for the former nationalist turned japanese puppet regime forces, these warlords and their troops had no problem of following chiang kai-shek’s orders, and they were eager to prove themselves. these warlords and their troops were well aware that due to the collaboration with the japanese invaders during the second sino-japanese war, they were well hated by the general population in china, including those nationalists who refused to surrender to the enemy and fought the enemy until the eventual victory. therefore, in the impending demilitarization after world war ii, they were certainly be disarmed and discharged, which would probably be the best outcome and the power of these warlord would be reduced or even completely eliminated as a result. chiang kai-shek’s ordering them not surrendering to the communists and fighting off the communists was a savior for them because by carrying out such orders, these warlords and their troops could legitimize themselves and thus retain their power by fighting the communists who were targeted as rebels by chiang kai-shek and his nationalist regime.