Imperial stele of honor granted by Emperor Qianlong
The Fu Kang-an Monument is very well-known – a stone stele erected onn a stone tortoise to create an impressive sight. Stone steles with a stone tortoise at the base may be a common sight in China but they are quite rare in Taiwan with only a few surviving examples in Tainan and other places. In addition to its rarity, this stele was also linked to Lin Shuangwen Rebellion, an important event in Taiwanese history. Jhuluo County in particular was granted the name “Chiayi” by imperial edict as a result, the only region in Taiwan to be so honored.
In the 51th Year of Qianlong Era (1786 AD), Shuang-wen Lin launched a rebellion in Changhua and killed the local magistrate. He then marched south to conquer Jhuluo (Chiayi) County and Fengshan County, creating massive unrest throughout Taiwan. Da-ji Cai, the Chief Commander of Taiwan, fought courageously to save Fucheng in Tainan before recovering the the fortified city of Jhuluo County in January, 52nd Year of the Qianlong Era (1787 AD). Shuang-wen Lin then mustered his forces again and laid siege to the fortified city of Jhuluo. The siege turned bloody and the city seemed on the verge of falling.
In October of the same year, Qianlong dispatched General Fu Kang-an, a veteran commander, to reinforce Taiwan. Shuang-wen Lin was promptly defeated and the siege of Jhuluo lifted. In recognition of the heroic defense of Jhuluo city put up by the soldiers and civilians, the emperor renamed the region Chiayi. In the 53rd year of the Qianlong Era (1788 AD), the emperor ordered ten commemorative stone steles and tortoise bases to be built in honor of Fu Kang-an’s success in battle. Four featured inscriptions in Manchurian, four featured inscriptions in Chinese, and two featured both Manchurian and Chinese inscriptions. One of the steles with both Manchurian and Chinese inscriptions was to be placed in Chiayi while the remaining nine were to be placed in Fucheng.
The steles and tortoises were carved in Xiamen then shipped to Fucheng Harbor. One of the tortoises accidentally fell into the harbor during unloading so a replacement was carved out of sandstone and placed in Chiayi. The stele base was moved several times until finally reaching its current location. (The tortoise base that fell into the harbor was dredged up by fishermen in Tainan in 1911. It is now enshrined in Tainan Bao-an Temple).
Fu Kang-an Monument Profile
Dimensions: The stele measures 310cm in height and 143cm across.
Format: Imperial style decorated with twin dragons. Border is decorated with dragon pattern. Inscription is bilingual with both Manchurian and Chinese.
Construction: 53rd year of Qianlong Era, Manchu Period (1788 AD)
