In modern Chinese history, Zhang Xueliang can be called a legendary figure.
After Zhang Xueliang launched the military admonition that shocked China and foreign countries in the ancient capital of Xi'an in 1936, he began to live in solitary confinement, so that his career from youth to twilight was shrouded in legends. Just 55 years later, when people were still worried about Zhang Xueliang's plight, in the spring of 1991, the news that Zhang Xueliang was about to fly to the United States to visit his relatives and enjoy the joy of heaven again, made the world look forward to his return to his hometown with good wishes.
Therefore, question marks have always been a topic of concern to the people of the world around whether Zhang Xueliang will be able to return to the mainland, when he will be able to return, why he has not returned, and whether he can still return.
Topics raised by visiting relatives in the United States
Chiu Chin-yi, spokesman for Taiwan's "Presidential Office," said on Zhang Xueliang's visit to relatives in the United States that Zhang Qun and Zhang Xueliang had a very good relationship, and that Zhang Daqian and Wang Xinheng had a regular gathering, and they were talked about in Taipei's upper-class circles, calling it "three Zhang and one Wang transfer." Zhang Xueliang saw that the "three Zhang and one king" were left alone, so he expressed his intention to visit relatives in the United States to Qiu Jinyi, the "deputy secretary general of the presidential office." On the night of Chinese New Year's Eve, when he went to Lee Teng-hui's official residence to meet him, he bluntly expressed his thoughts. It is said that Lee Teng-hui is optimistic about Zhang Xueliang's arrangements for visiting relatives abroad.
Almost all of Zhang's relatives are in the United States. The original wife Yu Fengzhi went to the United States in 1940 and never returned to China, and in her later years, she lived alone in the Linquan Villa on Lake Ridge Road in Los Angeles. In 1990, when she heard that Zhang Xueliang might come to the United States to visit relatives and friends, she specially purchased a cane and prepared to go to the airport to greet her in person. However, she did not wait for this day and died at the age of 91.
Zhang Xueliang and Yu Fengzhi had three sons and one daughter, the three men died one after another, and their daughter Zhang Luying and son-in-law Tao Pengfei were in the United States. Zhang Lulin, a son born to Zhang Xueliang and Zhao Yidi, is also in the United States, and his wife Chen Shuzhen is the daughter of Chen Jitang of the Guangdong Army. They had two boys: Babi and Robbie, whose Chinese names are "Juxin" and "Juyang".
At 3 p.m. on March 10, 1991, Zhang Xueliang came to Taoyuan Zhongzheng Airport with steady steps. Although he did not register the seat with his real name, he was still found clues by a reporter from the "United Daily News" from the name of "Zhang Zhao Yidi", and then followed the interview.
Q: I heard that the Chinese Embassy is paying close attention to your itinerary, is it possible for you to return to your hometown in Northeast China to have a look?
A: I don't know that the CCP has paid attention to me, and I have never been in contact with my relatives on the mainland. I do not rule out the possibility of going to the Northeast, the mainland is my country, and of course I am willing to go back.
Q: Have you considered settling back in Northeast China?
A: What do you think about? I never think about that, I go back whenever I want. You probably don't know that I am a person, and it is useless for me to think twice before acting. I'm just doing what I want! I'm a reckless soldier, and I never have to think about these two words.
At 12:30 p.m. on March 10, Zhang Xueliang's "China Airlines" Flight 004 landed smoothly at San Francisco Airport.
As early as a month ago, the New York Times published the news that Zhang Xueliang was about to visit relatives in the United States. On the day Zhang Xueliang left Taipei, a reporter from the American Chinese newspaper "International Daily" sent back a long report. On the 10th, the Central News Agency and the Associated Press also released news.
Zhang Xueliang's whereabouts have also been reflected on the mainland. On March 24, Yao Guang, spokesman of the Fourth Session of the Seventh National People's Congress, held the first press conference in the Great Hall of the People to answer questions raised by Chinese and foreign reporters. A reporter asked: Mr. Zhang Xueliang has made contributions to the cooperation between the KMT and the CPC, does the NPC welcome him to return to the mainland to have a look?
Yao Guang said...... Over the past 40 years, we have always been very concerned about Mr. Zhang Xueliang. Now that he and his wife are in the United States, we are glad to hear from the reports that he is in good health. If he himself is willing to go back to the mainland to have a look, we will of course welcome him very much, and we will respect his wishes.
