In 1990, after sending away Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-kuo and his son, Zhang Xueliang, who had been imprisoned for more than half a century, finally regained his freedom. After that, he chose to leave this sad place and head to the United States.
In 2001, Zhang Xueliang died of illness at Straube Hospital in Hawaii, USA, at the age of 101.
Zhang Xueliang's life played a great influence in both politics and military , so that although he rarely communicated with the outside world in his later years, a large number of media reporters were still present at his funeral.
However, Zhang Xueliang's funeral was not as grand as the scale. On the contrary, the entire process of is just held in a very small and simple hotel, which seems to be extremely inconsistent with his extraordinary life, but it truly shows his situation in his later years.
At Zhang Xueliang's funeral, his old housekeeper said two numbers: "more than one hundred" and "four tables" , which made the guests present cry, thinking that these two numbers best reflect the portrayal of Zhang Xueliang's life in his later years.
Why did Zhang Xueliang, a young man of such a generation, end up in such a situation in his later years? What do the two numbers the old butler said mean?
pic丨Zhang Xueliang in his later years
painful decades
2001, At Zhang Xueliang's funeral, there were not many relatives and friends attending . This is because he was far away in the United States on the other side of the ocean in his later years, and he was unable to return to his motherland until his death, so many relatives and friends were unable to see him for the last time.
And among the people attending the funeral, there was an old man with white hair but still energetic, especially attracting attention, he was Lin Yuanquan, the housekeeper of Zhang Xueliang during his lifetime.
He walked up to the podium tremblingly, and used his solemn but sad voice to to read the farewell words written to Zhang Xueliang.
Lin Yuanquan followed Zhang Xueliang all his life and witnessed his ups and downs . At this point, he felt a lot of emotion in his heart.
He talked about how Zhang Xueliang was once full of energy. When made great achievements, his eyes seemed to be shining . Zhang Xueliang's former outstanding military talent would not be blown away by the wind as history passes.
pic丨In his later years, Zhang Xueliang
Then Lin Yuanquan continued to read, When he read about Zhang Xueliang's experience of just coming to Taiwan in 1946, he couldn't help but choked up.
Lin Yuanquan said that in order to monitor Zhang Xueliang, Chiang Kai-shek sent a hundred military police officers to his side, taking shifts day and night. Even if Chiang Kai-shek passed away and Chiang Ching-kuo took office, he would still be able to sit in four tables after he took over Zhang Xueliang after Chiang Ching-kuo took office.
This made everyone present sigh, and some people couldn't help but shed tears. is these two numbers, reflecting how imprisonment and restriction Zhang Xueliang was under , and for this major general who had been running all his life, it was even more humiliating.
Lin Yuanquan looked calmer than others when he read this passage. Because he thought that Zhang Xueliang's life tortured was finally over, and his soul was given permanent freedom , and he must have rest in the nine fountains.
Zhang Xueliang has lived too hard over the years, and can even be said to be in a dark state.
pic丨Zhang Xueliang, imprisoned
Since the Xi'an Incident, Zhang Xueliang has been imprisoned by Chiang Kai-shek . During this period, he has been secretly transferred many times, but the intensity of detention has also increased day by day.
Recalling on December 12, 1936, when Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng jointly "forced Chiang to fight against Japan", someone advised Zhang Xueliang, saying that he was worried that Chiang Kai-shek would have a grudge. made him better leave Chiang Kai-shek quickly.
But at that time, he stared at Chiang Kai-shek with a lot of eyes. Zhang Xueliang was still concerned about his brotherhood, worried that someone would attack Chiang Kai-shek from behind. In case of an accident, he personally escorted Chiang Kai-shek back to Nanjing.
but it was almost like getting off the plane, but Chiang Kai-shek suddenly ordered Zhang Xueliang to be arrested on the spot. At that time, Zhang Xueliang didn't even have time to take a look at his family again, and since then he ushered in a life of imprisonment for decades.
Picture丨Cheng Kai-shek and Zhang Xueliang
On December 31 of the same year, the Military Court of the National Government announced that sentenced Zhang Xueliang to ten years in prison, and later changed to life imprisonment , which made Zhang Xueliang feel that his heart suddenly sank into the sea and he would not see the light again.
In November 1938, Zhang Xueliang was imprisoned in Yangmingdong, Xiuwen County, Guizhou Province. At this time, he could still take advantage of Chiang Kai-shek's lack of guard against the fact that he saw his old subordinates and his old friend , which even brought a little comfort to him.
