In 1977, in the senior ward of a hospital in Taiwan, the 90-year-old Yang Sen was lying on the hospital bed, and next to him stood his 12th aunt Zhang Lingfeng, who was in her 20s. Yang Sen, who had little time to do, heard Zhang Lingfeng ask a question that made him ponder: "You have married 12 wives in your life, how many of them are willing to marry you?" The question touched Janssen's memories and brought him back to that tumultuous past.
Why did Yang Sen, the once powerful Sichuan warlord, marry 12 wives? How did these women become his wives and concubines? What is their fate? In the turbulent era of the Republic of China, were these women really willing to marry Yang Sen, or did they have other secrets? And how did Janssen manage this huge "harem"? Does he really care about these wives and concubines, or does he simply see them as instruments of power and lust? Let's follow Janssen's memories to uncover this dusty history and get a glimpse into the secrets of the warlord family.
In 1884, Yang Sen was born into a small military attache family in Guang'an, Sichuan. Although his father was only a minor official in the county, he was quite a student of military affairs, and often told the young Yang Sen about the art of war. These stories deeply influenced Janssen and planted the seeds for his later military career.
The young Yang Sen was intelligent by nature, but his family was poor, and he could not receive a good education like other children of rich families. He often sneaked into the local academy and hid outside the window to listen to his lectures. Once, he was discovered by the gentleman of the college, but the gentleman was impressed by his intellectual curiosity and made an exception to allow him to sit in on the hearing. This experience made Janssen more hungry for knowledge and developed his ability to be good at observation and grasp opportunities.
In 1908, at the age of 24, Janssen finally waited for the opportunity to change his fate. Sichuan Province established a military academy, and Yang Sen successfully enrolled in the school through layers of selection. Here, he not only systematically studied military theory and practice, but also got acquainted with a number of figures who would later become prominent in the military circles of Sichuan, such as Liu Xiang and Deng Xihou. With his diligence and astuteness, Janssen quickly stood out among his classmates and became the leader of the school.
After graduating, Yang Sen was assigned to the Sichuan local army, starting as a platoon commander. When he first entered the barracks, Janssen faced many challenges. At that time, the discipline of the local troops was lax, and the quality of the soldiers was uneven. Janssen realized that in order to gain a foothold in such an environment, there had to be something extraordinary. He began to study how to improve the combat effectiveness and cohesion of the troops.
Janssen innovatively introduced a competition mechanism, regularly organized military skill competitions, and established a reward system. This not only stimulates the fighting spirit of the soldiers, but also improves the overall quality of the troops. In a provincial military competition, the troops led by Yang Sen won the championship in one fell swoop, attracting the attention of their superiors.
With the accumulation of military exploits, Yang Sen was gradually promoted. But he knew that in the era of warlord warfare, military talent alone was not enough. He began to carefully manage his network, often visiting local officials and wealthy businessmen to accumulate political and economic capital for himself.
In 1916, a warlord scuffle broke out in Sichuan. Yang Sen seized the opportunity and led his troops to make great achievements in many battles and successfully became one of the warlords of Sichuan. The speed at which he rose was remarkable. Janssen is adept at maneuvering between different forces, and can always find a position in his favor in a complex political situation.
After the outbreak of the Northern Expedition, Janssen was keenly aware of the changes in the situation. He voluntarily pledged allegiance to Chiang Kai-shek and supported the Northern Expeditionary Army in several battles. Chiang Kai-shek took a fancy to Yang Sen's talent and influence in Sichuan, and appointed him commander of the 20th Army of the Nationalist Army.
Since then, Janssen's career has been smooth sailing. He successively served as commander-in-chief of the 27th Group Army of the National Army and chairman of Guizhou Province. It has gained considerable status and influence in both military and political circles. Yang Sen's success stemmed not only from his military prowess, but also from his ability to judge the situation and make friends with powerful people.
However, the pinnacle of power did not satisfy Janssen. He began to set his sights on his private life, using power and wealth to satisfy his desires. It was in this context that Yang Sen began his life chapter of "accepting concubines", and also planted the seeds of family tragedy in the future.
Janssen's political and military successes amassed him a great deal of wealth and power, which also gave him the capital to fulfill his personal desires. As a typical warlord, Janssen's attitude towards marriage reflected both the general phenomenon of the society at the time and his own unique color.
