Biography of Dao Anren

Author: Dao Anlü, Li Shunchai, Yang Guangsheng
Publisher:
Publishing Date: March 1, 2001
Features: The book Biography of Dao Anren is the result of diligent work by Comrades Dao Anlü, Li Shunchai, and Yang Yongsheng. They meticulously collected and reviewed a vast amount of historical materials, visited numerous elderly who had participated in the struggles during the Xinhai Revolution, listened to recollections from revolutionary family members Lang Xiaoban (wife of Dao Anwen) and the wife of Dao Anren, as well as Qian Xiaoyin who studied abroad in Japan alongside them. They also extensively interviewed elderly locals in their 80s and 90s. After years of arduous effort, they finally completed this book. I believe that Dao Anren, as a historical figure, is commendable. With a sense of justice, the authors have provided a fair assessment of events from over 70 years ago, which is particularly valuable. The history reflected in the book aligns with facts and vividly recreates the genuine scenes and truths before and after the Tengyue Uprising. The moving stories transport people back 70 years to the tragic and heroic scenes of the Xinhai Revolution on the Yunnan frontier. It feels as if it happened yesterday, clear and vivid.
Seventy years ago, under the leadership of Mr. Sun Yat-sen, the Xinhai Revolution took place, overthrowing the Qing Dynasty and ending the feudal monarchy that lasted for thousands of years, establishing the Republic of China. It was a landmark event in modern Chinese history. In Yunnan, due to Mr. Sun Yat-sen’s attention to ethnic minority revolutions in the frontier regions and the active efforts of the Tongmenghui members, democratic revolutionary waves rose repeatedly. The Hekou Incident of 1908 was one of the most famous uprisings in the country. On October 10, 1911, the Wuchang Uprising broke out, followed by the Tengyue Uprising on October 27 (the sixth day of the ninth month in the Xinhai calendar) and the Heavy Ninth Uprising in Kunming on October 30, which overthrew the Qing Dynasty’s rule in Yunnan. The uprisings of the Yunnan people shook the nation and made significant contributions to advancing the bourgeois democratic revolution in China. Their achievements are undeniable.
The Tengyue Uprising on the sixth day of the ninth month was launched by ethnic groups from the frontier regions, including Han, Dai, Jingpo, and overseas Chinese. They raised the banner of rebellion within the province, seized county power with an uncompromising attitude, and liberated Yixi, setting an example for the Heavy Ninth Uprising in Kunming. In the modern history of Yunnan, the Tengyue Uprising is undoubtedly a glorious chapter. During this struggle, Dao Anren, the organizer of the Yaguan branch of the Tongmenghui, made significant contributions. He loved his country, gave up his position as a tribal leader to join the revolution, and sold his family’s assets to support Mr. Sun Yat-sen—truly a rare act of dedication. Unfortunately, like the revolution across the nation, the fruits of victory in the Tengyue Uprising were stolen. Some in the Kunming Military Governor’s Office, claiming to be "," harbored jealousy and suppression toward the Tengyue Uprising, dissolving the uprising army and the governor’s office. Several uprising leaders, including Zhang Wenguang, endured hardships and did not die under the Qing Dynasty’s executioner’s sword but were instead killed by warlords who claimed to be revolutionaries. The Vice Military Governor Dao Anren also fell into the hands of the traitor Yuan Shikai. Counting the past, it is truly tragic.
The Tengyue Uprising, from victory to disintegration, lasted a short time but left profound lessons. It was a tragedy of the emerging bourgeois regime. However, Tengyue, being a remote region, remained largely unknown to the Chinese people. As the Shanghai Democracy Daily published in February 1912 stated: "The liberation of Yunnan had two starting points: the provincial capital and Tengyue, with Tengyue being the first. The Tengyue Uprising occurred on the sixth day of the ninth month of the Xinhai calendar, while the provincial capital’s uprising was on the ninth day, three days later. The provincial capital’s uprising, led by commanders and disciplined forces, spread its cause easily and gained people’s support quickly, making it simpler. Tengyue, with ordinary citizens and a small group of people, rose as an independent force and claimed great achievements, making it difficult. The provincial capital’s liberation was widely reported, with clear beginnings and endings, known to all; Tengyue, remote at the frontier, faced blocked transportation, and few people in the country knew about it."
Now, the authors have systematically reflected this history, with vivid and colorful storytelling, which brings great satisfaction. At the time of the 30th anniversary celebration of the establishment of Dehong Autonomous Prefecture, the prefectural committee is actively preparing for a grand commemoration. The authors’ passionate portrayal of this great event in modern history, as a gift for the prefecture’s establishment, fills me with great joy. On this occasion, I extend encouragement to the authors and sincerely hope that they will continue to actively create historical and cultural materials for all ethnic groups in the future, reflecting the relentless revolutionary struggles of the people of all ethnic groups in China over the past century in pursuit of 'revitalizing China.' Through this work, we can honor the heroic deeds of the martyrs, inherit the patriotic tradition of the people of all ethnic groups in our country and the selfless spirit of sacrifice for the liberation of the people, and further inspire the ethnic groups in the frontier regions to build a prosperous and strong socialist motherland under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.