In 1930, there was an undercurrent in China's political arena. Between the warlords Feng Yuxiang and Yan Xishan in the north and Chiang Kai-shek in the south, a protracted power game is unfolding. In this game, the attitude of the Northeast warlord Zhang Xueliang has become a key weight. At first, Zhang Xueliang seemed inclined to support the Feng and Yan alliance, which made Chiang Kai-shek feel on pins and needles. However, as time went on, Zhang Xueliang's position quietly changed. What caused Zhang Xueliang's attitude to change? How did Chiang Kai-shek successfully win Zhang Xueliang's support? In this secret contest, what price did Chiang Kai-shek pay? How much price did he offer Zhang Xueliang?
At the beginning of 1930, China's political arena was like an intricate chess game, with various forces secretly competing and preparing for action. This political game that is about to break out was called the "Central Plains War" by later generations. On the eve of the war, China's political landscape was three-legged: Chiang Kai-shek's regime in the south, Feng Yuxiang and Yan Xishan's alliance in the north, and Zhang Xueliang's forces in the northeast.
Chiang Kai-shek's Nanking regime, ostensibly dominating the whole country, was in fact fledgling. After the success of the Northern Expedition in 1928, Chiang Kai-shek established the Nationalist Government in Nanjing, but his actual control was limited to the Yangtze River basin and the area south of it. Chiang Kai-shek knew that in order to truly control the country, it was necessary to further eliminate the threat of the northern forces. However, Chiang Kai-shek's dilemma was that his military strength was not superior to that of the northern warlords.
In the north, Feng Yuxiang and Yan Xishan formed a powerful alliance. Feng Yuxiang's Northwest Army and Yan Xishan's Jin Sui Army were both battle-hardened forces. Together, the two had a total force of more than 700,000 troops, far exceeding Chiang Kai-shek's descendants. This alliance not only posed a threat to Chiang Kai-shek militarily, but also politically challenged the legitimacy of the Nanking government.
At the same time, the Northeast Army led by Zhang Xueliang became a key player in this game. Zhang Xueliang inherited the power of his father Zhang Zuolin and controlled the vast and resource-rich Northeast region. The Northeast Army has about 300,000 troops, well-equipped and well-trained. More importantly, the Northeast region was one of the most developed regions in China at that time, with its rich natural resources and industrial base.
In this political situation, Zhang Xueliang's attitude has become a key factor in shaping the situation. If Zhang Xueliang chooses to support the alliance between Feng and Yan, then the northern forces will have an absolute advantage, and Chiang Kai-shek's Nanjing regime will face a serious challenge. On the contrary, if Zhang Xueliang fell in favor of Chiang Kai-shek, he might break the advantage of the Northern Alliance and create favorable conditions for Chiang Kai-shek to unify the whole country.
However, Zhang's position is not set in stone. As a young and promising warlord, Zhang Xueliang has his own political ambitions and considerations. He needs to weigh the forces of the various parties and consider the long-term interests of the Tohoku region, while also dealing with pressure from Japan. This makes his decision-making process uncertain and dramatic.
In this political game, all parties are active. Chiang Kai-shek sent a number of capable generals, such as Wu Tiecheng and Zhang Qun, to Shenyang to contact Zhang Xueliang. They used a variety of tactics, including financial interests, political commitments, and even personal feelings, to try to influence Zhang's decision-making.
At the same time, Feng Yuxiang and Yan Xishan were not idle. They used their historical ties with Zhang Xueliang to try to win over the Northeast Army. However, their strategies are not always brilliant. Yan Xishan's capriciousness on the issue of anti-Chiang made Zhang Xueliang doubt the sincerity of the Northern Alliance.
With the development of the current situation, changes in the international situation have also begun to affect China's internal political game. Japan's ambitions for the Northeast are becoming increasingly apparent, which makes Zhang Xueliang have to think about how to survive in the cracks. Will it continue to maintain the relative independence of the Northeast, or will it strengthen ties with the central government to gain more support? This issue has become an important consideration in Zhang Xueliang's decision-making.
On the eve of the outbreak of the Central Plains War, Zhang Xueliang's political stance became the focus of attention of all forces. As the de facto controller of the Northeast region, Zhang Xueliang's choice will have a significant impact on the overall situation. However, Zhang Xueliang's initial political tendencies were not immediately apparent, but were influenced and constrained by many factors.
