In the magnificent history of the Anti-Japanese War in modern China, there is a legendary and controversial figure whose experience is Zhang Zizhong. For those who have a little knowledge of high school history textbooks, they may have heard of the name "Zhang Zizhong" and know that he was a Kuomintang general who sacrificed himself heroically. However, his story is far from simple, containing many complex plots and profound emotional entanglements, which are worth exploring in depth.
Early experiences and military service
Zhang Zizhong was born in 1891 in a family of officials in Linqing, Shandong. At that time, China was still under the rule of the Qing Dynasty, so he also experienced the Qing Dynasty. As for his childhood, I won't go into too much detail here, but one thing worth mentioning is that he was fond of the classic works "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and "Jing Zhong Shuo Yue" since childhood. Generally speaking, the books that a person likes to read in their youth often shape their personality traits to a large extent.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, we arrived in 1931. At this time, the Qing Dynasty had already fallen, and the Republic of China had passed 19 years. In that year, 40-year-old Zhang Zizhong, after studying at the Beiyang Law and Politics School, resolutely joined Feng Yuxiang and started his military career, starting as a grassroots platoon leader. With his own efforts and military talent, he had become a fierce general in the "Northwest Army" led by Feng Yuxiang. With the reorganization of the army, the "Northwest Army" was reorganized into the 29th Army of the National Revolutionary Army, and Zhang Zizhong was appointed as the commander of the 38th Division with outstanding performance. In the historical context of that time, although a division commander had important responsibilities in the military, it was not easy to leave a deep and significant mark in history from the perspective of the entire history.
Caught in controversy: the burden of the name "traitor"
However, only six years later, in 1937, Zhang Zizhong's name spread throughout the country in an extremely shameful way - he was labeled as a "traitor". All of this can be traced back to the "Lugou Bridge Incident" that year.
On July 7th, 1937, the "Lugou Bridge Incident" broke out, and the Japanese army immediately approached Beiping in large numbers. At that time, it was the 29th Army Commander Song Zheyuan and his beloved general Zhang Zizhong who were responsible for guarding the Pingjin area. The 29th Army had previously shown bravery in the "Great Wall Anti-Japanese War" and achieved the famous "Xifengkou Victory", making it a well-known anti-Japanese army. However, after occupying the North China area, Song Zheyuan and Zhang Zizhong more or less retained some "warlord thinking". They believed that the Pingjin area was their own territory and did not want Chiang Kai-shek's central army to intervene, attempting to deal with the Japanese with their own strength.
During this process, both Song Zheyuan and Zhang Zizhong seriously underestimated the determination of the Japanese army to invade China comprehensively. They were determined to maintain a so-called "friendly" relationship with Japan to protect their territory in Pingjin. Zhang Zizhong even represented Song Zheyuan to visit Japan. However, the Japanese did not show any mercy to them.
When the Japanese army approached the city, Song Zheyuan led the main force to evacuate under the pretext of "preserving some foundation of the Northwest Army", and left the mess to Zhang Zizhong who was treating illness in Beiping without reservation. At that time, Zhang Zizhong was also serving as the mayor of Tianjin. When Song Zheyuan withdrew, Zhang Zizhong couldn't help but exclaim, "I'm afraid I'll become a traitor!" As expected, the weak troops in Beiping were unable to resist the Japanese attack. Helpless, Zhang Zizhong finally decided to post peace notices throughout the city and let the Japanese army enter the city.
The next morning, the people of Beijing woke up to find that the National Revolutionary Army had all evacuated and peace notices were posted everywhere in the city. They instantly understood the situation in front of them - this was clearly surrender! In this way, the Japanese army entered Beiping city smoothly without firing a shot.
Zhang Zizhong naturally did not want to become a traitor. He first fled to a hospital in Germany, and then escaped from the city with difficulty through other means. However, it cannot be denied that Zhang Zizhong was indeed responsible for losing Beiping without a fight. After this incident, newspapers across the country humiliated Zhang Zizhong, and people even gave him a very sarcastic four-word comment: "He thinks he is loyal!"
