The Adopted Son 

CHEANG CHONG HWI/HWEE 章滄輝  (Unknown–1911) Place of Ancestry: Tio Thua (長泰)

We do not know the exact year Cheang Chong Hwi was born, but we know it would have been before 1869 when his adopted mother, Madam Wee, the first wife of Cheang Hong Lim, died. 

The belief that adopting a son would help conception of a biological male heir is attributed to folk beliefs. However, the importance of a male heir is influenced by deep-seated Confucian values in Chinese society. Rooted in Chinese traditions of  lineage, ancestor veneration was especially important for continued fortune and spiritual well being of future generations. It was likely that Cheang Chong Hwi was adopted for this reason, and his name on the tombstone of his adopted mother would also raise her status and explain the use of the Confucian calendar on his tomb. 

Traditionally the status of the adopted son dips when biological sons arrive, as it did for Cheang Hong Lim in his marriages with his other wives. When Cheang Hong Lim died in 1893 leaving a considerable fortune, the executors of his will were his eldest daughter Cheang Cheow Lian Neo, and his two eldest sons, Cheang Jim Hean and Cheang Jim Chuan, who were minors at the time of his death. Cheang Chong Hwi was named in a document of his adopted father’s estate as a “building superintendent”.

As for the Suzhou numerals used on Chong Hwi’s tomb, we know  that it was a numerical system widely used among Chinese businesses in accounting, financial records, trade ledgers and bookkeeping right up to the 20th century. In fact, some old traditional shops in Hong Kong still use it today. Thus, it is quite possible that it would have been used by the accountants to keep track of the large fortunes acquired from the running of the Cheang Hong Lim family business empire. 

Suzhou numerals used for prices of goods in HK
photo credit : Samsunemdykal

Further Readings

https://www.fetechinoise.ca/blog/2022/flower-numbers 
https://biblioasia.nlb.gov.sg/people/2025/4/cheang-family-history/