Memorial Hall of Zhang Cangshui

 

 

Zhang Cangshui (张苍水, 1620 – 1664), was born in an honored and noble family. Early in his childhood, he had a good quality of diligence and fortitude, and revealed his ambition to become a great hero. Later, he excelled in imperial examination and undertook a post as a general. In 1644, the army of the Qing Dynasty occupied Beijing. The next year, the army was driving southward. All the civilian and military officers in Ningbo ran away hastily and planed to surrender the city to enemy. Nevertheless, at the age of 25 unyielding Zhang Cangshui with powerful spirit and fighting will, proposed to proceed northward to resist enemy troops.

Zhang Cangshui together with Qian Sule launched revolt and won the continuous victories in battles. In the third year reign of Kangxi Emperor, Zang’s force failed in a battle and he retreated to an island, still planning to build up a new army. Unfortunately, he was captured when someone revealed his whereabouts to Qing Dynasty Government. He refused to defect and was executed finally.

The former residence of Zhang Cangshui is seated at 194 Cangshui Road in Haishu District in Ningbo City, southwest of Zhongshan Square. Cangshui Street is worth being prided and it is named in terms of the Ming Dynasty hero Zhang’s nobility of character. 

Although after the restoration in 1998 the multi-eaves and separated rooms were remained their original forms. Overlooking it from a high point, the structure looks like a shape of “H”. The main entrance is the central axis of the overall construction. The layout of front-hall and back-well is formed by the fireproofing walls and brick style buildings. In the heart of the front hall, a dignified and distinguished-looking statue of Zhang Cangshui with a sword in his hand is placed there. The brick-carving engraved “saint’s residence” in the rear of the building is a purely protoplast.