How to objectively evaluate Zhang Yisheng's merits and demerits?

Zhang, the father of the famous patriotic general Zhang Xueliang. Zhang's nickname is Laogeda, and he likes to be called "Zhang Dashuai". Zhang was born in a poor family in Xiaowa Village, 90 Li northwest of Fengcheng County. In his early years, his father Zhang Youcai was killed by a gambler. In order to avenge his father, his gun went off and killed him. His second brother was arrested. After he fled, he went to his grandfather's house with his mother and sister, and learned to be a carpenter, a peddler, a steamed bread seller and a veterinarian. It can be seen that Zhang's poor background gave him great ambitions.

1894, he joined the Song Qing headquarters of the Qing army as a soldier and was later promoted to sentry. A year later, it married the second daughter of Zhao Zhanyuan, the landlord of Zhaojiamiao Village. Zhao Chungui is Zhang's original wife and the biological mother of Zhang Xueliang and Zhang. Later, he joined the bandit department of Greenwood Dong, which can be said to be a turning point for him. He went from street children to Qing soldiers, and then from Qing soldiers to local "security team" leaders; Finally, he accepted the adaptation of the Qing government and became the head of the local patrol camp. He took the opportunity of participating in the suppression of the Revolution of 1911 to enter the provincial capital of the ruling center, and soon became a upstart of the Republic of China. ?

19 18 In September, he was appointed as a visiting ambassador for reading in three northeastern provinces. He took advantage of Japanese influence to control the three provinces, became the leader of Ji Feng, and became a frontier official in charge of military and political affairs in Northeast China. Later, based in the northeast, he became the last head of the Beiyang government, won the Central Plains many times, and manipulated the Beijing regime several times, affecting the national political situation.

Zhang Xueliang commented on his father: Great talent, no ambition. However, as a leader, Zhang's political and military talents are worthy of recognition. No ruler has his own talents and courage. He made outstanding contributions to the northeast economy, especially the railway construction, and broke the situation that the northeast railway was controlled by foreign countries for a long time. Some people say that he is a warlord who betrays his country and seeks glory. From an objective point of view, in the war-torn years, Zhang safeguarded national sovereignty and the fundamental interests of the nation to the maximum extent, and he used Japan instead of compromising. After all, as a China person, safeguarding national interests is the main purpose.