Cross-Strait Historical Accounts – Yuan Shikai’s Troop Training at Xiaozhan Encompassing the "Three Northern Warlords"

Yuan Shikai succeeded Li Hongzhang as Viceroy of Zhili and concurrently held the post of Minister of Beiyang. With his own formidable army, which was the most powerful force at the time, his troops came to be known as the Beiyang Army. The Beiyang Era marks an important period in modern Chinese history, spanning from 1912 to 1928. During Yuan Shikai’s lifetime, the Beiyang faction remained unified—essentially Yuan’s own faction. After his death, however, various factions vied for dominance, none willing to yield to the others.

Additionally, Lin Xi refers to the renowned Hong Kong chronicler Gao Boyu, who discovered the autobiography of American doctor Dr. William Sharpe in the University of Hong Kong library. Chapter Eight of the memoir, titled “Operation on Chinese Royalty,” details the surgery performed on a Chinese noble. Based on this, Gao Boyu translated and wrote “The Record of Yuan Keding’s Treatment,” offering first-hand accounts of how Yuan Shikai engaged the physician, and how the doctor traveled to Yuan’s retreat at Huan Shang Yang Shou Yuan to perform brain surgery on Yuan’s “heir apparent,” Yuan Keding, treating his leg ailment.

Diverse Interpretations: Supporters and Opponents of Yuan

Yuan Shikai’s second son, Yuan Kewen (also known as Han Yun), was exceptionally gifted from childhood. He began learning characters at age six, studied the classics and history at seven, and practiced literature at ten. “His reading was prodigious, and by fifteen he was composing poetry and ci lyrics that were already remarkably accomplished.” His poetry and prose were praised in his time as “lofty, refined, and uniquely elegant.” Beyond that, he displayed remarkable artistic talent from an early age. Between 1906 and 1908, while living in Tianjin with his father, he associated with senior literati such as Luo Yingong, Wu Baochu, and Fang Dishan, forming deep connections with ancient artifacts, calligraphy, painting, and literary arts. Known for his romantic charm and free-spirited nature, he was counted among the “Four Young Masters” and even likened by some historians to “the Cao Zhi of modern times.” The article “Yuan Han Yun: Self-Proclaimed ‘Lord of Romance’” provides a detailed account. The book The Rise and Fall of Yuan Shikai compiles firsthand accounts from those who lived through the era, offering perspectives on the events surrounding the “support for Yuan” and “overthrow of Yuan” movements that differ from conventional narratives. These insights help fill gaps in official history and provide researchers with alternative interpretations.

The Rise and Fall of the Beiyang Warlords – Preface to “The Beiyang Warlords: Dominating a Region” and “The Beiyang Warlords: Collapse and Extinction” discusses the term “Beiyang,” which stands in contrast to “Nanyang.” In the fifth year of the Tongzhi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1866), the Viceroy of Liangjiang (governing present-day Jiangsu, Anhui, and Jiangxi, with headquarters in Nanjing) was assigned responsibilities for trade at the five treaty ports and appointed as the Minister of Nanyang Trade. Then, in the ninth year of Tongzhi (1870), the Viceroy of Zhili (governing present-day Hebei, also serving as provincial governor, based in Tianjin but relocating to Baoding during winter when the river froze) was given authority over trade at three treaty ports and appointed as the Minister of Beiyang Trade. This marked the origin of the terms “Beiyang” and “Nanyang.”

In October 1895, Yuan Shikai was ordered to train troops at Xiaozhan. The officers and commanders he employed included both veteran generals from the Huai Army and graduates of the Tianjin Military Academy. Aside from Yuan Shikai himself, nearly all the key figures of the later Beiyang warlords emerged from that original Xiaozhan group—such as the “Three Northern Warlords”: Wang Shizhen, Duan Qirui, and Feng Guozhang; as well as future provincial military governors or patrol inspectors like Li Chun, Cao Kun, Wu Peifu, Wang Zhanyuan, Chen Guangyuan, Duan Zhigui, Ni Sichong, Lu Jianzhang, Zhang Huaizhi, Zhang Jingyao, Tian Zhongyu, Lu Yongxiang, Qi Xieyuan, and Sun Chuanfang. Even Zhang Xun, who later attempted to restore the monarchy, once served at Xiaozhan, while common soldiers-turned-officers like Feng Yuxiang and revolutionary figures such as Sun Yue were also originally part of Yuan Shikai’s forces. Beyond these military men, Yuan also recruited a group of civilian officials during his rise, including Xu Shichang, Zhu Jiabao, Zhou Ziqi, Liang Shiyi, Cao Rulin, Lu Zongyu, and Wang Yitang. These individuals rose and fell with the shifting fortunes of the Beiyang faction, and many played prominent roles on the political stage during the late Qing and early Republican periods. The “Beiyang warlords” of the early Republican era largely originated from this time.

