In 1980, he published Wintry Night, a series of novels spanning three generations of a family against the backdrop of Japanese rule history and wars in Taiwan.
The trilogy comprises three major works: Wintry Night (寒夜), Arid Village (荒村), and The Solitary Light (孤燈).
[2] His university studies in Chinese literature and Western philosophy influenced his works with Buddhist philosophical ideas, and his writings often explore the vulnerability of life and individuals.
[3] He described his writing inclination as "mostly about the description of the life of the general public, a faint voice for the voiceless ordinary people."
Set against the backdrop of the Japanese rule period, the trilogy profoundly highlights the nation's suffering, the dignity of humanity, and the deep attachment people have to their land, embodying an epic, radiant portrayal of maternal love.