Fu Kang-an Memorial碑 Introduction
The commemorative stele for Fukang'an, inscribed by Emperor Qianlong, is quite famous. The stele is erected on a stone tortoise, making it quite spectacular. While it is common to see stone steles on tortoises throughout China, such occurrences are rare in Taiwan, with only a few remaining in places like Tainan. Not only is it rare, but more importantly, this stele is tied to a significant historical event in Taiwan – the Lin Shuangwen Incident. In particular, the county of Zhuluo was given the name "Chiayi" by imperial decree as a unique case in Taiwan where a place name was directly bestowed by the emperor. In the 51st year of Qianlong (1786), Lin Shuangwen raised an army in Changhua, killing the county magistrate and advancing south to capture Zhuluo (Chiayi) County and Fengshan County, causing chaos throughout Taiwan. Due to the valiant efforts of the Taiwan governor-general Chai Daji, Tainan City was defended, and in the first month of the 52nd year of Qianlong (1787), the city of Zhuluo was recovered. However, Lin Shuangwen's troops continued to besiege Zhuluo City, leading to fierce battles and a precarious situation. In October of that year, Qianlong dispatched General Fukang'an, who had achieved victories, to reinforce Taiwan, ultimately defeating Lin Shuangwen and lifting the siege on Zhuluo City. Afterward, the military and civilian defenders of Zhuluo City were commended for their bravery, leading to the renaming of the place as Chiayi. In the 53rd year of Qianlong (1788), the emperor commissioned ten commemorative steles with tortoise bases to honor Fukang'an’s military achievements, four of which were inscribed in Manchu, four in Chinese, and two with both Manchu and Chinese inscriptions. One of the steles with mixed inscriptions was intended for Chiayi, while the other nine were placed in Tainan City. The tortoise bases were carved in Xiamen and transported to the port of Tainan for unloading. Unfortunately, one tortoise base fell into the harbor, leading to a replacement made of sandstone for Chiayi. The base was moved several times before being placed at its current location. (The fallen tortoise base was retrieved by fishermen in Tainan in 1911 and is now enshrined in Tainan's Bao'an Temple.) Fukang'an Commemorative Stele Profile: Dimensions: Height 310 cm, Width 143 cm Style: Inscribed title by the emperor, adorned with double dragons, framed with dragon patterns, with Manchu and Chinese script combined. Construction of the site: Qing Dynasty, 53rd year of Qianlong (1788 AD)
