蕭何 Xiao He - The first Prime Minister of Han Dynasty

Xiao He(蕭何)257BC-193BC, is the ancestor of Xiao family. He was born in Pei County (in modern Xuzhou(徐州市沛縣),Jiangsu(江苏),the same birth place as Liu Bang(劉邦).Xuzhou in ancient time is also known as Pengcheng (彭城).Xuzhou is the birth place of Liu Bang, Cao Shen, Xiao He and even the founder of Ming dynasty in 1368,Emperor Hongwu(洪武帝) or Zhu Yuanzhang(朱元璋)was also from the same birth place. Zhu Yuanzhang and Liu Bang were the founders of dynasty who were peasant from the same place. Is Liu Bang an inspiration for Zhu Yuanzhang?

Xiao He(蕭何),together with Zhang Liang (張良), Han Xin (韓信), helped Liu Bang(劉邦) to defeat Xiang Yu (項羽) who was the king of western Chu kingdom(西楚霸王)in the battle of Gaixia(垓下之戰), after the collapse of Qin dynasty(秦朝). Han Xin is a brave general,Zhang Liang is a good strategist,and Xiao He is a good administrator(CEO of today), the three of them are called The Three Pillars of Liu Bang's victory(汉初三杰). The period of battle between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu was known as Chu Han Contention (楚漢相爭). When Xiang Yu heard the armies sing in Chu ascent, he knew that he had been defeated and his kingdom had fallen(which is called 四面楚歌) , Xiang Yu committed suicide at Wu River(烏江).

The victory of the battle had resulted in the establishment of Han Dynasty (漢朝), which in Chinese history was also known as Western Han Dynasty(西汉)or Early Han(前汉). It reign from 202 BC to 9BC. Liu Bang become the first Emperor, Han Gaozu (漢高祖) of the Han Dynasty who was the emperor from 202 BC to until 195 BC. Xiao He become the first Prime Minister. The capital was at Changan(now Xian)

Proverb "成也蕭何，敗也蕭何",in English it is translated as " Success was because of Xiao He, and failure was also due to Xiao He". This is due to story that Xiao He was the one recommended Han Xin to Liu Bang, and also the one who caused Han Xin's death.



Beijing opera, "Xiao He chasing after Han Xin in the moonlight" 《萧何月下追韓信》. The proverb is refer to an action that is so urgent , that it must be carried out immediately.



There is another proverb, "Cao following the rules of Xiao" (蕭規曹隨) refers to the fact that, after Xiao He's death, Cao did not change his rules at all, but followed them. Cao Shen(曹參), was the 2nd Prime Minister, and the proverb refers to "following and honoring the rules set by your predecessors to avoid changes". Noted Xiao He, Cao Shen and Liu Bang are friends during their youth.

Note: It is difficult for non-Chinese educated Xiao clan to obtain info on Xiao clan,especially most of the books and documents are in Chinese. It is also difficult to translate as many of the books and documents are in ancient Chinese. The Wikipedia has an article on Xiao He, which is useful for non-Chinese educated Xiao clan.


萧何（前257年6.15—前193年7.8），汉族，西汉初期政治家，汉初三杰之一，沛（今属江苏沛县）人。早年任秦沛县狱吏，秦末辅佐刘邦起义。攻克咸阳后，诸将皆争夺金银财宝，他却接收了秦丞相、御史府所藏的律令、图书，掌握了全国的山川险要、郡县户口，并知民间疾苦，对日后制定政策和取得楚汉战争胜利起了重要作用。项羽称王后，萧何劝说刘邦接受分封，立足汉中。刘邦为汉王，以萧何为丞相，萧何极力推荐韩信为大将军，还定三秦。楚汉战争时，他留守关中，侍太子，为法令约束，使关中成为汉军的巩固后方，不断地输送士卒粮饷支援作战，对刘邦战胜项羽，建立汉代起了重要作用。汉代建立后，以他功最高封为“酂侯”，位次第一，食邑八千户。萧何采摭秦六法，重新制定律令制度，作为《九章律》（《盗律》、《贼律》、《囚律》、《捕律》、《杂律》、《具律》，增加《户律》、《兴律》、《厩律》），在法律思想上，主张"无为"，喜好"黄老之术"。高帝十一年（前196年）又协助高祖消灭韩信、英布等异姓诸侯王，被拜为相国。而他未能象张良那样及时地“假托神道明哲保身”，于是为了避免高祖的诛杀，他便以“自毁其名”的方法，以逃避被杀的危机。高祖死后，他辅佐惠帝。惠帝二年（前193年）卒，谥号“文终侯”。

慧眼识才 力荐韩信

韩信原是项羽的部下，他有勇有谋，是天下无双的军事家。但在项羽手下却得不到重用，于是就投到刘邦麾下。起初，刘邦让他当了一个管理粮草的小官，韩信大失所望。一次偶然的机会，萧何结识了韩信。在接触过程中，萧丞相发现韩信有胆有识，是个不可多得的人才，于是多次向刘邦推荐，但并没有引起刘邦的重视。
　　转眼间两个多月过去了。汉军将士不愿在蜀中久驻，整天思念家乡，念叨东归，开小差的人也越来越多。一天，韩信见久在汉营仍不受重用，一气之下离开了汉营。萧何得知后，马上放下尚没处理完的紧急公务，亲自策马追赶韩信，连个招呼也来不及向刘邦打。刘邦正为军中开小差的人日益增多而焦急，忽然有军吏来报告说：“萧丞相也跑了。”刘邦一听大惊失色，说：“这还了得!我正要与他商议军中大事，怎么他也逃走了!”当下派人去找萧何。一连两天也不见萧何的影子，急得刘邦坐立不安。再说萧何为追韩信，不辞辛苦，一路问，一路追，直到天黑了，还没追着韩信。正想下马休息一下，忽然远远望见有个人牵着马在河边徘徊。萧何顿时抖擞精神，快马加鞭，大声喊着：“韩将军!韩将军厂他策马赶到河边，气喘吁吁地下了马，气呼呼地说：“韩将军，咱们总算一见如故，够得上是朋友。你怎么不说一声，就这么走了？”韩信仍不吭声。萧何又说了一大堆劝他回去的话。这时候，滕公夏侯婴也策马赶到；两个人苦苦地相求非要韩信回去不可。他们说：“要是大王再不听我们的劝告，那我们三个人一起走，好不好了”韩信只好跟着他们回去。到了第三天，三人才回到南郑。

开国首功 位列三杰

　　消灭项羽、平定楚地后，诸侯联名上《劝进表》给刘邦，推举他为皇帝。公元前202年二月初三，众诸侯及太尉长安侯卢绾等300多人，恭听了刘邦即帝位的诏书。刘邦称帝后，在洛阳南宫大宴群臣。席间，觥筹交错，君臣共饮。刘邦显得特别高兴，他说：“你们都说实话，我为什么能够夺取天下？项羽又为什么会失去天下？”群臣众说不一。刘邦最后说：“你们只知其一，不知其二。运筹于帷幄之中，决胜于千里之外，我不如子房(张良)；镇国家、抚百姓、供军需、给粮饷，我不如萧何；指挥百万大军，战必胜，攻必克，我不如韩信。这三个人都是人中豪杰，我能用他们，所以能得天下。项羽只有一个范增还不能重用，因此最后败在我的手中。”不难看出，刘邦认为张良、萧何、韩信是他最得力的功臣，这三人亦被称为“汉初三杰"。
(extract from http://baike.baidu.com)

城固萧何墓

据明嘉靖四十五年（1566年）（城固县志）：汉酂（音：错）侯萧何墓，（县治）东北三里邯郸村。又据《史记·萧相国世家》：汉惠帝二年（公元前193年）萧何卒，葬长陵东司马门道北百步。古时候，名人死后怕政敌掘墓鞭尸，往往一人多墓，屡见不鲜。也有恩于百姓的，逝去后众人自发修衣冠墓，以便祭祀。那么，城固的萧何墓今何在？属哪一种？

