(4 of 7)
Thus Chen Li-fu came under Chiang's protection in an all-important hsiao relationship. Chen went to Tientsin's Peiyang University (1919-23), diligently studied physics, mathematics, and the Chinese classics. Like many Chinese undergraduates then, he admired the Russian revolution, read Marx and Lenin.
Yet, as a would-be engineer, Chen was chiefly interested in the U.S. Working his way, he studied for a year at the University of Pittsburgh's School of Mines. After his M.S. thesis, Application of Mechanical and Electrical Devices to Coal Mining in China, Chen took an even more advanced course. He signed up as a coal miner in Pittsburgh and Scranton collieries,* held a card in John L. Lewis' United Mine Workers.
The Technique of Violence. In the preface to his Pitt thesis on coal mining, Chen opened up more like a philosopher than an engineer: "In the development of any industry, the first aim is the benefit of mankind."
Back in China in 1926, Chen had some idea of benefiting mankind by applying Scranton techniques to the coal fields of Shantung. Fate—and hsiao—had more exciting work for him. He again met Chiang Kaishek, now the general of Kuomintang armies driving against the warlords, and Chiang made Chen a political aide.
At this period, Sun Yat-sen had welcomed Russian help for his revolution. Russia sent help—and organizers. One of the Kremlin's Far Eastern experts, with the romantic name of Michael Borodin (he had formerly been a Chicago dentist with the less romantic name of Mike Gruzenberg), brought Moscow organization charts, showed the Chinese Nationalists how to reorganize the Kuomintang on the pattern of the Communist Party in Russia, and even how to set up a party secret police. Sun Yat-sen's Communist helpers were all set to take over from within, while Chiang Kai-shek's forces were occupied with the warlords.
But Chen Li-fu and his brother had been given charge of the Kuomintang secret police. Loyal to Chiang, as hsiao required, they set up a Kuomintang underground, infiltrated Communist groups. Chen Li-fu traveled with speed and silence over south and central China, met with secret party leaders and hsien magistrates, testing the loyal, liquidating the disloyal.
Says Chen with a wry smile: "I had planned to go underground for coal. Instead, I went underground for Communists."
Chen and his brother saved the Kuomintang from Communist control; they got an iron grip on the machinery of the party. Opposition to Chiang Kaishek, or to Chen's CC clique, within Kuomintang China, became a dangerous matter. Chinese quipped: "Chiang chia t'ien hsia; Chen chia tang—The country belongs to the Chiangs; the party belongs to the Chens."
Harmony v. Class Struggle. From the crisis of 1927, when the Chens out-organized the Communists and beat them at their own game, comes the Communists' bitter hatred of Chen Li-fu. Because of him they missed control of the world's most populous country and of East Asia.