General Chin Yun-peng was born at Chining, Shantung Province, in 1877. He was graduated from the Peiyang Military Academy and upon graduation was appointed to command a small number of soldiers. In 1910 General Chin was transferred to Chekiang and appointed by the governor of that province, His Excellency Ts'eng Yun, to command a regiment. Soon after he was promoted to be commander-in-chief of the troops of that province. In 1911 the first revolution broke out and General Chin was detached for service under General Tuan Chi-jui, who was then commander-in-chief of the Imperial troops for the suppression of the rebellion. On account of his merit, he was given the rank of Lieutenant-General. In August 1913 General Chin was ordered to act for the Tutuh Military Governor of Shantung and a month later was appointed acting Tutuh of Shantung. In June 1914 he was given the rank of Tai Hu Chiangchun. The rank of Count was conferred upon General Chin in the latter part of 1915 when Yuan Shih-kai proclaimed himself Emperor of Chiua. On account of his loyalty to President Yuan General Chin did not take part in the third revolution started for the restoration of the Republic. General Chin Yun-peng was madu a Chiangchun with the special title of two words Kuo Wei, and appointed a member of the Chiangchanfu or the Military Council in June 1916. This was an "Irish promotion,” by means of which he was removed from the position of military governor of Shartung. He had to come to Peking to assume his new office. In November 1917 General Chin in company of General Chu Tung-feng went to Japan as Chinese representative to witness the Imperial Grand Manoeuver of that country. When the War Participation Bureau was organized in March 1918, with Marshal Tuan Chi-jui as its Director-General, General Chin was appointed the Administrative Director of that Bureau having in his control all the forces under it. On January 11, 1919 General Chin was appointed Minister of War by President Hsu Shih-ch'ang. In September he was ordered to act as Premier and in November was appointed Premier. In December he was appointed concurrently to be Minister of War. In January 1920 General Chin was decorated with the First Order of Merit in recognizance of his service rendered in connection with the War Participation Office. On July 2, 1920 General Chin was relieved of the Premiership and War portfolio. On August 9, he was reinstated as Acting Prime Minister with the concurrent position of Minister of War. In October 1920 he was made a Full General. On May 14, 1921 General Chin was appointed Prime Minister which position he held until December 18, 1921. Ever since that time, General Chin has been a resident in Tientsin.
