The past and present life of the Kokang Alliance: How did Peng Jiasheng start from scratch? Can Peng Deren inherit his father's will?
In that mysterious land in northern Myanmar, there is a special district called Kokang, whose history is like a legendary novel of ups and downs. From the lone army in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, to the Tusi rule of the Yang family, and then to the rise of Luo Xinghan, the fate of Kokang has gone through ups and downs several times. However, what really made Kokang stand out on the international stage was a man named Peng Jiasheng.
How did he grow from an obscure little person to a powerful "Kokang King" step by step? What kind of ups and downs did the Kokang Alliance he established go through? After Peng Jiasheng's death, can his son Peng Deren carry this banner and continue his father's career? Let's unravel the mysteries of the Kokang Allies and explore the past and present of this special region.
Speaking of the history of Kokang, we have to start from the last years of the Ming Dynasty. At that time, the Ming Dynasty was already in turmoil, the Dashun army captured Beijing, and Emperor Chongzhen hung himself from the coal mountain. The small court of the Southern Ming Dynasty struggled to support in the south of the Yangtze River, and finally had to retreat into Yunnan. Yongli Emperor Li Youzhen proclaimed himself emperor in Yunnan, wanting to turn the tide and revive the Ming Dynasty.
Unfortunately, in the fifteenth year of Shunzhi (1658), Wu Sangui led the Qing army to pursue Emperor Yongli and fought all the way to Burma. Emperor Yongli was defeated and captured, and was finally hanged by Wu Sangui. At this moment, Nan Ming's hopes were completely shattered.
However, there are always surprises in history. An army of the Yongli Emperor fled into the Kokang region in the chaos. The mountains here are high and dense, and the terrain is complex, which has become a refuge for the remnants of this Ming army. They took root here, branched out, and silently preserved the traditions and culture of the Ming Dynasty.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, the Qing Dynasty has established a solid rule in the Central Plains. But in this corner of northern Myanmar, this lone army in the late Ming Dynasty has never been conquered. They fought against the Qing army in the mountains and maintained their independence. As the years passed, the descendants of this lone army gradually integrated into the courageous civil society.
At that time, Kokang was under the jurisdiction of the Mubang Propaganda Division. The Mubang Propaganda Division is not a small organization, it has 33 toasts under its jurisdiction! Kokang Toast is one of them. At that time, the surname of Kokang Tusi was Chen, and according to the rules, he had to go to Mubang every year to report on his work and pay tribute.
This Chen Tusi may have been too busy, so he handed over this important work to a big family surnamed Yang under him. Who knows this handover, it will be a big deal!
This Yang Dahu looks like a talent, speaks and does things decently, and after several debriefings, Mu Bang Xuanwei has a particularly good impression of him. Slowly, Chen Tusi's power was hollowed out, and the Yang family began to rise.
In the Guangxu period, Yang Guozheng, a descendant of the Yang family, finally got his wish and was officially appointed as the Kokang Tusi. This is good, Kokang has officially entered the Yang Toast period. The Yang family has been in power from generation to generation, holding the power of Dakang.
In the last years of the Qing Dynasty, there were internal and external troubles, and the imperial court could no longer take care of this remote place. Under the rule of the Yang family, Kokang was also at peace. Until the independence of Myanmar in 1948, the Kokang Toast at that time was Yang Zhencai. He can be said to be the last toast of the courage.
In 1959, the Burmese government wanted to unify the administration, so it demanded that the border Tusi give up their hereditary rights and Tusi titles in the form of monetary compensation. Yang Zhencai weighed it again and again, and finally handed over power.
However, the Yang family has been operating in Kokang for almost 100 years, and their roots are deeply rooted in this land. Abandoning the title of Toast did not actually diminish their influence.
The Yang family has its own armed forces, which is the foundation of their survival in troubled times. In order to consolidate his position, Yang Zhencai opened a military training course after the independence of Myanmar. He recruited some remnant officers who had retreated from the Kuomintang army into Burma as instructors to teach professional military theories and skills.
It was in this refresher class that two young people caught everyone's attention. One is 13 years old and the other is 14 years old, they are Luo Xinghan and Peng Jiasheng, who will be dominant in the future.
