Forum Policy | Howto | Asiawind Homepage | China the Beautiful | CTB forum | Forumites' comments | Feedback

Forums : | World2 | ZhengHe | ChineseCulture | Hakka | Overseas | SciTech | Life! | HealthMed | Foods | OurWorld[ReadyOnly]

	Web asiawind.com

Chinese Culture Forum at Asiawind

Forum List  |  New Topic  |  Go to Top  |  Go to Topic  |  Threaded View  |  Search  |  Log In

Newer Topic  |  Older Topic

The History of Taiwan (01)

Author: CHUNG Yoon Ngan  Date:   03-27-04 03:06 The History of Taiwan (01) During the Dynasties of Qin (秦朝 221BC to 207BC) and Han (漢朝 206BC to 220AD) the present day Taiwan Island was called Daiyu (岱與) or Da Yuan (大冤). It was called Yizhou (夷州) during the Three Kingdoms Period (三國時代 220AD to 265AD). A few hundred years later it was recorded as Liuqiu (流球) in the history of the Sui (隋朝 581AD to 618AD) and Tang (唐朝 618AD to 907AD) Dynasties.. During the Five Dynasties (五代 907AD to 960AD) it was called Beigang (北港). However in the history of Song Dynasty (宋朝 960AD to 1279AD) it was recorded as Beishena (北舍那) and the Yuan Dynasty (元朝 1206AD to 1368AD) continued to call that name. The Ming Dynasty (明朝 1368AD to 1644AD) renamed it to Jilong (雞籠) and then Dongfan (東番) and again changed to Taiyuan (台員). Finally in 1599AD, in the 27th year reign of Emperor Shen Zong (神宗皇帝), the year of Ji Hai (己亥年) it was settled with the present name of Taiwan (台灣). During the Southern Song Dynasty (南宋朝 1127AD to 1279AD) the present day island of Taiwan was under the jurisdiction of Jinjiang county of Quanzhoufu (泉州府晉江縣) of Fujian province (福建省). During the Yuan Dynasty it was under the control of Tongan county (同安縣 present day Shamen 廈門). It remained under the jurisdiction of Shamen during the Ming Dynasty. In 1627AD during the reign of Emperor Xi Zong Zhu Youxiao (熹宗皇帝朱由校 1621AD to 1627AD) there was a natural disaster in the present day province of Fujian, Zheng Zhilong (鄭芝龍 will talk about him later) suggested to the Governor of Fujian, Xiong Wencan (熊文燦), to sent several ten thousand famine victims to the island of Taiwan. It was not materialized. The distance of the Island of Taiwan is about 150 kilometers southeast from the province of Fujian (福建省 please refer to the map). Due to the unfavourable sea currents of South China Sea blowing from the south to the north throughout the year the island of Taiwan had been isolated from Mainland China for a long time. Not until the 13th century that there were Chinese and Japanese pirates known as Wokou (倭寇) who were operating in China coastal waters, dared to land on Taiwan Island to establish their hideouts. The Wokou encountered the aboriginal tribe of Malayo-Polynesian who arrived in Taiwan around 6,000 years ago. These aborigines were the forefathers of the present day nine tribes of indigenous who have managed to preserve their distinct customs and languages. They now live in the Central Mountain Range and along the eastern coastal areas of the island. These nine tribes are the Ami (亞美族), Atayal (泰雅族), Bunun (布農族), Dao (達悟族), Palwan (排灣族), Puyuma (卑南族), Rukai (魯凱族), Saislyat (賽亞族) and Tso (鄒族) [see map http://chungyn.webhop.net/taiwanAb.jpg During the Yuan Dynasty, the Mongolian Government had a garrison stationed at Penghu Islands (澎湖列島), a group of 64 islands, situated about half way between Taiwan and Mainland China. The Yuan Dynasty collapsed and Zhu Yuanzhang (朱元璋) established the Ming Dynasty. Zhu Yuanzhang was crowned Emperor Tai Xu (太祖皇帝 1368AD to 1398AD). During his 21st year reign (1388AD) Emperor Tai Zu abolished the garrison station and abandoned Penghu Islands. The Dutch were insatiable empire-builders. Having subjugated the East Indies (present day Indonesia), they landed in Penghu Islands, during the reigned of Emperor Shen Zong Zhu Xiang Jun (神宗皇帝朱翔鈞 1573AD to 1620AD). Having heard that the Dutch were in Penghu in 1603AD the Ming Government sent troops to Penghu Islands and had the Dutch expelled. After they failed to establish a base in Penghu Islands the Dutch tried to wrest Macau (澳門) from the Portuguese. Their invasion of Macau was repulsed by the Portuguese with the help of the imperial troops of the Ming Dynasty. CHUNG Yoon-Ngan (鄭永元) All rights reserved 27032004

Reply To This Message

The History of Taiwan (02)

Author: CHUNG Yoon Ngan  Date:   03-28-04 10:21 The History of Taiwan (02) The Dutch began trading in Jayakarta (present day Jarkata) in the East Indies (present day Indonesia) in the 16th century. In 1595AD a Dutch merchant by the name of Cornelius Houtman established a company in Jayakarta. The company was called the Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnte or VOC in Dutch meaning "United East Indies Company"). In 1602AD, the Dutch Government granted the company a monopoly to trade with Asia. In 1619AD the Dutch attacked and destroyed Jayakarta. On the site of Jayakarta they built a new trading base called Batavia named after an ancient Germanic tribe. Batavia was built like a Dutch coastal town. Eventually Batavia became the centre of Dutch Colonial power for almost 350 years until the Japanese expelled the Dutch out of the East Indies in 1942AD. Even though the Dutch had been defeated by the Portuguese in 1603AD in trying to wrest Macau from the Portuguese, the Dutch determined to establish a trading post near the coast of China. In July 1622AD, the Dutch sent an armada of seventeen vessels making another attempt to capture Penghu Islands. This time they succeeded in occupying the islands. By using the Chinese prisoners-of-war as forced labourers the Dutch constructed a fortress in Makung on the largest island. The Dutch also laid claim to the island of Taiwan and they established a settlement on the island of Tayouan (present day Anping 安平 near Tainan 台南 ). From Penghu Islands the Dutch had a good strategic position and they were able to control the sea route sailing through the Taiwan Strait and harass the Portuguese vessels travelling to and from Japan. In September 1623AD the Ming Government issued decree banning all ships sailing southeast coast of China, particularly in the region near Penghu Islands. The Ming Government told the Dutch that Penghu Islands belonged to the Ming Empire and they should leave. The Dutch promised to evacuate from Penghu Islands. Seeing the Dutch were not going to keep their promise and evacuate from Penghu Islands, in January 1624AD the Ming troops attacked the Dutch on Penghu Islands trying to take back their territory by force. The fightings waged on for eight months.The Dutch were exhausted and eventually succumbed to the Ming's demands. On 25 August 1624AD the Ming and the Dutch began to negotiate. The end result of the negotiation was the signing of a treaty in which the Ming gave the Dutch the rights to establish posts on Taiwan island in exchange for the withdrawing from Penghu Islands. The Dutch were very happy with the treaty because Taiwan was much bigger than the Penghu Islands. The location of Taiwan was in a strategic point of the trade route to and from China and Japan. After destroying the fortress and military facilities, in November 1625AD the Dutch evacuated from Penghu Islands and moved to island Tayouan (鹿耳門 Luermen present day Tainan city 台南市) in the southwestern part of Taiwan where they had built a settlement. They built the fortress called Zeelandia (安平城), after the province of Zeeland. The Dutch began to colonize the southwestern part of Taiwan. In September 1626AD the Spanish attacked the city of Jilong (雞籠 present day Keelung 基隆) and landed on Santiago (三貂角) in northern Taiwan. After building a settlement there they advanced through the north Taiwan to Danshui (淡水) on the northwest coast. Two years later, they built the Fort Santo Domingo (淡水紅毛城) in Danshui. The Dutch could not tolerate another country threatening their monopoly in Taiwan. In November 1642AD the Dutch expelled the Spanish from northern Taiwan. Thus the Dutch almost controlled the whole of Taiwan which they were trying to make it a part of the East Indies. CHUNG Yoon-Ngan (鄭永元) All rights reserved 28032004 .

