 Duan Qirui, leader of the Anhui clique, favored aggressive action against the South, and after becoming premier of the state department (Guwu Zongli, 国务总理) advocated a military solution.His plan was to rid southern China of rival warlords, as well as unify the country.The Zhili clique favored compromise and negotiations, hoping to sway rival warlords to their side with financial and political support.