Yang Sen once publicly stated that he adhered to the principle of "three noes and three wants" on the issue of concubines. The so-called "three noes" are regardless of life experience, wealth or poverty, or culture. This principle embodies a certain breakthrough of Janssen's traditional concept of door-to-door. In the social context of the time, this attitude seemed quite trendy. However, the "three musts" principle exposes Janssen's objectified view of women: as long as they are young, as long as they are beautiful, as long as they are romantic. This naked standard of beauty reflects Janssen's attitude towards women as private objects.
Janssen's view of marriage was largely shaped by his life experiences and social status. As a man from humble beginnings who rose to the pinnacle of power through his own efforts, Janssen had a certain rebellious spirit against traditional class notions. He doesn't care about the origin of his wife and concubine, which makes the composition of his harem members very diverse, from young ladies from large families to ordinary peasant girls, to singers and maids, and so on.
However, Janssen's criteria for choosing a wife and concubine also reflect his deep desire for power and the pursuit of beauty. He often looks for beautiful women through various channels, and even does not hesitate to use military and political resources. Legend has it that Yang Sen once sent his subordinates to search for beautiful women all over Sichuan and brought them back to the mansion for him to choose from. This kind of behavior was not uncommon among the warlords of the time, but the scale and systematization of Janssen was rare.
Janssen's strategy of taking concubines also reflects his political wisdom. He often cemented political alliances by marrying the daughter or relative of an influential figure. For example, his third aunt's wife, the daughter of a wealthy businessman in Sichuan, brought Yang Sen a rich dowry and opened up a new network of contacts in the business world.
In addition, Janssen is also adept at using marriage to defuse political crises. During a conflict with another warlord, Janssen defuses a possible military confrontation by marrying a relative of the other party. This practice of using marriage as a political tool has a long history in China, and Janssen took it to the extreme.
However, Janssen's view of marriage also caused him a lot of trouble. The presence of numerous wives and concubines has led to conflicts and strife within the family. In order to maintain order in the family, Janssen developed a strict set of rules. He managed his harem like a military camp, and each wife and concubine had fixed duties and status, which could not be overstepped. Although this management method maintained a superficial harmony to a certain extent, it also planted the seeds of family tragedy in the future.
Janssen's view of marriage also influenced his children's education. He has high expectations for his children, especially his son. He wanted his sons to carry on his business, so he attached great importance to their education. However, due to the large number of wives and concubines, the competition between children is also fierce. Some of the children who grew up in this environment have become social elites, while others have gone astray.
Janssen's married life has also sparked widespread discussion in society. In Sichuan at that time, there was a folk song: "There is a general named Yang Sen, and his wife and concubines are beauties." This ballad reflects both the popular criticism of Janssen's extravagant life and the general perception of the warlords at the time.
With the changes of the times, Janssen's concept of marriage is also quietly changing. Some of his remarks in his later years can be seen in some of his reflections on his past actions. However, whether this reflection is sincere, or merely a compromise with the trends of the times, is a question that perhaps only Janssen himself can answer.
Janssen's concept of marriage and the principle of concubinage are not only a portrayal of his personal life, but also a microcosm of that turbulent era. It reflects the contradictions and conflicts between tradition and modernity, between personal desire and social responsibility, and also provides a unique perspective for us to understand the social changes during the Republican period.
Each of Janssen's twelve aunts and wives has a unique background and story. Their destinies are intertwined, and together they form a complex picture of the warlord family of the Republic of China. Let's explore the life trajectories of each of these women.
The first aunt, Mrs. Wang, was the wife of Yang Sen in his hometown in Sichuan in his early years. She came from a farming family and bore two sons to Janssen. When Janssen was still an ordinary military officer, Wang took on most of the household chores and supported her husband's career. However, as Janssen's status rose, Wang's status declined. She was unsociable, politically ignorant, and gradually marginalized. In his later years, Wang often sat alone in the courtyard, reminiscing about the past years.
The second aunt, Mrs. Li, is the sister of a colleague whom Yang Sen met in the army. She was well-educated, good at singing and dancing, and soon became Janssen's favorite. Li gave birth to a son and a daughter for Yang Sen, and with his intelligence, he occupied an important position in Yang Sen's harem. She often helps Janssen with some social affairs and becomes Janssen's right-hand man. However, with the addition of new aunts, Lee's position began to be challenged.
