Dream Rain Oblique Sunshine - Private Home Photos of Family Furniture

Author: Qin Feng, Wan Kang (editors)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-02-01
Features: Chiang Kai-shek can be called a generation of warlords, not only ruling China but also renowned internationally. From climbing to 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 with the given name Zhiqing, later renamed himself Zhongzheng, styled Kaixi, was from Xikou Town, Fenghua County, Zhejiang Province. In April 1905 to winter, Chiang Kai-shek first went to Japan for study and met Chen Yingshi (Qimei), whom he later revered as his "elder brother" and who had introduced him to the revolution. In summer 1906, Chiang Kai-shek enrolled in the "Military Accelerated Course" (later renamed Baoding Military Academy) in Baoding to study artillery. In spring 1907, he was selected to be recommended to study military at the in Japan. In Japan, through Chen Qimei's introduction, Chiang Kai-shek joined the Tongmenghui and participated in the anti-Qing revolution. In 1911, the Xinhai Revolution broke out. Chiang Kai-shek responded to Chen Qimei's call to return early and immediately set off to join the revolution. On the night following the Shanghai uprising launched by Chen and others on November 3, he participated in the uprising in Hangzhou, leading the vanguard from Shanghai to attack the Zhejiang Provincial Government Office. After the success of the Jiangsu-Zhejiang uprising, Chen Yingshi 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, highly praised by Chen Yingshi. After Yuan Shikai stole the fruits of the revolution, Chiang Kai-shek and Chen Yingshi participated together in the anti-Yuan "Second Revolution." After the failure, Chiang Kai-shek crossed to Japan again and, through Chen Yingshi's recommendation, gradually gained the trust of Sun Yat-sen who was in exile in Japan.