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Shi Lang the Admiral

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China’s Conquest of Taiwan in the Seventeenth Century

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Abstract

Admiral Shi Lang doubted Zheng’s sincerity for peace all along. The demand for autonomy, for Shi, was a deception for independence, and the Qing emperor now consented. In fact, shortly after the conclusion of the Fujian war in 1680, the battle for Taiwan was a matter of when rather than whether.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    For Shi’s defection to the Qing side see Jin Chengqian, “Shi Lang Huang Wu xiangjiang dui Ming Zheng zhi yingxiang,” pp. 151, 154. For a study of Shi’s trouble with Zheng Chenggong see Zhu Weijing, “Shi Lang yu Zheng Yanping de enyuan”, pp. 88–95.

  2. 2.

    A good source of Shi’s life can be found in his own book entitled Jinghai jishi, pp. 23–33. Cf. Beizhuan xuanji, vol. 2, pp. 260–268. The best known biographer of Shi Lang is Shi Weiqing. He has written the well-researched Shi Lang pingzhuan and Shi Lang nianpu kaolue.

  3. 3.

    Shi’s birthday in lunar calendar was February 15, the first year of Tianqi. See Shi Weiqing comp. Shi Lang nianpu kaolue, p. 1.

  4. 4.

    See Shi Weiqing, Shi Lang nianpu kaolue, pp. 25–26.

  5. 5.

    Shi Lang, Jinghai jishi, p. 24.

  6. 6.

    Ji Liuqi, Mingji nanlue, vol. 2, p. 325.

  7. 7.

    Li Guangdi, “Shi jiangjun yishi,” p. 1662, see also Li’s more detailed remarks in his Rongcun xu yulu, pp. 670–71. Cf. Shi Weiqing, Shi Lang nianpu kaolue, p. 49.

  8. 8.

    See Qingshi liezhuan, vol. 2, p. 12. For a critical review of Shi’s activities during this sensitive period see Shi Weiqing, Shi Lang nianpu kaolue, pp. 60–62, 63.

  9. 9.

    See Chen Jing, “wei Yunxiao shishou xuan jing huifu shi jietie”, pp. 21–22. Cf. Shi Weiqing, Shi Lang nianpu kaolue, pp. 78–79.

  10. 10.

    Peng Sunyi, Jinghai zhi, pp. 19–20. Cf. Ruan Mingxi, Haishang jianwen lu, p. 9.

  11. 11.

    See the governor’s report to the court on the situation in Fujian dated 13 July 1649, in Zheng Chenggong dang’an shiliao xuanji, pp. 17–18.

  12. 12.

    Peng Sunyi, Jinghai zhi, p. 20. Peng and Ruan Minxi’s Haishang jianwen lu both state that it was Shi Lang who made the suggestion to grab Xiamen by this means. Apparently, Zheng Chenggong’s quartermaster Yang Ying covered up the killing of Zheng Lian in his otherwise valuable account of Zheng Chenggong’s action, see Yanpingwang huguan Yang Ying congzheng shilu, pp. 9–10. The modern historian Zhu Xizu criticized Yang’s deliberate digression and praised Ruan’s speaking frankly, see “Yanpingwang huguan Yang Ying congzheng shilu xu,” p. 15.

  13. 13.

    Shi Weiqing, Shi Lang pingchuan, p. 30.

  14. 14.

    See Ming Qing shiliao dingbian, vol. 1, pp. 79–82. Wang Yingyuan 王应元, the governor of Fujian had a report dated 12 February 1653 details how Xiamen was captured and then lost, see Zheng Chenggong Manwen dang’an shiliao xuanyi, p. 4.

  15. 15.

    Cf. Shi Weiqing, Shi Lang pingchuan, pp. 24–25; Shi Weiqing, Shi Lang nianpu kaolue, pp. 93–99.

  16. 16.

    Yang Ying, Yanpingwang huguan Yang Ying congzheng shilu, pp. 15–16. Ruan Minxi, Haishang jianwen lu, p. 12; Xia Lin, Minhai jiyan, p. 9; Xu Zi, Xiaotian jinian, vol. 5, p. 826. The recent scholar Shi Weiqing has a detailed analysis of the tragic antagonism between Zheng and Shi, see Shi Weiqing, Shi Lang pingchuan, pp. 26–42.

  17. 17.

    This is based on the contemporary scholar Ruan Minxi’s description, see Ruan Minxi, Haishang jianwen lu, p. 12. Ruan once served as Zheng Chenggong’s official.

  18. 18.

    Shi Weiqing, Shi Lang pingchuan, pp. 46–47. For a lengthy discussion of this episode and its consequences see Shi Weiqing, Shi Lang nianpu kaolue, pp. 107–121.

