The war also distracted the northern warlords from the Soviet-backed Nationalists based in the southern province of Guangdong, allowing unhampered preparation for the Northern Expedition (1926–1928), which united China under the leadership of Chiang Kai-shek.
The war temporarily distracted northern warlords from their focus on the Nationalist forces based in southern Guangdong, allowing them to prepare effectively for the Northern Expedition (1926–1928) led by Chiang Kai-shek, which unified China.