Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

"The 4 Desperadoes"

From left, Yang Heling, Sun Yat Sen, Chen Shaobai, and Wang Lie

In 1887, while studying at the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese, Sun Yat Sen got acquainted with Chen Shaobai, Wang Lie and Yang Heling. At that time, Hong Kong had freedom of speech and the foursome often discussed the future of the Chinese revolution. They were nicknamed "The Four Desperadoes".

Wang Lie: Wang Lie (1866 - 1936) aka Shaowan, was born in Shunde county, Guangdong province. He belonged to a farming family but had the fortune to go to school like Sun Yat Sen. They were acquainted in Guangzhou in 1886.

In 1901, Dr Sun sent Wang Lie to Nanyang and he stayed in Singapore. There, he established his medical clinic in a shophouse along Upper Pickering Street specialising in the treatment of syphilis.

A member of the literati, he refused to sit for the Imperial Examination as he despised the Qing dynasty. He was active in secret organisations such as the Hong League (Hong Men Hui). He helped Dr Sun in the formation of Revive China Society (Xing Zhong Hui) and Zhong He Tang to propagate the revolution. Upon the establishment of the Republic of China, he retired from the scene and never got involved in politics.

Chen Shaobai: Born in Xinhui county, Guangdong province, Chen Shaobai (1869 - 1934) had studied at Guangzhou Gezhi College in 1889. As he came from a poor family, he decided to go to Hong Kong to study and work part-time. It was then that he met Sun Yat Sen. In 1890, under Sun's influence, he entered the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese. Of the three, Chen Shaobai was closest to Sun Yat Sen.

Yang Heling: Yang Heling (1868 - 1934) was a fellow villager of Sun Yat Sen at Cuiheng village in Guangdong province. Born to a rich family in Macau, Yang was a jovial fellow and became good friends with Sun before 1886.

Major Contributors to the Revolution:

Huang Xing

General Huang Xing (1874 - 1916): Hailing from Hubei, Huang Xing was also known as Huang Keqiang. In 1904, he formed the Hua Xing Hui, a revolutionary group that supports democracy. In 1905, he merged the society with Dr Sun's Chinese Revolutionary Alliance (Tong Meng Hui) and undertook the task of leading several important uprisings. In November 1911, he was selected by the Hubei government to be the commander-in-chief of the revolutionary forces, and he personally led them against the Qing soldiers on the Hanyang frontline. In January 1912, under the provisional government of the Republic of China, he became the chief-of-staff of the armed forces. In November 1916, Huang Xing fell ill in Shanghai and passed away at age 42.

Hu Hanmin (1879 - 1936): Hu Hanmin was born Hu Yanguan on 9 December 1879, in Guangdong. The name "Hanmin" was a pen name he used when he wrote for Min Po (The People's News) during the revolution. Hu Hanmin was one of the elite students who went to Japan to further their studies. In 1905, Dr Sun Yat Sen set up the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance (Tong Meng Hui) in Tokyo and Hu Hanmin signed up almost immediately. When regional headquarters were set up in Singapore and Hong Kong, Hu Hanmin was appointed by Dr Sun to head both headquarters. During the Wuchang Uprising in 1911, Hu Hanmin led in the restoration of Guangdong and became its governor. On 12 May 1936, Hu Hanmin died of a stroke in Guangzhou.

Wang Jingwei (1883 - 1944): Born Wang Zhaoming on 4 May 1883 in Guangdong, Wang Jingwei was also one of the elite students who studied in Japan. In 1905, he met Dr Sun Yat Sen who was in Tokyo to form the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance (Tong Meng Hui). Deeply impressed with Dr Sun's ideologies, Wang Jingwei joined the alliance and became one of its key leaders. Besides being actively involved in revolutionary activities, Wang was a prolific writer for Min Po (The People's News) where he helped publicise Dr Sun's Three Principles of The People. In 1907, Wang was sent by Dr Sun to Nanyang to propagate the cause through lectures and newspapers. He met his wife Chen Bijun in Penang. In 1910, he attempted to assassinate the Manchu Prince Regent Zai Feng and was imprisoned. He was subsequently released after the success of the Wuchang Uprising. He passed away in 1944 of illness.

Zhang Ji (1882 - 1947): Born Zhang Pu on August 31 1882 in Hubei, Zhang had received traditional Chinese schooling from a young age. In 1899, he left for Japan for further studies. Deeply angered by the decadence of the Qing government, Zhang's anti-Qing sentiments intensified. In 1905, he joined the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance (Tong Meng Hui) in Tokyo and was the chief executive at one time. When Min Po (The People's News), the mouthpiece of the Revolutionary Alliance, was launched in November 1905, Zhang Ji was the editor. In 1906, Zhang Ji visited Singapore. After the establishment of the Nanjing Provisional Government, Zhang was elected a parliamentarian by Fujian Province. He passed away in 1947.

