Shen Hongying

Shen Hongying or Shum Hung-ying (simplified Chinese: 沈鸿英; traditional Chinese: 沈鴻英; pinyin: Shěn Hóngyīng; Cantonese: Shum Hung-ying) (Oct 15, 1871 – January 28, 1935) was a Chinese general in the Old Guangxi Clique during the Republic of China (1912–1949). Shum was given the title of General Hip Wai (協威將軍) by President Li Yuanhong. Shen served as military governor of Guangdong from March 1923 to May 1924 in the Warlord Era. He was in alliance with Wu Peifu. He was defeated by Li Zongren in 1925.

Shen Hongying was born in 1871 and moved to Luorong (雒容) of Guangxi from Enping of Guangdong. He had been a bandit and later became a prefecture officer (管帶) in the Qing government. He then served at the Republic government and was promoted to a number of posts, eventually became defence commissioner in the two provinces. He was the Commander-in-Chief of the Frontier Defence of the Third Route Army of Guangdong and Guangxi (粵桂邊防第三路軍總司令), had armed confrontations with the renowned generals Bai Chongxi and Li Zongren in 1925, and later fled to Hong Kong. When he was a general in the Chinese mainland, he bought a lot of land in Hong Kong. He was a member of the Board of Director of Pok Oi Hospital in 1932 and 1933 and its Chairman in 1934.

Following his defeat in the Guangdong–Guangxi War, Shen retired in Hong Kong and built his residence, now referred to as the "General House", in the location now known as the village of Fung Kat Heung in Yeun Long, New Territories. He named the village Fung Kat (逢吉), to represent that all bad luck turns into good luck. The Shum Residence has been determined to be a historic building of special merit by the Antiquities Advisory Board (AAB) of Hong Kong, and efforts should be made for its preservation.

Shen Hongying was born in a poor family. He was a local bandit in his early years and gradually became the leader. After the Revolution of 1911, in 1911 (3rd year of Xuantong), Shen Hongying was recruited by revolutionaries affiliated with Liu Zhenhuan [zh].

In 1912 (the first year of the Republic of China), Shen Hongying was promoted to superintendent. In 1913 (the 2nd year of the Republic of China) the second revolution broke out. Shen Hongying broke away from the revolutionaries and expelled his boss Liu Zhenhuan. As a result, he won praise from Guangxi warlord Lu Rongting and was promoted again. Later, he helped Lu Rongting suppress the rebels and was promoted to commander.

In March 1916 (the fifth year of the Republic of China), during the National Protection War (Third Revolution), Lu Rongting declared independence against Yuan Shikai, who declared himself the Emperor. Lu Rongting attacked Guangdong General (Supervisor) Long Jiguang, who backed Yuan. Shen Hongying followed Lu Rongting and was appointed as the guardian of Qinlian. In December 1917 (the sixth year of the Republic of China), when Long Jiguang landed in Guangdong again, Lu Rongting organized four armies to fight him. At this time, Shen was appointed as the General Commander of the Third Army. Shen Hongying repelled Long Jiguang.

After this battle, Shen was appointed as General Commander (commander-in-chief) of the Third Army of the Guangdong Guardian Army and Qiongya Guard Envoy. Guardian of the Guangdong Cliff. In the winter of 1919 (the 8th year of the Republic of China), he was stationed in Beijiang and was appointed concurrently as Guardian of South Guangdong, Jiangxi and Hunan Border Defense Supervisor.

In 1920 (the ninth year of the Republic of China), when Sun Yat-sen and Chen Jiongming attacked Guangdong, Lu Rongting and Shen Hongying were defeated and retreated to Guangxi. Shen Hongying served as the general commander (commander-in-chief) of the 3rd Road Army of the Guangxi Border Defense Army and led three divisions in Hexian and Pingle areas. After that, Lu Rongting attempted to retake Guangdong again. But, in June 1921 (the 10th year of the Republic of China), following Sun Yat-sen's orders, Chen Jiongming counterattacked Guangxi ("Aid to Gui").