110 years ago today, December 31, 1915 (November 25, 1915 in the lunar calendar), Yunnan declared its independence and the War of Defense broke out. A group photo was taken with the generals of the Yunnan Protectorate Army. From left: Li Rigai, Luo Peijin, Cai E, Yin Chenghuan, and Li Liejun At 11:00 on the night of December 23, 1915, the anti-imperialist telegram signed by Tang Jiyao and Ren Kecheng was officially sent. The telegram pointed out: "I believe that the President took the oath twice on the throne, and both said that he would abide by the treaty and support the republic. After hearing these words, hundreds of millions of people will be remembered and thousands of countries will hear. The note said: "Communication with the people of the country ends with words. 'He also said: ' The people cannot stand without faith.' How can you govern the people if you break your oath? If the rules of discipline are not opened, the actual situation will be eliminated first. This is an attempt to govern the country. I dare not hear of it. Since the suspension of Congress and the correction of the treaty, power has been concentrated in one person and everything has been unsatisfactory. Relying on this trend, we can improve politics, consolidate the foundation of the country, and follow suit. Why should we be afraid of not giving it? Why should we have no choice but to offend the crime of treason in an attempt to change the country's system. "He asked 12 generals, including Yang Du, Yan Fu, Liu Shipei, Duan Zhigui, Zhou Ziqi, and Liang Shiyi, to" declare the punishment immediately to thank the world; Huan made a clear oath to support the republic."He also said that the Yunnan military and civilians" have accumulated pain and anger for a long time, and they must have evidence that the central government will permanently eliminate the imperial system and persuade them to endure difficulties."The reply is limited to 10:00 on the 25th. On the same day, Tang Jiyao, Ren Kecheng, Cai Ya, Dai Kan and others jointly recorded this telegram and notified the whole country, asking them to "proceed in unison." On the 24th, Tang Jiyao once again appointed a group of lower-level officers, and provided them with pay and equipment to prepare for the expedition. On the same day, Lu Zhiyi was pushed to write five notes to the outside world. At the end of the 25th day and no reply from Yuan Shikai, Tang Jiyao, Ren Kecheng, Liu Xianshi, Cai E, and Dai Kansui jointly issued a second telegram, claiming that Yuan Shikai was "a sinner who betrayed the Republic of China, of course he lost his qualifications as president." They also announced that "deeply indebted to the country, he refused to obey his righteousness. Now he has strictly refused to fake orders, established the foundation of Yunnan and Guizhou, and declared independence immediately." On December 27, Tang Jiyao, Cai E, Ren Kecheng, Liu Xianshi, Dai Kan and all the military and political officials issued a denunciation against Yuan Shikai, recounting Yuan Shikai's unkindness, injustice, unwisdom, unbelief, and refusal after the Revolution of 1911. On the 31st, Tang, Cai, Ren, Liu, Dai, Zhang Zizhen and Liu Zuwu jointly issued a telegram written by Liang Qichao, announcing that the ultimate goal of protecting the National Army was: (1) to work with the entire people to support the republic so that the imperial system would never occur;(2) To delineate the central and local powers and seek the free development of the people's power in various provinces;(3) To build a constitutional politics that matches the name and reality to adapt to the general trend of the world;(4) To consolidate diplomatic relations with sincerity and enhance qualifications in international groups. On the same day, Tang and Ren also sent notes to the envoys and consuls of Britain, Germany, France, Russia, Japan and other countries in China, issuing five-point statements: (1) Before the imperial issue occurred, the treaties previously concluded by the Republic of China government and the former Qing government with other countries continued to be valid, and reparations and loans were still in place;(2) the lives and property of the people of all countries residing in the territory occupied by this general and patrol envoys were under protection;(3) Since the emergence of the imperial system issue, the Republic of China has not recognized the treaties, contracts, and loans concluded by Yuan Shikai and his government with other countries;(4) Any country that helped the Yuan government ban products during wartime will be confiscated; (5) If officials, businessmen and people of various countries support the Yuan government's actions to hinder the generals and patrol envoys, they will oppose it. The War to Protect the Nation broke out. On December 26, the General Command of the First Army of the National Guard Army was officially established in the Eight Provincial Guild Hall in Kunming. The General Command has jurisdiction over 3 ladder regiments, with 2 detachments per ladder regiment. The First Army is the main force of the National Guard Army. It has a total strength of 3 brigades and a total of 9000 people. Only the first and second detachments are relatively sophisticated in weapons and equipment, equipped with 4 German-made gun guns and 4 machine guns. Most of the other detachments are old-style nine-gun guns, and there are even soldiers without guns. After the establishment of the General Command, all troops under its jurisdiction headed for Sichuan in different directions. Liu Yunfeng, the left wing, led Deng Taizhong and Yang Zhen's two teams to set out first on the 27th.