Chen Qimei (1878 - 1915): Born on January 17 1878, Chen Qimei left for Japan in 1906 to further his studies. It was in Japan that he joined the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance (Tong Meng Hui) and became actively involved in its activities. In July 1911, Chen was in charge of setting up the Shanghai chapter of the Revolutionary Alliance and took on heavy tasks. After the success of the revolution, he led the Shanghai Revolutionary Army as Superintendent. This army proved vital to the establishment of the new republic. In 1915, Chen was assassinated by Yuan Shikai because Chen had staged several uprisings against the traitorous Yuan.

Liao Zhongkai (1877 - 1925): Liao Zhongkai's father was one of the poor Chinese men who got packed off to America for hard labour. Nevertheless, he made good and became a businessman. Thus, on 23 April 1877, Liao Zhongkai was born in San Francisco. In 1896, Liao was deeply influenced by the reform movement in China and stopped all old Chinese learning. He enrolled in Queen's College (Hong Kong) in 1896 to adopt Western learning. In 1897, he married He Xiangning (a revolutionary personality in her own right) in Guangzhou. He met Dr Sun for the first time in Tokyo in 1903. Liao had been in Japan for further studies since 1902, whereas Dr Sun was there to give lectures. In 1905, Liao joined the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance (Tong Meng Hui) in Tokyo, and became an active member in charge of external affairs. In 1924, upon the formation of the Whampoa Military Academy, Liao Zhongkai represented the Kuomintang in administering the academy's affairs. He was assassinated by rebels in 1925 and died from 4 fatal gunshot wounds.

Zhu Zhixin (1885 - 1920): Born in 1885 in Guangzhou, Zhu Zhixin obtained a scholarship for further studies in Japan in 1904. He majored in political science, law and economics. He joined the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance (Tong Meng Hui) in 1905 in Tokyo. Zhu gradually became Dr Sun's trusted aide and right-hand man. Sadly, Zhu wouldn't live past the age of 35. In 1920, in a battle to unify the South, Zhu was killed in action. Though victory was eventually his, Dr Sun lamented that the loss of Zhu Zhixin sharply diminishes the sweetness of triumph. To Dr Sun, Zhu's sacrifice was like losing a limb.

Dai Jitao (1891 - 1949): Born in Sichuan province, Dai Jitao left for Japan for further studies in 1905. He graduated in 1909 and returned to China. In 1910, he got a job with the Tian Duo Press and rose to the rank of editor. Using the pen name "Tian Chou", he wrote several articles berating the Qing government. He was subsequently targeted by the Qing government for his inflammatory articles. Left with no choice, he escaped to Japan in 1911. He then came to Penang, Malaya and became the editor of the Kwong Wah Yit Poh, using the paper as a tool to propagate the revolution. At this point, he joined the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance (Tong Meng Hui). Once the Wuchang Uprising began, Dai Jitao returned to Shanghai to assist in the restoration of the provinces. In 1949, suffering from a nerve degenerative disease, Dai Jitao passed away from an overdose of sleeping pills.

Li Hongzhang

With China in a chaotic situation, Viceroy Li Hongzhang carried out the Westernization Movement (to introduce techniques of capitalist production). Concerned over China's political affairs, Sun Yat Sen wrote an 8000-word petition to Li in May 1894. He hoped Li could accept his proposal for improving politics, enriching the masses and strengthening the country so as to save the crisis-ridden China. In his letter, he pointed out that Europe was strong not only because of its military might; their strength is derived from the effective management of its talents (people), land, infrastructure and trade practices. His appeal fell on deaf ears.

Revive China Society at the "Qian"

On August 1 1894, the Sino-Japanese War broke out resulting in the tragic defeat of China. Sun Yat Sen felt that the time was ripe to launch into action. Thereupon, in October 1894, Sun headed for Honolulu for the third time, intending to gather the overseas Chinese to launch the revolution. Though his would-be supporters were sceptical, Sun persevered in publicising his cause and managed to recruit tens of people, including his brother Sun Mei. Sun's plan was to use the Pacific islands as the epicentre of the revolutionary cause. On November 24 1894, he formed "Revive China Society" in Honolulu.

In December 1894, after the defeat of China in the Sino-Japanese War, Sun came back to Hong Kong to expand his organisation. The following year, he established the Hong Kong headquarters of Revive China Society at the "Qian". Revive China Society signified Sun's challenge to the Qing monarchy.

On August 20 1905, the Revive China Society, Huaxing Society, Restoration Society and other revolutionary organisations were united to form the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance (tongmenghui), China's first capitalist revolutionary political party. This further fuelled his unending tussle with the Qing government.