萧何墓

萧何墓坐落在今博望镇谢家井办事处杜家槽村内，离县城三里，坐西朝东，墓前有三间房的祠堂，有塑像，墓上有几株古树。墓前有三通石碑，最早的石碑是清乾隆十一年（1746年）城固知县减应桐所立，写着“汉相国萧公讳何神墓；另一通是清乾隆四十一年（1776年）陕西巡抚毕沅所立，写着：汉丞相酂侯萧公墓，此碑高大气派；最后一通是清道光二十五年，（1845年）知城固县事李炜等人所立。

碑文较长，大意是：汉中为高祖发祥之地，驻军汉王城，萧何等众臣率军民筑堰垒渠，引水浇田，百姓士卒足食丰衣，至今近2000年， 渠堰尚在，惠泽及民，为纪念萧何之功德，李知事（知县）倡导，数百名乡绅富户捐钱物，修萧何墓陵园，以供后人祭奠。拜谒先贤墓冢，缅怀丰功伟绩，心中豁然 开朗：萧何死后虽远葬长陵，可纯朴厚道的汉中城固百姓，为纪念他在此地兴修水利、造福民众的大恩大德，修衣冠墓、盖萧公祠，敬立神位，人心向背使然也

Captain Seow

This is another man of Xiao, who have did well in his career, which all Xiao clan should be proud of, the Master Mariner, Capt Seow Yong Him. Master Mariner is the highest level of professional qualification in marine career, a holder of unrestricted master license as Captain or Master of the ship.

Who is a ship captain?
The Captain or Master of a merchant vessel is a licensed mariner in ultimate in command of the vessel. A Ship's Captain also called Shipmaster, is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag state policies.

A Ship's Captain commands and manages all ship's personnel, and typically in charge of the ship's accounting, payrolls, and inventories. The Captain is responsible for compliance with immigration and customs regulations, maintaining the ship's certificates and documentation, compliance with the vessel's security plan, as mandated by the International Maritime Organization. The Captain is responsible for responding to and reporting in case of accidents and incidents, and in case of injuries and illness among the ship's crew and passengers.

A Ship's Captain must have a Master Mariner's license, issued by the ship's flag state. Various types of licenses exist, specifying the maximum vessel size (in gross tonnage) and in what geographic areas the captain can operate in. An unlimited master's license allows the captain to operate any vessel worldwide. Restricted tonnage licenses include vessel categories down to 100 tons gross tonnage and below. Examples of licenses with restricted geographic scope include those issued by the United States Coast Guard(USCG) for the Great Lakes, inland waters, and near coastal waters. A candidate for an unlimited master's licenses requires several years of seagoing experience as third mate, second mate, and chief mate(source: www.wikipedia.org)



Master's License
Traditionally, a person holding an unrestricted master's license is called a Master Mariner and may use the post nominal title MM. The term unrestricted indicates that there is no restriction of size, power or geographic location on the license. It is the highest level of professional qualification amongst mariners. In England the term Master Mariner has been in use at least since the 13th century—reflecting the fact that in guild terms, such a person was a master craftsman in this specific profession. In the America it was introduced in the mid-19th century and at this time a US Master Mariner License is reserved for issue to those few who have attained the level of Unlimited Master, as well as Unlimited Chief Engineer, unlike the UK. An unrestricted master's license is colloquially called a "Master's Ticket", "Master's Unlimited" or just a "Master's." In the UK the official name of a Master Mariner’s qualification has varied over the years. The conventions or acts governing the license have evolved alongside the shipping industry. The master's license is sometimes still referred to as a Class 1 or Master Foreign-Going certificate as it was named during the latter part of the 20th century. The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency, in line with the amended STCW convention( Intrenational Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers, 1978 is the set of qualification standard for masters, officers and Watch Personnel on a sea going merchant ships at international level adopted by IMO or International Maritime Organization) , currently title the license as Master Unlimited.(extract from www.wekipedia.org)

Career at Sea?
A career at sea brings with it a wealth of opportunity and in the longer term this can be either at sea or ashore. It all begins at sea… Ships Officers generally work in two departments – Deck and Engineering and this begins when you enrol as an officer trainee! The training for both disciplines uses a mixture of academic work which is combined with practical training both at college and at sea.

In UK, for each of the ranks of deck officer or engineer officers, you will have to hold a Certificate of Competency which is issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. You will receive the first of these certificates (the Officer Of the Watch certificate, also known as the OOW certificate) when you complete your Merchant Navy Training Board approved training course which is delivered through one of the maritime institutions . For Singapore Polytechnic, the completion of the diploma in nautical studies will qualified to be 2nd officer provided the diploma holder pass the Class 3 Certificate of Competency(deck) exam conducted by Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore(ref: http://www.sp.edu.sg). Further certificates will be gained as you increase your experience at sea and pass the required examinations. You will need to have the Certificate for the next rank before you can be promoted into it – so it’s important to get them as soon as you can!. In Malaysia, ALAM (Academi Laut Malaysia) offered courses for all level of competencies in maritime training.

Officers (Navigation / Deck)


Master (Captain)
In overall command of the vessel. Full responsibility for the crew, ship handling, the cargo, passengers and the safety of the vessel. The Master manages the ship and all on board administration and normally keeps the ships records.


Chief Officer
Understudy to the Master. Directly responsible for all deck operations including cargo storage and handling, deck maintenance and deck supplies. The Chief Officer is responsible for the deck officers and allocates tasks to the deck officers.


2nd Officer
Understudy to the Chief Officer. Specifically responsible for the navigation of the vessel and keeps charts and publications up to date. Other duties include monitoring the navigation and radio equipment on the bridge, undertaking the watch when at sea and the cargo watch when in port. The 2nd Officer (but sometimes one of the other officers) may also be the designated security, safety or medical officer.


3rd Officer
Normally the first post qualification appointment for an officer trainee. Responsible for making sure the fire-fighting equipment and lifeboats are in order. Understudies the 2nd Officer. Undertakes bridge watches.(note:They are the junior officers)
On passenger/large vessels, there may also be 4th and 5th officers but these would be unusual on other types of vessels

Officer Trainee
On a training programme lasting approximately 18 months to 3 years. Receives structured training and experience on board to complement shore based training. They assist and understudy the ship's officers in their duties.
(Ref source: http://www.careersatsea.org.uk/)


Capt Seow Yong Him is currently the General Manager, Marine of the Penang Port Commission. He hold a Master Marine certificate from UK, and Pilot license from Penang.

He is not only a high achiever in his marine career, despite his heavy work load in Penang Port, he is also active as member of The Penang Seow Association. The young professional of Xiao clan should follow this good example.

It is not easy to attain a level of Master Mariner or become the naval captain, it need a long process of training and experience at sea. Capt Seow Yong Him may be the only one from Xiao clan in Malaysia. The Xiao clan is very proud of him.

Actuary Seow

There are few actuary in Malaysia, according to the Actuarial Society of Malaysia, there are 55 Fellows in Malaysia. Among the Fellow Members, there is one actuary from Xiao clan. His name is Seow Fan Chong from Hong Leong Assurance.

What is actuary?



How to become an actuary?

To become an actuary is not easy task, it needs to pass professional examinations from actuarial professional bodies. The examination is very difficult. You need to be good at mathematics skills. So,you still want to become actuary, young Xiao?




