Draft:Zhu Rui (general)
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Zhu Rui (1883 – August 3, 1916), courtesy name Jieren, was a Chinese military officer, revolutionary, and politician from Wuyuan Town, Sea salt, Zhejiang. He was a member of the Guangfuhui (Restoration Society) during the late Qing dynasty and one of the founders and leaders of the Zhejiang Army in Taiwan.[1][2]
Biography
[edit]Xinhai Revolution
[edit]In 1901, Zhu Rui studied at Xiushui Academy in Sea salt but did not complete his studies. In 1903, he entered theNanyang Military Academy in Nanjing. In 1905 (the 31st year of the Guangxu reign), he graduated from the academy. Afterwards, he served in the General Training Office of Zhejiang as a staff officer and later became an officer in the 2nd Battalion of the New Army infantry.[1][2]
Zhu Rui resonated with the ideas of the revolutionary faction and joined the Guangfuhui (Restoration Society) in 1906 (the 32nd year of the Guangxu reign). He also took part in activities of the Chinese United League (Tongmenghui). Zhu Rui participated in revolutionary efforts led by Qiu Jin. In 1907 (the 33rd year of the Guangxu reign), after Qiu Jin was executed, Zhu Rui came under suspicion. To avoid persecution by the Zhejiang authorities, he fled.[1][2]
In 1909 (the 1st year of the Xuantong reign), Zhu Rui went to Anhui Province, where he served as Director of the Staff Office under the General Training Office and concurrently as Superintendent of the Surveying and Mapping School. After the 21st Division of the Zhejiang Army was established in 1910 (the 2nd year of the Xuantong reign), Zhu Rui returned to Zhejiang Province to serve as company commander of an infantry battalion. He later became acting commander of the 81st Regiment of the 21st Division, stationed in Jianqiao, a suburb of Hangzhou. During this time, he actively worked to revive the Guangfuhui in Zhejiang.[1][2]
On November 4, 1911 (the 3rd year of the Xuantong reign), in response to the Wuchang Uprising, revolutionaries launched an uprising in Zhejiang Province. Zhu Rui joined the revolution, led troops to seize the Arsenal, and helped reclaim Hangzhou. Shortly afterward, Chen Qimei, Commander of the Shanghai Revolutionary Forces, issued an order to attack Nanjing. Zhu Rui served as the commander of a Zhejiang Army detachment in the campaign, defeating Qing forces. On December 3, Nanjing was captured. Zhu Rui was then appointed Commander of the 1st Division of the Zhejiang Army and stationed in Nanjing.[1][2]
The ruler of Zhejiang
[edit]On January 16, 1912 (the 1st year of the Republic of China), the People’s Society (Minshe), a political party led by Li Yuanhong, was founded. Zhu Rui was one of its initiators and became a member of the organization. Shortly afterward, Zhu openly declared his support for Yuan Shikai. In April, the Provisional Government of the Republic of China relocated to Beijing. That same month, Zhu returned to Zhejiang Province. In May, the People’s Society merged with other political groups to form the Republican Party, and Zhu Rui joined the new party.[1][2]
At that time, a conflict arose between two factions in Chekiang Province, Republic of China: one composed of military personnel and students who had studied in Japan, and the other made up of graduates from the Jiangnan Military Academy and the Baoding Military Academy's accelerated program. Zhu Rui was supported by the latter faction, leading to the resignation of the then Zhejiang military governor, Jiang Zungui, who was affiliated with the former group. On July 23, Zhu Rui was officially appointed as the military governor of Zhejiang by Yuan Shikai.[1][2][3]
In 1913 (the second year of the Republic), following the outbreak of the Second Revolution, Zhu Rui declared neutrality—neither assisting the revolutionary forces nor actively suppressing them. [4]As a result, he aroused suspicion from Yuan Shikai, after which Zhu Rui began to actively support Yuan. On June 30, 1914, he was granted the title of General of Martial Endeavors and appointed Supervisor of Military Affairs in Zhejiang. [5]Zhu Rui was an early and active supporter of Yuan Shikai’s imperial ambitions. When Yuan declared himself emperor on December 12, 1915 (the fourth year of the Republic), Zhu Rui was granted the noble title of First Class Marquis.[1][2]
Loss of power
[edit]After the outbreak of the National Protection War, Zhu Rui's stance began to shift. In March 1916 (the fifth year of the Republic), five generals—Feng Guozhang, Zhu Rui, Zhang Xun, Li Chun, and Jin Yunpeng—jointly sent a secret telegram urging Yuan Shikai to abolish the monarchy. However, as events progressed, Zhu Rui failed to take a clear stand and instead planned to issue a declaration of "neutrality." His ambiguous position was out of step with the strong public opinion in Zhejiang, which supported the National Protection Army. On April 12, supporters of the National Protection Army, led by Lü Gongwang and others, launched a coup. Tong Baoxuan, commander of the 2nd Brigade of the Zhejiang anti-Yuan forces, led his troops to besiege the military governor’s office. Zhu Rui fled to Shanghai.[1][2]
Thereafter, Zhu Rui's tuberculosis worsened. After traveling to Tianjin, he passed away on August 3, 1916, at the age of 34.[1][2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "论民国帮会走向社团化、政党化的原因－乌有之乡" [**On the Reasons for the Transformation of Republican-Era Secret Societies into Associations and Political Parties – Utopia (Wuyouzhixiang)**]. m.wyzxwk.com. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "民國人物大辭典﹕增訂本(全二冊)(簡體書)" [Dictionary of Figures of the Republic of China: Revised Edition (Complete in Two Volumes) (Simplified-Chinese Edition)]. 三民網路書店 (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved 2025-06-21.
- ^ "刘寿林等编：民国职官年表（中华书局 1995版）PDF下载 | 县志下载 | 中国县志大全" [**Compiled by Liu Shoulin et al.: Chronological Table of Republican-Era Officials (Zhonghua Book Company, 1995 Edition) | PDF Download | County Gazetteer Download | Complete Collection of Chinese County Gazetteers**]. www.xianzhidaquan.com. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
- ^ 神州日報社 (1913-07-21). 神州日報 1913.07.21 [**Shenzhou Daily, July 21, 1913**].
- ^ "国民政府公报-中华民国十四年至三十七年-发布机关-中华民国国民政府 - 中华文库" [Official Gazette of the National Government – Republic of China (Year 14 to Year 37) – Issuing Authority: National Government of the Republic of China – Zhonghua Library Collection]. www.zhonghuashu.com. Retrieved 2025-06-21.