Song Meiling Song Qingling was never seen again until her death, and the content of her will was poignant
In 1981, Song Qingling on the sickbed had only one wish, hoping to return to the mainland to see Song Meiling in the United States for the last time. However, a few days later came a cold call back from the United States: "Send my sister to New York for treatment." ”
Song Qingling passed away, and relatives at home and abroad received funeral invitations, but Song Meiling did not change her previous indifferent attitude towards this and resolutely refused to attend her sister's funeral. The Song sisters, who were once close, drifted apart and were never reunited until their deaths, but they both left similar last words.
Why did Song Meiling refuse to see her sister for the last time, did she really have no affection for her second sister?
The two sisters, Song Meiling and Song Qingling, never seem to have a common position, and there will always be "disagreements". And to investigate the root cause of the estrangement of the sisters, I am afraid that we have to start with Song Meiling meeting Chiang Kai-shek.
At the beginning, Chiang Kai-shek tried to win over Song Qingling but failed, and turned his target to the sister of the Song family, Song Meiling for him, not only because the wealth of the Song family behind her can be matched with it, but more importantly, the Song family has a close relationship with the United States, ** religion, and the Shanghai bourgeoisie, and the Song family undoubtedly had huge political influence at that time.
And Soong Ching-ling, as Sun Yat-sen's wife, further increased Chiang Kai-shek's determination to establish contact with the Soong family no matter what. Chiang Kai-shek was well aware of the importance of nepotism in China, and if he could marry Soong Meiling, he could not only draw Soong Ziwen into his camp, but he would also become Sun Yat-sen's brother-in-law, which could not only use the name of Soong Ching Ling and Sun Yat-sen to increase the prestige of Nanjing, but also make him the legitimate heir to Sun Yat-sen's career.
Chairman Jiang decisively gave up his wives and concubines for the sake of his career, and accepted all the requirements of the Song family, trying to show his loyalty. However, in Song Qingling's eyes, Chairman Jiang looked a little like a clown, she clearly knew Chairman Jiang's motives for pursuing Song Meiling, and she was also resolutely opposed to her sister marrying such a scheming person.
Although Song Qingling tried her best to stop it, she couldn't resist the resolute opposition from her sister.
During the first acquaintance of Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Meiling, Chiang Kai-shek's status within the Kuomintang was not high, and Soong Meiling's feelings for him were not special. However, between 1922 and 1927, Chiang Kai-shek's status and prestige changed dramatically over a five-year period.
Newspapers at home and abroad touted him as the youngest revolutionary leader, and Time magazine even used him as the cover character, and countries around the world had "Chiang Kai-shek Archives". This overwhelming propaganda gave Soong Meiling a new perspective on Chiang Kai-shek, who she believed had grown into a hero worthy of herself.
At the end of April 1927, Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Meiling reunited at the Song Mansion in Shanghai, and Chiang Kai-shek was more confident at that time, and had more confidence and capital to express his love to Soong Meiling.
Coupled with Song Ailing's threading of the needle, Song Meiling and Chiang Kai-shek visited Jinshan and other places together, and after more than ten days of getting along, the relationship between the two was finally determined. After Song Ziwen and Song's mother Ni Guizhen were "rebelled" one after another, only Song Qingling was left resolutely opposed to this marriage.
Song Qingling saw it very clearly and pointed out the speculation behind this marriage. However, while Soong Ching-ling was abroad, Soong Meiling and Chiang Kai-shek got married in a hurry.
Soong Ching Ling felt very distressed because her family had betrayed her. However, the wood is already in the boat, and she can't change this fact.
After Soong Ching-ling parted ways with Chiang Kai-shek, what made her even more headache was her "peach-colored scandal" fabricated by ill-intentioned people. On the eve of her marriage to Chiang Kai-shek, some American newspapers spread rumors that Soong Ching-ling intended to remarry Chen Youren.
This made Song Qingling feel deeply humiliated, and her ** disease was stimulated to attack, and the itch was unbearable. During his recuperation, Soong Ching-ling gradually discovered that behind this rumor was the conspiracy of the Chiang Kai-shek clique.
