This photo was once treasured by a beautiful young lady. Sixty years later, I have the privilege of sharing it. In the photo, there are nine or ten people standing and seven or eight seated—all prominent figures in the history of the Republic of China. Her father is among them, documenting the glory of their family.
Sister Ling-juan, who resides in California, USA, shared this photo. The moment the shutter clicked was a mid-spring day in the 49th year of the Republic (1960), during the flower-blossoming season. Some time had passed since the August 23rd Artillery Battle in Kinmen; the roar of cannons had gradually faded, the smoke of war was far away, and Taiwan, as the base of national recovery, had just caught its breath and found stability. The senior leaders of the Kuomintang, sharing the same fate, gathered together, leaving behind this precious photograph from the history of the Republic.
Among the people in the photo, some held the highest offices in the Republic of China—President, Vice President, Premier, and heads of the Legislative, Judicial, Control, and Examination branches. Seated second in the front row is Sister Ling-juan’s father, Zhao Hengti, who had served as the Governor of Hunan and was then a Senior Advisor to the Presidential Office. The late President Chiang Kai-shek, the late President Chiang Ching-kuo, and the late Vice President Chen Cheng all stood behind him, which speaks volumes of Master Zhao’s lofty status.
In his youth, Master Zhao studied at the Imperial Japanese Army Academy, being classmates with Tang Jiyao, Yan Xishan, Cheng Qian, and Li Liejun. He later joined the Tongmenghui and Huang Xing’s “Steel and Blood Husband Corps.” After the success of the Revolution, due to his distinguished achievements, he served as the military and political leader of Hunan Province from the 9th to 15th year of the Republic, officially promulgating the “Hunan Provincial Constitution” and being elected Governor of Hunan with a high vote count. He was also China’s first popularly elected provincial governor through indirect election.
During his tenure, he strove for good governance, streamlined the military, rectified official conduct, unified finances, and promoted education, establishing Hunan University and setting up local courts in various places. He worked tirelessly, and his benevolence spread widely, earning him deep love from the people. Unexpectedly, in the 15th year of the Republic, Tang Shengzhi of the Hunan Army rebelled to seize power and advanced toward Changsha. To avoid the suffering of the people caused by civil war, Zhao submitted his resignation to the provincial assembly, telegraphed his departure from office, and sought refuge in Shanghai.
In the 26th year of the Republic (1937), as the pace of Japan’s invasion of China tightened, he returned to Hunan again to participate in anti-Japanese activities and telegraphed President Chiang Kai-shek to support the long-term war of resistance. In the 33rd year of the Republic, the Japanese sent people to persuade Zhao Hengti to establish a puppet government in Wuhan, but he sternly rebuked them, stating that as a dignified Chinese person, he would never be a traitor. After the Mainland fell, Master Zhao followed the government to Taiwan, serving as a Senior Advisor to the President and continuing to contribute to the anti-communist cause. He passed away in the 60th year of the Republic (1971) at the age of ninety-two.
The great man has long since departed, but his legacy remains. The figures in the photo have all passed away, each having dedicated their life’s blood to watering this once-barren island. Their spirits still soar over Taiwan, guarding this land and its people. I look at this photo with profound respect for them.
Source: Left Hua-peng’s Facebook