In his later years, Zhang Xueliang and Zhao Yidi
On June 1, 1990, at the Yuanshan Hotel in Taipei, people from all walks of life in Taiwan held a grand celebration of Zhang Xueliang's 90th birthday, which marked that Zhang Xueliang finally gained personal freedom.
At the birthday banquet, Zhang Xueliang talked. Although he is 90 years old, he is in a good state of mind. As the saying goes, when a person is happy, he is in good spirits, and it is obvious that gaining personal freedom is the thing that makes him most excited. Since his freedom, Zhang Xueliang has longed to visit relatives and friends in the United States.
On March 10, 1991, the Taiwan authorities approved Zhang Xueliang's visit to the United States. On this day, Zhang Xueliang and Zhao Yidi boarded a plane to the United States at Taipei Taoyuan Airport. Before boarding the plane, Zhang Xueliang openly said in front of the reporter's camera that he had the idea of returning to the mainland to see.
When Deng Xiaoping learned of this, he immediately instructed the relevant personnel: "You should have a meeting to study and study this issue." Deng Xiaoping also gave specific instructions on how to welcome Zhang Xueliang back to the mainland, demanding that proper arrangements must be made. In accordance with Deng Xiaoping's instructions, the CPC Central Committee immediately held a meeting to study it, and leaders of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, and other ministries and commissions all attended the meeting.
At that time, there were four main arrangements: First, in June of that year, Zhang Xueliang was celebrated for his 91st birthday in Beijing; The second is to hold various activities to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the 918 Incident; The third is to immediately send people to Shenyang to repair the Marshal's Mansion and Marshal Lin; Fourth, a comrade was immediately selected to personally visit the United States and invite Zhang Xueliang to return to the mainland.
Deng Xiaoping
The first three of these four arrangements are very smooth, who should be sent to the United States to invite Zhang Xueliang to return? At first, the idea of the Party Central Committee was to arrange a comrade at the vice-ministerial level, but there were several comrades who met this condition. Finally, the central authorities decided that Zhang Xueliang's old subordinate and founding general Lu Zhengcao would go to the United States to meet with Zhang Xueliang and take full responsibility for all the arrangements for zhang Xueliang's affairs after he returned to the mainland.
Lü Zhengcao, a native of Haicheng, Liaoning Province, was a fellow villager with Zhang Xueliang, who served as Zhang Xueliang's aide-de-camp during the Northeast Army and had a deep friendship with Zhang Xueliang. In his later years, Lu Zhengcao recalled:
"After graduating from the DaowuTang, Zhang Xueliang set up the Three and Four Corps Headquarters in Jinzhou and asked me to be his lieutenant colonel. Later, he wanted me to study aviation in Japan, but I didn't succeed because I was injured in the hand. At the beginning of 1928, he sent me to Shenyang to serve as an officer of the Tongze Club, a place of cultural and entertainment activities for senior military and political personnel, to unite the military and political figures in northeast China. ”
In other words, the relationship between Zhang Xueliang and Lu Zhengcao has surpassed the general relationship between the same village or superior and subordinate. Two months before the "Xi'an Incident", Lü Zhengcao was transferred by Zhang Xueliang from the commander of the 647th Regiment of the Northeast Army to the Zhang Mansion in Xi'an to take charge of internal work, so he experienced this major historical event.
On the afternoon of December 25, 1936, Zhang Xueliang insisted on escorting Chiang Kai-shek back to Nanjing. Before leaving, Zhang Xueliang said to the people around him: "I am going to Nanjing immediately, and now I have the guarantee of Song Ziwen and Song Meiling, there is no problem, and I will come back in about three days." As soon as Zhang Xueliang's voice fell, everyone expressed their opposition and advised him not to go.
Lu Zhengfu
Zhang Xueliang decided that things were difficult to change, and Lu Zhengcao said to him: "I will wait for you for a week, and if you do not come back, I will return to Hebei to take control of the troops." As soon as Zhang Xueliang arrived in Nanjing, he was placed under house arrest by Chiang Kai-shek, while Lü Zhengcao fulfilled his promise to Zhang Xueliang and rushed back from Xi'an to the Xushui Regimental Headquarters in Hebei Province a week later, stabilizing the troops.
