Ep. 238 | The Warlord Era (Part 8)
Part 8 in this series first presents a brief overview of “The Model Governor” Yan Xishan and his home province of Shanxi. After some daring moves on Chiang Kai-shek’s part, he bests his opponents and takes control of the KMT and the National Revolutionary Army.
Under his command, Chiang launches the Northern Expedition. This episode will focus on the fateful years of 1926-1927.
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Terms in Episode
| Pinyin/Term | Chinese | English/Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ānguójūn | 安国军 | The National Peace Army, More about them in Part 9 |
| Ānhuī | 安徽 | Province in Eastern China |
| Bái Chóngxǐ | 白崇禧 | Ethnic Hui Guangxi-born military great for the KMT side. Served as NRA chief of staff during the Northern Expedition. Lived from 1893-1966 |
| Běiyáng | 北洋 | Literally "North Ocean Army." This organization was led by Yuan Shikai and was a breeding ground for many generals who later ruled as warlords |
| Chángshā | 长沙 | Capital of Hunan |
| Duàn Qíruì | 段祺瑞 | 1865-1936. Warlord and China politician. Also served as premier. Originally from Hefei, Anhui, he haded the Anhui Clique |
| Dù Yuèshēng | 杜月笙 | 1888-1951, Big Eared Du, along with Pockmarked Huang, one of the top guys in the Green Gang that ruled the vice in Shanghai |
| Fèngtiān | 奉天 | The military and political organization headed by the Manchurian Warlord, Zhang Zuolin. |
| Féng Yùxiáng | 冯玉祥 | 1882-1948, known as The Christian Warlord and The Betraying General. A major figure from the warlord era |
| Fújiàn | 福建 | Coastal province in southern China |
| Fēicháng gǎnxiè nǐmen | 非常感谢你们 | I am extremely grateful to all of you |
| Guìzhōu | 贵州 | Province in Southwest China |
| Guómínjūn | 国民军 | National People’s Army. Also the name of Feng Yuxiang's Clique |
| Guǎngdōng | 广东 | Province in Southern China |
| Guǎngxī | 广西 | Province in Southwest China next door to Guangdong |
| Guǎngzhōu | 广州 | Capital of Guangdong Province and major city in modern Chinese history (and ancient China too) |
| Huáng Jīnróng | 黄金荣 | 1868-1953, known as Pockmarked Huáng. He, along with his cohorts, most famously Big Ears Du Yuesheng, ran the Green Gang, the most powerful criminal organization in Shanghai |
| Huángpǔ Jūnxiào | 黄埔军校 | Whampoa Military Academy |
| Hé Yìngqīn | 何应钦 | 1890-1987, longtime ally of Chiang Kai-shek who served as one of his most trusted generals |
| Héběi | 河北 | Northern province of China, where Beijing is physically located. During the Warlord Era the province was known as Zhili |
| Hénán | 河南 | Northern province of China |
| Hú Hànmín | 胡汉民 | 1879-1936, on again off again ally of Chiang Kai-shek. A major political figure in the KMT from the earliest days |
| Jiāngsū | 江苏 | Coastal Province in East China north of Shanghai |
| Jiāngxī | 江西 | Province in Eastern China |
| Jìn | 晋 | Ancient state during the Western Zhou period. Its location was in and around where present day Shanxi is located. |
| Kǒng Xiángxǐ | 孔祥熙 | H.H. Kung, KMT stalwart, finance minister, and spouse to one of the Soong Sisters, the oldest and brightest, Aìlíng |
| Líu Bāng | 刘邦 | Ruled Han Dynasty China from its founding in 202 till 195 BCE |
| Lǐ Dàzhāo | 李大钊 | 1889-1927, co-founder of the Chinese Communist Party and a major intellectual of his day. Killed by Zhang Zuolin's forces |
| Mófàn Dūjūn | 模范督军 | Yan Xishan's nickname: The Model Governor |
| Nánchāng | 南昌 | Capital of Jiangxi province |
| Nánjīng | 南京 | Capital of Jiangsu province and capital of the Ming Dynasty and Republic of China |
| Qín Shǐhuáng | 秦始皇 | Qin Dynasty founder and unifier of the nation |
| Shāndōng | 山东 | Coastal province in north China |
| Shānxī | 山西 | Northern and very ancient province in China |
| Sūn Chuánfāng | 孙传芳 | 1885-1935, Known as The Nanking Warlord. One of the major warlords of the era |
| Tàiháng | 太行山 | 250 mile long mountain range in Shanxi, Henan and Hebei |
| Tàiyuán | 太原 | Capital of Shanxi and the province's largest city |
| Táng Shēngzhì | 唐生智 | 1889-1970, Hunan born warlord who later joined Chiang Kai-shek's side |
| Tóngménghuì | 同盟会 | Sun Yat-sen's United League, forerunner to the Guomindang 国民党….or KMT. |
| Wú Pèifú | 吴佩孚 | 1862-1938, Succeeded Feng Guozhang as head of the Zhili Clique, also former president of China |
| Wāng Jīngwèi | 汪精卫 | 1883-1944 was the Guangdong-born leader of the Left Wing of the Kuomintang |
| Wǎnxì | 皖系 | The Ānhuī Clique |
| Wǔchāng Uprising | 武昌起义 | Uprising that started on 10-10-1911 in the city of Wuchang. Led to the fall of the Qing Dynasty |
| Wǔtái | 五台山 | Mountains in northeast Shanxi. One of them is sacred |
| Xià Dynasty | 夏朝 | Ancient mythical dynasty that ran from 2070-1600 BCE and was succeeded by the Shang Dynasty |
| Xīnzhōu | 忻州 | City in northern Shanxi. Hometown of Yan Xishan |
| Yuán Shìkǎi | 袁世凯 | 1859-1916, Military and government official and first president of the Republic of China. Also called "The First Warlord" |
| Yán Xīshān | 阎锡山 | 1883-1960, the Shanxi Warlord, he ran things in Shanxi for thirty-eight years. |
| Yángzǐjiāng | 扬子江 | The Yangzi River |
| Yáo | 尧 | Mythical ancient emperor who lived from 2333-2234 BCE. He was one of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors |
| Yúnnán | 云南 | A province in southwestern China known for its large number of ethnic minorities |
| Yǔ the Great | 大禹 | Mythical founder of the Xià Dynasty. Lived from 2123-2025 BCE, or so says Sima Qian |
| Zhèjiāng | 浙江 | Coastal Province in Central China |
| Zhílì | 直隶 | Former name of Hebei province |
| Zhāng Qún | 张群 | 1889-1990, another longtime ally of Chiang Kai-shek who served as one of his most trusted generals. Also served as premier |
| Zhāng Zuòlín | 张作霖 | 1875-1928, The Manchurian Warlord, another major warlord in his day |
| Zhāng Zōngchāng | 张宗昌 | Known affectionately as The Dogmeat General, also known by many nicknames, he was one of Zhang Zuolin's best generals. Later became Military Governor of Shandong. Lived from 1881-1932 |
| Zhōngtiáo | 中条山 | Mountain range in southern Shanxi |
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Related Episodes
In this penultimate episode in the series we'll take a look back at the Chen Shuibian and Ma Ying-jeou years.