Chapter 145: Xi'an Incident 6

After returning, Song Meiling's complexion was pale, but her gaze was unusually resolute. Her brother, Finance Minister Song Ziwen, and her brother‑in‑law, National Defense Design Committee member Kong Xiangxi, and others gathered around her.

"No! Absolutely not!" Song Meiling understood He Yingqin's call for armed suppression, and she rose up agitatedly, her voice trembling, "They intend to put the Chairman to death! Bombing Xi'an? A massive army attack? Blades and guns without restraint—what if... what if..." She dared not continue, holding back tears, "This is not a rescue at all; it is killing with a borrowed knife!"

Song Ziwen remained relatively calm, but his brows were tightly knit: "Little sister is right. He Jingzhi and the others have a condemnable heart. Now the primary task is to ensure the Chairman's safety. We must stop He Yingqin's military actions."

Kong Xiangxi also nodded: "Song Ziwen's words are spot on. We should convene an emergency meeting at once, clarify the stakes, seek the support of senior party elders and the International Community, and advocate a peaceful resolution. Perhaps... we need to go to Xi'an in person."

"I'll go!" Song Meiling said without hesitation, a resolute light flashing in her eyes, "I must go to Xi'an! I will meet Zhang Hanqing in person, meet Hu Cheng! I will ask them what they really intend! I will ensure the Chairman's safety!"

"Little sister, that's too dangerous!" Song Ziwen warned.

"Dangerous?" Song Meiling smiled wryly, "The Chairman is now in peril; what danger can I not take? I must go! And quickly! Before He Yingqin and his men tear the heavens apart!"

Within Jinling City, the two factions clashed fiercely, telegrams flew to every corner like snowflakes, soliciting opinions and dispatching troops. A supreme power struggle over how to resolve the Xi'an Incident has already begun.

Inside Xi'an City, under the joint control of Zhang Yang, the atmosphere was tense but order remained essentially stable. Patrols of Northeast Army and Seventeenth Route Army soldiers noticeably increased on the streets, and sentries and roadblocks were set up at key intersections. Public notices were posted throughout the streets and alleys, explaining the Military Advisor's original intent, promising to protect lives and property, and urging citizens to stay calm.

The New City Building and its surrounding area were under tight guard, a post every three steps and a sentry every five steps; anyone approaching, whether personnel or vehicle, had to undergo strict checks. The detained Nanjing military‑political officials, such as Chen Cheng, Wei Lihuang, Jiang Dingwen and others, were placed in separate locations and received relatively courteous "protection". Zhang Yang and his counterpart took turns visiting to explain, trying to win understanding or at least neutrality.

All sectors of the nation. Winds rose and clouds surged.

The shockwave of the Xi'an Incident spread across the country at a staggering speed.

In Guangxi, Li Zongren and Bai Chongxi, upon hearing the news, were shocked yet deep down not entirely opposed to Zhang Yang's stance of "ending the civil war and allying with the Communists against Japan." They quickly sent telegrams nationwide; although they did not explicitly back Zhang Yang, they strongly called for a "political solution," opposed a renewed civil war, and demanded "mobilize the whole nation's strength, unite outwardly." Their attitude was ambiguous, intended to bide time, and to pressure the Nanjing central government.

In Hebei, Song Zhuyuan, Han Fuju and other Huabei regional power brokers, positioned at the forefront of the anti‑Japanese front, were even more sensitive to the situation. Their statements were more cautious: on one hand urging the Chairman's safety and a peaceful resolution, on the other emphasizing "the nation is in crisis, further internal strife is inadvisable," subtly echoing the call to halt the civil war.

In Shanxi, the seasoned strategist Yan Xisan, shocked yet calculating, sent out a series of telegrams—one to Jinling declaring "support for the central government," another to Zhang Yang inquiring about the situation—acting as a mediator, trying to maintain balance among the parties and secure the greatest benefit for himself.

