As a youngster he studied Chinese with many teachers and was a diligent student, setting his sights on passing the Ching civil service examinations. When China severed relations with Taiwan, he had to put this ambition to rest.
早年他曾致力科舉功名之途，受教於多位老師學習漢文；清廷割讓台灣後，他這方面的念頭只好斬斷。