Han Fuyu and Zhang Zongchang's relationship is complicated, from initial allies to eventual hostilities, and this transformation is closely related to the personal interests and political aspirations of both men. As the chairman of Shandong Province, Han Fuyu felt threatened by the expansion of Zhang Zongchang's power, especially when Zhang Zongchang intended to return to Shandong politics.
Zhang Zongchang once had a high prestige and influence in Shandong, and once held the military and political power in Shandong, and was known as the "dog meat general". However, with the rise of the Northern Expeditionary Army and the decline of Zhang Zongchang's power, he was forced to leave Shandong and go into exile in Japan. After the 918 Incident, Zhang Zongchang tried to return to Shandong with the help of Japanese forces, which directly touched Han Fuyu's interests.
The background of Zhang Zongchang's murder involves the decline of the Beiyang government, the Northern Expedition of the Nationalist government, and Japan's aggression against China. At the end of the Beiyang government, the domestic warlords were divided and the politics were turbulent. As one of the rising warlords, Han Fuyu had an urgent need to consolidate his dominance in Shandong.
After the September 18 Incident, Japan began to gradually occupy Northeast China and attempted to establish a puppet regime in North China. Zhang Zongchang had been in contact with Japan, and his movements were seen as a possible threat by Han Fuyu. At the same time, the Nationalist Government's Northern Expedition provided the impetus for the unification of China, and Han Fuyu also needed to show loyalty to the Nationalist Government and eliminate any possible destabilizing factors.
Against this backdrop, Han Fuyu planned and carried out the assassination of Zhang Zongchang, on the one hand, to eliminate political opponents, and on the other hand, to demonstrate his position and ability to the Nationalist government and Japan to consolidate his rule in Shandong.
Han Fuyu's motive for killing Zhang Zongchang can first be analyzed from the perspective of the struggle for personal power. According to historical sources, after Han Fuyu took over Shandong, in order to consolidate his power and position, he would take tough measures against anyone who might threaten his rule. Zhang Zongchang, as the former military superintendent of Shandong, although he has lost power, he still has considerable influence in Shandong and a group of loyal old subordinates. According to historical records, Zhang Zongchang once said that as long as he gave an order, he could quickly pull up a large team, which was undoubtedly a huge threat to Han Fuyu.
Han Fuyu took advantage of Zhang Zongchang's self-confidence and carelessness through careful planning to lure him to Shandong and arranged an assassination at the right time. This action not only eliminated potential political opponents, but also further consolidated Han Fuyu's rule in Shandong. In addition, Han Fuyu also leaked Zhang Zongchang's itinerary to people who had a deep grudge against him, skillfully taking advantage of the revenge of the people, so that the assassination operation received a certain degree of social recognition and support.
Zhang Zongchang's political ambitions and activities were also important reasons for Han Fuyu's decision to get rid of him. Zhang Zongchang did not give up hope of a comeback after fleeing Shandong, and he had contacts with the Japanese side during his time in Japan, and was regarded by the Japanese side as a potential partner for cooperation. However, Zhang Zongchang refused to cooperate with Japan, chose to return to China, and accepted Zhang Xueliang's sponsorship in Beiping. Zhang Zongchang's behavior shows that he still harbors political intentions and hopes to return to the political arena with the help of external forces.
Zhang Zongchang's activities in Shandong, especially his attempts to contact the old ministry and recruit new forces, directly touched Han Fuyu's sensitive nerves. Han realized that if Zhang Zongchang was able to reorganize his forces, it would not only threaten his rule in Shandong, but might even affect the political landscape of North China as a whole. Therefore, Han Fuyu adopted a preemptive strategy to eliminate this potential threat through assassination.
To sum up, Han Fuyu's motives for killing Zhang Zongchang were manifold, both out of personal power struggle and vigilance against Zhang Zongchang's political ambitions. Through this incident, Han Fuyu not only consolidated his position, but also showed his decisiveness and strategy in the political struggle.
The event passed
Zhang Zongchang, one of the famous warlords during the Republic of China, was exiled to Japan due to political frustration. After the September 18 Incident, the Japanese side tried to win over Zhang Zongchang, hoping that he could become the spokesman for his interests in China, but Zhang Zongchang rejected this proposal and chose to return to China. In the spring of 1932, Zhang Zongchang arrived in Beiping and received 80,000 yuan per month for living expenses from Zhang Xueliang. During his stay in Beiping, Zhang Zongchang was invited by some political forces, hoping that he would return to China to participate in anti-Japanese activities.
After Zhang Zongchang returned to China, he did not give up hope of a comeback. Through his old ministry and influence, he tried to rebuild his power in Shandong. According to historical records, Zhang Zongchang's activities in Shandong attracted great attention from Han Fuyu, who was then the chairman of Shandong Province and maintained a high degree of vigilance against Zhang Zongchang's movements.
Han Fuyu felt threatened by the rebuilding of Zhang Zongchang's power and decided to take action to eliminate this potential adversary. According to historical sources, Han Fuyu carried out the assassination of Zhang Zongchang through a series of carefully planned steps.
- Planning stage: Han Fuyu first established a friendly relationship with Zhang Zongchang on the surface and invited him to Shandong to discuss major matters, but in fact, it was to grasp Zhang Zongchang's whereabouts and plans. At the same time, Han Fuyu learned about Zhang Zongchang's intentions and movements through Shi Yousan and others, and prepared for the assassination plan.
- Implementation stage: Han Fuyu took advantage of Zhang Zongchang's ambitions for Shandong and arranged a series of banquets and activities, leaving Zhang Zongchang busy and having no time to take care of anything else. When Zhang Zongchang decided to return to Beijing, Han Fuyu arranged a luncheon as a feast, and asked others to see him off on behalf of him under the pretext of the military parade, creating the illusion that he was not at the scene.
- Assassination: On the evening of September 3, 1932, Zhang Zongchang was assassinated by Zheng Jicheng and others when he was about to take a train back to Beijing at Jinan Railway Station. Zheng Jicheng is the son of Zheng Jinsheng, Zhang Zongchang's old department, Zheng Jinsheng was killed by Zhang Zongchang, so Zheng Jicheng has the motive to avenge his father. After the successful assassination, Zheng Jicheng turned himself in on the spot and shouted the slogan of avenging his father.
- Follow-up: The assassination incident has attracted widespread attention from the society, and after Zheng Jicheng was arrested, all sectors of society launched a solidarity campaign to demand pardon for Zheng Jicheng. In the end, under the influence of public opinion and political forces, Zheng Jicheng was granted amnesty.
According to historical analysis, Han Fuyu's plan to assassinate Zhang Zongchang was not only because Zhang Zongchang might pose a threat to his rule in Shandong, but also because it might involve deeper political struggles and the distribution of benefits. However, the specific inside story and motives have been difficult to fully restore over time.