The Legend of Chinese Hero 8: Fan Zhuoqian
Fan Zhuxian (1882-1938), originally named Jinbiao, styled Zhuxian, was born on December 12, 1881, in Nanyansi Village, Guantao County, Shandong Province (now part of Hebei Province). In 1904, due to a disaster, he left his hometown and joined the army. After the Xinhai Revolution, he successively held positions as commander of the Northern Army's company, battalion, regiment, and brigade, and later served as Major General and advisor to Feng Yuxiang's Thirteenth Army in the Northwestern Army. After 1931, he successively served as Major General and advisor to Han Fuqu's Third Route Army, County Magistrate of Yishui County, Shandong Province, and County Magistrate of Linyi County. In November 1936, he arrived in Liaocheng and took office as Administrative Inspector of the Sixth District of Shandong Province, concurrently serving as Commander of the Public Security Forces and County Magistrate of Liaocheng County. On November 14, 1938, he died heroically defending Liaocheng.
I am willing to be such a fool all my life.
In the early days of his military career, Fan Zhuoxian was extremely disgusted with the warlords' infighting. He believed that Chinese people fighting among themselves not only damaged their own national strength and image but also gave opportunities to foreign enemies. Therefore, he resolutely abandoned his high-ranking position and wealth, left the army, and returned to his hometown to live in seclusion, changing his name to "Zhu Xian", indicating that he wanted to maintain a noble character like bamboo. During his seclusion, he continued to study diligently, vowing to emulate the sages of ancient times, and seeking to explore a bright path to save the country and its people.
In 1926, the National Revolutionary Army launched a northern expedition. They raised high the great banner of "overthrowing imperialism and its running dog, the Northern warlords, and sweeping away feudal forces". Wherever they went, they were victorious, greatly shocking people all over the country and shaking the foundations of imperialist and feudal rule in China. At the same time, General Feng Yuxiang also took his oath at Wuyuan in western Inner Mongolia to respond to the northern expedition, brandishing his sword and marching south, emerging from Tongguan in Shaanxi province and advancing into the central plains area, preparing to engage in struggle with the Northern warlords and carry out national revolution.
Facing the surging national revolutionary situation, Fan Zhuxian was extremely excited. Under the invitation of Zhang Weixiao, the commander of his hometown's 13th Army under General Feng Yuxiang, he resolutely returned to the battlefield and joined the National Revolutionary Army's fight against imperialism, feudalism, and for a unified China. He changed his name to Zhuxian (meaning "pioneer in building roads"), indicating his revolutionary determination. Due to his many years of military experience, he commanded effectively in battle and made significant contributions, earning him the appointment as a senior advisor by General Feng Yuxiang.
However, contrary to Fan's expectations, China's political situation continued to change unpredictably, and the civil war did not stop. In 1930, another large-scale warlord conflict broke out in the history of the Republic of China - the Central Plains War between Chiang, Feng, and Yan. Both sides deployed hundreds of thousands of troops, and Fan also participated in this war with his unit. This war resulted in more than 300,000 casualties. Witnessing these events, Fan was deeply grieved and decided not to hold any position in the military again. He refused an invitation to go to Shaanxi and vowed to do some work at the local level for the benefit of the people. He then went to serve under Han Fuqu, the chairman of the Shandong Provincial Government, as a consultant. In early 1933, he was appointed as the county magistrate of Yishui County in Shandong Province, and later served as the head of the Military Law Department of the Third Route Army Command.
In October 1933, Fan Zhuoxian was appointed as the county magistrate of Linyi County. During his tenure, he went undercover to investigate and eliminate old evils, led government officials in physical training, cracked down on corrupt officials, and frequently visited the people to understand their hardships. He also strictly prohibited gambling and drug abuse, promoted cutting queues and foot binding, and encouraged women to participate in work. He also encouraged agriculture and organized relief efforts during years of disaster. As a result of Fan Zhuoxian's series of measures, not only did he bring benefits to the local people, but also brought a fresh political atmosphere to the area, earning the welcome and support of the people.
Fan Zhu-xian lived a very simple life, but he invested generously in or raised funds for major public welfare projects. During his tenure as the magistrate of Linyi County, he built bridges and roads, renovated the city's appearance, established hospitals, supported education, and did many good deeds for the people. Because he was not greedy for wealth, some old bureaucrats ridiculed him as a "fool". Fan Zhu-xian proudly said: "I am willing to be such a fool all my life."
