Shanxi Clique

The **Shanxi Clique** is a nation in Asia and is one of the many governments in China. While a *de jure* part of the central government headed by the Qing Empire, the Shanxi Clique is officially an independent state isolated from the internal squabbling from the other major Warlords that dominate Chinese politics.

## Background

### Formation

During the Xinhai Rebellion, the Shanxi Clique under the command of its governor Yan Xishan pledged its allegiance to the revolutionaries' cause. Following the ousting of the Qing Dynasty, Yan remained as governor of Shanxi. In the aftermath of Yuan Shikai's failed Empire in 1915, Yan took the time to prepare to secede from the Beiyang Government. During the Warlord Era in the 1920s, Yan Xishan ordered the Shanxi Government to change the railway gauges in order to prevent invasion.

### 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. Since the conclusion of the Chinese Civil War and the defeat of the Communist Red Army, the Shanxi Clique has been critical in ensuring the Anti-Chiang forces' northern borders are secured from incursions from pro-Chiang warlords and forces loyal to Prince Demchugdongrub.

## Politics

The Shanxi Clique is a military dominated state led by Yan Xishan. Due to its nature, its political parties are few and far between and are often headed by people Yan Xishan trusts. Parties include:

* Yan Clique-
	+ A coalition of generals loyal to Yan Xishan, the Yan Clique supports the ideology of Yan Xishan Thought; a political view bordering on authoritarianism and a cult of personality around Yan Xishan. The Yan Clique is headed by Yan Xishan.
* Shanxi First Party-
	+ The Shanxi First Party is a political party that supports radical nationalism and loyalty to a one party principle. The Shanxi First Party is led by Xu Yongchang.
* Revolutionary Kuomintang-
	+ During the establishment of the Central Plains Alliance, the Shanxi Clique established a local version of the Kuomintang. While similar to the original party, it has a lot in common ideologically with the former Communist Party aiming for utter social reform of China's internal affairs. The Revolutionary Kuomintang is led by Fu Zuoyi.

## Military

The Shanxi Clique's armed forces are the Shanxi Revolutionary Army. While below the standards of the Nanjing and Qing governments, the Shanxi army is in control of the Taiyuan Arsenal which is one of the few regions of China capable of producing heavy artillery. This gives the Shanxi Clique an undeniable advantage in a war. Known generals include:

* Yan Xishan
* Shang Zhen
* Wang Jingguo
* Fu Zuoyi
* Zhou Chengshou
* Yang Aiyuan
* Zhao Daiwen
* Xu Yongchang

## Foreign Relations

The Shanxi Clique has-

* Territorial claims on the following nations:
	+ Bogd Khanate of Mongolia- The Shanxi Clique holds territorial claims on the Suiyuan and Ordos regions.
* Friendly ties with the following nations:
	+ Central Plains Alliance
	+ Zhili Clique
	+ Guominjun
	+ Shandong Clique