After the death of Yuan Shikai, the Beiyang warlords split into three forces.
Later, the Beiyang government collapsed after the Northeast Banner Incident, and the protagonist of the Northeast Banner Incident, Zhang Xueliang, was a new general who was a warlord.
On December 29, 1928, Zhang Xueliang, a warlord of the Feng faction who ruled Northeast China, sent a telegram to the whole country, declaring:
"From now on, the Northeast will abide by the Three People's Principles, obey the Nanjing Nationalist Government, and lower the five-color flag of the Beiyang Government in the northeastern provinces at the same time, and replace it with the blue sky and white sun full of red flags of the Nanjing Nationalist Government. ”
The Nanjing Nationalist Government finally completed the "formal unification", and the rule of the Beiyang Government officially ended.
And the turning point of all this began with the Huanggutun incident.
The beginning and end of the Huanggutun incident
In the early morning of June 4, 1928, a loud bang exploded into the night, accompanied by a huge explosion, and Zhang Zuolin, the "King of the Northeast", was seriously injured on the way back to the Shenyang Marshal's Mansion by special train.
It was 5:23 in the morning, when Zhang Zuolin's special train drilled into the Sandong Bridge at the intersection of the Jingbong Railway and the South Manchurian Railway, the Japanese Kwantung Army Captain Tonomiya Tetsuo pressed the button, a loud noise, the dust was everywhere, and in an instant, the granite pier in the middle of the bridge fell apart.
The steel rails and bridges on the bridge were split into several pieces, spiraling and bending in an extremely artistic attitude, pointing to the sky, and the broken slag was thrown into the sky, and Zhang Zuolin's special carriage was blown up to the point that only one chassis remained.
Wu Junsheng, commander of the border defense and commander-in-chief of security in the three eastern provinces, was greeted at Shanhaiguan and waited at the pass early, but he encountered a flying disaster, a large iron nail was pierced into his head, his brain spilled out, his flesh and blood were blurred, and he died on the spot.
Wen Shoushan, the captain of the school, was buried under a pile of debris, unable to move, and the sixth aunt's wife had her toes blown off. And Zhang Zuolin was blown up more than three feet away, his throat was ruptured, and his face was covered with blood.
Fengtian Governor Liu Shangqing rushed to the scene in time to direct the handling, and Zhang Zuolin was sent to Shenyang's "Great Marshal's Mansion". However, at this time he was already dying, and the military doctor declared that the rescue was ineffective.
Zhang Zuolin knew that his fate was not long in coming, and said to Mrs. Lu: "Tell Xiao Liuzi (Zhang Xueliang's milk name) to put the country first and do it well! ”
After speaking, Zhang Zuolin closed his eyes. At around 9:30 a.m., the generalissimo of the Angolan army passed away at the age of 54.
At the same time, Zhang Xueliang is also taking action. Zhang Xueliang knew that the Japanese had hated his father Zhang Zuolin for a long time, and he was worried that the Kwantung Army would carry out secret operations, so he secretly sneaked back to Shenyang in disguise as a gangster, intending to take advantage of the chaos to occupy Shenyang.
However, as soon as his foot touched the ground, he received the news of his father's death. On the one hand, it is the country, and on the other hand, it is family affection, even if his father did not emphasize it before he died, he also understands that the country is important!
Zhang Xueliang endured his grief, forcibly suppressed the news of his father's death, and announced that Zhang Zuolin was only slightly injured, and there was no major problem, and everything was as usual. He imitated his father's handwriting and issued an order, arranging for everything to operate as usual in the mansion, and only after everything was in order, did he make the news of Zhang Zuolin's death public.
After the Huanggutun incident, the new commander Zhang Xueliang made this major decision to promote the country's reunification - the Northeast Change of Banner.
The Northeast has changed banners, with twists and turns
In fact, on June 4, the day of the Huanggutun incident, Zhang Xueliang and Yang Yuting had already held talks with the Nationalist Government in Beijing to discuss a solution to the Northeast issue.
After receiving the news of Zhang Zuolin's death, Zhang Xueliang sneaked back to Mukden on June 17; on June 19, he sent a telegram to the whole country, announcing that he would take over the Fengtian warlord and serve as the military superintendent of Fengtian; on July 1, he telegraphed Chiang Kai-shek, expressing his willingness to reach reunification and issuing an order to retreat as a sign of respect.