  19. 19.

    This story is mentioned in many biographies of Shi Lang, such as in Shi Shiwei’s “Xiangzhuang Shigong zhuan.”

  20. 20.

    Most sources do not implicate Shi in the killing of the captives. In his study, however, Shi Weiqing argues that it could well be Shi Lang’s suggestion, given the history of Shi Lang—Chen Bin’s rivalry and antagonism. Nevertheless, it was the decision of the governor-general Li Shuaitai, see the author’s Shi Lang nianpu kaolue, pp. 151–52.

  21. 21.

    See Huang Wu’s biography in Qingshi liezhuan, vol. 2, pp. 8–12. Huang recommended Shi in his message to governor-general Li Shuaitai with this remark: “Shi Lang who hated our enemy and yet knew our enemy so well…He is intelligent, brave, and loyal. [you] are advised to give full play to his knowledge and skill. He and I would work together to exterminate the sea rebel [Zheng]” (p. 8).

  22. 22.

    Most biographies of Shi Lang record his success in defecting this number of Zheng followers, see for example, Li Yuandu, “Shi Lang zhuan,” in Li Yuandu, Guochao xianzheng shilue.

  23. 23.

    This campaign is detailed by Ruan Minxi in his Haishang jianwen lu, pp. 34–35.

  24. 24.

    See Su’nahai’s secret memorial in Ming Qing shiliao dingbian, vol. 3, p. 256. Cf. QingShengzu shilu xuanji, p. 5 and Shi Weiqing, Shi Lang pingzhuan, p. 59.

  25. 25.

    Cf. Shi Weiqing, Shi Lang nianpu kaolue, pp. 187–89.

  26. 26.

    See Li Shuaitai, “Fujian zongdu Li Shuaitai ti wei mibao Zhengshi neiluan shi ben,” pp. 1–2.

  27. 27.

    Shi Weiqing thinks Shi Lang’s second promotion in nine months was again due to the recommendation of Su’naihai with consent of Aobai, see Shi Weiqing, Shi Lang nianpu kaolue, pp. 196–97.

  28. 28.

    Cf. Kangxi tongyi Taiwan dang’an shiliao xuanji, pp. 10–13.

  29. 29.

    See correspondence between the Board of War and Fujian officials in Kangxi tongyi Taiwan dang’an shiliao xuanji, pp. 14–21, cf. pp. 29–49. For Ming’an’dali and other Board of War officials’ reply to Duke Huang Wu of Haicheng’s secret message with regard to the invasion of Xiamen see Kangxi tongyi Taiwan dang’an shiliao xuanji, pp. 8–11. Ji Liuqi in his Mingji nanlue wrote a chapter entitled “Xiamen dajie” (the great victory at Xiamen), see vol. 1, pp. 343–47.

  30. 30.

    See “Geng Jimao deng tibao Helan chuan zhugong chuli bing kuisi Taiwan shiben” (Geng Jimao and other [Fujian] officials’ report on the Dutch contribution to the attack and their Taiwan ambition), in Kangxi tongyi Taiwan dang’an shiliao xuanji, pp. 20–21.

  31. 31.

    For Lord Geng and others’ reports with regard to coastal defense and the attack on Tongshan see Kangxi tongyi Taiwan dang’an shiliao xuanji, pp. 23–24, cf. Lord Geng and Li Shuaitai’s notes on pp. 26–28.

  32. 32.

    Shi Lang’s proposal on attacking Taiwan in this moment can only be found in Jiang Risheng, Taiwan waiji, vol. 2, p. 233. Shi Weiqing considers Jiang’s account accurate, see his Shi Lang nianpu kaolue, pp. 218–19. But it is also possible that Jiang could mistake Shi’s later proposal for this time.

  33. 33.

    See QingShengzu shilu xuanji, p. 23.

  34. 34.

    For Shi Lang’s report on how did the fleets advance toward Taiwan, encounter storms, and prepare to resume the campaign see Kangxi tongyi Taiwan dang’an shiliao xuanji, pp. 50–51. See also Ruan Minxi, Haishang jianwen lu, p. 44; Xia Lin, Minhai jiyao, juan shang, p. 37.

  35. 35.

    For Shi Lang’s memorial on advancing to Taiwan see Kangxi tongyi Taiwan dang’an shiliao xuanji, p. 51.

  36. 36.

    For Lord Geng’s secret report on the fleets’ encounter with storms see Kangxi tongyi Taiwan dang’an shiliao xuanji, pp. 52–62.

  37. 37.

    Shi Lang, Jinghai jishi, pp. 1–8.

  38. 38.

    This is mentioned in almost every piece of Shi’s biography see, for example, Li Yuandu, “Shi Lang,” guochao xianzheng shilue, vol. 1, p. 7.

