At No. 75, Dongtangzi Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing, there is a courtyard house with three entrances in the east and west, which is the former residence of Cai Yuanpei.
From 1917 to 1920, Mr. Cai Yuanpei lived here.
The courtyard house was rented by Cai Yuanpei when he was the president of Peking University, not his own house.
Cai Yuanpei is the fifth president of Peking University, and the time is not long, adding up to more than two years, but now when it comes to Peking University, Cai Yuanpei will naturally come to mind, which shows the depth of his influence on Peking University.
President Cai encouraged students to study more academically, and also helped students to set up various clubs, and he himself initiated a club called Jinde Society.
President Cai has adhered to the "five precepts" all his life, that is, no prostitution, no gambling, no concubines, no officials, no parliamentarians, and no houses and land, and there have been no scandals.
President Cai's policy is "freedom of thought and inclusiveness". What is surprising is that Liang Shuming, who is only 24 years old, was also invited by President Cai to Peking University to give a lecture on Indian philosophy.
At that time, Liang Shuming was still a fledgling person, with no university degree, and he was an unsuccessful student of Peking University.
However, when President Cai saw Liang Shuming's "Poor Yuan Ci Doubt" published in "Oriental Magazine", he felt that he was worthy of this podium.
The former residence has a lot to do with the May Fourth Movement. Originally, the time of the march was scheduled for May 7, 1919, but on May 3, it was revealed that the Beiyang government was preparing to sign the Paris Peace Treaty.
That night, President Cai's house was brightly lit, and he summoned Luo Jialun, Fu Sinian, Kang Baiqing, Duan Xipeng, and other Peking University students to their homes to reveal the news.
On May 4, 1919, the May Fourth Movement, which shocked China and the rest of the world, broke out.
No. 75 Dongtangzi Hutong witnessed the "May Fourth Movement" and ignited the initial spark of the "May Fourth Movement" here.
(Photo taken on June 20, 2017)