of Tanjung Balai Asahan, where glass was abundantly produced, engaging in local product trade. He later moved to Singapore for business and actively participated in public welfare projects in Nanyang. In addition to establishing the Peishan School in Sumatra, he was also involved in various activities of the Kinmen Association in Singapore, such as funding the reconstruction of the Wujiang Fuzhi Temple in 1919 and investing 1,000 Straits dollars in the establishment of the Kinmen Shipping Company in 1922, which was the largest investment among overseas Chinese merchants at the time. He was also conferred the title of Kapitan in Sumatra, Indonesia, and later lived in Gulangyu, Xiamen. After achieving success in his ventures, Wu Chaoping returned to Xiaoxi Men in the 27th year of the Guangxu era (1900) and planned three linked two-story buildings in a row, which were completed in the 29th year of the Guangxu era (1903), the 31st year of the Guangxu era (1905), and the 4th year of the Republic of China (1915), from right to left. The old fecal pit of the Xiaoxi Men settlement was originally located in front of the large house built by Wu Chaoping. To consider the sanitation of the living environment, Wu Chaoping negotiated with the villagers to relocate the pit to the southwestern outskirts of the village. He later purchased land and rebuilt a "model toilet" in the 6th year of the Republic of China (1917). The model toilet was designed with 22 toilet pits based on the original household numbers, and each pit was numbered, consisting of a toilet area and a collection pit. The toilet pits belonging to the Wu family were numbered 1 and 2, which were covered with a roof for more privacy, while the remaining 20 open toilet pits' locations were determined by lottery, with contracts outlining the ownership rights, assigning one toilet pit to each household for self-management and collection of water and fertilizer. The Xiaoxi Men Model Toilet evolved from traditional fecal pits, providing local public health and agricultural production needs for water and fertilizer, and reflecting the contributions of the villagers to environmental sanitation and facility improvements. (Source: Kinmen County Cultural Affairs Bureau)