In May 1937, Lü Zhengcao joined the Communist Party of China. Soon, Lü Zhengcao led his troops to break away from the Kuomintang army and reorganized into the People's Self-Defense Army to persist in the War of Resistance. Under the leadership of Lü Zhengcao, the anti-Japanese army and people in Central Hebei, faced with an extremely dangerous environment, always persisted in armed struggle behind enemy lines, actively carried out "tunnel warfare," "mine warfare," and "guerrilla warfare on the plains," and made immortal contributions to the Eighth Route Army's establishment of anti-Japanese base areas behind enemy lines in the plains.
It is this background that everyone unanimously decided: "The best candidate to meet Zhang Xueliang in the United States is none other than Lu Zhengcao." Lu Zhengcao also did not expect that since he parted with Zhang Xueliang, it had been more than half a century since they met again, and both of them were old. In fact, in addition to the relationship between the two, there is also a reason for choosing Lu Zhengcao.
In early 1987, Zhang Xueliang's niece Zhang Luyu came to Beijing, during which she paid a special visit to Lu Zhengcao, and also brought a poem given by Zhang Xueliang: "Under the eastern fence of picking chrysanthemums, leisurely see nanshan." There is a true meaning in this, and the desire to argue has forgotten. This collection of excerpts from Tao Yuanming's poem "Drinking".
Lü Zhengcao was silent for a long time after reading it, and in the same way, he integrated a poem from Tao Yuanming's "Reading the Classic of Mountains and Seas" to return to Zhang Xueliang: "The heavenly dance is dry, and the fierce zhi is always there." In vain, in the heart of the past, the conscience is just around the corner. In just two poems, everything is in words, which shows the deep friendship between the two people.
In his later years, Zhang Xueliang
At the end of January 1990, Lü Zhengcao learned from Taiwan that Zhang Xueliang would soon be free, so he again issued an invitation to Zhang Xueliang:
"Han Gong Junjian: Lu Yu often came to inform my husband and wife that they were physically and mentally safe, and they were very comforted. I have always hoped that you two can go out of the small world of Taiwan and come to the colorful world to see, more comfortable for the body and mind, I don't know if I think? Hope to tell. ”
Zhang Xueliang returned Lü Zhengcao with an old poem: "The evil son is a lonely man and a naïve Confucian, filling in the great righteousness and resisting the strong Hu." Feng Gong is honoring Ming Shuo and ensuring that Taiwan is included in the territory. Now that Lu Zhengcao has received the arrangement from the CPC Central Committee, he attaches great importance to it, although he is 87 years old, his physical condition is not good, and he is still hospitalized in Beijing 301 Hospital.
On the second night of Zhang Xueliang's visit to the United States, Zhang Luyu and Yang Zhengmin, son of General Yang Hucheng and deputy secretary general of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, went to the hospital to see Lu Zhengcao and informed him of Zhang Xueliang's visit to the United States. On March 24, the Fourth Session of the Seventh National People's Congress held a press conference.
At the press conference, the press spokesman officially issued an invitation to Zhang Xueliang on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the government:
"General Zhang Xueliang is an outstanding figure in China's modern history and a hero of the Chinese nation throughout the ages, and for decades, we have been very concerned about him. Now that he and his wife have arrived in the United States, we are happy to learn from relevant reports that he is in good health. If he himself is willing to go back to the mainland to have a look, we are of course very welcome. We respect his own wishes. ”
In his later years, Zhang Xueliang
At the end of April, Lu Zhengcao's daughter, Lu Tongyan, called from the United States and said that she had met Zhang Xueliang at Jiang Shiyun's home in New York through the help of others. During the meeting, Lu Tongyan asked Zhang Xueliang: "If my father comes to the United States to see you, will you see him?" Zhang Xueliang said happily: "Of course I want to see." Jiang Shiyun also said warmly: "Of course we welcome." ”
At this moment, some old comrades in the party also proposed that Lu Zhengcao go to the United States as soon as possible. Lu Zhengcao knew that he had an unshirkable responsibility, but he knew that this matter must be coordinated by the central authorities. On the other hand, Zhang Xueliang, on the eve of Lu Zhengcao's departure, said in an interview with a US reporter that he was not suitable for directly returning to the mainland from the United States now, which shows that he still has some concerns in his heart.
Against this background, the CPC Central Committee officially made a decision: Lu Zhengcao was sent to the United States to visit Zhang Xueliang on behalf of the party and the people. Subsequently, Deng Yingchao met with Lu Zhengcao at the West Flower Hall in Zhongnanhai, and asked him to bring a handwritten letter to Zhang Xueliang in his personal name:
"Mr. Han Qing is like a meeting: the years do not live, the seasons are like a stream. Decades of separation between sea and sky, longing for a long time. Every time Enlai thought of his husband before he died, he sighed with pity. Mr. Jin's body is safe, everything is going well, and he has the pleasure of traveling thousands of miles, so people smell it and are deeply comforted.