Actuarial Society of Malaysia was found in 5-10-1978, the only representative body for actuarial profession in Malaysia. The society is also a full Member Association of the International Actuarial Association. It accepted accreditation from major actuarial societies in the world:-

1. Society of Actuaries in USA (SOA)
2. Institute of Actuaries in England(IA)
3. Institute of Actuaries of Australia(IAA)
4. Casualty Actuarial Society in USA(CAS)
5. Faculty of Actuaries in Scotland(FA)

Actuaries build and use mathematical models based on statistical data to calculate the appropriate amount of premiums to charge policyholders. This will require projections of how events will unfold in the future. In calculating the right amount of premiums, the actuary will need to project how large potential claims will be and when there will occur. Such projections are incorporated into the models to calculate the premium required. At the same time, judgement, business acumen and experience are required to understand and logically interpret the results of the model before finally coming up with a solution to the problem. Actuarial science is a combination of science and art!(from Actuarial Society of Malaysia, http://www.actuaries.org.my)

Mr Seow Fan Chong, FSA,FIA,FRM is one of the few actuary in Malaysia. He is the Appointed Actuary of Hong Leong Assurance Berhad. He graduated from the National University of Singapore majoring in Economic and Statistics in 1993. He is the Fellow of Society of Actuaries in USA(SOA),Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries in England(IA) and Financial Risk Manager(FRM, USA).

Mr Seow Fan Chong is also Head of Health Insurance Working Group; He is also members of General Insurance Working Group , and Enterprise Risk Management Working Group. He also sit in Discipline Panel of the Actuarial Society of Malaysia.

He is also the Vice President (Insurance Risk Management)of GARP Malaysia Chapter Committee.

He is the only actuary from Xiao clan in Malaysia. The Xiao clan in Malaysia is very proud of him, being one of the very few actuary in Malaysia. The younger generation of Xiao in Malaysia should follow the fine example of Seow Fan Chong , and not afraid of facing tough challenge in life.

Siow from Titi(知知港), Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Titi, the place was introduced to me by one of my friend, Kenneth Siow; who is from the Xiao family from Titi, Negeri Sembilan. Titi is a small town located at Jelebu district of Negeri Sembilan state of Malaysia. It is about an hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, from the old trunk road off 9th miles, Cheras, to Pekan Batu 14 and Semenyih dam. The sign B32/N32 lead the road to Kuala Klawang. It is winding road to Titi.




Titi is a Hakka village town, it has a population of about 10,000 people. More than 90% of the population are Hakka people, and most of them are Hakka Xiao(客籍萧氏), mainly Huizhou Hakka(惠州客). The ancestor of the Xiao clan from Titi , are from Huizhou(惠州坪地), Kwangtung (广东), China, they are Huizhou Hakka Xiao(惠州客籍萧氏), now under Shenzen(深圳坪地). The Titi town was established in 1838, it attracted the Hakka Chinese to Titi due to the tin mining in the area.

Titi is an agricultural, with new village history. It is famous for its Sarawak type of pineapples, they called Titi pineapples. Titi pineapples is considered one of the best in Malaysia. It also produced sweet potatoes, tapioca, and sugar canes. Sweet juicy sugar canes is another famous agricultural products here. The people are mainly rubber tappers , small rubber/oil palm estate owners , or fruit orchard owners.

The town has one Chinese Primary School, SJK(C)Chun Yin( 知知港群英华小), most of the students continue their secondary school in Jelebu or Seremban. Except one latex factory owned by the local, there is not much job opportunity in Titi, most of the younger generation go to other places for work.

It is in Titi, during the World War 2, a total of 1,474 local residents were killed by Japanese armies, a memorial (森美蘭州知知港日治殉難華僑紀念碑) was built at Titi to remember the death. (Ref: 抗日纪念碑, 26-1-2007, http://www.huayan.net.my: 其中一项最残酷的大屠杀发生在1942年3月初座落在日了务的Jelundong(知知港附近) 。在一天之内，Jelundong的全体华人被屠杀及房屋被焚烧。日本蝗军干下这些非人性的行为是为了“警告” 以及制服当地的华人。已经控制了大局的日军，还做出屠杀无辜的行为，可说干下了滔天大罪。)

It is also in Titi, Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) on Dec 1948 at the party's central committee meeting in the jungle, that Chin Peng and the communists of Malaya decided to fight for the independence of Malaya, to form People Repblic of Malaya(Ref: 信手拈来: 马共记忆, , www. nanyang.com, 10-6-2009: 陈平在1948年12月于森美兰知知港森林中举行的中央会议所喊出的斗争口号：建立马来亚人民共和国。正确的斗争口号应是：争取马来亚的独立。) . The resident of Titi town was under the New Village administration during the Emergency, a Titi New village was established in 1949. It was one of the pioneer new village in Malaya. The suspected pro-communist Chinese residents were moved to the new village, and their divided and rule policy . It was like a penal prisoner camp, that British used that tactic in India where the Indian convicts are sent to penal territories of Penang, Singapore and Malacca. The Chinese were merely suspected supporters of the communist, without any trials, they were forcibly moved to the new village. Food were ration and controlled to prevent the villagers sent their food to the communists in the nearby jungle. Facilities in the camp were basic, the new villagers need to start all their lives again in the new environment. The people were under extreme hardship during the Emergency rule , under the British colonial government.

Titi is also the hometown of the Malaysian king of Hakka song, singer Qiu Yun(1947-2006)(客家歌王邱清云的故乡). The famous Hakka popular song sang by him is posted below:



Titi is also famous for its snacks(傳統糕點), mainly Ma Chi Chang, Zu Ye Pan(粗葉粄). People from Johore, Kuala Lumpur come here during weekend and school holidays, to enjoy the food and fruits here. For a longer holiday, there is one Eco Organic Farm(知知港生态农场度假村/知知港生态农场) in Titi. It is located at Lot 1706, Sg. Rotan, Kg. Titi, Daerah Jelabu, 71650 Negeri Sembilan. To have a eco holiday in Titi, is not a bad idea.....

The video posting is for the clan members of Xiao family to understand the life of Xiao clan in Titi, a small town in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.











There is a clan association for Xiao clan,Negeri Sembilan Titi Siow Clansmen Association, with the address as follow:-


N. S. TITI SIOW CLANSMEN ASSOCIATION (森美蘭知知港蘭陵蕭氏聯宗會)
NO. 6 , CROSS ROAD , T I T I ,
71650 JELEBU ,
NEGRI SEMBILAM ,
MALAYSIA .


知知港‧黃梨甜茶粿香(posting from http://keadilan.ws/forumcn)

知知港是森美蘭州一個小山城，地方雖然不大，但卻以兩種美食閒名全馬，其中之一就是又香又甜又無渣的砂拉越黃梨，另一種則是家庭獨特秘方烹製的傳統糕點。

無論是來自州內其他地區，或者是吉隆坡、柔佛的旅客，都會趁假日不辭勞苦的駕駛數百哩車程到知知港享受購“食”樂，把大粒大粒的黃梨和香甜的糕點帶回家。

知知港這個小山城並不大，除了二條大街之外就沒有甚麼特別好逛的。但是，“沒甚麼好逛”並不代表它是一個沉睡之鄉，其實在週六、週日或公共假期，知知港可就熱鬧了。

“是啊，凡到假期知知港就熱鬧了。我們這裡沒有甚麼出名，但勝在黃梨和糕點夠有吸引力，許多旅客都是特地開車到知知港來，目的只為了購買黃梨和糕點。”當地居民都這樣驕傲的說。

知知港村民大部份以務農為生，被群山包圍的知知港尤其以栽種水果最聞名，除了砂拉越黃梨之外，其他農作物例如樹膠、甘蔗、香蕉、波羅蜜、芒果、火龍果、仁心果和木瓜都大量種植，也大量批發到外地。

而理所當然的，凡到知知港遊玩的旅客，大部份都會順手牽“果”，東一袋西一袋把新鮮水果購買回去。

除了新鮮水果，遊知知港還有一樣必買的就是當地居民親手烹製的傳統糕點。知知糕傳統糕點種類繁多，至少有40種可供選擇；重點是都是由手工製成，完全不靠機械，因此一咬入口，就可以咬出不一樣的味道和感動。

知知港的傳統糕點檔共有兩檔，都是在五腳基處擺賣，大盤大盤的糕點一字排開頗具氣勢，且種類繁多，五顏六色繽紛奪目，令人難以作出選擇。從當地居民口中得知，知知港糕點著名，乃勝在原汁原味，都是採用新鮮素材來烹製，同時價格便宜，一塊只售50仙，而且比吉隆坡購買到的糕點還要大塊，非常“抵食”。

