China Heroic Spirit 1 Ji Hongchang
Ji Hongchang (1895-1934), originally named Heng Li, was a native of Fugou County in Henan Province. In 1913, he joined Feng Yuxiang's army and rose through the ranks from soldier to battalion commander, regimental commander, division commander, and army commander. He was known for his bravery and military prowess, earning him the nickname "Ji Dabao" (Big Brave Ji).
In May 1930, he participated in the Zhong-Feng-Yan War as the commander of Feng's Third Route Army. In September, he surrendered to Chiang Kai-shek and was appointed commander of the 22nd Route Army and the 30th Division. However, he was reluctant to fight against his former comrades and adopted a passive attitude.
The following year, Ji claimed illness and went to Shanghai for medical treatment, where he made contact with the Central Military Commission of the Chinese Communist Party. He later attempted to organize an uprising among his troops in Huanghai but failed. In August, he was relieved of his duties and forced to go abroad "for inspection." He then traveled extensively throughout Europe and America, delivering anti-Japanese speeches.
In 1932, Ji returned to China and settled in Tianjin, where he secretly contacted the North China Political Protection Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party. In August, he went to Mazhong in Hubei Province to instigate an uprising among his former troops but failed. He then joined the Chinese Communist Party and followed party instructions to establish contact with Feng Yuxiang.
In May 1933, Ji, along with Feng Yuxiang and Fang Zhenwu, established the Chahar People's Anti-Japanese Alliance Army in Zhangjiakou, where he served as commander of the Second Army. He later became the commander-in-chief of the Northern Route Frontline and led his troops to attack Japanese puppet forces in northern Chahar, capturing several counties and driving out the Japanese.
However, due to lack of support, Ji's forces were defeated by October 1933. He then went into hiding in Tianjin, where he continued to engage in anti-Japanese activities. In 1934, he participated in organizing the Chinese People's Anti-Fascist Alliance and was elected as its chairman. He secretly printed and distributed the "National War Flag" newspaper, which advocated for resistance against Japan.
On November 9, 1934, Ji was ambushed and wounded by agents of the Military Bureau in the French concession of Tianjin. He was then arrested and extradited to Beiping (now Beijing), where he was imprisoned. On November 24, Ji was executed in the Beiping military prison. Before his death, he wrote a poem: "I regret not dying for resisting Japan; I am ashamed to live today. The country is broken, but I still have my head; what a shame!"
1. Turn from darkness to light and fight against the devils
Ji Hongchang was born into a poor peasant family and had studied in a village school. As a young man, he apprenticed at a jewelry store and a general goods store. In August 1913, before the age of 18, he enlisted as a soldier under Feng Yuxiang, beginning his military career. Ji Hongchang was known for being loyal, quick-witted, and decisive, leading by example in battle, which earned him Feng's appreciation. By 1921, he had risen to regimental commander. In September 1924, he participated in the "Beijing Coup" launched by Feng Yuxiang. In October 1925, he was appointed commander of the Suiyuan Provincial Garrison Cavalry Regiment and head of the police department, later becoming commander of the 36th Brigade. In 1925, while in Zhangjiakou, he met with Communist Party members and began to learn about new revolutionary ideas. In September 1926, he followed Feng Yuxiang's troops as they took an oath to participate in the Northern Expedition, leading his unit in the capture of Xianyang and Xi'an. His unit was expanded into the 19th Division, with Ji as division commander.
During his time in Shaanxi, Ji Hongchang became acquainted with the head of the Communist Party's Shaanxi local party group. In June 1927, the Nationalist Army conducted a "purge" and "expulsion" within its ranks, and the 19th Division had its designation cancelled due to secretly protecting communist members. Ji was transferred to study at the special training class of the North China Military University in Beiping. In autumn 1928, he became commander of the 11th Division. In spring 1929, he led his troops into Ningxia and became provincial chairman, putting forward the slogan "Developing the Great Northwest", determined to bring benefits to the people and eliminate harm.