It can be seen that Zhang Xueliang was actually inclined to make peace with the Nanjing Nationalist Government very early.
However, Zhang Zuolin died suddenly, and the Feng army was not at peace, and the veterans who had followed Zhang Zuolin for many years, such as Zhang Zuoxiang and Yang Yuting, were all staring at the position of commander. However, after several trade-offs, the veterans still chose to focus on the overall situation and the country first, and unanimously supported Zhang Xueliang to take power.
So, on July 3, Zhang Xueliang became the commander-in-chief of the security of the three eastern provinces. After that, until mid-July, Zhang Xueliang and Chiang Kai-shek sent representatives to negotiate a change of banner. It was finally finalized, and the Northeast changed flags officially on July 24.
However, it was one person who made the decision, and it was the entire three eastern provinces and the Japanese side that had a close relationship with them before that who took responsibility for the result. The Japanese side absolutely adheres to its own interests, and under this premise, it will not be so easy for the Northeast to change its banner.
Sure enough, when the news of Zhang Xueliang's contacts with the Nanjing Nationalist Government came out, the Japanese authorities were extremely alarmed and immediately began to obstruct them.
On July 16, the Japanese Consul General in Mukden, Hayashi Kujiro, visited Zhang Xueliang and issued a warning for the first time.
He first pointed out that Japan's relations with the three eastern provinces are different from those between other parts of Chinese mainland and other countries; then he stressed that the policies of the Nationalist Government are incompatible with those implemented by the Japanese side in Mukden Province. That is, Zhang Xueliang's cooperation with the Nationalist Government meant an open confrontation with the Japanese side.
In this regard, Zhang Xueliang also gave the first response, saying that the subordinates of the three eastern provinces are inclined to adopt the guiding ideology of the Three People's Principles. He meant to imply that he couldn't distract his own family.
Hayashi Kujiro naturally replied to this and telegraphed to the then Japanese Prime Minister Tanaka Yoshiichi, indicating the importance of the Japanese side's deterrence.
On July 18, Tanaka demanded that Hayashi Kujiro resolutely prevent the Northeast government from cooperating with the Nationalist government in Nanjing. The next day, Hayashi Kujiro visited Zhang Xueliang again and gave a second warning.
Compared with the first time, this conversation was concise and clear, and he went straight to the point and showed that the Japanese Government was resolutely opposed to the change of banner, that is, to compromise with the south was to act against the Japanese Government.
Zhang Xueliang's second response was also a change of soup rather than a change of medicine, explaining: The key members of the Northeast Security Association unanimously agreed to focus on the overall situation and tended to the Three People's Principles. And hinted again that he was not alone in making up his mind, and he had to make sure that he would not step down.
In the face of such cross-border interference for the sake of the interests of the Japanese government, Zhang Xueliang was very angry, but he was helpless, let alone ignored. What's more, Zhang Zuolin has not yet mourned at this time, and he is very worried that the Japanese army will make a name for himself and will not be able to let his father's funeral be held as scheduled.
At the same time, although Zhang Xueliang made it clear to the Japanese side that the Northeast Government was very supportive of the Northeast Banner Change, in fact some veterans of the Northeast Army were opposed to the Northeast Banner Change, and they believed that it would be too hasty to reach a compromise with the previous enemy before the generalissimo was at rest.
As a result, the Northeast change of banner was postponed for the first time. On July 24, Zhang Xueliang telegraphed Chiang Kai-shek, hoping to postpone the change of banner until after Zhang Zuolin's funeral.
Zhang's funeral is scheduled for Aug. 5. This means that the Japanese side will send an ambassador again in the name of attending the funeral, ostensibly persuading, but in fact warning and obstructing.
Sure enough, Hayashi Gonsuke, a Japanese diplomat who served as minister to China during World War I, was appointed as a special ambassador this time, with a clear goal, and went to the northeast.