Mr. Li has been away from his hometown for many years, and his relatives and friends are looking forward to it, and it is difficult to say anything. Fortunately, in recent years, the barriers between the two sides of the strait have gradually been withdrawn, and exchanges have increased day by day. It is also winter to spring, the weather is warm, and it is appropriate to make a trip to the old country. Entrusted by Mr. Deng Xiaoping, Jin Yingchao was willing to sincerely invite the two of them to return to the mainland at a time of convenience. Look at the homeland of your hometown, or visit the tomb, or the provincial relatives, or sightseeing, or reminisce about the past, or settle down. Zi Te introduced Comrade Lu Zhengcao, a special envoy of the party, to the front to greet him and explain all matters. Mr. Wang showed it with respect so that it could be properly arranged. Greetings to your lady Ms. Zhao. I.e. Ode to Chun Qi! ”
Before Lü Zhengcao set off, he also brought some gifts for Zhang Xueliang: Zhang Xueliang's favorite audio tape of "Chinese Peking Opera Encyclopedia" and the newly recorded Peking Opera tape of famous Mainland Peking Opera actors Li Weikang and Geng Qichang; Freshly picked Biluochun tea leaves; The portrait painted by the painter Yuan Xikun for Zhang Xueliang and the handwritten he of the famous calligrapher Mr. Qi Gong.
Deng Yingchao
On May 23, 1991, Lu Zhengcao and his party of 5 people began a trip to the United States. Lu Zhengcao first came to San Francisco, where he met with Zhao Yidi and others. After a short break, we arrived in New York on May 29. That morning, Lu Zhengcao came to Jiang Shiyun's house on Park Avenue in Manhattan.
When he stepped out of the elevator, Lu Zhengcao found That Zhang Xueliang, who was dressed in a suit, was already waiting at the elevator door. The young and strong were separated, the white prime minister gathered, how many past events came to mind, the two stared at each other, their hands clasped, and they didn't know what to say for a while. Jiang Shiyun guided Lü Zhengcao and his party into the house and sat down, looking at Zhang Xueliang, who had not been seen for more than half a century, and Lü Zhengcao burst into tears.
Lu Zhengcao said: "Since Xi'an parting, to today it is exactly fifty-four years, five months and four days, which happens to be a double 'May Fourth'. Jiang Shiyun said that General Zhang had heard that his old subordinates were coming to visit him, and he had not slept well last night. Lü Zhengcao introduced himself from Zhang Xueliang's departure to the anti-Japanese campaign behind enemy lines and to the Communist Party of China.
Lu Zhengcao said in a regretful tone: "When you sent Chiang Kai-shek back to Nanjing, I didn't believe he could let you come back. After you left, the Northeast Army was in chaos. I rushed back to the troops, accepted the instructions of the Communists, and took advantage of the retreat of the Kuomintang troops to the south, broke away from the 53rd Army, and stayed behind the enemy to fight Japan. ”
Zhang Xueliang and Lu Zhengcao
Lü Zhengcao also mentioned the final outcome of the Northeast Army, saying: "During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the entire Northeast Army was very heroic and sacrificed very badly. When Chiang Kai-shek saw danger, he sent the Northeast Army to wherever he went. In the Battle of Shanghai, Chiang Kai-shek's concubines retreated, leaving the Northeast Army as a rearguard, and they drowned many people when they crossed the river. Chiang Kai-shek not only did not give commendations or pensions, but also cancelled the name of this unit on the spot, and the remaining troops were dismissed. ”
Zhang Xueliang listened very carefully, and finally sighed: "My greatest regret is that I was not able to directly participate in the anti-Japanese resistance, and the troops you led insisted on fighting Japan, which is also a comfort to me!" Because there were more people at the scene, Lu Zhengcao and Zhang Xueliang did not have a deep conversation, but only introduced the gifts brought from Beijing.
The next day, Lu Zhengcao and Zhang Xueliang came to the office of the general manager of the Swiss Bank in Manhattan, and the two had an in-depth conversation. Lü Zhengcao first handed Over Deng Yingchao's handwritten letter to Zhang Xueliang, and also conveyed the greetings of the CPC Central Committee to him, hoping that he would return to the mainland to have a look, and the time was up to him to decide.
