General Hsu Lan-chou
許蘭洲字芝田
General Hsu Lan-chou, was born in Nan Kun Hsien, Chihli, in 1873. He followed President Hsu Shih-chang, who was at that time Viceroy of Manchuria to Fengtien as a member of the Viceroy's staff. Later he was attached to General Chang Hsun's force as commander of a section of the patrol troops. In 1912, General Hsu was promoted to be a brigade commander with the rank of lieutenant general. In 1913, he was given the official rank of major general for his successful suppression of the Sun Ya-hu band of Hunghutze. In 1914, he was acting commander of the 3rd Division in Heilungkiang. In 1917, he expelled General Pi Kuei-fang, then Military Governor of Heilungkiang, and succeeded him subsequently, as acting Military Governor. Later Peking appointed General Pao Kwei-ching
