ABSTRACT
In 1939, Lo Erh-kang published a book entitled Nien-chun ti yun-tung chan and began researching the correct name of the Nien. During the same period, he also published T'ai-p'ing tien-kuo shih-kang. In these books, Lo gives the Taipings and the Nien their proper historical due. In 1953, the publication of the Nien Chun series, edited by Fan Wen-Ian and Chien Po-tsan, affirmed the use of the term "Nien Army." In 1960, Lo published "The Proper Name of the Nien Army" in the inaugural issue of An-hui shih-hsueh. He argued that different names should be used to refer to the different stages of the Nien Society and the Nien Army. The original names of the Nien Society and the Nien Army have already been determined: they were initially called either nien or nien-tzu; "Nien" is a term in northern Anhwei dialect which means a group of people.