Zhang Xueliang read Deng Yingchao's handwritten letter several times, and finally said his inner words: "I am a person who clearly wants to go back, but now the time has not yet come, and my move will involve the mainland and Taiwan." I don't want to make it politically complicated for my personal matters. ”
Zhang Xueliang's eyes were not good at that time, and Yan Mingguang (the daughter of Zhang Xue's good friend Yan Baohang) interjected: "I know that there is a famous doctor in Shanghai, and the medical skills for treating eye diseases are very clever, but Shanghai can come to see the eyes." ”
Zhang Xueliang and Lu Zhengcao
When Zhang Xueliang heard this, he immediately expressed his hope to go to Shanghai to treat eye diseases. Lu Zhengcao was very happy to hear Zhang Xueliang's decision: "You can come back for treatment or visit your relatives whenever you want." We respect your wishes and offer a variety of accommodations. Zhang Xueliang saw that the mainland side attached so much importance to it, and Lian Lian said that he could return to the mainland, but hoped to grant him three requests.
Lu Zhengcao hurriedly asked, "Which three?" Zhang Xueliang replied: "I am just a commoner now, but I must not be privileged." After I return to the mainland, one is not welcome; The second is not to see the reporter; Third, everyone can meet often, but don't compliment that set. ”
This is the "three chapters of the law" that was repeatedly mentioned later, and Lu Zhengcao joked: "It is okay not to see the reporter, but if you get off the plane, the people will definitely recognize you and surround you and not let you go." Zhang Xueliang laughed and said, "I am not afraid of the people, I am very happy to meet the people." ”
The meeting, which was originally scheduled for two hours, lasted more than three hours. During the talks, Zhang Xueliang also inquired in detail about Deng Xiaoping and others, and he repeatedly said that he would go to Beijing to personally visit these people. Zhang Xueliang was very concerned about the reunification of the motherland, saying: "In my opinion, the future reunification of the mainland and Taiwan is inevitable. The two sides of the strait cannot go on like this for a long time, and china will be reunified one day, and it is only a matter of time. ”
On the eve of Lü Zhengcao's return to China, Zhang Xueliang asked him to bring a reply letter to Deng Yingchao:
"Lady Zhou Ying's super sister Huijian: Zhengcao came to the United States to make friends with Zunza, infinitely happy. He also conveyed the deep concern of the central princes for Liang, and he deeply felt it. Liang lives in Taiwan, with a cloudy sky, and a sense of nostalgia every day. If you have a chance, you will set foot on your homeland. Please pay tribute to the princes of the Center. ”
In his later years, Zhang Xueliang and Zhao Yidi
At the end of June 1991, Zhang Xueliang and Zhao Yidi returned to Taiwan after a trip to visit relatives and friends in the United States. Soon, Zhang Xueliang entrusted people to bring a message to Lü Zhengcao: "Due to the improvement of eye disease, I will not return to the mainland for treatment in the near future." At the end of November 1992, Zhang Xueliang entrusted his niece Zhang Luyu to bring a letter to Lü Zhengcao:
"Zhengcao Brother Huijian: Returning to Taiwan from the United States, everything is fine, but the ear and vision have been greatly degraded, and the old man of Jiuyi can know so well." Greetings to the Princes of the Center. Zhang Xueliang said goodbye on November 30 in Taipei."
For various reasons, Zhang Xueliang did not return to the mainland in the end, but chose to die in Hawaii, usa. In 1994, his son Zhang Lulin was invited by the mainland to return to the northeast to see, Zhang Xueliang was very excited, he specifically explained to his son: "After you arrive in Beijing, you will go to the northeast to see our old residence in Shenyang and your grandfather's empty tomb outside Fushun City." ”
Zhang Xueliang's longing for his homeland can be seen. In 2000, when Zhang Xueliang was 100 years old, he received a congratulatory letter from the mainland again. Zhang Xueliang was full of emotions, at that moment he was extremely eager for Ye to fall back to his roots, but in the end it did not materialize. On October 14, 2001, Zhang Xueliang died of illness in Hawaii at the age of 101.
Zhang Xueliang and Zhao Yidi were buried together in the cemetery
After Zhang Xueliang died of illness, he was buried with Zhao Yidi, and the cemetery was also selected in Hawaii. According to her niece Zhang Luyu, "When uncle Dabu died, he still remembered the mainland, but due to various factors, he was unable to return to the mainland once in his lifetime. It was the biggest regret of his life. ”