Who would have thought that these two teenagers would become bold men in the future? The skills they learned in the refresher course laid a solid foundation for their future rise. And this decision of the Yang family has inadvertently cultivated two strong opponents for itself.
That's how history is full of drama. The Yang family wants to consolidate their rule, but it provides an opportunity for future challengers to rise. In this way, the history of Kokang has turned a new page in the game of the three major families of Yang, Luo and Peng.
In Yang Zhencai's military training class, 14-year-old Peng Jiasheng is not a child of a prominent family. His ancestor came to Kokang from Sichuan and started his business by "warping his head and flattening his head". The so-called "warping head and flat shoulder" is to carry money and silver to sell dark coins and accumulate wealth bit by bit. In this way, Peng Jiasheng's family took root in Kokang.
Who would have thought that this young man from an ordinary family would become a powerful "King of Courage" in the future?
In the refresher class, Peng Jiasheng showed extraordinary talent. Not only did he learn to shoot a gun, but he was also proficient in guerrilla tactics. Soon, he became one of the small leaders relied on by the Yang family. But Peng Jiasheng is not satisfied with this, his ambitions go far beyond that.
At the same time, Luo Xinghan, who is one year older than Peng Jiasheng, also made a name for himself in the advanced training class. The Luo family has a great background in Kokang, and it is said that their ancestors were the deputy generals of the Yongli Emperor. Luo Xinghan and Peng Jiasheng are both the best in the class, and the two of them chase after me and don't let each other go.
Interestingly, there is another person in this refresher class, who will also become a famous drug lord in the future - Kunsha. It's just that Kunsha's territory is not in Kokang, and his legendary story is a different world.
With the passage of time, Peng Jiasheng and Luo Xinghan are not willing to be small leaders for a lifetime. They began to secretly develop their own forces, and gradually formed a three-legged situation with Yang Zhencai, the "King of Toast".
However, the situation has changed. In August 1963, the Burmese military suddenly struck down the unsuspecting Yang Zhencai and Luo Xinghan, who was at his peak. The 77th Division of the Burmese Army then marched into Kokang and took over the land.
This change allowed Peng Jiasheng to escape. At that time, his fame and strength were not as great as Yang Zhencai and Luo Xinghan, but he escaped the key blows of the Burmese army.
After Luo Xinghan was captured, he chose to surrender to the government, promising to fight the Burmese Communist Party together with the government army. The Burmese military felt that Luo Xinghan was still useful, so they gave him guns and men and horses to return to Kokang.
After Luo Xinghan returned to Kokang, he took advantage of the leaderless situation of the dragons to quickly disintegrate the Yang family's armament and sit on the top spot of Kokang. Not only that, but other alien forces were also dismantled by him one by one.
At this time, Peng Jiasheng's strength was not strong enough, so he could only silently disband the troops and go home to relax. However, he did not give up on his fate.
In July 1965, on a hot summer day, Peng Jiasheng quietly gathered more than 30 fellow villagers and old subordinates and took them up the mountains to fight guerrillas. They gave themselves a resounding name - "Kokang People's Revolutionary Army" and held high the banner of national righteousness.
From this day on, Peng Jiasheng devoted most of his life to this revolution. His ideas were supported and sympathized with by the majority of Kokang. The evidence is that under the double encirclement and suppression of the government army and Luo Xinghan, Peng Jiasheng's small army not only turned danger into disaster many times, but became more and more courageous the more they fought, and gradually developed into a huge team.
In 1967, the Communist Party of Burma extended an olive branch to Peng Jiasheng, hoping that he would join its camp. Peng Jiasheng readily agreed, which became another important turning point in his life. Under the training of the Communist Party of Burma, Peng Jiasheng not only received military education, but also learned political theory and advanced revolutionary experience. It was this experience that laid the foundation for Peng Jiasheng to implement policies such as recuperation, tax reduction, and anti-drug and anti-drug in Kokang in the future.
After more than half a year of training and preparation, at the end of 1968, Peng Jiasheng led the troops back to Kokang. They swept all the way, repeatedly crushing the government forces and Luo Xinghan's troops. By early 1969, Peng Jiasheng had occupied most of Kokang's territory, driving government forces and Luo Xinghan to the periphery of Kokang.
In this way, Peng Jiasheng has grown step by step from an unknown little person to the "King of Kokang" through his own efforts and wisdom. His rise not only changed the political landscape of Kokang, but also brought new hope to the land.