Fan Zhuoxian had served in the old military and political circles for over 30 years, but he consistently maintained a traditional gentleman's character, being upright and kind to the people, with high patriotic sentiments. He was dissatisfied with the Nationalist government's strategy of not resisting the Japanese army and agreed with the Communist Party of China's proposal to stop the civil war and unite against Japan. He often said: "Whoever loves the country and the people, I will support whoever; whoever harms the country and the people, I will oppose whoever, I am not afraid to take responsibility."
In July 1936, Fan Zhuxian was ordered to leave Linyi County, and the whole city's people came out to see him off, presenting him with a bowl of clear water, a mirror, a piece of tofu, and two small scallions to commend his administration of the county government for its integrity and simplicity. In the winter of 1936, Fan Zhuxian was promoted to the sixth administrative supervisor of Shandong Province, commander of the security forces, and concurrently served as the magistrate of Chaoyang County.
In May 1937, Peng Xuefeng, Secretary of the Liaison Bureau of the CCP Central North China Bureau, came to Laiyang under the pretext of visiting his classmates and had several contacts with Fan Zhuxian, which made Fan Zhuxian more aware of the Chinese Communist Party's proposal for establishing an anti-Japanese national united front and cooperation between the KMT and the CCP. This caused a huge change in Fan Zhuxian's thinking, and he invited Communist Party members to Laiyang to assist with the war effort. Fan Zhuxian also appointed Communist Party member Yao Dihong as secretary of the special office. In October, the Shandong Provincial Committee sent Yu Xinqing to select 12 majors and 240 service personnel from the Third Group Army's political training class, mainly composed of Communist Party members and "Minxian" team members, to Laiyang. Then, Zhang Linzhi, head of the provincial committee's organizational department, was dispatched to Laiyang as a representative of the provincial committee to unify leadership over party work and united front work in western Shandong. All these were approved by Fan Zhuxian.
To better publicize the anti-Japanese national salvation program, Fan Zhu Xian founded several anti-Japanese cadre training schools in Liaocheng, inviting Communist Party members to serve as instructors. He also mobilized the masses to organize anti-war mass organizations such as the Women's National Salvation Association, the War Zone Service Corps, the Youth National Salvation Association, and the Children's National Salvation Association. He successively presided over the publication of "Shandong People", "Anti-War Daily", "Pioneer Monthly", "War Zone News", "War Zone Culture", and "Battle Line" among other publications, making the anti-Japanese situation in northwest Shandong extremely lively and intense.
In the autumn and winter of 1937, when the Japanese army invaded southward on a large scale, and North China was in danger, millions of Nationalist troops and government officials fled south across the river. However, Fan Zhu-Xian, the administrative supervisor of Shandong Province's sixth district, resolutely refused Han Fuqu's order to retreat south across the river. On November 19th, he sent a telegram nationwide: "Since the Japanese bandits invaded our North China, wherever their iron hooves reached, our territory has changed color. Now our great army is retreating south, and north of the Yellow River, we are waiting for destruction. Alas, my people are trapped in water and fire, wandering at midnight, and crying out in sorrow. As the supervisor of this district, I have a responsibility to defend the land, and I will not retreat south. I vow to lead our guerrilla warriors and armed civilians to fight against the Japanese bandits. Whether we win or lose is not my concern; I am willing to sacrifice myself for the country. I only hope that you will provide us with supplies and ammunition in time, so that we can fight to the end and preserve our loyalty. Looking south, I am filled with longing." This telegram, which was as heroic as a heavenly sword, greatly inspired the people of northwest Shandong to participate in the war effort. At a time when Han Fuqu, who commanded tens of thousands of troops, fled without fighting, Fan Zhu-Xian, with only a small local force and relying on the support of local militia and civilians, managed to fight against the Japanese for over a year, engaging in over 80 battles large and small, killing over 5,000 enemy soldiers, defending 36 county seats, and finally dying heroically on the battlefield, wrapped in his horse's hide.
