Chronology of Feng Yuxiang

Author: Jiang Tiesheng Compiler/Nationality:
Publisher:
Publishing Time: 2003-09-01
Features: In January 1918, during the seventh year of the Republic of China (Wuwu, the 37th year of the Republic), Feng Yuxiang received an order that his division would no longer support Fujian but would instead be transferred to follow the Jiangxi River upstream to support Hunan. Feng Yuxiang continued to use delaying tactics, repeatedly asking superiors for military supplies and pay. On the 24th, Feng Yuxiang telegraphed the Ministry of War, stating: "The entire division is divided into seven detachments, requiring seven ships to transport them. The total cost of the ships is 63,000 yuan, but the allocated funds for the departure are only 40,000 yuan, which is far insufficient. Please allocate an additional 60,000 yuan. Once the ships arrive, we will set off." (Feng Yuxiang: "Telegraph to the General Staff," January 24, 1918, in Pukou, held by the Second Historical Archives of China) On the 25th, Feng Yuxiang again telegraphed the Minister of War, demanding that Beijing and Baoding provide 2,700 miscellaneous rifles and 1.35 million rounds of ammunition "to meet urgent needs." (Feng Yuxiang: "Telegraph to the Minister of War," January 25, 1918, in Pukou, held by the Second Historical Archives of China) On February 5, Feng Yuxiang led his troops aboard a riverboat, following the Jiangxi River upstream to Wuxue. He cited the shallow waters of Huangshi Port in the front as an excuse, opting to land at Wuxue instead and then advance "by night and day" to join the military campaign. This marked the beginning of the famous "Wuxue Standstill." (See Feng Yuxiang: "Telegraph to the General Staff and Others," February 5, 1918, in Wuxue, held by the Second Historical Archives of China) On February 14 and 18, Feng Yuxiang issued two public notices advocating for a ceasefire in the south and a peaceful resolution. The notice of February 14 stated: "The most unconscious and unreasonable thing is this war. Though fierce, they are still brothers. Defeat is no disgrace, and victory is no honor. One mistake is already too much; how can there be another? As for foreign threats, negotiations have caused much trouble; the Japanese forcibly set up civilian administrations, and the Germans and Russians made peace, which is particularly dangerous. As for domestic affairs, compatriots have died in warfare and fires, epidemics are rampant, and corpses accumulate. The people are in mourning, with almost no hope of survival. As for finance, we are bankrupt, both public and private, living by borrowing, unable to guarantee tomorrow. As for military supplies, after several battles, we have suffered immense losses, and military loans only invite national ruin. Blindly driven by emotions and acted upon by impulses, we view our compatriots as enemies and treat the nation as a gamble. Thinking of this, one cannot help but be heartbroken! The foundation of the Republic lies with the people. Public opinion determines support. Ignoring public sentiment to satisfy the private anger of a few is easy to judge. As a soldier, I only think of the nation raising an army to defend it. The President is the head of the state, and soldiers take obedience as their duty. If the President truly desires war, how could I dare not obey? However, the President has always been known for his commitment to peace, both at home and abroad. The order to suppress was issued under coercion, a fact well-known to all. I cannot blindly obey, lest I mislead the President and the nation." (Feng Yuxiang: "My Life," Volume 1, pp. 269-270) In the notice of February 18, Feng Yuxiang criticized Duan Qirui for "proclaiming war against Germany but not fighting, and waging civil war but not proclaiming it," pointing out: "This war is justified on the pretext of protecting the constitution, but our northern faction lacks legitimacy. Moreover, the organ of public opinion has long ceased to exist. Those who advocate war today follow the rigid views of Prince Gangyi of the late Qing Dynasty. How can they represent the true will of the people? Who would dare to agree to this? Thus, commanders have no desire to fight, and soldiers have no will to die. Changsha fell first, and Yuezhou collapsed on its own. This is inevitable and natural. If being defeated by the south is seen as a great shame, how does it compare to foreign threats? It is better not to compete with outsiders but to fight against compatriots. Whether we win or lose, it is self-inflicted harm. Even if we win, is there any honor? To fight for justice and righteousness, even in defeat, is honorable. To fight for personal grievances, even in victory, is shameful. Though I am not wise, I have thought this through! I only hope the National Assembly can be opened soon, public opinion can be expressed early, the army can be disbanded, peace can be restored, and the situation can be stabilized." (Feng Yuxiang: "My Life," Volume 1, pp. 269-270) On the 25th, Duan Qirui ordered the dismissal of Feng Yuxiang as the commander of the 16th Mixed Brigade, appointing Zhang Zhijiang to replace him. He also