However, the wheel of history does not stop there. Peng Jiasheng's road to "King Kokang" has just begun. In the years to come, he will face more challenges and choices, which will deeply affect Kokang's fate.
After Peng Jiasheng stood firm, he did not stop there. He knew that in order to gain a long-term foothold in this complex land, it was not enough to rely on force alone. He needed a more formal, cohesive organization to unite the people.
In 1989, a historic moment came. Peng Jiasheng announced his separation from the Communist Party of Burma and reorganized the Kokang Army into the "Kokang Allied Army". This decision was not a whim, but the result of Peng Jiasheng's careful consideration.
You must know that the Communist Party of Burma at that time had lost its revolutionary ambition and was reduced to an organization that relied on opium to sustain itself. Peng Jiasheng has long been dissatisfied with this. On the other hand, the Burmese government is also seeking ways to reconcile with ethnic groups.
Peng Jiasheng keenly seized this opportunity. On the one hand, he concluded an armistice with the government, and on the other hand, he retained his armed forces. This move can really be described as extremely clever, not only winning the opportunity for peaceful development, but also not giving up the ability to defend itself.
The establishment of the Kokang Allied Army marked the transformation of Peng Jiasheng from a guerrilla leader to a local leader with real power. He set out to establish a complete administrative system, covering all aspects of politics, economy, culture, education, etc.
Peng Jiasheng knew that in order for the Kokang Alliance to truly gain a foothold, it must win the hearts and minds of the people. He has taken a series of measures to improve people's livelihood. For example, he vigorously developed education and built schools in various parts of Kokang so that more Kokang children could have the opportunity to receive education.
In terms of economy, Peng Jiasheng also has his own tricks. He encouraged the Kokang people to develop agriculture and handicrafts, and also attracted foreign investment, gradually establishing a relatively complete economic system. This has not only increased Kokang's fiscal revenue, but also improved the living standards of the local people.
However, Peng Jiasheng is probably most proud of his anti-drug policy. You must know that the Kokang region has long been the hardest hit area by the drug epidemic. Peng Jiasheng was determined to change this situation. In addition to cracking down on drug manufacturing and trafficking, he has also actively promoted alternative cultivation and helped farmers who used to grow opium poppy to switch to other cash crops.
The implementation of these policies has not been smooth sailing. Some people secretly stumble because their interests are damaged. But Peng Jiasheng relied on his prestige and firm determination to push forward the reform step by step.
The establishment and development of the Kokang Alliance has also attracted the attention of the international community. A number of international organizations have begun to cooperate with the Kokang region to provide assistance in areas such as education, health care, and agriculture. This has not only improved the lives of the Kokang people, but also gradually brought Kokang to the international stage.
However, success often comes with challenges. As the influence of the Kokang allies grew, some began to covet Peng's power. Among them, the most eye-catching is Peng Jiasheng's subordinate Yang Maoliang.
Yang Maoliang was originally Peng Jiasheng's right-hand man, but as time went by, the contradiction between the two deepened. Finally in 2009, Yang Maoliang publicly broke with Peng Jiasheng, and the two sides even had an armed conflict.
The infighting has taken a toll on the Kokang allies and given the Burmese government an opportunity. On August 8 of the same year, government forces launched a large-scale military operation against Kokang in the name of anti-narcotics.
In the face of this sudden crisis, Peng Jiasheng showed superb political wisdom. On the one hand, he organized military defense, and on the other hand, he actively sought ways to resolve peacefully. Eventually, with the mediation of many parties, the crisis was subsided.
After this incident, Peng Jiasheng realized that in order to maintain the long-term peace and stability of Kokang, it was far from enough to rely on force alone. He began to pay more attention to political consultation, actively communicating with the central government of Myanmar to find a mutually acceptable form of governance.
At the same time, Peng Jiasheng also began to prepare for a bold future. He trained a group of young cadres, including his son Peng Deren. Peng Jiasheng hopes that even if he leaves one day, the Kokang Alliance will continue to serve the Kokang people.
The establishment and development of the Kokang Alliance Army was the crystallization of Peng Jiasheng's political wisdom. From an obscure little person to a commanding "Kokang King", Peng Jiasheng used his life to interpret what it means to be "self-made". However, the wheel of history never stops, and there are more unknown challenges waiting for the bold future.