First of all, Zhang Xueliang has a deep historical relationship with Feng Yuxiang and Yan Xishan. This relationship can be traced back to the time of Zhang Xueliang's father, Zhang Zuolin. In 1924, in the Second Zhifeng War, it was Feng Yuxiang's defection that enabled Zhang Zuolin to defeat Wu Peifu and become the leader of the Beiyang warlords. This history made Zhang Xueliang have a certain degree of gratitude to Feng Yuxiang.
However, the complexity of history lies in the fact that there were also contradictions between Zhang Zuolin and Feng Yuxiang. In 1926, Zhang Zuolin not only failed to fulfill his promise to Feng Yuxiang, but instead assisted Wu Peifu in attacking Feng Jun. This move caused Feng Yuxiang to suffer a heavy blow at Nankou and almost annihilated his army. This past undoubtedly cast a shadow on the relationship between Zhang Xueliang and Feng Yuxiang.
The relationship with Yan Xishan is equally complicated. As a veteran warlord, Yan Xishan has crossed paths with Zhang Zuolin many times. During the Beiyang government, the two used to cooperate and confront. This complex historical relationship adds uncertainty to Zhang Xueliang's decision-making.
In contrast, the relationship between Zhang Xueliang and Chiang Kai-shek was more distant. Chiang Kai-shek, as a representative of the southern forces, had almost no direct contact with the military system in the northeast. This strangeness made Zhang Xueliang wary of Chiang Kai-shek at the initial stage.
On December 29, 1928, Zhang Xueliang announced the change of banners in Northeast China, formally recognizing the rule of the Nanjing Nationalist Government. However, this decision was based more on political realities than on genuine identification with Chiang Kai-shek or the Kuomintang. In fact, Zhang Xueliang still maintained the relative independence of the Northeast region after the change of banners.
In terms of political philosophy, Zhang Xueliang did not fully agree with the Kuomintang's Three People's Principles. The Northeast Military Department has always had its own political tradition and management style, which is somewhat different from the political philosophy of the Kuomintang. This difference in philosophy was one of the reasons why Zhang Xueliang initially preferred to ally with the northern warlords.
However, the choice of political stance within the Northeast Army is not monolithic. Some young officers, such as Gao Shuxun, Wan Fulin, and others, were open to the new ideas of the Kuomintang. They believe that cooperation with the Nanjing government may bring more development opportunities to the northeast. This internal disagreement complicates Zhang's decision-making process.
The "Middle East Road Incident" in 1929 was another important factor influencing Zhang Xueliang's political leanings. In this incident, the Northeast Army entered into an armed conflict with the Soviet Union, as a result of which it suffered heavy losses. This incident exposed the shortcomings of the Northeast Army in modern warfare, and also made Zhang Xueliang realize that it is difficult to cope with the complex changes in the international situation with the strength of Northeast China alone.
In addition, the Japanese factor also occupies an important position in Zhang Xueliang's consideration. As Japan's ambitions for the Northeast became increasingly apparent, Zhang Xueliang had to consider how to survive in the cracks. Will it continue to maintain a relatively independent posture, or will it strengthen its ties with the central government to gain more support? This issue has become an important consideration in Zhang Xueliang's decision-making.
On the economic front, Zhang Xueliang is also faced with a choice. Although the Northeast region is rich in resources and has a good industrial base, it still needs to cooperate with other regions to achieve further development. The Yangtze River basin, controlled by the Nanjing government, is one of the most economically developed regions in China, which makes cooperation with Chiang Kai-shek economically attractive.
Considering these factors, Zhang Xueliang's initial political tendencies showed a state of vacillation. On the one hand, he has historical and geographical ties with the northern warlords; On the other hand, the needs of realpolitik and economic development forced him to consider the possibility of cooperating with the Nanjing government. This complex situation makes Zhang Xueliang's final choice full of suspense and drama.
In the face of Zhang Xueliang's initial vacillating attitude, Chiang Kai-shek knew the importance of enlisting the support of the Northeast Army. To this end, he developed a series of carefully planned tactics to win over him, and unfolded a complex and delicate political game.
First, Chiang Kai-shek sent a high-profile delegation to the Northeast. The delegation consisted of Chiang Kai-shek's cronies, including political veterans such as Wu Tiecheng and Zhang Qun. Their task was not only to convey Chiang Kai-shek's goodwill, but also to gain an in-depth understanding of the actual situation in the northeast and pave the way for subsequent negotiations.
