Hundreds of years ago, a general named Shi Lang grew from an ordinary soldier to a domineering "soil emperor", and finally held great power and single-handedly led the reconquest war in Taiwan. This historical hero finally left behind a huge legacy that will keep future generations safe for 200 years. Follow the footsteps of time and explore Shi Lang's legendary life together. Is it talent, or is it an achievement?
When it comes to the history of Taiwan, I have to mention the famous general Shi Lang. His life is full of legends, from a poor swordsmanship apprentice to becoming a general in the Qing Dynasty, Shi Lang's life is like a heroic legend in a movie script. But the beginning of everything can be traced back to 30,000 years ago, when the people of Zuozhen stepped across the rough Taiwan Strait from the mainland to this beautiful island.
Jumping to southern Fujian, a 17-year-old boy Shi Lang, due to his poor family, joined Zheng Zhilong's team and began his military career. Shi Lang is not only excellent in martial arts, but also proficient in the art of war, which made him quickly rise to prominence under Zheng Zhilong. The real turning point came in the third year of Shunzhi (1646), when Zheng Zhilong decided to surrender to the emerging Qing government, hoping to preserve his family property and title, but was unexpectedly deceived by the Qing army, a change that deeply affected Shi Lang.
Zheng Zhilong's son, Zheng Chenggong, inherited his father's legacy and decided to make a comeback. As Zheng Chenggong's left vanguard, Shi Lang has repeatedly suggested and participated in strategic deployment, showing his extraordinary military talent. Shi Lang's straightforwardness and competitiveness, as well as his unflattering personality, caused friction between him and Zheng Chenggong many times.
In 1650, Shi Lang and Zheng Chenggong disagreed on whether to rescue the Yongli regime of the Southern Ming Dynasty, and the relationship between the two began to change. When Zheng Chenggong insisted on going south to rescue and suffered a heavy blow, Shi Lang's opposition proved to be right, but it also greatly reduced his status in Zheng Chenggong's heart. Finally, in 1652, Zheng Chenggong mistakenly believed slander, which led to the detention of Shi Lang's father and son, and Shi Lang took the opportunity to escape and defect to the Qing Dynasty.
After defecting to the Qing Dynasty, Shi Lang's military career did not stop there. Emperor Kangxi valued his ability and appointed him as the admiral of the Fujian Navy Division, responsible for the important task of recovering Taiwan. By 1681, when the situation in Taiwan was in chaos, Shi Lang saw the opportunity and proposed to monopolize military power and not let anyone interfere, a request that was finally partially approved by Kangxi.
Shi Lang's dictatorial plea was not unreasonable, but stemmed from his deep understanding of the battlefield and absolute confidence in his own abilities. He planned and executed a series of elaborate military campaigns that culminated in the successful reconquest of Taiwan in 1683. This battle not only proved his military genius, but also laid the foundation for his later status as the "Emperor of the Earth".
After the reconquest of Taiwan, Shi Lang's power reached its peak. Not only did he control Taiwan, but he also essentially had the highest decision-making power there. In the governance of Taiwan, Shi Lang has adopted a number of reform measures, effectively integrating local resources and promoting economic and cultural development. His policies transformed Taiwan from a frontier to a prosperous region.
The concentration of power also made Shi Lang criticized by the outside world as the "Emperor of the Soil". Despite this criticism, Shi Lang relied on his ingenuity and skill to successfully stabilize the situation in Taiwan and bring it decades of peace and prosperity. In his later years, he passed on his wealth and experience to future generations, ensuring that they could enjoy a life without worrying about food and drink.
Shi Lang's rule in Taiwan was not only a military success, but also a political and economic achievement. He is well aware that in order to truly control a region, it is not enough to rely on force, but also needs political wisdom and economic support. The series of policies he pursued in Taiwan have taken into account both the actual local situation and the long-term needs of development.
Shi Lang's story is a legend of his rise from a nobody to a general who can lead major military operations on his own, and then to the "Earth Emperor" who controls a region, with his wisdom and courage condensed at every step. His life is a revelation to countless people who seek success and self-realization in later generations: no matter what their background, as long as they have enough determination and ability, they can create their own glory.
Shi Lang's life is full of twists and turns and legends, from an ordinary youth to a heroic general, and finally to become a "soil emperor" who has left a name in history. He was not just a military genius, but also a politician and reformer. Through his story, we can see that a person's achievements are not only determined by his starting point, but also by how he can use his talents and resources to overcome difficulties and achieve his ambitions. Shi Lang's story is not only a record of history, but also an inspiring force.