Hunanese, student of
梁启超 (Liáng Qǐchāo). In December 1915 he led the
护国军 (Hùguójūn, National Protection Army) from Yunnan against
袁世凯 (Yuán Shìkǎi)'s short-lived 'Hongxian' empire — the campaign forced Yuan to abdicate within months. Cai died of tuberculosis in Japan in 1916, age 34. Romantically remembered for his connection to the courtesan
小凤仙 (Xiǎo Fèngxiān), said to have helped him slip past Yuan's spies in Beijing.