Reply To This Message

Re: The History of Taiwan (02)

Author: Andries  Date:   03-28-04 11:09 Dear Yoon-Ngan, I admire your descriptions of this period. I check of course everything you say from the Dutch point of view and couldn't find any facts to contradict you. Your reports are helping me to discover and research my past that was unknown to me previously. Thank you so much for revealing so many things that people nowadays either take for granted or are not aware. Every day when I see your postings it is a new start to explore my knowledge of Chinese or international issues. I hope that my support, joined by many others, will comfort you to continue your great work in these Forums and with your books. Sometimes I got the impression that you feel like Don Quichotte fighting against windmills, but please Yoon-Ngan, we need you to represent Universal, Chinese and Hakka subjects. Your Dutch supporter, Andries

Reply To This Message

The History of Taiwan (03)

Author: CHUNG Yoon Ngan  Date:   03-28-04 17:47 The History of Taiwan (03) Wu Sangui (吳三桂), a general, was ordered by the 16th Ming Emperor Yi Zong Zhu Youjian (毅宗皇帝朱由檢 1628AD to 1644AD) to the north to defend Shanhaiguan (山海關 The Gate of Mountain and Sea) which was the only gate acessable to the Central Plain of China, through the Great Wall that dividing the Zhongyuan (中原) and the Liaoning (遼寧) peninsular (Southern Manchuria). Wu Sangui left behind his concubine Chen Yuanyuan (陳圓圓) in Beijing. Li Zicheng (李自成) was a poor peasant who lived in Mizhi county in Shaanxi province.陜西省, 米脂縣). In 1628AD Shaanxi was hard hit by a famine and many people died of starvation. There was banditry every where and the Ming government could not cope with the disaster. With a few young men Li Zicheng formed a bandit band and became its leader. His band was like a rolling snow ball that grew bigger and bigger as thousands upon thousands of hungry peasants joined him. He organised an army and marched eastward. While on the march he raided government treasuries and offices. In April 1644AD Li Zicheng descended on Beijing, the capital of the Ming Dynasty. Li Zicheng captured Beijing on the 25th of April and his followers ransacked the city as the Emperor fled and hid in Prospect Hill, over-looking the Forbidden City, not far from his palace. Later, the Emperor hanged himself in the pavilion on that hill. Wu Sangui heard news that his father, Wu Xiang (吳襄), was captured by Li Zicheng. Li Zicheng forced Wu Xiang to urge his son Wu Sangui to surrender. Wu Sangui agreed to surrender and was marching back to Beijing. However, when he heard the news that his favourite concubine, Chen Yuanyuan was kidnapped by the rebel leader, Wu Sangui changed his mind and retreated back to Shanhaiguan. He opened the gate of Shanhaiguan and invited the Manzhous to join forces with him to attack the rebels. The Manzhous (滿洲), who were from the Northeast, had overran the peninsular of Liaodong (遼東) and wanted to extent to the Central Plain of China, but their objective was blocked by the Great Wall. Now they were delighted with Wu's invitation. The Manzhou army formed an alliance with the Ming forces under the command of Wu Sangui. They marched to Beijing and vanguished the rebels in no time. Before Li Zicheng withdrew from Beijing he killed Wu Xiang and his entire family of 39. Li Zicheng went off with Chen Yuanyuan. Li Zicheng headed west trying to return to his home base in Shaanxi province. Somehow on the way Chen Yuanyuan escaped and trekked back to Beijing and found Wu Sangui. The Manzhous, after ceremonially buried the Ming Emperor, refused to go back to the Northeast.They established the Qing Dynasty (清朝 1644AD to 1911AD). That was the end of the Ming Dynasty. In July 1645AD Li Zicheng was killed by the villagers in Hubei province (湖北省). Zheng Chenggong (鄭成功) was born in Hirado (平戶), an island in Kyushu, (九州) Japan, in 1624AD, the 4th year reign of Emperor Xi Zong of Ming Dynasty (明朝熹宗皇帝), the year of Jia Zi (甲子年) or the Year of the Rat. His father, Zheng Zhilong (鄭芝龍), was from Shi Jing village (石井鄉) of Nan An county (南安縣) in the city of Quan Zhou (泉州) in Fujian province (福建省). His mother was a Japanese woman by the name of Tamura Matsu (田川氏). Zheng Zhilong was a maritime merchant and a part-time pirate. 1622AD, with his boss, Yan Siqi (顏思齊), Zheng Zhilong came to Beigang (北港) in Taiwan. Zheng Zhilong often went to Hirato to trade. While in business in Hirato he married a Japanese girl who became the mother of Zheng Chenggong. Tamura Matsu, Zheng Chenggong's mother, raised him on her own until he was seven. In 1631AD, Zheng Zhilong took Zheng Chenggong and his younger brother home in Nanan (南安) of Jinjiang county (晉江縣) in Fujian province. During those time Japanese women were forbidden from leaving Japan. Zheng Zhilong engaged a tutor to teach his elder son the classics and hoped that his son might be able to pass the Imperial Examination. Ten years later Zheng Chenggong's mother was allowed to leave Japan and arrived at Nanan to live with her sons. Zheng Zhilong surrendered to Shen Youlong (沈猶龍), the governor of Fujian province (福建省). In 1633 the Dutch invaded Shamen (廈門) harbour the new governor of Fujian province, Zou Weilian (鄒維璉), ordered the Ming Naval Force to encounter the Dutch. Zheng Zhilong was ordered to be the vanguard of the naval force. The Dutch naval force was repulsed. The naval force under the command of Zheng Zhilong destroyed five Dutch ships and captured one. Zheng Zhilong was promoted to the rank of admiral (福建水師提督) by the Fujian Governor, Zou Weilian . In May 1644AD, Fu Wang (福王 or Prince Fu), Zhu Yousong (朱由崧), the first cousin brother of Emperor Yi Zong, was installed as the new Emperor of the Ming Dynasty in Nanjing (南京) in Jiangsu province (江蘇省). Zheng Chenggong was 21-years-old and he went to Nanjing to study at a University. His father and his uncle Zheng Hongkui (鄭鴻逵) were supporting Zhu Yousong. Zheng Chenggong was told by his father and uncle to serve Zhu Yousong. Zheng Chenggong was charmed by the charisma of Zhu Yousong and became a staunch supporter of Zhu Yousong. Seeing him so loyal to him Zhu Yousong bestowed upon Zheng Chenggong the title of the Loyal Viscount (忠孝伯). CHUNG Yoon-Ngan (鄭永元) All rights reserved 29032004

Reply To This Message

The History of Taiwan (04)