Immediately after the delegation arrived in Shenyang, a series of intensive talks began. They expounded Chiang Kai-shek's political ideas in detail to Zhang Xueliang and emphasized the importance of national reunification. At the same time, they also cleverly avoided some sensitive topics, such as the reorganization of the Northeast Army, so as not to arouse Zhang Xueliang's disgust.
In terms of economic benefits, Chiang Kai-shek offered a series of attractive conditions. He promised that if Zhang Xueliang supported the Nanjing government, he would give the northeast region favorable economic treatment. These commitments include increased investment in the Northeast, support for the industrialization of the Northeast, and special preferences in tariffs and trade policies. Chiang Kai-shek even expressed his willingness to help the Northeast build new railway lines to strengthen the Northeast's ties with the interior.
The temptation of these economic interests undoubtedly had a certain impact on Zhang Xueliang. As a young and promising warlord, Zhang Xueliang is well aware of the development potential of the northeast region, and he also clearly understands that it is difficult to achieve comprehensive modernization by relying on the strength of the northeast alone. Chiang Kai-shek's promise laid an enticing blueprint for the future development of Northeast China.
In terms of political status, Chiang Kai-shek also gave Zhang Xueliang great promises. He said that if Zhang Xueliang supported the Nanjing government, he would ensure the important position of the Northeast Army in the Nationalist Government. Chiang Kai-shek promised not only to retain Zhang Xueliang's military power in the northeast, but also to give Zhang Xueliang an important position in the central government. This guarantee of political status undoubtedly alleviated Zhang Xueliang's worries about losing power.
However, Chiang Kai-shek did not stop at verbal promises. In order to demonstrate sincerity, he took a series of practical actions. In April 1930, Chiang Kai-shek personally visited the Northeast, which was a visit of great symbolic significance. During the visit, Chiang Kai-shek not only had long private talks with Zhang Xueliang, but also visited military facilities and industrial bases in Northeast China, showing that he attached great importance to the development of Northeast China.
During this visit, an interesting episode showed Chiang Kai-shek's intention to win over Zhang Xueliang. It is said that Chiang Kai-shek deliberately brought a batch of southern specialties, including Longjing tea and Hangzhou silk. He knew that Zhang Xueliang liked to taste tea, so he personally made tea for Zhang Xueliang, and the two talked about state affairs in the tea tasting. This kind of personal communication has undoubtedly shortened the distance between the two.
In addition to formal occasions, Chiang Kai-shek also arranged some informal activities, such as watching Peking Opera performances together and attending dinner dinners. On these occasions, Chiang Kai-shek was approachable and developed a more personal relationship with Zhang Xueliang. The establishment of this personal relationship played an important role in resolving the estrangement between the two.
Chiang Kai-shek's strategy also included wooing Zhang Xueliang's family and cronies. He not only showed great respect to Zhang Xueliang's mother, Zhao Yidi, but also expressed kindness to some of Zhang Xueliang's important subordinates. For example, he promised to reserve important positions in the Nationalist government for the senior generals of the Northeast Army.
In terms of the international situation, Chiang Kai-shek also conveyed his views to Zhang Xueliang. He highlighted Japan's threat to Tohoku, noting that only national reunification can effectively respond to external pressures. This kind of remarks undoubtedly touched Zhang Xueliang's concern about the security of Northeast China.
Chiang Kai-shek's strategy was all-encompassing, with both political commitments and economic temptations; There are both public actions and private interactions. This multi-pronged strategy gradually changed Zhang Xueliang's view of Chiang Kai-shek and laid the foundation for a relationship of trust between the two.
In May 1930, the Central Plains War officially broke out. This protracted military conflict not only changed China's political landscape, but also became an important turning point in Zhang Xueliang's political career. In the face of the confrontation between Chiang Kai-shek and the alliance of northern warlords, Zhang Xueliang's choice will have a decisive impact on the situation of the war.
At the same time that Feng Yuxiang, Yan Xishan and other northern warlords jointly launched the anti-Chiang war, they also issued an invitation to Zhang Xueliang to jointly resist Chiang. Feng Yuxiang personally called Zhang Xueliang, reviewed the historical relationship between the two families, and called on Zhang Xueliang to join the anti-Chiang camp. Yan Xishan sent an envoy to Shenyang secretly to try to persuade Zhang Xueliang.
