From Late Qing Statesman to Anti-Japanese Hero: The Life of Han Kangjun

Author: Xie Jing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-09-01
Features: A historian of the Republic of China era said, "Writing the history of the Republic of China cannot avoid writing about Jiangsu, and writing about Jiangsu cannot avoid writing about Han Kui." This is quite meaningful. Han Kui (Zishi) was a highly influential figure in modern Chinese history and was known as one of the "two great renowned scholars of Jianghai" alongside Zhang Jian. Born into a merchant family, he pursued the path of the imperial examination system. From a clerk to a seventh-rank county magistrate, and from a to a frontier governor, he earned the love of the people through his upright and incorruptible character and diligent governance. He also won the praise of those in power; the Empress Dowager Cixi said, "This official is very good at handling affairs." After the Xinhai Revolution, he was invited twice by Yuan Shikai to lead the administration of Jiangsu Province. From escorting the rogue Zhang Xun to officiating at Feng Guozhang's wedding, saving the eccentric Liu Yazi, and co-creating a poetry society with Zhou Enlai's uncle and Jiang Zemin's grandfather during the turbulent and chaotic years, though he lacked the power to change the course of events, he relieved the suffering of some people. After the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japan, he actively supported the Communist Party of China's policy of united resistance against Japan, backed the New Fourth Army's eastward advance, and formed a close friendship with Liu Shaoqi and Chen Yi, being hailed as the "model of resistance against Japan." This book truly records the winding and colorful life path of Han Kui.