Yang Kang-ju's Perspective: Hsing Tai-chao's Sunflower Manual and the Sun and Moon Holy Cult

During his tenure as Prosecutor General (from early May 2022 to early May 2026), Hsing Tai-chao invented the mascot nickname 'Prosecutor Azi' and referred to official publications as the 'Sunflower Manual.' Reflecting on the sycophantic culture among his followers, the two shameless sects from Jin Yong’s novels—Xingxiu Sect and the Sun and Moon Holy Cult (referencing the chapter where Linghu Chong battles Dongfang Bubai)—seem to have converged momentarily within Hsing’s Supreme Prosecutors Office, a judicial miracle indeed.

Hsing Tai-chao retired in early May 2026. It is expected that he will 'open a law firm, serve as a senior advisor at a major firm, or fulfill his dream of becoming a professor'—or perhaps pursue all three simultaneously? Hsing is addicted to compiling books, so he may also fulfill his dream of publishing, perhaps releasing a memoir titled 'Recollections of a Veteran Prosecutor?' While praised within his echo chamber, external critics have been vocal. My article 'Passing Through the Boos! A Review of Hsing Tai-chao’s Resignation Statement' may be worth reading.

This time, I will discuss the 'Penghu Sea Urchin Raid Case' as an example of performative prosecution, briefly analyzing 'Hsing Tai-chao’s Sunflower Manual and the Sun and Moon Holy Cult.' This should serve as public knowledge and a judicial anecdote. The rest will be left for another time.

Passing through the boos, reputation emerges: The 'Demon of Justice' and the Prosecutor’s Sinner

Recent commentary in July includes notable pieces such as 'The Demon of Justice’s Rise to Power,' 'Hsing Tai-chao’s Black and White,' and 'Hsu Hsi-hsiang Sets Two Records, Largely Thanks to Hsing Tai-chao.' These critiques, originating from within the prosecution system, include Chen Hung-ta’s discussion on 'Who is the Prosecutor’s Sinner?' or 'The Prosecution System is Not a Political Agent of Justice,' as reported in the media. These indicate that negative opinions about Hsing have gradually surfaced after his retirement. With no official position, criticism and discussion are only natural.

I recommend that Hsing Tai-chao, his loyalists, senior prosecutors, and the prosecution system as a whole read these critiques. Using the 'Sanzhong Case' as an example, I remind Hsing of the following two statements:

1. Did Prosecutor General Hsing make reckless remarks on his first day?

On his first day as Prosecutor General, the Supreme Prosecutors Office (May 9, 2022) issued a press release: '(Original) Hsing Tai-chao stated: For example, the Sanzhong Case is currently under appeal, and according to judicial tradition, prosecutors should not comment. However, certain individuals are attempting to influence the second-instance verdict through various means, so we must clarify and explain...'

I directly question: 'Who dares interfere with justice?' Did Hsing speak recklessly for no reason? Yet throughout his four-year term—from appointment to retirement—he never provided a coherent explanation.

2. Hsing’s resignation statement: 'Will he mumble again?'

Upon retirement, Hsing boldly issued the 'first-ever' resignation statement through the Supreme Prosecutors Office (May 7, 2026), stating: '(Original) However, recent reports and commentaries, due to differing sources and perspectives, do not fully align with reality. For example, some media mentioned the Sanzhong Case...'

Hsing evaded the core issue. His statement mentioned 'recovering illegal gains and items,' but the clear-eyed observer sees through this. I directly expose the truth: The Sanzhong Case involved the prosecution of Ma Ying-jeou. After both first and second trials ruled not guilty, the prosecution’s appeal was rejected by the Supreme Court, finalizing the acquittal. This is the key point!

As Xia Zhen wrote in 'The Demon of Justice’s Rise to Power': 'Hsing Tai-chao climbed to the peak of prosecutors but brought the profession to its lowest point.' The commentary 'Hsing Tai-chao’s Black and White' states: 'The Sanzhong Case was once Hsing’s ladder to promotion, but now it has become a stain on his 40-year prosecutorial career.'

To be blunt: At night, when Hsing recalls saying 'certain individuals are trying to influence the second-instance verdict,' and considers the case’s final acquittal, what did Prosecutor Chen Hung-ta say? 'The prosecution system is not a political agent of justice!'

The argument 'The prosecution system or prosecutors are not political agents of justice' was posted by Chen Hung-ta on Facebook in July and has been cited by media. Chen stated: '(The Sanzhong Case) reminds the prosecution system: In major political cases lacking direct evidence strong enough to overcome reasonable doubt, even with support from specific media, prosecutors may still be harshly rebutted in court.'

The key insight lies in the four words: 'lack of direct evidence to overcome reasonable doubt' and 'specific media.' Seeing this, one feels profound sorrow for the prosecution system. Shouldn’t senior prosecutors feel deeply ashamed? As the saying goes, 'May the originator have no descendants?'

Therefore, who is the sinner of the prosecution?

Hsing Tai-chao’s connection to the Sun and Moon Holy Cult: The Supreme Prosecutors Office publishes the 'Sunflower Manual'

Hsing Tai-chao is addicted to compiling books. As Prosecutor General, the Supreme Prosecutors Office (September 7, 2022) referred to an official publication as the 'Sunflower Manual' (Note: Compilation of Investigation Guidelines for the Election and Recall of Public Officials, originally drafted by Hsing and colleagues from the Kaohsiung Prosecutors Office; I have the 2011 edition).