Author: CHUNG Yoon Ngan  Date:   03-29-04 02:38 The History of Taiwan (04) Map of China http://www.lonelyplanet.com/mapshells/north_east_asia/china/china.htm In May 1645AD, one year after Fu Wang Zhu Yousong (福王朱由崧) was installed the new Ming Emperor, the Qing Army captured Nanjing. In June, while fleeing south the Ming Emperor Zhu Yousong was captured by the Qing troops at Wuhu (蕪湖) in Anhui province (安徽省). He was sent to Beijing where he was executed in a market place. In the same month, Huang Daozhou (黃道周), the Governor of Fujian province and Zheng Zhilong (鄭芝龍), the military commander of Fuzhou (福州), installed Zhu Yujian (朱聿鍵) as the new Ming Emperor in Fuzhou in Fujian province. In August the Qing Government issued a decree ordering all male persons in the whole country to wear pigtails symbolizing sunmission to Manzhous (薙髮令). Zheng Zhilong had no intention of becoming a loyal general to the extinct Ming Dynasty. He was only using Zhu Yujian to raise his prestige. Zheng Chenggong argued long and hard with his father not to surrender to the Manzhous but of no avail. Zheng Zhilong told his son that the Ming Dynasty was a spent force. Secretly he sent a messeger to the commander of the Qing troops inviting him to come to Fuzhou. In August 1646AD the Qing Army entered Fujian province without a fight. Tamura Matsu, Zheng Chenggong's mother was raped and killed by the Manzhou soldiers when they entered Nanan. Zheng Chenggong was very sad and angry with the Manzhous. He hated his father for inviting causing his mother's death. While trying to escape, Zhu Yujian, the newly installed Ming Emperor, was captured by the Qing troops. He was brought back to Fuzhou and executed. In November, Gui Wang (桂王 or Prince Gui), Zhu Youlang (朱由榔), the elder cousin brother of Zhu Yousong, was installed as the third Emperor of the Ming since the establishment of the Qing Dynasty, in Zhao Qing (肇慶 present day Gao Yao county 高要縣) in Guangdong province (廣東省). At the age of 23, Zheng Chenggong (鄭成功), went to a Confucius temple in Fengchuan town (豐川鎮) of Quanzhou (泉州) in Fujian province. In the temple he burned his scholar attire and swore, "我現在是孤臣遺子﹐應該幹我的事了. Now I am a subject without a Lord and I should go and do my own business." He raised an army to fight against the Qing Authorities. He captured Haicheng (海澄), Quanz hou (泉州), Tongan (同安), Zhaoan (詔安), Huilai (惠來), Chaoyang (潮陽),Shamen (廈門), Jinmen (金門), Zhangpu (漳浦) and Zhangzhou (漳州). It was a shocked to the Qing Authorities and the whole country thought that Zheng Chenggong was going to revive the Ming Dynasty. On hearing the good news, Zhu Youlang, the newly installed Ming Emperor in Guangdong province, awarded Zheng Chenggong the title of Zhang Guo Gong (漳國公) or the Duke of the State of Zhang. Wanting to blackmail Zheng Chenggong the Qing Authorities forced Zheng Zhilong to write to his son telling him to surrender otherwise his father would be killed. Zheng Shizhong (鄭世忠), the youngest son of Zheng Zhilong went to Haicheng to deliver the letter to his elder brother. But Zheng Chenggong refused to surrender and he replied his father, "豈有捨鳳凰而就虎豹者哉. How can I depart from the phoenix and go to live with the tiger and the leopard." Zheng Chenggong broke off his relationship with his father and supported the newly installed Ming Emperor. Zheng Chenggong formed an alliance with Zhang Huangyan (張煌言), who had been leading an army fighting the Manzhous trying to reconquer the north. In January 1647AD, the Qing Army attacked Zhu Youlang in Zhaoqing. Zhu Youlang fled to Guilin ( 桂林) in Guangxi province (廣西省). Again in November the Qing Army attacked Zhu Youlang and he fled to Wugang (武岡) in Hunan province (湖南省). In the same month, 1647AD, Zheng Chenggong established an Administration in the present day of Shamen which he renamed Simingzhou (思明州) or the State to Remember the Ming. In 1657AD, Zhu Youlang, the fugitive Ming Emperor, bestowed upon him another title Yan Ping Wang (延平王) or the Prince of Yanping. In 1658AD, starting from Chongming island (崇明島), at the mouth of Changjiang (長江 or the Yangtze River), Zheng Chenggong captured Guazhou (瓜州 in the south of present day Jiangdu county 江都縣 in Jiangsu province 江蘇省) and defeated the Qing's reinforcement at Yangpeng Mountain (楊篷山). He attacked and overran Zhenjiang (鎮江 in present day Zhejiang province 浙江省) and occupied all the counties in the vicinity. The objective of Zheng Chenggong was the city of Nanjing (南京 in present day Jiangsu province 江蘇省). Zhang Huangyan leading his army started from Wuhu (蕪湖 in present day Anhui province 安徽省) and overran Ninghui (寧徽). They continued to march north and captured four Prefectures (郡) and twenty four counties (縣). The whole Qing Empire was shaken. Emperor Shun Zhi (順治皇帝), the first Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, was so frightened that he wanted to return to his ancestors' land in the Northeast. After a big scolding from his mother the Emperor settled down quietly in Beijing. When he arrived near the city of Nanjing, Zheng Chenggong did not attack Nanjing at once due to the shortage of food for his troops. He waited for one month for the supplies to arrive. By that time the Qing's reinforcement had arrived from the north. In the decisive battle that followed at the north gate of Nanjing city Zheng Chenggong was defeated. He lost more than 500 battleships and thousands of men. Zheng Chenggong retreated back to Shamen. Zhang Huangyan returned to his home base. In 1660AD, the Qing Army attacked Shamen with a large force. Zheng Chenggong repulsed the attack. CHUNG Yoon-Ngan (鄭永元) All rights reserved 28032004

Reply To This Message

The History of Taiwan (05)

Author: CHUNG Yoon Ngan  Date:   03-30-04 01:34 The History of Taiwan (05) Having granted the rights to establish posts in Taiwan, the Dutch East India Company headoffice in Batavia (present day Jakarta in Indonesia) appointed a Governor to administer their new colony. The first Dutch Govenor in Taiwan was Maarten Snock (1624AD to 1625AD)*. The Dutch discovered that Taiwan was a fertile land that grew many products. Throughout their rule of Taiwan for 38 years the Dutch population had never been more than two thousand including the soldiers. The Dutch employed the Chinese immigrants in helping them to build Fort Zeelandia (庶蘭奢城 present day 'Old Fort" in Anping 安平古堡). It took them eight years to complete. Canons were set up to defend the fort from the attacks by the Portuguse, Spanish, English as well as the local residents. The Dutch in Taiwan made great profits out of trading with Batavia, China, Japan and their motherland, Holland. The Dutch imported spices, tin, cotton, opium etc from Batavia; silver from Japan; silk, fine chinas, gold, herbal medicines from China. They exported sugar and deer skins to China and Japan. Silk, fine chinas and gold were exported from Taiwan to their motherland. The Dutch ruled Taiwan as a colonial enterprise. They regarded the whole of Taiwan belonged to the Dutch monarch. The Dutch leased farm land to the Chinese and introduced oxen to till the rice fields to replace human labour, but the Chinese farmers had to pay rent because the Dutch considered the farm land as "King's Field". Therefore the farmers had to pay tax. Sugar was produced in southern Taiwan and exported before the Dutch took over Taiwan. The Dutch East India Company wanted to establish sugar cane plantations as the climate in the south of the island was suitable for growing them. They were promoting sugar as the major export industry and made more profit. In order to increase the production of sugar and developed Taiwan a large labour force was required. So the Dutch imported a great number of Chinese from China. The Dutch enslaved them and taxed them heavily. Those newly arrived Chinese immigrants who were not sponsored by the Dutch had to pay head taxes. The Chinese regarded Taiwan as their own territory. The Dutch not only imposed heavy taxes on local Chinese farmers but also placed limitations of trade on the Chinese merchants. The Chinese were angry and hated the Dutch. Eventually, in 1652, the Chinese rebelled against the Dutch Colonial Authorities. The rebellion was headed by a farmer named Guo Huaiyi (郭懷一). On September, 7 1652 he assembled his men and planned to start the uprising on the night of the Chinese Moon Festival (中秋節). Somehow the secret was leaked to the Dutch. Knowing that the date of the uprising had been leaked, immediatey Guo Huaiyi led his men of 16,000 strong to attack the Dutch Administration Centers. Guo Huaiyi's men used hoes, bamboo spears and clubs against the Dutch soldiers using modern weapons. It was no match. The rebellion was crushed with great force with the help of 2,000 aborigines who were treated far better than the Chinese. 4,000 of Guo Huaiyi's men were killed in the uprising and more than a thousand Chinese immigrants were later executed. After the Chinese unsuccessful rebellion, the Dutch built Fort Provintia (赤嵌城) in the present day city of Tainan (see the map of Taiwan). http://chungyn.webhop.net/taiwanMap.jpg. The Dutch employed the aborigines to build the fort as the Chinese refused to help. The non-cooperation of the Chinese, later, led to the downfall of the Dutch in Taiwan *The Dutch Governors in Taiwan Name-----------------------------------------------Period (01) Maarten SNOCK-----------------------1624 to 1625 (02) Gerard Frederiksz de WITH--------1625 to 1627 (03) Pieter NUYTS---------------------------1627 to 1629 (04) Hans PUTMANS-----------------------1629 to 1636 (05) Johan van de BURGH----------------1636 to 1640 (06) Paulus TRAUDENIUS----------------1640 to 1643 (07) Maximmiliaan LEMAIRE-------------1643 to 1644 (08) Frankis CARON------------------------1644 to 1646 (09) Pieter Anthonisz OVERWATER---1646 to 1649 (10) Nicolaas VERBURGH----------------1649 to 1653 (11) Cornelius CAESAR-------------------1653 to 1656 (12) Ferderik COYETT---------------------1656 to 1662 Compliments of Marco Ramerini CHUNG Yoon-Ngan (鄭永元) All rights reserved except the list of the Governors 30032004

Reply To This Message

The History of Taiwan (06)

