After a lapse of six years and a half, I made a trip back to my hometown in Shexian, Anhui Province in China, from Southern California in the United States. The first day I arrived in my home village, the South Village, I went to the tombs of my parents and grandparents accompanied by my brothers. Standing in front of the tombs of my parents and grandparents, I visualized the path from my small mountain village to the County of Shexian, then to the provincial capital city of Hefei, then to the Chinese capital city of Beijing, then to the U.S. Capital of Washington, DC, and finally to Los Angeles where I settled down with my wife Rosa and my daughter Helen.
My grandfather left his home village in his teens to the neighboring province of Jiangsu to do business, and my father left his home village when he was 14 years old to learn to do business with my grandfather. I left my home village at 13 to begin my studies at the county’s only middle school in Shexian County at that time. It was the tradition in my hometown that most of the young men at around 13 and 14 years old should leave the village either to attend schools or do business far away from home.
I am the only person in my family who has gone too far from the small village to the Chinese capital and finally to the United States. My daughter inherited Shexian’s tradition to do business and is now doing business between the U.S. and China. From my family people can see how the Huizhou Culture has influenced its people, whether in the county or elsewhere in the world.
This tradition has been highlighted in the Huizhou Culture Museum in Shexian where I had a chance to visit during my stay in my hometown. The museum provides a comprehensive and vivid picture of the Huizhou Culture from different aspects.
Shexian, a picturesque county nestled in Anhui Province, China, is a place steeped in history and culture. For nearly two millennia, Shexian was the capital of Huizhou Prefecture, serving as a vibrant center of politics, culture, and commerce. This ancient town, with its charming landscapes and rich heritage, has been home to many notable figures and families, including the renowned Wang Maoyin and the illustrious Bao family.
I happened to be born in the same town but different villages with Wang Maoyin, who was born in the town of Jizili in Shexian during the Qing Dynasty, holds a unique place in history. He is the only Chinese individual mentioned in the book CAPITAL by Karl Marx, the founder of communism. Wang’s legacy is a testament to the scholarly tradition of Shexian, where education and intellectual pursuits were highly valued. The people of Huizhou, and particularly those from Shexian, believed in the power of learning and the importance of becoming well-versed in literature and philosophy. This emphasis on education enabled many to rise through the ranks of the local and central governments, serving as officials and making significant contributions to Chinese society.
The Bao family, to which I belong, is another pillar of Shexian’s rich history. The Baos are renowned in Huizhou, particularly in Tangyue, a village famous for its seven bluestone memorial archways. These arches, constructed from bluestone, were awarded by emperors as symbols of honor and distinction to the Bao family. The legacy of the Bao family is reflection of the broader Huizhou tradition, where success in commerce often paved the way for influence in government.
In Huizhou, the path to prominence typically began with success in business. The region’s merchants were known for their acumen and integrity, which earned them both wealth and respect. Many of these successful businessmen used their resources to support scholarly pursuits, either for themselves or their descendants. This blend of commercial success and intellectual achievement created a unique environment where the lines between commerce and governance were fluid. Businessmen often became officials or forged strong connections with those in power, leveraging their knowledge and resources for the betterment of their communities.
This tradition of prioritizing education and blending it with business acumen is a defining characteristic of Shexian and the wider Huizhou region. It enabled individuals like Wang Maoyin and families like the Baos to leave an indelible mark on history. The archways in Tangyue stand as a testament to this legacy, embodying the spirit of learning, honor, and community that has long defined Shexian.
As I reflect on my heritage, I can take pride in the fact that my hometown of Shexian has been a beacon of culture and intellect for centuries. The traditions of my ancestors, who valued knowledge and used their success to influence and improve society, continue to inspire and shape the region today.
During my visit to my home village, I had a chance to visit the newly renovated Bao Family Ancestral Temple. The temple, built in 1697, was very typical of the Huizhou structure, but in 2019 it collapsed after over 300 years. Local villagers donated about half a million yuan (about 70,000 dollars), one fifth was donated by my daughter Helen, and the local government provided a matching fund of another half a million yuan to get a total of one million yuan for the renovation, which was completed in 2020. I am so pleased to see that it almost restored to the original structure style.
This is a good example that the Huizhou heritage has been protected by the joint efforts of the local government and residents. My brother told me that this is not the single case. Many villages in Huizhou have renovated their ancestral temples and other heritages with the support from the local government.
Another big change is the river passing the village and the mountains surrounding the village. Water in the river becomes much more clean and the mountains become more green. Two dams were built in the river passing my home village, and the riverbank has been reinforced with cement and a cement road has been built so people can drive their cars directly into the village. My brother told me that during holidays, cars driven to the village by young villagers who are working in big cities parked a long line along the village road.
Also amazing is that villagers who used to dump the trash into the river are now required to put their trash into trash cans, and the local government will collect the trash regularly. That is an important way to keep the water from the river clean and safe, since the water from the river will flow into Xinan River and into the Thousand Islands Lake in the neighboring Zhejiang Province.
I am so pleased to see those changes and sincerely hope that my hometown will become more beautiful and people living there will live a better life.