Facing reporters' questions, he frankly said he was homesick
Zhang Xueliang had already made preparations for visiting relatives in the United States this time, and he did not plan to participate in public activities, and he said so, and he has done so for the past month, but on 11 May, he was interviewed by the host of the "Voice of America" "News Wide-angle Mirror" program in New York.
From the perspective of the world's concern, the host of the interview first interviewed Zhang Xueliang on the issue of whether he missed his homeland.
Question: Young Marshal, since the launch of the Xi'an Incident, your residence has been uncertain, you have been living in Taiwan all these years, and now you have come to the United States to see your family, where do you think your home is now?
A: When I was younger, of course, my home was in the Northeast. I'm adrift, and I'm at peace with what happens. I still miss my homeland on the mainland, and I still miss my homeland, and I haven't been back to my hometown in Northeast China since September 18.
Q: Since you are so homesick, do you plan to go back to the Northeast this time to see your homeland and see your fellow villagers?
A: Of course, I would love to return to the mainland, but the time is not yet ripe.
Q: Under what circumstances would you go back?
A: If the hostility between the two sides is completely gone, I can go back.
Journalists are not willing to give up this opportunity easily. He changed the topic and came directly into contact with the issue of the reunification of the two rocks in the Taiwan Strait.
Question: Both sides of the strait say they want peaceful reunification, what hope do you have for this?
Answer: I personally sincerely hope that the two sides of the strait can be peacefully reunified, and I am very much opposed to the split of China. Back then, when I was powerful, I was in favor of reunification, such as the Central Plains War and all kinds of things. I am very much against civil war, and I very much want peaceful reunification. This is my greatest hope.
Q: What kind of contribution do you think you can make to peaceful reunification?
A: If I can contribute, I am old, but I am still not dull. I'm willing to contribute, but I don't know what I can contribute, what they need me to do, I'm willing to do my best, but it's not very problematic.
Tell the truth in Manhattan
Soon after arriving in the United States, Zhang Xueliang ushered in his 91st birthday.
On June 1, the overseas Chinese community in the United States celebrated Zhang Xueliang's 91st birthday at the China Garden Restaurant. The most eye-catching of the guests who wished him birthday this time was Lu Zhengcao, who had made a special trip from Beijing and was vice chairman of the Sixth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
During the more than three months that Zhang Xueliang went to the United States to visit relatives, he stayed at the home of his old friend, Mrs. Pei Zuyi, for three months. During this period, Zhang Xueliang met with many important people. These include the meeting between the son known as Zhang Zuolin and Yuan Shikai's grandson Yuan Kewen, the long talk between Zhang Xueliang and Lu Zhengcao, and the successive warm birthdays in Manhattan and the birthday celebrations at the China Garden Hotel.
In an interview at home, she told the author: "That time Han Gong really should go back to the mainland, and when I persuaded him, he said: 'I will accompany you back. He said that he would go back and discuss with Lee Teng-hui. I said, 'If you discuss, you won't be able to go back.' I understand him, he is a man of affection, because Lee Teng-hui gave him a leave to visit his relatives and let him go out to have a good time, and he also wanted to behave better, and suddenly he should not say goodbye without saying goodbye. Of course he was homesick and had been away for so many years. He has talked to me many times that he can compare with his home when he is outside, and that there are many people in the mainland who are very good to him and miss him very much.
He told me a long time ago that Zhao Yidi was not in good health and had undergone many surgeries, and that Zhao Yidi would not go to the mainland, so of course he could not go. He doesn't go to the mainland, I don't know what the truth is. I think I should go back, I shouldn't have any worries, I can go now. If he could walk, he should have gone and checked, but I'm afraid he can't now. The last time I saw that the plane was ready, he probably couldn't make up his mind all of a sudden. I think the young marshal is a very assertive person, maybe Zhao Yidi doesn't go back, and I don't know the reason. ”
The restaurant run by Mr. Ge Dawei is very close to the residence of Mrs. Pei Zuyi, an old friend of Zhang Xueliang. Mrs. Pei, who likes vegetarian food, often goes to his restaurant to taste it, and Zhang Xueliang has become a regular customer here during his three months in New York. After getting acquainted with it. Once, they talked about going back to the Northeast to see it. Ge Dawei asked Zhang Xueliang if he wanted to go home, and Zhang Xueliang said, "How can I not want to?" Ge Dawei asked, "Isn't it just an opportunity for you to be in the United States now?" Zhang Xueliang said bluntly: "I promised Lee Teng-hui that he would visit relatives in the United States, but if he goes back halfway, this is not my character, and it is not righteous to do so." ”
On the evening of June 26, 1991, at 8 p.m. San Francisco time, Zhang Xueliang and his wife returned to Taipei by flight. Although people's wish to return to the mainland has not been realized, Zhang Xueliang said in an interview with Hong Kong reporters at the Taipei Church on December 15: "I will return to my hometown in Northeast China at an appropriate time to see the graves of my parents and my relatives and friends, and this matter has nothing to do with politics." I myself have long since withdrawn from politics, long since I was out of politics. I hope that people will not associate the fact that I am going back to visit relatives and graves with politics, not like that. I don't like that. Since Zhang Xueliang has revealed this will, it is natural that people will be particularly concerned about his itinerary.
