President Xue Yue: A Bio on China's Second President
Xue Yue was born in Guandong province in 1896. In his youth he worked as a cabin boy on a trade ship before joining the New English Army of Vietnam in 1913. Upon joining, Xue was deployed to Yunnan to take part in action against invading Korean forces. Despite Xue's skill in combat, he became separated from his regiment during a Korean offensive and was lost in the jungle for remainder of the war. In November of 1913, Xue found his way back to civilization but not before he had contracted encephalitis b. Though the disease was crippling, causing permanent paralysis in his left arm, Xue was most disappointed to find out he could not reenlist in the New English army due to his condition. Unable to continue his service, Xue Yue instead decided to take a position in Republican Army and was tasked with bringing the Army of Guangxi to Western standards.
Though Xue's reforms were highly effective, little did he know the force he was training would soon become one one of the largest thorns in the emerging Republic's side. In October of 1914, General Shi Ao Nu of Guangxi defected from the Republic, becoming Warlord of Guangxi. Though Shi personally asked Xue to maintain his position in the new regime, Xue declined and escaped to the Lanzhou with a small force of loyal troops.
For his loyalty, Xue was promoted to Major and sent to act as an emissary in Shanxi and bring them into the Republic. Though Xue had little success with the local Warlord, Fan Wu Rou, he became very friendly with a young Dong Feng Rong and the two had many discussions on political philosophy and military strategy. While in Shanxi, Xue also met the love of his life, his new friend's sister, Dong Jiang-ling. The two soon married and when the civil war with the Communists broke out, Xue's new wife accompanied him back to Lanzhou. Due to his handicap, Xue was again appointed to training troops but it wasn't long before he maneuvered his way into a combat position. During the war, Xue became known for charging into combat alongside his men and after numerous successful offenses he was promoted to colonel.
In 1923, Fan Wu Rou of Shanxi passed away and Dong Feng Rong assumed leadership of the province. The Republic asked Xue to use his relationship with the new leader to sway him to the Republic. Xue successfully convinced his friend to enter the war and attack the Communists. Dong's offensive against the Communists proved to be the breath of life the Republic needed and is now widely regarded as the turning point of the war. 1924, Dong Feng Rong was elected the first President of the Republic of China and shortly after wards Xue was appointed as General of the Northern Front.
Despite his new position, Xue continued his very active role in the military, continuing to take part in battles and commanding from the front. Xue's attitude towards combat despite his handicap gave him the nickname "the Hidden Dragon" based on an old Chinese proverb.*
In 1930, the Civil War was officially concluded and peace had come to China. Xue relocated from Lanzhou to Shanxi, taking the position of governor of the province so his wife could be closer to her family. While governor, Xue fathered two sons.
In 1933, President Dong Feng Rong was assassinated by a former Communist soldier. Xue took his friend's death harshly and while attending the funeral in Lanzhou came to the conclusion that the only way to maintain Dong's legacy was to run for President himself. In 1934 emergency elections were called and Xue's relationship with not only the late President but his former soldiers proved beneficial. Xue Yue was elected second President of the Republic of China.
*Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon actually refers to a Chinese proverb which means “talented or dangerous people hidden from view.”