My Grandfather and the Tainan Canal

Written by Peter Li-Chang Kuo

My grandmother, Kuo Chen Shu-Jean (1896–1970), once said:
"Your grandfather, Kuo Biao, helped the Japanese fill in the silting Taijiang Inland Sea during the 15th year of the Taisho era (1926) to construct the Tainan Canal. That same year, your father was born, and Emperor Showa ascended the throne. So many auspicious events happened together that your father was named ‘Kun-Cheng’—meaning 'achievement.' Your grandfather, seeing the street vendors along the canal exposed to the elements, built the Sakaliba market to provide them with shelter."

From the end of 1926 to early 1927, celebrations filled the air: lanterns were hung, and a feast stretched from the canal to the headquarters of Hemei Trading Company at No. 62, Third Chome, Ximen Town.

Kuo Biao was a pioneer of what we now call the "smart city" concept. Not only did he initiate a "Great Maritime Plan"—exporting local goods worldwide and transforming the increasingly silted Taijiang Sea into usable land—he also repurposed the pits left from digging soil at Beimen and Syuejia for fish farming. Besides the significant canal construction, he envisioned and built a light rail line connecting An-Ping to Third Chome, Ximen Town, extending to Cheng-Kong Road and Tainan Railway Station, providing both freight and passenger transport. His “Rich Taiwan Plan” was sixty years ahead of its time (compares to my practice).

Fig: Kuo Biao and Tainan Canal (AI-generated Image)

My grandmother, a traditional foot-bound woman, said:

"Back in the day, I could take the ‘light rail’ right from my doorstep to An-Ping to welcome your grandfather's fleet."

Today, whenever I see the Kaohsiung light rail, I remember her words about the “light rail your grandfather built in Tainan”—a mysterious piece of forgotten history.

From my grandmother’s oral history, we can deduce that the 1920s were the beginning of Taiwan’s modernization under Japanese colonial rule. As a historical political and economic center, Tainan faced transformation: silting inland seas, outdated waterways, and declining port functions couldn’t meet the needs of modern commerce and logistics.

As Tainan’s wealthiest man, Kuo Biao wasn’t just a local gentry; he was a key figure in maritime trade. His help in realizing large-scale local construction for the Japanese government likely had several motivations:

1. Maintaining Maritime Dominance and Local Economy

Kuo Biao, engaged in shipping and trade, recognized that filling in the Taijiang Sea and building the canal would improve navigation and prevent port blockage. The real goal was to generate more usable resources and jobs, enabling trade networks to flourish and helping locals export goods to Japan, China, and Southeast Asia.

2. Strategic Cooperation for Influence

As a local representative, Kuo knew how to maintain good relations with the colonial government. This protected his family's interests and helped secure resources for Tainan, such as exclusive operation rights, land development opportunities, or even political voice, benefiting the community.

3. Urban Modernization and Local Prestige

Among local elites, status and contribution were key. By leading public projects, Kuo elevated his standing and historical significance. The completion of the Tainan Canal in 1926 was not just an engineering feat but a "historical signature" on the city’s development.

4. Ethnic Realism and Opportunism

Though Japan was a colonial power, local elites who cooperated through public-private partnerships could secure resources and influence, safeguarding their country people's future. Kuo Biao saw collaboration as a means of empowerment rather than resistance.

5. A Modern Interpretation of Kuo’s Strategy

Today, we might describe Kuo Biao's approach as "leveraging the tide." He recognized the shifts in urban trade structures and understood that only with modern infrastructure could Tainan have a future. His cooperation with the Japanese was rooted in long-term benefit for both family and hometown.

Now, as we celebrate the centennial of the Tainan Canal, do we still remember the man behind its creation—Tainan’s wealthiest merchant, “Kuo Biao”?

Let’s revisit his specific contributions from perspectives such as economy, transportation, ecology, tourism and urban development:

1. Economic and Shipping Functions (1920s–1970s)

1) Inland Shipping: The canal connected An-Ping Port with the city, allowing ships to transport rice, sugar, and salt—Taiwan's major exports—into the urban area, improving trade efficiency.

2) Industrial Support: Tainan's pickling, sugar, salt, and textile industries relied on the canal for shipping raw materials and finished goods, reducing logistics costs and promoting economic prosperity.

2. Drainage and Flood Control (Still Effective Today)

1) Urban Drainage: The canal also served as a flood channel, alleviating water accumulation during rainy seasons.

2) Flood Prevention: Renovation projects like widening and dredging the canal improved its drainage, reducing flooding during typhoons.

3. Environmental Restoration (Post-1980s)

1) Water Quality and Regeneration: With industrial decline, the canal lost its freight function and shifted to environmental restoration—dredging, wastewater treatment, and flow redirection have greatly improved water quality.

2) Waterfront Ecosystems: Planting aquatic vegetation and restoring habitats attracted birds and fish, transforming the canal into an urban ecological corridor.

4. Leisure and Tourism (2000s–Present)

1) Tourist Boats and Lighting: Tainan city promoted canal tourism—guided boat tours, nighttime illuminations—drawing visitors from around the world.

2) Culture and History Revival: Old canal buildings, like the Canal Museum and Anping facilities, have been revitalized into markets, music venues, and dragon boat racing sites, forming a cultural tourism corridor.

5. Urban Spatial Renewal and Identity

1) Connecting City Spaces: Parks, bike paths, and walkways along the canal have reshaped how people interact with water in the city.

2) Urban Image and Identity: The canal is now a symbol of Tainan's culture and history, enhancing civic pride.

From an industrial waterway to a multi-functional landscape for drainage, ecology, and tourism, the Tainan Canal embodies a century of urban transformation. But why is “Kuo Biao” forgotten?

