Background
General T’ang Chi-yao was born at Tung-chuan Hsien, Yunnan province in 1885.
General T’ang Chi-yao was born at Tung-chuan Hsien, Yunnan province in 1885.
General T’ang Chi-yao was a Hsiu-Tsai in the Ching Dynasty and graduated from the Provincial High College of Yunnan. In November 1909 he entered the Military Cadets Academy in Japan, and graduated from the Artillery Department in 1910.
Upon the return to China General T’ang Chi-yao served in the Army of Fengtien Province. Shortly afterwards he went to Yunnan becoming Staff Officer to the Viceroy of Yunnan-Kueichow and President of the Military Training College.
General Tang became a revolutioner when he was in Japan where he made acquaintances with the revolutionary leaders. The First Revolution broke out at Wuchang on October 10, 1911. General Ts’ai Ao, Li Lieh-chun and T’ang Chi-yao responded to the revolutionary call by declaring independence in Yunnan on October 30, Ts’ai was elected Tutu and T’ang became Chief Staff Officer of the Yunnan Military government. In April 1912, at the recommendation of Ts’ai Ao, President Yuan Shih-kai appointed General T’ang the Tutu of Kueichow Province.
In July 1916 President Li Yuan-hung appointed General T’ang the Tuchuni new designation of military governor of Yunnan. In September 1916 he was again ordered to act concurrently a Civil Governor of Yunnan. After one year’s quiet administration another trouble started in which General T’ang was seriously involved. In May 1918 the Extraordinary Parliament elected seven directors to administer the Opposition Government and General T’ang was one of them. At first these leaders were in concerted action against the north. Soon quarrels occurred between them.
In June 1919 the Kuo Ming Tang elements including General T’ang were ousted by the Kuangsi faction. In December 1919 the Extraordinary Parliament ceased to function on account of military interference by the Kuangsi faction. Then General T’ang invited the parliamentarians to Yunnan where they assembled in July 1920.
In June 1920 General T’ang in a circular telegram abolished the post of Tuchun of Yunnan and assumed the commandership of Yunnan and Szechuan Allied Forces. In July 1920 he drove out General Hsiung Ke-wu from Chengtu, the capital of Szechuan and assumed the control of that province.
In September 1920 General Hsiung Ke-wu, assisted by Liu Tsen-hou came back to Chengtu, drove General T’ang out of Szechuan and Yunnan was left to itself. In December 1920 the Kuo Ming Tang leaders resumed the control of Kuangtung and General T’ang became a Military Director again. During the following year he directed the troops remaining loyal to him in operations against the Szechuan leaders.
In March 1922 General T’ang returped to Yunnan again and since that time he was in charge of control of that province and also a part of Szechuan province.