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Zhao Liewen’s Gardening Practices and Activities in His Diary Li & Yin

Wu Garden was just that the Wu Garden back and fed the horse. Not until recently
owner gave a reply first. In November of the could I pack my luggage to travel. My
same year, in a Letter to Premier Zeng (Shang livelihood was given consideration by Young
Zengxiang Shu), Zhao Liewen described his Marshal Li, who promised to offer me
recent situation to Zeng Guofan and thanked sinecure with twenty taels per month. I think
him for the care and support that Zeng offered that according to ancient philosophy, if it is a
for his livelihood: “In hot July, I travelled east charity, it can be received and I would not be
[3]
and soon negotiated a small house at the foot ashamed, so I didn’t refuse” .
of the Yu Mountain. In September, I came

Table 1. The process of site selection by Zhao Liewen in the 4th reign year of Emperor Tongzhi
(1865)

Time Location Documentation Participant Decision
July 27 Changshu inner There is a building with five bays. The owner said it was the former site of Jiangyun Feng Shizhi, No
city Building (Crimson Cloud Building). Actually, it is not. Yao Xiao’ou
July 28 Changshu inner Houses examined all the way could not be obtained due to the owners’ unwillingness Feng Shizhi No
city to rent, to sell, or if you want to buy, the price is a thousand taels.
July 29 West Village, Feng Shizhi sent a message, saying that there is an empty lot with a view of the Feng Shizhi, TBD
Changshu mountain in the West Village outside the city, which is suitable to build a house. Zhang
There is a small rock cave at the tail of the Yu Mountain, a resort for the residence of Yuesheng
monks.
August 1 Old residence, The two owners of the house, Zhou Lan’an and Qian Jucun, both died. The paths and Xue Anlin No
Mudu town gate surrounding the house have all changed completely, and the building with rooms
have been damaged and converted into three bungalows.
August 4 Suzhou Not satisfied. The house is nice but too expensive. It is not suitable for a poor scholar, Zi Qing, No
either. Ji Ruzhi
August 5 Suzhou Need repairing. I think there are too fewer rooms. I don’t think it is suitable. Ji Ruzhi No
August 6 Yu Mountain, I visited Xue Anlin and have returned from the Yu Mountain. I examined two sites, Xue Anlin No
Changshu one for sale and another for rent. The one for sale has fewer rooms, but after repair
and refurbishment, which although will be a lot of work, it will be livable for
generations. The one for rent has more rooms and it is easily accessible and trouble-
free, but it is not good in a long run. They are both priced at over one thousand
strings of cash coins, not easy for me.
August 18 West Village, With a beautiful view of the mountain that offers inspirational and exciting feelings. Xue Anlin TBD
Changshu
August 20 Jiuwanwei, It is near water and the West Mountain looks like a bird stretching its wings. There TBD
Changshu was no such beautiful scenery in the whole city. Feng Shizhi
August 20 Dongting Xi Songquan sent a message, saying that in the Dongting Mountain, east of Lake Tai, Xi Songquan No
Mountain, East where his home is located, one can buy a big house with one thousand strings of cash
of Lake Tai coins. I am also pleased with the mountain and water there. The location is out of the
way, with counterproductive roads, so I give it up and want to choose the Yu
Mountain. I have no choice but to do so.
August 21 / Shaoxuan came too, saying that he inspected two sites yesterday and today, neither is Shaoxuan, No
suitable and both are too expensive. So, I called for a carpenter and discussed with Feng Shizhi,
him about the cost of building a house. Together, we looked at a Lu family residence Xue Anlin
with a big gate. It is beyond my ability to purchase it.
August 23 Jiuwanwei, Negotiated the price together. The lot and the pond occupy around 4 to 5 mu. He Feng Shizhi, Yes
Changshu asked for 100 and dozens of strings of cash coins. I agreed on 100. Wu wanted to Wu Baoshu
consult his nephew and then left. The owner Wu Baoshu sent a message, saying that
his nephew agreed to sell it with 100.
August 24 Jiuwanwei, I plan to ask Wu Baoshu to go to his site for measurement. Feng Shizhi, Yes
Changshu Zhou Ziting,
Feng Shixi

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