Marshal Chang 張學良 at Chingchuan 清泉. And a Secret Kept for Seventy-Years.

 

"China 1926 Warlords" refers to Chang father 張作霖 and Chiang Kai-shek
The Sand Pebbles 1966

" We were woken up at midnight by this terribly loud noise coming from outside. I thought it was earthquake!" "We looked out the window and saw several military trucks rolling on our quiet village. The next day my police-chief father told us it was Marshal Chang's arrival!" 戴玉妹 on Marshal Chang Hsueh-liang (Zhang Xueliang) 張學良 arrival on midnight of 1946 November.

The Dai 戴 family in 1946 communicated in Japanese - the only language Ms Dai knew until 17 years of age when she came to Taipei looking for jobs. During this time her Japanese language proficiency was a clear advantage and she (and her sister) soon found job at National Taiwan University Hospital. 

Dai identified herself Saisiyat (father) although 戴 Dai is Atayal (mother). Common marriage pattern in north-Saisiyat (Amutoura 未漢化蕃 in Inō Kanori 伊能嘉矩 map) between Saisiyat men and Atayal women. 

Taro' a 'Oemaw and his Atayal wife Maya Nokan from Sipazi. Sipazi is commonly known as 十八兒社  although I believe it is transliteration of 上坪溪 (shangping creek).

On a rigorous attempt in clearing up Drive space based on photos taken 2014-2026, I saw that 'Chingchuan 清泉'  knowledge 'thickened' over the past 12 years. It was where I first published a culinary related mushroom article (with Steven Crook) HERE. 

Before that it was in 2015 after my first Chingchuan visit, my mother told me about the close friendship between my parents and 林憲 Rin Hsien who married one of Dai sisters. And although I have not paid Chingchuan a visit in the last 8 years, information about the place draw attentions on a frequent basis. 

1946 Chang's arrival - 

Dr 林憲 Rin Hsien's son arranged a visit to Ms Dai at her Taipei home in 2016. And she happily shared her childhood fun-time with Chang - swimming in the river, joked about communicating in Japanese (the only language she knew as I was told). She also took out a newspaper cutting reporting the event of Chang's arrival. And I scribbled notes in the meantime.

Chingchuan the name

Chingchuan suspension bridges  
布拉谷（Bu la ku) Bu-la means 部落 

Before Chingchuan, formerly known as 井上 Inoue 1913 and also known as  嵐山 Arashiyama (takes after Arashiyama in Kyoto for its mountain scenery).

Chingchuan 清泉 commonly translated as 'clear water' - 'clear hot springs'. Or locasl might tell you U'lay (湯社. yu ゆ - Japanese meaning hot spring/hot water.)

However, I have since discovered that might not be the only reason - for 'Chingchuan bridge' may have some connections with 邱清泉 （Chiu Chingchuan 1902-1949). 

Taiwan's Eiffel bridges (Relatively unknown Taiwan bridge hisory)- According to the bureau, the Ciyun, Cihang, Guanxing and Qingquan bridges in the Central Mountain Range share the same construction methods and structure as the Eiffel Tower. HERE.

 

Why Chingchuan was chosen the destination to transport Chang?

The closest point between Taiwan and China is Hsinchu 新竹 - Pingtan 平潭

That's an interesting question, I have since known from Black Cat Squadron expert that the shortest distance between Taiwan and China is from Hsinchu - Which may have contributed to the decision of location.  

Read HERE and including archeological stone-stove discovery between the two points - Hsinchu and Pingtan.

Seventy-years secret from Nanking

Ms Dai and 趙一先 her nephew who helped with the reunification over video.

Sun Keming 孫克明 daughter showing Dai letters and videos she brought from Nanking. 

Translated from 2017 news report HERE

In October 1946, 孫克明 Sun Keming, a 22-year-old soldier who was escorting Chang fell in love with Dai who entertained the depressed military and police personnel with her charming singing and dancing.

In 1947 Sun hurriedly left Taiwan and returned to China to take care of his elderly mother. Due to the drastic changes in the cross-strait situation, the two lost contact.

"We've been separated for 70 years, but the memories will always remain in my mind!" "I still vividly remember the time we spent at the hot springs, everything about you and me."

"My biggest regret is that I couldn't say goodbye to you or your parents when I left." "I hope that we can meet one last time before we die, and that will fulfill my wish!" -

As 93-year-old Sun Keming poured out his heart in letters and videos to 87-year-old Dai when the two reunited via video in 2017.