... An Explanation of the [Term] Nien

"Nien" was the name by which the Nien Army and the broad masses in Nien Army areas referred to their organization. Judging from the fact that even today people in northern Anhwei still use the term nien, we can presume that the same name was used by the Nien Army and the local people of the time. Each group is known as a nien. A small nien consists of from several to several dozen people. A large nien includes from one to two hundred people. The Shan-tung chun-hsing chi-lueh, although a government compilation, offers a detailed description of Nien Army activities. Other sources, were local histories compiled by local people. Their material was based upon first hand or second hand reports. Their reliability seems to surpass that of the government documents. "Nien" is a local term used in the border area between Anhwei and Honan to mean "group," or "outfit.".