Among the populace, major newspapers and news agencies issued bulletins and commentaries, and the nation's intellectual, cultural, and student circles were ablaze with debate. Some supported Zhang Yang's anti‑Japanese stance, others condemned him as "rebellious against the throne," while many were deeply worried—eager to resist Japan yet fearing a larger civil war that could plunge the country into irreversible ruin. Student groups in Yanjing, Modu and elsewhere gathered, calling for national unity, a united anti‑Japanese front, and demanding the Jinling government adopt Zhang Yang's proposal for a peaceful resolution of the incident.

Internationally, the Soviet Union, Japan, Britain and the United States also responded swiftly, monitoring the developments closely through their own channels, and considering their stances and possible interventions.

In Northern Shaanxi, Gu Yue held up a telegram and said to Su Lin, "This is a historic turning point. We should dispatch representatives to Xi'an at once."

Wang Wufu added, "But we must be cautious and not give Jinling an excuse."

The next day, Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng held a press conference at the New City Building. Domestic and foreign reporters packed the venue.

"Deputy Commander-in-Chief, aren't you worried about being labeled a traitor?" a foreign reporter asked.

Zhang Xueliang replied calmly, "If I, Zhang Xueliang, were acting for personal gain, I could continue as Deputy Commander-in-Chief. But I cannot stand by as the nation heads toward destruction!"

Yang Hucheng continued, "Our action is solely to foster national unity against Japan. As long as the Chairman agrees to resist Japan, we are willing to accept any punishment."

At night, the lights on Xi'an's city wall shone brighter than usual. Zhang Xueliang wrapped his cotton robe tightly, his horse‑boots thudding dully on the stone pavement, and stopped once more before the New City Building. Inside, the lights burned brightly, yet the silence was such that distant faint dog barks from the streets could be heard, exuding a suppressed heaviness.

The Detachment Leader stepped forward, looking uneasy: "Deputy Commander Zhang, you're here again. The Chairman still repeats the same line—refusing to see anyone."

Zhang Xueliang furrowed his brows into a deep V, his voice tinged with fatigue: "I know he's angry, but the situation is urgent; we can't keep dragging this out. Please report again, saying Zhang Xueliang has urgent matters to report concerning the city's safety."

The Detachment Leader hesitated briefly, then turned and entered the inner room. Shortly after, he hurried back out, shaking his head: "The Chairman said, unless freedom is restored, no one will be seen, and he doesn't even bother to speak."

Just then, a pageboy carrying an empty tray emerged from the inner chamber, his face full of anxiety, and whispered to Zhang Xueliang: "Deputy Commander Zhang, the Chairman still refuses to eat. Since yesterday he's only taken two sips of plain water; the ginseng soup and rice porridge the kitchen prepared remain untouched, cooling then heating, heating then cooling."

Zhang Xueliang raised his hand to rub his forehead, let out a long sigh, his tone full of helplessness and earnestness: "The Chairman is stubborn, but his health cannot be ignored. Tell the kitchen to keep a constant watch, let the chicken soup simmer a bit longer, the porridge be cooked softer; whenever the Chairman wishes to eat, even in the middle of the night, it must be heated and served immediately, with no delay whatsoever."

"Understood," the pageboy replied, preparing to withdraw.

"Wait." Zhang Xueliang called him back, adding, "Prepare some light side dishes, nothing greasy. Also tell the attendants not to keep urging him, lest they irritate the Chairman; just stay at the door, and if the Chairman shows any sign, report it immediately."

The pageboy nodded, slipped away quietly. Zhang Xueliang stared at the tightly shut inner door, his brows furrowing even more. Inside, the faint rustle of pages could be heard, but no human voices; that silence was more agonizing than any dispute.

In another residence, Li Yuxuan was having a secret conversation with Huang Wei.

"How are the troops doing?"

"The Fifth Army has completed the encirclement of Xi'an, but per your orders, we are maintaining a twenty‑mile distance."

Li Yuxuan nodded: "Continue surveillance, but do not act rashly."

Night deepened, yet no one in Xi'an slept.