居民說，知知港旅遊業並不發達，以前還有一間神廟可供信徒求財，以烏龜來抽出真字的這間神廟曾經風光一度，週末假日還有外地人組團租巴士到來觀光膜拜，但近幾年來不知怎的，廟宇變得比較寂靜。

無論如何，雖然沒有了一輛又一輛的巴士，但知知港的黃梨和糕點卻依然魅力不減，很多識途老馬還是自己開著車，載著一家大小到知知港買個痛快，吃個愉快。

土質適合種黃梨

知知港的二條大街只有約50間店，但售賣或批發黃梨的檔口或商店就有7、8家，而環繞在知知港近郊的園坵地，就有300英畝被開墾作為栽種黃梨的用途，初步估計，知知港黃梨園主就有至少60位。

知知港由於地質特殊，即泥質多沙質少，而且還屬紅泥性質，因而比其他任何土壤都更適合栽種黃梨。

新順興生果貿易其中一名負責人吳世能就表示，就這種土壤栽種出來的砂拉越黃梨更清甜、多汁，而且還無渣。

大大小小或深青或嫩綠或奶黃或金橙的黃梨堆在水果檔的木架上，煞是艷麗誘人，嗅著黃梨香，令人忍不著直吞口水，恨不得馬上把它吃進肚子裡去。

吳世能指出，砂拉越黃梨分為A級和B級，A級就是2公斤以上，而B級則是2公斤以下。

至於如何挑選優級黃梨，“內行人”均表示，首先須挑選皮色帶有亮澤，而且還稍微偏黃的，這表示黃梨“足水”，再來可以手指輕彈黃梨表面，如果黃梨發出深沉的聲音，就屬於好黃梨。

知知港黃梨除了生吃清甜可口之外，用它來製成黃梨果醬更適合不過，因為多汁無渣，因此烹煮出來的黃梨果醬入口滑順，綿綿如絲。

凡是到知知港一日遊的旅客，都不忘把三幾粒黃梨帶回家，“因為這裡的黃梨比較便宜，也更新鮮，吉隆坡雖然也可以購買到知知港黃梨，但價格肯定比這裡貴。”

粗葉粄
有治內傷功效









(picture credited to http://www.badongo.com/pic/3498792)


知知港老字號傳統糕點店──頌成，已有四、五十年的歷史，早上10點多大街傳統糕點飄香，一嗅就知道是頌成的傑作。

新一代掌門人伍文寶在8歲開始就跟隨媽媽在廚房裡烹製糕點，如今學得一身武功，隨便點名她隨時就可以為你“變”出你想要的糕點。

頌成可說是糕點世家，伍文寶指出，除了她母親做糕點，連婆婆和外婆也是從事糕點這一行，“如今我的孩子也很喜歡吃糕點，希望將來他們都能繼承這一行。”

到知知港購買傳統糕點，就一定要購買客家人的傳統糕點──粗葉粄，一種以粗葉製成的糕點；粗葉營養價值高，擁有很高的纖維素，而且對治癒內傷功效高。

“烹製粗葉粄的過程繁雜，首先將綠色的粗葉葉子以滾水煮約1個小時，讓它完全變成黑色，過後取出搗碎，最後參入麵粉製成糕點。粗葉粄共分為2種口味，一是包裹著由菜蒲烹煮而成的內餡，另一種則是空心的。”

說也奇怪，粗葉這種植物在其他地區非常罕見，知知港卻特別多，其葉片背面含有毛狀，手觸及會令人感到奇癢無比，因此在採集和烹煮時，伍文寶和母親都格外小心。

粗葉粄吃起來咸咸香香，口感韌中帶軟，嚼勁頗佳，越咬越有意思。

另外一種值得推介的糕點是客家油起，俗稱華人比薩，一塊一塊圓柱型的扁平糕點，內頭竟然是木瓜絲，外表炸得金黃色酥酥脆脆，沾上辣椒醬風味絕佳。

手功製作展誠意

除了粗葉粄和油起，頌成值得推介的傳統糕點非常多，例如木薯糕完全採用知知港木薯製成，香味四溢；Kuih Koji與馬來式Kuih Koji不同，它以黑糯米取代一般白糯米，風味更獨特；金瓜粒是以金瓜絲炸出來的球狀糕點粒，脆脆香香；即使普通的炸香蕉也很特別，它以知知港特產 Manga蕉炸成，一塊就有整個手掌般大小，口感和味道都和吉隆坡吃到的馬來式炸香蕉大有差別。

伍文寶表示，她和母親戴月雲每天清晨3點鐘就起床準備糕點，忙了幾個小時之後，10點30分熱烘烘的糕點正式出爐，間中邊做邊賣，直至傍晚6點才收工，“工作時間很長，人手烹製也很累，但無論如何，看見自己的糕點如此受歡迎，我們都高興得很。”

雖然曾經有人獻意打本讓她兩母女以機械大量生產傳統糕點，但一想到機械和手工的差異，以及機械生產沒有手工的誠意和味道，因此想也沒想就拒絕了。

知知港居民大部份以務農為主，下午2點多3點，從園坵歸來的園主都會買些糕點到咖啡店找老朋友喝茶聊天，同時，放學的小朋友也會到糕點檔打包糕點回家當小點心，正因為如此，知知港傳統糕點已經和當地居民有著濃得化不開的關係。

(source:http://keadilan.ws/forumcn/viewthread.php?tid=2162)

Vincent C. Siew - "Smiling Siew" (微笑老蕭)

(source: www.wikipedia.org.; credited to Rico Shen)

Vice President of the Republic of China- Vincent C. Siew

Birth:

Chia-Yi, Taiwan, January 3, 1939

Education:

1985	Eisenhower Fellowship Study, USA
1965	M.A., Graduate Institute of International Law and Diplomacy, National Chengchi University
1961	B.A., Department of Diplomacy, National Chengchi University

Experience:

2003-2004	Convener, Presidential Economic Advisory Panel
2002-2007	Chairman, Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research
2001-2008	Chairman, Cross-Straits Common Market Foundation
2000-2005	Vice Chairman, Kuomintang
1997-2000	Premier, Republic of China
1996-1997	Legislator, Legislative Yuan
1994-1995	Minister without Portfolio & Minister of Mainland Affairs Council
1993-1994	Minister without Portfolio & Minister of the Council for Economic Planning and Development
1990-1993	Minister of Economic Affairs
1982-1988	Director-General, Bureau of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economic Affairs
1969-1972	Consul, Consulate General in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

(source: http://www.president.gov.tw)

Vicent Siew(蕭萬長) is the current Vice President of Republic of China or Taiwan. He won the 2008 Presidential election together with President Ma Yin-Jeou(馬英九), and sworn in on 20-5-2008 at Taipei as 12th Vice President of Republic of China. He was the former Vice Chairman of Kuomintang or KMT (国民党)of Taiwan.

The video was taken during the interview by Vincent Siew, it was posted from youtube:



Mr Vincent Siew was born on 3-1-1939 at Chiayi city(嘉義市北社尾), at the time when Taiwan was Japan's colony.

He graduated from the Department of Diplomacy(外交學系)at National Chengchi University(國立政治大學)in 1961,and obtained his master degree from Graduate Institute of International Law and Diplomacy at the same university in 1965. He was accepted by Harvard University, USA but followed his mother's advise to remain in Taiwan.

He worked at the Republic of China's Consulate General in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 1966 to 1972.

He was appointed as Minister of Economic Affairs from 1990 to 1993. He is the one actively promoted the trade between Taiwan and mainland China.

He served as Premier(中華民國行政院院長) from 1997 to 2000. He was the first Taiwan born premier of the Republic of China(Taiwan).

Siew is married to Susan Chu (朱俶賢 Zhū Shúxián) with three daughters: Ru-ting (蕭如婷), Jia-fen (蕭如芬), and Jhih-you (蕭至佑 Zhìyòu).

Siew had 2 cancerous lung tumors removed on May 20, 2009. He is a cancer survival.

