In the 1630s, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) aimed to expand its control over southwestern Taiwan, where they had established a foothold at Tayouan but faced resistance from local aboriginal villages. The village of Mattau was particularly hostile, having ambushed and killed sixty Dutch soldiers in 1629. In 1635, after receiving reinforcements from Batavia, the Dutch initiated a campaign against these villages. The strong display of Dutch military might led to the swift subjugation of key villages like Mattau and Soulang. Witnessing this, numerous surrounding villages voluntarily sought peace with the Dutch, preferring surrender to conflict.

The consolidation of Dutch rule in the southwest paved the way for the colony's future successes. The newly acquired territories opened up opportunities in the deer trade, which became highly profitable for the Dutch. Additionally, the fertile lands attracted Chinese laborers, who were brought in to cultivate them. The allied aboriginal villages not only became trading partners but also provided warriors to assist the Dutch in various conflicts. Moreover, the stabilized region allowed Dutch missionaries to disseminate their religious beliefs, further establishing the colony's foundation. This era of relative stability is sometimes referred to as the Pax Hollandica (Dutch Peace) by scholars and historians, drawing a parallel with the Pax Romana.^[39]