Zhang Zuolin has 8 sons. In fact, the fourth son, Zhang Xuesi, is the most powerful. So why does he think highly of Zhang Xueliang the most, and why did he choose him as his successor?
I think there are mainly four reasons.
1 Zhang Xueliang is the eldest son in the family:
Zhang Xueliang was able to obtain the position of Northeast King entirely because he was the eldest son. This was Zhang Xueliang’s innate advantage. In ancient my country, "the eldest son is the oldest" has always been emphasized. Zhang Zuolin was born as a bandit, and feudal ideas have long been ingrained in Zhang Zuolin's heart. Therefore, Zhang Xueliang was trained as his successor from the beginning, and he was the successor who did his duty. As a successor, he had to work with Other sons have different "treatment". .
Although Zhang Zuolin always calls Zhang Xueliang the "little six son", he is not the sixth son, but the eldest son in the family. Zhang Zuolin hopes that this "little six son" will succeed and hopes that he can become the pillar of the Zhang family in the future. , in fact, it is better to say that it is respect than reliance.
As the eldest son, Zhang Zuolin also insisted on Han culture and denied Manchu culture. Because the Han people generally insist on ordering elders and younger ones, but the Manchu and Qing dynasties did not. The eldest sons of the Manchu and Qing emperors were almost in the minority.
For example, it can be seen from his name. The name Zhang Xueliang, with the courtesy name Hanqing, makes people think of Zhang Liang, the great Hanqing doctor. It can be seen here that Zhang Zuolin hopes that Zhang Xueliang can be like Zhang Xueliang. Like Liang, he assisted others to "prosper the Han Dynasty". It can be said that Zhang Zuolin had high expectations for Zhang Xueliang, even when he was in his mother's womb.
2 Love the house and the bird, Zhang Zuolin was born to his original wife:
The reason why Zhang Xueliang was valued by Zhang Zuolin was more or less due to his mother. Zhang Xueliang's mother, Zhao Chungui, was Zhang Zuolin's first wife. It can be said that they were a couple in need. At that time, it could be said that Zhang Zuolin was at his most depressed. Zhang Xueliang grew up with his mother in the countryside.
Until Zhang Xueliang was 12 years old, his mother died of illness. At this time, Zhang Zuolin was already the king of Northeast China and took Zhang Xueliang back to Fengtian Mansion. Out of guilt for his deceased wife, he doted on his son very much. He also has high hopes for his future.
3 Zhang Xueliang himself is smart and studious:
If a person doesn’t work hard, no matter how others help you, it will be in vain. However, Zhang Xueliang once studied in the Marshal’s Mansion with many siblings, and every day The results were all first place. Not only that, Zhang Xueliang also showed a strong interest in leading troops to fight, which was exactly the result Zhang Zuolin wanted to see. Zhang Xueliang had excellent grades in the military academy and ranked first in the artillery department when he graduated, which made Zhang Zuolin appreciate him even more.
4 The situation at that time destined Zhang Xueliang to become his successor:
On June 4, 1928, Zhang Zuolin was seriously injured by the Japanese army on a train, and later died of his injuries. At that time, Zhang Xueliang was already 27 years old, and his second son Zhang Xueming had just turned 20. He was too young. Zhang Zuolin had no choice but to choose Zhang Xueliang, who was older and old enough to take the lead. When Zhang Xueliang reached his thirties, he also had many years of experience in the military.
Therefore, Zhang Xueliang became Zhang Zuolin's successor. Whether it was his innate advantage as the eldest son, his acquired diligence and studiousness, or the final situation, in Zhang Zuolin's eyes, only Zhang Xueliang Only then can he inherit his own mantle, but if the old commander knew what "Little Liuzi" did, I don't know what he would think!