Mr Vincent Siew is one of the famous Xiao from Taiwan. He is a Hokkian or Fujian Xiao(福建省蕭氏). His ancestor may be from Zhangzhou(漳州), Nanjing County(南靖县), Fujian Province, China.

Mr Vincent Siew is actively involved in the activities of Taiwan and China Xiao clan. Despite being a Vice President of the country, he has visited his ancestor place, attend their activities, wrote Chinese calligraphy paintings for their celebration. He is also actively seeking his root in China. A down to earth Taiwanese Vice President, the smiling Siew..... who did not forget his root of Xiao......

Related articles:-

The articles are all in Chinese, it revealed to you the effort by some academician to search for the root of Vincent Siew in China. Where his ancestor come from? It has been confirmed in Fujian Province, and Nanjing county; but to narrow down to which village. Not an easy task, but the effort to trace the root is commendable for a high ranking government official.

1. 萧万长：积极推动台湾与大陆交流
2009-05-17 13:20:17 来源：明宗网 作者： 编辑：潇湘子

萧万长,1939年生于台湾省嘉义县一个清贫之家。由于他父亲在日据时代，身受不识字的痛苦，希望使子女受高等教育。萧万长凭借着纯朴、刻苦、努力的天性，成绩一直名列前茅。他历任台湾国贸局长，经济院部长，国民党中央副主席，行政院院长等职。是当代台湾最有影响的人物之一。

一、祖籍何在：萧万长根在大陆

萧万长出生在台湾嘉义县，祖籍是在福建漳州还是福建厦门，经多方考证至今仍无定论。台湾中华萧氏宗亲会执行会长萧良松曾经对嘉义县的方言做过调查，发现在台湾，整个嘉义县萧氏讲的都是漳州话，从这一点来说，可以确定萧万长的支系来自漳州。 而萧万长家中有一本老族谱记载，他的先祖是从厦门月眉池迁往台湾。萧万长本人对自己的祖籍地究竟在何处没有发表任何言论，他只说过一句：我的根在大陆。厦门市湖里乌石浦社内有一座萧氏家庙，建于明武宗正德年间，复建于1988年。是座二进中天井木、石、砖结构，具有典型闽南古建筑传统风格的经典杰作，与金门县东萧村的“萧氏家庙”遥遥相望。

2004年底，萧万长和自己的夫人、女儿和女婿在乌石浦萧氏家庙参加家庙的拜祖仪式的。为家庙提字“兰陵世家”牌匾，同萧万长是参加拜祖仪式的还有乌石浦萧氏家庙宗 亲及三明、南靖等周边地区的萧氏宗亲几百人。这里是台湾与海外萧氏宗族的主要祖籍地。每年到这儿寻根谒祖的萧姓人士，络绎不绝。

二、从贫民之子到国贸局长

萧万长出生在台湾省嘉义县一户小商人之家，祖父务农父亲卖菜，到了萧万长这辈才有书读。萧万长行三，从小卷不离手，也因书念得不错，受父母的期望最深。苦读之余，父母还将家帐，田赋、缴税等差事交给萧万长管 理。或许就因为童年的理财和经营业务的经历，萧万长日后对经贸部门产生兴趣，这段经历更成为他转向经贸界后唯一且重要的训练。萧万长小学毕业后顺利考入嘉义中学就读,他发现当时热门的理工科并非自己的专长，对众所仰慕的医学系也缺乏兴趣，而捧读文史，却经常从中发现为人处事的大道理，觉得海阔天空，豁然开朗。大学联考前，萧万长拿到了台湾政治大学外交系的简介，浏览之下，他觉得这就是自己想要的。1957年，萧万长如愿考进了政治大学外交系。毕业后的萧万长在政府部门就职。从事外交工作，在工作过程中，感受到台湾较强的经贸潜力，于是提出了以经贸为主轴的“务实外交”构想以后他进人经贸界便一直致力于此。外贸是台湾经济发展的命脉，台湾每年外贸总额超过五百亿美元以上，在世界上排名第十六位。谁能负责台湾外贸发展业务，必须要有超人的能力。萧万长正是堪当此 重任的人物。当他初任“经济部国贸局长”这一个主管全国贸易业务的公责人职位则不过才四十三岁，是部里最年轻的一级主管。数年来、萧万长历经三任部长，其国贸局长的身份始终保持不变。

从贫民之子到国贸局长，萧万长以他的学识、才干、眼光赢得了广泛的尊敬与好评。萧万长足以独挡一面，并在台美贸易谈判中将其外交手段运用于财经专业，成为国际贸易中的“谈判高手”，在岛内外知名度大增。此后，萧万长出任行政院经济建设委员会副主任委员，从事台湾经济政策设计、督导工作。后担任台湾财政部长，台湾行政院院长、中国国民党副主席。
(source:http://new.mingzong.com/news.php?id=2892)


2. 台湾萧氏族谱来泉展出

厝边记者 李贤斌 田米
实习生 方丽平 文/图


一套清朝年间的萧氏族谱，从台湾跨越海峡来到大陆，昨天在中国闽台缘博物馆泉台百家姓族谱联展厅里展出，引起众多参观者的浓厚兴趣。
泉州萧氏宗亲会秘书长萧祖绳说，这套珍贵的族谱，将对研究、考证萧万长祖籍地提供重要的史料证据。

保存最完整的萧氏凤翼族谱

这套珍贵的族谱共2本，分别编订于清朝乾隆和光绪年间，封面书写“兰陵凤翼萧氏家谱”，为原装刻板字体，保存完好。7月初，台湾萧氏宗亲总会会长萧锡铭、总秘书长萧茂荣一行应邀到漳州参加南靖土楼文化节时，带上了这套族谱。
萧祖绳细心翻阅族谱的有关记载后说，族谱记载有个叫萧国梁的祖先，字挺之，永福中和乡人，宋乾道二年（1166年）由皇帝御笔钦点为状元，于淳熙元年（1174年）出知泉州，二年后升任建宁知府。“永福”即今永泰，萧国梁最后卒于漳州任上，成为漳州萧氏的肇基始祖。
萧国梁的后裔中，有一个叫坦斋公的，于明永乐年间由潮（州）入闽，泉州现在的萧姓中，大部分就是坦斋公的后裔。明朝中叶，二十三世礼公由凤翼堂迁往南靖。 据萧祖绳考证，福建萧氏凤翼堂只有两处，一处为长乐，一处为泉州。现在，泉州市区米仓巷萧厝园萧氏家庙里供奉的祖先牌位就是萧国梁。
泉州现存萧氏凤翼堂的族谱中，有一本与台湾送过来的清乾隆年间族谱一样，但泉州的这本却残缺不全，内容字迹多有模糊，很不完整，台湾的这本凤翼族谱，估计 是现在保存得最完整的一本。闽台缘博物馆研究部工作人员称，泉台百家姓族谱联展展柜中，萧氏族谱的资料较缺乏，这套族谱及一些珍贵资料的补充展出，使展柜 内容得到充实，为研究闽台萧氏渊源，提供了重要的史料证据。

萧万长祖籍地考证新添史料

这套族谱引起了萧祖绳关于萧万长祖籍地的考证兴趣。现在关于萧万长的祖籍地还存在争议，有说是南靖的，有说是永泰的，也有说是厦门的。昨天，萧祖绳更是大胆设想，会不会是泉州的？
萧祖绳的依据是，根据有关族谱记载，萧万长系萧国梁后裔。２００５年９月９日，萧万长第一次携家人到厦门家庙谒祖时告诉媒体记者，他的祖籍在漳州南靖，但没有确切考证，还不知道具体是南靖哪个地方。
最近，《永泰县志》老总编郑炳通先生考证出，萧万长是萧国梁的二十三代孙。那么，那个由凤翼堂迁往南靖的萧礼，如果是从泉州的凤翼堂迁出，会不会就是他的 后裔迁往台湾？萧祖绳说，这些还只是猜测，有待进一步考证。但萧万长家族和泉州多数萧姓一样，供奉的都是同一个祖先萧国梁，这一点是确切无误的。