In the spring of 1930, the Central Plains War broke out between Feng Yuxiang, Yan Xishan and Chiang Kai-shek. Ji Hongchang was appointed by Feng Yuxiang as the commander-in-chief of the Third Route Army, leading his troops to fight in eastern Henan and inflicting heavy casualties on Chiang's army. However, under Chiang's bribery, division and disintegration, the anti-Chiang united front between Feng and Yan soon collapsed. The Northwestern Army was defeated, and its remnants were absorbed by Chiang, with Ji being appointed as the commander-in-chief of the 22nd Route Army and the military commander of the 30th Army, stationed in Huaxian and Guangshan counties in Henan Province, tasked with "suppressing communism". However, Ji Hongchang spread progressive ideas such as "the gun barrel does not point inward" and "Chinese people do not fight Chinese people" among his subordinates and soldiers. He also wrote a letter to the Soviet area, stating that he would never fight against the Red Army and was ready to defect at any time. In search of truth, he visited the Communist Party-led Soviet area several times for observation and study. In May 1931, Chiang Kai-shek ordered Ji Hongchang to lead his troops to Anhui Province's Jinjiashan to suppress the Red Army, and sent Leng Xin as a special envoy to monitor Ji's headquarters. However, Ji had made up his mind not to fight in the civil war and secretly planned to stage an uprising and join the Red Army. As a result, Chiang Kai-shek revoked his military position and forced him to leave China under the pretext of "studying abroad".
On February 28, 1932, Ji Hongchang returned to China and arrived in Shanghai. He contacted the Shanghai Party organization through underground Communist Party members from the original Northwest Army and soon returned to Tianjin, where he made contact with the North China Political Security Bureau. In April of that year, he joined the Chinese Communist Party, transforming from a patriotic old soldier into a communist fighter. Soon after, following party instructions, he went to Hubei, Henan, and Anhui to recover his old troops and stage an uprising, purchasing guns and ammunition before heading to Zhangjiakou from Tianjin to organize the Anti-Japanese Allied Army. In May, in Zhangjiakou, he established the Chahar People's Anti-Japanese Allied Army, serving as commander of the Second Army and also as public security chief and director of the Public Security Bureau of Chahar Province. In June, he led his troops on a northern expedition to recover lost territory in eastern Chahar. On the 22nd, they recovered Kangbao City. In July, they recovered Baochang and Guanyuan County. When He Yingqin attacked Chahar, Ji Hongchang issued a joint telegram with various generals condemning the Nanjing government and declaring "we swear to dye the autumn grass beyond the Great Wall with the blood of our warriors", "the four provinces will not be restored, this ambition will not waver".
In the winter of 1933, after General Ji Hongchang's anti-Japanese armed forces failed, he secretly returned to Tianjin and carried out anti-Japanese and anti-Chiang activities. He followed the party's instructions, together with Xuan Xiaowen, Nan Hanxun and other comrades, contacted various anti-Japanese people, organized the Chinese People's Anti-Fascist Alliance, and was elected as the director. At that time, people did not know he was a communist, in people's minds, he was a legendary hero who was admired by all.
At that time, the famous crosstalk actor Zhang Shouchen, who was renowned in Tianjin and Beijing, was performing at the Tianjin Taikang Commercial Building's Song and Dance Hall (later renamed Xiaoli Garden). Zhang Shouchen was not only a bold explorer of crosstalk art but also an upright and unyielding patriot with strong national integrity. Upon hearing about Chiang Kai-shek's sabotage of the Northern China Anti-Japanese War and persecution of Ji Hongchang, he became extremely indignant. Without regard for his personal safety, he would always add a preface to his performances to extol Ji Hongchang: "At this critical moment when our country is in danger, we need bloody heroes. Although there are heroes now, they have no opportunity to show their bravery. Take Ji Hongchang as an example; during the Northern China Anti-Japanese War, he fought bravely and achieved remarkable results. We should support him and give our nation a boost of morale. However, those high-ranking officials who insist on compromise and aim to eliminate this anti-Japanese force have caused General Ji Hongchang's efforts to be in vain, leaving him with regret as he returns to Tianjin. This situation is no different from the Southern Song Dynasty's Qin Hui compromising with the enemy and framing Yue Fei...". After finishing his preface, he would often perform a segment called "Guessing Bones", where he would praise "heroic bones" for their patriotism and dedication, while condemning "treacherous bones" for harming fellow citizens and sucking up to foreigners. This deeply satirical performance sparked strong reactions among the audience.
