The Complete Story of the Jiang Family

Author: Wu Jinliang / et al.
Editor-in-Chief: Yang Yuwen
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2001-03-01
Features:
Introduction It is well-known that the Chiang family, including Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-kuo, along with their relatives, had a profound impact on modern Chinese society and even once steered the course of Chinese history for nearly half a century. The authors of this book, under the premise of established historical conclusions, extensively adopt a large amount of previously undisclosed, detailed historical materials to provide a comprehensive and objective description of the rise and fall of the Chiang family from their initial rise to their eventual decline. The authors also strive to vividly depict the personalities, emotions, family dynamics, and life experiences of the characters in the book, presenting a panoramic view of the rise and fall of the entire Chiang family. The authors' writing is lively and fluent, with strong historical insight and a sense of urgency. This book provides a true and systematic portrayal of each member of the Chiang family, making it the most comprehensive, authentic, and systematic collectible book to date.
Excerpt:
Chapter 1 The Fall of a Tyrant
1. An Unexpected Car Accident on the Ridge Mountain Bend
In 1974, Chiang Kai-shek was already 87 years old, and the pendulum of life had unmistakably shown signs of decline in this aging dictator. This veteran who had spent his life in the military and once dominated the world with ambition had completely lost his former vigor. His face was gaunt, his hair and beard were all white, his eye sockets were severely sunken, and his movements had become increasingly difficult. Especially his right hand had severely atrophied, to the point where he no longer had the strength to hold a pen. In this situation, the old man who had never been willing to give in or bow his head had no choice but to follow the doctor's advice and receive treatment at the Rongmin General Hospital in Taipei. However, the Rongmin General Hospital, which had gathered all the top medical experts in Taipei, was also helpless in treating Chiang Kai-shek. Although during this period, to dispel speculation about his health, Chiang Kai-shek forcibly withstood his illness and made four public appearances. But neither medical treatment nor his indomitable spirit could turn back the worsening of his condition. Fairly speaking, if it weren't for that accidental car crash a few years earlier, Chiang Kai-shek's health would not have deteriorated so rapidly. The story goes back to July 1969. For the people of Taipei, this was a month of oppressive heat; for the "Republic of China government" and the top ruling group of the Kuomintang in Taipei, it was an inauspicious month marked by political upheaval; for Chiang Kai-shek, July 1969 was undoubtedly a restless and even unlucky month; it could even be said that this inauspicious July was the last and most critical turning point in the countless major turning points in Chiang Kai-shek's life. According to Chiang Kai-shek's usual lifestyle, every July, the elderly couple, Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling, would move from their Shilin official residence in Taipei to the Yangmingshan official residence for summer. The departure of the Chiang couple was a "major event" for the military and police in Taipei. To ensure safety, from the morning the Chiang couple decided to move to Yangmingshan, the Yande Highway leading to the Yangmingshan official residence was lined with armed military, police, and. This "Yande Highway" was specifically built with funds allocated by the Taipei City Government and the Yangmingshan Administration, with the highest road conditions and in the suburbs of Taipei. Of course, because it was to be driven uphill, the highway was constructed along the steep mountain terrain, and this could not be changed. Despite the excellent road conditions and strict security measures, an accidental car crash still occurred. It was a sunny afternoon with a warm breeze, and Chiang Kai-shek's convoy sped out of Shilin official residence and quickly ascended the Yande Highway. When the convoy was speeding through a bend near Ridge Mountain, the driver of the leading car suddenly noticed a public transportation bus from the Highway Bureau parked on the roadside, which was a mid-route stop with people boarding and alighting. Because it was a bend, the driver of the leading car could not see if there were any oncoming vehicles behind the bus. Moreover, in the habit of this driver, he was driving the "presidential" leading car, which was always unobstructed and never blocked or stopped. In his mind, he had never had the concept of "yielding" and had no need to "anticipate" suddenly appearing complex road conditions. In short, he was a driver who was arrogant by nature. In this sense, he was also a very incompetent driver. Compared to ordinary drivers, what he lacked was the ability to handle emergencies and complex road conditions. As a result, under the driving of such a driver, the leading car did not slow down and plowed straight ahead.