In 1928 (the seventeenth year of the Republic of China), Zhang Zongchang was finally defeated. In May, Sun Dianying quickly surrendered to Chiang Kai-shek and was recruited and appointed as the commander of the 12th Army of the Sixth Army of the National Revolutionary Army; he led his troops to retreat to Jixian and Zunhua areas, where the Qing Dong Tomb is located.
In the 1920s, the Eastern Tombs of the Qing Dynasty were repeatedly plundered by bandits and warlords. There were very few treasures left in the mausoleums on the ground, and only the underground palace buried deep underground remained.
A mysterious note at this time probably helped the tomb robbers. Experts said that it is said that there was a "Notes on Aiyuexuan" at that time, which was dictated by Li Lianying, the great eunuch of the late Qing Dynasty, and written down by his nephew. It records in detail the many priceless treasures buried with Cixi in the underground palace.
Memorial for later generations
The former residence of Sun Dianying is located at No. 20 Munan Road, Heping District, Tianjin. The building was built in the 1930s and is a British-style brick and wood structure. At that time, it was claimed to be His office in Tianjin, according to historical records, is actually his base for marketing drugs, dealing in arms, and selling counterfeit banknotes in Tianjin. The former residence is in British classical architectural style. The appearance of the entire building is well-proportioned and unique, which is quite elegant in private villas.