Ma Xuchu (14th generation inheritor of a 600-year-old ancient architectural construction family)

Author: Chen Peng, chief editor of the "People" program at China Central Television, wrote this article
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-01-01
Features: This yellowed IOU, as the Qing government was overthrown by the 1911 Revolution, became a null and void piece of paper forever. Let alone its impossibility of being redeemed for actual silver or currency as an economic transaction document, such a situation where the imperial family owed money to merchants is undoubtedly unique in the world. The current holder of this IOU is Ma Xuchu, an 80-year-old retired senior engineer of the Beijing Municipal Government and the 14th generation inheritor of the Xinglong Wood Factory, a renowned family business specializing in ancient architecture construction.