Hello, I'm Qiu Ping. When you come to Shanxi. You can see those left over everywhere. Jinshan Courtyard Today we are also visiting an old courtyard. It was the Minister of Finance in the Republic of China. Former residence of the governor of the Central Bank It is said to be very luxurious. Covering an area of more than 6,000 square meters There are six courtyards inside. Two gardens The area of the garden has reached 1/3. He was the richest man in the Republic of China at that time. How luxurious is his former residence? It's just that a lot of the furniture inside is antique. It's priceless At the same time, the beams are said to be covered with gold. He was the brother-in-law of Chiang Kai-shek's wife, Soong Mei-ling. Kong Xiangxi was also Chiang Kai-shek's brother-in-law. Because Kong Xiangxi's wife She is the elder sister of Song Meiling. I am in Shanxi now. Ancient City of Taigu County in Jinzhong Kong Xiangxi was born in 1880. Taigu County in Shanxi Go out to study in the back. When I came back, I did some business. Wealth is accumulating faster and faster. So in 1930 Kong Xiangxi returned to his hometown in Taigu, Shanxi. I bought an old house in this county. He used to be the residence of the Meng family, a big Shanxi merchant. It was built in the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. After being bought by Kong Xiangxi for 20,000 silver yuan. He began to build it. Because he wanted to invite Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling. Come to live in his house. He and Chiang Kai-shek were brothers-in-law. If you buy a mansion, you must want him to visit it. So Kong Xiangxi made great efforts to transform here. Make the inside magnificent. Later, in 1934, Chiang Kai-shek came to live here. We're going now. He took a look inside the house. How luxurious is it? So Kong Xiangxi Why did you buy a big house in Taigu? On the one hand, it is related to his hometown in Taigu. On the other hand It is caused by the environmental location of Taigu itself. Everyone knows that there is a very famous Pingyao in Shanxi. In the Qing Dynasty. Pingyao is known as the financial center of the Qing Dynasty. But there is a saying in Shanxi. Jin Tai Gu Yin Qi Xian Tong Tong Ping Yao Pingyao ranked last in gold, silver and copper. Then the first one is Taigu. You can imagine it from here. Taigu is unusual Gold is gold. This shows the wealth of Taigu. In Taigu of the Republic of China, there is such a name as Wall Street of China. One more thing. My location is in the ancient city of Taigu. You can see many courtyards of Shanxi merchants here. There was such a saying in the Qing Dynasty. He is a Shanxi merchant. I am proud to have a courtyard in Taigu. No one can buy a house in Taigu. Or build a house. Because he was in the financial center at that time. Ordinary people can't buy a house here. According to the records of Taigu County Annals The peak period of Taigu His wealth accounts for 70% of the country. One more thing It was at that time that there was so much gold in Taigu. I can't even fit in the vault. Put it directly on the street. It's at the door of those ticket shops. That's why I can imagine it. Taigu is a place in the Qing Dynasty. Top priority After the collapse of the Qing Dynasty, it was said that Shanxi merchants were a little weak. But at that time, the status of Taigu was still very good. That's why Kong Xiangxi came back here to buy a courtyard. The front is the house of Kong Xiangxi. Did you find it when you came to Shanxi to see Jinshan Courtyard? It is equivalent to a high-walled courtyard. Like the wooden rich man's compound we saw in the south. It's totally different. From the outside, This house of the Kong family is extraordinary. He is now a national key cultural relic protection unit. Opposite this house. It's also an old house. Now let's get ready. Take a look inside this house. There are several big characters on it, Kong Xiangxi's house. He has this house What we are looking at now is probably three courtyards. There are six yards in all. It's still very big. Entering from the gate is the first courtyard. This place is small and there is nothing to see. We'll go straight to the second courtyard. It is also a formal entry into the house of the Kong family. Let's briefly introduce this house first. It is more than 200 years old. Sit facing north It is 91 meters wide from east to west. 69 meters deep from north to south The total area is more than 6,000 square meters. There are east and west gardens, main courtyards, study courtyards. Stage yard, kitchen yard and so on. Its main attraction. Wait a minute. The one we saw inside. Furniture, gold beams, etc. This is the second courtyard. In the past, when Shanxi merchants were in charge of accounts, it was here. They live in the accounting room. Because the Meng family was also a big Shanxi merchant at that