Visiting Zhang Wentian's Former Residence: A Time for Reverence and Reflection

After visiting Qian Zhongshu's former residence, a few hundred meters south, lies the former residence of Zhang Wentian. I wasn't aware of this place until I read a commemorative article about Zhang Wentian in the People's Daily. It was then that I learned about the difficult years he spent in Wuxi during challenging times. This trip to Wuxi, I made a special visit to his former residence to pay my respects. Zhang Wentian's former residence is not large. It's a two-story red building with a courtyard, facing south. Entering the gate, I saw a bust of Zhang Wentian, his eyes reflecting simplicity and fortitude. A plaque inscribed with "Zhang Wentian's Former Residence," written by Bo Yibo, adorns the lintel, adding to the building's prestige. Inside the rooms on the first floor, Zhang Wentian's illustrious life is showcased through detailed exhibits categorized by different periods of revolutionary history. The exhibits are primarily divided into five sections: "Exploring the Revolutionary Path," "Assuming Overall Responsibility in the Party's Central Committee and Supporting Mao Zedong's Correct Line," "Cultivating the Land in Northeast China," "On the Diplomatic Front of New China," and "Upholding Truth and Striving Throughout Life." Following the Lushan Conference, Zhang Wentian was implicated and began a six-year period of living in Zhaoqing. He moved to Wuxi on August 25, 1975. Sadly, he only lived in Wuxi for ten months before passing away from a sudden heart attack on July 1, 1976. The south-facing room on the second floor, only about 10 square meters, served as Zhang Wentian's space for contemplation, writing, and living. The furniture is simple and unadorned, and the bookshelves are filled with books. Sunlight streams into the small room, and Zhang Wentian's towering figure seems to stand before me. Years have passed, and times have changed. As a communist party member, even under challenging circumstances, Zhang Wentian continued to work diligently for the country and the people, leaving behind a precious spiritual legacy.