1912–1928: The Beiyang Era, Warriors and Warlords

To revisit the Beiyang era, you must revisit the late Qing. And to revisit the Republic of China under the Beiyang government, you must revisit the “mighty warriors” among the Beiyang warlords.

Reflections at the site of Yuan Shikai’s former residence, a visit to Li Yuanhong’s old home, Duan Qirui’s former residence and more, traces of Wu Peifu, Zhang Zuolin’s empty cave and old home...

The literary and military prowess of these major figures kept a fleeting era from vanishing too easily from people’s memories.

The Beiyang Era: Warlords focuses on five military men: Yuan Shikai, Li Yuanhong, Duan Qirui, Wu Peifu, and Zhang Zuolin. Using the people as its thread and time as its framework, it explores the political tumult of the early Republic and traces the rise and fall of the great transformations of the late Qing and Republican eras. For years, the author has devoted himself to collecting and sorting through sources from the early Republic, visiting historical sites and personally surveying each location. Seeing “history” with his own eyes, he brings a fresh perspective and lively prose to the political landscape and personalities of China’s transition from traditional to modern society...

First published in 2004, this book has become one of the few classic works on the Beiyang period. In this new edition, the “Military Men” section has been revised, expanded, and illustrated as a standalone volume. Together with the author’s new work, Three Kingdoms of the Late Qing, it joins the On-Site History series, whose books feature firsthand visits to historical sites. At locations across China, and in the powerful countries of a century ago, we open up history on the ground.

In his note for the new edition, the author writes: “I hold in respect all those who sought to advance Chinese civilization. I take the interests of the nation as the sole standard for judging historical figures and events.”