  39. 39.

    The Grand Secretariat archive cited in Qin Guojing, “Cong Qinggong midang kan Qingting zhaofu Zhengshi jituan de lishi zhenxiang,” p. 99.

  40. 40.

    Shi Dexin, “Xiangzhuang gong zhuan,” p. 27.

  41. 41.

    Cf. Shi Weiqing, Shi Lang nianpu kaolue, pp. 265–82.

  42. 42.

    Shi Dexin, “Xiangzhuang gong zhuan,” p. 27. See also “Shi Lang,” in Qingshi liezhuan, vol. 2, p. 13.

  43. 43.

    For Shi Weiqi’s report on Taiwan and propose to cut off [the island]’s food supplies so as to defeat Zheng Jing see Kangxi tongyi Taiwan dang’an shiliao xuanji, pp. 83–85.

  44. 44.

    See Shi Dexin, “Xiangzhuang gong zhuan,” p. 27.

  45. 45.

    Cf. Spence, Emperor of China: Self-Portrait of K’ang-hsi. pp. 38–39.

  46. 46.

    Yang Jie, Ping Min ji, vol. 1, pp. 12–13; vol. 2, p. 102.

  47. 47.

    For Yao Qisheng’ request to restore the naval command see Kangxi tongyi Taiwan dang'an shiliao xuanji, pp. 164–65.

  48. 48.

    For Yao Qisheng’s memorial on finding a Fujian naval commander see Kangxi tongyi Taiwan dang'an shiliao xuanji, pp. 171–72.

  49. 49.

    See Kangxi qijuzhu, vol. 1, p. 433.

  50. 50.

    For the executive princes’ reply to Yao Qisheng’s recommendation of Shi Lang see Kangxi tongyi Taiwan dang’an shiliao xuanji, p. 185.

  51. 51.

    See Yao Qisheng’s two memorials of recommendation in Yao’s collected memorial entitled Youweixuan zougao 忧畏轩奏稿 cited by Zhu Xizu in Qingdai guanshu ji Ming Taiwan Zhengshi wangshi, pp. 20–21. Yao’s book is reportedly in the possession of Zhejiang library, but I am unable to get hold of it. Cf. Shi Weiqing, Shi Lang pingzhuan, pp. 92–93.

  52. 52.

    Shi Weiqing, Shi Lang nianpu kaolue, pp. 333, 335.

  53. 53.

    For the reply to Yao Qisheng’s request of making Admiral Shi Lang the supreme commander of the naval force see Kangxi tongyi Taiwan dang’an shiliao xuanji, pp. 187–88.

  54. 54.

    See Yao Qisheng’s Youweixuan sushi cited in Shi Weiqing, Shi Lang nianpu kaolue, pp. 335–36.

  55. 55.

    For Yao Qisheng’s plea for compensating the loyalty of Shi Qi [Shize] and Shi Hai [Mingliang] see Kangxi tongyi Taiwan dang’an shiliao xuanji, p. 226.

  56. 56.

    Cited in Kangxi qijuzhu, vol. 2, p. 1205.

  57. 57.

    Quoted in Kangxi qijuzhu, vol. 3, pp. 1785–86.

  58. 58.

    Li Guangdi, “Shi jiangjun yishi,” p. 1663.

  59. 59.

    Shi Weiqing, “Guanyu Shi Lang fuchu qianxi de ruogan wenti,” pp. 79–82.

  60. 60.

    Li Guangdi, “Shi jiangjun yishi,” p. 1663.

  61. 61.

    The secret report detailed and analyzed what had just happened in Taiwan, and concluded that it was the best time to invade Taiwan. See Yao Qisheng, “Mitan Taiwan,” pp. 319–323.

  62. 62.

    For Yao Qisheng’s report on Zheng Jing’s death and the murder of the elder son Kezang see Kangxi tongyi Taiwan dang’an shiliao xuanji, pp. 231–32.

  63. 63.

    Yao Qisheng, Minsong huibian, part 2, vol. 3, p. 2.

  64. 64.

    Li Qingzhi, “Wenzhengong nianpu,” p. 1088.

  65. 65.

    Quoted in Li Guangdi, “Rongcun xu yulu,” juan 11, p. 702; Li Guangdi, Rongcun yulu rongcun xu yulu, vol. 2, p. 706.

  66. 66.

    Li Guangdi, Rongcun yulu rongcun xu yulu, pp. 702–703.

  67. 67.

    See QingShengzu shilu xuanji, pp. 113, 114.

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    Young-tsu Wong

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Wong, Yt. (2017). Shi Lang the Admiral. In: China’s Conquest of Taiwan in the Seventeenth Century . Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2248-7_8

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