After the broadcast, Fan Zhuxian had sent people to Wuhan and Xi'an to seek help from the Nationalist Government and the Eighth Route Army Headquarters. Unexpectedly, he was met with a cold reception by the Nationalist Government, but received warm hospitality and strong support from the Eighth Route Army's offices in Wuhan and Xi'an, which dispatched dozens of cadres and excellent young intellectuals to work in northwest Shandong. At the same time, the Eighth Route Army Headquarters also sent Deputy Commander Xu Xiangqian to lead his troops into southern Hebei, opening up an anti-Japanese base area, providing military support for Fan Zhuxian's resistance in northwest Shandong. Chairman Mao Zedong and Commander-in-Chief Zhu De wrote a letter to Fan Zhuxian, highly praising his patriotic deeds and contributions. Fan Zhuxian was deeply inspired and exclaimed: "In today's world, to save China, to avoid being a slave to the invaders, one must listen to the Communist Party! I want to cooperate with the Communist Party to fight against Japan to the end!" From then on, Fan Zhuxian stood together with the Chinese Communist Party in the anti-Japanese resistance.
Fan Zhenxiu adopted the suggestion of the Communist Party's Lüxibei Special Committee and, with the assistance of the Communist Party, quickly restored and established 27 county governments in the Lüxibei area, with 13 counties having their magistrates appointed by Communist Party members and progressive individuals. To persist in the anti-Japanese war in Lüxibei, it was necessary to establish and expand anti-Japanese armed forces. The Lüxibei Special Committee of the Communist Party assisted Fan Zhenxiu in reorganizing various roving armed forces scattered throughout Lüxibei and sent political workers to reform them; on the other hand, they created anti-Japanese armed forces directly led by the Communist Party as the backbone force supporting Fan Zhenxiu's persistence in the anti-Japanese war in Lüxibei. In less than a year, the troops under Fan Zhenxiu's jurisdiction rapidly developed from one security battalion of less than 1,000 people to 35 detachments and three militia routes, totaling approximately 60,000 people. This army, which was formed under the banner of the anti-Japanese national united front, although having a complex composition and poor equipment, could unite and fight together under Fan Zhenxiu's command, sharing the country's difficulties.
On November 22, 1937, the Japanese army's Takahashi Detachment in Linqing sent a cavalry unit of over 30 men to scout and harass Chatsubo, but was beaten back by our garrison troops and fled north. At that time, Fan Zhuxian was reorganizing the armed forces in Qingping, and upon hearing the news, he immediately led his guard unit and political training unit to rush to Liangshui Town north of Chatsubo to intercept the enemy army, killing several people including the enemy commander, and capturing 4 war horses. This was the first battle of resistance against the Japanese army in northwest Shandong, although it was a small battle, but at a time when tens of thousands of Nationalist troops were retreating south, it gave a head-on blow to the arrogant Japanese army, greatly boosting the morale of the anti-Japanese military and civilians in northwest Shandong.
The Japanese army commander, Takahashi, was enraged and personally led more than 300 infantry, artillery, and cavalry troops to attack Liao City from the south of Linqing on the 27th, with the intention of taking revenge. Fan Zhuoxian was not afraid of the strong enemy and personally led the guard team, political training team, and the third battalion to fight against the enemy in Dangyi Liulin Town, defeating the enemy after a fierce battle of four or five hours, killing and wounding more than 80 enemies. The enemy in Linqing suffered two consecutive defeats and did not dare to move easily again. This battle dealt a heavy blow to the enemy, greatly boosted our army's prestige and morale. Fan Zhuoxian led his troops back triumphantly, and the citizens of Liao City welcomed them with cheers, beating gongs and firing firecrackers along the way.
On December 16, more than 600 Japanese troops marched south from Gaotang and occupied Nanzhen, attempting to cross the Yellow River at Huakou and attack Tai'an, then strike Jinan. Fan Zuyin immediately ordered the Bo Ping and Chan Ping militia to intercept the enemy in Nanzhen, while he personally led several hundred men to reinforce them. After fierce hand-to-hand combat, over 100 enemy troops were killed or wounded, and the enemy was defeated and retreated, foiling their plan to cross the river and march south.
In early March 1938, the Japanese army's Tōhara unit, which had occupied the northern section of the Pinghan Railway, sent a large force to occupy Puyang County in order to seize control of the Yellow River crossing and cut off the retreat route of Chinese troops stationed in Xuzhou. The Japanese killed nearly 1,000 innocent civilians, creating the infamous "Puyang Massacre". On the 19th, they again dispatched over 300 puppet soldiers to occupy Fan County, where they engaged in widespread burning, killing, and looting. Fan Zhenwu was filled with grief and indignation, and on the 21st he led his troops in a fierce counterattack, retaking Fan County in one fell swoop before pursuing and annihilating the fleeing enemy. On the 24th, Japanese puppet forces took advantage of Fan's main force leaving the city to reoccupy Fan County. Upon receiving this news, Fan Zhenwu immediately returned with his troops, ignoring their exhaustion from continuous battle, and after a fierce battle lasting a whole day, they finally recaptured Fan County for the second time.