Military Men Usurp the Nation, Bringing Calamity to the People

Later, Yuan Shikai succeeded Li Hongzhang as Viceroy of Zhili and concurrently held the post of Minister of Beiyang. With his own formidable army, which was the most powerful force at the time, his troops came to be known as the Beiyang Army. The Beiyang Era marks an important period in modern Chinese history, spanning from 1912 to 1928. During Yuan Shikai’s lifetime, the Beiyang faction remained unified—essentially Yuan’s own faction. After his death, however, various factions vied for dominance, none willing to yield to the others, leading to fragmentation and the emergence of distinct groups such as the Anhui Clique and the Zhili Clique. Following the Zhili-Anhui War, the Fengtian Clique rose to prominence; after the Zhili-Fengtian conflict, the National Pacification Army Clique came forward, along with other factions like the Shandong Clique, the New Zhili Clique, and the Queue Army. It was truly a case of “one act following another,” like a revolving lantern, with scene after scene unfolding.

The Anhui Clique was led by Duan Qirui, with Xu Shuzheng and Zeng Yuzhen as his chief strategists. The Zhili Clique was more complex, as it evolved in two phases: the earlier phase was led by Feng Guozhang, with prominent figures including Cao Kun, Li Chun, Wang Zhanyuan, and Chen Guangyuan. After Feng Guozhang stepped down from his role as acting president, his leadership of the Zhili Clique also ended, ushering in the main phase of the clique, with Cao Kun and Wu Peifu as its leading figures. After the decline of the Zhili Clique, a so-called New Zhili Clique emerged, represented by Sun Chuanfang. The Fengtian Clique was consistently led by Zhang Zuolin from beginning to end. The National Pacification Army Clique, also known as the Northwest Army Clique, was essentially Feng Yuxiang’s faction. As for the Shandong Clique (also called the Zhili-Shandong Army Clique), it marked the twilight of the Beiyang warlords, formed through the alliance of Zhili military governor Li Jinglin and Shandong military governor Zhang Zongchang. However, after the defeat of the National Pacification Army Clique, this Shandong-Zhili allied force came under the dominance of Zhang Zongchang.

The Beiyang Era was characterized by military interference in politics, warlords seizing control of the nation, and widespread calamity brought upon the people. The book The Beiyang Warlords: Dominating a Region compiles direct observations from many former Beiyang figures, such as Xue Guanlan, Xue Dake, and Li Beita, revealing many lesser-known secrets. Additionally, Jiang Ping’s article “The Reasons and Process Behind Feng Yuxiang’s Murder of Xu Shuzheng” meticulously examines the circumstances of Xu Shuzheng’s assassination, getting closer to the truth. Jin Dianrong’s “My Connection with Feng Yuxiang” offers an intimate perspective on Feng’s time at Mount Tai. Zhu Jiaqiao’s “The Scandal of Cao Kun’s Bribery in the Presidential Election” provides an extremely detailed account of Cao Kun’s corrupt election as president, citing telegrams and newspaper reports from Beijing at the time—making it an invaluable historical resource. Historical truths often lie in the details, and it is these specifics that allow us to see the real picture more clearly.

Over the seventeen years of the Beiyang warlords’ rule, the situation was complex and ever-changing. Feng Yuxiang, famous as the “General Who Changed Sides,” began his career as a mixed brigade commander stationed in Hubei, where he openly opposed Duan Qirui—this was his first defection against Duan. In 1915, while stationed in Chengdu, he opposed General Chen (?), marking his second defection against a Sichuan general. During the Second Zhili-Fengtian War in 1924, he was bribed by Zhang Zuolin, returned to Beijing, and imprisoned President Cao Kun in Yanqing Tower, leading to the decisive defeat of the Zhili forces—this was his third defection against Cao and Wu. In 1925, he secretly ordered Zhang Zhijiang, a brigade commander stationed in Langfang, to ambush and kill Duan Qirui’s trusted ally Xu Shuzheng, and then pressured Duan, who was then in power, to resign in Beijing—this was his fourth defection against Duan. As for his collaboration with Yan Xishan in launching the Central Plains War, that was considered his fifth defection against Nationalist Government Chairman Chiang Kai-shek. However, he never expected to die aboard a ship in the Black Sea, proving that those who rely too much on cunning often perish because of it.

Generally speaking, Wu Peifu’s successes came from achieving victory against the odds. He triumphed by rallying demoralized troops and striking with one fierce push. Fortunately, the enemies he faced were initially the arrogant troops of the Anhui Clique, and later the complacent forces of Zhang Zuolin’s Fengtian Clique. But he failed to strategically manage or make full use of his victories, achieving only temporary glory without lasting success. After suffering defeat in the Second Zhili-Fengtian War, he remained committed to his vow of never entering foreign concessions. Initially retreating southward along the coast, then moving upstream along the Yangtze River, he lingered in Zhengzhou and Luoyang, stayed at Jigong Mountain, briefly sojourned in Huanggang, took refuge in Yueyang, and eventually re-emerged at Cha Jiadun in Hankou. His circuitous journey and unyielding spirit were unmatched by any other fallen political figure. Over the seventeen years of Beiyang political turmoil—from presidents and parliaments to cabinets and the rise and fall of major and minor warlords—the shifting tides of power, driven by victories and defeats in factional wars or changes in allegiances, led to swift rises and sudden collapses. This created the turbulent history of the era. The book The Beiyang Warlords: Collapse and Extinction bears witness to this history. (Series Conclusion)