Zhang Xueliang, a historical figure who spent 53 years in captivity, died in Hawaii on October 14, 2001, at the age of 101, just 11 years after regaining his freedom.
His death has attracted widespread attention and discussion in China. Many people have begun to study the life of this controversial general in the Sino-Japanese War, including why he adopted a policy of non-resistance during the Northeast Incident, his three love histories, and his extravagance and desolation during captivity.
What few people know is that Zhang Xueliang once had four bodyguards with unique skills, and their fates were closely related to Zhang Xueliang and were full of mystery. Especially after Zhang Xueliang's death, these four bodyguards each showed extraordinary talents and became leaders in their respective fields.
Who are they? What is their relationship with Zhang Xueliang? And why is their ending so emotional? Among them, the most loyal subordinate was on June 4, 1928, a day that was undoubtedly painful for Zhang Xueliang.
Because his beloved father Zhang Zuolin, on the way back to Shenyang by train from Beijing, was injured by explosives set up by the Japanese army at Huanggutun Station, and finally passed away.
Zhang Xueliang was burdened with heavy responsibilities and grief, but he had to take over the affairs of the huge three northeastern provinces left by his father, which was an extremely arduous task, especially when he was also facing the eyes of the Japanese military.
The Northeast Army was in turmoil and divided into two major factions: one was Zhang Xueliang, who was recognized as the heir, and the other was Yang Yuting, who had a close relationship with Zhang Zuolin. The power struggle between them became increasingly fierce, however, no one expected that the appearance of one person would break this stalemate.
Yang Yuting went to Zhang Xueliang's appointment, although he knew that there was fraud in it, he thought very highly of himself, and arrogantly stepped into the Shuai Mansion with a young and crazy attitude. However, the development of events was beyond his expectations, and as soon as he stepped into the Shuaifu, he was imprisoned in the Tiger Hall by Zhang Xueliang's adjutant Tan Hai on charges of "delaying military aircraft and plotting misdeeds".
The loyalty and trust between Zhang Xueliang and Tan Hai are unparalleled, especially Tan Hai's support for Zhang Xueliang, which can be regarded as a precious friend of "sending charcoal in the snow".
Zhang Xueliang and Tan Hai's growth process is full of hardships and challenges. Since childhood, they have been dependent on their frail and sickly grandmother for their lives, and they have endured endless difficulties. Faced with the burden of life, the thin Tan Hai resolutely picked up, learned the craft of a shoemaker, and went out to set up a stall to make a living.
However, in the troubled times, it was difficult to maintain a stable income, so Tan Hai began to run around looking for a way out. In Fengtian City, he unexpectedly became acquainted with Zhang Zuolin's assistant commander Zhang Zuoxiang, whose unique talent and extraordinary decisiveness enabled him to ascend to a high position.
Although his life seems uneventful, his intelligence and reaction speed are far greater than ordinary people.
Under the guidance of Zhang Zuoxiang, Tan Hai was fortunate to come to the Marshal's Mansion to meet Zhang Xueliang, who was ten years younger than him, for the first time. During the banquet, Zhang Zuolin said to Zhang Zuoxiang with deep feelings: "The cadres under your command are all talented and can be called the dragon among people.
In contrast, I have no one to use, and I have few mentors and friends! ”
Zhang Zuolin had already heard of Tan Hai's talent, so he specially asked Zhang Zuoxiang to bring him over. Zhang Zuoxiang was also ready to let Xian go, and said briskly: "Tan Hai's ability is unmatched, I think it is most suitable for him to work under you." ”
Since then, Tan Hai has officially become Zhang Xueliang's subordinate. However, Zhang Xueliang did not realize at that time that this mediocre-looking "bodyguard" would become his most effective assistant.
Zhang Zuolin was in charge when he was alive, and Zhang Xueliang did not have much military affairs to deal with, so Tan Hai was transferred from the army and served as the chief steward of the Marshal's Mansion. He is even responsible for controlling the spending of Zhang Xueliang and his younger siblings.
Surprisingly, Tan Hai never complained, but performed his duties conscientiously, so he was appreciated by Zhang Zuolin, and Zhang Xueliang also believed in him. Soon after, he was exceptionally promoted to major general, in charge of the security work of the Shuaifu.
Zhang Xueliang foresaw Tan Hai's unlimited potential, but Zhang Zuolin's sudden death disrupted the situation. When others began to waver and seek a new way out, he unswervingly followed Zhang Xueliang and said: "If it weren't for the appreciation of Zhang Shuai's father and son, I wouldn't have reached my current status."
