Historical Connections

People

Kong Yongzhi

Mentioned in passing in Episode 1.

Kong Yongzhi also known as Kong Xiangxi, was the the Minister of Industry and Commerce in Chiang Kaishek's Nanjing based Nationalist government from March 1928. Between Apr 1933 and Jul 1945, he was the President of the Central Bank of China. He was also husband of Song Ailing, and hence Chairman Chiang's brother-in-law.

Song Ailing ("Big Sister")

Song Ailing was Dr. Sun Yatsen's sometime secretary, and the eldest daughter of wealthy businessman "Charlie" Song Yaoru, wife to Kong Yongzhi, sister to Song Ziwen ("Mr Song") and sister-in-law to Sun Yatsen and Chiang Kaishek.

Song Ziwen ("Mr Song")

Song Ziwen also known as T.V. Soong, was the Minister of Finance in the Nationalist government from 1925. Between Jul 1928 and May 1930, he negotiated tariff rates with the United States, Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdom. In Oct 1928, he was named the president of the reformed Central Bank of China, now headquartered in Shanghai; he would hold this position until 1931. In Jan 1930, he took on a concurrent role as the deputy chief of the Executive Yuan; in this role he was credited with currency reforms and the establishment of a police force to enforce taxation.

He was brother to the three Song sisters, and through them brother-in-law to Kong Yongzhi, Sun Yatsen and Chiang Kaishek.