Shengchuan's homecoming was born out of prompts
On the morning of August 13, 1992, 92-year-old Zhang Xueliang was admitted to the "Veterans General Hospital" in Taipei, where he suffered from a severe cold.
Upon learning of the news of Zhang Xueliang's admission to the hospital, Kang Chengchuan, a reporter from Taiwan's "United Daily News," heard the news. The interview was straight to the point, asking directly whether he would arrange a trip back to the mainland after being discharged from the hospital.
Now in the face of reporters' questions, Zhang Xueliang is very experienced in avoiding the edge, he shook his head and said: "I don't have hearing aids, I can't hear what you say, I'm sorry." Zhao Yidi hurriedly played a round on the side, took over the topic and asked: "He is still lying in bed now, how do you see him going like this?"
I don't know if Liu Tianshangyi's attending physician had a tacit understanding with the reporter, or in order to dispel Zhao Yidi's doubts, he said on the side: "If Mr. Zhang wants to go back to the mainland, there is no problem with physical fitness." This inappropriate explanation provided an opportunity for the reporter, and he immediately asked again: "The outside world is very concerned about whether Mr. Zhang plans to return to the mainland to have a look, can you tell us a clear answer?" Zhang Xueliang and his wife Zhao Yidi listened to the questioning, but they didn't know how to prevaricate this time. In this embarrassing situation, the reporter still asked relentlessly: "Everyone is very sensitive to whether Mr. Zhang returned to his hometown for a trip." Can you say that after this discharge, you will seriously consider traveling to the mainland?" Regarding the reporter's decent revelation, Zhang Xueliang nodded in agreement. Zhao Yidi replied to the reporter: "Okay! You can just say this: We will carefully consider whether to go back to the mainland after being discharged from the hospital this time." ”
On August 24, the third day after they were discharged from the hospital, Taiwan's United Daily News published a report by reporter Kang Chengchuan: "Zhang Xueliang has decided to return to his hometown to visit relatives in the near future. At the beginning of the article, he wrote in an astonishing way: Reliable sources pointed out that General Zhang Xueliang, a former young marshal in Northeast China who was responsible for the Xi'an incident and had lived in seclusion in Taiwan for more than 40 years, decided to take a "China Airlines" flight from Taipei with his wife, Ms. Zhao Yidi, to Hong Kong's Kai Tak Airport in the near future, and then transfer to the Civil Aviation of China to return to his hometown in Liaoning, Northeast China, to reunite with his family, fellow villagers, and former family members after a 56-year absence.
The article also said that the exact date of Zhang Xueliang's return to his hometown will depend on his physical condition and the climate in Northeast China. Tours are expected to take place at the end of the month and early September.
Kang Chengchuan, a reporter from United Daily News, not only reported the news that Zhang Xueliang and his wife would return to the mainland to visit relatives, but also made quite thoughtful arrangements for the trip on their behalf. The reporter also exaggerated this in the article. The article said that Zhang Xueliang told his friends that he returned to his hometown with his wife Zhao Yidi this time, and went back to visit relatives, friends, and reminisce about the past in the mood of an ordinary veteran. It will never involve anything to convey any information from both sides of the strait, nor will it make any intention of settling on the mainland for a long time. After returning to his hometown in the Northeast, his first wish was to go to the grave of his father Zhang Zuolin to pay respects, so as to realize the guilt of not being able to sweep the grave in person for more than 50 years. The itinerary of visiting relatives in the mainland will be arranged by relatives and friends in Northeast China. The length of time depends entirely on the physical condition. In principle, it should not exceed 3 months, because the climate in the Tohoku in December is too cold.
