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| Lee at the Luzhou ancestral family mansion |
THE HISTORY
The first time I met Mr Lee 李立群 - son of General Lee You-pang was at a 'Taiwan-Old-Family' private dinner where I represented my paternal Hung family - 5th generation descendant of Hong Tengyun 洪騰雲. Collected family histories and stories at the table is a TRUE Taiwanese people's history. It was my third dinner, each time I came away overwhelmed and moved by the experience. I cannot possibly take everything in, so much, too much and I cannot possibly re-tell their histories- too complicated, too joint, too tangled and too sad. It would not have done the family justice even by my best attempt.
Nevertheless, I am always grateful for the opportunity and for what they are willing and EAGER to share - I reciprocate.
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| Child is my grandfather - the first eye doctor in Taiwan |
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| Hong Tengyun memorial. 228 Peace Park |
In this article
"Taiwan in Time: Love on the frontlines" , Han Cheung brilliantly delivers the extraordinary family history by detailing the couple Lee and Yen's tragic, disturbing love and life.
(http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2017/12/10/2003683718/1)
Lee, I recalled in the dinner we met, was visibly distraught and furious upon describing how his father was found left to die in the street with open stomach shot wound. Chiang's KMT government forbid family collecting victim's bodies following the execution- the same tragic story told by
Tan Ting-Pho (Chén Chéngbō ) family, they could not even bring him home when he died. No one escaped punishment, even after death.
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| Family photo, Lee in the middle. |
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In an interview, Lee told tragic story how his father died
in the hands of the people and authority he devoted to and fought for.
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Perhaps the most disturbing piece of information I learned that evening is Chiang troop's cold-blooded murder plot. They arrested and imprisoned (for a 15 years' sentence) Yen a year before General Lee- for they knew without Yen's tireless rescue effort which succeeded on a number of occasions, General Lee would have no chance surviving this fatal arrest. He died at 46.
The foundation of 'Taiwan Youth Corps' and 'Taiwan Militia' also astounded me - my own ignorance to this section of modern Taiwan history.
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| Taiwanese youth sent to Fujian fought for Sun Yat-sen against Japanese |
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| 1941, Taiwan youth corps in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province |
Headquarter of 'Taiwan Militia' was in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province (1939) and its exercise and contribution is today honoured by both
ROC and
PRC - for the united aim in fighting against Japanese before 1945.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyOw1R9ZrvI
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| 1945 Jinhua. Zhejiang |
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| Jinhua headquarter - now museum |
THE HOUSE
Josh Ellis presents
in this blog post the beautiful setting of the mansion (https://www.goteamjosh.com/blog/taipeimansion)
The evening starts with a private guided tour - by members of 'Taiwan-Old-Family' and the Lee's.
Women's quarter:
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| Bridal Sedan Chair |
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| Bridal Sedan Chair |
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| Foot-binding chair |
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| washbasin (wooden) - bedroom |
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Kitchen - I am sure the stove has some European influence.
Most possibly Dutch. |
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| Dried cucumber sponge we all had it. |
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Bee Tai Bak, Mi Tai Mu (米苔目/米台目)
Short Rice noodle sieve (Cantonese name Rat tail)
The Taiwanese name describes the process - wet dough pushed
through holes. (and drop into hot boiling water)
General Lee You-pang : Taiwan's Schindler.
Documents discovered by Madame Yen after husband's death - Between 1949-1950, Lee rescued more than 200 inmates (including 12 on death row) incarcerated as a result of 228 White Terror.
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| Door stopper |
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| Well, source of life - centerpiece of a household |
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| This room was used as a meeting and social room for the family |
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| Mr Lee heading out ahead to arrange transportation to the dinner banquet at his residence! |
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A great one hour tour - history retold and learnt
~ END OF PART I ~ |
Hello Katy, About 蘆洲 田仔尾 (Luzhou Lee house) History? do you know it well? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI don't quite get your question - this blog post is based on Luzhou Lee house - we had an evening together. I think you should check out Han Cheung's Taipei Times article. But, yes, I have materials given by Mr Lee - General Lee's son. And a DVD. Architecture wise - as well.
ReplyDeleteI have Part II coming up - which is about the temples and some local specialities.
ReplyDeleteHello Katy, Just want to say, Be careful with History or Story and 蘆洲 田仔尾(Lee house) not belong to General Lee's family. Thank you.
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