Author: CHUNG Yoon Ngan  Date:   03-31-04 00:53 The History of Taiwan (06) In January 1661AD, Emperor Shun Zhi (順治皇帝), the first Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, died and was succeded by his eldest son who was crowned Emperor Kang Xi (康熙皇帝 1662AD to 1722AD). While he and his forces were languishing in Shamen (廈門) in Fujian province Zheng Chenggong suddenly thought of the island of Taiwan which lay across the Taiwan Strait. But he did not know much about Taiwan although his family had traded with the Dutch in Taiwan. An opportunity arrived when a man named He Bin (何斌) who had worked as an interpreter for the Dutch East India Company in Taiwan, was taking shelter in Shamen. He fled to Shamen to avoid debt collectors. He had lived through the 1652AD uprising led by Guo Huaiyi. He Bin presented a sea chart to Zheng Chenggong, asking him to take Taiwan. He was not only telling Zheng Chenggong about the resentment of the Chinese towards the Dutch and the military situation of the Dutch in Tainan but also information about the geographical topography. Zheng Chenggong also accepted the advice by his military adviser Chen Yonghua (陳永華) who suggested that Zheng Chenggong should mobilize his army to capture Taiwan. In April, 1661, appointing He Bin as guide and with an armada of more than 900 ships and an amphibious force of 25,000 strong Zheng Chenggong sailed from the bay of Liaoluo in Jinmen (金門島料羅灣) for the island of Taiwan. They crossed the Taiwan Strait via Penghu Islands and on April 30, 1661, arrived at Luermen (鹿耳門 the Gate of the Deer's Ears, present day Tainan 台南). Legend has it that by that time Zheng Chenggong's army had run out of food. The sandbanks were making it difficult for the soldiers to come ashore. Standing on the bow of his ship Zheng Chenggong burned incense to Matzu, [see my article on Mazu, the Goddess of Navigation 媽祖航海女神] http://www.asiawind.com/forums/read.php?f=1&i=1608&t=1608 Not long after the tide swelled and Zheng Chenggong's amphibious force landed ashore smoothly. Later, Zheng Chenggong built a temple dedicated to Mazu, the Goddess of Navigation. After Zheng Chenggong's troops had landed they attacked Fort Zeelandia where the Dutch were defending. The next day the Dutch Military commander was killed in battle. On the 4th day, the Dutch sued for peace and were willing to surrender. However, the next day the Dutch changed their mind and said that they were willing to give Zheng Chenggong all the silver they had but they did not want to leave Taiwan. Zheng Chenggong sent a messenger called Li Chong (李沖) to tell the Dutch: "台灣者, 中國土地也" "地當歸我" "Taiwan is Chinese land and it should return to the Chinese" But the Dutch would not budge. Actually, the Dutch were marking time and waiting for the reinforcement from Batavia (present day Jakarta, Indonesia) to arrival. So fighting started again. Eventually, the Dutch reinforcement arrived. Severe battles followed. Zheng Chenggong laid siege to Fort Zeelandia and gave the Dutch 8 conditions why they should give up fighting. Meanwhile, in October 1661AD, Zheng Zhilong, the father of Zheng Chenggong, in captivity was sent to Beijing where he was executed. Zhu Youlong, the Ming Emperor was hiding in Burma. In December, Wu Sangui (吳三桂), the Ming General, led the Qing troops into Burma with the intention of capturing the Ming Emperor. The Burmese had no means to stop the incursion by the Qing troops. Without alternative the Burmese Authorities captured the Ming Emperor and presented him to Wu Sangui who then left Burma. Wu Sangui personally presented the Ming Emperor as a gift to Emperor Kang Xi's coronation. A happy Wu Sangui was greatly rewarded. That was the end of the Ming Dynasty after 294 years in existence. CHUNG Yoon-Ngan (鄭永元) All rights reserved 31032004

Reply To This Message

The History of Taiwan (07)

Author: CHUNG Yoon Ngan  Date:   03-31-04 02:52 The History of Taiwan (07) After the Guo Huaiyi's uprising was crushed in 1652AD the Chinese hated the Dutch and they welcomed Zheng Chenggong's army who had occupied Fort Providentia and lay a siege to Fort Zeelandia. The siege lasted 9 months. During this period more than 1,600 Dutch were killed or wounded. The Dutch were without food and water. In the end the Dutch had no choice but to accept the 8 conditions demanded by Zheng Chenggong. The Dutch surrendered. On February 1, 1662AD, the Dutch signed the surrendered document ending their 38 years rule in Taiwan. The following is the doucument signed between Zheng Chenggong and Frederik COYETT, the last Dutch Governor in Taiwan. This is the compliments of our Dutch friend Andries. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Author: Andries (212.67.162.---) Date: 03-19-04 06:25 Dear Yoon-Ngan, Thank you for the scanned document. The readibility is not sufficient to enable my translation. However I contacted our (Dutch) ministery of foreign affairs and got the Official English version of the document. I hope that Koxinga (國姓爺 Zheng Chenggong 鄭成功) is sufficiently clear if not I can give you the Chinese names of that period. ==================================================== "Quote" Treaty between Koxinga and the Dutch Government Signed at Zeelandia 1 February 1662 Treaty made and agreed upon; from the one side, by His Highness the Lord Teibingh Tsiante Teysiancon Koxin, who has besieged Castle Zeelandia on Formosa since 1st May 1661 up till this 1st day of February 1662; and from the other side, as representing the Dutch Government, by the Governor of the said Castle, Frederik Coyett, and his Council, consisting of the undernoted eighteen Articles: Article 1 All hostilities committed on either side to be forgotten. Article 2 Castle Zeelandia, with its outworks, artillery, remaining war materiel, merchandise, money, and other properties belonging to the Honourable Company, to be surrendered to Lord Koxinga. Article 3 Rice, bread, wine, arack, meat, pork, oil, vinegar, ropes, canvas, pitch, tar, anchors, gunpowder, bullets, and linen, with such other articles as may be required by the besieged during their voyage to Batavia, to be taken aboard the Company's ships in keeping with instructions from the before-mentioned Governor and Council. Article 4 All private movable property inside the Castle or elsewhere belonging to officers of the Dutch Government, shall first be inspected by Lord Koxinga's delegates, and then placed on board the said ships. Article 5 In addition to these goods, each of the twenty-eight Councillors shall be permitted to take with them two hundred rijksdaalders, and twenty chosen civilians an aggregate sum of one thousand rijksdaalders. Article 6 After inspection, the Dutch soldiers may come forth with flying banners, burning fusees, loaded rifles, and beating drums, marching thus for embarkation under command of the Governor. Article 7 The names of all Chinese debtors or lease-holder in Formosa, with particulars of claims against them, shall be copied out of the company's books, and handed to Lord Koxinga. Article 8 All the Government archives may be taken to Batavia. Article 9 Every servant of the Company, now imprisoned by the Chinese in Formosa, shall be liberated within eight or ten days, and those who are in China, as soon as possible. Servants of the Company who are not imprisoned in Formosa shall be granted a free pass to reach the Company's ships in safety. Article 10 The said Lord Koxinga shall now return to the Company the four captured boats, with all their accessories. Article 11 He shall also provide a sufficient number of vessels to take the Honourable Company's people and goods to their ships. Article 12 Vegetables, flesh-meat, and whatever else may be necessary to sustain the Company's people during their stay, shall daily be provided by His Highness's subjects at a reasonable price. Article 13 So long as the Honourable Company's people remain on land before embarkation, no soldier or other subject of Lord Koxinga shall be permitted to enter the Castle (unless ... on service for the Company), to approach the outworks nearer than the gabions, or to proceed further than the palisades erected by order of His Highness. Article 14 No other than a white flag shall float from the Castle until the Honourable Company's people have marched out. Article 15 Those who guard the stores shall remain in the Castle two or three days after the other people and goods have been taken on board, and thereafter they shall proceed themselves to the vessels. Article 16 As soon as this agreement is signed, sealed, and sworn to on both sides, each according to his country's customs, Lord Koxinga shall deliver to one of the Dutch ships two hostages, viz. the Mandarin or Captain Moor Ongkun and Pimpan Jamoosje of the political Council. On the other side, and as representing the Company, Lord Koxinga shall receive custody of Mr. Jan Oetgens van Waveren, an official second in rank to the Governor, and Mr. David Harthouwer, also a member of the Formosan Council. Each of these hostages shall remain in a previously fixed place until everything has been carried out in accordance with the terms of this contract. Article 17 Chinese prisoners at present in the Castle or on the Company's ships shall be exchanged for any of our people who have been seized by the subjects of Lord Koxinga. Article 18 All misunderstandings, and every important matter overlooked in this Agreement, shall immediately be dealt with to the satisfaction of both parties, upon notice having been given on either side. LORD CHENG CHEN-KUNG, [L.S.] FREDERIK COYETT, [L.S.] "Unquote" Regards, Andries ============================================ CHUNG Yoon-Ngan (鄭永元) 31032004

Reply To This Message

The History of Taiwan (08)

