Chapter 32 Chapter 15 Chinese Generals in the Philippines

Liu Hengyu (fu Fu) (1872-1926 A.D.) was an overseas Chinese who devoted himself to the cause of Philippine independence.A well-known Filipino historian once described him in a paper: "This heroic son of China, who used his sword to dedicate himself to the cause of Philippine independence. He fought under the flag of the Philippines-first against the Spain (1896-1898 AD), then opposed the United States (1899-1900 AD), and was captured by General Emilio Aguinaldo for his lion-like prowess in battle and loyalty to the First Philippine Republic Promoted to Brigadier General of the Philippine Army. Indeed, he was the only Chinese general in the Philippine Revolution".

This "Chinese general" was from Nan'an County, Fujian Province, and immigrated to the Philippines in 1890.The Philippines was a Spanish colony at the time.The southeast coast of China adjacent to the Philippines, especially the Jinjiang area of ​​Fujian Province, has many people immigrating to this archipelago country.Overseas Chinese are good at doing business, and have mastered relatively advanced agricultural production technology and other craft technologies, which have greatly promoted the development of Philippine commerce and agriculture. Liu Henghui was already 18 years old when he crossed the sea to the Philippines.After arriving in Manila, he first worked as an apprentice in his uncle's iron shop, and was promoted to a master craftsman a few years later.Later, he ran an iron shop and engaged in the salt industry, and gradually became rich.He is very gifted in languages, not only has learned Tagalog and Bicol in the Philippines, but also speaks Spanish and a little English.This created good conditions for him to integrate into Filipino society, and he established a good relationship with many Filipino friends around him, including porters and fishermen. At the end of the 19th century, the Philippine nation awakened, and the "Katipunan" bourgeois revolutionary organization emerged.Liu Henghui established contacts and contacts with revolutionaries in the Philippines, and he met many revolutionary leaders, such as Emilio Aguinaldo, who later became the president of the Philippines.Aguinaldo was impressed by Liu Henglai's personal charm, courage, and knowledge of weapons and wrought iron.

In August 1896, when the Philippine War of Independence broke out, Liu Henghui joined the Revolutionary Army without hesitation and was appointed as an infantry lieutenant, thus starting a glorious page of fighting for the independence and freedom of the Philippines.In the early days of the war, the patriots lacked modern weapons. Every 10 soldiers had only one rifle. Most soldiers could only use simple weapons such as broadswords, bamboo spears, bows and arrows to fight well-equipped enemies. The situation was very difficult.In view of this situation, Liu Henglai suggested to Aguinaldo to set up a military factory.This suggestion was immediately adopted, and he was appointed director of the Revolutionary Arsenal. In September 1896, the arsenal was established, and Liu Henghui devoted himself to work with all his heart and soul.Under his guidance, a group of recruited craftsmen not only repaired the old cannons and damaged muskets seized from the enemy, but also made homemade earthen guns and a large number of cartridges. Many soldiers stationed in the trenches used the revolutionary The weapons in the arsenal are armed.

On November 6, 1896, Spanish troops launched an offensive against the Revolutionary Army.Fierce fighting took place in the Noveleta-Binaka extended zone.In order to resist the fierce attack of the enemy, all the troops that could be mobilized were transferred to the front line.Liu Hengyu led a broadsword team and also went into battle.Together with the swordsmen, he fought with the enemy riflemen like an angry lion, bravely and fearlessly.After a fierce battle, the revolutionary army finally liberated Binakayan, and Liu Henghui was promoted to captain because of his military exploits.Afterwards, Liu Hengfei also participated in a series of battles, and did not return to the arsenal until Christmas of that year.In February of the following year, the Spanish army launched a full-scale attack on the revolutionary army. Liu Henghui went to the front again to command a mixed company of riflemen and swordsmen.Facing the powerful enemy's attack, the revolutionary army was a little overwhelmed, and fought and retreated, retreating to Imus.In the battle to defend Imus, Liu Henghui led his troops to repel the enemy's attacks many times, and was promoted again due to his military exploits, becoming a major. In October 1897, he made meritorious service in the Battle of Kamansi Mountain and was promoted to lieutenant colonel.At that time, a revolutionist described Liu Henghui in this way: "I was very impressed with him. It was a spectacle to see him in the barracks—a vigorous officer in the uniform of a lieutenant colonel, but with a braid. His soldiers were added by him. Lu people, all volunteer fighters, are loyal to him and are proud to serve under his banner, even though he is a Chinese."