But Chiang Kai-shek really hated Zhang Xueliang. When he learned that someone was trying to plead for Zhang Xueliang and even tried to rescue him, transferred Zhang Xueliang's secret to another place.
and then transferred several times one after another. is to completely cut off his communication with the outside world.
Picture丨The imprisoned Zhang Xueliang
1946, when the Kuomintang had already achieved an adverse position in the war, Chiang Kai-shek took the lead in sending Zhang Xueliang to Taiwan for secret detention.
Later, Zhang Xueliang's outer room, Miss Zhao Si, Zhao Yidi, chose to automatically give up her generous life in Hong Kong, begging Chiang Kai-shek to allow her to go to Taiwan to accompany Zhang Xueliang.
Although the two got together as they wished, their lives did not make it easier. After arriving in Taiwan, Chiang Kai-shek's hatred for Zhang Xueliang increased even more.
He even felt that his defeat back then was caused by Zhang Xueliang's , so he treated him more hostile than before.
Zhang Xueliang and Zhao Yidi live in a small yard. Because they are under the supervision, they are not allowed to go out, and others must not come to visit them. This makes their lives full of depression and there is almost no place to enjoy.
Picture丨Zhao Yidi
And Chiang Kai-shek's cruelty is not only reflected in spiritual torture, but even in material life, he does not meet Zhang Xueliang's daily needs.
Chiang Kai-shek instructed his servants to as long as he gave Zhang Xueliang food , and they didn't have to enjoy any luxury.
The servants naturally understood what Chiang Kai-shek meant and never provided them with any meat fruit. In the long run, Zhang Xueliang's body gradually became weaker and his nutrition was obviously not satisfied. This made him really miserable.
In this case, Zhang Xueliang even picked up his hoe and started to learn how to farm. In the small yard, he planted some fruits and vegetables by himself. This was not for entertainment, but for satisfying his appetite.
In addition to this, They also raise some chickens and ducks in the yard .
pic丨Zhang Xueliang and Zhao Yidi
On April 5, 1975, Chiang Kai-shek passed away. This made Zhang Xueliang's heart rekind the hope of restoring freedom . Thinking about it, I have been imprisoned for too long, so I should be free now.
What he did not expect was that before , Chiang Kai-shek actually told his son Jiang Ching-kuo that Zhang Xueliang must not be free, so Zhang Xueliang still lived a helpless life of imprisonment.
It was not until 1988 that Chiang Ching-kuo also passed away, and the control of the Chiang father and son over Taiwan finally ended, and Zhang Xueliang finally gained the freedom he had been away from for a long time.
This is why, when he finally regained his freedom in his later years, he quickly left this land that made him sad, and flew to the United States with his family, and went there to finish the last journey of his life, never returning to China.
Picture丨Cheng Kai-shek
The prominent Northeast Major General
If you want to talk about the most tragic thing in the world, it must be that you will lose it again after you get it. , and Zhang Xueliang was imprisoned for decades, which makes him even more sad because of his prominent family background in the first half of his life.
At the beginning of the 20th century, China was full of war and warlords were separatist. Zhang Xueliang's father Zhang Zuolin was the rising in this environment.
Zhang Zuolin lost his father since childhood and adapted to the complexity and cruelty of this society since he was a child. This made him adapt to the ferocity of that era and continued to rise. became a famous warlord and was called the "King of Northeast China".
Zhang Xueliang is Zhang Zuolin's eldest son . He was highly expected by his father at birth and was carefully cultivated by Zhang Zuolin.
1918, Zhang Xueliang was only 17 years old and had already served as the brigade battalion commander of his father's guard. The following year, Zhang Xueliang entered the first phase of the artillery department of the Army Liaoning Martial Artillery under the arrangement of his father.
Picture丨Zhang Zuolin
1920, after Zhang Xueliang graduated, he naturally served for his father's army . With his outstanding military talent, he was successively promoted to battalion commander, regiment commander and even major general of the army, but at this time he was under 20 years old.
1921, Zhang Xueliang went to Japan to visit the Japanese army's autumn military exercise . He witnessed more advanced military governance strategies and team settings in Japan.
After returning to China, he led the Fengtian Army to reform when he was young, and since then he directly led the troops to fight many times.