In late March, the Japanese army's Tsuchihara unit crossed the Yellow River from Dongkou and Penglou in Heze County, leaving behind a regiment to guard the transportation line from Heze to Puyang and the Yellow River crossing. Fan Zhuxian then assembled 6,000 troops to launch a siege attack on the enemy in Heze that lasted over 70 days. On May 9th, Fan Zhuxian led his direct unit of over 200 men to inspect the camp seven miles northeast of Heze City when they were suddenly attacked by 300 Japanese soldiers. Fan Zhuxian remained calm and directed his troops to use the earth walls to respond calmly to the attack. He also ordered three nearby brigades to rush in for reinforcements, attacking the enemy from inside and outside, causing them to drop over 50 bodies and flee in a hurry. On June 8th, Fan Zhuxian led his troops to ambush a Japanese automobile team at Shigangtou, 15 miles southwest of Heze, killing over 20 enemies, destroying several cars, and capturing a batch of military supplies. The Japanese army in Heze suffered from our continuous attacks, their supply line was cut off, and they were forced to withdraw back to Daming on June 13th. Fan Zhuxian led his troops to immediately retake Heze.
In mid-August, in response to the defense of Greater Wuhan, Fan Zhuoxian adjusted 14 brigades and mobilized tens of thousands of workers to launch the Jinan Campaign. The vanguard troops, including the Tenth Brigade, approached the northwest of Jinan City, Zhangzhuang Airport, and Weiyi Road, burning down several enemy planes and killing a group of enemies. Under the cover of the machine gun battalion of the Tenth Brigade, the railway destruction team overturned a Japanese military train, causing over 100 casualties to the Japanese army. Two other brigades and workers destroyed the railway from Dezhou to Jinan, paralyzing the enemy's transportation for a time. This campaign caused a great stir at first, but when the enemy counterattacked, they suffered some losses, such as the sacrifice of the commander of the Anti-Japanese Youth Vanguard Brigade, Fan Zhuoxian's second son Fan Shumin. Fan Zhuoxian comforted his wife: "Our son died for the country, he died a glorious death, what regret is there, what sorrow is there?" He then ordered his second daughter to continue leading the troops to fight against the enemy. He also sent his eldest son, eldest daughter, and third daughter to join the revolutionary army to participate in the resistance against Japan.
On November 14, the Japanese army's Chiba Brigade, with over 1,000 infantry and artillery troops, 3 aircraft, and more than 20 cars and tanks, launched a frantic attack on Liaocheng. Fan Zhuxian and others led a small number of defending troops to fight against the enemy for a day and night, killing or wounding over 170 enemies. In the end, due to being outnumbered, Fan Zhuxian and more than 700 soldiers died heroically, and Liaocheng fell.
Sad news came out, the whole country was in grief. The National Government issued a special order to praise him, and Chongqing's Xinhua Daily and Yan'an's Liberation Journal published articles mourning his death, praising his noble character, loyalty and martyrdom, eulogizing him as a national hero who dedicated himself to the country, and commending him as a model for cooperation with the Communist Party in the war of resistance. Grand memorial services were held in Chongqing, Luoyang, and Guanxian County in northwest Shandong. The Chinese Communist Party held a grand memorial service in Yan'an. Zhu De, Peng Dehuai, Wu Yuzhang, and Dong Biwu all wrote elegies:
In the midst of war, many brave men have lost their lives, demonstrating their loyalty and bravery.
We will remain, and vow to resist for a long time, to recover our rivers and mountains.
Zhu De, Peng Dehuai
Three friends show their spirit, pine body is slender and straight, bamboo body is upright, plum blossoms are also self-cleaning and high, with an old and dignified air, until the cold winter evening.
One family is loyal and righteous, the husband dies in office, the wife guards the people, the sons and daughters are all called brave and martial, the stubborn and corrupt stand up, together they save the country from disaster and continue the legacy of their ancestors.
Wu Yuzhang, Dong Biwu
