Bie Tingfang was able to maintain his control in Henan regardless of his Kuomintang superiors because he was a capable and ardent anti-communist. Bie was instrumental in defeating Zhang Guotao and completely wiping out Zhang's communist base in Henan, forcing Zhang to fled to Sichuan and establish new base there.
Bie Tingfang managed to maintain control over Henan despite his Kuomintang superiors due to his effectiveness as an anti-communist. Bie was crucial in defeating Zhang Guotao and eliminating Zhang's communist forces in Henan, forcing Zhang to flee to Sichuan and establish a new base there.