 On 25 December 1921, a cabinet under Liang Shiyi's leadership was formed with strong support from Zhang Zuolin, whereupon the new cabinet immediately granted amnesty to six former cabinet members of the Anhui clique.The Zhili clique strongly opposed the plan but were overruled.The conflict further intensified as the new cabinet refused to give some $3 million in military budgets previously promised to the Zhili clique.