19 Facts About Xia Chao

Xia Chao was the long-time police chief of Zhejiang Province during the Chinese Warlord Era, and served as the province's civil governor from 1924 to 1926.

Xia Chao was among the most powerful political figures in Zhejiang throughout much of his career.

At some point, Xia Chao joined Zhejiang's provincial military, trained in Japan, and eventually graduated from the Zhejiang Military Academy in Hangzhou.

Xia Chao subsequently joined several officer associations, namely the Wubei Clique, the Kung-huo Tang, and the "Ten Brothers".

Xia Chao sympathized with the republicans, and consequently started to conspire with Tong Baoxuan, commander of the Zhejiang New Army's 2nd Battalion, to overthrow Zhejiang's pro-Yuan provincial government.

Meanwhile, Hangzhou's police went on strike in support of their old chief, while Xia Chao himself took "many" chests of money from the police headquarters to the local Bank of China.

Xia Chao ordered the regional newspapers to censor their reports, and tried to bribe Fu and Lu into accepting their deposition.

Xia Chao tried to come to good terms with the new provincial government which in turn attempted to reach an understanding with local officials.

Xia Chao won the attention of military governor Yang by having his wife visiting Yang's wife, and managed to become the protege of Qi Yaoshan, the new civil governor.

Xia Chao became an important figure in the Jin-Qu-Yu-Chu association, a lobby group for the interests of Jinhua, Quzhou, Yanzhou, and Chuzhou.

Xia Chao was required to act as Sun's vice-commander during the fighting, removing him from his power base, while the warlord placed a garrison loyal to himself in Hangzhou.

Xia Chao welcomed Lu upon his arrival, threw an "impressive" party for him, and even declared an official holiday in his honor, ensuring that the newly appointed military commander-in-chief accepted Xia's submission and kept him in his position.

Secret negotiations began, which resulted in Xia Chao reaching an agreement with Chiang Kai-shek.

Xia Chao cut the railway from Zhejiang to Shanghai and dispersed the garrison of Hangzhou to weaken Sun's grip on the province.

Xia Chao was appointed "provisional chairman" of the province by the Kuomintang and commander of the 18th Corps by the NRA.

At this point, Sun received reinforcements to defend the city, whereupon Xia Chao's advance was blocked.

Xia Chao was consequently forced to retreat, and attempted to salvage the situation before his former superior launched a counter-attack.

Xia Chao sent a message to Sun's subordinates, claiming that he had been deceived into defecting to the Kuomintang, whereupon the warlord pretended to accept this explanation.

Xia Chao's severed head was then brought to Nanjing and put on a spike as warning to others.