Great traitor Zhang Benzheng: Betrayed and publicly tried the great traitor Zhang Benzheng, the number one traitor in northeast China, he betrayed his country in northeast China under Japanese rule, provided arms and materials for the Japanese army, and transported a large amount of military materials, becoming one of the most well-known traitors during the Chinese Anti-Japanese War. However, most of the reports on his crimes and public trials use old photographs and stills, and there are few true records. In a book called "Special Liberated Areas of Luda", I found a photo of Zhang Benzheng, a traitor on the public trial, and took it with my mobile phone. Zhang Benzheng's story is destined to make people angry and shocked, but it also makes me think about this history and the humanity behind it. Let's take a look at the betrayal of the great traitor Zhang Benzheng. Zhang Benzheng was born in 1865, the son of an ordinary fisherman from a poor family. He started a small business with his mother in his early years, later studied carpentry, and opened a grocery store in Lushun. However, it was at this time that he became acquainted with the Japanese secret agent Takahashi Fujibei and began to supply the Japanese army with military supplies. Chang's betrayal began, and he became one of the great traitors in Tohoku under Japanese rule.
After the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War, Zhang Benzheng followed Takahashi Fujibei into Lushun and began to learn the maritime trade. He chartered two Japanese steamships and carried out maritime trade from Yantai to Dalian. Zhang Benzheng used the capital he accumulated in trade to open the Zhengji Steamship Company, which became the first steamship shipping enterprise in Yantai at that time. His business prospered and he became one of the eight richest Chinese businessmen in Dalian. However, Zhang's betrayal did not stop there. After the outbreak of World War I, all European and American ships were repatriated, and there was a gap in China's coastal shipping, and Zhengji Steamship Company seized the opportunity to expand rapidly and become the largest shipping company in North China. He also opened money houses, banks, oil mills in Dalian, Qingdao and other places, and founded the Zhengji Iron Factory. His wealth and power continued to expand, making him more arrogant. After the 918 Incident in 1931, Zhang Benzheng undertook the task of transporting the Japanese army and mobilized all the ships to Dalian and Hong Kong to transport materials for the Japanese army. He took the opportunity to make a fortune and further expand his business empire in Dalian, Qingdao and other places. He enjoyed great prestige in the northeast region at that time and was known as the "Second Emperor".
However, with the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, Zhang Benzheng's criminal acts were gradually exposed. He frequently delivered military supplies to the Japanese army and collaborated in donating aircraft to the Japanese army. His traitorous behavior has attracted widespread attention and condemnation at home and abroad. However, with the support of the Japanese government, he still continued to betray his country and became one of the most famous traitors in northeast China. In August 1945, after the surrender of Japan, the Shoji Steamship Company collapsed. Zhang Benzheng and Shao Shangjian established the "Dalian Local Self-Defense Committee" and appointed themselves as its chairman. However, as Soviet troops moved into Dalian, Zhang's power rapidly declined, and his attempt ultimately failed. His property was cleared by the District Court, and he had nothing overnight, with a huge amount of property. In 1947, Zhang Benzheng was sentenced by the local court to 12 years in prison and confiscated all his property. He took advantage of his medical parole to flee to Shenyang, which was still in the Kuomintang-controlled area at the time. However, soon after, when the Communists occupied Shenyang, Zhang Benzheng fled again, fled to Tianjin, then Shanghai, and finally lived in seclusion in Tianjin. In 1951, Zhang Benzheng was sentenced to death by the People's Government for counter-revolution and executed in Laofeng Bay, Dalian.
The crime of betrayal he committed is unforgivable, and his betrayal of the motherland and the people has caused great harm. The betrayal of the great traitor Zhang Benzheng makes people think about this history and the humanity behind it. As the son of an ordinary fisherman, how did he embark on this path of betrayal? Was he forced or voluntary? Was his betrayal motivated by personal gain or for some other reason? These questions force us to think about the complexity of human nature and the cruelty of history. Looking back on this history, we should learn from it, cherish peace and stability, and stand by our faith and the interests of our country. We must not forget those heroes who gave their lives for the country and the people, and at the same time we must not forget the traitors who betrayed the country. Only through the recognition and reflection of history can we better cherish the peace and stability of the present and provide better reference for future development. In this era of information explosion, we should remain sensitive to history and pursue the truth. Only through real historical records and in-depth research can we better understand the past, recognize reality, and make the right choices for future construction.
Finally, I would like to ask the question, that is, how do we view the historical place and crimes of these betrayers? Should they be remembered forever or spurned forever? Please leave your comments to share your views with us.