Weng Clan & Origin of Liu Kwee Tang
During the reign of Jianzhong (建中) (AD780-783) where Emperor Dezong (德宗) of Tang Dynasty ruled in China, there was a big family with the surname "Weng"(翁).The 34th generation ancestor of Weng clan was named Weng Xuan (翁轩). Weng Xuan was the prefecture chief of Jianzhou (建州) in Fujian (福建) province. Being an outstanding official with excellent achievements, he was promoted to a high-ranking official by the Emperor and posted to a place called Jingzhao (京兆). There were three (3) well-known prefectures in Tang Dynasty, i.e. Jingzhao (京兆) as the Upper Prefecture (上郡), Henan (河南) as the Eastern Prefecture (东郡), and Taiyuan (太原) as the Northern Prefecture (北郡). Jingzhao was the most important among the three prefectures, thus naturally making "Jingzhao Weng Clan" the greatest honour.
Weng Xuan had a son named Weng He (翁何). With the blessing and influence of his father, Weng He was appointed as the Court Admonisher (谏管). As he took a fancy to, and thus moved his family to a place called Zhuxiao (竹啸) in the neighborhood of Xingfu (兴福) in Putian (莆田) of Fujian province. He then became the first ancestor of Weng clan in Putian.
The great-grandson of Weng He was Weng Tinggao (翁延皋) (38th generation) who gave birth to the first ancestor of Liu Kwee Putian (六桂莆田) by the name of Weng Kandu (翁乾度) (39th generation, AD898-951). Weng Kandu was also an imperial court official who was in charge of matters related to court ceremony and etiquette, offering and sacrifice, civil examination and recommendation, culture and education, religion, foreign affairs, etc. It was quite a incredible feat that he gave birth to six sons. One would think that since he had many sons and grandsons, he would have been greatly blessed with great fortune. Unexpectedly these six children were born in the wrong time. In AD907, a person by the name of Zhu Quanzhong (朱全忠) staged an armed rebellion and seized the throne of Emperor Ai (哀帝) of Tang Dynasty. As a result, a man messed up the whole world, the country was divided into five dynasties and ten kingdoms (五代十国) (AD907-960). The Khitan (契丹) race in the north took the opportunity and invaded China. With his family background and status as a highly ranked official, Weng Kandu was inevitably facing the adversity of all his properties being confiscated and the entire clan being destroyed. He had no choice but to bring his entire family and escape to Zhuxiao (竹啸) village in Putian (莆田) of Fujian province to take refuge. For fear that his six sons might suffer from fatal disasters, he changed their surnames from originally Weng (翁)to Hong(洪)、Jiang(江)、Weng(翁)、Fang(方)、Gong(龚) and Wang(汪) based on age, from elder to younger. How noble the great devotion of parents!
The six sons remained united despite bearing different surnames. After growing up, they fought north and south with the enemies with concerted efforts and made brilliant achievements in war, composing later in the initial stage of Song Dynasty the good reputation of six brothers from one family, six scholars on three imperial court examination boards, and "Collective Fame of Liu Kwee" (六桂联芳). Like father like son indeed!
The elder son surnamed Hong (洪), named Chuhou (处厚), successfully passed as Scholar (进士) of the imperial court examination's Yangli Board (杨砺榜) in the first year of the reign of Jianlong (建隆) under Emperor Song Taizu (宋太祖) regime. He was appointed as the Minister of Rites (礼部员外郎兼殿中丞). He was later further gloriously promoted to the official ranking of Zhuguo (柱国). The Emperor even personally bestowed him with a crimson fish bag. It was indeed the greatest honour, like the grand award conferred by the President of Singapore. He later moved his family from Zhuxiao (竹啸) village in Putian (莆田) to a Zhuzhi workplace (朱紫坊) called Citong Lane (刺桐巷). His prefecture was named Dunhuang (敦煌).
The second son surnamed Jiang (江), named Chugong (处恭), successfully passed as Scholar of the imperial court examination's Lianghao Board (梁灏榜) in the second year (AD985) of the reign of Yongxi (雍熙) under Emperor Song Taizong (宋太宗) regime. He was appointed as an official in the legal department (司法曹检收) in Quanzhou (泉州). He then moved to Huaiyang (淮阳). His prefectures were named Jiyang (济阳) and Huaiyang (淮阳).
The third son surnamed Weng (翁), named Chuyi (处易), successfully passed as Scholar of the imperial court examination's Yangli Board (杨砺榜) in the first year of the reign of Jianlong (建隆) under Emperor Song Taizu (宋太祖) regime. He was first appointed as the Magistrate (县令) of Jinjiang County (晋江县) in Quanzhou (泉州), and was later appointed as an official of Nanjianzhou (南剑州) in Fujian. He stayed at the Zhuxiao (竹啸) village in Putian (莆田). His prefecture was named Yanguan (盐官).
The fourth son surnamed Fang (方), named Chupu (处朴), successfully passed as Scholar of the imperial court examination's Songhuai Board (宋淮榜) in the sixth year (AD973) of the reign of Kaibao (开宝) under Emperor Song Taizu (宋太祖) regime. He was appointed as legal officer (法曹) in Quanzhou (泉州). He still lived in Zhuxiao (竹啸) village. His prefecture was named "Henan" (河南).
The fifth son surnamed Gong (龚), named Chulian (处廉), successfully passed as Scholar of the imperial court examination's Songhuai Board (宋淮榜) in the sixth year (AD973) of the reign of Kaibao (开宝) under Emperor Song Taizu (宋太祖) regime. He was appointed as official at Dali (大理寺法直), and was later promoted to the post of Imperial Examiner (检查御史). He lived in Malan (马栏). His prefecture was named Wuling (武陵).
The sixth son surnamed Wang (汪), named Chuxiu (处休), successfully passed as Scholar of the imperial court examination's Lianghao Board (梁灏榜) in the second year (AD985) of the reign of Yongxi (雍熙) under Emperor Song Taizong (宋太宗) regime. He was appointed as Zhaosanlang (朝散郎) and took up the post of general judge in Shaozhou (韶州).
Look how each one of them glorify and illuminate their ancestors!
With all the six brothers passed as Scholars in the imperial court examinations, the family clan had been glorious for some time, and they were praised as the "Collective Fame of Liu Kwee" (六桂联芳). The descendants of Liu Kwee had spread to the various provinces and cities in the south of Yangtze River, and had also expanded to overseas. The Liu Kwee, after being divided into different surnames, had again assimilated into the ethnic groups of their original surname. After going through more than a thousand years of assimilating and flourishing, it was practically difficult to sort out which branches were authentic.