▲ Former Residence of Ji Xiaolan: Located at 241 Zhushikou West Street, it covers an area of 570 square meters and features a Qing Dynasty-style brick and wood structure, essentially a two-courtyard quadrangle layout. Facing south from the north, the street-facing main gate is a hard-peak, auspicious Ruyi-style gate tower, situated in the southeast corner of the entire residence. The four-room "daozuo" (inverted house) on the south side, west of the main gate, is a key protected cultural relic in Xuanwu District and is open to the public free of charge. The former residence houses exhibition rooms displaying artifacts, calligraphic works, and personal belongings of Ji Xiaolan from his "Yuewei Thatched Cottage," along with detailed introductions to the "Siku Quanshu" (Complete Library of the Four Treasuries) which he supervised, and his later work "Notes of the Yuewei Thatched Cottage."
▲ Although this old residence is named the Former Residence of Ji Xiaolan, its original owner was not from the Ji family. Instead, it belonged to Yue Zhongqi, a powerful official during the Yongzheng era and the 21st-generation descendant of Yue Fei. However, it was Ji Xiaolan, a renowned official of his time, who brought the old residence out of obscurity. His work, "Notes of the Yuewei Cottage," was praised by Lu Xun as "graceful and elegant,"
▲ Stepping onto the covered walkway and entering the north-south oriented courtyard, you'll see carved beams and painted rafters, all in vibrant red and green lacquer, shining brightly. At the south end of the courtyard is the main hall, and directly facing the door inside is a life-sized portrait of Ji Xiaolan, with a flowing long beard and a remarkably refined face. Around the hall, various materials related to the owner of the residence are displayed, and there is even a souvenir sales point. Interestingly, almost every visitor reacts with surprise when facing the portrait, seemingly unwilling to believe that this is the dashing and elegant Grand Secretary Ji they had imagined.
▲ Ji Xiaolan devoted his life primarily to two endeavors: compiling historical texts and serving as an examination official. As a compiler, he not only oversaw the monumental *Complete Library of the Four Treasuries* but also held editorial positions at the Wuying Hall and the Santong Institute, earning renown as a master scholar. As an examiner, he presided over two provincial-level examinations and six national civil/military recruitment tests, mentoring numerous students and selecting exceptional talents for the empire. Upon his death, he was buried in his hometown with imperial honors—a royal envoy conducted graveside rites, and Emperor Jiaqing personally composed his epitaph, marking the pinnacle of official distinction in Qing dynasty China.