Returning from Japan, Chiang put his training to work fighting against the forces of warlord Yuan Shikai. First in Shanghai, then in Guangdong, Chiang gradually rose through the ranks of the Republican Army. Chiang draws closer to Sun Yat-sen when he rescues Sun from a hostage situation in Guangzhou. His faith in Chiang growing, Sun sends Chiang to Moscow for further military training and then appoints him to lead the new Whampoa Military Academy alongside Zhou Enlai.