Second Zhili–Fengtian War
Tang Yulin was born in 1871 in Fuxin, Liaoning. In 1902 he joined the Fengtian First Road Defense Sentry patrol battalion as an officer. In 1912 he was given command of the 27th Regiment, 27th Cavalry Division, and the following year was promoted to command the 52nd Brigade. In 1917 he participated in Zhang Xun's Manchu restoration. After Duan Qirui defeated Zhang he fled to Fuxin to live in seclusion. In 1919 Tang returned to be appointed as Fengtian inspection official for the three Northeastern provinces. In May 1921 he was appointed Fengtian army 11th Brigade Commander. During the Second Zhili–Fengtian War in 1924 he commanded the Fengtian 11th Infantry Division.