time. The business is spread all over the country. Then the bookkeeper is indispensable. Kong Xiangxi bought it later. This place will become the residence of the family. The left and right sides are the east and west wing rooms. Kong Xiangxi named the east wing and the west wing respectively. The east side is called San You Tang The west wing is called Sanduo Hall. This is San You Tang. That is to say, there are Youyou, Youyou and Youyou. Kong Xiangxi means the people of his family. Be resourceful As a result, the family property can be kept. In fact, it is also a good wish. And this one shows Kong Xiangxi. Some of his life Speaking of Kong Xiangxi We have to say Kong Xiangxi and Dr. Sun Yat-sen. And the relationship between the Chiang family and the Song family. Kong Xiangxi was born in Taigu, Shanxi in 1880. Although his family has always been a Shanxi merchant. But when it came to his father, Due to smoking and other behaviors I think I've lost all my money. So Kong Xiangxi's family conditions are very ordinary since he was a child. He had to collect cinders to make a living. I had a serious illness later. But it was cured by the church at that time. So Kong Xiangxi thought at that time. When you grow up, if you get ahead, You must go back to your hometown. Have something to say Although Kong Xiangxi's family conditions were ordinary at that time. But he is really smart and eager to learn. When I was very young, I took those enlightenment books at that time. Four Books and Five Classics and so on. Learn it thoroughly. If the family conditions are slightly improved later. Kong Xiangxi To study and eventually go to Japan to study. In 1914, he married Song Ailing in Yokohama, Japan. Because Song Ailing is the eldest of the three Song sisters. At this time Kong Xiangxi and Mr. Sun and Chiang Kai-shek became brothers-in-law. From then on, he began to rise through the ranks. At that time, he served as Minister of Finance of the Republic of China. The governor of the Central Bank He later served as premier. Kong Xiangxi did not step down until 1944. This house Kong Xiangxi and Song Ailing are here. And lived there for a long time. The house on the west side is Sanduo Hall. It's easy to understand that more happiness, more longevity and more men. A man blessed with longevity There are many precious objects in it. The first thing we see is a round wood carving with the Chinese character Fu. It looks very delicate, very delicate. In the middle of this wood carving is the word "Fu". Surrounded by eight phoenixes and four bats. The carving is lifelike and exquisite. There are other fine furniture beside it. This is a big wardrobe in front of us. Made of sandalwood The wardrobe we usually use at home now. It's just the regular boards. And this place is extraordinary Look at the top of this closet. There are pictures of flowers and birds in spring, summer, autumn and winter. It's really exquisite. How can an ordinary family have such exquisite furniture? There are very fine patterns on the furniture. This pattern is neither painted nor carved. But through various mean and means. Put those shells in this. It can be said that it is a mosaic technique. It can be said to be extremely rare. We seldom see it at ordinary times. Behind the wardrobe is a bed. This bed is extraordinary and very beautiful. It's carved with dragons. There are dragons wherever we can see them. Top of the column All of it Big and small This can be called the dragon bed. It's so beautiful. The whole Kong family house Such exquisite furniture is actually very much. We always say If there is one in your home. Such exquisite furniture is amazing. And this big house of the Kong family It can be said that there are countless. After seeing the second courtyard, we will continue to walk forward. What you see ahead is Guanting. In the house, it is called the hall. It is the main building of the main courtyard. It is the main place where Kong Xiangxi usually receives guests. Three rooms wide and three rooms deep The area reaches 80 square meters. On the forehead of this official hall. Carved many exquisite patterns of flowers, birds and animals. The most important Does it look like it's glittering? This is 1934 Kong Xiangxi came here to welcome Chiang Kai-shek. He covered his forehead with gold dust. That's why it looks golden. More than 80 years have passed by now. It's still well preserved. This kind of words is really extremely rare. Now go to the official hall and have a look. There are several treasures in this. The first thing that comes into view A painting by Giuseppe Castiglione, a famous painter of the Qing Dynasty Su embroidery ten dog pictures Giuseppe Castiglione has been introduced in many movies and TV plays. He's actually Italian. Then came the Qing Dynasty. Be a painter in the court For decades. Especially there is a museum in Yinchuan. The