30-Second Overview
Zhu Yigui was the leader of the first large-scale civil uprising in Taiwan during the Qing dynasty. Leveraging his legend as a duck farmer and the banner of "descendant of the Great Ming," he captured the prefectural capital within just over ten days and proclaimed himself king. Although his regime lasted only two months, it fundamentally altered the Qing court's defense and ethnic governance strategies for Taiwan.
Zhu Yigui (1690–1722) was a native of Zhangzhou, Fujian, who migrated to Taiwan during the Kangxi era and settled in Neimen, Kaohsiung (formerly known as Luohanmen). He made his living raising ducks; legend has it he could command flocks of ducks to march, earning him the title "King Duck" (Yamu Wang). In 1721 (the 60th year of Kangxi), due to the predatory taxation and corruption of the Taiwan Prefect Wang Zhen, which drove the people to rebellion, Zhu Yigui and Du Junying launched an uprising. Because Zhu shared a surname with the Ming imperial family, the insurgents rallied tens of thousands under the banner of "Restoring the Great Ming."
The Fall of the Prefectural Capital and the Short-lived Regime
The insurgent forces advanced with unstoppable momentum, capturing Taiwan's prefectural capital (modern-day Tainan) in just 13 days. Zhu Yigui was subsequently elevated to the title of "King of Restoration" (Zhongxing Wang), establishing the era name "Yonghe." He appointed officials and ordered his followers to cut off their queues and restore Ming-style clothing. However, internal friction arose within the rebel ranks due to differences between Min (Hokkien) and Yue (Hakka/Teochew) lineages; infighting broke out between Zhu Yigui (of Zhangzhou origin) and Du Junying (of Chaozhou origin), weakening their military strength.
The End of the Legend
Shocked by the news, the Qing court dispatched the Commander of Nan'ao, Lan Tingzhen, and the Admiral of the Navy, Shi Shibiao, to lead troops across the sea for suppression. Under the pressure of the Qing military's superior firepower and strategies exploiting ethnic divisions, the rebel forces were driven back step by step. Zhu Yigui was eventually captured in Gouwei Village (modern-day Taibao, Chiayi) and transported to Beijing, where he was executed via death by a thousand cuts (lingchi) at the age of 32.
A Turning Point in Governance Policy
The Zhu Yigui Incident was the largest governance crisis for the Qing dynasty after its acquisition of Taiwan. Prior to this, the Qing court maintained a "no fortification" policy, fearing that if walled cities were captured by rebels, they would be difficult to retake. Following the incident, the Censor-in-Chief of Taiwan recommended the construction of the Wuzha Fort in the prefectural capital, marking the beginning of Taiwan's urban defense system.
The Tug-of-War in Ethnic Politics
This event also marked the increasing complexity of ethnic relations in Taiwan. While there was initial cooperation between Min and Yue groups at the start of the uprising, subsequent infighting triggered severe ethnic conflict. The Qing court recognized the political utility of "governing Taiwan with the people of Taiwan," beginning to utilize Yue (Hakka) forces to counterbalance Min (Quanzhou-Zhangzhou) resistance—a move that laid the groundwork for the long-term pattern of localized clan feuds (xiedou) in Taiwan.
Contemporary Significance and Cultural Memory
In Taiwanese folk religion, Zhu Yigui has not been forgotten despite his defeat. In the Neimen area, many legends about him still circulate today, and some temples even enshrine him as a deity. He is viewed as a symbol of resistance against oppression and the pursuit of autonomy, and his "King Duck" persona frequently appears in modern drama and literary works.
References
- Wikipedia: Zhu Yigui
- National Taiwan Museum of History: Ten museum pieces that show you the world-renowned King Duck
- StoryStudio: Provincialism is not a contemporary product of Taiwan! It began with the Zhu Yigui incident 300 years ago
- Taiwan Overseas Network: The 1721 Great Revolution of Taiwanese National Hero Zhu Yigui