The third aunt's wife, Chen, is the daughter of a wealthy businessman in Sichuan. The marriage brought Janssen a lucrative dowry and business connections. Chan has a gentle personality and is good at handling family relationships, and plays the role of mediator in Janssen's harem. She has no children, but she cares about the children of other aunts and wives, and has won everyone's favor.
The fourth aunt's wife, Zhang, was originally a maid in Yang Sen's mansion. She won the favor of Yang Sen with her intelligence and cleverness, and jumped from a maid to an aunt's wife. This drastic change in identity made Zhang cherish her status extraordinarily, and she became one of Yang Sen's most trusted people. Zhang bore three children to Janssen, but she kept a low profile and rarely got involved in family disputes.
The fifth aunt's wife, Liu, was a refugee rescued by Yang Sen during a military operation. Liu came from a poor background and was full of gratitude to Yang Sen. She was diligent and thrifty, and often advised Janssen to moderate her spending. However, her behavior caused the displeasure of the other aunts, who thought that she did not understand the rules. Liu's situation in the harem was not good, and he often cried alone.
The sixth aunt, the wife of the Sun family, was married by Yang Sen in order to consolidate his alliance with another warlord. She came from a famous family and had elegant manners, and soon became a social star in Janssen's house. Sun's ability to use his background and talents enabled him to play an important role in Janssen's political career. However, her high-profile style also aroused the jealousy of other aunts.
The seventh aunt's wife, Wu, was originally a famous singer in Sichuan. Janssen was attracted by her singing voice at a banquet and immediately included her in the room. Wu brought an artistic atmosphere, and often held poetry meetings and concerts in the mansion, adding a bit of elegance to Janssen's boring military life. However, her behavior was also regarded by some as extravagant, which caused criticism.
The eighth aunt's wife, Zheng, is the daughter of one of Yang Sen's subordinates. She was young and beautiful, and soon became Janssen's darling. Zheng was adeptic at using his position, often for the benefit of his father and other relatives, which caused Yang Sen's displeasure. Later, Zheng was found to be having an affair with a young officer and was placed under house arrest by Janssen in a side courtyard in the mansion.
The ninth aunt's wife, Huang, is an overseas Chinese whom Yang Sen met during a visit to Japan. Educated in the Western style and fluent in English and Japanese, she became Janssen's important assistant in his dealings with foreign envoys. Huang brought new ideas to Janssen and influenced some of Janssen's decisions. However, her Western-style style has also aroused the dissatisfaction of some conservatives.
The tenth aunt's wife, Qian, was a young woman accepted by Yang Sen in his later years. She came from an ordinary background, but she was extremely ambitious. Taking advantage of his youth and beauty, Qian soon occupied an important place in Yang Sen's heart. She actively participated in Janssen's political activities and even began to interfere in military affairs, causing dissatisfaction among many people.
The eleventh aunt's wife, Xu, was a rural teacher that Yang Sen met during an inspection. She is knowledgeable and passionate about education. Janssen was attracted by her talent and took her as his aunt's wife. Xu promoted a new type of education in the Fuzhong and invited famous teachers for Yang Sen's children, which was appreciated by Yang Sen.
Zhang Lingfeng, the twelfth aunt's wife, was Yang Sen's last concubine, more than seventy years younger than Yang Sen. She was originally a classmate of Janssen's granddaughter, but was forced to marry Janssen because of her poor family. Zhang Lingfeng is young and beautiful, but her heart is full of contradictions. She was grateful for Janssen's favor, but she couldn't really fall in love with the old man. In the last moments of Janssen's life, it was she who asked that thought-provoking question.
The story of these twelve wives shows the epitome of a warlord family during the Republic of China. Some of them come from famous families, and some come from poor families; Some are talented, some are obscure; Some are ambitious, others are self-contained. Their destinies are intertwined, and together they form a complex historical picture.
Although Yang Sen's twelve aunts and wives live under the same roof, their daily lives are different. This difference is not only due to their personal backgrounds and personalities, but also closely related to their place in Janssen's heart.