Peng Jiasheng's reign in Kokang can be said to be the most exciting page in the history of Kokang. His way of governance not only allowed Kokang to get rid of the chaos of the past, but also brought unprecedented development opportunities to this land.
Speaking of Peng Jiasheng's governance, I have to mention his resolute anti-drug policy. You must know that the Kokang region has long been the hardest hit area by the drug epidemic. Opium poppy cultivation and opium processing were once the main source of income for many Kokanges.
After Peng Jiasheng came to power, he was determined to change this situation. His anti-drug policy is not just an empty slogan, but a real action. In 1992, Peng Jiasheng announced a comprehensive anti-drug campaign in Kokang. He organized a special anti-narcotics team to forcibly eradicate opium poppy farmland.
It was a risky decision at the time. You must know that many Kokang people who have lived on opium poppy cultivation for generations will naturally be dissatisfied when they suddenly lose their main source of income. But Peng Jiasheng did not back down because of this. On the one hand, he cracked down on drug manufacturing and trafficking, and on the other hand, he did not forget to help farmers who had lost their livelihoods.
Peng Jiasheng has launched a series of alternative planting programs. He encouraged farmers to grow cash crops such as tea, coffee, and rubber. In order to reassure the farmers, Peng Jiasheng also took the lead in planting these new crops. He often said: "As long as everyone works together, we will definitely find a new path of development." ＂
The effectiveness of the anti-drug policy was soon apparent. In just a few years, the area under opium poppy cultivation in Kokang has been drastically reduced, and drug-related crime has also dropped significantly. This has not only improved the public order of the Bold Society, but has also won praise from the international community. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has spoken highly of the bold counter-narcotics achievements.
But Peng Jiasheng knows very well that it is not enough to rely on anti-narcotics, but also to make the Kokang economy really move. He began to vigorously develop the Kokang economy, creating more jobs and sources of income for the Kokang people.
First of all, Peng Jiasheng encouraged the development of agriculture. In addition to promoting alternative cropping, he also introduced modern agricultural techniques to improve the yield and quality of agricultural products. Kokang tea and coffee gradually became famous in the international market and became important export products.
Secondly, Peng Jiasheng did not ignore industrial development. He took advantage of his geographical advantages to vigorously develop border trade. Under his facilitation, Kokang became increasingly engaged in trade with China's Yunnan Province. Many Chinese companies have been attracted to Kokang Investment, bringing capital and technology.
Peng Jiasheng also attaches great importance to infrastructure construction. During his tenure, Kokang's infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and communications was significantly improved. This not only facilitates the life of the locals, but also creates good conditions for economic development.
In addition to economic development, Peng Jiasheng also attaches great importance to cultural inheritance. Kokang is a multi-ethnic region with a rich cultural tradition. Peng Jiasheng knows that in order for Kokang to maintain long-term stability, these cultural traditions must be respected and protected.
In terms of education, Pang Ka Sing implements a bilingual education policy. Both Burmese and Chinese are taught in the school. This will not only help preserve the Han Chinese culture of Kokang, but also allow the Kokang people to better integrate into Myanmar society.
Peng Jiasheng also strongly supports traditional cultural activities. Every year, during traditional festivals such as the Spring Festival and the Lantern Festival, Kokang will hold grand celebrations. These activities not only enrich the cultural life of the people, but also enhance the cohesion of the Kokang people.
On the religious front, Peng Jiasheng adopted a policy of tolerance. There are Buddhists, Christians and other groups of different faiths in Kokang, and Peng Jiasheng has given equal respect and protection. This policy of religious tolerance has made an important contribution to the harmony of the Kokang society.
Peng Jiasheng's governance can be said to take into account economic development and cultural inheritance. He not only paid attention to improving the people's material living standards, but also did not neglect spiritual and cultural construction. It is this comprehensive approach to governance that has enabled Kokang to achieve leapfrog development under his leadership.
However, no policy can be perfect. Some of Peng's decisions have also sparked controversy. For example, his relations with the central government in Myanmar have been mixed, sometimes leading to armed conflicts. This unstable situation has also brought uncertainty to the development of Kokang.
