Zhang Bi

Zhang Bi, courtesy name Yuheng, also called Junyu, was a native of Ba County, Hebei Province. His date of birth is not precisely known, but his early education records show that he completed his studies at the Baoding Military Rapid Training School. During the late Qing Dynasty, Zhang Bi served as the staff officer for Wu Luozhen of the Qing Army. After Wu's death, Zhang went to Northeast China to organize the Guangfu Army and actively participated in military operations.

During the Xinhai Revolution, when the New Army uprising broke out in Wuchang, Zhang Bi joined Hu Yingzhi's independent movement in Fuzhou, becoming a key figure in responding to the revolution. After Sun Yat-sen’s failed Second Revolution in 1913, Zhang fled to Yunnan. Later, he assisted Tang Jiyao in organizing the anti-Yuan uprising in the Guoguo Army, serving as the chief of staff for the First Brigade of the Third Army. Subsequently, as Tang’s representative, he established contacts with Feng Guozhang, defecting to the Beiyang clique.

In October 1924, during the Beijing coup initiated by Feng Yuxiang and others, the Nationalist Army was established. Zhang Bi subsequently defected and was appointed director of the Beijing police. During this period, he aided Lu Zhonglin in deposing the last emperor Puyi in early November. Later, as Feng Yuxiang’s envoy, Zhang participated in anti-Jiang operations and was appointed Feng’s special envoy to Northeast China.

In the 1930s, after Yan Xishan and Feng Yuxiang failed in their anti-Japanese efforts, Zhang Bi retreated to the Ping-Jin region but still sought to re-enter politics, even cooperating with Japanese secret service agencies. On November 8, 1931, Zhang Bi, along with Li Jichun and others, supported the Japanese army in Tianjin’s International Concession, organizing a gang of over 1,000 plainclothes soldiers to launch an armed uprising, challenging the control of Chinese military and police forces. During the "Tianjin Incident," Japanese troops intervened, abducted the puppet emperor Puyi from Tianjin, and swiftly moved to Northeast China.

Before the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, Zhang Bi established the Xin Chou Society in Beiping (Beijing), engaging in pro-Japanese activities and presiding over the “Anqing Dao Yi General Association.” After Japan's surrender, he was arrested and sent to Suzhou Prison, where he ultimately died in 1948. His family members included his older brother Zhang Luseng, younger brother Zhang Xusheng, and sister Zhang Xiuyan.

There is controversy surrounding Zhang Bi’s historical reputation. Some sources indicate that during the Anti-Japanese War, he defected to Japan and held important positions in the puppet regime. However, there is also evidence suggesting that he cooperated with the Chinese Communist Party at certain times, providing assistance on civilian issues, such as helping villages in Ba County's Gaogezhuang resolve water disputes and promoting local governance.

In summary, Zhang Bi’s life was complex and multifaceted, involving military and political activities as well as collaboration with Japan. The evaluations of his specific roles and contributions vary, reflecting his diverse identities and choices amid turbulent times.