The Secret Stories of Zhang Xueliang and Yan Xishan

Author: Hu Quanfu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: In 1921, Jin-Feng cooperation was formed, with Yan Xishan and Zhang Zuolin swearing allegiance as allies. After Zhang Zuolin's death, Zhang Xueliang also formed a father-son bond with Yan Xishan. Over the decades, their relationship was a mix of enmity and affection, separation and reunion—when enemies, they were,,; when allies, they shook hands in harmony, treating each other as brothers, and mutually benefited. Over the decades, whether it was Zhang Xueliang or Yan Xishan, though they had countless unresolved grievances, they were never bound by deep hatreds—except for the account of the Xi'an Incident, which remained etched in their minds. Zhang Xueliang accused Yan Xishan: "When the Xi'an Incident was brewing, you spoke of 'a man of honor who takes responsibility,' how heroic! But when it came time to act, you became a softy overnight—you were no better than a coward!" Yan Xishan resented Zhang Xueliang: "The Xi'an Incident was a major political turning point, but you handed this opportunity to the Communists, ruining a huge 'business' that was almost ready to be completed! The hidden pain this left me deep inside was no less than that of 1930." Yan Xishan's broken promises during the Xi'an Incident had once provoked Zhang Xueliang to the point of refusing any further dealings with him. Even after the war of resistance began, when Yan Xishan became the commander-in-chief of the Second War Zone and later the Vice President of the Nanjing National Government, Zhang Xueliang never begged him. Later, both men took different paths but ended up in Taipei, where they were just feet apart yet became bitter enemies, never speaking to each other until the end of their days.