Abstract: The complicated relationship between CHIANG Kai shek and ZHANG Xue liang is a special aspect of the relationship between the central and local governments in the early period of Nanjing KMT government. CHIANG Kai shek's cottoning to ZHANG Xue liang helped CHIANG to strengthen his penetration into and control of the northeast group and defeat YAN Xi shan, FENG Yu xiang and Guangxi fractions. At the sametime ZHANG Xue liang's limited supporrt to CHIANG made him the biggest winner in the political milit...