Tanaka and Hayashi conducted a detailed strategy before departure, mainly as follows:
First, it is necessary to strictly guard against communists;
Second, we are helping China achieve reunification, so we have the right to speak about Manchuria and must not obey it;
Third, for Zhang Xueliang, first of all, he is not biased towards the side of the Nanjing Nationalist Government;
Fourth, if the southern government invades, the major affairs of the mainland cannot be realized, but if the Nanjing government is negotiated, the scope of international involvement will be expanded.
Lim arrived in Mukden the day before the funeral. Prior to this, Hayashi Kujiro visited Zhang Xueliang again on August 1 and August 3 respectively to dissuade him.
On the second day of the funeral, Lin Quanzhu, accompanied by Lin Jiujilang, visited Zhang Xueliang again, explained his mission of visiting, and comforted Zhang An'an to inherit his father's legacy is the right way. After that, Lin Quansuke stayed at the Japanese Consulate General.
On August 9, Zhang Xueliang paid a return visit to Japanese envoy Lin Quanzhu. This time, Lin Quanzhu stopped doing Tai Chi and officially explained to Zhang Xueliang that he was visiting on the orders of the then Prime Minister Tanaka Yiichi.
The Japanese Government believes that the Northeast region is a place that they have made great sacrifices in exchange for and that the Japanese side enjoys special rights and interests in this area, and it has exaggerated to express the deep concern of the Yamato nation about this place.
At the same time, he stressed that the National Revolutionary Party was extremely repulsive to foreign forces, and that General Zhang Xueliang and Zhang's practice of being ready to put on the blue sky and white sun flag at any time was to join the enemy. After being sarcastic, he didn't forget the etiquette, and asked politely and cordially, "What is General Zhang's opinion on this?"
At the moment of national affairs, the image of the individual is the image of the country, Zhang Xueliang replied politely and clearly.
First of all, he explained that the local authorities in Northeast China have always respected the rights and interests of the Japanese side. The provisions of the treaties concluded are also clearly observed by the authorities.
But at the same time, he also expressed his attitude, saying that he himself admires the National Revolutionary Army very much, even if there is no contact now, but whether there will be in the future cannot be easily determined.
Finally, he cleverly pointed out the unreasonableness of the Japanese side, that is, the contacts and contradictions between the Northeast authorities and the National Revolutionary Army have always been a matter of our country's own family, and he secretly said that Japan's hand has stretched out a little longer.
However, the ambassador deserves to be an ambassador, and the two sides engaged in a heated debate on the issue of changing flags in the northeast. In the end, it was Lin Jiujiro who didn't calm down, and first violated the rules of the game, ordering: "We just don't allow the flag to be hung!"
As soon as these words came out, Zhang Xueliang's face changed greatly, and he scolded angrily: "What does this mean?"
It was Lin Quanzhu who stood up again and played a round for the sake of General Zhang Xueliang's own interests. On the one hand, the Nationalist Government used vicious methods, and on the other hand, it used a position of power to tempt.
Of course, the superficial work must be done well, Zhang Xueliang also softened his tone slightly, telling the other party that he had received the other party's kindness and would consider it.
However, the national character is the head, plus the revenge of killing his father, in the face of the Japanese side being so aggressive, Zhang Xueliang is ashamed and indignant in his heart, but Yi Zhi's determination is even firmer.
On the same day, Zhang Xueliang telegraphed Chiang Kai-shek, giving a detailed account of the Japanese pressure. After proposing three ways to deal with "toughness", "softening", and "sleekness", after careful comparison, it was decided to adopt a sleek method and delay to win.
On August 10, Liu Zhe, then a member of the Northeast Security Committee, was sent to visit Hayashi Jiujiro to express the decision to delay the change of banner on behalf of Zhang Xueliang. Three days later, Zhang Xueliang came to the Japanese Consulate General to see off Lin Quanzhu, and at the same time affirmed that Yizhi would be delayed for three months.
On the same day, the other side, the U.S. Minister to China, Marmurray, arrived in Mukden and held talks with Yang Yuting, expressing support for the Northeast Yiqi.
This small incident can be seen as a turning point in the Yiqi incident. The support of the United States shows that the Western powers are thinking about their own interests, and Japan is also under pressure at this time.