Author: CHUNG Yoon Ngan  Date:   04-01-04 02:07 The History of Taiwan (08) After signing the surrendered document, Frederik Coyett, the last Dutch Governor in Taiwan, led all the Dutch personnels and sailed back to Batavia from where they came. Following the victory over the Dutch, Zheng Chenggong (鄭成功), at Fort Providentia (赤嵌城), proclaimed that Taiwan was a territory of the Ming Dynasty. It was the first time that Taiwan was ruled by Han Chinese (漢族). He established a Kingdom called "The Yan Ping Kingdom (延平郡王府)", after his title that Gui Wang Zhu Youlang (桂王朱由榔), the last Ming Emperor bestowed upon him. He renamed Taiwan "Dongdu 東都 or Eastern Capital" and the area around Fort Zeelandia to "Anping 安平 or Tranquilly Peaceful". The capital Fort Providentia was renamed "Cheng Tian Fu" (承天府 present day the city of Tainan). [see the map of Taiwan] http://chungyn.webhop.net/taiwanMap.jpg Zheng Chenggong made Taiwan his base to restore the Ming Dynasty and anti-Qing (反清復明). The administration system of his government was to follow that of the Ming Dynasty. He established Ming judiciary systems and built schools. His urged his subjects to follow the Ming customs. He divided the island of Taiwan into two Prefectures, one in the north and in the south and established a garrison command on Penghu Islands. He encouraged Chinese from the Mainland to come and settle in Taiwan. He told the Chinese in the coastal regions that Taiwan was a fertile place and land was plentiful. The estimated Han Chinese population was about 100,000 not including the aborigines. The population was increased by Zheng Chenggong's 30,000 army and their dependents. According to some records Zheng Chenggong sent agents to Zhangzhou (漳州) and Quanzhou (泉州) in Fujian province as well as Huizhou (惠州) and Chaozhou (潮州) in Guangdong province to recruit new settlers. During the period of the Zheng family regime from 1662AD to 1683AD there were about 100,000 people had moved to settle in Taiwan. Due to the influx of so many new settlers to Taiwan from China that there was an urgent need for food supplies. He confiscated all the lands owned by the Dutch East India Company and making them into Government lands. Officials were allocated with Government lands. Soldiers were allowed to claim lands, that were not belonging to the aborigines, to produce food. As a result of this agricultural expansion the production of food was greatly increased. People living in the coastal regions in mainland China were greatly influenced by the agricultural policy in Taiwan. In order to stop the Chinese from migrating to Taiwan the Qing Government evacuated the coastal regions opposite Taiwan. It was a counter-reaction. People had been living in these regions for generations and they were not willing to move inland. Thus the Qing Government was indirectly forcing more people to flee to Taiwan. Zheng Chenggong composed a poem called "The Restoration of Taiwan 復台" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 開闢荊榛逐荷夷,---Kai pi jing zhen zhu He Yi, 十年始克復先基.---Shi nian shi ke fu xian ji. 田橫尚有三千客,---Tian heng shang you san qian ke, 茹苦間關不忍離.---Ru ku jian guan bu ren li The English translation Having defeated the Dutch we cleared the brambles and developed the land, It required a decade of hard work to build up the foundation. Despite the hardship, we, the force of three thousand Ming royalists, Determined to stay and develope this land. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Meanwhile in mainland China, in the same year the Qing Authorities executed Gui Wang Zhu Youlang (桂王朱由榔), the last Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. The last link to the Royal family of the Ming Dynasty had been exterminted. There was a folk song about the fall of the Ming Dynasty --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 朱家麵, 李家磨,----Zhu jia mian, Li jia mo, 做成一個大饃饃,--Zuo cheng yi ge mo mo, 送給對巷趙大哥.--Song gei dui xiang Zhao da ge. Zhu[1] family's flour, Li[2] family kneads it into a dough, And make it into a big steamed bun, To give it to the Elder brother Zhao[3] who lives opposite. [1] Zhu meant the Ming Royal family. [2] Li meant Li Zicheng who ransacked Beijing [3] Zhao meant the Manzhou. --------------------------------------------------------------------- On June 16, 1662, Zheng Chenggong got a cold and he was ill. Yet every day he continued to climb up the tower and looked into the distance of Penghu Islands and his motherland. On the 23rd of June he returned home after having a look at the distance in the sea he went to his study. Looking at the portray of Emperor Tai Zu Zhu Yuanzhang (太祖皇帝朱元璋) he sighed, "吾何面目見先帝于地下! I have no face to see the anecestor!". He put his two hands on his face. He collapsed and died, aged 38 years. He did not realize his dream of restoring the Ming Dynasty. CHUNG Yoon-Ngan (鄭永元) All rights reserved 01042004

Reply To This Message

Re: The History of Taiwan (07)

Author: Andries  Date:   04-01-04 14:08 Dear Yoon-Ngan, I feel honoured to be mentioned in your tremendous research on the Taiwan history. This part of "our" time in the Taiwan past is not making me feel happy but I appreciate your objective reporting. I studied the "VOC" reports and there are only few discrepancies. It was amazing that the surrender was followed by a human solution to retrieve from the island without further blood shed. Regards, Andries

Reply To This Message

Re: The History of Taiwan (07)

Author: CHUNG Yoon Ngan  Date:   04-01-04 20:00 Dear Andries, Thank you for your support. Whatever you read from the records of the Dutch East India Company is the Dutch version. My story is from the Chinese version and some of the Chinese names I don't even know how to translate them into English. The Dutch were not happy from being defeated by Zheng Chenggong. They came back in 1663AD with a bigger armada of 16 battle ships and about 3,000 soldiers and marines. They combined forces with the Qing army and had Zheng Chenggong's troops expelled from Shamen (Amoy) and Jinmen (Quemoy), but they failed to recapture Taiwan. CHUNG Yoon-Ngan 02042004

Reply To This Message

The History of Taiwan (09)

Author: CHUNG Yoon Ngan  Date:   04-02-04 02:13 The History of Taiwan (09) Although Zheng Chenggong had lived in Taiwan for just a few months, from April to June in 1662AD, before he died yet he was regarded by the people of Taiwan as the national hero. After his death many temples were built dedicated to him all over Taiwan for his heroic tasks of expelling the Dutch from Taiwan. If it were not of him Taiwan would have become a part of Indonesia. The Dutch had ruled Taiwan for 38 years and they wanted to incooperate Taiwan into their East Indies Empire (present day Indonesia). But they failed because the period they ruled Taiwan was too short. They had ruled Indonesia for more than 350 years before they were being expelled by the Japanese in 1942AD. The other name of Zheng Chenggong (鄭成功 1624-1662) was Koxinga (國姓爺 Guo Xingye in Hanyu Pinyin), meaning "The lord of the imperial surname"), which was romanized by the Dutch. This is a brief account of how he obtained this name, Koxinga. In 1644AD, the last emperor of the Ming Dynasty (明朝 1368AD to 1644AD), Emperor Yi Zong Zhu Youjian (毅宗皇帝朱由檢 1628AD to 1644AD), committed suicide. It was the end of the Ming Dynasty. The Manzhou (滿洲), from the Northeast established the Qing Dynasty (清朝 1644AD to 1911AD). However, in the coastal areas of the southeast, there were four Ming Princes who continued to resist the fledgling Qing Dynasty prolonging the Ming Dynasty. They were Prince Fu Zhu Yousong (福王朱由崧) in Jiangsu province, Prince Tang Zhu Yujian (唐王朱聿鍵) in Fujian province, Prince Lu Zhu Yihai (魯王 朱以海) in Zhejiang province and Prince Gui Zhu Youlang (桂王朱由榔) in Guangdong province. On hearing that Emperor Yi Zong had died, Prince Fu, the first cousin brother of Emperor Yi Zong, was installed by Ma Shiying (馬士英), the governor of Fengyang (鳳陽) and Shi Kefa (史可法) in Nanjing (南京) in Jiangsu province (江蘇省). In May 1645AD the Qing army occupied Nanjing. In June, Prince Fu, while fleeing south, was captured by the Qing soldiers at Wuhu (蕪湖) in Anhui province (安徽省). Prince Fu was sent to Beijing (北京) where he was executed. In the same month, Huang Daozhu (黃道周), the Governor of Fujian province (福建省) and Zheng Zhilong (鄭芝龍 the father of Zheng Chenggong), the Admiral of Fujian installed Prince Tang Zhu Yujian (唐王朱聿鍵) as the new Ming Emperor in Fuzhou in Fujian province. Since Prince Tang had no sons Zheng Zhilong arranged his eldest son, Zheng Chenggong, to serve the newly installed Ming Emperor. The Emperor bestowed upon Zheng Chenggong the surname Zhu (朱) which was the surname of all the Emperors of the Ming Dynasty, with the title of Guoxingye (國姓爺) meaning " The lord of the royal surname". People began to call Zheng Chenggong by his title Guoxingye. Later, the Dutch romanized it as Koxinga. Folk legend tells that when Koxinga leading his amphibious army arrived at Luermen (鹿耳門 present day Tainan 台南) his forces had run out of food and the sandbanks were making it difficult to go ashore. Koxinga stood on the bow of his ship and burned incense to Matzu, the Goddess of Navigation (媽祖航海女神). After some time, the tide swelled and Koxinga's army were able to land ashore smoothly. To show that he was grateful to the Goddess of Navigation for answering his prayer Koxinga built a temple dedicated to her on the place where he and his troops had landed. Please refer to the map of Taiwan http://chungyn.webhop.net/taiwanProvince.jpg After his death on June 23, 1662 Koxinga was sanctified by people as "Kaitai Shengwang 開台聖王" or "The sage king who opened up Taiwan". There is a kind of fish called Guoxingyu 國姓魚 Koxing fish, and a kind of snail called Guoxingluo 國姓螺 Koxing snails. Legend has it that Koxinga loved to eat this kind of fish and snails in Taiwan. People called them Koxing-fish and Koxing-snails. There is a village called Guoxing-xiang 國姓鄉 Koxing-village in Nantou (南投). It is believed that this village, where he and his troops rested after a long march, was named after Konxinga. There is a well called Jianjing 劍井 or Sword Well in a town called Dajia (大甲) in Taizhong (台中). Legend has it that Koxinga and his army had run out of water when they arrived at Dajia. They were very thirsty and there were no wells to be found in the vicinity. In desperation, Koxinga used his sword and dug a well to obtain water. There is a place called Caoxiedun (草鞋墩) or Straw Shoe Mound, in the town of Caotun (草屯鎮) in Taizhong county (台中縣). It is believed that Koxinga's army rested there after a long march. It was raining and the soldiers' straw shoes were full of mud. They took off their straw shoes and shook off the mud. The mud piled up and it became a mound. People called it "Straw Shoes Mound). In Keelung there is a Xiandong 仙洞 or Fairy Cave. People believe that rice flowed out of the cave to feed Koxinga's army. Since they could obtain rice withou having to plant them Zheng Chenggong's soldiers became lazy. They dug deeper into the cave, and the rice was depleted and stopped flowing out. CHUNG Yoon-Ngan (鄭永元) All rights reserved 02042004

