Huang-Tang Uprising

The Huang–Tang Uprising took place on February 9, 1949, when Jiang Yaxun, a local leader of the Chinese Communist Party, along with Rao Menghu (饶孟虎), Chen Zhongyi (陈仲怡), Li Shi (李石), and Tan Mengnan (谭荫南)—all of whom were key local activists or militia commanders—jointly led an armed insurrection in Huangcai Town and Tangshi .

Background

In 1946, with the onset of the Chinese Civil War, some people in Ningxiang County, under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, launched a revolutionary movement with the slogans "Oppose Civil War, Strive for Democracy," preparing for the armed occupation of Ningxiang County.

The uprising

The Huangcai Town Incident

On February 9, 1949, more than 50 peasants gathered at Jiang Yaxun’s house in Wulidui under the pretense of celebrating the Spring Wine Festival, braving the spring wind and heavy snow. At midnight, they split into two groups — one launched a direct assault on the Huangcai Town Police Station, while the other attacked the Dawei Township Office in Huangcai Town.

The group that attacked the Huangcai Town Police Station stormed in under the pretext of investigating a murder case, swiftly seizing all the firearms and ammunition. The group that assaulted the Dawei Township Office in Huangcai Town captured the head of the office, confiscated 21 pistols, and also captured the chief of the Huangcai Police Station, along with 60 pistols, 60 grenades, and over 5,000 rounds of ammunition.

After the uprising, the force quickly established a command structure to stabilize the situation in Ningxiang County. 陈仲怡 was appointed as the commander, and Jiang Yaxun as the deputy commander. The force was named the "Third Column of the Hunan Military District of the Chinese Communist Army." A mass rally was immediately held to announce that the uprising was led by the Chinese Communist Party, and two public statements were issued: A Letter to the People of Central Hunan"告湘中人民书" and "An Open Letter to Cheng Qian."

The Tangshi Town Incident

Li Shiqiao led his troops in an attack on the Tangshi Police Station. Under his command, the soldiers entered the station under the pretext of escorting new recruits. Once inside, they quickly cut the telephone lines, overpowered the police, and confiscated the firearms and ammunition. In total, they seized 30 rifles, 2 pistols, 2 boxes of grenades, and one telephone device. After the uprising, the unit was named the "Central Hunan Guerrilla Corps."

Consequences

On February 10, major and minor newspapers published in Changsha, including the Changsha edition of the Kuomintang's Central Daily, reported the incident as front-page news. In response, the National Military Council of the Republic of China dispatched Bai Chongxi to lead a campaign to suppress the Chinese Communist forces. The incident shocked both the Central China Suppression Headquarters and the National Military Council.

External links

• Gazetteer of Ningxiang County宁乡县志
• Personal Account of the Ningxiang Defense Battle" by Cai Yae《宁乡保卫战亲历记》蔡亚锷
• History and Geography of Ningxiang《宁乡史地》