Many people would think that Soong May-ling was the most worried person in Chiang Kai shek’s life. In fact, it was not, but it also had something to do with Soong May-ling. Chiang Kai shek is considered a famous political figure in Chinese history. He also had people he was afraid of, as well as those who could not be released before his death. This person was Zhang Xueliang. Chiang Kai shek and Zhang Xueliang can be considered as a pair of grudged brothers. In their early years, they were called brothers, which shows that their relationship is very unusual.
Zhang Xueliang also helped Chiang Kai shek consolidate his position, one of which was the “Northeast Change of Banner”. After Zhang Zuolin was killed by a Japanese design bombing in Huanggutun, Northeast China was taken over by Zhang Xueliang. Not long after, he announced the news of the “Northeast Change of Banner”, and the release of this news indicates that the country has officially been unified. This is undoubtedly a great help to Chiang Kai shek.
The second thing Zhang Xueliang did to help Chiang Kai shek was to help him win the Central Plains War. At that time, people represented by Yan Xishan, Feng Yuxiang, and others did not obey Chiang Kai shek’s military command and launched the Central Plains War. At that time, Zhang Xueliang’s 300000 Northeast Army was eagerly watching, no matter who Zhang Xueliang helped, anyone would win the final victory. However, in the end, Zhang Xueliang issued a notice to the whole country that he would send troops to reinforce Chiang Kai shek’s troops. As soon as this news was announced, Yan Xishan and Feng Yuxiang quickly surrendered.
Chiang Kai shek later became known by many as Zhang Xueliang’s brother, indicating how much he valued him. However, due to Chiang Kai shek’s passive resistance against Japan, during Chiang Kai shek’s military inspection in Xi’an, Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng launched the shocking “Xi’an Incident” that shocked both China and the world. As a result, Chiang Kai shek’s face was completely lost. After the peaceful resolution of this incident, Chiang Kai shek placed Zhang Xueliang under house arrest in Guizhou and later moved to Chongqing. This house arrest lasted for 54 years. For ordinary people, what kind of pain is this? I think only Marshal Zhang Xueliang can truly experience it.
In 1946, the Anti Japanese War finally came to an end, and Zhang Xueliang had originally thought that house arrest could end. One day, Dai Li arrived at Zhang Xueliang’s residence under house arrest in Chongqing. Dai Li deceived him into saying that he could go to Nanjing. Upon hearing this, Zhang Xueliang was very excited and thought that he would soon end this kind of life. After dinner, Dai Li sent a special plane to secretly escort Zhang Xueliang onto the plane, but soon Zhang Xueliang discovered that the plane was not heading towards Nanjing, but instead flew directly to Wuhan. Not long after, Dai Li informed him to take him to Taiwan, and Zhang Xueliang’s mood suddenly turned sour.
After Zhang Xueliang arrived in Taiwan, he thought it was impossible to obtain freedom in his lifetime. However, people always had some hope. On April 5, 1975, Chiang Kai shek passed away on this day. Zhang Xueliang’s heart was uncertain whether he was happy or sad, and this feeling was unclear. But unexpectedly, Zhang Xueliang was once again disappointed, as he did not gain freedom.
Even before his death, Chiang Kai shek did not forget the existence of Zhang Xueliang. He wanted to trap him in Taiwan. Before Chiang Kai shek’s death, his son Chiang Ching kuo asked what to do with Zhang Xueliang in the future. Chiang Kai shek said, “The tiger in this cage cannot be released.” It was not until Chiang Ching kuo’s death that Zhang Xueliang gained his freedom, and by this time he had been under house arrest for 54 years.