III. The Beginning of Self-Redemption: Awakening and Return to the Army after Dismissal
One month after Beiping City was captured by the Japanese army, Zhang Zizhong was dismissed and investigated for the crime of "abandoning responsibility and losing territory". Shortly thereafter, he received a job at the Military and Political Department. However, it was during this seemingly depressed period that Zhang Zizhong finally woke up completely.
With deep regret and determination, he wrote a blood letter to Chiang Kai-shek, expressing his strong desire to return to the battlefield, contribute to the anti-Japanese cause, and wash away the shame. However, at first, Chiang Kai-shek did not immediately agree. It was not until Li Zongren, Cheng Qian and other military officials strongly recommended him, and at that time, it was the time of employment, that Chiang Kai-shek half-heartedly agreed to let Zhang Zizhong return to his old unit and act as the commander of the 59th Army.
From this moment on, Zhang Zizhong had already made up his mind to start his own path of self-redemption through heroic fighting on the battlefield.
IV. Blood Fighting: The Journey of Self-Redemption
Linyi Campaign: Set aside past grievances and show your sharpnessStarting from February 1938, Zhang Zizhong led his 59th Army to embark on this difficult and dangerous "redemption-style" battle to the death.
In the "Linyi Campaign" in March, Zhang Zizhong demonstrated extraordinary magnanimity and fearless spirit. He set aside past grievances and resolutely led the 59th Army to march to support Pang Bingxun's troops who were defending Linyi. It should be noted that Pang Bingxun almost killed Zhang Zizhong during the Central Plains War, and there was a considerable rift between the two. However, in the face of national righteousness, Zhang Zizhong did not hesitate to abandon personal grudges, led his troops to engage in a seven-day and night bloody battle with the Japanese army, and finally successfully repelled the 5th Division, which was known as the "Iron Army" in the Japanese army.
This battle not only left a deep impression on the Japanese people, allowing them to witness the tenacious resistance spirit of Chinese soldiers, but also made the whole country realize clearly that Zhang Zizhong was a staunch anti-Japanese fighter! After this battle, all the punishments Zhang Zizhong had previously borne were cancelled, and he was promoted to the commander of the 27th Army Corps due to his military achievements.
Battle of Xuzhou: Fight desperately, wash away shameBut for Zhang Zizhong, this is far from reaching the self-demand deep in his heart that urgently wants to wash away the shame.
During the "Battle of Xuzhou" from March to May 1938, Zhang Zizhong and his troops seemed to be bloodshot and performed exceptionally bravely on the battlefield. They specifically picked those dirty and tiring jobs to do, and where did they need reinforcements? They rushed over without hesitation! Where did they need to defend to the death? They resolutely took up the responsibility! Where did they need to break off the rear? They took up the responsibility without hesitation! Wherever was the most difficult and dangerous, Zhang Zizhong led his troops to resolutely take up the position without hesitation, and once they engaged in a firefight with the Japanese army, they fought to the death.
Before every battle, Zhang Zizhong would leave a suicide note. If he could come back alive, he would destroy it. In this battle, Zhang Zizhong and his troops left a deep impression on the Japanese army with their tenacious fighting will and fearless spirit. Many Japanese soldiers remembered the name of an opponent: Zhang Zizhong.
After a series of arduous battles, Zhang Zizhong's name not only became famous among the Kuomintang army, but also gradually gained a high reputation among the Japanese army.
By 1939, Zhang Zizhong had experienced countless battles, big and small, without any defeat. With outstanding military talent and remarkable military achievements, he was successively promoted to the commander-in-chief of the 33rd Army Group and also served as the commander-in-chief of the Right Wing Corps of the 5th Theater Command.
Even so, Li Zongren, the commander of the Fifth Theater Command, had specifically instructed Zhang Zizhong, "Commander-in-Chief of the Group Army, don't go to the front line to fight in person!" However, Zhang Zizhong seemed to have never taken this advice to heart and still insisted on going to the front line to fight in person. This also led to speculation in later generations that Zhang Zizhong had actually planned to die to completely wash away the shame he had previously carried.
