Duan Qirui

Author: Zhou Junqi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Duan Qirui rose to prominence on the enigmatic political stage of late Qing and early Republican China. During the late Qing period, he studied modern military science at the Tianjin Military Academy and in Germany, serving as the Qing court's director of modern military education. He led his troops in numerous battles, steadily climbing the military ranks while rapidly rising in politics, becoming Yuan Shikai's trusted aide. After the establishment of the Republic, Duan Qirui became a pivotal figure in shaping the era, serving as the State Council Premier three times and holding powerful positions such as "Supervisor of the War Effort" and "Supervisor of Border Defense." From August 1916 to July 1920, Duan Qirui and his Anhui clique controlled the central government in Beijing for four years. From November 1924 to April 1926, he also served as the Provisional Chief Executive, a position equivalent to that of a head of state. He was one of the key figures in major historical events such as the "Xiaozhan Military Training," the "Fuyuan Conflict," the "Suppression of Zhang Xun's Restoration," the "Declaration of War Against Germany," the "Military Unification," the "Zhili-Anhui War," the "Gold Franc Case," and the "March 18th Massacre." This book primarily introduces Duan Qirui, while also sharing some interesting stories about the lives, loves, and careers of his descendants.