At that time, the strength of Zhang Zuolin was comparable to that of Zhang Zuolin. There were warlords such as Wu Peifu and Feng Yuxiang, and At this time, Zhang Xueliang had the ability to share his father's worries and led the army to fight head-on with these warlords.
In December 1926, Zhang Xueliang had been promoted to Army General . At this time, he had experienced many battles. However, only had extraordinary courage and courage, and he was very mature in military strategies and combat deployment.
pic丨Zhang Xueliang
1928 On June 3, 1928, Zhang Zuolin took a train back to the intersection of Huanggutun Railway in the Northeast from the pass. was ambushed by a Japanese bomb and was seriously injured. Later, he died after failed rescue.
This ambush was set up by the Japanese long ago. They secretly investigated Zhang Zuolin's whereabouts and bombed him to death as they wished. wanted to cause chaos in the Northeast with his death , and then took advantage of the force to occupy the entire northeast.
However, what the Japanese did not expect was that Zhang Zuolin's death did not cause confusion. Although Zhang Xueliang was only 28 years old at this time, he had enough ability and prestige to become the new commander of the Fengtian Army in the Northeast.
With the assistance and cooperation of Zhang Zuoxiang, the Northeast Border Defense Supervisor, Zhang Xueliang successfully took over his father's position. The transition of power in military affairs in the military was not handled without causing any slight turmoil.
However, although Zhang Xueliang himself has very strong military and strategic strength, the situation facing the Northeast region at that time was not optimistic.
Picture丨Zhang Xueliang
On the one hand, The Japanese are eyeing the Northeast , and have always provoked military conflicts and created chaos.
At the same time, the Northern Expedition continued to advance northward, and the National Revolutionary Army commanded by the Nanjing National Government was advancing rapidly, and even reached the Shanhaiguan area. What's even more difficult is that also had some split sounds inside the Fengtian Army. 's different attitudes towards the Nanjing government and the Japanese have caused serious differences within the army, which directly tests Zhang Xueliang's political ability.
It was under such circumstances that Zhang Xueliang and Chiang Kai-shek reached a cooperation , and from then on, the two of them officially began their inseparable fate.
On December 29, 1928, Zhang Xueliang, Zhang Zuoxiang and Wan Fulin jointly issued a telegram, announced the change of flags in the three northeastern provinces and will be subject to the jurisdiction of the Nanjing government from then on.
Picture丨Cheng Kai-shek and Zhang Xueliang
, and Zhang Xueliang personally served as the commander-in-chief of the Northeast Frontier Defense Force and continued to command the Northeast army, but at the same time, This also shows that he has been in power with Chiang Kai-shek's rule from then on.
After the Northeast region was officially included in the jurisdiction of the National Nanjing government, was naturally shattered, and the Japanese's ambition to easily occupy the Northeast region.
With the addition of Zhang Xueliang, Chiang Kai-shek was like a tiger and his power increased greatly. In 1930, Chiang Kai-shek, Feng Yuxiang, Yan Xishan and Guangxi warlords broke out in the Central Plains.
In fact, the forces of the major warlords have always posed a great threat to Chiang Kai-shek, and Chiang Kai-shek cannot easily shake their foundation.
Picture丨Cheng Kai-shek
And in September of the same year, with the support of Zhang Xueliang's strong troops, the Feng, Yan and Gui army collapsed, and Chiang Kai-shek won a great victory and achieved national unity.
From then on, Zhang Xueliang and Chiang Kai-shek fought on the battlefield together, sharing joys and sorrows. Zhang Xueliang always served Chiang Kai-shek and gave him advice. The close relationship of made the two of them have the same brotherhood and even called each other as brothers.
At the same time, Soong Mei-ling and Zhang Xueliang's wife Yu Fengzhi established a deep friendship in the early years. The relationship between the two can be said to be like their biological sisters, which makes the relationship between the two families very close, and even seems to be without any rift.
But why did Chiang Kai-shek hate Zhang Xueliang so much that he refused to let him go before he died?
Picture丨Song Mei-ling
Xi'an Incident that shocked the whole country
In order to help Chiang Kai-shek consolidate the regime in the Central Plains, Zhang Xueliang led a large number of the main forces of the Northeast Army to enter Peiping, Tianjin and other places from outside the pass, made the border defense in the Northeast region empty.
