At the beginning of the 20th century, the Qing Dynasty was in turmoil, and the Western powers were eyeing China in an attempt to obtain greater benefits. Patriots took action to find a way to save the country, and among them was a heroic man who successfully saved 20,000 square kilometers of China's land for 500 silver dollars.
Against the backdrop of Japan's great increase in national strength due to the successful reform of the law, it included the Korean Peninsula in its sphere of influence at an early stage, and at the same time set its sights on China in an attempt to encroach on China's territory. The dispute over the islands is a clear example of Japan's attempt to encroach on China, which is actually the territory of China's Jilin Province but is historically inhabited by many ethnic Koreans. Japan uses South Korea to compete with China for this land, and frequently creates territorial disputes to challenge China's bottom line.
Beginning in 1907, Japan provoked a territorial dispute in the Majima area, claiming it as Korean territory and intervening as a protectorate. However, the patriotic general Wu Luzhen succeeded in settling many disputes between the islands with a resolute attitude. At the end of 1908, the Qing Dynasty decided to negotiate directly with Japan to resolve the issue of the territorial ownership of the island.
During the negotiations, the Qing presented evidence that the island belonged to China, but both Japan and South Korea rejected the evidence due to the weakness of the Qing Dynasty. In the face of the unreasonable behavior of Japan and South Korea, the Qing ** was helpless, and just when 20,000 square kilometers of land was in jeopardy, Bai Wenwei sent key evidence to China.
Bai Wenwei, born in Shou County, Anhui Province, a student of Qiushi School, is the hero of this story. In the face of the outbreak of the dispute between the islands, he was a second-class staff officer in the army, disguised as a businessman to investigate the situation in North Korea. During his investigation, he learned of the existence of the Daedongyu Map, a map drawn in 1861 by the Korean geographer Kim Jong-ho, which clearly marked the area of Majima as Chinese territory.
Bai Wenwei learned that the "Dadongyu Map" was in the home of Tobe Shangshu in North Korea, and met the son of Tobe Shangshu through ingenious means. Bai Wenwei and this son-in-law called him brothers, and finally successfully purchased the "Dadongyu Map" for 500 silver dollars. He immediately sent the map to the Chinese consulate in North Korea, but out of caution, the consulate demanded that he return to China immediately. When the Japanese Unified Supervision Office learned that Bai Wenwei had purchased the map, it began to track down his whereabouts.
Bai Wenwei wittily passed the test and successfully brought the "Map of the Great Eastern Opinion" back to China and handed it over to Wu Luzhen, who was negotiating with Japan. The map became undeniable evidence for China, and the Qing Dynasty argued with reason, eventually forcing Japan to abandon its plans for the Majima region and recognize it as Chinese territory.
Bai Wenwei's contribution was not only limited to the defense of the country, but also the founder of the revolution. As early as when he was studying in Qiushi Academy, he got acquainted with many revolutionary aspirants, witnessed the corruption and incompetence of the Qing Dynasty, and was determined to stand up and join the revolution. In 1904, he joined Dr. Sun Yat-sen's "League" and became a revolutionary comrade-in-arms.
After the outbreak of the Wuchang Uprising in 1911, Bai Wenwei was in charge of the uprising in Nanjing, and successfully persuaded the soldiers of the Ninth Town to revolt and drove away the garrison of the Qing Dynasty. The troops led by Bai Wenwei became the First Army of the Revolutionary Army, and he also became the first "First Army Commander" in China.
After Yuan Shikai stole the fruits of the victory of the Xinhai Revolution, Bai Wenwei has always opposed Yuan Shikai and supported Sun Yat-sen's second revolution. He was dismissed by Yuan Shikai, but he always sided with Sun Yat-sen on the side of the revolution. In order to promote the cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, Bai Wenwei participated in the reorganization of the Kuomintang in 1923 and actively promoted the first cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party.
After the "April 12" counter-revolutionary coup d'état in 1927, Bai Wenwei resolutely opposed Chiang Kai-shek's behavior, shouted the three major policies of "uniting Russia, uniting the Communist Party, and supporting peasants and workers", and worked with other revolutionaries to urge Lao Chiang to protect the Communist Party members. After the 918 Incident in Northeast China, he actively called on all parties in the country to unite against Japan.
In 1947, Bai Wenwei died of illness in Shanghai at the age of 72. His life contributed to the revolution and witnessed the whole process of China's modern revolution.
Bai Wenwei defended 20,000 square kilometers of territory with 500 silver dollars, which became a strong color in the historical picture. However, his unremitting efforts in the Xinhai Revolution, the confrontation with Chiang Kai-shek, and the cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party also added a strong ink to the cause of freedom in China, and he can be called a pioneer of the revolution.
Bai Wenwei's life is a history of struggle in modern Chinese history, and a heroic legend of sticking to faith and defending the country. He not only successfully defended 20,000 square kilometers of territory with his ingenious cunning of 500 silver dollars, but also contributed his youth and strength to the cause of China's freedom in the course of the Xinhai Revolution and the cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party. He was the founder of the Chinese Revolution, a staunch supporter of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, and a loyal son of the country.
Bai Wenwei's life has witnessed China's transformation from predicament to rise, and his heroic deeds have inspired future generations and become an indelible glorious chapter in the history of the Chinese revolution. Taking him as a model, we should always bear in mind the interests of the country, uphold justice, and work together to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.