Zhang Zongchang
Encyclopedia
Zhang Zongchang (1881 – 1932), nicknamed the "Dogmeat General" and "72-Cannon Chang" , was a Chinese
warlord
in Shandong
in the early 20th century. Time dubbed him China's "basest warlord".
Born in poverty in Yi County (now Laizhou
) in Shandong, Zhang joined a bandit gang in 1911 and rose in power after offering his band's services to the army of Jiangsu
's military governor. His success as a part-time bandit chief and militiaman was short-lived and after being defeated by rivals he sought refuge with the warlord Zhang Zuolin
in Manchuria. He made a good impression, with a popular story going that he rose in popularity one year at Zhang Zuolin's birthday party: in contrast to other guests who showered the warlord with expensive gifts, Zhang Zongchang sent him two empty coolie
baskets and failed to turn up himself. Zhang Zuolin was baffled until the purpose of the gift was soon ascertained: Zhang Zongchang's empty basket implied he was a man willing to shoulder whatever heavy responsibilities the warlord entrusted him with. He was subsequently rewarded with a command position in his army, though only after proving himself in battle did Zhang Zongchang visit his superior in person.
Zhang Zongchang's nickname of the Dogmeat General came from a fondness for gambling
, especially for the game Pai Gow
which Northeastern Chinese called "eating dog meat". He kept some thirty to fifty concubines of different nationalities, including Koreans, Japanese, White Russians, French and Americans, each of whom were given numbers since he could not remember their names nor speak their language. Well known as a frivolous and impetuous (though cheerfully calm) figure, he was also free with his gifts, lavishly squandering money and concubines on superiors and friends. As a result, Zhang's commanders were much loyal to him, contributing to his martial success. According to the wife of Wellington Koo
:
Zhang Zongchang proved to be one of the more capable warlord generals, making effective use of armoured train
s manned by experienced White Russian
mercenaries. He recruited up to 4,600 White Russian refugees from the Russian civil war
, from which he formed a cavalry regiment, complete with pseudo-Tsar
ist uniforms and regalia. Zhang Zongchang was also one of the first Chinese generals to incorporate women into the military on a large scale, even using a regiment of nurses entirely consisting of White Russian women. The White Russian nurses, in turn, trained their Chinese counterparts, resulting in greater efficiency in taking care of Zhang's wounded troops, a significant boost of morale and combat capability.
Nevertheless, while having a reputation as one of the most brutal and ruthless warlords, he was also one of the most colourful. After defeating the army of general Wu Peifu
by making his enemy's forces defect, he rewarded the defectors by allowing them to keep their original ranks. He then promoted his own officer, but since there was not enough metal to make the gold and silver stars for their rank insignia
, he ordered the stars to be made from the gold and silver paper foil in cigarette
packages. During the mass promotion ceremony, the officers were surprised to find their insignia
readily torn even before the ceremony had ended. Similarly, during one of his campaigns he publicly announced he would win the battle or come home in his coffin. When his troops were forced back he was true to his word - he was paraded through the streets, sitting in his coffin, and smoking a large cigar. It was also a matter of public amusement that he kept his aged mother with him at all times, except when on campaign, when he left her at his opulent palace
.
In 1924 he took part in the Second Zhili–Fengtian War and helped partition Shanghai
between the two opposing forces. In April 1925 he went on to conquer Shanghai
properly and then seized Nanjing
, both for the glory of Zhang Zuolin
's Fengtian
clique. He was subsequently appointed military governor of Shandong
, which he ruled as warlord until May 1928. Zhang travelled to Shanghai for frequent carousing sessions with Zhang Zuolin
's son, General Zhang Xueliang
. Both men enjoyed opium
, of which Shanghai was a key site in the smuggling trade, and Fengtian
economy became increasingly reliant on the drug. In an infamous incident in 1925, an argument in Zhang's headquarters over who among a group of officers should receive the biggest payment from an opium deal led to shoot-out which saw three of them kill each other.
