Because he was so enraged at Feng Yuxiang's betrayal and seizure of Beijing, Wu Peifu himself decided to personally crush the coup and leave command of his forces at the northern pass at Shanhaiguan to his less competent lieutenants. His entire decision was based on nothing more than an irrational outburst of fury, so it seems like a somewhat plausible POD for Wu Peifu to calm himself down and delegate the menial task of retaking Beijing to one of his lieutenants while instead using his own renowned talents to hold the Shanhaiguan pass.
Assuming that Wu Peifu's subordinates can retake Beijing and Wu himself remains in command of the forces defending the northern passes, would we see the Fengtian offensive stall for good, as it had been up until the Beijing coup IOTL? And more importantly, would such a stalemate ensure the continuation of the Northern System for another decade or so?
Assuming that Wu Peifu's subordinates can retake Beijing and Wu himself remains in command of the forces defending the northern passes, would we see the Fengtian offensive stall for good, as it had been up until the Beijing coup IOTL? And more importantly, would such a stalemate ensure the continuation of the Northern System for another decade or so?