Visited the temple this year April and fell in love at first sight. It is not usual for emperors to build a temple for past warriors, so the old name of the temple from Tang Dynasty “Min Zhong Si” sticked with me. “Min悯” means compassion from a Buddhism perspective, being sad for those in poor condition as a more powerful and transcended being. Yet that is as far as in Tang Dynasty, it is through this book that I get to understand more details about this temple in Qing and Minguo, and the modern history itself. I have become more interested in history novels and admitted the author is very talented as a writer despite his track record of behaviorial art in politics. I am more interested in Taiwan history now as well.
The book left a very strong impression on me when I read it in middle school. It was beautiful literature, and talked about the struggle of power when China seeks for a transition at the end of its imperial period.