In 1928, during the Northern Expedition, Muslim General Bai Chongxi
led Kuomintang
forces to destroy and defeat the Zhang Zongchang, capturing 20,000 of his 50,000 troops, almost capturing Zhang himself, who escaped beyond the Great Wall to Manchuria. He fled to Japanese protection in Dalian
. By 1929 he was living quietly in Japan with his mother, though was thrown into the spotlight again when he accidentally shot Prince Hsien Kai, a cousin of Emperor Puyi. According to Zhang the gun he was holding while standing at his hotel window happened to go off and shoot the young prince in the back, killing him instantly, though it was more likely he killed the playboy
prince for dallying with one of Zhang's many concubines. He was charged, found guilty by a Japanese court, and given the choice between 15 days imprisonment or a US$150 fine. He chose the fine.
While visiting Shandong in 1932 he was assassinated by the nephew of one of his many victims, who was in turn given clemency and pardoned by the Kuomintang
government. Contemporary claims were made that the "filial murder" might have been part of a plan set up a local governor to remove Zhang as a political rival.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
warlord
Warlord
A warlord is a person with power who has both military and civil control over a subnational area due to armed forces loyal to the warlord and not to a central authority. The term can also mean one who espouses the ideal that war is necessary, and has the means and authority to engage in war...
in Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
in the early 20th century. Time dubbed him China's "basest warlord".
Born in poverty in Yi County (now Laizhou
Laizhou
Laizhou is a county-level city in Yantai Prefecture, Shandong Province, China.As of 2008, Laizhou had a total population of 902,000, out of which 188,000 are urban residents.-External links:* in English...
) in Shandong, Zhang joined a bandit gang in 1911 and rose in power after offering his band's services to the army of Jiangsu
Jiangsu
' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country. The name comes from jiang, short for the city of Jiangning , and su, for the city of Suzhou. The abbreviation for this province is "苏" , the second character of its name...
's military governor. His success as a part-time bandit chief and militiaman was short-lived and after being defeated by rivals he sought refuge with the warlord Zhang Zuolin
Zhang Zuolin
Zhang Zuolin was the warlord of Manchuria from 1916 to 1928 . He successfully invaded China proper in October 1924 in the Second Zhili-Fengtian War. He gained control of Peking, including China's internationally recognized government, in April 1926...
in Manchuria. He made a good impression, with a popular story going that he rose in popularity one year at Zhang Zuolin's birthday party: in contrast to other guests who showered the warlord with expensive gifts, Zhang Zongchang sent him two empty coolie
Coolie
Historically, a coolie was a manual labourer or slave from Asia, particularly China, India, and the Phillipines during the 19th century and early 20th century...
baskets and failed to turn up himself. Zhang Zuolin was baffled until the purpose of the gift was soon ascertained: Zhang Zongchang's empty basket implied he was a man willing to shoulder whatever heavy responsibilities the warlord entrusted him with. He was subsequently rewarded with a command position in his army, though only after proving himself in battle did Zhang Zongchang visit his superior in person.
Zhang Zongchang's nickname of the Dogmeat General came from a fondness for gambling
Gambling
Gambling is the wagering of money or something of material value on an event with an uncertain outcome with the primary intent of winning additional money and/or material goods...
, especially for the game Pai Gow
Pai Gow
Pai gow is a Chinese gambling game, played with a set of Chinese dominoes. Pai gow is played in unsanctioned casinos in most Chinese communities...
which Northeastern Chinese called "eating dog meat". He kept some thirty to fifty concubines of different nationalities, including Koreans, Japanese, White Russians, French and Americans, each of whom were given numbers since he could not remember their names nor speak their language. Well known as a frivolous and impetuous (though cheerfully calm) figure, he was also free with his gifts, lavishly squandering money and concubines on superiors and friends. As a result, Zhang's commanders were much loyal to him, contributing to his martial success. According to the wife of Wellington Koo
Wellington Koo
Koo Vi Kyuin or Ku Wei-chün , often known by the Western name V.K. Wellington Koo, was a prominent diplomat under the Republic of China, representative to the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, Ambassador to France, Great Britain, and the United States; participant in founding the League of Nations...