One day, after Zhang Shouchen finished his crosstalk performance, someone from the back stage came to tell him that there was someone outside who wanted to see him. Zhang Shouchen went out to meet this person, and a tall man hurried forward to say to him: "Mr. Zhang, a friend is waiting for you at the restaurant downstairs, he asked me to come invite you." Zhang Shouchen quickly asked who it was, but the man refused to reveal his name, only saying: "When you arrive at the restaurant, you'll know!"
Zhang Shouchen quickly arrived at the restaurant and walked into the elegant room. He took a look at this friend, but didn't recognize him. The man had a dark complexion, was dignified in demeanor, and his eyes shone brightly. Zhang Shouchen was puzzled, but the man warmly approached him, inviting him to sit down, and smiled as he said: "Mr. Zhang, I've long admired your name. Just now I heard you perform cross-talk, it was great. The Ji Hongchang you mentioned before performing cross-talk, do you know him?" Zhang Shouchen replied: "I don't know him." The man smiled again and said: "I am Ji Hongchang!" As soon as Zhang Shouchen heard this, he was both shocked and delighted, hastily stood up, tightly grasped Ji Hongchang's hand, and was so excited that he couldn't say a word.
Ji Hongchang hastily invited Zhang Shouchen to sit down, and the two of them started chatting like old friends who hadn't seen each other in years. Ji Hongchang asked Zhang Shouchen about the living conditions of quyi artists, and finally said sincerely: "To have a bosom friend in life is to die without regret. I didn't expect that after a lifetime of military campaigns, I would be fortunate enough to gain a bosom friend like you, who has integrity and reputation, among quyi artists. I really admire your insight and courage. However, living in such a dark and hopeless era, I advise you as a friend to be careful with what you say on stage, lest you invite trouble. There's no need to make unnecessary sacrifices! Because our circumstances are different, if you were to sacrifice your life for me, there would be nowhere to seek justice. I am in danger every day, and my life is precarious; who knows when I'll fall victim to their plots? Today, I won't keep you for dinner either; just seeing you makes me very happy. In a few days, I'll have someone send you some gifts as a memento. Friend, we'll meet again!"
Zhang Shouchen was deeply moved by Ji Hongchang's words, and with a sense of love, respect, and gratitude, he reluctantly bid farewell to him. Two days later, he received two books on anti-Japanese propaganda sent by Ji Hongchang. Soon after, news arrived that Ji Hongchang had been arrested by the reactionary Nationalist Party. On November 24th, Ji Hongchang was killed, leaving Zhang Shouchen filled with grief and indignation. This meeting had a great impact on Zhang Shouchen's political thoughts and artistic life. He often described this unforgettable encounter as "a conversation that is worth more than reading ten years of books." The sincere friendship between Ji Hongchang and Zhang Shouchen, forged in the midst of danger and turmoil, remains a legendary tale in the music world to this day.
