The Beiyang Government, based in Beijing, still claimed to be China’s legitimate national authority in 1922.
Shanghai is technically within the control of the Beiyang Government but in reality ruled by warlords in the region through local military governors (督军 dujun).
- Lu Yongxiang (卢永祥) – a warlord affiliated with the Anhui Clique, held nominal control over Shanghai and Zhejiang early in 1922.
- However, by late 1922, Qi Xieyuan (齐燮元) of the Zhili Clique took over as Shanghai’s military governor after the First Zhili-Fengtian War reshuffled power.