If I can't repay them for their kindness, I will die. "His loyalty and gratitude are touching.
Zhang Xueliang received Tan Hai's firm support and found solace in the trough like a reassuring pill. The two cooperated tacitly and successfully eliminated Yang Yuting and other dissidents who wanted to make trouble, and further strengthened their master-servant friendship.
Before the Xi'an incident, Zhang Xueliang told Tan Hai all the risks of this operation, and promised: "If you choose to leave, I won't blame you, I will give you a generous pension to let you enjoy your old age in peace." ”
I will swear allegiance to you until the end of my life, whenever and wherever I am. Tan Hai's words made Zhang Xueliang feel deeply comforted. However, what is even more surprising is that this sentence has become a promise that he has spent his life keeping.
In 1936, after the outbreak of the "Xi'an Incident", the Kuomintang and the Communist Party reached the second united front. However, how could the ill-intentioned Chiang Kai-shek let go of Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng, who were the "initiators", and it didn't take long for the news of their "imprisonment" to reach the Northeast Army.
Chiang Kai-shek and Tan Hai were so anxious that Tan Hai even planned to lead his brothers to Chiang Kai-shek's theory. However, before they set off, Zhang Xueliang sent them a letter that stopped their movements.
I was trapped by Chiang only temporarily, and I must not be impulsive and cause more trouble. There is turmoil in the Northeast, and you can stay at my residence in Tianjin, and you can dispose of the rest of your property. ”
Even Chiang Kai-shek was moved by Tan Hai's loyalty, sent someone to persuade him to join his camp, and promised to give him a higher status and treatment than Zhang Xueliang.
Tan Hai was loyal to the lord, swore not to betray Zhang Xueliang, and knew Chiang Kai-shek's ambitions and had no intention of being with him. He said firmly: "I don't serve the second master in my life, and I can't be used by the Jiang family." ”
Chiang Kai-shek had no choice but to give up. Soon, Tan Hai completely went into hiding, but he was always worried about his "old master". Whenever Zhang Xueliang was transferred to a new place of captivity, Tan Hai would do his best to find out the situation and ensure his safety, while also looking forward to reuniting with his old master in the future.
However, neither he nor Zhang Xueliang realized this wish in the end.
In 1954, Tan Hai died of a cerebral hemorrhage, and he left a loyal last word under the protection of the Zhang family's property. When his family was sorting through his belongings, they found many posters of Zhang Xueliang, showing his firm faith.
In addition to Tan Overseas, there is also a bodyguard who is admirable, which makes Zhang Xueliang feel deeply guilty. In 1926, when a war broke out between the warlords and the Nationalist Army, the 14th Cavalry Division, which was on duty at that time, was brave in its soldiers, but its military discipline was not strict, and it burned and looted during the siege of the city, and even killed more than 800 monks and civilians.
After Feng Yuxiang learned the news in Beijing, Zhang Zuolin was furious. He is well known for the value of his reputation, and his former career as a bandit has made him understand the importance of "being a bandit all his life and whitewashing for life".
He could not tolerate the good reputation he had worked so hard to build being ruined by his subordinates. Soon, he sent a telegram to Zhang Xueliang, ordering him to go to Zhangjiakou, collect **, disband the troops, and strictly enforce military discipline.
However, the Zhang family father and son did not expect that Mu Chun, the commander of the 14th Division, and the brigade commander Wang Yongqing and others conspired to rebel, and secretly arranged a plan to assassinate Zhang Xueliang at Zhangjiakou Station.
Zhang Xueliang and his entourage hurried to Zhangjiakou Station, and when he was about to get off the train, a guard, Jiang Huanan, stopped his movement, and he cautiously reminded: "The surroundings are too quiet, it may be dangerous, and it is recommended not to show up easily." ”
Although other people's opinions may be ignored by Zhang Xueliang, Jiang Huanan's advice is well thought out and cannot be ignored.
Jiang Huanan's career in the army did not come from the shadow of his family, but out of deep gratitude to his mother and a thirst for knowledge. His mother, in difficult living conditions, worked hard to provide for him to study, hoping that he would achieve something.
Jiang Huanan lived up to expectations, not only successfully admitted to Fengtian Middle School, but also entered the seventh phase of the infantry department of Baoding Military Academy for further study. On the recommendation of martial arts instructor Guo Songling, he entered Zhang Xueliang's marshal's mansion and began his military career.