:
- '[Zhang] was known everywhere as the "Three Don't Knows" . He said he didn't know how much money he had, how many concubines, or how many men in his army.'
Zhang Zongchang proved to be one of the more capable warlord generals, making effective use of armoured train
Armoured train
An armoured train is a train protected with armour. They are usually equipped with railroad cars armed with artillery and machine guns. They were mostly used during the late 19th and early 20th century, when they offered an innovative way to quickly move large amounts of firepower...
s manned by experienced White Russian
White movement
The White movement and its military arm the White Army - known as the White Guard or the Whites - was a loose confederation of Anti-Communist forces.The movement comprised one of the politico-military Russian forces who fought...
mercenaries. He recruited up to 4,600 White Russian refugees from the Russian civil war
Russian Civil War
The Russian Civil War was a multi-party war that occurred within the former Russian Empire after the Russian provisional government collapsed to the Soviets, under the domination of the Bolshevik party. Soviet forces first assumed power in Petrograd The Russian Civil War (1917–1923) was a...
, from which he formed a cavalry regiment, complete with pseudo-Tsar
Tsar
Tsar is a title used to designate certain European Slavic monarchs or supreme rulers. As a system of government in the Tsardom of Russia and Russian Empire, it is known as Tsarist autocracy, or Tsarism...
ist uniforms and regalia. Zhang Zongchang was also one of the first Chinese generals to incorporate women into the military on a large scale, even using a regiment of nurses entirely consisting of White Russian women. The White Russian nurses, in turn, trained their Chinese counterparts, resulting in greater efficiency in taking care of Zhang's wounded troops, a significant boost of morale and combat capability.
Nevertheless, while having a reputation as one of the most brutal and ruthless warlords, he was also one of the most colourful. After defeating the army of general Wu Peifu
Wu Peifu
Wu Peifu or Wu P'ei-fu , was a major figure in the struggles between the warlords who dominated Republican China from 1916 to 1927.- Early career :...
by making his enemy's forces defect, he rewarded the defectors by allowing them to keep their original ranks. He then promoted his own officer, but since there was not enough metal to make the gold and silver stars for their rank insignia
Insignia
Insignia or insigne pl -nia or -nias : a symbol or token of personal power, status or office, or of an official body of government or jurisdiction...
, he ordered the stars to be made from the gold and silver paper foil in cigarette
Cigarette
A cigarette is a small roll of finely cut tobacco leaves wrapped in a cylinder of thin paper for smoking. The cigarette is ignited at one end and allowed to smoulder; its smoke is inhaled from the other end, which is held in or to the mouth and in some cases a cigarette holder may be used as well...
packages. During the mass promotion ceremony, the officers were surprised to find their insignia
Insignia
Insignia or insigne pl -nia or -nias : a symbol or token of personal power, status or office, or of an official body of government or jurisdiction...
readily torn even before the ceremony had ended. Similarly, during one of his campaigns he publicly announced he would win the battle or come home in his coffin. When his troops were forced back he was true to his word - he was paraded through the streets, sitting in his coffin, and smoking a large cigar. It was also a matter of public amusement that he kept his aged mother with him at all times, except when on campaign, when he left her at his opulent palace
Palace
A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word itself is derived from the Latin name Palātium, for Palatine Hill, one of the seven hills in Rome. In many parts of Europe, the...
.
In 1924 he took part in the Second Zhili–Fengtian War and helped partition Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
between the two opposing forces. In April 1925 he went on to conquer Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
properly and then seized Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
, both for the glory of Zhang Zuolin
Zhang Zuolin
Zhang Zuolin was the warlord of Manchuria from 1916 to 1928 . He successfully invaded China proper in October 1924 in the Second Zhili-Fengtian War. He gained control of Peking, including China's internationally recognized government, in April 1926...
