The world knows that Feng Yuxiang was a famous northwest warlord during the Republic of China, and the Northwest Army under his command was strong and strong, and once fought against the National Revolutionary Army led by Chiang Kai-shek. However, after the Central Plains War in 1930, Feng Yuxiang disappeared from then on, and it was difficult to make a comeback. The reason for this is attributed by many to Chiang Kai-shek's clever methods. However, a closer look at history shows that things are far from simple.
In his later years, the young marshal Zhang Xueliang once revealed a little-known inside story, which unveiled the mystery of this history for us. He said that the reason why Feng Yuxiang failed was not because of how powerful Jiang was, but because of some of Feng Yuxiang's own Achilles' heels. What exactly are these weaknesses? Why did Feng Yuxiang collapse from then on? What kind of historical truth is hidden in the "big truth" in the mouth of the young marshal?
Let's trace the history together and uncover this long-forgotten past.
Feng Yuxiang, the warlord who once shook the northwest, his personal style and leadership style became one of the important reasons for his eventual defeat. In the army, Feng Yuxiang pursued an extremely strict paternalistic rule, which was not only reflected in the management of ordinary soldiers, but even high-ranking generals.
Feng Yuxiang's punishment of his subordinates was often cruel and ruthless. Once, because a soldier was a little lax in his formation, Feng Yuxiang ordered him to be shot on the spot. Although this harsh handling method maintained military discipline in the short term, it also sowed the seeds of discontent in the army.
To make matters worse, Feng Yuxiang's attitude toward senior generals is just as tough. He often humiliated his generals in public at military meetings, sometimes even using force. This practice seriously hurt the self-esteem of the generals and weakened their loyalty to Feng Yuxiang.
Under Feng Yuxiang's command, there was a group of core generals known as the "Thirteen Taibao". These people should have been Feng Yuxiang's most trusted subordinates, but in fact, they often became the targets of Feng Yuxiang's anger. The name "Thirteen Taibao" originated from Feng Yuxiang's early thirteen capable generals, but over time, the title became more of a sarcasm.
One of the most famous incidents is the Han Fuqu incident. During the Central Plains War in 1930, because of some strategic mistakes, Feng Yuxiang not only scolded Han Fuqu at the military meeting, but also ordered him to get out and kneel in public. What's even more shocking is that after the meeting, Feng Yuxiang also gave Han Fuqu a resounding slap in the face. This move completely broke Han Fuqu's heart and made the other generals fearful.
The impact of the Han Fuqu incident is far-reaching. Soon after, Han Fuqu took his troops to Chiang Kai-shek. This not only weakened the Northwest Army, but more importantly, it sent a dangerous signal to other generals: under Feng Yuxiang, even high-ranking generals could be humiliated at any time.
Feng Yuxiang's leadership style led to disillusionment among the military. While the Northwest Army is still strong on the surface, cracks have already appeared inside. Many generals began to secretly seek other ways out, and some even secretly contacted Chiang Kai-shek in preparation for a future defection.
This situation was even more pronounced after the Great War in the Central Plains. When the Northwest Army suffered defeat, many generals did not choose to advance and retreat with Feng Yuxiang, but took refuge in Chiang Kai-shek or other forces. This large-scale centrifugal detachment made Feng Yuxiang lose the foundation for his comeback.
Feng Yuxiang's leadership style influenced not only the military, but also his relations with other political forces. His capriciousness and arbitrariness discouraged many potential allies. Even during the War of Resistance Against Japan, when Feng Yuxiang tried to reorganize his forces, it was difficult for him to gain the trust and support of other forces.
In general, Feng Yuxiang's personal style and leadership style, especially his cruel attitude towards his subordinates, became one of the important reasons for his eventual defeat. This style of leadership not only failed to win the sincere support of his subordinates, but also led to instability within the army, which eventually led to the rapid collapse of the Northwest Army in the face of external pressure.
Although Feng Yuxiang's Northwest Army was once prominent militarily, its economic foundation has always been very weak. This economic predicament not only affected the combat effectiveness of the Northwest Army, but also became one of the important reasons why it was difficult for Feng Yuxiang to make a comeback after the Great War in the Central Plains.
