Who is general yuan shigai?

Yuan Shikai was a Chinese military and political leader who played a significant role during the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China. Born in 1859, he rose to prominence as a general and served in various military roles, eventually becoming the first President of the Republic of China in 1912. Yuan attempted to consolidate power and even sought to declare himself emperor in 1915, but his plans ultimately failed, leading to his political decline and death in 1916. His legacy is often associated with the tumultuous period of transition from imperial rule to a republic in China.