Yuan Shih-k’ai’s Transformation of the Chinese Military Yaun Shih-k’ia (1859-1916) was one of China’s most successful rulers, but his rise to power came the way many modern dictators claim control. Yuan would use his military family lineage and knowledge to create the first modern and dominant army in China. This army would later be the reason he would lose his position, but would then bring back into power. Creating this army would take time, patience, and the knowledge that to be a military power China needed to open up the ways of the West. Yuan would go through many channels and numerous promotions which would allow him to mold Chin