They tried to create the illusion to the world that Soong Ching Ling had "betrayed" Sun Yat-sen and was no longer fighting for the realization of Sun Yat-sen's legacy, so as to belittle Soong Ching Ling's prestige and replace him himself.
At the time of the national crisis, Chiang Kai-shek adopted a policy of non-resistance, which aroused strong dissatisfaction from all walks of life. In order to stabilize the people's minds, Chiang Kai-shek tried to win over Soong Ching-ling, but Soong Ching-ling always firmly supported Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary ideas and was extremely disgusted with Chiang Kai-shek and his policies.
As her sister and husband, Song Meiling was deeply involved in this dispute, as if she was standing on the scales, and the weight in her hand was in a dilemma. Originally, Song Meiling was more inclined to family affection, she had been secretly protecting her sister from suffering from her husband's **, and she was also looking for an opportunity to reconcile the two.
In 1929, Soong Ching-ling returned to China from Europe, and her return attracted the attention of Kuomintang leader Chiang Kai-shek. Chiang Kai-shek wanted to take advantage of Soong Ching-ling's sisterhood with Soong Mei-ling and invite her to Nanjing to attend the upcoming Second Plenary Session of the Third Central Committee of the Kuomintang in order to increase his political influence.
Song Meiling is very happy about Song Qingling's return, and she also hopes to shorten the distance with her second sister in this way. However, Song Qingling objected to this, and she made it clear that family affection cannot be linked to politics.
This decision made Song Meiling feel very disappointed, and even angry at the stubbornness of the second sister. However, Song Qingling always insisted on her position, and she was unwilling to exchange family affection for political interests.
However, the Kuomintang did not let Soong Ching-ling go-ling for this, and they began mass arrests and killings of Communists, including many of Soong's friends. There was even an attempt to assassinate Song Qingling, all of which made her feel very frightened and helpless.
After Song Meiling learned that her sister had a car accident, she was furious, and immediately went to Chiang Kai-shek to settle accounts, and scolded the old Jiang in horror, although he was unwilling, but he did not dare to openly go against his wife's wishes and damage her own sister.
After that, Song Meiling went to Shanghai to visit the injured Song Qingling, the sisters saw each other, very relieved, Song Meiling also revealed to her sister that she had a conflict with Chiang Kai-shek for her, Song Qingling was also very moved.
The relationship between the sisters seems to have eased. However, this warmth did not last long, and Song Meiling advised her sister not to be stubborn and not to do something that might cause trouble to herself.
Song Qingling heard her sister's words, and reaffirmed her bottom line and position with a serious expression, with a resolute attitude.
The two sisters disagreed on their stance on the Communist Party, and Soong Meiling tried to persuade the second sister, but failed to change each other's minds, and eventually the conversation was fruitless, and the relationship between the sisters became strained.
Song Meiling was very angry about this, thinking that the second sister did not appreciate it, and might even go to a dead end because of this. She felt that the relationship between the two could no longer go back to the past, and the warmth had been replaced by anger.
When they were young, the two sisters crossed the ocean to study in the United States and lived together, the elder sister was gentle and elegant, and the younger sister was lively and intelligent, and had a close time. However, the world is like chess, life is varied, and everything can no longer go back to the beginning.
Soong Ching-ling resolutely stood on the side of the late Sun Yat-sen, hated traitors such as Wang Jingwei and Chiang Kai-shek, and drew a line with them even if he was in a foreign country.
Soong Meiling, who married Chiang Kai-shek, was on her husband's side, and although the two sisters shared the way of husband and wife, they went to completely different life paths and never intersected.
Because of differences in political concepts, the relationship between the two gradually drifted apart, and although the sisterhood was not completely severed, due to various factors, it became complex and subtle. Soong Ching-ling went into exile and continued to seek the path of revolution, maintaining limited correspondence with his sister at home, mostly ghostwritten by secretaries, and in order to avoid conflict, both sides tacitly only talked about private matters.
