Chu also came into contact with materials including photographs and books on the treasures of the National Palace Museum. He entered middle school at the age of 14, but joined the army the following year.
十四歲那年，楚戈進入汨羅中學就讀。由於戰亂，初中二年級那年和幾個同學投筆從戎，展開流離顛沛的軍旅生涯。