Zhang Zongchang
| Zhang Zongchang | |||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 張宗昌 | ||||||||
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| Transcriptions | |
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| Standard Mandarin | |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Zhāng Zōngchāng |
| Wade–Giles | Chang Tsung-ch'ang |
Zhang Zongchang (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Wade–Giles: Chang Tsung-ch'ang; 13 February 1881 – 3 September 1932), nicknamed the "Dogmeat General" (Chinese: ; pinyin: ) and "72-Cannon Chang", was a Chinese warlord in Shandong in the early 20th century. Time dubbed him China's "basest warlord".
Born in poverty in Yi County (now Laizhou) in Shandong, Zhang joined a bandit gang in 1911 and rose in power after offering his band's services to the army of Jiangsu's military governor. His success as a part-time bandit chief and militiaman was short-lived, and after being defeated by rivals he sought refuge with the warlord Zhang Zuolin in Manchuria. He made a good impression, with one story being that he rose in popularity one year at Zhang Zuolin's birthday party: in contrast to other guests who showered the warlord with expensive gifts, Zhang Zongchang sent him two empty coolie baskets and failed to turn up himself. Zhang Zuolin was baffled until the purpose of the gift was ascertained: Zhang Zongchang's empty basket implied he was a man willing to shoulder whatever heavy responsibilities the warlord entrusted him with. He was subsequently rewarded with a command position in his army, though only after proving himself in battle did Zhang Zongchang visit his superior in person.
Zhang Zongchang's nickname of the Dogmeat General came from a fondness for gambling, especially for the game Pai Gow which Northeastern Chinese called "eating dog meat". He kept some thirty to fifty concubines of different nationalities, including Koreans, Japanese, White Russians, French and Americans, who were given numbers since he could not remember their names nor speak their language. Zhang Zongchang was free with his gifts, lavishly squandering money and concubines on superiors and friends. As a result, Zhang's commanders were very loyal to him, contributing to his military success. According to the wife of Wellington Koo:
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