There were ten major uprisings held between 1895 and 1911 under the flags of either Revive China Society or the Revolutionary Alliance. Though the flames of the uprisings were brief, their cinders were distributed all over for new flames to be kindled. The final Wuchang Uprising (武昌起义) succeeded under suitable conditions. The ten major uprisings were:

Spring 1895, with Hong Kong as its headquarters, the Revive China Society agreed on a military strategy, and Lu Haodong designed the revolutionary flag - White Sun in Blue Sky. On October 26, Sun Yat Sen led Zheng Shiliang, Lu Haodong and a European strategist to Guangzhou where they would prepare for the very first Guangzhou Uprising. Unfortunately, news leaked out and the Qing army conducted a mass arrest of rebels. Lu Haodong gave his life to protect the identities of the others. The first Guangzhou Uprising resulted in failure.

During the 1900 Boxer Rebellion, Sun Yat Sen told his comrades to prepare for another uprising in the absence of a Qing government in the north. On October 8, Zheng Shiliang launched a spectacular uprising in Sanzhoutian, Huizhou, in Guangdong province, which at one point, boasted 20,000 rebels. Fatefully, they would run out of ammunition and drop the battle.

In 1907, Dr Sun planned the Chaozhou Huanggang Uprising in Singapore. On May 22, the revolutionary army advanced towards Chaozhou, but had to retreat when they were surrounded by the Qing army.

On June 2 1907, Dr Sun led another uprising at Qinuhu in Huizhou. They were successful at first but had to give up again due to lack of ammunition.

On September 1 1907, an uprising at Qinzhou was launched. Dr Sun instructed Wang Heshun to lead 300 men to Guangzhou's Wangguang Mountain in Qinzhou, but they were seriously outnumbered.

In December 1907, he staged an uprising in Zhennanguan, Guangxi. This was the second uprising that was planned in Singapore. On Dec 1, Dr Sun visited the battlefield and personally fought against the Qing army for seven months and seven days. Unable to hold on, they retreated to Annam (Vietnam).

On March 27 1908, uprisings in Guangzhou's Qinzhou and Lianzhou were staged. Dr Sun instructed Huang Xing to lead the army into Qinzhou. They captured the provinces for over 40 days but had to retreat due to lack of ammunition.

On April 29 1908, with Dr Sun's approval, Wang Mingtang launched an uprising at Hekou, Yunnan. Due to s a shortage of food and ammunition, the uprising was short-lived.

Ni Yingdian

On February 12 1910, the revolutionary army, led by Zhao Sheng, revolted in Guangzhou. Zhao, who resigned, was later replaced by Ni Yingdian who continued the rebellion. Due to some unforeseen changes, the uprising was brought forward, but news was leaked out and the Qing army rounded up the rebels. Ni was killed in this ninth failed uprising.

On April 27 1911, the tragic Second Guangzhou Uprising (aka Yellow Flower Mound revolt) began. This uprising was planned in Penang in what was known as The Penang Conference. Huang Xing led the revolutionary forces and defeated the governors of Guangdong and Guangxi. As the revolutionary fighters were unfamiliar with the topography of the city, they were surrounded by Qing soldiers by nightfall. Overnight, the rebels were arrested and executed. There were 86 martyrs at Yellow Flower Mound but only 72 bodies could be accounted for. These 86 young men were proud republicans who gave their lives to awaken their fellow ignorant Chinese to the decadence of the Qing government and release China from the shackles of despair. These 86 men were the backbone of the Revolutionary Alliance. Their deaths were a great loss to the alliance, but their deaths have stirred the consciences of the people and laid the stepping stone for a nationwide revolt months later which will bring the Manchu reign to the brink of destruction.

On October 10 1911 (Xinhai year), the first shot of the Wuchang Uprising was fired. The revolutionary forces captured the government office (Yamen) of the Huguang Viceroy within a few days, scoring a great success for the Wuchang uprising. In the following days, Hankou and Hanyang were also conquered. Li Yuanhong was selected as the Military Governor.

Within 2 months of the uprising, all the provinces were free of the Qing Dynasty's control and proclaimed independence. Even the navy was relinquished to the revolutionaries.

At that time, Dr Sun was in America. He reached Denver, Colorado on November 11 1911 to raise funds for the revolution. He was notified of the revolution's success on the 12th and wanted to return to China.

Inauguration oath of the President of the Republic of China

However, he knew the revolution could not only be based on its success at the battlefield, sound bilateral ties between the new China as foreign neighbours must be established before returning to China. In late October 1911, Dr Sun went to London from New York to stop the banks of England, France, Germany and America from granting loans to the dying Qing government.With no help from external forces, the last emperor of China, Xuantong (Puyi), abdicated on February 12 1912.

Sun's success in establishing ties with foreign nations helped in forming a peaceful, neutral international environment for China, and eradicated the corrupt Qing monarchy from Chinese soil.

On November 24 1911, Dr Sun left France for China. He stopped over at Penang and Singapore. On December 29, representatives of the 17 independent provinces that had declared their secession from the Qing government convened a meeting in Nanjing where Dr Sun was elected as the first provisional president of the Republic of China.