In fact, as early as 13 April 1991, a reporter from a mainland "evening newspaper" stationed in Hong Kong sent back a special telegram in a crowd. The special telegram reads: A special telegram from a Taiwan newspaper learned here today said that General Chang Xueliang, who is currently visiting relatives and sightseeing in the United States, will return to his hometown in northeast China via Beijing in the near future to visit relatives and visit graves. The special telegram said that General Zhang made two demands on returning to his hometown, which had been absent for more than half a century: First, he returned to his hometown in the name of visiting relatives, and hoped that all sides would not make political propaganda about it; second, the time for his return to his hometown would be set at a time when the weather in the northeast was warm, and he hoped that all sides would not be disturbed.
Although the news of Zhang Xueliang's "visit to his hometown," which has appeared in the news media, does not know any "reliable sources," his relatives and friends on the mainland, out of good intentions, have not thoroughly investigated whether there is any danger of fabrication.
Although the news that appeared in the newspapers from time to time was not clear, and it was impossible to tell Zhang Xueliang's exact date, he still kept changing his tone and angle to hint: "As the weather warms, the return date of the young marshal is approaching." "The main purpose of General Zhang Xueliang's return to his hometown in Northeast China this time is to plan to relocate the remains of Zhang Zuolin, who are currently buried in the ancestral tomb of Jinzhou, to the 'Marshal Forest' built by General Zhang Xueliang for his father in Fushun in his early years. ”
Public opinion can influence people's psychology. Zhang Xueliang's former subordinates, who were scattered all over the country, began to gather in Shenyang, and even urged the magnetic department to make arrangements for Zhang Xueliang's family visits in his hometown in Northeast China, and asked from time to time about the details of how to prepare for the reception. Under the influence of this atmosphere, projects such as the "Marshal Zhang's Mansion", which had been under normal maintenance, have also stepped up their progress without any problems.
At 3 p.m. on September 10, 1992, Zhang Xueliang was interviewed by four mainland reporters who went to Taiwan at his residence in Beitou. They came from four units: People's Daily, CCTV, Central People's Radio, and Reference News. This is the first time in half a century that a mainland reporter has interviewed General Zhang Xueliang.
The reporter said in a clear and unambiguous manner that the mainland is most concerned about the two things that Zhang Xueliang is most concerned about, that is, his physical condition and when he will return to the mainland to have a look.
Asked about the rumors that he would go to the Northeast in October, Zhang Xueliang said that he did not know, "They arranged it for me." ”
When a reporter asked: "Most people on both sides of the strait want reunification, what do you think?" Zhang Xueliang said: "That's the majority, and I'm one of the majority. ”
The reporter asked: "What is your view on the prospects for peaceful reunification?"
Zhang Xueliang said: "I think the time will come to reunify. Historically, I have always been in favor of reunification, and of course the country should be reunified. I have also campaigned a lot for reunification, but now that I am old, I don't have the strength to do so. ”
Zhang Xueliang said that he is aware of the tremendous changes in the mainland in recent years, "I hope to go back to the mainland and see the changes in the mainland. ”
When talking about the people in his hometown caring about him, Zhang Xueliang said: "Of course I know, I often miss my home, and Taiwan is also my home and China. But everyone thinks of their hometown and hopes to have the opportunity to go back and see it. He also asked all reporters to greet his relatives and friends on the mainland who were concerned about him after returning to the mainland, and thanked all his relatives and friends who were interested in arranging for him to return to his hometown.
Settled in the United States, but not homesick
On August 27, 1993, at nightfall, Zhang Xueliang, who had always been tough, suddenly felt dizzy and couldn't stand up while talking. After a tense and busy examination, it was diagnosed that Zhang Xueliang's sudden illness was caused by acute cerebral hematoma.
Under the shadowless lamp, holes were drilled in the parietal lobe of Zhang Xueliang's skull and the right forehead, respectively, and then 180CC of blood was extracted. The doctor was pleasantly surprised to find that Zhang Xueliang not only recovered well after the operation, but also was able to get out of bed and move quickly.
When people learned from various news media at home and abroad about Zhang Xueliang's hospitalization and his recovery after the catastrophe, on December 15, Zhang Xueliang and his wife Zhao Yidi quietly appeared at Taoyuan Airport in Qiangbei.