Northwest China has always been a relatively backward region in China. The harsh geographical environment, the lack of natural resources, and the long-term war have made the economic development of this land difficult. Feng Yuxiang's base camp is mainly concentrated in Shaanxi, Gansu and other places, and the economic conditions in these places are even more stretched.
In 1928, Feng Yuxiang convened an economic conference in Xi'an to try to revitalize the economy of the northwest. At the meeting, he put forward the slogan of "industry saves the country" and planned to vigorously develop industry and agriculture in the northwest region. However, the meeting ended up being a mere formality and did not bring about substantial economic improvements.
Feng's neglect of economic development is evident in many details. For example, he ordered the construction of a railway in Shaanxi Province, but the work was halted halfway through due to a lack of funds. This unfinished railway not only did not promote economic development, but became the laughing stock of the local people, and was nicknamed "Feng's broken road".
The Northwest Army's military spending was mainly based on exorbitant taxes levied on the local people. In 1929, in Shaanxi Province alone, the Northwest Army collected more than 10 kinds of taxes, including "door frame tax", "pillar tax" and other unbelievable taxes. Although this predatory taxation method provided some economic support for the Northwest Army in the short term, it also seriously damaged the local economic development and aroused strong dissatisfaction among the people.
Compared with other warlords, Feng Yuxiang's economic strength is particularly weak. Yan Xishan, for example, implemented a series of economic reforms in Shanxi Province, such as building factories, improving transportation, and developing education, which greatly increased the economic strength of Shanxi Province. Li Zongren also took similar measures in Guangxi, vigorously developing local industry and commerce. By contrast, economic development in the northwest under Feng Yuxiang has almost stagnated.
This economic disparity was particularly evident in the Great War of the Central Plains. In May 1930, at the beginning of the war, Feng Yuxiang was in trouble due to insufficient military spending. He had to turn to the USSR for help in exchange for a batch of weapons and ammunition. However, this foreign aid was limited and could not fundamentally solve the economic problems of the Northwest Army.
In contrast, the Nationalist government led by Chiang Kai-shek had relatively abundant financial resources. Chiang Kai-shek was not only able to obtain large amounts of financial support from economically developed areas such as Shanghai, but was also able to use state credit to issue public bonds and raise funds for the war. This disparity in economic strength has become one of the key factors determining the victory or defeat of the Central Plains.
After the defeat of the Central Plains War, Feng Yuxiang's economic difficulties became even more serious. Having lost his territory and army, he had problems even making ends meet. It is said that when Feng Yuxiang lived in Tai'an, Shandong Province in his later years, he almost lived on the streets because he could not pay the rent. This embarrassing economic situation made it difficult for Feng Yuxiang to maintain his old ministry, let alone regroup.
Feng Yuxiang's economic woes not only affected his personal destiny, but also had a profound impact on the development of the entire Northwest region. Until the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War, the Northwest remained one of the poorest regions in China. This economic backwardness limited the role played by the northwest region in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression to a certain extent.
In general, Feng Yuxiang's neglect of economic development, coupled with the economic backwardness of the northwest region itself, made it impossible for the Northwest Army to establish a solid economic foundation. This economic weakness not only became an important reason for Feng Yuxiang's defeat in the Central Plains War, but also a key obstacle to his subsequent comeback. The economic predicament of the Northwest Army can be said to be an Achilles heel in Feng Yuxiang's political career.
Feng Yuxiang was known for his volatile political scene during the Republican period, and the capriciousness of his political stance not only affected his personal reputation, but also became one of the important reasons for his eventual defeat. Feng Yuxiang's political career can be described as a history of constant rebellion, and this capricious behavior not only caused him to lose the trust of his allies, but also greatly reduced the loyalty of his subordinates.
Feng Yuxiang's political career began in 1912, when he followed Yuan Shikai and participated in the revolution that overthrew the Qing Dynasty. However, only three years later, when Yuan Shikai was proclaimed emperor, Feng Yuxiang was again on the side of Yuan Shikai. The shift in stance, while applauded by some, also raised questions about his political loyalty.
