Cai E
Encyclopedia
Cai E or Tsai Ao was a Chinese revolutionary leader and warlord. He was born Cai Genyin (蔡艮寅 Cài Gěnyín) in Shaoyang
, Hunan
, and his courtesy name
was Songpo (松坡 Sōngpō). Cai eventually became an influential warlord in Yunnan
, and is most well known for his role in challenging the imperial ambitions of Yuan Shikai
.
and Tang Caicheng, and went to Japan
to study in 1899. Cai returned to China in 1900, when he was only eighteen, and attempted to take part in an uprising against the Qing Dynasty
as part of the Self-Support Army, led by Tang Caichang. When the rebellion failed, Cai returned to Japan. Cai joined the Tongmenghui
, a Chinese revolutionary organization sometimes referred to in English as the "Chinese United League", after returning to Japan.
Cai returned to Yunnan shortly after the Xinhai Revolution
began on October 10 1911. Leading the 37th brigade, Cai successfully occupied Yunnan. After the revolution, he served as Commander-in-Chief of the Military Government of Yunnan.
Cai E was Governor of Yunnan from 1911-1913. After the revolution, Cai gained a reputation as a strong supporter of democracy, and of the Kuomintang
politician Song Jiaoren
. Following Song's assassination by Yuan Shikai, and Yuan's subsequent assumption of the presidency of the Republic of China
, Yuan had Cai removed from office, and eventually held Cai under house arrest in Beijing. Tang Jiyao
replaced Cai E as Military Governor of Yunnan in 1913.
and proclaim himself the emperor of a new dynasty. After hearing of Yuan's intentions, Cai escaped detention on November 11, first returning to Japan, and then to Yunnan. After returning to Yunnan, Cai established the local National Protection Army
to resist Yuan and defend the Republic.
On December 12 Yuan formally "accepted" a petition to become Emperor. Protests spread throughout China. On December 23, Cai sent a telegram to Beijing, threatening to declare independence if Yuan did not cancel his plans within two days. When Yuan did not respond favourably, Cai declared independence on December 25, and made plans to invade Sichuan
. The governor of Guizhou
joined Cai in rebellion, declaring independence on December 27. Yuan had himself inaugurated as emperor on January 1 1916, and Cai successfully occupied Sichuan later that month.
Yuan sent two leading military commanders from northern China to attack Cai; but, although the forces sent by Yuan outnumbered Cai's army, Yuan's commanders were either unwilling or unable to defeat him. When it became clear that Cai's rebellion would be successful, numerous other provinces joined Cai in resisting Yuan. Guangxi
and Shandong
declared independence in March, Guangdong
and Zhejiang
declared independence in April, and Shaanxi
, Sichuan
, and Hunan
declared their independence in May. With several provinces behind them, the revolutionaries successfully forced Yuan to abandon monarchism on March 20 1916.
After Yuan died, on June 6 1916, Cai held the positions of Governor-General and Governor of Sichuan. Cai left for Japan for medical treatment later in 1916, but died shortly after his arrival. With no effective central government and with most of China under the control of "military governors", China descended into a period of of warlordism
.
did not support Yuan's ambition to revive the monarchy, and Cai E was one of the leading figures who successfully forced Yuan to step down. He served as an inspiration for the young Zhu De
, who later became one of the most successful military leaders of the Chinese Red Army, the forerunner to the People's Liberation Army
.
Shaoyang
-Administrative divisions:*Shuangqing District *Daxiang District *Beita District *Wugang City *Shaodong County *Shaoyang County *Xinshao County *Longhui County *Dongkou County *Suining County...
, Hunan
Hunan
' is a province of South-Central China, located to the south of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting...
, and his courtesy name
Chinese style name
A Chinese style name, sometimes also known as a courtesy name , is a given name to be used later in life. After 20 years of age, the zì is assigned in place of one's given name as a symbol of adulthood and respect...
was Songpo (松坡 Sōngpō). Cai eventually became an influential warlord in Yunnan
Yunnan
Yunnan is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the far southwest of the country spanning approximately and with a population of 45.7 million . The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders Burma, Laos, and Vietnam.Yunnan is situated in a mountainous area, with...
, and is most well known for his role in challenging the imperial ambitions of Yuan Shikai
Yuan Shikai
Yuan Shikai was an important Chinese general and politician famous for his influence during the late Qing Dynasty, his role in the events leading up to the abdication of the last Qing Emperor of China, his autocratic rule as the second President of the Republic of China , and his short-lived...
.
Early career
Cai studied prestigious and progressive Shiwu Xuetang (School of Current Affairs), where he was taught by Liang QichaoLiang Qichao
Liang Qichao |Styled]] Zhuoru, ; Pseudonym: Rengong) was a Chinese scholar, journalist, philosopher and reformist during the Qing Dynasty , who inspired Chinese scholars with his writings and reform movements...
and Tang Caicheng, and went to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
to study in 1899. Cai returned to China in 1900, when he was only eighteen, and attempted to take part in an uprising against the Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
as part of the Self-Support Army, led by Tang Caichang. When the rebellion failed, Cai returned to Japan. Cai joined the Tongmenghui
Tongmenghui
The Tongmenghui, also known as the Chinese United League, United League, Chinese Revolutionary Alliance, Chinese Alliance and United Allegiance Society, was a secret society and underground resistance movement formed when merging many Chinese revolutionary groups together by Sun Yat-sen, Song...
, a Chinese revolutionary organization sometimes referred to in English as the "Chinese United League", after returning to Japan.
