The Warlord Rebellion was characterized by the fragmentation of power in China after the fall of the Qing Dynasty. Different military leaders, known as warlords, sought territorial dominance, leading to a series of conflicts with the Nationalist government. On February 21, 1929, one of the critical confrontations occurred in Zhifu, where Zhang Zongchang, a prominent warlord with a formidable force of 24,000 troops, faced off against the National Revolutionary Army (NRA). Despite being outnumbered, the 7,000 NRA troops demonstrated effective strategy and combat skills, leading to Zhang's defeat.

The National Revolutionary Army, representing the Kuomintang (KMT) government, was focused on unifying China and ending the warlord era. This military engagement served as a test of the NRA’s capabilities against local warlords who held significant power. The battlefield at Zhifu, strategically important due to its location, became a significant site during this power struggle. Zhang Zongchang’s loss here dampened the morale of his forces and highlighted the emerging military prowess of the NRA.

Following the defeat, Zhang Zongchang's grip over his territories weakened, prompting shifts in allegiances among the warlords. The outcome at Zhifu was a notable moment in a wider series of conflicts that would shape China's political landscape in the years to follow, setting the stage for further clashes and the eventual consolidation of power by the Nationalists throughout the 1930s.