Yang's Ming-Hsing Ancestral Hall and Yang Ching-Lien Memorial Museum Introduction
Built in 2011, the museum contains an inscription that reads: "Mr. Yang Qinglian (1902-1968), hailing from Meidong Fort, Jinning Township. He was educated in a private school in his youth and, as he grew, he resolutely left his hometown of Wudao and crossed the sea to the south in pursuit of his ambitions. Initially in a foreign land, he faced strangeness and desolation; however, he adhered to the ancestral teachings of 'Four Virtues' and maintained a reputation for honesty, while embodying sincerity and the principles of moderation. Thus, he overcame numerous difficulties and gradually achieved success. Soon after, he married Ms. Huang Jinqie in the place of residence and raised six sons and three daughters, leading a harmonious and fulfilling family life. Mr. Yang and Ms. Huang lived a modest life, held themselves to strict standards, and were generous in their assistance to others. From being an employee, he progressed to entrepreneurship, and through his unwavering dedication to integrity, he was able to establish the 'Yang Family Enterprise.' The Doctrine of the Mean states: 'Great virtue will necessarily gain its place, its remuneration, its reputation, and its longevity.' The Book of Changes says: 'A household that accumulates goodness will always have blessings.' Only those who accumulate virtue across generations, cultivate themselves with righteousness, and practice filial piety from ancestors to descendants can teach their offspring to be dutiful and enjoy true happiness in the world, as the saying goes: 'Having good descendants is a blessing.' My family inherits the blessings of our ancestors and practices genuine filial piety and brotherly love, passing down virtue without expectation of reward, yet the rewards of nature are ever-present, reflecting the truth that blessings arise from virtue. I was raised under the family teachings of 'respecting the elderly and virtuous, filial piety, loyalty and trust, and harmony among siblings,' which enabled me to carry on the family legacy, work diligently, and join hands with Ms. Chen Kairong to pursue new projects, recently investing significantly in high-speed rail and telecommunications. My deceased father initiated this endeavor, and I have followed in his footsteps to inscribe a new milestone in our family business. Building grand residences and establishing schools have been topics of great discussion among the people of Kinmen and remain my long-held aspirations. Trees think of the soil, and parents do not wait for recognition. The vast virtue of the heavens beckons to be repaid, yet there is no way to express gratitude. There is sorrow in outward expressions of grief and regret in inward reflections of lost opportunities. To honor the roots and sources of my upbringing and to fulfill the solemn duty of remembrance, I have rebuilt the Mingxin Ancestral Hall, which was constructed during the Qing Tongzhi period and features a protective dragon structure, to create the 'Yang Family Mingxin Ancestral Hall and Yang Qinglian Memorial Museum.' The first and second floors are dedicated to commemorating the founding journey of Mr. Yang, while the third floor is intended for ancestor worship during the spring and autumn. Respect is the essence of etiquette. The establishment of this memorial hall fulfills Mr. Yang's last wishes and allows the ancestral hall to shine anew with the presence of our ancestors. Those who visit this hall will honor the solemnity of our lineage and express their filial piety. As stated in the Book of Songs: 'Forget not your ancestors, but cultivate their virtues.' To promote the righteous and virtuous parenting of parents and continue the grand plan of educating future generations in my hometown, I have specifically donated to the expansion of Kinmen University, hoping to benefit countless students. Thus, during this renovation of the hall, I have erected a monument to mark this significance!"
