Xu Garden - History

History

In Hongwu 1st year (1368), Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang (朱元璋) of Ming Dynasty received the disciples of his opponent, Chen Youliang (陈友谅). He built a "Han King Palace" for Chen Youliang's son, Chen Li. Later, Ming Chengzu made his second son, Zhu Gaoxu(朱高煦), Han King, and awarded him the eastern part of old Han King Palace as the New Han King Palace. This garden was the western garden of the new palace, and was named "Xu Yuan" after its owner's name, "Zhu Gaoxu".

Qing Dynasty established government building for governor general of Two-Jiang (in charge of Jiangsu, Anhui and Jiangxi) here. Its east side lied Jiangning Zhizhao government (in charge of clothes and silk production). Xu Yuan became the garden of house for governor general. From Kangxi 23rd-41st year(1684-1702), the emperor Kangxi visited South China six times. He stopped by Jiangning Zhizhao government for five times. During Taiping era, the garden was expanded when building Heavenly King Palace, and it became the imperial garden of the palace. Because the garden was located on western side of the palace, it was named "West Flower Garden", distinguishing from "East Flower Garden". At the time when the city was conquered by army of Qing Dynasty, the garden was ruined by the war. During Qing Daoguang's years (1821-1851), Zeng Guofan rebuilt it.

On 1 January 1912, Sun Yat-sen was inaugurated as the "Temporary Grand President" in the Warm Pavilion of Xu Yuan, thus claiming the establishment of the temporary government of the Republic of China. Sun's temporary president's office as well as his home was located inside Xu Yuan. From then on, Nanjing acting government, Jiangsu government, and military commander all used to set up offices there. After the government of the Republic of China was founded in April 1927, the headquarter of National People's Revolution Army, Military Commission, and Military Bureau of President House all used to establish offices there. Therefore, Xu Yuan was regarded as "Resort of Four Dynasties".