Martyrdom: The Last Battle of the Battle of Zaoyi
In May 1940, the Battle of Zaoyi officially began. Zhang Zizhong was ordered to attack Zaoyang and intercept the Japanese army. As the commander-in-chief of the group army, he did not need to personally attack, but he ordered the deputy commander to stay behind and once again rushed to the front line without hesitation. This also became the last battle he participated in.
Before the war, Zhang Zizhong wrote a sincere and lengthy letter to the officers who had followed him for many years. Among them, there was a touching sentence: "In case we unfortunately finish the battle, my brother and I will also be worthy of the country and the 400,000 compatriots!"
On May 15th, Zhang Zizhong led the headquarters and the 74th Division to arrive at the Pumpkin Shop. However, they did not know that due to frequent radio communication from the headquarters of the Group Army, they were detected by the Japanese communication unit and the exact location of the radio was detected. The Japanese were pleasantly surprised to find that they were facing the headquarters of the 33rd Group Army of the National Revolutionary Army!
On May 16th, the 39th Division of the Japanese army mobilized more than 5,000 people and quickly surrounded Zhang Zizhong's army headquarters. At this time, there were only about 1,500 people around Zhang Zizhong.
Under such a disparity in military strength, if they had decided to break through at that time, there might still be a glimmer of hope. However, Zhang Zizhong had already made up his mind and no longer wanted to flee at the last minute. He resolutely decided to defend and wait for reinforcements.
On the morning of May 16th, the Japanese army launched a general attack. The Chinese soldiers on the defensive position knew well that the commander-in-chief was right behind them, and they fought fiercely without retreating. However, with their strong troops and fierce firepower, the Japanese army gradually gained the advantage, and the defensive high ground was lost one after another.
Zhang Zizhong's guard had already been sent to the front line by him. In the fierce battle, Zhang Zizhong was shot several times and covered in blood, but he still stubbornly stood on the small hill to supervise the battle.
Zhang Zizhong's final moment has finally arrived. First, a bullet penetrated his abdomen. Zhang Zizhong, who had already fallen, suddenly stood up and used his hand to grab the bayonet of a Japanese soldier who was rushing towards him. Just then, another Japanese soldier stabbed the bayonet into his body.
At this point, all of Zhang Zizhong's troops below him bravely sacrificed their lives for the country.
VI. Aftermath: Reactions and High Respect from All Parties
Respect for the JapaneseThe story does not end here. A person's position in history is often not only determined by their actions during their lifetime, but also by the series of events that occur after their death.
The Japanese soldier who stabbed Zhang Zizhong to death was named Fujioka. When he found a pen engraved with the words "Zhang Zizhong" on Zhang Zizhong's body, he was shocked. He never expected that the famous commander-in-chief of the group army in front of him would not choose to escape. Fujioka immediately reported the situation to the platoon leader. The platoon leader did not dare to be negligent and quickly invited the chief of staff of the 39th Division, who had had several acquaintances with Zhang Zizhong, to join him.
After confirmation, it is undoubtedly Zhang Zizhong. With reverence, Zhuan Tian Shengshou actually knelt down to help Zhang Zizhong tidy up his appearance. Afterwards, he ordered soldiers to carry Zhang Zizhong's body down the mountain on a stretcher, clean it, and bury it.
After cleaning, the Japanese army found two shell wounds, one bayonet wound, and five bullet wounds on Zhang Zizhong's body, totaling eight wounds. In Chenjiaji, the Japanese army made a coffin out of cypress wood, wrapped Zhang Zizhong's body in cloth, and buried him. They also wrote on a wooden plaque: "Tomb of General Zhang Zizhong of Shina." After the vertical plaque, the Japanese army present collectively saluted Zhang Zizhong's tomb. Moreover, the Japanese radio station in Hankou interrupted normal broadcasts and specifically inserted the news of Zhang Zizhong's death: "The officers and soldiers of the 39th Division of the Imperial Army offered the most devout and respectful prayers to the heroic generals who died heroically on the desolate battlefield."
