 In 1935 he became Chairman of the Government of Henan Province until the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War and WWII.During World War II he was Commander in Chief 20th Army Group from 1937 to 1941, concurrently commanding 32nd Corps until 1938.In 1939 he was made Deputy Commander in Chief 9th War Area and later the same year Deputy Commander in Chief 6th War Area.