Zhang Xueliang died on 200 1, and he chose to donate all his legacy before his death, instead of leaving it to his children.

200 1 year, 10 1 year, Zhang Xueliang closed his eyes and passed away forever.

His departure took away an era, but left countless "memories". Zhang Xueliang has many "legacies", including Yu Fengzhi's legacy, his own treasures, wealth and incalculable historical materials.

Where should these "heritages" belong? Zhang Xueliang's choice surprised the world: all donated to Columbia University.

1940, 43-year-old Yu Fengzhi unfortunately suffered from breast cancer and had to leave Zhang Xueliang's imprisonment and go to the United States for treatment, leaving Zhao Yidi and Zhang Xueliang alone.

Yu Fengzhi's father is Yu, a wealthy grain merchant, who also lived a solid life after marrying Zhang Xueliang. But when I came to a foreign country, life in Yu Fengzhi was not easy.

In order to save money, Yu Fengzhi chose an opportunity hospital in the suburbs of New York for treatment. Medical care, children's education and life all need money, and Yu Fengzhi is in a dilemma.

She went to London to find Zhang Xueliang's old friend Iago. As early as 1933, when Zhang Xueliang went to Italy to inspect the military, she privately gave Egu a sum of money to help him take care of it. Zhang Xueliang told Yi that children really need the money when they study in the future.

When Yu Fengzhi was in financial difficulties, Iyag gave Yu Fengzhi a check from Standard Chartered Bank, which belonged to Zhang Xueliang.

Yu Fengzhi used the money to buy a house, and the rest was used for stock trading. Yu Fengzhi knows that it is better to teach people to fish than to teach them to fish, and the money will be spent sooner or later. In this foreign country, she must rely on her own ability to survive, for herself, for her children, and for the Chinese nation and China women.

The stock exchange on Wall Street is very crowded and hot. Yu Fengzhi pushed the door and went in, stopped to stare for a long time, talked with people her age for a long time, and bought some materials to study carefully at home.

Facing the unpredictable stock market, Yu Fengzhi was calm, wise and decisive, and soon made his first bucket of gold. However, she did not stay in the stock market, but turned her attention to the newly emerging real estate.

While learning English, she went to the real estate agency to communicate with customers, which enriched her busy life and even made her forget the pain caused by her illness.

She gradually accumulated wealth, bought two villas on the top floor of Hollywood and decorated them according to Zhang Xueliang's favorite house style. Yu Fengzhi thought, one for himself and the other for Zhang Xueliang. Zhang Xueliang will be free one day, and she will live with Zhang Xueliang and Zhao Yidi.

When Yu Fengzhi was looking forward to making money, the people of China ushered in liberation, but Zhang Xueliang did not usher in freedom. She ran around telling everyone about Chiang Kai-shek's plot and calling for the release of Zhang Xueliang.

Yu Fengzhi didn't wait until Zhang Xueliang was released, but the news came that she was going to divorce Zhang Xueliang. Although Yu Fengzhi was very sad, she chose to agree to divorce Zhang Xueliang.

1964, Zhang Xueliang and Yu Fengzhi divorced. In the same year, 64-year-old Zhang Xueliang married 53-year-old Zhao Yidi, and Zhao Yidi really became Zhang Xueliang's wife.

At that time, in Yu Fengzhi's heart, she still felt that Zhang Xueliang was a good husband in her heart. She is determined to take good care of her health and wait for the day when Zhang Xueliang is free. Yu Fengzhi often said to the children:

She manages her career well, exercises every day and keeps a good mood. Yu Fengzhi lived to be 93 years old while fighting cancer.

1March, 990, Yu Fengzhi suddenly became seriously ill. She has been speechless, but her eyes have been staring at the photo on the wall, which is a photo of her and Zhang Xueliang. At this point, her heart is still worried about Zhang Xueliang.

The children surrounded her, so Yu Fengzhi quietly closed her eyes and ended her rough life.

Yu Fengzhi left all his wealth in the United States for many years to his lover Zhang Xueliang who missed half his life. She even left a cemetery next to her own grave, hoping to be buried with Zhang Xueliang.

When Zhang Xueliang learned the news of Yu Fengzhi's death, the whole people were stunned. Without saying a word, tears fell drop by drop, muttering, "How can she leave before me?"

Burying his face, Zhao Yidi shouted "big sister, big sister". As night fell, two people sat in a room full of sadness, unable to extricate themselves from their grief.

In the year of Yu Fengzhi's death, Zhang Xueliang and Zhao Yidi brought good news: personal freedom was completely restored.

He has many close relatives in his heart. In the past, Zhao Yidi went to America to visit children. Now Zhang Xueliang will also visit the United States.

Finally, in 199 1 year, Zhang Xueliang and Zhao Yidi went to visit relatives in the United States, and returned to Taiwan Province Province three months later, returning to their calm and plain days.