However, Zhang Xueliang did not respond immediately. He convened a series of secret meetings with the top brass of the Northeast Army to discuss the direction of the situation and the position of the Northeast Army. The meetings, which lasted several days, reflected the prudence of Mr. Zhang's decision-making process.
At this critical moment, Zhang Xueliang took an unexpected action. He sent his confidants and senior generals to Nanjing secretly to communicate directly with Chiang Kai-shek. The general carried Zhang Xueliang's handwritten letter, which covered the demands of the Northeast Army and his views on national reunification.
After Chiang Kai-shek received Zhang Xueliang's envoy, he immediately arranged secret talks. During the talks, Chiang Kai-shek once again reaffirmed his commitment to Northeast China, including ensuring the status of the Northeast Army and supporting the economic development of Northeast China. At the same time, Chiang Kai-shek also made a new promise: if Zhang Xueliang supported the central government, Chiang Kai-shek would appoint Zhang Xueliang deputy commander-in-chief of the army, navy, and air force, the highest military position after Chiang Kai-shek himself.
This promise undoubtedly brought great temptation to Zhang Xueliang. However, Zhang Xueliang did not make an immediate decision. He asked the emissaries to bring back Chiang Kai-shek's promises for further consideration.
At the same time, the Japanese factor also played an important role in Zhang Xueliang's decision-making. In June 1930, Japan's activities in Tohoku became more and more frequent, and there were many incidents of Japanese soldiers crossing the border. These incidents aroused a high degree of vigilance on the part of Zhang Xueliang. He realized that in the face of the Japanese threat, Tohoku needed the support of the central government.
After weighing the pros and cons, Zhang Xueliang finally made the decision to support Chiang Kai-shek. On July 3, 1930, Zhang Xueliang issued the famous "July 3rd Declaration", openly expressing his support for the Nanjing Nationalist Government and opposing the separatist behavior of the Northern Warlord Alliance.
This decision caused an immediate uproar. The Northern Warlords Alliance was shocked and outraged by Zhang Xueliang's "betrayal". Feng Yuxiang issued a public statement accusing Zhang Xueliang of being "ungrateful." Yan Xishan called Zhang Xueliang's behavior "betraying the country for glory".
However, Zhang Xueliang's decision was not impulsive. On the same day that the "73 Declaration" was issued, Zhang Xueliang issued an internal circular to the Northeast Army, explaining in detail the reasons for his support for Chiang Kai-shek. The proclamation mentioned the importance of national unity, the Japanese threat to Northeast China, and Chiang Kai-shek's commitment to Northeast China.
Zhang Xueliang's decision not only affected the course of the Central Plains War, but also completely changed his own political status. As promised, Chiang Kai-shek immediately appointed Zhang Xueliang deputy commander-in-chief of the army, navy, and air force. This appointment made Zhang Xueliang the second-highest military figure after Chiang Kai-shek, and greatly enhanced his status in the Nationalist government.
However, Zhang's choice also brings with it a series of challenges. First, he needs to face divisions within the Northeast Army. Some veterans had reservations about cooperating with Chiang Kai-shek, believing that it could harm the interests of the Northeast. Zhang Xueliang had to spend a lot of energy to convince these generals and ensure the unity of the Northeast Army.
Secondly, Zhang Xueliang also needs to deal with the retaliation of the northern warlords. Although Feng Yuxiang and Yan Xishan fought mainly in the Central Plains, they still sent part of their troops to put pressure on the northeast. Zhang Xueliang had to mobilize troops to defend the border to prevent the invasion of the northern warlords.
Finally, Zhang Xueliang's decision also aroused Japan's vigilance. Japan has always wanted Tohoku to remain relatively independent in order to facilitate its penetration and control. Zhang Xueliang's open support for the Nanjing government undoubtedly intensified Japan's hostility towards Northeast China. This laid the groundwork for the "September 18 Incident" in the future.
Despite the many challenges, Zhang Xueliang still stuck to his choice. He began to actively participate in the Central Plains War, sending the elite of the Northeast Army south to support Chiang Kai-shek. These forces played an important role in the ensuing battles and made a significant contribution to Chiang Kai-shek's eventual victory.
The Northeast Banner not only changed the fate of Zhang Xueliang and the Northeast Army, but also had a profound impact on modern Chinese history. This incident has left a deep imprint on all levels of politics, military and society.