In September 1933, the Anti-Japanese Allied Army was defeated, and Ji Hongchang returned to Tianjin, continuing his anti-Japanese national salvation struggle. In May 1934, Ji Hongchang organized the "Chinese People's Anti-Fascist Alliance" in Tianjin and served as a leading member of the party group. At his own residence at No. 40 Xiefeng Road in the French Concession of Tianjin, he set up a secret printing house to print the alliance's official publication, "National War Flag". In August and September, Ji Hongchang's personnel sent to Anhui for military operations were captured, and the work of organizing anti-Japanese armed forces in Tianjin was successively exposed. Chiang Kai-shek ordered the Beiping Military Division to arrest him. The party organization notified him to leave Tianjin immediately, but since several batches of weapons had not yet been transported, and the Guangxi anti-Japanese and anti-Chiang representatives who were scheduled to meet with him had not yet arrived, Ji Hongchang decided to stay temporarily. On the evening of November 9th, he moved to Room 45 at the Tianjin National Hotel. During a secret meeting with the representative of Li Zongren from Guangxi, he was suddenly shot and wounded by Kuomintang agents and arrested by the French Concession's Labor Bureau. On November 14th, he was extradited to the Tianjin Municipal Public Security Bureau of the Kuomintang. Facing continuous interrogation by the enemy, he "had a strong attitude and scolded them incessantly", severely criticizing the authorities for selling out the country and flattering Japan, demonstrating the unyielding spirit of a Communist Party member.
In prison, facing the enemy's cruel torture, he was fearless and righteous. He Yinquan asked him: "Why are you involved in anti-Japanese activities? Tell us your secrets." Ji Hongchang replied sternly: "Anti-Japanese is a matter for 450 million Chinese people, what secrets do we have? Only Chiang Kai-shek and you are harming the country and the people, secretly colluding with Japan, doing unclear things, that's the secret." He continued: "I want to save the country, Chiang wants to sell out the country, I must fight against Chiang for anti-Japanese resistance." When asked "Why join the Communist Party, harm the Republic of China", he replied calmly: "I am a member of the Communist Party, due to the party's education, I got rid of the old warlord life and joined the ranks of the working class. I can join the revolutionary team, become a member of the Communist Party, fight for our party's ideology, for human liberation, this is my greatest honor in life."
November 22, Ji Hongchang was secretly sent to Beiping. On November 23, at the "Military Law Court" organized by the Kuomintang's North China Military Branch, he made a righteous and stern speech. November 24, 1934, was the day of Ji Hongchang's martyrdom. In his will to his wife, he wrote: "I am dead today, sacrificing for the times." On the morning of November 24, Ji Hongchang was taken from the Beiping Army Prison (located at Dongzhimen Nei Paobu Hutong) and led to the Tianqiao West Execution Grounds to be shot. Facing the order of "summary execution", Ji Hongchang calmly walked onto the execution grounds, using a tree branch as a pen and the earth as paper, writing down his heroic and righteous martyrdom poem: "I regret not dying in resistance against Japan, leaving me ashamed today; The country is broken, but I still have my head, what a pity!" According to reports from Tianjin's Dagongbao at the time, in the final moments, Ji Hongchang put on a black cloak, walked calmly onto the execution grounds, and "talked and laughed as usual". After finishing writing his heroic martyrdom poem on the ground, he sternly told the executioner: "I am dying for resisting Japan, I cannot kneel down to be shot, even in death I will not fall! Bring me a chair, I must die sitting!" Then he said: "I am dying for resisting Japan, I must die with honor and dignity, I cannot be shot from behind. You shoot me in front of my eyes, I want to see with my own eyes how the enemy's bullets kill me." When the executioner raised his gun in front of him, Ji Hongchang raised his eyebrows, glared, and shouted: "Long live resistance against Japan!" "Long live the Communist Party of China!" He died a heroic death.
In 1945, at the "7th National Congress" of the Communist Party of China, the Central Committee decided to award Ji Hongchang the title of Revolutionary Martyr. In 1984, on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the martyr's sacrifice, the people of Fugou erected a bronze statue in front of the Martyrs' Mausoleum and Exhibition Hall of Ji Hongchang's deeds. Hu Yaobang inscribed "Ji Hongchang Martyr Memorial Monument" on his tombstone in Zhengzhou Martyrs' Cemetery. Deng Xiaoping wrote the title for "Commemorative Volume of General Ji Hongchang's 50th Anniversary of Sacrifice". Nie Rongzhen inscribed on the book: "National Hero Ji Hongchang will live forever!" Bo Yibo inscribed in the book: "Generous and heroic, brave and just, Martyr Ji Hongchang will live forever!"
