Speaking of the warlords of the Republic of China, Sun Chuanfang is of course indispensable. As the most powerful warlord in the later period of the Zhi Family, Sun Chuanfang, Zhang Zuolin and Wu Peifu were collectively known as the "Three Northern Warlords". At his peak, Sun Chuanfang served as the commander-in-chief of the coalition forces in the five provinces of Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangsu, Anhui, and Jiangxi, and took charge of a large area of the Republic of China. Some people even called him the "King of Southeast Asia."
Generally speaking, Sun Chuanfang is a more complicated character. To know him objectively, one must start with his many deeds.
Sun Chuanfang has a nickname called "Smiling Tiger". When he is dealing with people, his face is always full of smiles and looks very gentle. But behind the smile, Sun Chuanfang is an out-and-out war madman.
(Sun Chuanfang old photo)
If you want to say which warlord was the most powerful in the Republic of China, I am afraid no one can tell. But if you want to say which warlord is particularly militant and good at fighting, it will definitely have the name of Sun Chuanfang.
In the case of warlords' separatism, Sun Chuanfang just relied on his deceptive appearance, coupled with unexpected and brave fighting. In just three years, he assisted Fujian from Hubei and entered Zhejiang from Fujian. Later, he simply established the five provinces of Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangsu, Anhui, and Jiangxi, and served as commander-in-chief. This was really a feat at the time.
In addition to being good at war, under Sun Chuanfang's smile, there is also a cruel heart hidden.
After fighting with Zhang Zongchang in 1925, Sun Chuanfang captured Fengjun’s frontline commander Shi Congbin. Shi Congbin is already a 60-year-old veteran. After meeting Sun Chuanfang, he also paid a special military salute. However, Sun Chuanfang insisted on beheading Shi Congbin regardless of the generals' persuasion. After Shi Congbin's death, Sun Chuanfang also cut off his head and hung it at the Bengbu Railway Station for public display.
Considering the situation of the warlords in the Republic of China at that time, the victory or defeat between the warlords is a very normal thing. It is not certain that one day the general who wins will also fail and be captured. Therefore, the warlords at that time also reached a tacit agreement with each other, that is, they will never kill the losers. The losers at that time can often retreat smoothly into the concession and live a prosperous life in the wild with peace of mind. This was a tradition of "benevolence and justice" at the time, but Sun Chuanfang simply ignored these.
was also due to the beheading of Shi Congbin, and Sun Chuanfang was eventually assassinated by Shi Congbin's daughter Shi Jianqiao. This is a later story.
(Shi Jianqiao stills)
But you have to say that Sun Chuanfang is sinister and cruel, but he is particularly good to the people.
Sun Chuanfang once said: "I advocate the doctrine of three loves: patriotism, love for the people, love for the enemy." And when he read the newspaper about "be an official and be a servant of the people", Sun Chuanfang couldn't help but smile and said: "In fact, most servants are liars. Those who are servants steal the master’s money and kidnap the master’s concubines. There is nothing good. To be the parents of the people, only parents love their children."
Sun Chuanfang is not just talking. In the society at that time, the warlord who ruled the side would often desperately squeeze the people to enrich their wallets. For example, during Zhang Zongchang's rule in Shandong, he used to make jokes like "big dung tax" to increase taxes. While Sun Chuanfang ruled the five provinces in the south of the Yangtze River, he cut taxes and treated peasants kindly. The five provinces in the south of the Yangtze River sang, danced and promoted peace, and the people all praised and loved him.
After he went down to the wild and converted to Buddhism, Sun Chuanfang provided gruel and mung bean soup at the entrance of his house every summer to cool off the heat. And after catching the thief in the family, Sun Chuanfang not only refused to beat him, but even asked people to reward him with congee and rice.
As far as his personal character is concerned, Sun Chuanfang wanders at the extremes of humility and kindness, which is really unpredictable.
However, one thing Sun Chuanfang has never changed is his national integrity.
(Old photo of Gangcun Ningci)
During his study in Japan, Sun Chuanfang had conflicts with Gangcun Ningci. At that time, Gangcun Ningci was Sun Chuanfang’s district captain. One day when he was on the roll, Gangcun Ningci discovered that Sun Chuanfang and others had not returned home for drinking. After Sun Chuanfang came back, Gangcun Ningci came up and slapped each of them, andInsult the Chinese.
was good for two hits, but when Sun Chuanfang heard that the country had been insulted, his blood flowed up and he rushed towards Gangcun Ningci like crazy. Gangcun Ningci is a master of judo, he easily knocked Sun Chuanfang to the ground. Sun Chuanfang gritted his teeth and got up, and said viciously: "I am going to clean up your arrogant things today." Then even rushed to Gangcun Ningci again.
Gangcun Ningci overturned Sun Chuanfang again and stepped on Sun Chuanfang's neck. Sun Chuanfang was furious, turned over and bit on Gangcun Ningci's leather shoes. Gangcun Ningci was in pain, and his body relaxed subconsciously. Sun Chuanfang took advantage of the situation and overturned Gangcun Ningci. When he was about to chase him, Sun Chuanfang was stopped by the people around him. He could only continue to insult Gangcun Ningci viciously.
Gangcun Ningci got up, but smiled and applauded Sun Chuanfang, and praised him as a man. The two did not know each other, and soon became friends.
After the "September 18th" incident, Sun Chuanfang lived in seclusion in Tianjin. Gangcun Ningci has personally visited Sun Chuanfang many times and asked him to take a post in the puppet Manchukuo. But despite repeated requests from former friends, Sun Chuanfang still adheres to his principles and refuses to be a traitor. In this regard, Sun Chuanfang is indeed a warlord with integrity.
(Reference: "Records of the Warlords of the Republic of China")