portrait of Qianlong painted by Giuseppe Castiglione is still preserved. So we often say what Qianlong looks like. You can go to the museum in Yinchuan. This painting is also very beautiful. There is a sedan chair beside it. It is said that Kong Xiangxi sat on it in those years. I don't know if it's true or not I don't think it's possible. Because this sedan chair is too fancy. According to Kong Xiangxi's identity Usually he doesn't sit in this kind of sedan chair. In addition, there were already cars in that period. Kong Xiangxi should be able to take a bus. So, everybody Do you think this sedan chair belongs to Kong Xiangxi? If it's really Kong Xiangxi. It has a long history and is also a treasure. That's actually the whole hall. The most important thing is above our heads. See these girders. Is this girder the same as what we usually see? It's golden here. It's actually covered with gold. This girder is commonly known as the rolling gold girder among the people. There are yellow peonies on the beams. This was put in when the gold was turned into thin slices. So we see these flowers up here. It's all gold The other glittering ones may be painted with gold powder. There is a saying among the people. The ground is covered with square bricks on the top of the head rolling the golden girder. This describes the wealth of a family. These are all originals. Especially the gold on it. The purity is 99.6%. I really can't imagine. The luxury is beyond our imagination. Who would have thought that on the beam of their own unexpectedly Inlaid with gold And the whole girder is covered. So this is mainly To welcome Chiang Kai-shek in 1934. He came to Kong's house. So Kong Xiangxi made it specially. Came to the house of the Kong family. There is a smell of wealth everywhere. At the beginning, we said that Kong Xiangxi was a child. Very smart. Later, after graduating from American University in 1907, He went back to Taigu. Start doing business right away. And soon completed the accumulation of wealth. You look like this Cheung Kee Company. Everyone should be very familiar with it. He was founded by Kong Xiangxi. At the same time, Kong Xiangxi also founded a number of banks. Let's see how powerful Kong Xiangxi is. He was born in 1880. He founded the bank in 1915. Equivalent to the age of 35. A bank was set up here in Taigu. By 1922 He set up a bank in Tianjin. At that time, the contribution was 200,000 yuan. That's 200,000 It's not like now. So he was actually in that period. The wealth has been accumulated very quickly. After the official hall, we arrived at the third entrance courtyard. This is the equivalent of the inner house. It's where Kong Xiangxi's family lives. The northernmost one in front of the three courtyards is the main room. On the left and right sides, we often talk about the wing. But here It can be called Xiulou It can also be called Miss Building. Because Miss Kong Xiangxi The daughter lives on both sides. Kong Xiangxi himself lives on the second floor. Let's take a look at his architecture here, which is very strange. We usually look at the Shanxi merchants' compound. His window is very small and dark. And he changed it all here. It's all original. Look at the round one in the middle. Is it like a copper coin? It proves that Kong Xiangxi mainly focuses on making money. Because that's probably what he's been after all his life. He was a Shanxi merchant. Then he had a gift for business. You see, a bank could be established in 1915. It's not simple anymore. And then next to it is the square. This is what we often say that there is no square circle without rules. The meaning of the round square is to say. Kong Xiangxi asked his family to have rules to make money. Not without rules. Now take a look inside the main room. Kong Xiangxi and Song Ailing live in it. And there's a rare treasure in it. It can be said that it is the most precious in Kong Xiangxi's house. What we see in front of us is a bed. You may think it's nothing strange. But this bed has a unique name. It's called the Dragon Bed It is divided into upper, middle and lower layers. This is relatively rare. And there are 599 dragons on this bed. Five nine nine nine five Supreme So this bed It was made by Kong Xiangxi specially for Chiang Kai-shek. Because Chiang Kai-shek came to Shanxi in 1934. He went to Yan Xishan's hometown first. Then I came to Taiyuan. Finally came to Taigu Kong Xiangxi's home. And stayed at his house for one night. Kong Xiangxi was in order to welcome the arrival of Chiang Kai-shek. We said he used gold in that official hall. Get the beam It's specially made in the bedroom. Such a bed for Chiang Kai-shek to live in. Why are there upper, middle and lower floors? This must be sleeping in the middle. There is a small house on the top. It is equivalent to putting Chiang Kai-shek's books. Chiang Kai-shek He is also a person