The recovery of the remains by the Chinese army and the grief of the peopleHowever, the story continues.
That night, the officers and soldiers of the 38th and 179th Divisions learned of General Zhang Zizhong's sacrifice and immediately organized a suicide squad to launch a desperate attack on the headquarters of the Japanese 39th Division, with only one goal: to retrieve General Zhang's body!
That night, Chinese soldiers rushed forward with full of grief and anger, and finally found Zhang Zizhong's grave. According to Japanese records, "That night, Zhang Zizhong's body was taken away by hundreds of Chinese soldiers through night raids."
Afterwards, Zhang Zizhong's body was washed clean by Chinese officers and soldiers, changed into neat underwear and military uniforms, equipped with a general's short sword and collar badge, and placed in a valuable nanmu coffin, ready to be sent back to the then capital Chongqing.
During the transportation of the coffin, when passing through Yichang, the local people learned that the coffin of General Zhang was being transported and went out of the city to greet him one after another. As many as 100,000 people went out of the city to cry and see him off. During this time, Japanese planes flew over Yichang, and the air defense sirens sounded, but none of the people dispersed. The Japanese planes circled many times, but left without dropping a single bomb.
Zhang Zizhong's coffin traveled along the waterway to Chongqing, passing through many places such as Badong, Wushan, Yunyang, Wanxian, Zhongxian, Fuling, etc. Along the way, the sacrificial table stretched for several miles, and the incense of prayers lingered endlessly. Many Chinese people knelt on both sides of the Yangtze River, expressing their deep memory and high respect for General Zhang.
Arrive in Chongqing and receive posthumous honorsOn May 28th, 1940, Zhang Zizhong's coffin finally arrived in Chongqing. The people of Chongqing poured out to welcome the coffin. Chiang Kai-shek personally boarded the ship with a black veil on his arm to welcome the coffin.
When Zhang Zizhong died for his country, he held the rank of general. At the age of only 50, he was the highest-ranking general sacrificed by the Allies during World War II.
After the Kuomintang, Zhang Zizhong was posthumously awarded the rank of Second-Class General in recognition of his outstanding contributions during the War of Resistance Against Japan. The Communist Party also posthumously recognized Zhang Zizhong as a "revolutionary martyr", fully affirming his heroic sacrifices for the cause of national liberation.
Nowadays, in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and some other cities, there is a street called "Zhang Zizhong Road", which is undoubtedly an eternal memorial to General Zhang Zizhong, so that future generations will always remember his great contributions to the country and the nation.
VII. Personal opinions
After learning about General Zhang Zizhong's magnificent and legendary life experience, I couldn't help but be deeply moved.
In the context of war, human nature often faces the most severe test. General Zhang Zizhong was initially involved in an extremely embarrassing and shameful "traitor" controversy due to the complex situation and some decision-making mistakes. However, he did not give up because of this. On the contrary, he resolutely embarked on a path of self-redemption with his deep-seated loyalty to the country and the nation.
Every charge and every bloody battle he fought on the battlefield was not only for his personal reputation, but also for the dignity of the entire country and nation. From the disregard of the past in the Battle of Linyi, to the desperate fighting in the Battle of Xuzhou, to the heroic martyrdom in the Battle of Zaoyi, General Zhang Zizhong wrote a touching epic of the Anti-Japanese War with his own life.
The series of events triggered by his death, whether it is the respect of the Japanese army, the heroic action of the Chinese army to retrieve the body, or the grief and remembrance of the people, fully demonstrate his lofty status in people's minds. His story is not only a part of China's history of resistance against Japan, but also a vivid portrayal of the courage, loyalty, and spirit of sacrifice shown by humanity in the face of war and justice choices.
Such heroic figures, regardless of their country of origin or cultural background, deserve the highest respect from all of us.