In the daily life of the Janssen Mansion, there is a clear division of labor among the aunts and wives. Although the status of the first house Wang has declined, he is still responsible for managing the daily expenses of the entire mansion. Every morning, she would gather the housekeepers and maids in each room to assign the day's procurement tasks. Wang's budget-conscious style saved Yang Sen a lot of expenses, but it also had conflicts with some aunts who liked luxury.
The second room, Lee, is mainly responsible for Janssen's social activities. Every day, she peruses various newspapers and social invitations to arrange suitable socials for Janssen. The Lee family also regularly organizes cultural events in the house, such as poetry parties and tea parties, and invites local celebrities to participate in it to expand Janssen's network. These activities are often assisted by the Seventh House Ng, whose singing voice is often the highlight of these gatherings.
Although the third room Chen did not have a clear role, her gentle personality made her a mediator in the harem. Whenever there was a conflict between the aunts and wives, Chen would come forward to coordinate. She also often organizes her aunts and wives to do some charity activities together, such as donating money to orphanages and providing grants for poor students, which not only improves Yang Sen's image among the people, but also makes her aunts' lives more meaningful.
The fourth room, Zhang, and the fifth, Liu, were mainly responsible for taking care of Yang Sen's daily life due to their low background. They take turns to take care of Janssen's diet and daily life, ensuring that Janssen's life is comfortable. Zhang would also personally prepare some hometown side dishes for Yang Sen, which often evoked Yang Sen's memories of his hometown and allowed him to relax for a moment in his busy official duties.
The Sun family in the sixth room and the Huang family in the ninth room were responsible for receiving foreign guests. Sun came from a well-known family and had an elegant demeanor, and often accompanied Yang Sen in receptions with other warlords or dignitaries. Huang, by virtue of his linguistic superiority, was responsible for receiving foreign envoys. Their presence greatly enhanced the level of Janssen's mansion and provided important support for Janssen's political career.
Although the eighth room Zheng was under house arrest because of private morality, she still had some influence in the house. She receives many letters asking for help every day, mostly from her father's subordinates or relatives. Although Janssen restricted her activities, she was still allowed to handle some affairs through letters. This arrangement both satisfies the needs of the Zheng family and limits the negative impact she can cause.
Because of his youth and beauty, the tenth Qian family often accompanies Yang Sen. She carefully read military and political reports every day and then reported back to Janssen. Although her behavior caused dissatisfaction among some old ministers, Yang Sen admired her self-motivation. Qian also often organized some entertainment activities, such as playing mahjong and watching plays, to add some fun to Janssen's boring military life.
The eleventh room Xu focuses on education. She teaches Janssen's children every day about both Chinese and Western cultures. Xu also built a primary school in Fuzhong to provide free education for the children of Fuchu's servants and the poor children in the neighborhood. The school quickly became a model for the local community and won Janssen a lot of praise.
The youngest twelfth room, Zhang Lingfeng, although she is young, she has taken on the heavy responsibility of taking care of the elderly Yang Sen. Every day, she would walk with Janssen, read the newspaper, and sometimes read some literary works to him. Despite her inner resistance to the marriage, she still did her best to take care of Janssen, earning the respect of the other aunts.
In addition to these personal duties, Janssen's aunts and wives shared some common daily activities. Every Sunday morning, they would get together to report to Janssen on what they were responsible for. This meeting is not only an occasion for work reports, but also a stage for aunts and wives to show their abilities. After the meeting, Janssen would often give his aunt some rewards for her outstanding performance, such as jewelry or extra pocket money.
At the beginning of each month, Janssen also organizes a family reunion in which all the aunts, wives and children attend. At this gathering, Janssen will listen to the children's learning reports and award prizes to the children who perform well. This party is also an opportunity for the aunts and wives to get to know each other and communicate with each other, although they are happy on the surface, but the competition in the secret never stops.
During the festive season, life at Janssen House becomes even more colorful. During the Spring Festival, Yang Sen will lead the whole family to worship their ancestors, and then hold a grand family banquet. During the Dragon Boat Festival, aunts and wives will compete in making zongzi, and Yang Sen will personally taste and select the best cooking awards. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the whole family will admire the moon in the garden and chant poetry. These traditional festivals not only enrich the life of Fuchu, but also maintain the harmony of this large family to a certain extent.
