Zhang Zongxiang’s former residence is located at No. 56 Cangji Street, Xiashi Town, Haining. It was built in 1926 (some say 1934). It is a three-coupled, two-story Western-style brick and wood structure with a patio behind the building. The owner of this small building named it "Tie Ruyi Pavilion" during his lifetime. The former residence displays Zhang Zongyang's life achievements (pictures), calligraphy, writings, etc., as well as his collection of treasures: Tie Ruyi, and a large old desk.
Zhang Zongyang (1882-1965), whose musical name is Si Zeng, also named Langsheng, and later nicknamed Lengseng. When he was 17 years old, he read "History of the Song Dynasty" and admired Wen Tianyang, so he changed his name to "Zong Yang". He was mainly engaged in literature, education and books throughout his life. He was knowledgeable and versatile in literature, history, archaeology, epigraphy, calligraphy and painting, medicine, music and opera. At the age of 42, he presided over the copying of Wenlange's "Sikuquanshu" and the collation of thousands of ancient books in his life. These are cultural achievements of a rare couple in modern times. Zhang Zongxiang is diligent and rigorous in his studies. He has carefully collated more than 300 ancient books. The published ones include "Shuo Guo", "Guo Que", "Cui Wei Lu", "Yue Jue Shu", etc. He became obsessed with copying books throughout his life. He would copy and proofread at the same time, often working day and night. His writing skills were as fast as flying, and he could copy 24,000 to 5,000 words in a day and night. He copied and proofread more than 9,000 volumes in his lifetime, which was unprecedented. His calligraphy is based on Li Beihai's calligraphy, and he also integrates Han and Wei stele methods. It is vigorous, free and easy, completed in one go, and has been widely circulated. He is also good at painting and has printed "Leng Monk's Painting and Calligraphy Collection". He was good at poetry and literature, had a good appreciation of poetry, and was familiar with medicine, drama, literature, history and geography, etc. He attached great importance to rural and state documents, and he edited more than 500 volumes of Haining scholars' works. In 1957, more than 2,000 books were donated to Haining Library