Many research institutions or churches want to invite Zhang Xueliang to give an oral history, but Zhang Xueliang rarely sees it. He has only met Mrs. Bay, Jiang and his old friends a few times. Under the introduction of Mrs. Bei, he met the graduate students who studied China's history and culture, and chatted with them about some historical memories.

1993, Zhang Xueliang and Zhao Yidi went to visit relatives in the United States again, and then came to Hawaii. Zhang Xueliang and Zhao Yidi are old, and Hawaii with pleasant scenery is really suitable for them to recuperate.

At first, they lived in the home of their younger brother Zhang Xuesen who lived here. Later, they were worried about getting their brother into trouble. Zhang Xueliang rented a house by the sea, and both he and Zhao Yidi liked it very much. Since then, they have lived here for a long time.

For decades, Zhang Xueliang has collected a large number of calligraphy and painting. After living in Hawaii, Zhang Xueliang also commissioned an American auction house to help auction his calligraphy and painting. More than 700 music collections were all auctioned, with a turnover of over 100 million.

The elderly Zhang Xueliang and Zhao Yidi went to Hawaii to live and spend their twilight years. He likes playing mahjong, singing Beijing opera and telling jokes. Neighbors only think that he is a simple old man and knows nothing about his past.

In 2000, Zhang Xueliang ushered in a major turning point in his life, because Zhao Yidi, who had been with him for many years, died of illness. Earlier, this disease was detected in Zhao Yidi. Although Zhang Xueliang was psychologically prepared for this, when the doctor announced Zhao Yidi's death, Zhang Xueliang still failed to bear this huge blow.

He quietly held Zhao Yidi's gradually cold hand and didn't let it go for a whole hour. At Zhao Yidi's memorial service, Zhang Xueliang sat in a wheelchair and stared for a long time. At this moment, his mood suddenly broke out. He shouted at Zhao Yidi's body. No one could hear what he was shouting, but he could feel his farewell.

When being pushed out of the funeral home, Zhang Xueliang was ready to get on the bus. Suddenly, a mature man rushed out of the crowd and ran to Zhang Xueliang in a wheelchair. The man straightened up and saluted Zhang Xueliang.

In a flash, a light flashed in the eyes of the old man Zhang Xueliang. Yu Fengzhi and Zhao Yidi both left him. What remains in his mind at this moment are endless thoughts and historical memories left for later generations to comment on.

He often sits alone in front of the balcony at home, staring at the sky in a daze, and almost everyone can feel his inner loneliness.

Sometimes Zhang Xueliang even forgets the fact that Zhao Yidi has left him. When someone asked him if he wanted to go to church, Zhang Xueliang would blurt out, "Ask my wife."

But Zhao Yidi will never appear again.

In the China Historical Library of Columbia University, Zhang Xueliang invested to set up a study called "Yidi Study Room". As the name implies, it is composed of Zhang Xueliang's name "Yi 'an" and his name "Di", which shows the importance to Zhang Xueliang.

As mentioned earlier, when Zhang Xueliang visited relatives in the United States for the first time, he met several Columbia graduate students. At that time, Zhao Yidi was still alive, and Zhang Xueliang and Zhao Yidi were interviewed many times to tell their stories.

Columbia University is the world-famous birthplace of oral history, and has conducted historical interviews with Li Zongren, Chen Lifu, Gu Weijun and others.

Perhaps Zhang Xueliang also thinks that we should leave something for future generations. He even accepted an interview with Columbia University, which surprised and pleased Zhang Zhibing, a professor at Columbia University.

Zhang Xueliang only put forward one condition: after 2002, all information shall not be made public.

According to the data analysis, there are two main reasons for Zhang Xueliang's choice: First, he is old, and his good friend Zhang Qun has lived 102 years old. Thinking about the rest of his life, he chose 2002, when he was 100 years old.

Second, Zhang Xueliang's past will inevitably mention Chiang Kai-shek, and his wife Song Meiling is still alive. He doesn't want these past events to affect Song Meiling.

Columbia University naturally agreed to Zhang Xueliang's request. There are many things that need to be described in detail in the long history, so from 199 1, Professor Zhang Zhibing often interviewed Zhang Xueliang. The "front" of this interview lasted for five years.

About 1996, this "oral history" is basically completed.

That is, in the same year, Zhang Xueliang handed over all the manuscripts of his life to the Columbia Library. These materials include Zhang Xueliang's rare books and his notes when he was studying.

In order to preserve these materials, Zhang Xueliang built the "Yi Di Study Room" at his own expense. The study is designed in the shape of gossip, which contains Zhang Xueliang's life experiences in his hometown in Northeast China, the Xi Incident, the years of imprisonment, and his mental journey.

Scholars from all over the world come to Columbia University to consult information, and the school is very welcome, even Zhang Xueliang himself is willing to accept it.