Cai returned to Yunnan shortly after the Xinhai Revolution
Xinhai Revolution
The Xinhai Revolution or Hsinhai Revolution, also known as Revolution of 1911 or the Chinese Revolution, was a revolution that overthrew China's last imperial dynasty, the Qing , and established the Republic of China...
began on October 10 1911. Leading the 37th brigade, Cai successfully occupied Yunnan. After the revolution, he served as Commander-in-Chief of the Military Government of Yunnan.
Cai E was Governor of Yunnan from 1911-1913. After the revolution, Cai gained a reputation as a strong supporter of democracy, and of the Kuomintang
Kuomintang
The Kuomintang of China , sometimes romanized as Guomindang via the Pinyin transcription system or GMD for short, and translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party is a founding and ruling political party of the Republic of China . Its guiding ideology is the Three Principles of the People, espoused...
politician Song Jiaoren
Song Jiaoren
Song Jiaoren was a Chinese republican revolutionary, political leader and a founder of the Kuomintang . He was assassinated in 1913 after leading his Kuomintang party to victory in China's first democratic elections...
. Following Song's assassination by Yuan Shikai, and Yuan's subsequent assumption of the presidency of the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
, Yuan had Cai removed from office, and eventually held Cai under house arrest in Beijing. Tang Jiyao
Tang Jiyao
Tang Jiyao was a Chinese general and warlord of Yunnan during the Warlord Era of Republican China. Tang Jiyao was military governor of Yunnan from 1913-1927.-Life:...
replaced Cai E as Military Governor of Yunnan in 1913.
Opposition to Yuan Shikai
In 1915, Yuan Shikai announced his plans to dissolve the RepublicRepublic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
and proclaim himself the emperor of a new dynasty. After hearing of Yuan's intentions, Cai escaped detention on November 11, first returning to Japan, and then to Yunnan. After returning to Yunnan, Cai established the local National Protection Army
National Protection War
The National Protection War , also known as the anti-Monarchy War, was a civil war that took place in China between 1915 and 1916. The cause of this war was Yuan Shikai's proclamation of himself as Emperor. Only three years earlier, the last Chinese dynasty, the Qing Dynasty, had been overthrown...
to resist Yuan and defend the Republic.
On December 12 Yuan formally "accepted" a petition to become Emperor. Protests spread throughout China. On December 23, Cai sent a telegram to Beijing, threatening to declare independence if Yuan did not cancel his plans within two days. When Yuan did not respond favourably, Cai declared independence on December 25, and made plans to invade Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
. The governor of Guizhou
Guizhou
' is a province of the People's Republic of China located in the southwestern part of the country. Its provincial capital city is Guiyang.- History :...
joined Cai in rebellion, declaring independence on December 27. Yuan had himself inaugurated as emperor on January 1 1916, and Cai successfully occupied Sichuan later that month.
Yuan sent two leading military commanders from northern China to attack Cai; but, although the forces sent by Yuan outnumbered Cai's army, Yuan's commanders were either unwilling or unable to defeat him. When it became clear that Cai's rebellion would be successful, numerous other provinces joined Cai in resisting Yuan. Guangxi
Guangxi
Guangxi, formerly romanized Kwangsi, is a province of southern China along its border with Vietnam. In 1958, it became the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, a region with special privileges created specifically for the Zhuang people.Guangxi's location, in...
and Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
declared independence in March, Guangdong
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
and Zhejiang
Zhejiang
Zhejiang is an eastern coastal province of the People's Republic of China. The word Zhejiang was the old name of the Qiantang River, which passes through Hangzhou, the provincial capital...
declared independence in April, and Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
, Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
, and Hunan
Hunan
' is a province of South-Central China, located to the south of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting...
declared their independence in May. With several provinces behind them, the revolutionaries successfully forced Yuan to abandon monarchism on March 20 1916.
After Yuan died, on June 6 1916, Cai held the positions of Governor-General and Governor of Sichuan. Cai left for Japan for medical treatment later in 1916, but died shortly after his arrival. With no effective central government and with most of China under the control of "military governors", China descended into a period of of warlordism
Warlord era
The Chinese Warlord Era was the period in the history of the Republic of China, from 1916 to 1928, when the country was divided among military cliques, a division that continued until the fall of the Nationalist government in the mainland China regions of Sichuan, Shanxi, Qinghai, Ningxia,...
.
Legacy
Many of the warlords who served under Yuan ShikaiYuan Shikai
Yuan Shikai was an important Chinese general and politician famous for his influence during the late Qing Dynasty, his role in the events leading up to the abdication of the last Qing Emperor of China, his autocratic rule as the second President of the Republic of China , and his short-lived...
did not support Yuan's ambition to revive the monarchy, and Cai E was one of the leading figures who successfully forced Yuan to step down. He served as an inspiration for the young Zhu De
Zhu De
Zhu De was a Chinese militarist, politician, revolutionary, and one of the pioneers of the Chinese Communist Party. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, in 1955 Zhu became one of the Ten Marshals of the People's Liberation Army, of which he is regarded as the founder.-Early...
, who later became one of the most successful military leaders of the Chinese Red Army, the forerunner to the People's Liberation Army
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
.
Depiction in popular culture
- In October 2009, TVB has broadcasted a series about the story of Cai E and general Yuan: In the Chamber of BlissIn the Chamber of BlissIn the Chamber of Bliss is an TVB period drama series.-Cast:-Plot:Military Governor Choi Ngok has been attempting to overthrow the Yuen Sai Hoi government...