Then after the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Xi'an Incident, the three sisters of the Song family once again embarked on the road of resistance against Japan on the same path, and then resumed their relationship.
In the Mid-Autumn Festival of 1942, after learning that Chiang Kai-shek would not attend, Soong Ching-ling readily agreed to participate in the reunion party, and the long-lost reunion of the Song family was realized. During the banquet, everyone reached a consensus not to talk about state affairs, so that the dinner was full of a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere.
However, this Mid-Autumn Festival gathering also became the last reunion in the history of the Song family.
3. The final reunionOn July 9, 1944, Song Qingling sent her two younger sisters to Brazil for hives, but no one thought that this would become the last reunion of the three sisters.
Two months later, the eldest sister flew directly to the United States, and settled there two years later, and since then, the opportunity to reunite has been missed.
In 1948, when the civil war between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party became increasingly fierce, in order to obtain American assistance, Soong Meiling flew from Shanghai to the United States, and since then has left the mainland. In 1949, Soong moved his family to the United States and lived in a mansion in Manhattan, New York.
Previously, he had transferred all his possessions to the United States and other places, and never intended to advance and retreat with Chiang Kai-shek. Although Chiang Kai-shek repeatedly invited him to return to Taiwan, Soong Ziwen refused.
Song Meiling and her brother Song Ziwen met in the United States and wrote a letter to her sister Song Qingling in the mainland, hoping that she would be safe and well, and if there was anything they needed help with, please tell them.
This was also the last correspondence between Song Meiling and Song Qingling.
Chiang Kai-shek and his wife were originally worried that Soong Meiling would stay in the United States and not return, but after some urging, they finally succeeded in recalling Soong Meiling back to Taiwan. In this process, the three sisters of the Song family lived in the United States, Taiwan and the mainland respectively, and went their separate ways.
Among the six siblings of the Song family, the youngest Song Zi'an died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Hong Kong, and his body was transported to San Francisco. The other brothers and sisters of the Song family attended Song Zi'an's memorial service, but Song Qingling, who had the best relationship with Song Zi'an, was unable to go to the United States to attend his brother's funeral due to the situation at that time, and missed the opportunity to reunite with his family.
In 1971, when Song Ziwen attended a dinner party, his index finger moved, he was too excited, and accidentally inhaled a piece of food into his organs, resulting in suffocation and unfortunately passed away. The death of Song Ziwen made the three sisters of the Song family almost reunited at the funeral, and the CCP was even ready to rent a special plane for Song Qingling to go to the United States for funeral, and Song Meiling had already boarded a plane to the United States.
However, due to the failure to charter a charter flight, Soong Ching Ling was unable to come. At the same time, learning of Soong Ching-ling's plan, Chiang Kai-shek ordered Soong Meiling to pause on her way to New York and leave her waiting in Hawaii.
Considering political factors, after consulting with Chiang Kai-shek, Soong Meiling decided not to attend the funeral of her eldest brother and returned to Taiwan instead.
Originally, two of the three sisters may not be able to attend their younger brother's funeral, because there is a conflict between the eldest sister Song Ailing and the second brother Song Ziwen, and they have almost cut off contact.
In this regard, Song Ailing has always felt heartache and hesitated whether she should attend her brother's funeral. In order to wait for her arrival, the funeral time was deliberately changed to the afternoon, but Song Ailing still did not appear.
As a result, none of the three sisters of the Song family appeared at their brother's funeral, a scene that surprised even Nixon and expressed incomprehensibility of Chinese emotions.
For various reasons, the Song sisters missed this last opportunity to get together.
Fourth, the sisterhood will last forever Two years after Song Ailing's death, Song Meiling went to the United States to mourn, at this time Song Qingling was seriously ill and entrusted others to write a letter to Song Meiling, expressing her desire to see her sister again.
The letter also mentioned that if she could not come, she hoped that Song Meiling would return the relics of Sun Yat-sen. In response to Song Qingling's request, Song Meiling only responded with a short sentence: "I know."