(source: http://www.hdzxw.com/ 海都资讯网)

3. 三、蕭萬長南靖祖籍地考略
來源：海峽論壇網時間：2009-6-6

（一）族谱调查 （一）族譜調查

在闽台渊源关系中，很重要的一环便是族谱。 在閩台淵源關係中，很重要的一環便是族譜。 它是炎黄子孙寻根认祖最为可靠的文献依据。 它是炎黃子孫尋根認祖最為可靠的文獻依據。 闽台两地，从古到今都分别保存着大量的族谱，或集中于各地图书馆，或分散于各家族宗祠，或收藏于私人家中，这是一份极为珍贵的地方文献，是一笔难得的民族文化遗产，尤其是对于研究闽台姓氏亲缘，有着特殊的意义。 閩台兩地，從古到今都分別保存著大量的族譜，或集中於各地圖書館，或分散於各家族宗祠，或收藏於私人家中，這是一份極為珍貴的地方文獻，是一筆難得的民族文化遺產，尤其是對於研究閩台姓氏親緣，有著特殊的意義。

据 涌山手抄谱记载：“吾祖景峰公因霸先篡位，同妻鲁氏避住江右豫章临江清江县，子一驿。驿子二，长信、次幨，幨徙居吉安府泰和县金华山清水岩，幨子三，长 俨、次给、三儆。儆居泰和县生瑀，武德九年为相。瑀子三，复、光、泰。复生燧。燧宋炎二年为国子监司业，徙居临江府新喻县竹皮景居住，因避乱徙福建省汀州 府归化县龙湖大帐山。燧子二，长百三郎字云龙、次百四郎字云虎。百三郎徙上杭丰田里永之新邑塘背。百三郎子二，长一郎、次二郎，二郎子二，长千四郎字长 春、次千八郎字开春。开春公妣陈孺人即恩全乡、茶树下二乡始祖曰：书礼堂始祖。”始祖开春，号千八郎，元末由汀州府归化县龙湖大帐山迁入。 據 湧山手抄譜記載：“吾祖景峰公因霸先篡位，同妻魯氏避住江右豫章臨江清江縣，子一驛。驛子二，長信、次幨，幨徙居吉安府泰和縣金華山清水岩，幨子三，長 儼、次給、三儆。儆居泰和縣生瑀，武德九年為相。瑀子三，复、光、泰。復生燧。燧宋炎二年為國子監司業，徙居臨江府新喻縣竹皮景居住，因避亂徙福建省汀州 府歸化縣龍湖大帳山。燧子二，長百三郎字云龍、次百四郎字雲虎。百三郎徙上杭豐田里永之新邑塘背。百三郎子二，長一郎、次二郎，二郎子二，長千四郎字長 春、次千八郎字開春。開春公妣陳孺人即恩全鄉、茶樹下二鄉始祖曰：書禮堂始祖。”始祖開春，號千八郎，元末由汀州府歸化縣龍湖大帳山遷入。 派下分斗山、书山、涌山，分居南靖县内。 派下分斗山、書山、湧山，分居南靖縣內。 其上祖燧，元初避乱由临江府新喻县竹皮村迁入汀州府归化县龙湖大帐山。 其上祖燧，元初避亂由臨江府新喻縣竹皮村遷入汀州府歸化縣龍湖大帳山。 燧传云虎、云龙两子，云虎迁永定县新邑庵前塘背。 燧傳云虎、雲龍兩子，雲虎遷永定縣新邑庵前塘背。 开春五代孙五十五郎移迁漳州上街。 開春五代孫五十五郎移遷漳州上街。 五十五郎后代德隆移居金山水美。 五十五郎後代德隆移居金山水美。 按记载：石班滩始祖（开春）千八郎公为“书礼堂”始祖→二世十四郎→三世念→念六郎六兄弟，念五郎传下→四世三八郎→五世四二郎→六世五五郎→七世德隆→八世孟容。 按記載：石班灘始祖（開春）千八郎公為“書禮堂”始祖→二世十四郎→三世念→念六郎六兄弟，念五郎傳下→四世三八郎→五世四二郎→六世五五郎→七世德隆→八世孟容。 孟容公于明朝正统十四年由水美移下永为涌山始祖。 孟容公於明朝正統十四年由水美移下永為湧山始祖。

据 《涌山族谱》记载，涌山派的祖籍谱系为：一世孟容→二世延旭→三世孔伸→四世仲广→五世时泽→六世伯富→七世士梅→八世国撑→九世邦名→十世汝熟→十一世 世钲→十二世元清→十三世胜官（迁台）→十四世必定→十五世钦→十六世贤→十七世世寿、万成、万长、万益、万德、万富。 據 《湧山族譜》記載，湧山派的祖籍譜係為：一世孟容→二世延旭→三世孔伸→四世仲廣→五世時澤→六世伯富→七世士梅→八世國撐→九世邦名→十世汝熟→十一世 世鉦→十二世元清→十三世勝官（遷台）→十四世必定→十五世欽→十六世賢→十七世世壽、萬成、萬長、萬益、萬德、萬富。 开基祖萧孟容于明代时从南靖的书洋乡（吕秀莲祖籍所在地）迁至金山乡水头村，不久再迁至涌山村。 開基祖蕭孟容於明代時從南靖的書洋鄉（呂秀蓮祖籍所在地）遷至金山鄉水頭村，不久再遷至湧山村。 萧孟容在涌山生育了八个儿子，其中二、四子住上涌，三、六子住下涌，一、五子后迁福州，七、八子迁安溪。 蕭孟容在湧山生育了八個兒子，其中二、四子住上湧，三、六子住下湧，一、五子後遷福州，七、八子遷安溪。 据族谱记载，萧孟容二、三、四、六子的后代于清代大批迁往台湾，而萧万长这一支的开台始祖就是从涌山迁到台湾的。 據族譜記載，蕭孟容二、三、四、六子的後代於清代大批遷往台灣，而蕭萬長這一支的開台始祖就是從湧山遷到台灣的。 萧万长属二房世系，现有兄弟五人，其排行第三，系涌山派开基始祖萧孟容的十七世嫡孙。

据史料记载，至迟到明代已经有漳州的萧姓居民迁往台湾。 據史料記載，至遲到明代已經有漳州的蕭姓居民遷往台灣。 据《南靖县志》载，改县金山镇下永、祥永两村萧氏，为齐梁房萧开春的后代。 據《南靖縣志》載，改縣金山鎮下永、祥永兩村蕭氏，為齊梁房蕭開春的後代。 明正统十四年（公元 1449 年），金山镇下永村上永社开基始祖萧孟容于从书洋镇移居金山镇水美，后再移居下涌开基，传八子。 明正統十四年（公元 1449 年），金山鎮下永村上永社開基始祖蕭孟容於從書洋鎮移居金山鎮水美，後再移居下湧開基，傳八子。 据《上涌萧氏世系》的族谱记载：“清朝康熙年间，六房七世祖萧鐆一家迁往台湾米罗山北社尾（现为嘉义市北社区）居住，随后，二房、三房的七、八、九、十、十一世，共 45 人迁往台湾彰化、台中等地。”上涌村《萧氏族谱》上也记载着萧氏“涌山”派后裔移居台湾一事。 據《上湧蕭氏世系》的族譜記載：“清朝康熙年間，六房七世祖蕭鐆一家遷往台灣米羅山北社尾（現為嘉義市北社區）居住，隨後，二房、三房的七、八、九、十、十一世，共 45 人遷往台灣彰化、台中等地。”上涌村《蕭氏族譜》上也記載著蕭氏“湧山”派後裔移居台灣一事。 清朝康熙年间，六房七世祖一家人，迁往台湾米罗山北社尾（现为嘉义市北社区）居住，随后，又有 45 人迁往台湾彰化、嘉义、台中等地。 清朝康熙年間，六房七世祖一家人，遷往台灣米羅山北社尾（現為嘉義市北社區）居住，隨後，又有 45 人遷往台灣彰化、嘉義、台中等地。 另据台湾《青年战士报》登载的《唐山过台湾》一文称：“'涌山'派来台开基，一开始便阵容庞大，人多势众。”文章还说，“涌山”派始祖是萧孟容，他的后裔在台湾兴建两座宗祠，即南投镇仁美里的“南兴祠”，嘉义市北社区的“孟容公祠”。 另據台灣《青年戰士報》登載的《唐山過台灣》一文稱：“'湧山'派來台開基，一開始便陣容龐大，人多勢眾。”文章還說，“湧山”派始祖是蕭孟容，他的後裔在台灣興建兩座宗祠，即南投鎮仁美里的“南興祠”，嘉義市北社區的“孟容公祠”。 每年农历正月初三、七月十四，下永村萧氏后裔都要来这里祭拜祖先，追溯祖德；而在台湾的萧氏宗亲，每年的清明或元旦，也都有人回到上永村扫墓探亲。 每年農曆正月初三、七月十四，下永村蕭氏後裔都要來這裡祭拜祖先，追溯祖德；而在台灣的蕭氏宗親，每年的清明或元旦，也都有人回到上永村掃墓探親。