Reply To This Message

The History of Taiwan (10)

Author: CHUNG Yoon Ngan  Date:   04-02-04 20:31 The History of Taiwan (10) After the death of Zheng Chenggong, his eldest son Zheng Jing (鄭經) succeeded him. His power base was in Shamen (廈門 Amoy) and Jinmen (金門 Quemoy). In order to avenge the defeat in Zeelandia (赤嵌城) by Zheng Chenggong, the Dutch returned with a bigger force of 16 battleships and an amphibious force of about 3,000 under the command of Admiral Bort. With the help of the Qing army, in October 1663AD, the Dutch attacked Shamen and Jinmen. Seeing no hope of defending his bases, in March 1664AD, Zheng Jing withdrew and evacuated his 7,000 troops and their families to Taiwan. But he was still in control of Penghu Islands where he stationed a garrison. The combined forces of Dutch and the Qing planned to attack Taiwan but it did not matrialize. While in Taiwan, Zheng Jing spent his time and effort in doing battles with the Qing Government. He entrusted the government matters to his loyal minister, Chen Yonghua (陳永華) who had served Zheng Jing's father well. Chen Yonghua masterminded the development of Taiwan. He encouraged foreign trade so that Taiwan could have a source of revenue. In fear of Zheng Jing's troops returning to Chinese mainland, the Qing Government evacuated residents living in the coastal areas. Many families were forced to leave for Taiwan. The Qing Government also imposed a ban on fishing boats and commercial vessels to call on sea ports along the coast opposite Taiwan. Due to this restrictions smuggling trade with China became rampant. Knowing that the soil in Taiwan was fertile many people flocked to Taiwan because they wanted to escape the miserable life and the oppression by the Qing Government. The bulk of the emmigrants were mainly from the provinces of Guangdong (廣東省) and Fujian (福建省). As the population increased the Administration in Taiwan under Chen Yonghua, the new settlers were enouraged to go to develop new regions. The regions to be developed were Taipei (台北), Danshui (淡水 Tamsui) and Jilong (基隆 Keelung) in the north; Taoyuan (桃園), Xinzhu (新竹 Hsinchu), Miaoli (描栗), Dajia (大甲 Tajia), Lugang (鹿港 Lukang), Zhanghua (彰化 Changhua), Beigang (北港 Beikang), Jiayi (嘉義), Fengshan (鳳山 Fongshan) Gaoxiong (高雄 Kaohsiung), Hengchun (恆春 Henchun) and many other regions in the western coast of the Taiwan. As a result the land under cultivation increased many folds. Food supplies was self-sufficient in Taiwan. (Please refer to the map of Taiwan). http://chungyn.webhop.net/taiwanMap.jpg However, Zheng Jing continued to wage war against the Qing Government. In order to fund agricultural and industrial developments as well as the spending of the military, the spenditure of the Administration was in excess of revenue. To offset the unbalance Zheng Jing taxed the residents heavily. Enraged by heavy taxation residents grew bitter against the Administration. There was a power struggled in the Zheng family. Actually, Zheng Jing was not appointed by his father, Zheng Chenggong, to be his successor to rule Taiwan. While Zheng Jing was a commander in Shamen he had a love affair with his brother's wet nurse by the surname of Chen (陳) and fathered a son. Zheng Chenggong knew about it and was angry and considered that he was not fit to be a Lord and ruler of Taiwan. When Zheng Chenggong died Zheng Jing was still in Shamen. The rulership of Taiwan was passed to Zheng Shixi (鄭世襲), the younger brother of Zheng Chenggong and the uncle of Zheng Jing. After he was expelled by the Dutch and the Qing Government Zheng Jing retreated to Taiwan with his 7,000 strong men and their families. For the sake of Taiwan Zheng Shixi did not put up a fight against his nephew and gracefully relinguished his rulership. Zheng Jing reclaimed the role of successor. Thus the Administration in Taiwan was weakened. In February 1668AD, the Qing Government issued an imperial edict to Zheng Jing asking him to return to the motherland's fold. Zheng Jing demanded that the Qing Government should recognise Taiwan as an independent country like Korea (高麗), Annam (安南) and Ryukyu (琉球). He emphasized that Taiwan would forever become a protectorate of the Qing Government and the people in Taiwan should be exempted from wearing pigtails. The Qing Government acceded to all the conditions. Zheng Jing thought that the Qing Government was weak because it had not yet firmly established itself in Mainland. Zheng Jing wanted more and he demanded that the Qing Government should grant him the authorities to establish a trading base in Shamen to facilitate the Taiwanese trading along the coast of Fujian province. This time his demands were regarded as excessive. The Qing Government. broke of communications with him. Zheng Jing tried unsuccessfully to retract the new conditions, but it was too late and the Qing Government refused to accept any condition. The Qing Government resolved to liberate Taiwan by force CHUNG Yoon-Ngan (鄭永元) All rights reserved 03042004

Reply To This Message

Re: The History of Taiwan (07)

Author: CHUNG Yoon Ngan  Date:   04-05-04 18:08 Dear Andries, My postings to the Forum are not complete. In order to prevent plagiarism I posted only half of the information. You will read the full story in my book with photos, maps and charts. Koxinga was the name the Dutch romanized for Zheng Chenggong. His real enemy was the Manzhous. When Koxinga was seven, his father, Zheng Zhilong, the merchant and part-time pirate, took him and his younger brother back to his ancestors' land from Japan. His mother, Tamura Matsu from Hirato, Japan, was not allowed to accompany him because during thos time Japanese women were not allowed to leave Japan. Koxinga missed his mother very much. However 10 years later, she was allowed to join him in Quanzhou. When Zheng Zhilong surrendered to the Manzhous and invited them to invade Fujian province, Tamura Matsu was raped and killed by the Manzhou soldiers when they entered Koxinga's hometown. Therefore Koxinga hated his father and the Manzhous. He broke off relationship with his father Later the Manzhous forced Zheng Zhilong to ask his son to give up fighting against the Qing Government. When Koxinga refused to surrender the Manzhous had Zheng Zhilong executed. Koxinga wanted to use Taiwan as a base to fight the Qing Governemt. Before Koxinga attacked the Dutch he sent a messenger to explain to the Dutch that Taiwan was Chinese territory and requesting the Dutch to leave. Fighting started when the Dutch refused. Actually Koxinga's enemy was not the Dutch but the Manzhous who raped and killed his mother. That was why there was less bloodshed in Zeelandia. Yoon-Ngan --- CHUNG Yoon