surrounded Feng's troops with Beiyang forces. Cao Kun sent Sun Yue to mediate, and Feng Yuxiang sent Zhang Zhijiang to meet Cao Kun. (Feng Yuxiang: "My Life," Volume 1, p. 272) On March 1, Feng Yuxiang telegraphed the Ministry of War, stating: "Due to worsening illness, I am preparing to request leave. Now that I have been dismissed, I will wait in Hankou to take responsibility." (Feng Yuxiang: "Telegraph to the Ministry of War," March 1, 1918, in Wuxue, held by the Second Historical Archives of China) On the 4th, Sun Yat-sen wrote to Feng Yuxiang, saying: "Since winter, all Chinese who have come south have praised you as a model of a patriotic soldier," and hoped Feng would continue to "clearly declare to the nation the advocacy of restoring the old National Assembly." (Sun Yat-sen: "Letter to Feng Yuxiang," March 4, 1918, "Sun Yat-sen Collected Works," Volume 4, published by Zhonghua Book Company, p. 372) On the 20th, by order of the President, Feng Yuxiang was "stripped of his rank as a major general and temporarily retained in his original position." Soon after, the Beiyang government sent Lu Jianzhang south to urge Feng's troops to advance to the front. Feng Yuxiang deliberately fell off his horse and injured himself, forcing him to stay and recover. The entire division could not set off for a time. However, the Duan Qirui government insisted that Feng's troops leave Wuxue. Through mediation by Cao Kun, Feng's troops were required to go to western Hunan. To preserve strength and gather forces, Feng Yuxiang temporarily obeyed Cao Kun's command. (Guo Xuyin, Chen Xingtang: "The Patriotic General Feng Yuxiang," p. 31) In late March, Feng Yuxiang led his troops out of Wuxue, followed the Yangtze River upstream, passed Wuhan Xinti, and landed in Shishou. Here, he integrated a branch led by Zeng Shangwu into a new company. Feng's troops rested in Shishou and Gong'an for more than ten days before advancing in three directions toward Jinzhou. In May, Sun Yat-sen was appointed as the Grand Marshal of the Provisional National Assembly, and the War of Protection failed. On June 14, Feng Yuxiang was ordered to attack Changde. After fierce fighting, he captured the city. (Feng Yuxiang: "Telegraph to the State Council and Others After Capturing Changde," June 14, 1918, in the Field Headquarters; "Report on the Battle Situation After Capturing Changde to the State Council and Others," June 16, 1918, in Jinzhou, held by the Second Historical Archives of China) On the 22nd, Feng Yuxiang entered Changde. The Beiyang government, to commend his military achievements, immediately revoked his sanctions and appointed him as the Military Commissioner of Western Hunan. (Guo Xuyin, Chen Xingtang: "The Patriotic General Feng Yuxiang," pp. 32-33) While stationed in Changde, Feng Yuxiang strengthened the construction and training of his troops while also improving local conditions, such as banning smoking and gambling, promoting women's education, suppressing prostitution, reforming education, developing industries, and improving transportation. He achieved many accomplishments. (See Song Zheyuan, Li Taifeng: "A Record of the Northwest Army," published by Dadaong Book Company, pp. 36-37) During his time in Changde, Feng Yuxiang had the entire army convert to Christianity, inviting Pastor Liu Fang to Changde to preach to all officers and soldiers and administer baptisms. Liu Fang recalled: "Feng Yuxiang believed that the Christian doctrine of 'sacrificing oneself for others' embodied a spirit of selflessness, so he established a church in the army, holding Sunday services and singing hymns as a form of spiritual education." (Liu Fang: "My Interactions with Feng Yuxiang," Selected Materials on Tianjin Historical and Cultural Data, Issue 7, p. 128) In November, World War I ended, and President Xu Shichang issued an order for a ceasefire. The Southwest Military Government also ordered a ceasefire. That year, Lu Jianzhang (?—1918) was martyred. In January, Feng Yuxiang entered Xi'an. He ordered his troops to bury the martyrs of the military and civilians in a vacant area in the northeast of Xi'an, dividing them into two large mounds called the "Mounds of Ten Thousand Souls," and held a grand memorial ceremony. Later, the area was turned into the "Revolutionary Park" with a stone monument for commemoration. A Northwest Military Political School was established in Xi'an, where Communist Party members Shi Kexuan and Xu Fanting served as principals successively, and Deng Xianqian (Xiaoping), Tang Shu, Xu Quanzhong, and Gao Kelin held leadership positions, with Liu Zhidan and Gao Gang serving as instructors. To facilitate transportation, Feng Yuxiang ordered the opening of Zhongshan Gate, with its opening facing the eastern gate of Hongmen. Feng Yuxiang sent Yao Yiji with a personal letter to General Yang Huicheng, who was in seclusion in Fuping, asking him to join the Northern Expedition. Yang accepted immediately, and Feng greatly praised him. (From "Feng Yuxiang in Shaanxi," p. 385) That month, the National Government moved from Guangzhou to Wuhan. In February, Feng Yuxiang appointed Liu Zhenhua as the Commander-in-Chief