（二）祖籍地调查 （二）祖籍地調查

南靖县金山镇下永村是南靖萧氏“涌山”派始祖萧孟容的开基地点，是台湾彰化县、台中市、嘉义市氏萧“涌山”派的祖籍地。 南靖縣金山鎮下永村是南靖蕭氏“湧山”派始祖蕭孟容的開基地點，是台灣彰化縣、台中市、嘉義市氏蕭“湧山”派的祖籍地。 下永村是一个呈纵形山谷的山村，分为上永和下永。 下永村是一個呈縱形山谷的山村，分為上永和下永。 虽然这里空间狭窄，但却是个山清水秀的地方，萧氏祖祠四美堂位于南靖县金山镇下永村西北角的一个大约 雖然這裡空間狹窄，但卻是個山清水秀的地方，蕭氏祖祠四美堂位於南靖縣金山鎮下永村西北角的一個大約 80 米 80 米 高的山包上，坐北朝南占地面积 3 亩多，地形极佳，被称为“金盆摇珠”之穴地。 高的山包上，坐北朝南佔地面積 3 畝多，地形極佳，被稱為“金盆搖珠”之穴地。 四美堂始建于明万历十八年（公元 1590 年），是奉祀南靖涌山派始祖萧孟容的祖祠，祖祠中悬挂着萧万长担任台湾“行政院长”时题写的匾额：“祖德福荫”。 四美堂始建於明萬曆十八年（公元 1590 年），是奉祀南靖湧山派始祖蕭孟容的祖祠，祖祠中懸掛著蕭萬長擔任台灣“行政院長”時題寫的匾額： “祖德福蔭”。 整座祖祠为单进主殿面阔三间抬梁式悬山顶结构，四根木柱配石础，两对书写镏金传世对联曰：“本河南，从永邑，先镇漳州绵瓜瓞；溯书滩，移水美，继开永里绍箕裘。”梁间透雕花卉鸟兽，主殿配建门楼泮池。 整座祖祠為單進主殿面闊三間抬樑式懸山頂結構，四根木柱配石礎，兩對書寫鎦金傳世對聯曰：“本河南，從永邑，先鎮漳州綿瓜瓞；溯書灘，移水美，繼開永裡紹箕裘。”梁間透雕花卉鳥獸，主殿配建門樓泮池。 堂前保存有嘉庆（公元 1817 年）的一进士旗杆座。 堂前保存有嘉慶（公元 1817 年）的一進士旗桿座。 1990 年四美堂由台胞宗亲萧哲昌捐资重建。 1990 年四美堂由台胞宗親蕭哲昌捐資重建。 2005 年 11 月四美堂被列为县级文物保护单位。 2005 年 11 月四美堂被列為縣級文物保護單位。 据“中华民国” 81 年岁次壬申台湾编修族谱记载，台湾有嘉义市北社尾“孟容公祠”、南投市彰南路 2 段 165 巷 4 号“南兴祠”、嘉义市竹围子“涌山堂”（萧万长之祖祠）、南投市“邦炳公祠”，均出于涌山“四美堂”。 據“中華民國” 81 年歲次壬申台灣編修族譜記載，台灣有嘉義市北社尾“孟容公祠”、南投市彰南路 2 段 165 巷 4 號“南興祠”、嘉義市竹圍子“湧山堂”（蕭萬長之祖祠）、南投市“邦炳公祠”，均出於湧山“四美堂”。

四美堂山下左前方就是涌山萧家祖妈龚氏的大墓，已经被修葺一新，并砌起了高高的祭台；涌山始祖孟容公的墓地则在上涌自然村，也被完好保护。 四美堂山下左前方就是湧山蕭家祖媽龔氏的大墓，已經被修葺一新，並砌起了高高的祭台；湧山始祖孟容公的墓地則在上湧自然村，也被完好保護。 金山下永村上永社始祖萧孟容墓位于下永村墘仔头乌鸦穴号，坐南，立有石碑。 金山下永村上永社始祖蕭孟容墓位於下永村墘仔頭烏鴉穴號，坐南，立有石碑。 1989 年旅日华侨萧胜徒捐资重修。 1989 年旅日華僑蕭勝徒捐資重修。 祖妣龚氏葬于下永乌鸦羽，迁葬于上永庵前墘，坐西。 祖妣龔氏葬於下永烏鴉羽，遷葬於上永庵前墘，坐西。 近几年来，两岸宗亲往来频繁，台湾宗亲还曾出资重修宗祠、祖坟及村路。 近幾年來，兩岸宗親往來頻繁，台灣宗親還曾出資重修宗祠、祖墳及村路。 每年农历正月初三、七月十四，下永村萧氏后裔都要来这里祭祀祖先，追溯祖德。 每年農曆正月初三、七月十四，下永村蕭氏後裔都要來這裡祭祀祖先，追溯祖德。

（三）萧氏两岸互动 （三）蕭氏兩岸互動

萧孟容的后裔迁居台湾以后，两岸宗亲书信不断，交流频繁。 蕭孟容的後裔遷居台灣以後，兩岸宗親書信不斷，交流頻繁。 下永村萧氏十一世萧世珍到台湾后，思乡怀亲，直至他的子孙，还常与故土亲人互通信息。 下永村蕭氏十一世蕭世珍到台灣後，思鄉懷親，直至他的子孫，還常與故土親人互通信息。 1932 年，萧世珍的玄孙萧康、萧永还曾从台湾来信从祖籍地要去族谱以续在台家谱，至 1935 年续完后又把族谱寄回祖地。 1932 年，蕭世珍的玄孫蕭康、蕭永還曾從台灣來信從祖籍地要去族譜以續在台家譜，至 1935 年續完後又把族譜寄回祖地。 1936 年，在祖地的萧深湾、萧有土叔侄两人写了回信，并商议前往台湾探望亲人一事，后因抗日战争爆发，这封已写好的信没能发出。 1936 年，在祖地的蕭深灣、蕭有土叔侄兩人寫了回信，並商議前往台灣探望親人一事，後因抗日戰爭爆發，這封已寫好的信沒能發出。 在台湾的萧世珍的子孙还时时惦念故土家业。 在台灣的蕭世珍的子孫還時時惦念故土家業。 当他们得知有人将把祖厝卖掉时，特地派人专程送来银元，赎回祖厝。 當他們得知有人將把祖厝賣掉時，特地派人專程送來銀元，贖回祖厝。 现在这座祖厝还保护得相当好，它已经成为台湾的萧氏“涌山”派怀祖念亲的象征。 現在這座祖厝還保護得相當好，它已經成為台灣的蕭氏“湧山”派懷祖念親的象徵。

