Liang Qichao

Liang Qichao (February 23, 1873 - January 19, 1929), signed as Liang Chao, also known as Zhuoru, Hongyou and Ren Fu, also known as Ren Gong and the owner of the Yinbing Room, was a native of Chakeng Township, Chaojudu, Xinhui County, Guangzhou Prefecture, Guangdong Province, and was known as Liang Xinhui. Known as an "encyclopedic figure." In his youth, he collaborated with Kang Youwei to carry out the Reform Movement of 1898. After the failure, he went into exile in Japan and promoted the constitutional monarchy of the Qing Dynasty overseas. In the late Qing Dynasty, he first proposed the concept of the Chinese nation. After the establishment of the Republic of China, he once joined Yuan Shikai's government and served successively as the Chief of Justice and the Director of the Currency System. Later, he was dissatisfied with Yuan Shikai's proclaimed emperor and conspired with Cai E and others to launch a movement to protect the country and overthrow Yuan. He also opposed Zhang Xun's restoration of the monarchy and launched armed actions against Zhang. He once joined Duan Qirui's government as the chief financial officer and concurrently served as the supervisor of the General Administration of Salt Affairs. After retiring from politics, he advocated new culture, devoted himself to cultural and educational undertakings, and supported the May 4th Youth Patriotic Movement. He was one of the four mentors of the Tsinghua Institute of Chinese Studies and served as the director of the Capital Library.