The Japanese have long been coveting this land. Taking this opportunity, the Japanese army even targeted the Northeast region and deliberately provoked disputes.
On the night of September 18, 1931, the Japanese Kwantung Army used the excuse that two soldiers were lost in the northeast of our country and broke into the northeast. suddenly launched an attack on the Beidaying of the Northeast Army and the Shenyang City Wall.
Because Zhang Xueliang's father Zhang Zuolin died in the hands of the Japanese, so he has been holding a grudge against the Japanese for many years. At this time, it was even more family hatred and national hatred, which made him very angry at the actions of the Japanese army.
Picture丨Japanese invaders
However, unlike Zhang Xueliang's attitude towards the dominant war on the Japanese issue, the Nanjing government has always insisted on claiming: "must settle the country first when resisting foreign countries" and "absolutely irresistible".
Not only did Zhang Xueliang feel very dissatisfied with this, but the people all over the country were even more angry. Many patriotic parties and non-governmental organizations have also taken action, and expresses their dissatisfaction with the national Nanjing government in various forms.
Watch Shenyang fall overnight, and the land in the Northeast gradually fades day by day. As the highest executive of the Northeast, Zhang Xueliang has been criticized by the people of the whole country.
As a soldier, it is his duty to obey orders, but in the face of the destruction of the country in front of him, is really far from his vision.
So, in November 1931, Zhang Xueliang resigned from his position as deputy commander-in-chief of land, sea and air.
pic丨Shenyang fell
In October 1935, Chiang Kai-shek appointed Zhang Xueliang as the deputy commander-in-chief of the Northwest "Suppression Headquarters", and led his troops to attack the Shaanxi-Gansu Red Army base.
But this appointment made Zhang Xueliang feel uneasy. He was in trouble in the country, but he was killing his compatriots. Most of his soldiers were unwilling to do so, so their war was not going smoothly.
At the same time, public grievances arose. In the face of Japan's invasion of our country, the Communist Party has already taken the lead in putting forward the slogan of "jointly anti-Japanese", but the Kuomintang insists on concentrating its troops and attacking the Communist Party's forces.
As the Northeast Army under Zhang Xueliang's troops, there are also some unfair voices. They have grown up in the Northeast region and joined the army for the sake of the country. Now, how can they be willing? just watches his hometown be captured by the enemy.
Picture丨Yang Hucheng
Under pressure from multiple parties, and Zhang Xueliang himself had long been determined to fight against Japan. Therefore, in 1936, Zhang Xueliang joined forces with General Yang Hucheng to persuade Chiang Kai-shek to jointly fight against Japan and unanimously to the outside world.
No response from Chiang Kai-shek, on December 12 of the same year, Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng took advantage of Chiang Kai-shek's inspection in Xi'an. launched a mutiny and detained Chiang Kai-shek in order to force him to unite to fight against Japan.
Later, with the joint efforts of the Communist Party and various patriotic parties, Chiang Kai-shek finally agreed to stop the civil war, and the "Xi'an Incident" was resolved peacefully.
However, although Chiang Kai-shek agreed to the Communist Party of China to fight against Japan on the surface, he still only considered the Kuomintang and his own personal interests in his heart. Therefore, it is not difficult to understand that he has a grudge against Zhang Xueliang.
However, there was actually another reason why Chiang Kai-shek imprisoned Zhang Xueliang for so long.
pic丨The former site of the Xi'an Incident
Before his death, Chiang Kai-shek specifically explained that Chiang Ching-kuo did not let Zhang Xueliang go free, for fear that he would gain power again and threaten the interests and status of the Jiang family group.
In fact, during Zhang Xueliang's imprisonment by Chiang Kai-shek, there were more than once Zhang Xueliang's subordinates or incommendations, who wanted to rescue Zhang Xueliang, and these behaviors actually aggravated Chiang Kai-shek's fear of Zhang Xueliang.
This is why Zhang Xueliang's decades of imprisonment have been created, and when future generations think back, is full of sighs about it.
Review of Zhang Xueliang's life, he once made great contributions to safeguarding the reunification of the motherland, and he has put territorial integrity and people's interests first.
Picture丨Zhang Xueliang's Tomb
Zhang Xueliang's life is outstanding in military achievements, His outstanding military talents are few in history to match him , but his second half of his life was miserable.
This makes people sigh, How cruel and ruthless Chiang Kai-shek is, and how merciless he is in the political arena.
