Dream Rain on the Setting Sun (Private Photos of Jiang Family)

Author: Qin Feng, Wan Kang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-02-01
Features: Chiang Kai-shek was indeed a generation of cunning and talented figures, who not only dominated China but also gained international fame. From reaching the pinnacle of power to finally retreating to obscurity, his life was highly dramatic. Chiang Kai-shek (1887—1975), originally named Zhou Tai, styled Ruiyuan, and given the name Zhiqing, later renamed himself Zhongzheng and styled Kaixi, was from Xikou Town, Fenghua County, Zhejiang Province. In April 1905, Chiang Kai-shek first went to Japan for studies and met Chen Yingshi (Qimi), whom he later revered as his "elder brother" and who had recommended and supported him in joining the revolution. In summer 1906, Chiang Kai-shek enrolled in the "Imperial Military College" in Baoding (later renamed the Baoding Military Academy), where he studied artillery. In spring 1907, he was selected to be sent to Japan to study military science at the Juntendo School. In Japan, through Chen Qimei's introduction, Chiang Kai-shek joined the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance and participated in the anti-Qing revolution. In 1911, the Xinhai Revolution broke out. Upon receiving a summons from Chen Qimei, who had returned to China earlier, Chiang Kai-shek immediately set off to join the revolution. He was assigned by Chen to participate in the uprising in Hangzhou on the night following the Shanghai uprising launched by Chen and others on November 3, leading a vanguard from Shanghai to attack the Zhejiang Provincial Government Office. After the success of the Jiangsu-Zhejiang uprising, Chen Qimei 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 great appreciation from Chen Qimei. After Yuan Shikai stole the fruits of the revolution, Chiang Kai-shek and Chen Qimei jointly participated in the "Second Revolution" to oppose Yuan. After the failure, Chiang Kai-shek went to Japan again and, through Chen Qimei's recommendation, gradually gained the trust of Sun Yat-sen, who was in exile in Japan.
This "photobook," despite using the solemn black-and-white wedding photos of Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling as its cover, features much livelier and more vibrant images inside. In addition to including the well-known photos of the Chiang family, it also reveals for the first time in mainland China the delightful and lively scenes of the Chiang family's life. From this, 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 many died young, while his two illegitimate children were quite remarkable. Chiang Weizhou, who was not favored by his father and brother, found solace in self-entertainment. In life, they all showed the real, joys, sorrows, regrets, and helplessness that the world was not aware of.