In Penang, Malaysia, there are many century old houses distributed, among which the most famous is the former residence of Zhang Bishi. Due to the blue exterior of the entire house, it is known locally asBlue House.

Speaking of Zhang Bishi's name, it seems that it is not as good as the brand he founded"Changyu Wine" is so loud. However, in the 19th to early 20th century in Southeast Asia, this "father of Chinese wine" had a more prominent reputation and multiple identities: he was a Chinese capitalist who was once referred to as the "Eastern Rockefeller" by The New York Times, with industries spread throughout Southeast Asia and various parts of China; He was a "red crowned merchant" from overseas during the late Qing Dynasty and was conferred the title of "Guanglu Dafu" by Empress Dowager Cixi; He was also a promoter of the development of modern Chinese national industry, holding a high position and being wealthy.

Zhang Bishi left his residences in his hometown of Meizhou, Guangdong, Indonesia, and other regions, except for Penang"Blue House" has the most Nanyang characteristics, with a fusion of Chinese and Western architectural styles and colorful hues. After the death of Zhang Bishi in 1916, the Blue House became increasingly damaged and was sold and renovated until it was completely renovated and reintroduced in 1995.

The blue of the blue house is deep and charming. Former craftsmen carefully picked flowers, boiled them into bright juices, and then dried them to transform into unique colors. They applied this paint over and over again on the walls of the house, and every three years, they repainted it to maintain the bright indigo. What we see now is the restored appearance of the Blue House, which has undergone rapid technological advancements and no longer requires picking flowers to mix paint. This blue house is like a story, telling the passage of time and the inheritance of skills.

Blue House is the largest surviving Qing Dynasty Chinese garden style residence in Southeast Asia.Stepping into the lobby of the blue house,thenIt feels like being in a grand dream of Southeast Asia. The exquisite craftsmanship of Minnan craftsmen perfectly blends with the Chinese style pavilions and towers, like a flowing painting. The entire indigo blue exterior wall resembles a Chinese girl dressed in blue provocative clothing, dignified, elegant, and exquisite.

The floor tiles in the hall have been covered by the dust of history for decades, and after polishing, they have finally regained their former glory. These floor tiles are made by piecing together small stones of different shapes,And the order of manual arrangement should not be incorrect, each brick and tile showcases the craftsmanship's magic and delicacy.

Walk through the hall and reach the mansion through the screen. This place is mainly a courtyard, where water gathers on rainy days. Even the drainage outlet is in the form of ancient coins with a round sky and a place, symbolizing the gathering of water from all directions. Above the restaurant hangs“Be kind and generous to others”The plaque is from the Qing governmentrightZhang BishiContributions madeCommendation.

WatchingOn the exterior wall of the blue houseprettyBlue,Combined with porcelain carvings and painted border decorations, it always reminds people of Hakka blue shirts with wide rolled edges.Perhaps,The owner of the blue house, Zhang Bishi, is building a mansionTime,thenHe applied the aesthetics of Hakka blue shirts to architecture, which is hisUniquecreateIt is also the longing he expressed for his hometown and family during his business and political career in the colonial environment of Southeast Asia.