On November 1, 1897, the Republic of Biaknabato was established. Liu Henghui participated in the founding ceremony of the republic and solemnly signed his name on the "Constitution of Biaknabato". He is unique in history Chinese with the honor of signing the Philippine Constitution.However, the republic did not last long, and President Aguinaldo and other generals were forced into exile in Hong Kong.Liu Hengyu went with him and served as an interpreter, giving full play to his language expertise. When the Spanish-American War broke out in 1898, the U.S. military defeated the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay.Philippine revolutionary leaders in exile in Hong Kong return to the Philippines.Aguinaldo called on the people to resume the freedom struggle against Spain.During May and June, the revolutionary situation developed rapidly, the revolutionary ranks were growing, and the raising of equipment and food became a major problem.Because Liu Hengyu is Chinese and enjoys prestige among overseas Chinese, he was entrusted with the important task of raising donations for the Revolutionary War. On June 12, 1898, the Philippines declared its independence. Liu Henglai also shared this victory with the soldiers. To commemorate this important event, he also cut off his braids and said humorously to his Filipino friends: "I am now free from Be independent, dear braids, just as you have become independent from the Spaniards." For the victory of the Philippine War of Independence, Liu Henghui worked tirelessly to travel around, persuading people, especially overseas Chinese, to pledge donations.In Bicol, he raised more than 380,000 pesos, the largest amount of cash ever raised by the First Philippine Republic.

In order to hand over all the collected property to the financial authorities of the republic, he also risked his life. At the beginning of October 1899, when he led a team to deliver a donation of 160,000 pesos across Lagai Bay to the coast of Taiabas, he was unfortunately discovered by an American gunboat.The gunboat caught up with them at full speed, and it seemed that the huge sums of money they had worked so hard to raise would fall into the hands of the U.S. military.Liu Henghui was quick and wise, and decisively ordered the sailboat to sail into the shallows near the shore, threw the bag containing the pesos into the water, and then disembarked from the boat.The U.S. gunboat had a deep draft and was unable to break into the shoal, so it had to drive away in frustration.The next day, Liu Henghui led his team back to the beach, picked up the money bag, and handed it over to the Ministry of Finance of the Republic.Due to his outstanding achievements in fundraising for the revolutionary cause, he was promoted to brigadier general and became a general.Liu Henghui always tried his best to protect the safety of the lives and properties of overseas Chinese compatriots. On July 6, 1898, while sending 2,000 pesos to the revolutionary government, he enclosed a letter requesting that Aguinaldo "publish a manifesto prohibiting small commercial enterprises that harm the Chinese and interfere with them; because This behavior disgraces our government and your reputation."During the Revolutionary War against Spanish rule, the Spaniards massacred overseas Chinese in some towns. He immediately sent troops to rescue and saved more than 2,000 overseas Chinese from being killed.

In December 1898, the United States defeated Spain and captured the Philippines.The Philippine Revolutionary War entered the second stage of resisting the US invasion from the first stage of anti-Spanish colonial rule.At this stage, Liu Henglai mainly participated in the battle on the front line in the Bicol area. In early 1900, the U.S. military stepped up its aggression, launching a full-scale offensive in Bicol.Legazpi Port, which Liu Hengyu was in charge of defending, was also attacked by the enemy.A Filipino historian said that Liu Hengyu "fighted for every inch of ground, and the enemy had to pay heavy casualties for every yard of progress. His fighters, especially the swordsmen, surpassed the invaders in terms of courage and fear of death, but they Regrettably at a disadvantage in terms of weapons".After fighting for a whole morning, the troops were exhausted, so Liu Henghui had to withdraw voluntarily.Afterwards, the U.S. military commander mentioned the battle in his battle report: "The resistance was so tenacious... that many people were killed and wounded in hand-to-hand combat without showing any signs of surrender." After withdrawing from Legazpi, He reorganized his forces and waged guerrilla warfare against the enemy.Although he was frustrated many times, Liu Henghui was not discouraged. He commanded his soldiers to fight not only with guns and knives, but also with rockets and burning torches.

Throughout the course of the Philippine Revolution, Liu Henghui showed his love and loyalty to the Philippines, telling his wife and children: "I will live until the day when our dear country achieves independence and sees the Philippine flag in our sky Flying alone and proud." After the war, he returned to his Bicol home, engaged in farming and business, and lived the peaceful and happy life of a retired general. In 1906, he returned to his hometown in Fujian to celebrate his mother's birthday. Liu Henghui's performance won the respect of the Filipino people. Aguinaldo later commented on him: His "impartiality and heroic demeanor have won the appreciation of all Filipino people—he dedicated himself to their freedom and happiness." He loves the Philippines as much as his motherland, and the Philippines should be regarded as her heroic descendants."Some historians believe that among the most respectable Asians in Philippine history, Liu Hengyu is the most outstanding.

In 1926, Liu Henglai died of cancer.The Philippines held a state funeral for the overseas Chinese general, and all members of Congress went to the funeral, which was very grand. On June 12, 1989, when celebrating the 91st anniversary of the independence of the Philippines, two monuments were erected in the Philippines, and a statue was erected for Liu Henghui to express his respect for this Chinese general who had made great contributions to the Philippines and had a brilliant record.