Editing Sheng Shicai (section)

== Early life ==

Sheng, an ethnic [[Han Chinese]],{{sfn|Brown|Pickowicz|2007|p=186}} was born in [[Kaiyuan, Liaoning|Kaiyuan]], [[Manchuria under Qing rule|Manchuria]] in a well-to-do peasant family{{sfn|Vandivert|White|1943|p=35}} on 3 December 1895.{{sfn|Chan|1983|p=366}} His great-grandfather, Sheng Fuxin (盛福信), was originally from Shandong Province and later fled to Kaiyuan.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=盛世才迫害妹夫俞秀松經過|author=安志潔（盛世同）|url=https://news.boxun.com/news/gb/z_special/2005/05/200505141126.shtml?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=1f136e02ab462a421c2cbb2296379776086f35c3-1603254424-0-ASN8vHuTyfff827VUBw2QPG9NwMqoZj31rnyORgwQMlOsA49E3JN7SogQfqLtfKdBDuXERWkbmpEmmsjqjwOubm-2qtopYu-f3M1t0y0TSY26EF8ZxBu07769wfRCA-PzL4Bahqz13UzoCaZFgLfR4Jgd7ykGtx7-ZsHmUy3FbYBK7hw_yTLf859MiYNYPKT6lpVaWEbs4TVIYvAXSjqRQ2hsMWJTdv-34O2Rn4Q6OvpCQe2O6IFe_ILNo8VMxp0cEVL9qWLju3SkjbmOltA3TZTtJUIvgxWDYLahsdi0akXvDvhFP6u-nwggMLnISBF80lxH7yhmADdFN1YE65h6m4|journal=傳記文學|year=1988|volume=315}}</ref> Sheng enrolled at the Provincial Forestry and Agricultural School in [[Shenyang|Mukden]], aged 14.{{sfn|Whiting|Sheng|1958|pp=13–14}} Aged 17,{{sfn|Chan|1983|p=368}} Sheng enrolled at the [[Wusong District|Wusong]] Public School in [[Shanghai]], where he studied political science and economy.{{sfn|Wang|2013|p=78}} There, he became friendly with students and teachers of "radical inclinations".{{sfn|Chan|1983|p=368}} After graduating in 1915,{{sfn|Wang|2013|p=78}} under their advice he went to study in [[Tokyo]], [[Empire of Japan|Japan]].{{sfn|Whiting|Sheng|1958|p=13}} There, Sheng enrolled at the [[Waseda University]],{{sfn|Whiting|Sheng|1958|p=13}} where he studied political economy{{sfn|Wang|2013|p=64}} for a year.{{sfn|Whiting|Sheng|1958|p=13}} During that time, Sheng expressed nationalistic attitudes{{sfn|Chan|1983|p=367}} and was exposed to "[[The ABC of Communism]]" ({{Lang-zh|c=共产主义ABC\}}) and other leftist publications.{{sfn|Wang|2013|p=64}}

Unrest in China made him return to homeland.{{sfn|Whiting|Sheng|1958|p=13}} In 1919, he participated in the [[May Fourth Movement]] as a representative of the Liaoning students. During this period, he developed radical and anti-Japanese sentiments.{{sfn|Forbes|1986|pp=98-99}} By his own admission, Sheng became a [[Marxism|Marxist]] the very same year and his political opponents claimed he became a communist during his second stay in Japan in the 1920s.{{sfn|Chan|1983|p=368}} During that time, he realised the "futility of book learning", and decided to enter a military career.{{sfn|Forbes|1986|p=99}} He took military training in the southern province of [[Kwantung Leased Territory|Kwantung]], known for liberal and reformist views.{{sfn|Whiting|Sheng|1958|p=13}} Later, he enrolled at the [[Northeastern Military Academy]].{{sfn|Forbes|1986|p=99}}

Sheng entered military service under [[Guo Songling]], Deputy of [[Zhang Zuolin]], a [[Northeast China|Manchurian]] warlord. He rapidly rose to become Staff Officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel,{{sfn|Forbes|1986|p=99}} and was given command of a company. Because of his commendable service,{{sfn|Whiting|Sheng|1958|p=13}} Guo sponsored his admission to the [[Imperial Japanese Army Academy]] for advanced military studies.{{sfn|Forbes|1986|p=99}} Three years later he completed his studies, with minor interruptions in 1925, when he was involved in Manchurian politics.{{sfn|Whiting|Sheng|1958|pp=13–14}}

At that time, Sheng supported a campaign against Zhang,{{sfn|Chan|1983|p=371}} briefly returning to Manchuria. Although he supported the anti-Zhang coup, he was able to return to Japan with the support of [[Feng Yuxiang]] and [[Chiang Kai-Shek]],{{sfn|Forbes|1986|p=99}} from whom he received financial help and considered him as his patron.{{sfn|Chan|1983|p=372}}

Sheng returned from Japan in 1927 to participate in the [[Northern Expedition]]{{sfn|Forbes|1986|p=99}} A rising young officer, Sheng was given the rank of colonel{{sfn|Whiting|Sheng|1958|p=14}} and served as a Staff Officer of the Chiang's field headquarters{{sfn|Forbes|1986|p=99}} under [[He Yingqin]]. During the Northern Expedition, Sheng proved himself as a worthy officer, serving in various command staff capacities.{{sfn|Whiting|Sheng|1958|p=14}}

Sheng was a member of the [[Guominjun]], a leftist nationalist faction that supported the [[Nationalist government]] in China.{{sfn|De Cordier|2016|p=59}} However, Sheng did not join the [[Kuomintang]] because of his belief in Marxism.{{sfn|Chan|1983|p=368}} After the Expedition was completed, he was made chief of the war operations section of the general staff in [[Nanjing]], but resigned in 1929 over a disagreement with his superiors. After the apparent setback in his career, Sheng dedicated himself to the question of strengthening China's border defences.{{sfn|Forbes|1986|p=99}}