下永村的四美堂是 1989 年至 1990 年間，由台灣湧山蕭氏宗親捐資四萬元重新修葺的。 自 1984 年，台湾萧氏宗亲首次到下永村寻根祭祖起，每年均有一两个宗亲团回来祭祖，个人回来的更是常有不断。 自 1984 年，台灣蕭氏宗親首次到下永村尋根祭祖起，每年均有一兩個宗親團回來祭祖，個人回來的更是常有不斷。 两地萧氏宗亲血脉相连，互相关照。 兩地蕭氏宗親血脈相連，互相關照。 1999 年台湾大地震时，下永萧氏村民非常担心台湾亲人的安危，纷纷携带果品、祭品到四美堂祈祷台湾宗亲平安，并寄去漳州片仔癀、云南白药等急救药品给台湾亲人。 1999 年台灣大地震時，下永蕭氏村民非常擔心台灣親人的安危，紛紛攜帶果品、祭品到四美堂祈禱台灣宗親平安，並寄去漳州片仔癀、雲南白藥等急救藥品給台灣親人。

1986 年季秋，四美堂派旅日华侨萧胜徒回祖地省亲谒祖，修缮孟容公墓园。 1986 年季秋，四美堂派旅日華僑蕭勝徒回祖地省親謁祖，修繕孟容公墓園。 其后萧胜徒连续三年到祖地拜祖会亲，解囊建石拱桥二座，修造四美堂祖龛、祖牌，重修孟容公坟墓。 其後蕭勝徒連續三年到祖地拜祖會親，解囊建石拱橋二座，修造四美堂祖龕、祖牌，重修孟容公墳墓。

1990 年，台湾嘉义市北社尾六房二、十六世裔孙萧哲昌回乡拜祭先祖时，看到祖祠年久失修，独资重修“四美堂”，以敬后世。 1990 年，台灣嘉義市北社尾六房二、十六世裔孫蕭哲昌回鄉拜祭先祖時，看到祖祠年久失修，獨資重修“四美堂”，以敬後世。 1992 年，板桥市萧耀辉、中和市萧昌铜到祖地。 1992 年，板橋市蕭耀輝、中和市蕭昌銅到祖地。

1993 年，嘉义市萧茂男率团与台北市哲昌等共同参加四美堂重修落成庆典。 1993 年，嘉義市蕭茂男率團與台北市哲昌等共同參加四美堂重修落成慶典。

1994 年，台北县萧江河专程陪侍其父（萧清林）到祖地认祖。 1994 年，台北縣蕭江河專程陪侍其父（蕭清林）到祖地認祖。

1995 年，南投市萧树语携带儿孙一行六人，由儿子献堂开车专程到祖地认祖。 1995 年，南投市蕭樹語攜帶兒孫一行六人，由兒子獻堂開車專程到祖地認祖。 同年下半年他又带领秋全、秋晓、清分、清裕、碧云、林极、江河、献堂等人到祖地拜祖，树语还出资整修四美堂道路。 同年下半年他又帶領秋全、秋曉、清分、清裕、碧雲、林極、江河、獻堂等人到祖地拜祖，樹語還出資整修四美堂道路。

2000 年 4 月 15 日 2000 年 4 月 15 日 ，云林县古坑乡萧清池、萧玉屏夫妇带清朝、政弘、桂英、澄旭、淑慧、澄浩、美英、淑惠等人到祖地拜祖会亲。 ，雲林縣古坑鄉蕭清池、蕭玉屏夫婦帶清朝、政弘、桂英、澄旭、淑慧、澄浩、美英、淑惠等人到祖地拜祖會親。 两地宗亲近几年往来十分频繁。 兩地宗親近幾年往來十分頻繁。

2005 年９月９日，萧万长第一次携家人前往厦门乌石埔萧氏家庙谒祖。 2005 年９月９日，蕭萬長第一次攜家人前往廈門烏石埔蕭氏家廟謁祖。 来自福建、广东、湖南、湖北、四川、江西等６省的萧氏宗亲５００余人，聚集在家庙，迎接萧万长家人。 來自福建、廣東、湖南、湖北、四川、江西等６省的蕭氏宗親５００餘人，聚集在家廟，迎接蕭萬長家人。 谒祖后，萧万长为家庙题字“光宗耀祖，庇佑子孙”，并为他给家庙题写的“兰陵世家”牌匾揭牌，随后，萧万长还为乌石埔家庙被评为厦门市涉台文物揭碑。 謁祖後，蕭萬長為家廟題字“光宗耀祖，庇佑子孫”，並為他給家廟題寫的“蘭陵世家”牌匾揭牌，隨後，蕭萬長還為烏石埔家廟被評為廈門市涉台文物揭碑。

2007 年 7 月，经涌山宗亲联谊会倡议，下永村村民踊跃捐资，开通前往“四美堂”的大道，并架上路灯，以便海内外宗亲回乡谒祖。 2007 年 7 月，經湧山宗親聯誼會倡議，下永村村民踴躍捐資，開通前往“四美堂”的大道，並架上路燈，以便海內外宗親回鄉謁祖。

2007 年 11 月 3 日 2007 年 11 月 3 日 ，台湾嘉义市涌山堂 26 位萧氏宗亲到南靖县金山镇下永村，拜谒涌山派祖籍地“四美堂”宗祠和参拜涌山派祖先萧孟容之墓，受到南靖县金山镇乡亲和有关部门的热烈欢迎。 ，台灣嘉義市湧山堂 26 位蕭氏宗親到南靖縣金山鎮下永村，拜謁湧山派祖籍地“四美堂”宗祠和參拜湧山派祖先蕭孟容之墓，受到南靖縣金山鎮鄉親和有關部門的熱烈歡迎。 这是历年来最大的祭祖阵容。 這是歷年來最大的祭祖陣容。

--資料來源【閩台地緣關係研究文集】
(source:www.hxit.org/zupu/zpsx/)

Sifu Siow Ho Phiew (蕭斐弘)- Master of Lion Dance

Siow Ho Phiew(PIS)(蕭斐弘), the Malaysian King of lion dance. A man from Xiao family who is the one who introduced the lion dance to the world, to people of different racial and religion background. Lion dance is very popular in Malaysia, it is a national cultural activities which have now taken up by other races, Indian and Malay. He is also one of the active promoter of high pole lion dance(高樁舞獅).

鼓樂配獅舞、
獅者聽節奏、
靜動須分明、
投入論真感、
人獅合為一、還我本是獅。

- 萧斐弘

Related article:http://allmalaysia.info/news/story.asp?file=/2009/1/22/state/3049012&sec=state

The Seow Association of Penang

The Seow Association of Penang has held their annual dinner on 9-6-2009 at Tung Hai Fish Village Sea Food Restaurant in Batu Mau, Bayan Lepas, Penang for the 17th Anniversary Celebration.

The MSSM gymnastic team provided their splendid performance on stage to entertain the guests.

The President of Siow Association of Malaysia, Dato Seow Choo Thoy(拿 督 蕭 楚 釵)was the guest of honor for the dinner. The scholarships for member's children was given at the dinner. About 300 people attended the dinner.

The Xiao(蕭) family members are encouraged to join the association, as the number of clan family is not big in the island.

1. The Seow Association of Penang is located at:

The Seow Association of Penang(槟威萧氏宗亲会)
17, Jalan Limau Manis Satu,
Taman limau Manis,
14000 Bukit Mertajam
Penang
Tel NO: 04-3334563, 8277260
Fax: 04-3310146,04-8277260

2. For those in other part of Malaysia, Siow Association of Malaysia( 馬來西亞蕭氏總會) is located at:

Siow Association of Malaysia( 馬來西亞蕭氏總會)
147-2, 3 1/4 mile, Jalan Kelang Lama,
58000 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
Tel: 03-79816026
Website: http://siowmalaysia.com
e-mail: general@siowmalaysia.com


3. N. S. TITI SIOW CLANSMEN ASSOCIATION (森美蘭知知港蘭陵蕭氏聯宗會)
NO. 6 , CROSS ROAD , T I T I ,
71650 JELEBU ,
NEGRI SEMBILAM , MALAYSIA .