's Fengtian
Fengtian
Fengtian is:* The name of an old prefecture under which Shenyang city was administered. Abolished in 1910.* The former name of Liaoning province from 1907 to 1929. Under the Manchukuo regime, the name was revived, but was again abolished in 1945....
clique. He was subsequently appointed military governor of Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
, which he ruled as warlord until May 1928. Zhang travelled to Shanghai for frequent carousing sessions with Zhang Zuolin
Zhang Zuolin
Zhang Zuolin was the warlord of Manchuria from 1916 to 1928 . He successfully invaded China proper in October 1924 in the Second Zhili-Fengtian War. He gained control of Peking, including China's internationally recognized government, in April 1926...
's son, General Zhang Xueliang
Zhang Xueliang
Zhang Xueliang or Chang Hsüeh-liang , occasionally called Peter Hsueh Liang Chang in English, nicknamed the Young Marshal , was the effective ruler of Manchuria and much of North China after the assassination of his father, Zhang Zuolin, by the Japanese on 4 June 1928...
. Both men enjoyed opium
Opium
Opium is the dried latex obtained from the opium poppy . Opium contains up to 12% morphine, an alkaloid, which is frequently processed chemically to produce heroin for the illegal drug trade. The latex also includes codeine and non-narcotic alkaloids such as papaverine, thebaine and noscapine...
, of which Shanghai was a key site in the smuggling trade, and Fengtian
Fengtian
Fengtian is:* The name of an old prefecture under which Shenyang city was administered. Abolished in 1910.* The former name of Liaoning province from 1907 to 1929. Under the Manchukuo regime, the name was revived, but was again abolished in 1945....
economy became increasingly reliant on the drug. In an infamous incident in 1925, an argument in Zhang's headquarters over who among a group of officers should receive the biggest payment from an opium deal led to shoot-out which saw three of them kill each other.
In 1928, during the Northern Expedition, Muslim General Bai Chongxi
Bai Chongxi
Bai Chongxi , , also spelled Pai Chung-hsi, was a Chinese general in the National Revolutionary Army of the Republic of China and a prominent Chinese Nationalist Muslim leader. He was of Hui ethnicity and of the Muslim faith...
led Kuomintang
Kuomintang
The Kuomintang of China , sometimes romanized as Guomindang via the Pinyin transcription system or GMD for short, and translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party is a founding and ruling political party of the Republic of China . Its guiding ideology is the Three Principles of the People, espoused...
forces to destroy and defeat the Zhang Zongchang, capturing 20,000 of his 50,000 troops, almost capturing Zhang himself, who escaped beyond the Great Wall to Manchuria. He fled to Japanese protection in Dalian
Dalian
Dalian is a major city and seaport in the south of Liaoning province, Northeast China. It faces Shandong to the south, the Yellow Sea to the east and the Bohai Sea to the west and south. Holding sub-provincial administrative status, Dalian is the southernmost city of Northeast China and China's...
. By 1929 he was living quietly in Japan with his mother, though was thrown into the spotlight again when he accidentally shot Prince Hsien Kai, a cousin of Emperor Puyi. According to Zhang the gun he was holding while standing at his hotel window happened to go off and shoot the young prince in the back, killing him instantly, though it was more likely he killed the playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
prince for dallying with one of Zhang's many concubines. He was charged, found guilty by a Japanese court, and given the choice between 15 days imprisonment or a US$150 fine. He chose the fine.
While visiting Shandong in 1932 he was assassinated by the nephew of one of his many victims, who was in turn given clemency and pardoned by the Kuomintang
Kuomintang
The Kuomintang of China , sometimes romanized as Guomindang via the Pinyin transcription system or GMD for short, and translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party is a founding and ruling political party of the Republic of China . Its guiding ideology is the Three Principles of the People, espoused...
government. Contemporary claims were made that the "filial murder" might have been part of a plan set up a local governor to remove Zhang as a political rival.
Further reading
- David Bonavia. China's Warlords. Hong Kong: OUP, 1995.