Armed Escort Company Museum/ Tongxinggong Security Guard Service
Located at No. 105, South Street of Pingyao Town, Tongxonggong Security Guard Service was founded by Wang Zhengqing (a famous master) in the Ming Dynasty. His son, Wang Shumao learned a lot from his father and even surpassed him, making the company one of the famous guard services even at the beginning of its establishment. The business boom in Shanxi during the mid 19th century generated the substantial transits of money earned through trade. In case the wealth might fall into the hands of thieves, the merchants employed the services of professionally organized armed escorts. Wang Zhenqing, who was a master of martial techniques, established this company to provide a much needed escort service. His unparalleled bravery and military skills earned him and his firm such a good reputation that his firm became the established leader in its field. For several decades this firm and others like it played an important role in providing the security so necessary to the safe conduct of trade.
The Armed Escort Company Museum is a Ming styled complex, exhibiting and describing the foundation, development and close of the guard service from the latter part of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century. It is an excellent place to discover the history of the armed escort firms that played an important role in the development of Chinese commerce.