Reply To This Message

Re: The History of Taiwan (07)

Author: Andries  Date:   04-06-04 13:50 Dear Yoon-Ngan, You are very right to avoid people taking advantage of your work. My interest in your revelations is based on a twofold approach. First I like your information and secondly you initiated me to investigate in many issues that I got more instructed. Zheng Zhilong was not only a pirate but served as an interpreter for the Portuguese in Macao so he could also speak Portuguese. All this is helping me to continue my research for this period but also for more issues to understand or at least to know more about the Chinese and the European history. I thank you very much for enabling me to develop my cultural and social understanding. I feel blessed to have found these Forums to establish my (minor) contribution to a better East/West understanding. Sometimes people consider me as partly Chinese inside and I think that they are right because my reasoning is more like a philosophy close to China than dogmatic issues in the West. Although it might not be relevant in this thread I wanted to tell you especially since you confirmed to have accepted me as one of yours. I wish you good health and all the energy needed to continue your appreciated contributions. Regards, Andries

Reply To This Message

Re: The History of Taiwan (01)

Author: Ajeet  Date:   04-16-04 08:53 Hi, Very interesting reading . Excellent research . You mentioned a book you wrote?? Is it available in Taiwan?? What is the name of your book. Best regards, Ajeet Progress is not

Reply To This Message

Re: The History of Taiwan (01)

Author: CHUNG Yoon Ngan  Date:   04-16-04 09:15 Thank you for taking an interest in my books I have so far published 3 books. There are a few on the way. I have stopped posting "The History of Taiwan" to the Forum : because I am afraid of plagiarism. The published 3 books are: (1) The Origin of (550) Chinese Surnames 華人姓氏的來源 (2) The Origin of the Hakka Chinese 客家來源 (3) 73 Chinese Fables 中國成語故事 see website http://www.poseidonbooks.com/73chinese_fables.htm To obtain the book please write to [info@poseidonbooks.com] This book is availabe in Australian bookstores and online throughout the world. CHUNG Yoon-Ngan (鄭永元) 16042004

Reply To This Message

Re: The History of Taiwan (07)

Author: Paul Yih (---.mia.net) Date:   09-18-04 12:51 How wonderful to see the cooperation between Andries and Yoon Ngan :) As we are all now reading our past history and sharing the kind of information of that time..This is terrific and good for all.

Reply To This Message

Re: The History of Taiwan (07)

Author: Paul Yih (---.mia.net) Date:   09-18-04 13:18 Dear Andries and Yoon Ngan, Thanks to both of you were a dialogue of our joint human history and our past can be reviewed again and with more "verification" or "confirmation"and this is how history will go fostering more and more with human input. I was never aware of the fact where Koxinga was the famous Cheng..and his younger brother was also Portuguese fluent in Macao -- Now you have me awaken up also more toward the Portuguese section of Macao and in Asia -- As I have started in part research on the documents regarding Gavin Menzies book -- 1421. I will also be interesting in that bi-cultural side of the Cheang and his sons ability to speak Portuguese, could it be that the Chinese then in japan and their contact with the Portuguese or was that purely the Chinese interaction with the Portuguese in Macao. Also, where Andires can also contribute -- in linking this dispute between the Dutch and Portuguse conflict - here in Asia as well as was in Brazil in the Northeast section of Brazil .... It is fascinating -- and I would like to hear the rest of the history as to how the Qing had eventually remaking Taiwan to be of their territory... Also, Yoon Ngan, in your posting here at the forum you have also more eye witness of your work posted in here -- I am not sure what are the leagal ramifications - but where SL Lee's position on this and by our joint witnessing - I sure hope someday, the large audience of a forum like ours can contribute part of that "authentication" by our joint presence. I still find most of the plagirism and the law of copy right and patent at times can be overly tedious and costly, there should be a public forum or business platform to safeguard "intellectual property" in the use of a public forum like here .. Again, deeply appreciating all that you have done and remiding us as to who we are and where we from -- and acknolwledge all of our cultural or cross-cultural heritages -- as in our sharing with Andires here with a few page of our past - Be that Dutch or Chinese - be that a brilliant part of history or the sad part of our history -- understanding our past is one good way to move toward a brighter future to "minimize" our potential conflict --- by looking into our past --a joint past. It can be most healing for our souls and rewarding in our knowledge of the past.

Reply To This Message

Re: The History of Taiwan (07)

Author: Andries Zijlstra  Date:   09-18-04 16:53 Dear Paul, I thank you very much for your kind words. I think that my communication with Yoon Ngan is unique. The frequency is limited but in life quality prevails over quantity. My contributions nowadays are limited although I feel much better and will be more active very soon. Yoon Ngan became a friend without knowing each other but I think that the strength of this Forum is that we can appreciate other people without limiting details. Dear Yoon Ngan I feel really sorry that I was talking about you because my principle is to talk to and not about. Anyhow I think that you know me sufficiently to understand my appreciation for everything that you provide. I admire the articles that you present. For you Paul sometimes I have problems with your sarcastic remarks but I think that I got to know you a bit better and that you like to provoke to achieve a balance. Theoretically I have a similar approach although people consider me as a diplomat because I like to avoid confrontations. I think that there is no need to explain this because I have been quite open in here. Kind regards, Andries

Reply To This Message

Re: The History of Taiwan (07)

Author: CHUNG Yoon Ngan  Date:   09-18-04 18:16 Dear Andries, Paul and All, Thank you for your good words. Dr. SL Lee and I have been together since August 1994. He is very kind to me and I respect him that is the reason behind our friendship. Our job is the same, to promote friendship and understanding between the East and West "Four seas are brothers". CHUNG Yoon-Ngan 19092004

Reply To This Message

Re: The History of Taiwan (07)

Author: Paul Yih (---.mad.wi.charter.com) Date:   09-19-04 11:02 Andries, indeed, as the merit and credit I give to this forum is that -- this is the future of our world and our world education - in our information sharing and at times -- a bit of that "daring" to lean into areas where there are a great deal of consternation-- or in what we often called the "taboo" land or land that may be a bit "hesitant" to step in. As I have repeated often in here - we write and express with our ideas but at times, we also do so with our emotions - where yes, often these so called raw emtions does get on to the nerve of many -- but I do so for myself as well. In ideas and thoughts -- we reflect upon our history and the total development of men - our past in all our history can tell us a great deal of our misdeeds or intelligent endeavor. But all in all --- we have to explore those wisdom that we all have -- Yes, I can be most pressumptious, we human have explore extensively in the use of our intelligence, in the navigation of the Portuguese, in the expedition of the Zhenghe, we have found the different parts of the world, we have often interacted and also often found conflict - conficts were created on account of our "misdeeds" or misguided ambition - be that of the few percentage points for the king of Spain or Colombus, the curiosity, the other side of the world --- were all great - but only when we came upon each other- than the rules, the laws, the religion, our focus on our perspective of our divinity and faith had put us all at odds ----- . Yes, in recent years, I have my own awakening -- to find that distinction of the immense human intelligence and reservoir where we can tally , registered add informaton, digesting information and reformatting informatons --- and new knowledge are rising daily more rapidly and in far more accerating way on account of the instruments we have today 0--- and yet . fundametnally, humanistically and soulfully, we are regressing to the "barbaric" acts like this war into Iraq, like the 50 year plus of subjugation of the Palestinians -- all with ulterior motives of land, money, oil, expansionism, the test ofnew arms as done in Afghanistan and more --- the rise of technology in that mutual annihilation the false far of the nuclear devices of now Iran, North Korea..etc. In the use of media to install fear onto the people, then explore their fear to rally more programs, to induce more fear, where industry of defense and security can explore new revenues --- all in the name and the game of fear---- the people become more coward like, more fear in the lose of their land, their freedom -- but never the freedom and lives of the soldiers --. And the blind keep on leading the blind, again by intelligence, by their status, by their status in their churches, synogogues, finger pointing toward the Islamcs, again, more exploitation of the unknown, the ignorance of the "others", smearing them, making them the culprits for the demise of the current circumstances. Not or never have them the ability to "reflect" of their own misbehavior, misinformation, misdeeds in the years after years of abusing, instigating ---- abusing the resources of the oil, bribing and enticing and lying to the oil producing nations to fall under their submission -- in terms, Saudis, Kuwaitis or any of hte oil nations also had use money to sooth their "fundamentalist" -and that time lasting to brew more of the anti-west, anti-modernity sentiments ---- Bin laden was merely the tip of the iceberg -- when money and bribe no longer works,now more war and intimidation. The West , if I dare say the apthetic West, or the inaction of the West to let a bully like the US to continue their mad manifestation to blame, to smear and to "produce" more and more these tactics of smearing and destroying and blame games --- this cultural divide will continue -- by the deliberate use and abuse of the collective ignorance being fully displayed now in this world. Forum or forums like ours and more the others will continue to exercise our ways to educate or to share more --- about our world , about our world citizens and about this tiny planet where all of are at stake ... Thus, in this long winded way in the use of your posting to air more of our sentiments, it is good to rally the others to exercising not action, but thinking -- to move in that my zen way of "awakening", awaken from the threads or silk of our own "intelligence" , that entanglement with our own bias and prejudices - each of our own to disover that "window" of light, amongst those millions layers of silk -- to see that there is a "light" , be that light of wisdom, or to be able to envision the next stage of our own phase or the natural metamorphsis --- I believe that can be innate - that our wormy body in that frantic spinning , weaving, moving our own heads of intelligence to create more layers and layer of intelligence web will get us no where -- only for us to bite through these layers of silk -- to "moth" and to fly ----- to emerge from our web of "intelligence ignorace" that we can become real beings ----- even that one flight , or the few flying events will lead us to the next phase of the final stages, or as a moth, to be eaten by another predator -- in that Zen or buddhist karma -- that is just destiny . But for not being able to bite through that silk and self entangelment, we have yet lived or awakened. to be awakened is just one stage-- to be enlightened - where there is still work ahead -- on to the path of wisdom :) Thank you for being able to share something thoughtful and soulful on a good Sunday morning --- :) and on our path sharing Yoon Ngan's historical lesson on Taiwan.

