Zhang Peiyuan

Who was Zhang Peiyuan?

Zhang Peiyuan was a Han chinese general, commander of the Ili garrison. He fought against Uighur and Tungans during the Kumul revolt, but then secretly negotiated with the Tungan general, Ma Zhongying to form an alliance against Sheng Shicai and the Soviet Union. Zhang's army had about 3,000 soldiers. They almost destroyed Sheng's armies when the Soviet Union invaded in the Soviet Invasion of Xinjiang and overran Zhang's forces. Zhang committed suicide to avoid capture by the Russians at Muzart Pass during a snow storm.