Ru Xian (1891-1984) styled himself Shengqiu. He is a famous irrigationist. His ancestral house is the old house on the east side of Rujiaqiao in Lili Town. Ru Xian studied at Tongchuan Public School founded by Jin Songcen in Tongli, a neighboring town of Lili Town, in his early years. After graduation, he served as math and physical education teacher of the school. He was a schoolmate and close friend with Chen Qubing and Liu Yazi. Influenced by Mr. Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary ideas, Ru Xian not only cut off his braid on the eve of the 1911 Revolution, but also actively participated in the anti-Manchu and braid-cutting movement in Wujiang County.
