Fengtian clique

The Fengtian clique was a developed military clique in China, notable for a particular historical enmity with the Zhili Clique. Its capital was located at Shenyang in the province of Fengtian (also known as Liaoning). It also held the provinces of Zhili, Heilongjiang, Rehe, Jilin, Liaobei, and Shandong, as well as the cities of Tianjin, Qingdao, Dalian, and Harbin.

The Fengtian clique had the most modern armies in China, complete with a full air force, effective cavalry, and battery of tanks. They also had access to precious minerals, which were mostly mined for the use of the burgeoning Japanese manufacturing industry. In return, Japan supported the Fengtian clique by supplying weapons, military training and funding, creating a positive feedback loop in the might and pre-eminence of the clique among its neighbours. Germany and Switzerland were also sources of firearms.

During the Warlords period, this clique was the de facto government of Manchuria, a region to the northeast of China. Ruled by Marshal Zhang Zuolin, the Fengtians were involved in numerous conflicts with the neighbouring Zhili clique during the early 1920s, along the perennially contentious border areas marked by the Great Wall of China.

Zhang Zuolin already had the patronage of Japan when the First Fengtian-Zhili War broke out on 28 April, 1922. It began as a consequence of the replacement of Premier Jin Yupeng as head of state with Liang Shiyi, who was more sympathetic to the Fengtian's desire to control more of northern China.

Zhang Zuolin and Duan Quirui brought 120,000 men to the battle at the Great Wall, against the 100,000 under the Zhili clique's commander Wu Peifu. Wu successfully cut the Fengtian off from their supply lines, resulting in a Fengtian surrender on 5 May. The ceasefire treaty was signed on 17 June and Zhili-affiliated Cao Kun became President of China.

Zhang went on the defensive two years later as it became clear that the Zhili intended to unite the diverse warlord armies under Cao Kun's central government. An alliance was formed with the Anhui Clique. Although the Fengtian troops therefore numbered around 250,000 for the Secong Fengtian-Zhili War, it might have ended in another loss were it not for the traitorous actions of Feng Yu Xiang. He secretly allied with Zhang and Duan, forming the Guominjun which provoked Wu Peifu's eventual retreat.

The Fengtian clique was reestablished as a major player in Chinese politics, but despite everything, the ringleaders of the Beijing Coup sought reunification in a conference with Sun Yat Sen in March 1925.