“Hunanese rule in Hunan” is contrasted with “non-Hunanese rule in Hunan”—such as Hubei natives governing Hunan or Anhui natives doing so—and it remains a form of official governance rather than popular self-governance. If the aim of ousting Tang Xiangming and Zhang Jingyao were merely to expel non-Hunanese officials, only to replace them with another Hunanese clique retaining the same old practices, then what would be the difference between, say, Zhang Zuolin ruling Fengtian, Cao Rulin ruling Zhili, Zhao Ti ruling Henan, Chen Shufan ruling Shaanxi, Ni Sicong ruling Anhui, Lu Rongting ruling Guangxi, and Tang Jiyao ruling Yunnan—all of whom were natives of their respective provinces—and the situation where non-Hunanese like Tang Xiangming and Zhang Jingyao administered Hunan, non-Hubei figures like Wang Zhanyuan governed Hubei, non-Fujian leaders like Li Houji ruled Fujian, and non-Guangdong elements such as Mo Rongxin controlled Guangdong? Moreover, Duan Qirui’s appointment of Fu Liangzuo was precisely justified on the grounds of “Hunanese rule in Hunan.” Therefore, we must fundamentally oppose the slogan “Hunanese rule in Hunan,” for it is fraught with ill intent: it designates a small, privileged elite as rulers, reduces the common populace to subjects, treats the former as masters and the latter as slaves. Such rulers—whether they be Yu, Tang, Wen, or Wu—are precisely those whom we reject. How much more should we oppose either a past figure like Fu Liangzuo or countless future ones like him?

What we advocate and welcome, therefore, is the principle of “Hunanese self-government.” We not only refuse to be governed by outsiders; we also refuse to be governed by a small, privileged group within our own province. We call for the establishment of full-fledged township self-government, county self-government, and provincial self-government. Township heads, county magistrates, and provincial governors should all be elected by the people. The populace should choose trustworthy peers to carry out public duties. Only this can be properly termed “Hunanese self-government.” Many people tend to conflate “Hunanese rule in Hunan” with “Hunanese self-government.” In my view, this subtle distinction ought to be clearly drawn.