In just a few years, Guo Songling relied on his outstanding military talent and loyalty to Zhang Xueliang, and his position rose again and again, and he quickly became the captain of the guard. What's even more admirable is that he secretly foresaw danger and helped Zhang Xueliang evade assassins many times, which can be described as a veritable "life-saving benefactor".
Therefore, when Jiang Huanan noticed that the situation was abnormal, Zhang Xueliang was convinced. However, the blind stalemate is not a long-term solution, so he decided to risk his life, pretending to be Zhang Xueliang, and personally testing the crisis.
Picture source network Jiang Huanan was attacked by the killers arranged by Mu Chun and Wang Yongqing shortly after getting out of the car, and unfortunately died. The sacrifice he received on behalf of Zhang Xueliang made the Zhang family deeply grateful, and his descendants were also buried and properly settled.
Although Jiang Huanan was Zhang Xueliang's loyal servant and the only bodyguard who sacrificed his life, his contribution was much more than that. A guard he had recommended took his place and was used by Zhang Xueliang.
The son of the rebel general was killed by Chiang, but in 1919, Jiang Huanan recommended to Zhang Xueliang a friend Liu Duoquan, who was also at the Baoding Military Academy, and he commented that Liu Duoquan's military qualities were comparable to his and that he was a talent worthy of reuse.
Because of his trust in Jiang Huanan, Zhang Xueliang brought Liu Duoquan under his command and soon witnessed his rapid growth. Especially after Jiang Huanan's death, Liu Duoquan took over the burden of his friends and became an indispensable guard captain by Zhang Xueliang's side.
Liu Duoquan was also present in the incident in which Tan Hai killed Yang Yuting in the Tiger Hall, and after the "Xi'an Incident", he was also one of the first people to agree with Zhang Xueliang asking Chiang Kai-shek for an explanation.
Unfortunately, his strength could not compete with Chiang Kai-shek, and he had to join the Kuomintang as Chiang Kai-shek took over the Northeast Army.
Although Chiang Kai-shek and Liu Duoquan had a discordant relationship on the surface, there was also an estrangement in their hearts, especially after Chiang Kai-shek's intention to use Liu Duoquan as "cannon fodder" was gradually revealed, Liu Duoquan decided to follow the Kuomintang uprising generals and serve the Chinese Communist Party.
Unfortunately, Liu Duoquan's eldest son was assassinated by spies sent by Chiang Kai-shek and was unable to reunite with his family. But fortunately, Liu Duoquan was entrusted with the important task of serving as Minister of Communications after the founding of New China, and died peacefully in 1985.
He Shili, the last bodyguard of the source network, has a prominent identity and is known as a wealthy businessman in Hong Kong after the founding of the People's Republic of China. His life experience is completely different from the previous three, and the ending is enviable.
Born in Hong Kong in 1906 to a well-known businessman to a well-known businessman, he enjoyed a privileged living condition from an early age, comparable to Zhang Xueliang's childhood.
He Shili did not indulge in a luxurious life, but determined to serve the country early, and was admitted to the Military Academy and studied abroad. In 1930, Zhang Xueliang recruited talents, and He Shili joined his camp, and the two were like-minded and quickly became partners of mutual trust.
He Shili was forced to interrupt his way to serve the country because of the "Xi'an Incident", but he was not depressed because of this. On the contrary, the artillery unit he organized and created shone on the battlefield of resistance against Japan and shocked the whole army.
However, when the Liberation War was about to be won, He Shili had to accompany Chiang Kai-shek to Taiwan. He has been trying to save the trapped Zhang Xueliang, but Chiang Kai-shek resolutely opposed, and there is only one sentence "Don't let the tiger return to the mountain", so that He Shili has nothing to do.
Ho Sai Lai, who was promoted to the rank of General II in 1962, returned to Hong Kong to revitalize the family business and became the richest man in Hong Kong. In his later years, he finally learned of Zhang Xueliang's release and went to Hawaii twice to visit old friends.
He is the only one of the four bodyguards who has fulfilled his wish to reunite with Zhang Xueliang. The two have gone through ups and downs, although they no longer have the vigor they had back then, they can still show their ambitions and guide the country.
He Shili passed away in 1998, and Zhang Xueliang couldn't help but cry after learning the bad news, and entrusted others to send condolences.
Zhang Xueliang and Tan Hai died depressed after retiring, Jiang Huanan bravely sacrificed himself to protect his master and was posthumously named a general, and Liu Duoquan was also influenced by Zhang Xueliang and was finally named a general.
Although Zhang Xueliang has spent most of his life in prison, being able to have so many capable people to protect him has not made his life in vain.