A love affair between Zhang Xueliang and Mussolini's daughter

In 1931, Zhang Xueliang, then deputy commander-in-chief of the army, Navy and Air Force in the National government, met 20-year-old IDA Mussolini at a routine diplomatic meeting. IDA was the eldest daughter of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and her husband was Italian Ambassador to China Giorgio Ciano. Immersed in her new marriage, IDA came to China to be by her husband's side, but to her despair, soon after arriving, he found a new love. IDA was disconsolate when she found herself pregnant. Even so, she forced a smile to attend diplomatic banquets. It was in this case that she met the personable Zhang Xueliang.

In IDA's eyes, Zhang Xueliang has the temperament of an Oriental man and the humor of a Western gentleman. Zhang Xueliang is also infected by IDA's warmth and kindness, and they talk happily. When Zhang Xueliang noticed IDA's gloomy mood, he promised her to play more often. Unexpectedly, a polite remark made IDA admit the truth, she frankly thought this was a kind of good signal, so she set aside a lot of time to invite Zhang Xueliang. Because of IDA's special status, Zhang Xueliang can only follow the diplomatic protocol to meet again and again.

One day, IDA heard that Zhang Xueliang was not only amazing at driving but also flying planes. She had a sudden idea and said, "General Zhang, can you take me to see the scenery over Peiping in your plane?" This crazy romantic idea led Zhang Xueliang to reject it on the grounds of military discipline. But IDA begged and begged, and promised that this would be the only time, and finally Zhang gave in.

On that day, the day was warm and windy. When Zhang Xueliang carefully and quietly took IDA, who was 5 months pregnant, to fly in the sky, the spectacular Beiping City opened IDA's eyes, and the long-lost smile appeared on her face again. Look at a IDA knot relieve, zhang xueliang take the flight as a special kind of diplomatic activities, just didn't expect, the next day, the streets of Beijing began to spread his "good miss plane with Mussolini air travel beiping city", then, major newspapers began to render their this period of "international love". When the news reached Nanjing, Chiang was furious. In the face of overwhelming criticism, Zhang Xueliang began to avoid IDA. IDA fully understood Zhang Xueliang's situation and did not disturb him. However, although they could not meet, IDA still paid attention to the information about Zhang Xueliang every day.

A few months later, the "September 18" incident broke out, Zhang Xueliang under Chiang Kai-shek's military orders, he was once again thrown on the public opinion of the storm, for a time, he was nicknamed "general no resistance". IDA, who had just given birth to her son, was worried about Zhang Xueliang. She wanted to see him, even if only to see him and ask if he was all right.

In the spring of 1932, when IDA was worried about Zhang Xueliang, the investigation mission of the League of Nations came to China on September 18, among which diplomatic envoys from various countries were invited. Another time, at a banquet hosted by Zhang Xueliang, the two met. Coincidentally, they were placed directly opposite the same table. They didn't say anything, but IDA was worried about Zhang Xueliang's emaciated appearance. During this period, IDA's eyes have been following Zhang Xueliang's constant social figure, there are missing, there are also sad. Occasionally, Zhang Xueliang looked over and saw IDA's worried face and felt guilty. As the banquet drew to a close, Zhang quietly handed IDA a note apologizing for rejecting her and inviting her to visit the Summer Palace the next day. Ada's eyes moistened when she saw the note.

The next day, Zhang Xueliang took his wife Yu Fengzhi to meet IDA. After a simple conversation, the diaphragm is swept away. Walking side by side, IDA felt an inexpressible sense of happiness. When they talk about the war between China and Japan, Ada asks, "How can I help you?" Zhang Xueliang spoke of a lack of advanced aircraft. A few days later, IDA, mindful of her special status, actually helped him order three planes in Italy. But just as the relationship between the two people back to warm up, IDA is leaving.

In late 1932, Chiano received a transfer to Shanghai, and Ada had to go with him. She said goodbye to Zhang Xueliang, who personally drove off. In the car, the two people were silent, words stuck in their throat. Going away, Ada said, "This parting, I wonder when we shall see each other again? If you have me in your heart, please remember my two words: first, give up the addiction (opium), and actively fight against Japan." When Zhang Xueliang nodded and left, IDA burst into tears.

After the "September 18" incident, the "no resistance" of the name of Zhang Xueliang depression, opium addiction. Soon after IDA went to Shanghai, Zhang Xueliang, who had been forced out of the field, also came to Shanghai to kick his drug habit and prepare to go abroad. The process was painful, but Mr. Zhang never saw IDA. However, just after hearing that Zhang Xueliang had come to Shanghai to detox, IDA contacted Miller, the doctor who gave him to detox. Afraid to come to disturb his peace of mind drug rehabilitation, she called Miller Zhang Xueliang daily drug rehabilitation, never interrupted. After Zhang succeeded in recovering from drug addiction, IDA recommended him to visit Italy as the first stop, because he will soon return to China with her husband, but they can travel together.

On April 11, 1933, they set out. The next ten days at sea, although both sides of the spouse side, but for IDA, it is her happiest memory. At the end of the same year, Zhang Xueliang returned to China after a trip to Europe. Since then, although they were separated at opposite ends of the earth, they still kept writing to each other. IDA encouraged Zhang Xueliang from time to time to protect his family and the country, which gave Zhang Xueliang great psychological comfort under the tense atmosphere in China.

The following year, at the start of the full-scale War of Resistance against Japan, Zhang learned that Chiano, who had risen to become Italy's foreign minister, had announced his recognition of the "Manchukuo" created by the Japanese militarist conspiracy. He was so angry that he immediately wrote IDA an honest Dear John letter and sent back all her previous letters. Since then, this once weal and woe of friendship with the war ashes.

In 1945, as World War II turned, Ciano, dissatisfied with Mussolini's insane rule, was arrested and executed. After Italy's defeat, Mussolini was also found dead in the streets. After losing her husband and father, IDA was devastated and eventually disappeared completely.

There is no doubt that IDA loved Zhang Xueliang, but for Zhang Xueliang, a self-professed womaniser, he never crossed the line in his relationship with IDA. Perhaps this was one of the reasons IDA had always loved him, not dirty, lecherous but measured.