Zhubei Caitian Fudi Introduction
Tsai Tian Fu Di, formerly known as Zhuqian She Public Hall, or Tsai Tian Temple, is the public hall of the seven surnames of the Zhuqian She indigenous community. The current Tsai Tian Fu Di is a single-front, three-bay, swallowtail roof building, which lacks the luxury and intricacy typical of Han Chinese temples but does not differ significantly in architectural style. The Pingpu Zhuqian She community is distributed in Zhuqianpu, extending south to Xiangshan and north to the Zhuqian River area. In the 21st year of the Kangxi era (1682), Zheng Keshuang's army transported military supplies northwards, conscripting local indigenous tribes for labor, which resulted in uprisings among the northern tribes. After suppression, most Pingpu tribes retreated into the mountains, with only Zhuqian She submitting and gradually migrating northward, eventually settling in what was previously the Zhuqian area. In the 11th year of the Yongzheng era (1733), Zhuqian fortified its bamboo stockade, and the Zhuqian She was ordered to relocate to the old settlement. During this time, the Pingpu people assisted the Qing court, defending the territory and achieving great merit. Therefore, they were granted land and food stipends to establish their public hall. In the 12th year of the Qianlong era (1747), some Pingpu people migrated to Bali Guo (present-day Xinpu), while others, suffering from flooding, relocated to Xinshe in the 14th year of the Qianlong era (1749). In the 23rd year of the Qianlong era (1758), the Governor of Taiwan, Qioro Siming, ordered the indigenous people to wear traditional Qing hairstyles and hats, and provided cash to the seven surnames: Wei, Liao, San, Pan, Li, and Jin, according to their respective communities. They selected a site described as "the three mountains rise to the center while the two rivers flow and mingle; the left set with a lion's head and the right with a phoenix nose" for the construction of the seven surnames temple, named "Xinshe Public Hall." The hall enshrined the God of Fortune (according to Taiwanese customs, only the statues of officials may be placed at the center). Upon its completion in the 25th year of the Qianlong era (1760), the Qianlong Emperor bestowed the plaque "Specially Conferred for Gallant Merit," which was hung in the hall. During the Daoguang period, they also enshrined Fu Ao as the light of the indigenous people. In the 4th year of the Xianfeng era (1854), disasters struck, along with violent conflicts between the Fujian and Guangdong people, leading to destruction and despair, leaving the place in ruins. Although there were proposals to rebuild the temple during the Tongzhi period, they ultimately could not be enacted. In the 2nd year of the Guangxu era (1876), the local leader Liao Anbang and transactor Qian Yulai oversaw the reconstruction, initially planned to be "three main rooms with four outer rooms." However, due to a lack of funding, they borrowed money from Han people the following year, which Qian Yulai repaid, using the vacant land in front of the hall as compensation, thus restoring its former appearance. Due to the expression "taking food rent, the indigenous people from Tsai Tian," it was named "Tsai Tian" and called "Tsai Tian Fu Di." The facade, recessed from the entrance, is made up of three wooden lattice panels, featuring a central solid panel door adorned with painted door gods. Above the door frame is a square door knob inscribed with "Evergreen" and "Literary Glory," topped with a golden horizontal plaque inscribed with the four characters "Tsai Tian Fu Di." The couplet on the door frame reads: "Who could long enjoy these food stipends, who can abandon this fortified territory." Inside the hall, the walls of lime and pebbles give a rough and simple impression, yet the shrine still maintains the ornate style of Han temples. The center enshrines the God of Fortune with a full black beard and the wealth deity known as Fu Ao, and behind them are collectively enshrined the ancestral tablets of the seven surnames, with the location "Taiwan" and inscribed: "Specially Conferred for the Gallant Guardians of Zhuqian's Seven Indigenous Surnames," followed by the names of each surname inscribed "Honored ancestors" except for the "Qian clan's ancestors" which is positioned centrally, as the hall was constructed by Qian Yulai.
