Wen Wu Temple

Wukui Chao-ching Hsu　

The imperial examination for military Juren in Taiwan in the Qing Dynasty was initiated in 1690 and was ended in 1893. A total of 309 people passed the triennial provincial examination to become military Juren degree holders. For military Jinshi, from 1694 to 1893, as per various historical records, a total of 12 people became military Jinshi degree holders. Mr. Chao-ching Hsu from Lukang Township became military Juren in 1882 and became military Jinshi in 1893. The military champion Hsu was also the only military Jinshi in Lukang Township.

Q1: What's your relationship with Mr. Chao-ching Hsu?

A1: Mr. Chao-ching Hsu is the only military champion in Lukang. He is of the great-granduncle seniority in my family.

Q2: Is this “Military Champion” tablet an original work?

A2: This “Military Champion” tabd a taboo against arrogant officialslet is a replica that I asked a craftsman to make. The reason why one stroke “丿” is missing from the “魁” is that the Emperor of the Qing ha.

Q3: Did Mr. Chao-ching Hsu have any military merit? worshipped my ancestors in my

A3: The most famous battle in which Mr. Chao-ching Hsu took part was Battle of Baguashan in 1895. If you have seen the Taiwanese film “1895,” there was one man holding a Guandao and fighting against Japanese army in the Battle of Baguashan. This man was Mr. Chao-ching Hsu, and that Guandao was his weapon. Because that Guandao tasted human blood, I also had to burn incense to worship it when I childhood. Currently, the Guandao is enshrined in the Hsu Clan Temple.

Q4: What was the story about Mr. Chao-ching Hsu after he joined the Battle of Baguashan?

A4: We all know that after the Battle of Baguashan, chivalrous people in Taiwan failed. However, military champion Hsu did not die. After the battle, the Japanese government announced, “If the citizens in Taiwan are willing to stay, they shall become citizens of Japan. If they are unwilling to become citizens of Japan, they shall return to Mainland China. As a military official in the Qing Dynasty, how could Mr. Chao-ching Hsu stay? Therefore, he took his family members back to Mainland China. He was buried in China after he passed away. However, the Guandao stayed in Taiwan.

Q5: Why are you in Taiwan?

A5: Mr. Chao-ching Hsu and I have the same ancestor. However, we are from different branches of the clan. The branch of Mr. Chao-ching Hsu was stronger. Therefore, he took his family members back to Mainland China. However, our branch was relatively weaker, so we stayed in Taiwan and continued to fight for living. After more than a century, each branch has its own story. I have no idea how they are doing.

Q6: Are there any remnants left from the Military Champion Residence?

A6: The “Military Champion” tablet was left at the Military Champion Residence. There was also the Guangao he used in his military imperial examination in Beijing. There were 2 ancient Chinese Banyan trees, which were transferred to the northwest corner of Lukang Township Stadium, and are now withstanding the strong northeast monsoon. The shape of ancient Chinese Banyan trees is similar to ancient warrior, and these trees are now fighting against winds of September for general public taking exercise in the stadium.

Afterthoughts: Mr. Chao-ching Hsu fought against Japan in the Battle of Baguashan and lost the battle. Because he used to an official in the Qing Dynasty, he was unwilling to become a citizen of Japan. As a result, he took his family members back to Mainland China. His patriotism is worth learning.