Reply To This Message

Re: The History of Taiwan (07)

Author: Paul Yih (---.mad.wi.charter.com) Date:   09-19-04 11:15 Haha, Yoon Ngan, can we make a bit of that change to claim " all brothers in all seas?" :) I have enjoyed your generous posting and teaching -- and that is what life is all about and most valuable -- just friendships is one things, but to be able to share our views, observations and recording of history is most precious. We are basically being able to do as the old classical scholars and friends --- sharing - electronically in and around the world -- that is the nice part of it, I should add most precious :)

Reply To This Message

Re: The History of Taiwan (07)

Author: Andries Zijlstra  Date:   09-19-04 15:32 Dear Paul, The issue of things happening now a days are really frightening me. We just bought some Persian Carpets and the Iranian merchant was so nice that we talked for more than two hours about the middle East and other subjects. It was so typical that we had almost the same perceptions that people should first try to understand local circumstances and that the USA was only fighting without any perspective of achieving anything in the end. I noticed the same in China where, of course on a commercial scale, the Western people wanted to change the Chinese approach. I was blamed afterwards that I failed to guide the top management (Americans) to tell them that the Chinese people would never accept there arrogant way of doing business. They were almost jealous of me that I could get along with my team (6 Chinese Engineers). It was so simple, Firstly I asked them how they would do things and than I asked to consider my approach and we got along very well. Every morning I had a cup of tea on my desk and I must say Odile. my wife, was also fantastic. We invited my team every three weeks in our apartment for a drink and then to have a common meal in a local restaurant. My general manager said that this should be considered as team building and that I should make an expense report to illustrate that the project was doing this. When I refused because I considered this as a personal matter and not a business issue this was seen as very negative from my part. My Chinese colleagues when they got to hear this were 100 % behind me and I think that it was due to them that I could maintain my position. The Western people didn't know anything about backgrounds and Chinese ways of working. It was my third project in China and when I advised I was told that the American way was the only solution. In the end I was working in my "corner" almost as a separate project but with full satisfaction and with people that Im still in contact with. Andries

Reply To This Message

Re: The History of Taiwan (07)

Author: Paul Yih (---.mad.wi.charter.com) Date:   09-19-04 16:16 Dear Andries, I hope in this forum and in those of us who does care to "foster" a greater and more harmonious world - first and foremost , as in your work in China is about first "engaging" people -- engaging to the people that you yourself may not be familiar with --- but as you have done and I can only assume that we all might have done is to "listen" first to the others. We have to engage the other . The art of "engagement" is to find ways, be that of their habit, demeanor, style of epxression..etc. The more we know of our engaging party, then we will try to "foster" that what we wants and objectives. But most unfortunately, as in yours and my experience -- at this juncture a global corporate with now the American -- as in general the majority - They do not listen - That is no different than Bush and the rest of the erroneious US Policies - They do not listen because they think , by their global presence, their wealth , and where they thinkthe world is looking up to the US ------ and the US is on top of the world and mind you, the rest of the world has to "kowtow" to them. These are the same attitudes I have witnessed not only on Bush ----- but also on the former trade negotiators in China and also in albright the former State Department or secretary of State --- But less from Colin Powell land much less also from Clinton. I see beyond that , it is in part of the laziness ofthe upper management where they do nothave to deal with the lower echelons ---Have we not seen the similar arrogance of Jack Welch -- Yes, he took all the credit for the company gains and none others p- That is why the US Business schools will find a difficult model to follow -- Who are their role modesl ? Bush ? Enron ? Halliburton ? I hope there are others. But it is more than just the American corporation, I hear you lound and clear as a global consultant, all new ideas are scary and frighten to any "bureaucracies" -- or the system men and women any where -- as these are the "cockroachers" the "lifers"---- they just want to work, get paid and have the minimum input. Thus some one llike you, who dare think out side of the "management box" , who are to try in your way to engage the new environment - of the Chinese workers --- You are a threat - you are a threat because you have done and accomplished in what these clowns, mind you overpaid clowns and bozos ---- who themselves had not the ideas, the initiatives nor the wisdom to engage the world --- they are like that provincial fool from Texas - The world does gravitate on us --- They themselves are not aware that , one by one , day by day, no one wants to be associated with these arrogant and yet ignorant clowns - See and take Japan now -- How engaged are they with the US -- yes, engaged ..but you see fewer and few Japanese students on US campuses --- as fo rnow, the Chinese for languages, they are heading toward Ireland ....and more to Canada. I think that once global conditions are shifting, pollitically, militarily and culturally -- the oil wealth of the Arabs had the merchants whores bowing to them and they themselves had used money to buy their favor - where right under neath them, the fundamental Wahabi shcools were formed and the most deadly and committed to that segment of Islam had the US Bombed and not the Palestinians nor the Iraqis, nor the Talibans . The US is missing the boat -- this is an all islamic situaiton now, it is the islamic folks who felt insulted becauset their "cousins" were hurt by the US guns and arms in Palestine- the focus to see the Zionists Israelis , instead it is the arm and money supply of theZionist killers . No different than how Blair had rushed to be with Americans - Again, cousins :) The world of cousins and the tribal war had started by all sides. It is the wisdom of men who will be able to let us see the global situations with some clarity -- our intelligence, our quick wit and our false confidence as did in Bush and his neo con gang -- those global Pax Americana enthusiasts are all one by one failing - Only a handful can see that immense failure, failure in global culture, failed had not factored the elements of "culture"---- no less in your case, because even CIA intelligence cannot have learned "cultures" from war and ballistics nor distruction ---- Culture is the share experience - yes, some can be bad and some can be bitter -- as most Jews felt their culture with the Germans were no good....but were they ? as in many nations, immigrants do get mistreated or their adjustment have been painful. But in your case, you have made the choice to learn and co exist iwth the Chinese, while many come and gone --- and never have learned one thing from their business class travel, five star hotels .. Becuase by most, the corporate culture is still a phone winner take all culture . American corporate whores also know of their "golden parachutes" and the time they are whoring for thier pimps --- Yes, they are one speical breed. When the time comes to face their demise -- they are provincially crawling back, with retirement money and they never had to engaged the real world..As I have witnessed in those American compounds in Brazil = they can spend 10 years any place and never had to be engaged to the local culture - as a matter of fact, they fear the local culture. These are the many insulation by wealth and the continuous lack of learning that will continue to hamper the US policy anywhere. But it is great that we can share some of this in here ...It is the nasty culture of the corporate and often reflecting more and more by the American companies -- they resent your abililty and in that rank and file, they also love to put you down for your ability to engaging China Ironically,they want that market -- they want that market with no engagement and often in the Arab culture-- or any culture, that is a major offense. And this is why the name "The Ugly American" used to be called, today many are both ugly and also ignorant and on that note---they are often harvesting what they have sow. What goes around sure comes around.

Reply To This Message

Forum List  |  New Topic  |  Go to Top  |  Go to Topic  |  Threaded View  |  Search  |  Log In

Newer Topic  |  Older Topic

Forum List  |  Need a Login? Register Here

User Login  User Name:  Password:

	Web asiawind.com

The Asiawind forums are provided to you by InTechTra Inc.