who likes reading. Especially at night. So he will carry a lot of books at any time. Also, there's a hidden compartment on this. It's used to store some secret documents. Because wherever Chiang Kai-shek goes, He may have to deal with documents at any time and anywhere. Then put it on top for confidentiality. The one at the bottom. This is for warming the fire. Because Chiang Kai-shek came to Shanxi in winter. It was a cold period. So you can put a brazier under the bed. It will be more comfortable to sleep in this bed at night. However, despite Kong Xiangxi's thoughtful arrangement, But in fact, Chiang Kai-shek came to Kong Xiangxi's home. He didn't live in the dragon bed. But live somewhere else. Wait a minute. We can still see. Go to the second floor after seeing the dragon bed. There are Kong Xiangxi and Song Ailing. And where his daughter lives. In the middle of the second floor. The first thing that came into view was a bed. This is also called the dragon bed. Because it's also covered with dragons. It is said to be Kong Xiangxi And Song Ailing slept in the bed here. I don't know if it's true or not Do you think his beds are original or not? I'm not sure. Now this bedroom except this bed. There's nothing else on display. Now go to the embroidery building to have a look. It's where Miss Kong lives. This house is Kong Xiangxi. The place where the second daughter Kong Lingjun lives. She is known as Miss Kong Er. Born in Taigu, Shanxi in 1919. Of course, he wasn't born here. But in Kong Xiangxi's other houses. If we look at memories, Books of the Four Families of the Republic of China Miss Kong Er and Kong Lingjun must be mentioned inside. She has been killing wild honesty since she was a child. I like to watch others fight at school. She learned to shoot in her early teens. Can drive at age 13 Song Meiling loves her very much. He often praised Ling Jun for his natural boldness. Girls and men look like me. Because Kong Lingjun disguised herself as a man since she was a child. She likes to wear boys' clothes. She has a very good relationship with Song Meiling. Song Meiling often takes her wherever she goes. Especially the two of them are like mother and daughter. Kong Lingjun has such a background. So it created her domineering character. It should be considered lawless since childhood. But no one can do nothing. Kong Lingjun never married Died in 1994 There are six courtyards in the whole house of the Kong family. We just saw the third hospital. It is the place where the Kong family lives. Now go to other courtyards to have a look. After coming from Kong Xiangxi's main room. It's a theater. This is the place where the opera was performed in that period. We're talking about the hall meeting. After Chiang Kai-shek came to the Kong family. After a simple chat with Kong Xiangxi. In the late afternoon. I came to this courtyard. If you look here, you can say that there are such windows now. Actually, it used to be a hallway. Chiang Kai-shek was sitting in the corridor drinking tea. Look at the performance ahead. Chiang Kai-shek at that time I also live next to this courtyard. Let's take a look at the place where Chiang Kai-shek lives. The bedroom is in this small room. Let's check it out In the autumn of 1934, Chiang Kai-shek and his wife inspected the area. Arrived in Taigu on November 10. Used to live here. This room doesn't look big, it looks small. So why did Chiang Kai-shek live in this small room? Instead of living in Kong Xiangxi prepared that big place for him. The dragon bed Mainly because This room may be a little more secure. We look ordinary like this. But in this little room. There used to be a secret passage. That is to say, this secret passage can be directly connected. Outside the Kong family house. In case of emergency. Chiang Kai-shek was able to escape through the tunnel. This is with us. It's like seeing Chiang Kai-shek's palace in the northwest. There are also many secret passages beside it. Perhaps Chiang Kai-shek attached great importance to security. Chiang Kai-shek stayed here for one night. And left Of course, Song Meiling did not live in this place at that time. Song Meiling still lives there. Kong Xiangxi and his wife arranged the place for Song Meiling. You see, there's a statue here. This is the scene when Chiang Kai-shek came to the Kong family. Kong Xiangxi at that time Introduce the situation to Chiang Kai-shek. So this man is a local celebrity in Taigu? His handwriting is very good. When Chiang Kai-shek came, Kong Xiangxi took him with him. Presented a calligraphy and painting to Chiang Kai-shek Or like calligraphy. We have seen the house of the Kong family. As an official residence It's similar to the Shanxi Merchants Courtyard we usually see. It's really different The luxury is a bit too much. That's all for this video. Thank you very much See you in the next video.