Back in 1911, my grandparents got married, and my grandfather built a two-story Western-style house. Above the second-floor doorway was an engraved couplet:

“Heaven blesses our prosperous family and many descendants;
He grants favor, promotion, and abundant wealth.”
(—Unfortunately, the horizontal scroll has been lost.)

From this couplet, we can infer Kuo Biao’s early beliefs.

“Heaven blesses” reflects a traditional belief in divine providence—not necessarily the Christian God. Confucius in the “I Ching” said: “Thus the nobleman observes signs and seeks meaning… and is blessed by Heaven.” This shows Kuo's belief in fate and moral order, rooted in Confucian and folk traditions.

“Prosperous family and many descendants” mirrors the Chinese ideal of family continuity.

“Grants favor, promotion, and wealth” connects with the Confucian dream of success—blessings granted by Heaven or the Emperor, not unlike folk deities rewarding virtue and diligence. This couplet embodies the traditional "Fortune, Prosperity, Longevity" values of Tainan’s elite.

However, in 1926, a Japanese missionary, Abe Fujio, visited our home. My grandmother said:

"Your grandfather hosted Abe-san for some time. When he spoke about the rich young man in the Gospel of Matthew (19:16–21), your grandfather was deeply moved. He realized that ‘blessing’ wasn't just divine favor—it also meant giving, doing justice, and walking with God.”

From then on, Kuo Biao shifted from believing in “Heaven's blessing” to living out “If you wish to be perfect, go and sell what you own…”

He funded Abe Fujio to establish the Tainan Christian Church and became a devout Christian himself.

My grandmother said: “That's when your grandfather accepted Jesus. He believed he could be that rich young man, yet not walk away in sorrow!”

In the following decade, my grandfather’s business expanded from Japan, China, and Southeast Asia to as far as India and even exported spices to Paris.

In Matthew 19:16–21, a young rich man asks Jesus how to gain eternal life. Jesus says: "Sell your possessions and follow me." The man walked away sorrowful, for he had great wealth. But Kuo Biao believed he could harmonize faith and wealth—channeling both toward moral and spiritual fulfillment.

One night in 1936, my grandfather woke my grandmother and calmly said: “Something big is about to happen—I just refused to let my fleet transport comfort women for the Japanese army.”

He foresaw the consequences and sent his wife and children to a remote village called Chong-An Alley.

But in 1937, a couple of servants betrayed him, and the Japanese army confiscated his properties.

The army ordered:“All of Kuo Biao's lands, ponds, and houses—tie them off with straw rope. Whoever ropes it, owns it.”

His name was literally erased from maps. Even the clan registry falsified his name.

In 1977, when Su Nan-Cheng was elected Tainan mayor, the new city planning team—mostly my acquaintances—planned to expand Chong-Hua East/ West/ South/ North Roads, adding 85 hectares of urban land. In 1978, since the overall economic scale was still small at that time, my turnover could not be too large, but I still made at least several hundred thousand NTD in net profit every month. At that time, NTD 300,000 could buy one hectare of land, so I bought several hectares of land. But my father became furious, and shouted:

“Your grandfather owned a thousand hectares, and after the house raid and confiscated, we had nothing left. I nearly died!”

So I went to the U.S. to help clients develop satellite receivers, contributing to Reaganomics in the 1980s. There, I explored the boundaries between “excessive righteousness” and “loving others as oneself” with American pastors.

My father once recalled:

In fifth grade, he was forced to seeing the church members stepping on the images and crosses under the supervision of the Japanese army, refusing meant getting whipped. He believed his father was irresponsible—so devoted to practicing “love thy neighbor” that he endangered the family.

In 1937, the Marco Polo Bridge Incident escalated into full-blown war. Taiwan, under Japanese rule, began mass mobilization. Taiwanese shipowners were conscripted to transport military supplies—and even “comfort women.”

Refusing meant being branded subversive or obstructive. The consequences? Seizure, imprisonment, or family ruin.

From a faith perspective, Kuo Biao’s refusal wasn’t “overrighteousness”—it was living his faith to the fullest. It was a witness to righteousness—loyalty to God and others. Not done for gain, but to show the world:

“There are still those who believe truth is worth sacrificing for.”

Such faith may lose you wealth, fame—even your life—but it plants seeds of hope and treasures in heaven. A realm beyond ordinary understanding.

As we celebrate the Tainan Canal's 100th anniversary, shouldn’t we also remember the man who truly planted the tree—“Kuo Biao”?

“Donateto the NDART”

Peter Lichang Kuo, the author created Taiwan's Precision Industry in his early years. Peter was a representative of the APEC CEO Summit and an expert in the third sector. He advocated "anti-corruption (AC)/cashless/e-commerce (E-Com)/ICT/IPR/IIA-TES / Micro-Business (MB)…and etc." to win the international bills and regulations.

【Copyrights reserved by K-Horn Science Inc.】

External Links:

https://patents.google.com/patent/US6304796 (VAM)

https://patents.google.com/patent/US20030197061 (Shopping System)

https://patents.google.com/patent/US20030107468 (Entry Security Device)

https://patents.google.com/patent/US20040054595A1 (ETC)

https://ldinventions.blogspot.com/2022/01/127.html (A Universal Cashless System)

https://khornhb.blogspot.com/2023/10/1011.html (K-Horn Science Inc.)

https://khornhb.blogspot.com/2023/11/1110.html (K-Horn & APEC)

https://khornhb.blogspot.com/2023/12/1208.html (K-Horn’s SRI)

https://khornhb.blogspot.com/2024/01/105.html (K-Horn’s PCM)

https://khornhb.blogspot.com/2024/03/326.html (Tree's Whiskers)