A History of Warlord Conflicts in Republican China

From Yuan Shikai's seizure of the fruits of the revolution in 1912 to the end of the Zhili-Anhui War in 1922, China became a battleground for warlords in the space of just ten years. Guns replaced the law, and territory determined everything.

Using a chronological framework, this book brings the blood-soaked chaos of the era to life: Li Liejun's uprising at Hukou, the failure of the Second Revolution, the tragic White Lang Rebellion, Cai E's campaign to defend the nation and overthrow Yuan, Zhang Xun's farcical restoration of the monarchy, Duan Qirui's "second attempt to restore the republic," and the outbreak of the Zhili-Anhui War. You'll see Yuan Shikai's political scheming, Duan Qirui's ambition, and Wu Peifu's courage, as warlords from all sides repeatedly shift their allegiances in pursuit of power and profit.

This is no dry collection of historical materials, but a true story of betrayal, ideals, slaughter, and political intrigue. Each chapter includes key figures, dates and locations, and a concise summary to help you follow the story and understand the forces underlying the politics of early Republican China.

Open this book and discover the Republic forged at gunpoint: a blood-soaked era that is not so far removed from our own.