Lu Rongting

Lu Rongting (simplified Chinese: 陆荣廷; traditional Chinese: 陸榮廷; pinyin: Lù Róngtíng; September 19, 1858 – November 6, 1928), also romanized as Lu Yung-ting、Luk Yung-ting and Lu Jung-t'ing, was the leader of the Guangxi Clique and a prominent military and political figure of the Zhuang ethnic group from Wuming, Guangxi, who was active during the late Qing and early Republican periods. His distinguished career included a series of key posts, such as Military Governor of Guangxi, Military Governor of Guangdong, Inspector-General of Liangguang (Guangdong and Guangxi), and Marshal of the Guangdong Military Government.

March 15, 1916 marked a crucial turning point for the anti-monarchist movement. Lu's bold actions breathed new life into the National Protection Army and prompted several provinces to break away from Yuan, ultimately leading to the downfall of the short-lived Hongxian Empire.At a time when pro-republican forces in Yunnan and Guizhou were facing serious setbacks, Lu's resistance proved vital in preserving the Republic of China. He quickly arrested Yuan loyalist Long Jiguang and brought stability to the southern provinces, which significantly boosted his national profile.What truly set Lu apart, however, was his character. He was widely respected for his integrity and patriotism, consistently refusing bribes and titles offered by Yuan. Contemporaries viewed him as a cornerstone of the Republic, crediting him with protecting China's republican ideals through both his unwavering principles and decisive political action.