Zhang Zuolin

Zhang Zuolin, or alternatively Chang Tso-lin, is the Generalissimo and Prime Minister of Manchukuo. Originally a warlord in Manchuria, Zhang and his son Zhang Xueliang fled the Kuomintang following unsuccessful battles against Chiang Kai-shek. Zhang sought protection by the Japanese, and made a deal with them, to help establish stability in a new Japanese China in favour of protecting Japanese interests in the area.

With the establishment of Manchukuo as a Japanese puppet, Zhang was approached by Japanese Prime Minister Tanaka Giichi to serve as its first Prime Minister and military generalissimo. Zhang agreed, with the Chinese Emperor Puyi being used as a bargaining chip to ensure Zhang's cooperation. Although Prime Minister and holding a 'democratic' position, Zhang's term as Prime Minister knows no actual limit, as the Japanese government have not set a term for Chinese leadership.

Under either Zhang or his son, Manchukuo is expected to see conflict with the Kuomintang and the Communist Party of China, which, if successful, would see Zhang as China's new regent, and potentially Puyi as Emperor once again.