Zhang Xueliang spent his later years in memories and loneliness. By 200 1 year, Zhang Xueliang, aged 10 1 year, was unwell and was taken to hospital for pneumonia. Since then, he has been receiving treatment in the hospital, and his son, his daughter Zhang and other relatives are waiting for him.

On October 23rd, 65438/KLOC-0, Zhang Xueliang's public sacrifice was held in Borthwick Funeral Home. Many people attended the mourning activities, including old friends I haven't seen for many years, local people and many foreign friends. People consciously lined up to enter the main entrance.

Lv Zhenchao, Song Meiling and other old friends all sent wreaths to bid farewell to Zhang Xueliang's last journey in the grief of all.

Although both Yu Fengzhi and Zhao Yidi were left in the cemetery by Zhang Xueliang before his death, Zhang Xueliang finally chose to stay with Zhao Yidi who had been with him for decades.

It is worth mentioning that when the news of Zhang Xueliang's death came, Yang Hucheng's grandson lamented: "That era is over, completely over, and Mao, Jiang, Zhou and Zhang are gone!"

When it comes to the Xi incident, people always mention Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng. They protested resolutely and changed history afterwards. Unfortunately, Yang Hucheng died young, and Zhang Xueliang was jailed for many years. Their life is quite regrettable.

The names of Chairman Mao, Zhou Enlai, Chiang Kai-shek and Zhang Xueliang will never be forgotten by history. As Yang Hucheng's grandson said, "The past is the past". But future generations will never forget those magnificent history!

After his death, Zhang Xueliang left a lot of "wealth", including Yu Fengzhi's legacy, his collection for many years, the proceeds from auction and priceless historical materials.

For a time, public opinion was in vain. There are many people in the world, some people understand him and many people don't understand him. After all, there are three possibilities in everyone's expectation, one is for children, the other is for hometown, and the third is for Taiwan Province Province.

It happened that Zhang Xueliang had no choice. Let's analyze:

Why not leave it to your children?

In the previous interview, Zhang Xueliang mentioned that he did not intend to leave his property to his children. Most of his children grew up in the United States, received western education and knew little about the history and culture of their hometown.

Most of his property is of historical value, and it is not known whether children can protect his collection well. What's more, it also adds some burdens to children who live a quiet life.

One more thing, Zhang Xueliang also knows that he is a controversial person. On the one hand, he contributed to the establishment of the anti-Japanese national United front, but on the other hand, he bears the name of "general who does not resist". Once those historical materials were given to the children, they were involved in the center of public opinion, which he did not want to see.

Why not leave it to your hometown?

As we all know, Zhang Xueliang often expressed his nostalgia for his hometown in his later years. 1990, he wrote an inscription for Northeastern University Alumni Association; 1993, Zhang Xueliang met Huang Hong, a fellow countryman and sketch actor in Northeast China, and confided his homesickness: "I miss the old and young in Northeast China very much."

Zhang Lvlin, the son of Zhang Xueliang, once returned to his hometown, visited the headquarters and visited the September 18th Incident Memorial Hall, and shared with his father what he saw, heard and felt when he returned to his hometown. Zhang Xueliang is very excited

It is almost impossible to say that he doesn't miss his hometown, but he never went back to his hometown until his death.

For his hometown, he has different feelings, on the one hand, nostalgia, on the other hand, full of guilt. Plus, after so many years, he can't predict how old his friends in his hometown will be.

To say the least, even if he intends to give his "property" to his hometown, who should he give it to? Considering various factors, it is understandable that he did not leave a "legacy" to his hometown.

Why not leave it to Taiwan Province Province?

As we all know, Zhang Xueliang has lived in Taiwan Province Province for many years. There are almost half of his memories here, but most of them are unhappy.

He was imprisoned, lost his freedom, and was at odds with Chiang Kai-shek and Jiang Jingguo for a long time. When he mentioned the place where he and Zhao Yidi had lived for many years, Zhang Xueliang was exhausted.

How should he stay in this place with all the information of Chiang Kai-shek?

Zhang Xueliang had a deep intersection with Columbia University in his later years. In 1990s, Zhang Xueliang and Professor Zhang Zhibing had an in-depth conversation for several years, and even agreed that they should bring photographic equipment.

Moreover, before Zhang Xueliang's death, he had an agreement with Columbia University that "the information will not be made public until 2002".

Columbia University already has an "Yidi study room" funded by him, which is dedicated to storing information about him. It can be said that it is already a "collection station" for historical information about him.

According to his last wish, all his "legacy" will belong here. Columbia University has made a detailed study of China's traditional culture and history. For Zhang Xueliang, it is reassuring and objective to give it to them.

Perhaps this has also created a convenience for future generations. Information about Zhang Xueliang need not be scattered everywhere. People have a comprehensive understanding of his past, his choices and his life.

His swan song of life came to an end, and the foggy history was gradually pushed aside. ......