The Road Through Whampoa: The Early Career of He Yingqin

This article explores the early career of Chinese Nationalist General He Yingqin, examining his origins and military training in order to understand how he came to the attention of prominent men such as Sun Yat-sen and Jiang Jieshi (Chiang Kai-shek) and subsequently was able to gain a position of prominence in the government of Nationalist China. It argues that He Yingqin and Jiang Jieshi developed a working relationship based on common training and military experience, a shared set of personal values, and a bonding experience in combat in the Eastern Expedition of 1925. This relationship paved the way for He Yingqin's rapid rise in the Nationalist military and government.