The way Chiang Kai-shek conducted himself

Author: Chen Feng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: After the failure of the "Second Revolution" against Yuan Shikai in 1913, Chiang Kai-shek stayed in his hometown of Xikou for a while. To raise funds for the "Third Revolution," he invited a "god of wealth" to his hometown. The term "god of wealth" referred to a kidnapped person. As a result, the people of Fenghua have called kidnapping the "Third Revolution" ever since Chiang Kai-shek engaged in it. The target of Chiang Kai-shek's kidnapping was Xia Quanmu, a native of Jishan near Xikou Town. He was poor in his youth and worked as a laborer before becoming a businessman. After making a fortune, he opened more than ten commercial enterprises in cities and towns such as Shanghai, Huzhou, and Si'an, with the store name "Tongchang." He also opened a money exchange in Jishan, gaining fame. After making a lot of money, he bought hundreds of acres of farmland in the countryside and built dozens of houses, becoming the wealthiest person outside the northern gate of Fenghua, with a fortune of over 100,000 silver dollars. He was known as "Quanmu Gezhi." "Gezhi" means the richest person. When Chiang Kai-shek was 14 years old, he studied at the Huangfu Family School in Jishan, run by Zhu Jingsong, and was familiar with the people and places of Jishan, so he was very familiar with Xia Quanmu's reputation. After Chiang Kai-shek decided to kidnap Xia Quanmu, he first discussed it with Wang Enpu in secret and obtained Wang's consent before gathering his brothers to discuss the plan. They decided not to use force but to use wisdom. One day after rain, the sky was dim. A sedan chair with several tough men set off from Xikou toward Jishan. They stopped at Xia Quanmu's home and the leader, holding a large red invitation, entered the inner room and respectfully said to Xia Quanmu, "A certain boss in Xikou has something important to discuss with you, so please come along." Xia, suspecting nothing, casually got into the sedan chair. But when he stepped out, it wasn't Xikou but the Xuedoushan Temple. He couldn't help but exclaim, "What place is this?" At once, Wang Enpu accompanied Chiang Kai-shek out and had an honest and open long talk with Xia Quanmu. Chiang Kai-shek spoke from his time studying in Japan, joining the Tongmenghui, and his determination to overthrow the monarchy, to Yuan Shikai's plot to restore monarchy and the failure of the Second Revolution. Finally, he said, "The revolution is still ongoing, but the funds are very scarce. We need the support of all parties. I have heard that you are wealthy and have a patriotic spirit, so I came to ask for your help. I hope you can donate 10,000 yuan." Xia Quanmu was very reluctant in his heart, but thinking that if he refused, Chiang Kai-shek would be ruthless, his life would be in danger, he had no choice but to agree. Then Chiang Kai-shek asked Wang Enpu to bring paper and ink, and he dictated a letter for Xia Quanmu to write: "Please raise 10,000 yuan as soon as possible, with a ten-day deadline, and send it to the designated location. Be careful! Everything here is fine, don't worry." Xia Quanmu was invited as the "god of wealth," and the news spread quickly. His family also felt uneasy and began to search for information. The next day, a stranger arrived late at night, handed over Xia Quanmu's handwritten letter, and dictated the location to deliver the money. Xia's wife heard this and felt slightly relieved that her husband was safe, but raising such a large sum of money was not easy at the time. After sending the stranger away, she immediately called Xia Yunshou, the manager in Huzhou, and Xia Shengyao, the accountant in Shanghai, to discuss the matter at home. Xia Yunshou and Xia Shengyao were both from Jishan and were loyal stewards of Xia Quanmu's family, deeply devoted to their master. They said that saving a person was more important and immediately went to the stores in Huzhou, Shanghai, and Si'an to raise the money. Xia Shengyao comforted her, saying, "Money is small, but a person's life is important. Please rest assured, I will definitely deliver 10,000 yuan on time."