Zhang Zuolin (traditional Chinese: 張作霖; simplified Chinese: 张作霖; pinyin: Zhāng Zuòlín; Wade–Giles: Chang Tso-lin; March 19, 1875 – June 4, 1928), courtesy name Yuting (雨亭), nicknamed Zhang Laogang (張老疙瘩), was an influential Chinese bandit, soldier, and warlord during the Warlord Era in China. The warlord of Manchuria from 1916 to 1928, and the military dictator of the Republic of China in 1927 and 1928, he rose from banditry to power and influence. His assassination by members of the Japanese Kwantung Army made way for the eventual invasion of Manchuria.