He was born in the late Qing Dynasty in Wutai County, Xinzhou, Shanxi, to a family that had been bankers and merchants for generations (Shanxi was known for its many successful banks until the late 19th century).
Ia lahir pada akhir kekuasaan Dinasti Qing di County Wutai, Xinzhou, Shanxi, dalam sebuah keluarga yang selama beberapa generasi bekerja sebagai bankir dan pedagang (Shanxi dikenal karena memiliki banyak bank yang sukses hingga akhir abad ke-19).