Gu Zhutong, courtesy name Mo San, was born in Shi, Andong County, Jiangsu Province (now Lianshui County) on December 22, the 18th year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty (January 9, 1893). Huxiang Sixingji. This collection, formerly known as Gujiazhuang, is located about 60 miles east of Lianshui City. It is a barren yellow sand land left by the diversion of the Yellow River. In the early years, the Gu family owned more than a hundred acres of land. However, after his grandfather died of illness, his grandmother took charge of the housekeeping. The young man was weak and lacked labor, and the family gradually became poor. Gu Zhutong is the eldest grandson in the family, and Kun and Zhong are brothers and sisters. They respect their elders with great courtesy and treat the younger ones with humility and non-argument, which is highly praised by the clan members.
In the 24th year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty, when Gu Zhutong was 6 years old, he entered a private school to receive education until he was 13 years old. The seven years of ancient books "Ancient Precepts" had a profound impact on Gu Zhutong's thinking and character. His classmates are better at calligraphy and painting, and he is good at poetry and poetry.
In 1906, 15-year-old Gu Zhutong left home and entered a new school. In the winter of 1909, he was promoted to the county higher primary school. Because of his good grades, the county office recommended him to Nanjing Army Primary School. Although his relatives and friends dissuaded him, Gu Zhutong had longed to join the army, so he resolutely said goodbye to his family and set off for Nanjing. In 1910, he passed the examination and was officially admitted to Army Primary School (the fifth period). Gu Zhutong was 19 years old at the time. He was eager to learn and had a wide range of interests. He was diligent in pursuing all the courses prescribed by the school. In October 1911, Army Primary School was closed in Shouyi, Wuchang, and the students found their own way out. Gu Zhutong returned home with his fellow student Han Deqin, and on the way joined the advance detachment of the Revolutionary Army's Northern Expedition as a member of the bomb squad. In 1912, the advance team was expanded and renamed the 36th Regiment of the 18th Brigade of the 9th Army Division. The army was stationed at Yunlong Mountain in Xuzhou. Gu served as platoon leader and joined the Kuomintang.