The Campaign Of Constitution Protecting And The Rise Of The Shanxi Faction Group(1917-1922)

After the restoration crusade in the year of 1917, Tuan Ch’ijui refused to comply the "Provisional Constitution" and the restoration of the old parliament which was dissolved, causing the campaign of constitution protecting in Southern China. After the uniform of the military and political in shanxi, Yen Hsi-shan support Tuan to attack the Southern army. In the later campaign, Shanxi faction group gradually formed.Yen Hsi-shan’s attitude toward the war of constitution Protecting, directly reflected in the activities when he send troops to fight the Confederate military. When the war began, according to Tuan’s command, Yen send troops to Hunan and Shaanxi to attack "bandits." At the same time, Yen took the opportunity to request the Beijing government about armaments and salaries, trying to achieve his goal of military expansion. As a symbol, the army of Shanxi participated in the war means Yen actually took part in the ranks of the movement.At this time, Yen Hsi-shan’s political activity showed a north-south line. It not only let the group got Tuan’s support to develop themselves, but also avoid making forays and saving their power. During this period, although Yen Hsi-shan helped Tuan in the war and many political activities, but he still keeped touch with the southward.During the time of aiding Shaanxi, Yen communicated repeatedly with Jinguo Army and keeped peace between each other; during the Civil conferences, Yen Hsi-shan refused to carry out the counterinsurgency plan in north of shaanxi, and then, Yen promoted Conferences actively; Yen Hsi-shan also repeatedly interact with Sun Yat-sen. In 1922, he also refused to send troops to fight with the Northern Expedition.The Campaign and war made a Chaotic political situation, it’s an favorable external conditions for the rise of Shanxi. Upon the completion of military uniform,Yen Hsi-shan expaned military forces in the name of taking part in the war and protecting his province. Thus, he got the survival "gun" for every warlord. And YenHsi-shan developed the military industry inside the province more positive, the monopoly of finance and currency established a Solid economy foundation for Shanxi faction. We can say that, the opportunity witch the Campaign of Constitution Protecting had made, played a key role in the rising of Shanxi faction.