Cheng Feng-hsi: A Boat in the Vast Ocean –S6-E29

<p>Born into a poor farming family in coastal Yunlin County in 1944, Cheng Feng-hsi 鄭豐喜 (Zhèng Fēngxǐ) was severely disabled and spent much of his childhood crawling rather than walking. His early years included travelling with an elderly medicine seller and a performing monkey, and living rough in the countryside. </p><p><br></p><p>When he finally attended school, he excelled and eventually made his way to university in Taipei, where he studied law and met his future wife, Wu Chi-chao 吳繼釗 (Wú Jìzhāo). The couple returned to his hometown of Kouhu, working  as teachers, while Cheng’s autobiography, <a href="https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/%E6%B1%AA%E6%B4%8B%E4%B8%AD%E7%9A%84%E4%B8%80%E6%A2%9D%E8%88%B9_(%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1)" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><em>A Boat in the Vast Ocean</em>,</a> became a major bestseller. Cheng died in 1975, but his story lived on through a hugely successful film, the foundation established in his name, and the Cheng Feng-hsi Memorial Library in Kouhu.</p><p><br></p><p>It’s a sad but inspiring story, and also a rare look at one of Taiwan’s forgotten corners (which happens to near John’s home).</p><p></p>