Tongxinggong Escort Agency in Pingyao, Jinzhong

Tongxinggong Escort Agency (同兴公镖局) is located at 105 South Street, Pingyao Ancient City (平遥古城南大街). It was founded in the 5th year of Emperor Xianfeng’s reign of the Qing Dynasty (1855) by the famous martial arts master Wang Zhengqing (王正清), who was renowned in Beijing and across the nation. His son Wang Shumao (王树茂) inherited his full martial arts legacy and surpassed his father, which made Tongxinggong Escort Agency one of the most prominent in the country from the very beginning.

• Chinese Name: Tongxinggong Escort Agency (同兴公镖局)
• Address: 105 South Street, Pingyao Ancient City (平遥古城南大街105号)
• Founded: 1855 (Qing Dynasty, Emperor Xianfeng’s reign)
• Founder: Wang Zhengqing (王正清)

Founder Wang Zhengqing (王正清)

Wang Zhengqing (王正清), courtesy name Song’an, nicknamed “Noodle King” (面王), was a native of Naliangzhuang (南良庄), Pingyao (平遥). Born in 1801 (the 6th year of Emperor Jiaqing’s reign), he studied briefly in private school but left at 16 due to poverty, working as an apprentice in a Beijing noodle shop. Without noodle machines at the time, he kneaded dough by hand and elbow, developing great arm strength.

He apprenticed under martial arts master Liu Liu (刘留) for three years, and later studied with Jia Diankui (贾殿魁), who had taught martial arts to the Daoguang Emperor. Jia supported Wang financially to focus on training, teaching him Shaolin free-hand techniques (少林散手108势) and other martial sets. Wang also sparred with masters of internal martial arts, mastering both internal and external schools.

At 30, Wang became martial arts instructor for Jiangxi Dao Tai Zhu Wen (朱文). At 36, he accompanied Zhu Wen to Henan, helping suppress countless bandits over nine years. In 1848, he retired from government service and returned to Pingyao, founding Tongxinggong Escort Agency (同兴公镖局) the following year.

He, along with Dai Longbang (戴龙邦) of Qixian (祁县) and Li Yuxiu (李毓秀) of Wenshui (文水), were hailed as the “Three Heroes of North China” (华北三杰).

The Shaolin Temple (少林寺) on Songshan (嵩山), Henan (河南) carved a monument in his honor. His son Wang Shumao (王树茂) inherited and advanced his martial skills, ensuring Tongxinggong became one of China’s most famous escort agencies.

In 1900, when the Eight-Nation Alliance invaded Beijing, Empress Dowager Cixi (慈禧太后) fled to Xi’an (西安) with Emperor Guangxu (光绪帝). Carrying 930,000 taels of silver, no one dared escort it except the Wang family of Pingyao. Braving war and hardship, they delivered it safely within half a month. A plaque granted by the Empress Dowager still hangs at the Wang residence today.

Guided Tour Script

Escort agencies were institutions providing security for merchants and individuals, similar to old-style insurance. They transported silver or valuables for a fee. With the rise of banking houses (票号) in Pingyao during the mid-Qing Dynasty, the escort business also flourished.

The character “镖” originally referred to a throwing weapon used by martial artists. Since escorts were all martial practitioners, the industry took its name from this weapon. Later, with banking, “镖” was also interpreted as a combination of “金” (metal, weapons) and “票” (bank notes), meaning protecting money with martial strength—much like today’s security companies.

The Account Office (帐房)

Accountants were highly educated, mastering calligraphy, chess, painting, and literature. They calculated accounts using the “Four-Column Ledger” (四柱清册): Previous Balance + Income – Expenses = Balance. The agency used hidden locks requiring two keys (held separately by the head and deputy managers) for security.

A silver ingot weighing 50 taels (~1800g) was worth about 3600 RMB today, while 100 copper coins equaled 1 tael.

The Escort Business

From 1849 to 1913, Tongxinggong operated for 64 years. Escorts carried silver, goods, or protected people, using escort carts (镖车), boxes (镖箱), and flags (镖旗). Escort flags bore the master’s surname—famous names often deterred robbers. The yellow background symbolized the Loess Plateau, red characters prosperity, and blue borders wealth flowing like water.

The name “Tongxinggong” (同兴公) carried three meanings:

• Unity among staff
• Solidarity with clients
• Harmony with officials

“兴” symbolized prosperity, while “公” meant collective business.

Cultural Artifacts

Visitors can see unique items such as:

• A golden bed named “Golden Phoenix Playing with Peony” (清凤凰戏牡丹架木床)
• Underground safes symbolizing security
• Smoking rooms used to win clients’ trust
• A bronze longevity plaque gifted by Rishengchang Bank (日升昌票号)
• Floral embroidery (堆岭花绣) and beauty portrait frames (美人镜框) reflecting cultural aesthetics

Rules and Rituals

The Wang family enforced strict codes: escorts could not bully the weak, but robbers who attacked escorts were shown no mercy.

Before missions, escorts prayed in the Buddha Hall for safety. They also trained daily in the martial yard with equipment such as:

• Iron locks (50 jin) for strength
• Seven-Star Stakes (七星梅花桩) for balance and agility
• Escort carts, requiring a unique “waist-twisting” technique to push

Decline of Escort Agencies

Tongxinggong Escort Agency eventually closed for three reasons:

• Modern roads, railways, and firearms made traditional escorts obsolete.
• High costs (1 tael per li).
• Extreme risks, including double compensation for failed missions.

Tourist Information

City Bus Service:

• Autumn/Winter: 7:00–18:30
• Spring/Summer: 7:00–20:30
• Fare: 1 RMB
• Route: Nanzhengkou (南政口) → Zhongdu Road (中都路) → Shuncheng Road (顺城路) → Shuguang Road (曙光路) → Chengnan Fort (城南堡) → Liugen Road (柳根路) → back to Nanzhengkou

Travel Tips

• Shanxi (山西) is cold, dry, and windy—bring sunglasses and hats.
• Pingyao’s (平遥) tap water tastes slightly salty; bottled water is recommended.
• Bargaining is possible but avoid being excessive.
• Backpackers can listen to guides informally without paying.
• Keep tickets safe—many heritage sites require them for entry.
• With an ancient city pass, visitors can watch traditional performances at the Pingyao Grand Theater (平遥大戏台) for free.