of the Army Stationed in Henan (did not take office), Yu Youren as the Commander-in-Chief of the National Army Stationed in Shaanxi, and Liu Yufen as the Commander-in-Chief of the National Army Stationed in Gansu. (From "Feng Yuxiang in Shaanxi," p. 385) That month, workers in Shanghai held the second armed uprising. In March, the Wuhan National Government dispatched Jian Youwen, Guo Chuntao, Deng Feihuang, and Huang Shaogu as political workers to the Northwest Army, who arrived in Xi'an one after another. Feng Yuxiang appointed Jian Youwen as the Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the General Command Headquarters, Guo Chuntao as the Deputy Minister of the Political Department, and Deng Feihuang as the Director of the Political Worker Training Class. Soon after, Feng Yuxiang sent Jian Youwen to reclaim the postal management rights in Shaanxi, which had been under the control of the British, and the post office was changed to fly the Qingming Bai flag, with all operations coming under the jurisdiction of the General Command Headquarters of the National Army and Allied Forces. (From "Feng Yuxiang in Shaanxi," p. 386) That month, workers in Shanghai held the third armed uprising; the Northern Expedition Army entered Shanghai and captured Nanjing. The British and Americansd the "Nanjing Massacre." In April, Chiang Kai-shek launched the April 12th counter-revolutionary coup and established the "National Government" in Nanjing. More than 20 people, including Li Dazhao, were executed in Beijing by Zhang Zuolin. The fifth national congress of the Communist Party of China was held in Wuhan. On May 1, Feng Yuxiang took office as the Commander-in-Chief of the Second Corps of the National Revolutionary Army in Xi'an. He took the oath of office, which read as follows: "Feng Yuxiang, Commander-in-Chief of the Second Corps of the National Revolutionary Army, hereby takes the following oath in accordance with the order of the National Government: On May 1, 1916, at Hongcheng in Xi'an, I will lead all revolutionary soldiers with the determination to seek great happiness for the majority of oppressed people, unite with revolutionary masses, and dedicate all our strength to the party, uphold the party's principles and policies, and fight a final battle against international imperialists and all domestic counter-revolutionary forces to complete the national revolution and further the success of the world revolution. With this purpose, we will fight to the death. I swear under the Qingming Bai flag." (From "Feng Yuxiang's Oath of Office as the Commander-in-Chief of the Second Corps of the National Revolutionary Army," From "Feng Yuxiang in Shaanxi," p. 294) The key personnel appointed by Feng Yuxiang to the General Command Headquarters of the Second Corps included: Chief of Staff Shi Jingting, Chief of Staff Wu Xiqi, Minister of Political Affairs Liu Bojian, Chief of Staff Wu Shurong, Chief of Staff Shu Shuangquan, Chief of Staff Zhang Zizhong, Chief of Staff Yang Mao, Chief of Staff Zhang Jidong, Chief of Staff Xu Tingyuan, Chief of Staff Huang Shaogu, and Secretary-General He Qigong. The composition and structure of the Second Corps were: Commander of the First Army General Sun Liangcheng, Commander of the Second Army General Jin Yun'e, Commander of the Third Army General Fang Zhenwu, Commander of the Fourth Army General Song Zheyuan, Commander of the Fifth Army General Yue Weijun (later changed to the Southern Army), Commander of the Sixth Army General Yu Youren (did not take office), Commander of the Seventh Army General Liu Yufen, Commander of the Eighth Army General Liu Zhenhua, and Commander of the Ninth Army General Lu Zhongling. (From "Feng Yuxiang in Shaanxi," pp. 386-387) On the 6th, Feng Yuxiang moved from Xi'an to Tongguan. While commanding the army in Tongguan, Feng was shocked to learn that Li Dazhao and others had been executed in Beijing. On the 9th, Feng Yuxiang ordered the entire army to wear black ribbons for two days to mourn Li Dazhao and hold a memorial ceremony. After the ceremony, Feng Yuxiang wrote "In Memory of Comrades Li Dazhao and Others" and had it inscribed on a stone monument to be preserved forever. The full text of the poem is as follows: "In Memory of Comrades Li Dazhao and Others Why were they hanged? Where were they arrested? In Beijing, the Soviet embassy, what cruelty placed comrades in death? The executioner of imperialism, Zhang Zuolin, who masterminded the murder? Imperialism led the Japanese and British, with our army marching east, the Yellow River wept. The three armies wept together, the masses shouted in grief. For the majority of oppressed nations in pain, not for the longevity or death of comrades. Comrades, your death increases our resolve to destroy enemies. The revolutionary tide will not be choked off, but will surge even higher and faster. No one dies, but death is different. The death of twenty comrades, for the revolution of the world's peasants and workers. Their bodies may die, but their spirit will forever remain in the hearts of the oppressed. The responsibility of those who come after, rise, rise, strike hard at the villains."