This picture capturing Dr Sun Yat-sen, Soong Ching-ling and staff of the Grand Marshal's Office in the back garden was taken in March 1918. Under the plan of the southwestern warlords, the office of the Grand Marshal was removed from the government structure in April 1918 and replaced by the Seven Directors System. As one of the seven directors, Dr Sun found his influence waning, and in May he resigned from his position and returned to Shanghai. (The picture is provided by the Guangzhou Museum.)   Close