Preparations
The anti-Chiang coalition divided its offensive into various routes. Li Zongren led the Guangxi Army and deployed his forces from Guangxi into Hunan province and struck Wuhan. Feng Yuxiang led the Northwest Army, deploying it from Henan into Shandong province to assault Xuzhou and Wuhan. Yan Xishan led the Shanxi Army and cooperated with the Northwest Army from Shandong to strike Xuzhou, and planned to march to Nanjing via railway.
On Chiang's side, Gen. Han Fuqu was assigned to defend the southern shore of the Yellow River to halt the Shanxi Army. The Central Army, commanded by Gen. Liu Zhi, was stationed in Xuzhou for defensive purposes.
Read more about this topic: Central Plains War
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