Jiantan Reservoir Introduction
Jiantan in Dalong Village, in the 45th year of the Republic of China, was constructed for irrigation purposes as the "Jiantan Reservoir." The legends surrounding the pond are numerous, adding a mysterious touch that has persisted over time. While it may not be categorized among folk tales of strange occurrences, it certainly adds interest to casual conversations. Origin of the name: One version is related to Zheng Chenggong, while the other expresses sentiments towards Lin Shuangwen. The former is said to date back over 300 years, when Zheng entered Taiwan and led troops to Dalong Village to "subdue the tribes." After encountering fierce resistance, Zheng lamented the unfavorable battle and, in frustration, threw his treasured sword into the deep pond nearby. The waters surged violently for seven days and nights before calming down, thus earning the name "Jiantan." However, local tales differ from historical accounts, leaving an air of mystery. The latter refers to the rebellion led by Lin Shuangwen against the Qing Dynasty in the 51st year of the Qianlong reign, which led to battles across the province. After suffering defeat, he was despondent while building a bridge and threw his sword into the pond. Another version states that as Lin Shuangwen and his soldiers passed by, suffering from thirst, he raised his sword, causing spring water to gush forth and form the pond, with the sword lost within. There are also legends about how to retrieve the sword. One tale suggests using a grain husk as a rope to fish it out. It is said that someone once attached malt syrup to a husk and lowered it into the pond, and indeed the sword appeared on the surface. However, a distant voice proclaimed, "That is not a grain husk, but a malt syrup rope," and the sword sank. While the idea of long-distance communication may seem absurd, it still sparks imagination. Another belief is that on the first day and the fifteenth day of each month, the pond's water becomes particularly clear, and the sword will float to the surface, only to sink again afterwards. Villagers invite each other to verify these claims, but to this day, no one has succeeded in retrieving it.