In 1924, Feng Yuxiang staged the famous "Beijing Coup" and overthrew the Beiyang government, to which he had been loyal. This coup d'état made Feng Yuxiang look like nothing for a while, but it also made more people see his capricious side. Interestingly, shortly after the successful coup, Feng Yuxiang quickly approached Sun Yat-sen's KMT, a rapid shift in stance that sparked controversy again.
In 1926, Feng Yuxiang joined the Kuomintang and became an important force in the Northern Expedition. Only two years later, however, he broke with Chiang Kai-shek and switched to Wang Ching-wei. This shift in stance led to the Great War of the Central Plains in 1930, which ended in Feng Yuxiang's defeat.
Feng Yuxiang's repeated defections not only affected his personal reputation, but also seriously affected the trust of his subordinates. There is a well-known story that illustrates this point: in 1930, during the Great War of the Central Plains, one of Feng Yuxiang's senior generals encountered Chiang Kai-shek's troops on the battlefield. Chiang Kai-shek's generals shouted: "Feng Yuxiang is about to defect again, why don't you surrender soon?" Although the general did not surrender immediately, he became deeply suspicious of Feng Yuxiang.
Feng Yuxiang's fidelity is not only reflected in his political stance, but also in his attitude towards his subordinates. The aforementioned Han Fuqu incident is a typical example. Feng Yuxiang's humiliation of Han Fuqu not only hurt Han Fuqu personally, but also made other generals doubt Feng Yuxiang's faithfulness.
After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, Feng Yuxiang's political stance once again sparked controversy. In 1937, he declared his support for the Nationalist government's resistance against Japan and was appointed commander of the Fifth Theater of Operations. However, his contradictions with Chiang Kai-shek soon resurfaced. In 1938, Feng Yuxiang resigned from his post because he was dissatisfied with Chiang Kai-shek's command and instead organized his own anti-Japanese forces.
Feng Yuxiang's performance in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression can be said to be mixed. On the one hand, the "National Salvation Army" he organized did deal a certain blow to the Japanese army; On the other hand, his non-cooperative attitude with the Nationalist Government also affected the overall deployment of the War of Resistance against Japan to a certain extent.
After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War in 1945, Feng Yuxiang changed his position again, began to criticize the Kuomintang government, and approached the Communist Party. This shift in stance, while admiring some progressives at the time, also led more people to question his political motives.
The question of Feng Yuxiang's political stance directly affected the possibility of his comeback after the defeat in the Central Plains War in 1930. As a result of multiple defections, he lost the trust of most of his political allies. Even those who had been close to him were reluctant to work with him again. This state of political isolation made it difficult for Feng Yuxiang to reorganize effective forces.
At the same time, Feng Yuxiang's fiery problems also seriously affected his cohesion of the old ministry. Many of the generals who had followed him chose to take refuge in other forces after the defeat in the Central Plains War, rather than continuing to follow Feng Yuxiang. This situation of losing people's hearts makes it difficult for Feng Yuxiang to find enough human resources even if he wants to regroup.
In general, Feng Yuxiang's political capriciousness and fiduciary problems not only affected his personal political reputation, but also directly contributed to the situation in which he could not make a comeback after 1930. This political Achilles' heel, along with the aforementioned economic woes and leadership problems, was the root cause of Feng's eventual defeat.
As a military strategist, Feng Yuxiang's military talent was impressive. However, with the change of the times, his military strategy and strategic vision gradually revealed their limitations, which became another important reason why he was difficult to make a comeback after the defeat of the Central Plains War in 1930.
Feng Yuxiang's early military career was smooth sailing. In 1912, he participated in the revolution that overthrew the Qing Dynasty and showed great military talent. In 1924, he staged the famous "Beijing Coup" and successfully overthrew the Beiyang government, an operation that is considered the pinnacle of his military career. In this coup, Feng Yuxiang showed excellent strategic vision and operational ability, and he skillfully took advantage of the complex political situation at that time to launch a surprise attack at the most critical moment, and succeeded in one fell swoop.
