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In 2001, sad news spread on the mainland: Marshal Zhang Xueliang died in the United States at the age of 101.
Subsequently, Zhang Xueliang's estate was announced to the public, and people were shocked to find that the young marshal, who had been imprisoned for half a century, actually left a legacy of up to 600 million US dollars...
After the Xi'an Incident, Zhang Xueliang was imprisoned by Chiang Kai-shek's father and son, and his freedom was deprived for half a century. So, how could a person who had been imprisoned for so long have such great wealth?
What is even more unexpected is that Zhang Xueliang said to the people around him before his death: "I will not donate money to China, I will donate all my assets of 600 million US dollars to the United States." The decision left people shocked and confused.
As a Chinese, why did Zhang Xueliang make such a decision? Has he forgotten his country? Or are there other hidden considerations?
As the son of the famous "King of the Northeast" Zhang Zuolin, Zhang Xueliang's life is full of legends, but his actions are also controversial. In 1928, Zhang Zuolin was killed by the Japanese. Zhang Xueliang's son inherited his father's legacy and became the leader of the Feng warlords. However, his relationship with the Japanese was always strained.
The Japanese demanded that Zhang Xueliang implement the autonomy of the Northeast and bring the Northeast into their pockets. But Zhang Xueliang believed that this was a conspiracy of the Japanese, who wanted to use the Fengxian warlord to achieve their own goals. Therefore, he refused the demands of the Japanese and joined Chiang Kai-shek's army.
At first, Zhang Xueliang still had confidence in Chiang Kai-shek, believing that he was a brave and resourceful man who would achieve great things in the future. However, as time went on, he gradually discovered that Chiang Kai-shek's ambitions were growing, and he only wanted to dominate the world.
On September 18, 1931, the historically humiliating "98 Incident" broke out, like a thunderbolt from the sky, plunging the three northeastern provinces into the abyss of disaster.
At this time, Zhang Xueliang again received an urgent report of a conflict between Feng Jun and the Japanese army. He weighed it again and again, and finally made up his mind and issued an order of "no resistance" to the entire Northeast Army.
A piece of military order was like a cold iron chain, tightly binding the hands and feet of the Northeast Army, leaving them helpless under the iron hooves of the invaders. In this way, the 180,000 Kwantung Army did not resist under the military order, and watched as the 20,000 Japanese army occupied the entire northeast in just three months.
The humiliation and resentment of this military order, even after many years, are still buried deep in the hearts of the Chinese, like a thorn, stinging our memory.
Zhang Xueliang, who made a big mistake, has always wanted to "atone for his sins". He once rescued those compatriots in Northeast China who were displaced by the Anti-Japanese Salvation Movement. With his approval, the patriotic lottery was issued to all sectors of society like a lottery. In just three months, nearly 200,000 yuan was raised.
And he, Zhang Xueliang, personally called the local government to sell patriotic lottery tickets, and people in the jurisdiction subscribed in batches according to their monthly salaries. This behavior undoubtedly proves his patriotism, but the way he chose is debatable. He was desperate for an opportunity to make up for the serious mistakes he had made impulsively in his youth. Fortunately, in 1936, this opportunity finally came.
In 1936, Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng suddenly launched the "Xi'an Incident" that shocked China and the world. This event forced Chiang Kai-shek to join the Communist Party to resist Japan, and it became an important turning point in the history of the mainland's war of resistance.
Zhang Xueliang was widely praised by the Chinese people for this, and some even called him a "national hero". However, this incident made Zhang Xueliang pay a heavy price. He was placed under house arrest for 54 years. It was not until Chiang Ching-kuo's death that Zhang Xueliang regained his freedom.
In 1995, Zhang Xueliang finally regained his freedom and chose to spend his old age in the quiet environment of Hawaii. Although he was imprisoned for decades, his later years were filled with luxury and ease. He lives in a luxury villa and enjoys a quiet and comfortable life. He often drove his limousine freely through the streets of Hawaii and enjoyed the beauty of freedom.
However, these extravagant lifestyles have aroused the curiosity of many people: where does his wealth come from?
(Photo of Zhang Xueliang during his imprisonment)
During Zhang Xueliang's house arrest, Lao Jiang opened a bank account for him and transferred a certain amount of money to him every month to pay for his living expenses. This account contains not only money from Chiang Kai-shek, but also money sent from the United States by Zhang Xueliang's wife, Yu Fengzhi.
At the same time, Zhang Xueliang also has some of his early financial income, which is deposited in banks around the world. Lao Jiang did not withhold the money, but gradually transferred the money to Zhang Xueliang's account.
Therefore, in an interview after Zhang Xueliang was released from prison, he also revealed that his assets ranged from hundreds of millions to tens of millions. In addition to real money, Zhang Xueliang also has many precious cultural toys, calligraphy and paintings in his hands. These are his collections. Among them, there are authentic works of Wu Daozi, Wang Xizhi and others. The value of these treasures alone is incalculable.
Before Zhang Xueliang's death in 2001, data showed that he had as much as $600 million in funds. In addition to this money, Zhang Xueliang also has many precious historical materials in his hands. For the disposal of these things, Zhang Xueliang did not leave them to China, but donated them to Columbia University in the United States.
So why didn't Zhang Xueliang, as a Chinese, donate his inheritance to China? Why choose Columbia University?
This decision undoubtedly came as a surprise to many. Regarding Zhang Xueliang's choice, some people are puzzled, and some people are puzzled. Some people think that he is making up for the mistakes of the past, while others think that he is seeking a better future for his children. Behind this question, it has triggered people's thinking about history, culture, heritage, etc.
First of all, why did Zhang Xueliang choose to donate his inheritance to American universities? Some speculate that this may be because he has a concern for his hometown.
In Zhang Xueliang's view, if he donated his property to the mainland of the motherland, he would face verbal and written criticism or wanton slander from the Kuomintang. It was a scenario he didn't want to see. And if this money is donated to the Kuomintang, it will certainly be criticized by the Chinese people. So, in his complicated situation, this choice is difficult.
In order to avoid this troublesome situation, he decided to donate his property to Columbia University, which had nothing to do with him. Of course, there is a reason why Zhang Xueliang chose to donate his legacy to Columbia University.
As one of the top universities in the United States, Columbia University has the most special relationship with China, and its "Department of Chinese Studies" is internationally renowned. Snow, a friend of the great man, graduated from Columbia University. Zhang Xueliang's friend Tang Degang also teaches at Columbia University all year round. Li Hongzhang, Wu Tingfang, and Empress Dowager Cixi have all donated assets to Columbia University.
In addition, Columbia University also has a considerable wealth of Sinology research materials and storage capacity of Sinology literature. Perhaps, this is also one of the reasons why Zhang Xueliang donated his inheritance to this school.
Zhang Xueliang donated 600 million assets to the United States, which is difficult for many people to understand. After all, a patriot, regardless of personal or national feelings, should donate his legacy to the Motherland, not to the United States.
Of course, some people think that this is Zhang Xueliang's own property, and it is his right to use it however he wants. It doesn't matter who he donates to, that's his freedom.
What are your thoughts on this?
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