The Fengtian Clique was one of several mutually hostile cliques or factions that split from the Beiyang Clique in the Republic of China's Warlord Era. It was named for Fengtian Province (now Liaoning) and led by Zhang Zuolin. The Fengtian clique participated in conflicts with the Zhili clique for control of Beijing: the First Zhili-Fengtian War (1922) and the Second Zhili-Fengtian War (1924). Zhang Zuolin provided weapons to anti Guominjun Muslim rebels led by Ma Tingrang during the Muslim conflict in Gansu (1927–1930). The power of the Fengtian Clique began to decrease in the midst of the Kuomintang's Northern Expedition. While retreating North Zhang Zuolin's Japanese sponsors blew up his train, killing him. After the assassination of Zhang Zuolin in 1928 by the Japanese, his son, Zhang Xueliang took over the leadership of the clique. Zhang Xueliang then went on to pledge himself and his army to Chiang Kai-Shek.