Over time, however, Feng's military strategy began to reveal some problems. During the Northern Expedition in 1926, Feng Yuxiang led the Northwest Army to participate in the battle against the Beiyang warlords. In this war, Feng Yuxiang adopted a relatively conservative strategy, relying mainly on defensive tactics and avoiding head-on confrontation with the enemy. Although this strategy has preserved strength to a certain extent, it has also lost many opportunities to forge ahead.
In 1927, the contradictions between Feng Yuxiang and Chiang Kai-shek deepened. At this critical juncture, Feng Yuxiang adopted a wait-and-see attitude, neither openly confronting Chiang Kai-shek nor fully supporting him. This vacillating strategy led him to a passive position in the ensuing political struggle.
The Central Plains War of 1930 was a turning point in Feng Yuxiang's military career. In this great war, Feng Yuxiang's military strategy exposed serious problems. First, he underestimated Chiang Kai-shek's strength and determination. Feng Yuxiang originally believed that Chiang Kai-shek could be easily defeated by uniting with other warlords. However, this judgment proved to be seriously wrong.
Second, Feng Yuxiang adopted a strategy of dispersing his forces in the early stages of the war, hoping to distract Chiang Kai-shek by fighting on multiple fronts. This strategy may seem reasonable in theory, but in practice, it exposes serious problems. The scattered forces could not form an effective offensive, but gave Chiang Kai-shek the opportunity to break through.
More seriously, Feng Yuxiang made a fatal strategic mistake in the middle of the war. At that time, Chiang Kai-shek's army had penetrated deep into the hinterland of Henan, and Feng Yuxiang could have concentrated his forces to fight a decisive battle. However, he chose to retreat, hoping to deplete Chiang Kai-shek's strength by stretching the front. This decision not only deprived him of the strategic initiative, but also seriously damaged the morale of the troops.
Feng Yuxiang's military strategy mistakes directly led to the defeat of the Central Plains War. More importantly, the defeat exposed the limitations of Feng's strategic vision. He does not seem to realize that, with the changing times, it is no longer possible to achieve a decisive victory in China's political arena by relying solely on military strength.
After the defeat in the Central Plains War, Feng Yuxiang's military talent seems to have declined. In the years that followed, he made several attempts to regroup, but each time failed. These failures were not only due to the loss of most of his military resources, but more importantly, his military strategy was no longer able to adapt to the new situation.
For example, in 1933, Feng Yuxiang tried to organize an anti-Japanese allied army in Chahar. This action is conceptually correct, but many problems have been exposed in the implementation process. Feng Yuxiang underestimated Japan's strength and overestimated his own influence. As a result, this anti-Japanese allied army was quickly defeated by the Japanese army, and Feng Yuxiang had to flee again.
After the full-scale outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, Feng Yuxiang once again showed the limitations of his strategic vision. In 1938, he resigned as commander of the Fifth Theater of Operations because he was dissatisfied with Chiang Kai-shek's command. This decision, while reflecting his personal principles, was a mistake from a strategic point of view. At a time when the country's survival is at stake, personal grievances should be put aside, and Feng Yuxiang has failed to do so.
Overall, Feng's military strategy and strategic vision played an important role in his early military career, but as the situation changed, these strategies and visions gradually showed their limitations. Especially after the defeat of the Central Plains War in 1930, Feng Yuxiang seemed to have lost the ability to accurately judge the situation, which directly led to his inability to make a comeback. Feng's experience teaches us that in a rapidly changing political and military environment, it is crucial to maintain strategic acumen and adaptability.
As an important military and political figure in the Republic of China, Feng Yuxiang's fate is closely linked to the development of modern Chinese history. However, with the changes of the times, Feng Yuxiang gradually showed signs of being out of touch with the new situation, which became the fundamental reason why he could not make a comeback after the defeat in the Central Plains War in 1930.
Feng Yuxiang's political career began in the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, an era of warlord division and political turmoil. During that period, military might was often a key factor in determining political fate. With his military talent and political skills, Feng Yuxiang quickly rose to prominence and became an important figure during the Beiyang government. In 1924, he staged the "Beijing Coup" and overthrew the Beiyang government, an operation that brought him into the national spotlight.