Nonetheless, Peng's approach to governance has undoubtedly brought about profound change for Kokang. From a poor and backward area with an abundance of narcotics to a special zone with a relatively developed economy and good social order, the bold changes can be said to be earth-shaking. This also lays the foundation for Kokang's future development.
February 16, 2022, a day that made the hearts of the people of Kokang heavy. On this day, the "Kokang King" Peng Jiasheng died at home due to illness at the age of 94. Peng Jiasheng's death not only deprived the Kokang people of a highly respected leader, but also cast a shadow over Kokang's future.
Peng Jiasheng had already arranged a successor before his death - his son Peng Deren. As the commander of the Kokang Alliance, Peng Deren had already begun to take over his father's work. But now, he must face unprecedented challenges on his own.
Peng Deren's first challenge is how to maintain resolute stability in the new situation. You must know that the resolute peace situation is largely based on Peng Jiasheng's personal prestige. During his lifetime, Peng Jiasheng was able to defuse crises with his influence and negotiation skills, even when he had conflicts with the central government in Burma. But it remains to be seen whether Peng Deren will be able to continue his father's diplomatic wisdom.
On February 1, 2021, a military coup d'état took place in Myanmar, plunging the domestic situation into turmoil. The coup d'état also brought new uncertainties to Kokang. Peng Deren must find a balance in the complex situation, safeguarding Kokang's interests without completely antagonizing the central government of Myanmar. This is undoubtedly a great challenge.
In addition to political challenges, Peng Deren also faces pressure from economic development. During the Peng Jiasheng period, Kokang's economy used to develop rapidly, but the growth rate has slowed down significantly in recent years. How to find a new economic growth point for Kokang in the new situation has become a problem that Peng Deren must face.
In particular, Kokang has faced serious telecom fraud in recent years. A large number of lawbreakers took advantage of Kokang's special status to set up fraud dens here, seriously damaging Kokang's international image. Peng Deren has repeatedly publicly stated that he wants to eradicate wire fraud, but the results do not seem to be obvious. If this problem is not effectively resolved, it will not only affect Kokang's economic development, but may also trigger an even greater diplomatic crisis.
In terms of cultural inheritance, Peng Deren is also facing new challenges. With the deepening of globalization, the younger generation of Kokang is increasingly accepting the influence of foreign cultures. How to maintain the bold cultural characteristics while being open is a question that Peng Deren needs to think about seriously.
An important question that Peng also needs to face is how to deal with the balance of power within Kokang. When Peng Jiasheng was alive, he was able to subdue all forces with his personal prestige. But whether Peng Deren has such ability remains to be tested by time. There are already signs that some forces within Kokang are beginning to stir up and try to challenge Peng's authority.
In the face of these challenges, Peng Deren has not been inactive. He began to try to govern Kokang in his own way. For example, he increased his investment in education, hoping to promote long-term development by improving the cultural quality of the Kokang people. He also actively sought cooperation with the surrounding region in an attempt to find new opportunities for Kokang's economic development.
In terms of anti-narcotics and cracking down on telecom fraud, Peng Deren has also taken some tough measures. In October 2023, the Kokang Alliance launched a massive campaign to "eradicate wire fraud". This operation not only cracked down on a large number of fraud dens, but also arrested many people involved in the case. This shows Peng Deren's determination to inherit his father's will and rectify his boldness.
However, some of Peng's practices have also sparked controversy. Some argue that he relied too much on force and lacked the political wisdom of Mr. Peng. There are also questions about whether he is really capable of dealing with the complexities that Kokang faces.
At the end of October 2023, armed conflict broke out again in the Kokang region. The causes and circumstances of this conflict are not yet well understood, but they have undoubtedly cast a shadow over the resolute peace and stability. This also makes people wonder: can Peng Deren find a balance in the crisis and maintain the long-term peace and stability of the courage like his father?
Peng Deren's challenge is not only about his personal political future, but also about the future of Kokang as a whole. Whether he can truly inherit his father's will and lead Kokang to prosperity and stability under the new situation will still need time to test. But one thing is certain, that is, Peng Deren's every choice will profoundly affect the fate of this special land.
The story of Kokang continues, and Peng's challenge has only just begun. In these uncertain times, where will Kokang go from here? Can Peng Deren become the next "Kokang King"? The answers to these questions may be the final judgment of only history.