First of all, at the political level, the Northeast Banner greatly strengthened the authority of the Nanjing Nationalist Government. Chiang Kai-shek succeeded in extending his influence to the northeast and achieving nominal national unification. On September 18, 1931, nearly two years after the change of banners in Northeast China, Chiang Kai-shek convened an important political conference in Nanjing. At the meeting, Chiang Kai-shek particularly emphasized the importance of the Northeast Banner to the reunification of the country and commended Zhang Xueliang for his contributions. The meeting marked a further consolidation of the Nationalist Government's control over the Northeast.
However, the change of banner in Northeast China has also triggered a series of political contradictions. Some local forces in the northeast that originally supported Zhang Xueliang expressed dissatisfaction with this. For example, in early 1932, Wan Fulin, the former chairman of Heilongjiang Province, publicly expressed doubts about Zhang Xueliang's decision. In order to appease these local forces, Zhang Xueliang had to make a series of political compromises, including retaining some of the original power structures in the local government.
At the military level, the Northeast has had a significant impact on China's military landscape. After the Northeast Army joined the Central Army, it greatly enhanced the military strength of the Nationalist Government. In 1933, when the Japanese began to attack Rehe Province, it was thanks to the support of the Northeast Army that the Chinese army was able to organize effective resistance along the Great Wall. In the Battle of Rehe, the Fifth Army of the Northeast Army fought fiercely with the Japanese army in the area of Xifengkou, and although it failed to save the fate of the fall of Rehe, its heroic performance won praise from all over the country.
However, the change of banners in the Northeast has also led to the relative weakening of the defense forces in the Northeast region. After a large number of elite troops were transferred to the south, there was a vacuum in the defense forces of the northeast. This situation was keenly perceived by the Japanese military and exploited in the subsequent "September 18 Incident". On the night of September 18, 1931, when the Japanese Kwantung Army launched a surprise attack, the Chinese troops remaining in Shenyang were less than 7,000 men, and it was difficult to organize effective resistance.
At the economic level, after the change of banner in Northeast China, the Nanjing Nationalist Government increased its economic support for the Northeast region. In 1932, the Nationalist Government formulated the "Five-Year Plan for the Development of Northeast China", which planned to invest heavily in the development of industry and transportation in Northeast China within five years. Although this plan could not be fully implemented due to the "September 18 Incident," it still promoted the economic development of Northeast China to a certain extent. For example, the Fushun-Benxi railway, built in 1933, is one of the results of this plan.
The social dimension is equally far-reaching. After the change of banners in the Northeast, a large number of people from the south poured into the Northeast, bringing with them new ideas and cultures. In 1932, Shenyang established Northeastern University, which was the first comprehensive university in the modern sense of the word. The school has hired many well-known scholars in the south, such as the historian Fu Sinian and the writer Yu Dafu, whose arrival has greatly promoted the development of cultural education in Northeast China.
However, the collision of cultures between the north and the south has also brought about some social contradictions. Some locals were unhappy with the influx of southerners, believing that they were grabbing jobs. In the spring of 1933, there were even small-scale riots in Shenyang against immigrants from the south. In order to alleviate this contradiction, Zhang Xueliang had no choice but to mediate and implement a balanced employment policy between the north and the south in government departments.
The change of banner in Northeast China has also had a profound impact on Sino-Japanese relations. Japan has always regarded Northeast China as its sphere of influence, and Zhang Xueliang's open support for the Nanjing government undoubtedly exacerbated Japan's unease. In December 1930, the Japanese consul general in Shenyang protested to Zhang Xueliang, saying that the Northeast Change of Banner had violated the previous "tacit understanding" between China and Japan. Zhang Xueliang resolutely rejected the unreasonable demands of the Japanese side, but this incident also indicates that Sino-Japanese relations are about to enter a more tense stage.
In the spring of 1931, Japan began to strengthen its military deployment in Tohoku. Shigeru Honjo, commander of the Kwantung Army, sent several telegrams to Tokyo, demanding a tougher policy toward China. The outbreak of the September 18 incident can be seen to some extent as an extreme Japanese reaction to the change of flag in Tohoku.
The Northeast has also had a certain impact on the international community. Western countries generally welcomed this, believing that it would be conducive to China's reunification and stability. In February 1931, U.S. Secretary of State Stimson publicly stated that the change of banner in Northeast China was a major step forward in China's internal affairs. However, the USSR was cautious about this. Moscow feared that the Nanking government's increased control over the Northeast could affect Soviet interests in the region, especially the issue of the Eastern Railway.