Chiang Kai-Shek's Successes and Failures

Governing and rejuvenating the country is the first priority of those in power. Anyone who wants to achieve great things must do his best. There is no exception in ancient and modern times, at home and abroad. The question lies in what concept and what method to adopt. Zeng Guofan, a master of modern political power, said: "If you build a network all over the world, no bird can escape." He regarded making relationships, weaving a political network, and cultivating power as "the key to success or failure in life." Chiang Kai-shek, who regarded Zeng Guofan as the "ancestor", greatly appreciated this approach and had great experience. Build a network of relationships, regardless of gangster or white; recruit talents regardless of historical grudges; cling to powerful people, regardless of the means; cultivate power, regardless of cost. Under his careful weaving, Chiang Kai-shek's "United Fleet" with strong ships and powerful artillery was formed. He relies on this network to seize "the world" and sit on the "world". Machiavellianism is an accompaniment of political power and serves power-centered political goals. Machiavellianism is a freak nurtured in this mother. It comes from the main gate, but is accused of being a crooked way; it is widely used in political and official circles, from kings to ministers. It has been used repeatedly and constantly renovated, but it has been insulted and whipped. Those who scorn it include the following people who use power as a tool to achieve great things. In this way, power tactics accumulated and developed amidst the sounds of scolding and whipping, forming a weird and mysterious power culture. Chiang Kai-shek also despised political power. He wrote in his diary: "Politics makes people live like dogs... Where is morality, where is friendship?" The so-called politics he mentioned here actually refers to political power. However, from the day he determined to do something great, he has been inseparable from political power. Some people say that he is "the master of Chinese tricks", while others call him "China's Napoleon". Li Zongren, who had been fighting with him for a long time in the power struggle, put it more appropriately. He said: "Chiang Kai-shek's ability to command troops and govern politics is extremely incompetent, but he is the best in the world in using tactics and deception."