Zhang Zongchang was a Chinese warlord born in 1881 into poverty in the Shandong region. He joined a group of bandits at 20 and rose to become a prominent warlord during the Warlord Era of the Republic of China. Zhang was known for his charisma, military pragmatism, and brutality. He was nicknamed the "Dog Meat General" due to his fondness for playing pai gow, a Chinese card game, and his consumption of dog meat. Zhang was also a renowned poet and had a reputation for being well-endowed, earning him the nickname "General 86."
As the military governor of Shandong, Zhang's rule was marked by rampant human rights violations, poor management, and vanity projects. He funded his army by printing paper money with no reserve to back it up, leading to massive inflation. Zhang's time as a warlord eventually came to an end after a series of defeats, and he was forced to flee to Japan. He later returned to China, where he was assassinated in 1932.
Despite his brutal and corrupt rule, Zhang left behind a complex legacy, and his poetry and charisma continue to fascinate people to this day.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Zhang Zhangshan was born in 1881 in the Shandong region of China.
2. Zhang's father was a head shaver, and his mother was a practicing witch and exorcist.
3. Zhang joined a group of roving bandits at age 20.
4. The Xinhai Revolution overthrew the Qing Dynasty and established the Republic of China in 1911.
5. The warlord era of the Republic of China began in 1916 after the death of President Yuan Shikai.
6. Zhang became a warlord and recruited thousands of fleeing White Russians to bolster his army.
7. Zhang used armored trains to transport troops and supplies, which was highly cost-effective.
8. Zhang was known for his charisma, military pragmatism, and ruthless tactics.
9. Zhang was the military governor of the province of Shandong.
10. Zhang's rule was marked by rampant human rights violations, poor management, and corruption.
11. Zhang collected taxes on various activities, but most of the revenue went towards his vanity projects and personal riches.
12. Zhang printed tens of millions of dollars worth of paper money, leading to massive inflation.
13. Zhang's men forced merchants to accept the paper money at face value.
14. A famine hit Shandong in 1927, caused primarily by drought.
15. Zhang was known for his poetry, and one of his poems was about the sky god not bringing rain.
16. Zhang was also known for his large endowment, earning him the nickname "General 86."
17. Zhang was forced to flee to Japan in 1928 after suffering a series of defeats.
18. Zhang shot a former prince in the back in Japan for trying to seduce one of his concubines.
19. Zhang was given a choice between 15 days in prison or a $150 fine and chose the latter.
20. Zhang was assassinated in 1932 by the nephew of an officer he had executed.