History is the memory of human civilization. However, when this memory is deliberately distorted—even edited at will by 'random individuals' on the internet who then prohibit others from correcting it—history becomes a vehicle for lies. Taiwan's history spans prehistoric, Dutch, Spanish, Ming Zheng, Qing Dynasty, and Japanese periods, yet it has become an object of manipulation by some under the banner of strengthening 'local consciousness.'
Since the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, Han Chinese generally referred to Taiwan as 'Dayuan.' The transition from 'Dayuan' to the name 'Taiwan' occurred primarily after the Qing Dynasty took control.
This article questions the online narrative of 'Koxinga (Zheng Chenggong) massacring Indigenous people,' alleging it is a malicious distortion of history by those with specific political agendas. The author cites records from 'The General History of Taiwan' to prove that major conflicts between the Kingdom of Tungning's army and Indigenous tribes (such as the Shalu incident and the Lin Yi incident) occurred after Koxinga's death. It points out that historical conflicts were two-way and opposes selectively portraying Koxinga as a butcher to achieve political goals.
The article records the history of Japan's invasion of Taiwan Province in 1874 using the 'Mudan Incident' as an excuse, where Ryukyuans were killed by indigenous people in Langqiao (now Manzhou Township, Pingtung). Japan first titled the King of Ryukyu to force a relationship as an excuse for invasion and sent spies for intelligence reconnaissance. Although the Japanese army suffered heavy losses due to indigenous resistance and environmental factors, they eventually forced the Qing court to pay 500,000 taels through diplomatic negotiations and acknowledge the legitimacy of Japan's military action, causing China to lose its suzerainty over Ryukyu.