At the end of the Ming Dynasty and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, the Koukou Village in Huairou, Beijing, was very famous. In the past, the old Cao family in Koukou Village was known to everyone because the Cao family was very wealthy at that time and mainly engaged in three businesses: charcoal burning, jade and salt. Because they were good at management and treated people with integrity, the Cao family opened a jewelry store in Dongcheng, Beijing and a jade shop opened by Jewelry World on Qianmen Street. The business was very prosperous. The Cao family's house in Koouou Village accounted for half of the village, which can be said to be very prosperous.
In the 13th year of Qianlong's reign, when Cao Yongli, the seventh generation descendant, was 60 years old, he presided over the renovation of the Cao family from the big locust tree adjacent to the east gate and west gate to the north. A five-story courtyard was built from the front street to the back street, and then was renovated one after another to the east. Later, part of the courtyard at the west gate was purchased and became the west merged courtyard. After nine years of renovation and expansion, the Cao family occupied most of the village's courtyard, fully retaining the architectural style of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
According to the Cao family genealogy records, the ancestors of the Cao family moved here from under the big locust tree in Hongdong County, Shanxi during the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty. The ancient locust tree in the ancient locust lane was planted by the Cao family when they moved here, so the ancient locust tree is of the same age as the village. Therefore, the Cao family imitated the architectural style of Shanxi when renovating it, which is comparable to the Qiao family compound in Shanxi. Unfortunately, the Cao family fell into decline and lost its former glory. The Cao family courtyard only had three small courtyards left. Now there are three basically well-preserved courtyards in the village, which belonged to the old Cao family.
Although the Cao family is a wealthy landowner, they attach great importance to the education of their children and neighbors. It is said that there is a plaque on the gate of the Cao family that reads "Farming and studying others". At that time, the Cao family used the spacious courtyard and the best house as a teaching hall. They also hired Ming Confucian scholars from the capital at a high salary to set up accounts and run schools. Among them, Liu Qingtang, a Confucian scholar from the late Qing Dynasty and Ming Dynasty, taught here for more than ten years.
When we visited Guhuai Lane in Koukou Village, we met Mr. Cao Shengxian, a descendant of the Cao family. He led us to visit the three courtyards that have been preserved to this day. Among them, the most complete courtyard is the best courtyard among the old Cao family. It was the private school of the Cao family.
Mr. Cao said that at first, the Cao family only taught the brothers and nephews of the family. Later, it provided free education to children in the village and other neighboring villages, which made a significant contribution to the formation of good family traditions and village customs in Kouhou Village. Therefore, on this basis, in order to promote good family traditions and village customs, the village has He often organizes children to learn traditional culture and etiquette. Mr. Cao also said that in the future, the private school will be turned into the current activity and learning education base, allowing tourists to visit Guhuai Lane to visit, learn and experience. Guhuai Lane will also recreate its past glory through various activities and performances of traditional skills.
Let's wait and see and get a chance to participate!
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