Zhang Decheng
Zhang Decheng was a Chinese nationalist and leader of the Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists during the Boxer Uprising.
Biography
Born in either Zhaozhang or Goucun village in Zhili Province, Zhang would spend much of his life working as a boatman along the Daqing, Ziya, and other rivers in Zhili.As time went on and foreign contacts in Northern China increased, particularly the actions of Western missionaries, Zhang and other similar-minded individuals would set out to "destroy foreigners". Though the Fists of Harmony and Justice did exist during the mid-1890s, they proved only to be a minor inconvenience to any official Qing or foreign affairs due to the group's small size, lack of influence, and mostly local actions taken by bands of around 50 men each. In 1899, a compatriot of Zhang, Zhao Sandu set out to establish order in the Fists of Harmony and Justice's ranks during a conference at the Yaoli Yaowang Temple in Wangkou. Both Zhang Decheng and Cao Futian would develop the creation of the First Heavenly Regiment, along with the structure of their organization, which was as follows:
| Position | Person |
| Number One Boxer | Zhang Decheng |
| Number Two Boxer | Cao Futian |
| Master | Liu Liansheng |
| Second Brother | Gao Shunyi |
| Third Brother | Zhang Eryou |
| Fourth Brother | Wang Dahu |
| Fifth Brother | Lu Lian |
| Sixth Brother/Martial Arts Trainer | Dong Deyu |
| Minister of Culture | Liu Zinian, Wu Xiangchen |
| Minister of Military | Wang Yushu |
| Minister of Announcements and Bulletins | Wu Tiaowen, Jie Tieji |
Though a central structure for the organization was formed, the Boxers still relied on a system of small groups of men under local leaders, which were to be replaced by the new First Heavenly Regiment. To acquire more members for the newly-created group, Zhang began trying to convince Boxer followers that he had magical abilities. He supposedly hid a knife in the ground somewhere in Tianjin, and then claimed that the place was "dangerous". His followers then dug up the area and found the knife, and were convinced that Zhang did indeed possess supernatural powers. In early 1900, he proclaimed himself "Number One Boxer" and said he had a mandate from the gods. He led at that time several thousand followers.
In early June 1900, Zhang Decheng went to see the Viceroy of Zhili, Yulu. He presented himself to him as the founder of the Boxer movement, and the viceroy promised to provide the Boxers with money and equipment.
For many, he was considered the supreme Boxer leader.