Dream Rain Oblique Sunshine: Jiang Family Private Photos: Jiang Family Private Photos

Author: Qin Feng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-02-01
Features: Chiang Kai-shek was indeed a, not only ruling China but also renowned internationally. From reaching the pinnacle of power to his eventual retirement to a secluded life, his life was full of drama. Chiang Kai-shek (1887—1975), originally named Zhou Tai, styled Ruiyuan, and later named Zhizhao, styled Kaixi, was from Xikou Town, Fenghua County, Zhejiang Province. In April 1905, Chiang Kai-shek went to Japan for the first time for studies and met Chen Yingshi (Qimei), whom he later revered as his "elder brother" and who introduced him to the revolutionary cause. In the summer of 1906, Chiang Kai-shek enrolled in the "Army Accelerated Course" (later renamed the Baoding Military Academy) in Baoding to study artillery. In the spring of 1907, he was selected to study at the Japanese Juntendo School. In Japan, through Chen Qimei's introduction, Chiang Kai-shek joined the Tongmenghui and participated in the anti-Qing revolution. The Xinhai Revolution broke out in 1911. At Chen Qimei's summons, Chiang Kai-shek immediately returned to China to join the revolution and, under Chen's assignment, took part in the uprising in Hangzhou on the night following the Shanghai uprising launched by Chen and others on November 3, leading a vanguard suicide squad from Shanghai to attack the Zhejiang Provincial Military Governor's Office. After the success of the Jiangsu-Zhejiang uprising, Chen Yingshi was elected as the Military Governor of Shanghai, and Chiang Kai-shek returned to Shanghai, becoming the commander of the fifth division of the Shanghai army, earning Chen's high praise. After Yuan Shikai stole the fruits of the revolution, Chiang Kai-shek and Chen Yingshi participated in the anti-Yuan "Second Revolution." After its failure, Chiang Kai-shek went to Japan again and, through Chen Qimei's introduction, gradually gained the trust of Sun Yat-sen, who was in exile at the time. This "photobook" may feature the solemn black-and-white wedding photos of Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling on the cover, but the images inside are much more lively and vivid. In addition to including the familiar photos of the Chiang family, it also reveals for the first time in mainland China the delightful family life scenes of the Chiang family. From these, we can see that Chiang Kai-shek's eldest son, Chiang Jingguo, had a warm smile and a meticulous mind, and shared a deep bond with his Russian wife, Jiang Fangliang. Chiang Jingguo's four legitimate children had modest achievements and died young, while his two illegitimate children were quite remarkable. Chiang Weizhou, who was not favored by his father and older brother, could only find solace in his own pursuits. In life, they all showed the true selves, joys, sorrows, regrets, and helplessness that the world did not know. Chiang Kai-shek was indeed a, not only ruling China but also renowned internationally. From reaching the pinnacle of power to his eventual retirement to a secluded life, his life was full of drama. This book provides a wealth of authentic images of Chiang Kai-shek and his family, offering many resources about Chiang Kai-shek and his family that were previously inaccessible.