However, over time, the political situation in China has changed dramatically. The Kuomintang grew stronger under Sun Yat-sen's leadership, and the Communist Party began to make its mark on China's political scene. This new political landscape requires participants to have more sophisticated political wisdom and a broader strategic vision.
Feng Yuxiang did not seem to be aware of this change in time. He still follows the old-fashioned warlord way of thinking, believing that if you have military power, you can have a political advantage. This cognitive limitation was already evident during the Northern Expedition in 1926. At that time, although Feng Yuxiang joined the National Revolutionary Army, he saw it more as an opportunity to expand his own power than as he truly understood and supported the ideas of the National Revolution.
In 1927, the cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party broke down, and the political situation in China changed drastically again. Faced with this major turning point, Feng Yuxiang's reaction was hesitant. He was neither willing to submit completely to Chiang Kai-shek's leadership, nor did he dare to openly confront it. This vacillating attitude reflects his lack of clear understanding and judgment of the new situation.
The Central Plains War of 1930 was a concentrated manifestation of Feng Yuxiang's disconnection with the times. In this war, Feng Yuxiang underestimated Chiang Kai-shek's strength and overestimated his own influence. More crucially, he does not seem to realize that this war is not just a military contest, but also a contest of political ideas and social support.
After the defeat of the Central Plains War, Feng Yuxiang's political career entered a low period. However, even at this time, he was still unaware of his disconnection with the times. In 1933, he organized the Anti-Japanese Allied Army in Chahar. While this action was commendable in the spirit of patriotism, it was inadequate in terms of strategy and influence. Feng Yuxiang did not seem to realize that at that time, effective anti-Japanese action required nationwide mobilization and unified leadership, rather than relying on armed forces in one corner of the country.
After the full-scale outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, Feng Yuxiang's disconnection with the times became more obvious. In 1938, he resigned as commander of the Fifth Theater of Operations because he was dissatisfied with Chiang Kai-shek's command. This decision reflects that he is still stuck at the level of personal grievances and does not fully realize the importance of unity at the moment of national survival.
Feng Yuxiang's political choices in his later years also reflect his misjudgment of the changing times. After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War in 1945, he began to criticize the Kuomintang government and became close to the Communist Party. Although this shift in stance conforms to the trend of history to some extent, it reflects more of a political speculation than a deep understanding of the new era.
An important manifestation of Feng Yuxiang's disconnection with the times is his neglect of the importance of social change. Throughout his political career, military operations have always been dominant, while relatively little attention has been paid to social reform and livelihood issues. This limitation was particularly evident in the late thirties of the twentieth century, when Chinese society was undergoing profound changes and the people's voices for social fairness and democracy and freedom were growing louder. However, Feng Yuxiang seems to have failed to fully appreciate the significance of this trend.
For example, after the Xi'an Incident in 1936, the whole country set off an upsurge of anti-Japanese salvation. At this critical moment, although Feng Yuxiang expressed his support for the anti-Japanese resistance, his actions were more limited to the military level, and he lacked in-depth thinking and effective strategies on how to mobilize and organize the people to participate in the anti-Japanese resistance. This limitation made it difficult for him to play a greater role in the subsequent war of resistance.
Another manifestation of Feng Yuxiang's disconnection with the times is his lagging understanding of the international situation. In the 30s and 40s of the 20th century, the international situation was changing, and the influence on China deepened day by day. However, Feng Yuxiang never seems to have been able to establish a macro international perspective. His understanding of Japanese imperialism remained at the level of military confrontation, but he lacked an in-depth understanding of the strategic game of the United States and the Soviet Union and other major powers in the Far East. This cognitive limitation directly affected his judgment and choice at a major historical juncture.
Overall, Feng Yuxiang's disconnection from the times is a gradual process. From a powerful warlord to a politician who has been gradually marginalized by the times, Feng Yuxiang's story reflects the complex changes in China's modern history. His story teaches us that in times of rapid change, it is crucial for politicians to maintain the ability to keep up with the times and adjust their perceptions and strategies in a timely manner.