On October 8, Zhang Xueliang became a member of the Nationalist Government, which was undoubtedly announcing that Zhang Guoliang had become in contact with the Nationalist Government in Nanjing, and the balance was tilted in favor of the Nationalist Government.
For this reason, Chiang Kai-shek specially called Zhang Xueliang and reminded:
"This is a good time to announce the change of flag, you can change the flag and announce the new position, October 10, 1928, it will naturally become the anniversary of national reunification. ”
However, at that time, it was still internal and external troubles, the pressure on Japan was unabated, the internal people were uneven, and the four big characters of heart and weakness pressed Zhang Xueliang to the chopping board, unable to move.
So, on October 10, Zhang Xueliang sent a telegram to Chiang Kai-shek, showing that he had already made up his mind and was in a helpless situation that was hindered.
He said: "At that time, the Northeast authorities and the Japanese government agreed to set a deadline of three months and then change the banner after three months, and now it is not far from the agreed date. ”
"When you are ready, you will immediately announce it by power. On the same day, the three northeastern provinces changed banners in case the Japanese side came up with any tricks to disrupt the plan. ”
Since then, both sides have been actively preparing for the change of flags. In mid-November, when the situation improved, Zhang Xueliang sent a letter to Zhao Zhibai, the representative in Beiping, to show his determination. The letter stated the following:
First, the internal situation of the authorities in Northeast China is becoming more and more stable, but the diplomatic aspect is quite tricky.
Second, Zhang Xueliang has long been determined to reunify and absolutely not be a traitor. The change of banner is bound to be implemented as scheduled, but our weak nation is being oppressed, and the people of the country should also be considerate.
Preparations are in full swing. On December 14, the Northeast Security Command held a meeting to finalize the change of banner on New Year's Day 1929.
Afterwards, Chiang Kai-shek called and proposed to advance the plan by three days.
Ten days later, Zhang Xueliang secretly called the leaders of Fengtian Province to arrange the change of banner on the 29th. He clarified the size of the flag and reaffirmed the secrecy of the incident.
On December 26, at the meeting of the Nationalist Government, Zhang Xueliang was appointed commander of the Northeast Frontier Army, and the list of government members after the change of banner was drawn up and approved.
Finally, on December 29, the ceremony was held as scheduled.
Subsequently, Zhang Xueliang delivered a speech, emphasizing: "This move is to return the power of the central government, and is unwilling to divide the power of the central government, so as to achieve the reunification of China." ”
After the ceremony, Zhang Xueliang released the Yizhi telegram to the whole country, and this significant historical event finally came to an end.
The reason for the success of Yizhi
The Nanjing Nationalist Government was able to accomplish the "reunification of forms" because of the Northeast Banner Change Incident, and the success of the Banner Change was by no means accidental.
In the author's opinion, it can be summarized as follows.
First, national reunification is the will of the people and conforms to the trend of history.
The corruption and incompetence of the Beiyang warlords made the reunification of the whole country the desire of the people. At the same time, although the Northeast seems to maintain a relatively stable situation, the land that has been hit hard by the war still longs for peace and stability.
Second, the Huanggutun incident made Zhang Xueliang, the supreme commander of the Northeast Army, firmly change his banner.
Zhang Zuolin's unnatural death became the fuse of everything. Maybe there will be selfishness at the beginning, still hoping to retain the power of the past, but patriotism overcomes everything, and Zhang Xueliang's firmness fully reflects his important role as a patriotic soldier in the Northeast Banner.
Third, the weakening of the Northeast Army determines that it is difficult for the group to maintain and grow, and such a weakened group will also make its rulers' desire for power much more restrictive.
Fourth, the international situation is favorable to the change of flag in the Northeast.
In order to protect their own interests in China, Britain and the United States and other big powers unanimously opposed Japan's monopoly on China, so they recognized the Nanjing Nationalist Government and established diplomatic relations with it, and at the same time gave it corresponding support, putting some pressure on the Japanese side in the hope of improving relations in order to expand its interests in China.
After the change of banners in the Northeast, the Beiyang government was completely destroyed.
There was no strife within the Northeast bloc, which saved the people of Northeast from the suffering of war. Moreover, this incident frustrated Japan's plan to control the entire Tohoku, and the ambitions of Japanese imperialism were frustrated.