The next day, the "Taiwan Times" reported: General Zhang Xueliang and his wife Zhao Yidi took a plane to the United States to visit relatives on the afternoon of the 15th. This is his second visit to Taiwan in more than 40 years.
The report also objectively said: Zhang Xueliang's body is very tough, and in comparison, his wife Zhao Yidi's body is worse. It is understood that Zhang Xueliang's trip was mainly to accompany his wife to the United States to recuperate and relax.
At the First Chinese Congregational Church in Hawaii, which was also a Thanksgiving service, Zhang Xueliang said about the experience of believing in Christ: "What God arranged for me was really amazing, he first put me in contact with Christians, then asked his servants and handmaids to lead me, and then gave me a quiet environment and a long time to study theology, and then arranged for me to go to Hawaii.
Honolulu, also known as Honolulu on the island of Oahu, is the capital of Bangweii and the largest port in the region. The US Pacific Fleet Command is based here. This archipelago is also known for its beautiful scenery and quiet environment, so it has become a popular tourist destination for tourists from all over the world.
When he first arrived in Honolulu, Zhang Xueliang and Zhao Yidi took a car around the island for a week. After a trip, the lady who was not in good health said: "It's tiring enough to just play in Hawaii, why talk about going back to my hometown in the Northeast." Sensei!"
In March 1994, Taiwan's "United Daily News" reported under the title "Zhang Xueliang Will Auction His Collection of Paintings and Calligraphy" that Zhang Xueliang recently commissioned the American Sotheby's auction company in Taiwan to auction his collection of paintings and calligraphy for more than 70 years to "raise funds for the church."
Just when people were curious about Zhang Xueliang's auction collection and talked about the auction, another news of Zhang Xueliang's sale of real estate came out on the island of Taiwan. All tables, chairs, and beds are also distributed to relatives and friends in Taiwan.
When the collection of "Dingyuan Zhai" was previewed, people only changed to Zhang Xueliang as a celebrity auction venue, but when it was reported in Taiwan in April 1995, the famous patriotic general Zhang Xueliang and his wife Ms. Zhao Yidi recently discussed with relatives and friends in the United States, and decided to settle in Hawaii for a long time and not return to Taiwan. It dawned on people.
Zhang Xueliang applied to the U.S. Immigration Bureau for a long-term residence "green card" on the grounds that he was old and had no support to defect to his son Zhang Lulin.
The biggest reason why Zhang Xueliang and his wife Zhao Yidi finally chose to settle in Hawaii is that the climate and living environment there are suitable for their wishes. In addition to the humid weather in Taiwan, which has been suffering from Zhang Xueliang and his wife for many years, his old friends Zhang Qun, Zhang Daqian and Wang Xinheng passed away one after another, which was also one of his motivations for staying in the United States to settle down.
However, Zhang Xueliang's desire to return to his hometown in Liaoning in Northeast China, where he had been absent for more than 50 years, has not given up, and will only consider it when his wife Zhao Yidi's physical condition is suitable for long-distance flights, but he will not settle in the mainland.
Zhang Xueliang lived a very happy and regular life in Hawaii. He and his wife walked freely on the beach like ordinary people, watching the sunrise and sunset......
In June 1999, as a special guest writer, I went to the United States with the film crew of Liaoning TV Bar's "Xianyun Wild Crane" for an interview. In contact with General Zhang Xueliang's relatives and friends, they directly expressed their true feelings on this topic.
When I visited the home of Zhang Xueliang's daughter, Zhang Luying, I said that General Zhang had never been back since he left home, and now that he is old, do you want to go back to see it? She said that since her father celebrated his birthday in 90 years, whether he was interviewed by the news media or talked to relatives and friends, he said that he would go back to the mainland to have a look, and his mood is still the same as before, but his physical condition is not enough. It's not easy to go back when you're older. She said sadly: "Go back and give a message to the fellow villagers in the Northeast, my father can't go back." But I still want to go back when the time is right. This is also the wish of the father. ”
I hope Zhang Luying will say a few words to the folks in her hometown. She prepared a little and said: "I am not qualified to say anything, as a fellow villager in the Northeast, let me say a few words." We are very grateful for this enthusiasm for my father. For so many years, people have not forgotten him, not only have they not forgotten him, but they have also been so respectful. Even though we know a thing or two abroad, we are very grateful. I hope that when the fathers go back, they will ask us to bring a letter, and we will thank them, not politely at all, but from the bottom of our hearts. ”
——Source: Centennial Tide 2000 Issue 6