Although blood is thicker than water, morality is supreme and everything else can be ignored. Insiders later revealed that after Song Meiling learned the news of her sister's death due to illness, she kept tears in her eyes and prayed to God to express her deep nostalgia for her sister.
Although there are objective factors for the reason why she cannot return to China, Song Meiling's subjective emotions also play an important role.
In the memoirs of an American female writer, she recorded a conversation with Soong Meiling. During the conversation, Ms. Soong expressed concern about going to Beijing, which she thought would be a betrayal of her deceased husband.
Despite all the difficulties she faced, Song Meiling always adhered to the moral bottom line, chose the "Great Road", and gave up her sister.
Compared with Song Meiling's inner troubles, Song Qingling's feelings for her sister are more sincere and warm. Song Qingling is the most affectionate of the three sisters, and she attaches great importance to family ties.
In his later years, as he grew older and his condition worsened, Song Qingling realized that he might die at any time, so his desire for family affection became stronger, especially missing his sister Song Meiling.
Although she could not express this longing publicly, she cherished every letter between the sisters and kept it safe. Song Qingling has tried to contact Song Meiling many times, hoping that she can come to visit her.
Whenever there is an opportunity, Song Qingling will excitedly tell the staff around her: "My sister may be coming back, you should pay attention when you receive it."
1.Song Qingling conveyed the precautions in great detail, however, when the new news came a few days later, the originally joyful expression on her face instantly dimmed, and she whispered, "My sister may not be able to come back." ”
After getting Song Meiling's recent photo, Song Qingling burst into tears, clasped her friend's hand, thanked her again and again, and then cherished the ** in her pocket. When Song Qingling was seriously ill, the most common thing he said was: "I miss Meiling very much, if only she could come now." ”
After learning that Song Meiling was not in good health and could not come, Song Qingling didn't say anything anymore, just sighed softly and said to herself, "It's too late." ”
According to Song Qingling's last wishes, her ashes were buried in the Shanghai International Cemetery, on the east side of the mausoleum of her parents Song Jiashu Ni Guizhen, becoming the only child who was buried next to her parents.
2.Song Qingling explained in detail the matters that needed attention, but a few days later, when she got the new news, her originally joyful expression became depressed, and she said regretfully: "My sister may not be able to come back." ”
Once, she saw a recent photo of Song Meiling at a friend's place, and she was moved to tears, holding the other party's hand and constantly thanking her, and cherishing the ** in her pocket. When Song Qingling was seriously ill, the most common thing on her lips was: "I miss Meiling very much, if only she could come now." ”
When she learned that Song Meiling was unwell and couldn't come, Song Qingling stopped mentioning this topic, just sighed lightly and said to herself, "It's too late." ”
In accordance with Song Qingling's last wishes, her ashes were buried on the east side of the mausoleum of her parents Song Jiashu Ni Guizhen, becoming the only child who was buried next to her parents.
Soong Meiling passed away on October 24, 2003, and her greatest wish in life was not to be buried with Chiang Kai-shek, but to go to the Shanghai Universal Cemetery to pay tribute to her parents.
In her later years, Song Meiling also had a wish, that is, she hoped to be buried with her parents. However, this wish did not come true, and Song Meiling was eventually buried in the Confucian family cemetery in Finncliffe Cemetery in New York, where she was unable to reunite with her parents until her death.
She misses her second sister very much, and often says on her lips: "I don't know why God still let me stay on earth." "If my sister Qingling is still here. However, this longing has been as Song Qingling sighed, it is too late, Huazhang has come to an end, the love-hate entanglement is also drifting away with the wind, a dream to return to his homeland, a soul to a foreign land, everything has become a foregone conclusion.
He Dazhang's "The Story of the Three Song Sisters in Their Later Years" and Xu Xiaoqing's report depict the life of the three Song sisters in their later years, and also reveal Song Qingling's deep expectations for Song Meiling's return to the mainland.