Qiaojia Compound is famous for its brilliant achievements in Shanxi and even the whole country. However, during the war of aggression against China, why didn't the Japanese dare to do anything to Qiao's compound?The answer is actually very simple, it is because of a special item placed at the gate of the Qiao family's compound. The reason why the Qiao family can become such a huge family industry is inseparable from Qiao Zhiyong's efforts. At first, the Qiao family was just an inconspicuous merchant family, but under Qiao Zhiyong's management, it quickly developed into a leading local enterprise.
In just a few years, its income can reach millions of taels, which is not easy to tax at that time, which shows the status of the Qiao family in the local area. When the Eight-Nation Coalition invaded Beijing, due to the backwardness and pedantry of the Qing Dynasty, the Eight-Nation Coalition Army was overwhelmed, and the Qing soldiers were not opponents at all, and even burned down important historical buildings such as the Old Summer Palace. Cixi had to flee temporarily for fear of being captured by the Eight-Nation Alliance, and many caring businessmen donated money to help Cixi tide her over.
Qiao Zhiyong was no exception, and out of love for the country, he donated a large amount of money to Cixi. These funds successfully helped Cixi tide over the difficulties, and after Cixi returned to Beijing, she specially named Qiao Zhiyong to see Qiao Zhiyong, saying that "if you have merit, the court will reward you." However, Qiao Zhiyong refused Cixi's reward. In fact, Qiao Zhiyong's refusal of Cixi's reward was also due to his considerations. On the one hand, this would allow Cixi to owe him a favor forever;On the other hand, Cixi will always remember the good of the Qiao family.
In the end, Cixi still sent someone to send a plaque to Qiao Zhiyong and hung it in the courtyard of Qiao's family, giving Qiao Zhiyong great glory, and at the same time, many merchants put forward the idea of cooperating with Qiao Zhiyong, which greatly improved Qiao Zhiyong's industry. However, the plaque of Lafayette Cixi alone was not enough to make the Japanese army during the war of aggression against China fearful. The reason why the Japanese army did not dare to invade Qiao's compound was because an Italian flag was hung in front of Qiao Zhiyong's house.
This national flag is a good deed of Qiao Zhiyong, and it can be said that this kind deed saved the entire Qiao family compound. During the Boxer Rebellion, there was a wave of killing missionaries, destroying churches, and expelling foreigners across the country. Qiao Zhiyong's heroic behavior in the Boxer RebellionDuring the Boxer Rebellion at the end of the 19th century, many foreign missionaries were attacked by Boxer members. Once, Qiao Zhiyong and several members of his entourage witnessed a group of Boxers with ** in their hands chasing after several foreign missionaries.
Qiao Zhiyong did not hesitate to help, begging not to harm these innocent believers, and generously bribing the Boxer members. Because of their respect for Qiao Zhiyong, the Boxers handed over the missionary to him. Qiao Zhiyong learned that the missionaries were from Italy and had been preaching in China. He deeply touched the missionaries by bringing them home and giving them shelter and delicious meals. After living in Joe's house for a while, they decided to return to Italy.
Upon arrival in Italy, the missionaries immediately reported to the Italian authorities about Joe's rescue operation. In order to thank Qiao Zhiyong, the Italian embassy in China presented him with an Italian flag and allowed him to hang it in front of his home. However, Qiao Zhiyong rejected the proposal to fly the Italian flag, saying that "we are Chinese, and it is not appropriate to fly the Italian flag." He chose to keep the flag in his collection.
Until Japan launched a war of aggression against China and implemented the three-light policy, Qiao Zhiyong's subordinates suggested that he hang the Italian flag, hoping to gain Japan's tolerance. Sure enough, when the Japanese came to the gate of Qiao's compound and saw the Italian flag hoisting, he gave up the idea of looting. Qiao Zhiyong's good deeds remind us that there is no need to expect something in return. This is also the principle that we should follow in our time.