Recalling the novel *The Smiling, Proud Wanderer*, Dongfang Bubai said: 'When I first became sect leader, I shamelessly boasted. Only after practicing the Sunflower Manual did I gradually grasp the essence of life.' Ren Woxing said: 'If eunuchs practice the Sunflower Manual, it would be perfect.' In my article 'Review of the Supreme Prosecutors Office’s Sunflower Manual,' I once commented: 'Practicing the Sunflower Manual requires self-castration, revealing its sinister and unique nature. By promoting the Sunflower Manual for prosecutors to worship, does Hsing imply, 'To master this divine skill, cut yourself first?'

Moreover, praising a 'six-star toilet prosecutor'—if even a prosecutor’s restroom can be glorified as 'six-star,' comparable to international hotels and sail-shaped hotels?

In the novel, the Sun and Moon Holy Cult (the demonic sect) practices the Sunflower Manual. A similar technique is the 'Pi Xie Sword Manual,' mastered by the hypocrite Yue Buqun and Lin Pingzhi, descendant of the Lin family. The key to mastering it is 'self-castration with a knife.' Zuo Lengchan of the Songshan Sect failed to grasp its essence, mimicking the form but lacking substance, and was ultimately blinded by the castrated Yue Buqun.

What does Hsing mean by calling an official publication the 'Sunflower Manual'? Is he instructing prosecutors and investigators: 'To master this divine skill, cut yourself first?'

As for the quality of the book, judging from the old drafts of the prosecution, it is appalling. Hsing abused public funds and exaggerated its value, which is regrettable. Please refer to my previous critiques. (Note: I once drafted an article, critiquing several 2011 'old Kaohsiung drafts' one by one. Some authors have since become lawyers. To preserve the prosecution’s dignity, I may publish it later. I also humbly request Acting Prosecutor General Hsu Hsi-hsiang to briefly review the book. If it is indeed reprinted, wasting public funds and continuing Hsing’s 'Sunflower Manual' cult, to be distributed and worshipped by prosecutors nationwide?)

The Sun and Moon Holy Cult: 'Near ink, one turns black'—gathering villains, intolerant of dissent?

In *The Smiling, Proud Wanderer*, there is a thought-provoking chapter: Liu Zhengfeng of the Hengshan Sect and Qu Yang of the Sun and Moon Holy Cult bond through music. The Songshan Sect, claiming righteousness, relentlessly pressures them. Liu Zhengfeng is forced to destroy his 'Golden Basin Cleansing Hands' ceremony and dies by severing his meridians. Qu Yang dies trying to save him. At that moment, Linghu Chong asks: 'What does “chivalry” mean? Is it chivalrous to bully the severely injured? To slaughter innocent young girls? If such acts are committed, what difference is there from demonic cults?' (Yuanjing Edition, Chapter 7, p. 269, my personal copy)

Thus, if so-called righteous sects act like demonic cults, their actions still classify them as such.

Observing the Sun and Moon Holy Cult (the demonic sect), the proverb 'near vermilion, one turns red; near ink, one turns black' highlights the words 'contamination' and 'gradual influence.' Take the character 'Diao Xia上官 Yun'—he is quite interesting. Ren Woxing says: 'The martial world praises上官 Yun for his high martial arts and integrity, yet he speaks only flattery and clichés, like a shameless petty man. Is the reputation false? Is he merely famous without merit?' Ren Woxing frowns. (Yuanjing Edition, Chapter 30, p. 1254, my personal copy)

How can someone full of flattery possess integrity? To avoid verbosity, please refer to my article 'Modern Eastern Depot: The Restoration of Imperial Power?'

The wise understand through analogy. When sect members chant 'Sun and Moon Holy Cult, civil and martial virtue, for ten thousand years, unifying the rivers and lakes?' it clearly reflects 'near ink, one turns black; gathering villains, intolerant of dissent.' The prosecution’s show culture, suspicion of abusing public power, flattery, sycophancy, abuse of authority, and perversion of law—mocked as watchdogs—can be fairly judged by citizens of a modern rule-of-law society. These will remain in judicial history.

Prosecutorial spectacle: Wu Yi-ming’s Penghu Sea Urchin Joint Raid Case

Wu Yi-ming, promoted to Penghu Prosecutor in March 2026, was a senior official under Hsing Tai-chao (former Chief Clerk of the Supreme Prosecutors Office). The 'Penghu Sea Urchin Joint Raid Case' exemplifies his 'achievement'—a personal出击? I posted on Facebook (July 4, excerpt):

Illegal harvesting in Penghu has long existed, and prosecutors have enforced the law strictly. However, on June 30, 2026, at 6:00 PM, Prosecutor Wu Yi-ming 'led' the Chief Prosecutor, 'jointly' with the Penghu County Government’s Agriculture and Fisheries Bureau, Coast Guard Seventh Fleet, Baisha Police Station, Penghu Fisheries Association, and the Ocean Conservation Administration of the Ocean Affairs Council—multiple agencies in a grand inter-agency raid? At 6:31 PM, six defendants were arrested on the spot for illegally harvesting sea urchins by small boat. After interrogation, each was released on bail of NT$30,000–60,000? One report even claimed '154 precious Penghu sea urchins seized at the scene?'

A grand inter-agency show. The prosecutor led prosecutors, 'coast guard, police, fisheries bureau, ocean conservation, fisheries association'—all gathering at dusk to arrest six individuals and seize 154 sea urchins?

While environmental protection and fisheries are important, did the prosecutor, jointly with multiple agencies, 'launch an operation' to arrest six defendants?