Do you know? Ma Hongkui, who once scolded Fang Yu in the war-torn era, finally quietly fled to the United States with 7.5 tons of gold! This is not made up, in 1929 he was still in Luoyang in a high-profile rebellion, and in the blink of an eye in 1950 he had already flown over half the world, leaving Chiang Kai-shek dumbfounded in Taiwan and distressed by the gold of that place. Then why did Ma Hongkui suddenly defect? How did he get this large amount of gold? How did he spend his old age in the United States? Let's find out.
When the name Ma Hongkui is mentioned, many people may feel a little unfamiliar, but in modern Chinese history, he can definitely be called a legendary figure. Ma Hongkui, originally an iron-blooded general of the Northwest Regional Army, later became an important figure in the Kuomintang faction.
Born in Ningxia in 1892, General Ma showed remarkable courage and resourcefulness as a teenager. After graduating, Ma Hongkui's military career officially began, and he served under Yuan Shikai and Duan Qirui, gradually building up his reputation.
By 1927, the situation in the country was volatile, and the troops led by Ma Hongkui were reorganized by Chiang Kai-shek, and he became a member of the Kuomintang. The Luoyang Electrification in 1929 was a turning point in his political career, and he openly supported Chiang Kai-shek in this event, with whom he became indissolubly linked.
Ma Hongkui was quite prestigious in the army, and his troops were known as the "Iron Army" and had extremely strong combat effectiveness. All of this makes Ma Jiajun a powerful group. He often resorted to drastic measures to seize people's houses and land in the administration of the region, which also made him controversial.
Just when the situation within the Kuomintang was changing and Ma Hongkui's position seemed to be becoming more and more stable, in 1950, he suddenly chose to flee. In that year, the Kuomintang basically lost the war on the mainland, and Chiang Kai-shek retreated to Taiwan. At this critical moment, Ma Hongkui not only chose to leave, but also took 7.5 tons of gold with him. This act not only shocked Chiang Kai-shek, but also moved the entire political arena.
It is known that this part of the gold was accumulated over many years of military conquest and local rule. In those days, the warlords were divided, and gold was often used as war treasure, to secure military expenses and as a private wealth of generals. As a local warlord, Ma Hongkui controls abundant resources, and this gold has become his "private money".
Ma Hongkui chose to flee to the United States, perhaps because he saw clearly that the Kuomintang had done its business, or it was to protect the lives of himself and his family. But behind all this, there is another reason that cannot be ignored, that is, Ma Hongkui's anxiety about the future and his weariness of power. It is said that in his later years in the United States, he would often look into the distance and mumble to himself, as if recalling the glory of the past and reflecting on his choices.
Ma Hongkui's life in the United States is not well known to the outside world. Rumor has it that he lived a very low-key and quiet life, in stark contrast to his position in China. In his later years, Ma Hongkui seemed to be seeking peace of mind more than the power and money of the past.
A legendary general throughout his life, his story is full of dramatic twists and depth of reflection. Perhaps, it is this complex interweaving of human nature and history that makes his story still relatable today. His choice, both in the long river of history and in everyone's heart, has left an indelible mark.
From the anti-Qing hero to the high-ranking Kuomintang official, to the defector who finally fled to the United States with gold, his every identity is extremely dramatic. His life choices, whether right or wrong, reflect the struggle and helplessness of people in that era in the face of power, money, and life safety. Ma Hongkui, this name, may be just a small wave in the long river of history, but his story can make people think deeply.