u/External_Chart_402

I started as Guangdong and unified with Guanxi to form Lianguang by using the focus tree. Then I used border conflicts to annex Yunnan and snatched some nationalist territory. I also flipped fascist and when Japan turned fascist I joined their faction and defeated the United Front with them. They gave me most of my territory. I buildt up my army and left Japanese faction in 1942 then they declared war on me but I pushed them out of Manchuria and they peaced out with the allies. I also managed to puppet Korea, some indochinese countries and made an independent Ainu republic. I used three templates - line holder infantry (9 helmets with support aa and artillery) assault infantry (10 helmets with 2 line artillery and suppport arty and aa) and port guard (5 helmets)

Very fun playthrough.

Both are pretty much independent but the first can puppet all warlords (and removes more debuffs) and the second gives border conflicts. I am planning on staying out of the United Front for as long as possible then when the Japanese declare war on me help the main government push them back, and then stab the nationalists in the back and form the Chinese Empire.