Choosing to live the life of an outlaw, he stole from the rich and gave to the poor. Devilishly clever as well as courageous, he mocked authority and became a hero to the common people. His name was Liao Tian-ting (
The stories surrounding Liao have long been taboo. However, a team of public school guidance councilors from Taichung County have now collected, for the first time, materials about Liao and produced an educational video. They hope to present both sides of his character and make his chivalry, if not his thievery, an example for students.
Born in Chingshui, Taichung County in 1884, Liao soon lost his father, who was killed when Liao was two. Poverty forced his mother to remarry, and Liao was sent to live with an aunt. He worked odd jobs as a young man and eventually moved to Taipei.
After becoming a thief under the influence of dissolute friends, Liao quickly established a reputation for himself by sharing his "earnings" with the poor. He became a master of disguise, often evading the Japanese colonial police by dressing himself as an old woman. He sealed his status as a folk hero in a daring theft of guns and ammunition from a Japanese police dormitory in which he shot and killed one policeman.
A manhunt for Liao ensued. The location of his cave hideaway in Taipei County was finally betrayed and police arrived to discover him sleeping under a tree.
Liao awoke when the police hit him on the head with an iron bar. He tried to defend himself, but his gun jammed and he was killed by police. He was 26 years old.
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