Zhili Clique

The Zhili Clique is a warlord clique in China. Dominating most of the Northern Plains, the Zhili Clique exerts its rule under the command of Cao Kun's Committee for National Reform.

Formation
Once part of the Beiyang Republic, the Zhili Clique splintered from Beijing's control following Yuan Shikai's attempted monarchy. Under then ruler, Feng Guozhang, the Zhili Clique waged several wars against the Bejing Government of Duan Qirui. Following the restoration of the Qing Empire in 1919 and the death of Feng, Cao Kun assumed control of the provincial government. Despite orders from the Xuantong Emperor to rejoin the legitimate government, Cao Kun responded by threatening retaliation against the restored Qing if Beijing continued to press his government. This would result in several devastating wars against between the two governments.

Central Plains Alliance
Following the Wuhan-Nanjing Split, Wang Jingwei, the leader of the Kuomintang's Left Wing, forged an alliance with the Zhili Clique, Shandong Clique, New Guangxi Clique, Guominjun, and Shanxi in an attempt to oppose the Republic of China of Chiang Kai-shek. Battered and weakened by almost a decade of non-stop conflict, Cao Kun accepted Wang's offer despite protests by Wu Peifu and Sun Chuanfang. As the Year of the Fire Rat approaches, the Zhili Clique stands at a crossroads; remain saddled to the Kuomintang or claim China for themselves.

Politics
The Zhili Clique is a military clique under the control of Cao Kun, Wu Peifu, and Sun Chuanfang. Despite the many bickering warlords, the Zhili's political parties all aim to reunite China under their rule. The few political parties in Zhili include:


 * Committee for National Reform-
 * The de facto party of the Zhili government, the Committee for National Reform represents the interests of Cao Kun's loyalists in the junta. Their policies include following a modification of the Three Peoples' Principles as drawn up by Sun Yat-sen, mass militarisation, and supporting the US military mission in Baoding.
 * Wu Clique-
 * The allies of Wu Peifu, the so-called "Jade Marshal", the Wu Clique support nationalism and mass control over the Northern and Central Plains.
 * Sun Clique-
 * The loyalists to Sun Chuanfang, Wu's protegee, the Sun Clique represents a military state and a reconstruction of North China under the rule of a new Beiyang Government

Foreign Relations
The Zhili Clique has-


 * Hostile relations with the following nations:
 * Qing Empire- The Zhili Clique refuses to recognise the legitimacy of the Qing Empire due to their strong rivalry with the governing Fengtian Clique.
 * Friendly ties with the following nations:
 * Central Plains Alliance
 * Guominjun
 * Shandong Clique
 * Shanxi Clique
 * New Guangxi Clique