However, behind this seemingly peaceful daily life, the open and secret battles between the aunts and wives have never stopped. They compete for Janssen's favor, for their children's educational resources, and for the right to speak in the family. This complex family relationship is not only the embodiment of Janssen's power, but also a burden for his later life.
As the years passed, the once powerful warlord Yang Sen also entered his old age. Although his later life was rich, it was full of complex family conflicts and political strife.
In 1943, at the age of 70, Yang Sen gradually withdrew from the political scene in Sichuan. He handed over most of the power to his eldest son, Yang Zhen, and lived a semi-retired life himself. However, this does not mean that Janssen's life has become peaceful. On the contrary, his later life was made more turbulent by complicated family relationships.
The conflict between Janssen's twelve aunts and wives intensified after his retirement. Instead of fighting for Janssen's favor, they began to pave the way for their children's future. The two sons of the Wang family in the first room have already held important positions in the army, but the children of other aunts and wives have also begun to emerge. The son of the Li family in the second room was quite successful in the political circles, the daughter of the Sun family in the sixth room married a wealthy businessman, and the son of the Huang family in the ninth room worked in the diplomatic service. The growth and development of these children has made the balance of power in Janssen House more delicate.
In order to balance the power of the various houses, Janssen began to frequently adjust the management of family affairs. He transferred the financial control of the mansion from the first house, Wang, to the third, Chen, on the grounds that Chen had no children and could distribute resources more fairly. This decision caused displeasure in the Wang family, but it was supported by the other aunts.
Janssen also pays special attention to the education of his grandchildren. At the suggestion of the eleventh chamber Xu, he established a private school in the mansion and hired well-known scholars to teach his grandchildren. This private school not only provided Janssen with high-quality educational resources for his grandchildren, but also became a great joy in Janssen's later life. He often attends private schools and sometimes explains historical stories to his grandchildren.
However, as he aged, Janssen's health began to deteriorate. In 1947, he contracted severe pneumonia and had to stay in bed for a long time. During this time, Zhang Lingfeng, the youngest wife of the twelfth aunt, became his main caregiver. Although Zhang Lingfeng is young, she has shown extraordinary patience and carefulness. She reads newspapers, massages, feeds medicine to Janssen every day, and even learns some simple Chinese medicine knowledge to take care of Janssen.
The news of Yang Sen's serious illness soon spread throughout Sichuan. Many former subordinates and politicians came to visit. However, these visits also brought new troubles. Some began to inquire about the distribution of Janssen's estate, while others tried to influence Janssen's political legacy. These distractions made the already weak Janssen even more tired.
In 1949, as the Nationalist government retreated, Janssen's situation became even more difficult. His former subordinates and allies have chosen to retreat or surrender. Janssen's children are also beginning to plan for their future. The eldest son, Yang Zhen, decided to lead some of the family members to retreat to Taiwan, while some of the children chose to stay on the mainland. This split was deeply distressed by Janssen.
In the last months of his life, Janssen often sat alone in the courtyard and looked back on his life. He has grown from an ordinary peasant boy to a powerful warlord and has experienced countless ups and downs. However, as he looks at his divided family and turbulent country, he can't help but begin to question his life's choices.
One cold night in early 1950, Janssen's condition suddenly deteriorated. All the aunts and wives and the children at home gathered at his bedside. In the last moments of his life, Janssen seemed to want to say something, but in the end he only sighed weakly. At this moment, the young Zhang Lingfeng suddenly asked, "Master, do you think this life is worth it?" "
The question stirred up a commotion in the room. Some people thought that Zhang Lingfeng was too rude, while others waited curiously for Yang Sen's answer. However, Yang Sen just looked at Zhang Lingfeng quietly, and his eyes seemed to contain too many complex emotions. Eventually, he didn't answer the question, just slowly closed his eyes.
Janssen's death marked the end of an era. In the years that followed, his family gradually dispersed, some went to Taiwan, some stayed on the mainland, and some chose to go abroad. His mansion was later converted into a school, and many of his aunts and wives began their lives anew.
However, Zhang Lingfeng's question has been haunting many people's hearts. In turbulent times, is the choice of a character like Janssen right or wrong? Is their life worth it? There may never be a standard answer to these questions, but they have become an important starting point for future generations to think about history and life.