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Zhang Xue-liang or Chang Hsueh-liang, (English name Peter H.L. Chang) is known as the Young Marshal was an important figure in modern Chinese history. Zhang Xueliang who is the son of Zhangzuolin,a head of Fengxi(a area of Liaoning Province) warlord, became effective ruler of Manchuria after the assassination of his father by the Japanese. The Japanese were concerned that it would declare support for Chiang Kaishek,the leader of Kuomintang Government, and believed that Zhang Xueliang who was an opium adict would be much more subject to Japanese influence. Unexpectedly, the younger Zhang proved to be more independent than anyone had expected. He overcame his opium addiction and declared to suport Government to object Japanese invasion. However, Chiang Kaishek insited such policy at that tome: to resolve the trouble abroad should be after to stabilize home. In order to force Chiang kai-shek to aginst Japanese at once and end the Chinese Civil War, General Zhang and another General Yanghucheng kidnapped Chiang kai-shek in Xian on December 12,1936 and imprisoned him agreed to form a united front with the communists against the Japanese invasion. It is famous as "Xian Incident". Chiang apparent to agree to focus his efforts against the Japanese rather than the Communists and in return, he made Zhang became a prisoner of his and cease him any political role. Zhang spent half a century in house arrest for his role in the Xian incident, and followed Chiang to Taiwan where he remained non-political and spent his time studing Ming dynasty poetry. He died of pneumnia in Hawaii on October 15,2001, at the age of 101.
Zhangxueliang's residence located at the No 48 of Chaoyang Street, Shenyang City was built in 1914. It covers an area of 30 thounsands sq km and the building area in total is 2.7 sq km. It is devided into three building groups in deferent style, east compound, min-compound and west compound, and it is one of the most outstanding building groups of recent Chinese history. In the residence, people will see the military outstanding achievement of Zhangxueliang, Chinese recent history, as well as the orchid show, because Zhangxuelian loved orchid very much when he was alive.
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