February 13, 1881 - Zhang Zongchang
Among the warlords who carved up China during the fractious years of the Republic, Zhang Zongchang stood out for the particular brutality of his rule over Shandong, where his forces were known for widespread killing, looting, and the use of foreign mercenaries. His administration combined predatory taxation, summary executions, and a near-total disregard for civilian welfare, making him a byword for warlord excess even in an era defined by it.
From Wikipedia
Zhang Zongchang (Chinese: 張宗昌; pinyin: Zhāng Zōngchāng; also romanized as Chang Tsung-chang; 1881 – 3 September 1932), courtesy name Xiaokun, was a Chinese warlord who ruled Shandong from 1925 to 1928. A member of the Fengtian clique, Zhang was notorious for his brutal and ruthless behavior, eccentric personality, and extravagant lifestyle, which earned him nicknames such as the "Dogmeat General". In 1927, Time dubbed him China's "basest warlord".
Zhang's troops were defeated by the National Revolutionary Army during the Northern Expedition in 1928, and he fled to Japan before returning to Shandong in 1932, where he was assassinated by a young officer.
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