In 1924, Zhang Xueliang married Gu Ruiyu. On their wedding night, Zhang Xueliang said, "From now on, wherever I go, you will follow!" He then pulled down the veil and pounced on her. Seven years later, Zhang Xueliang threw her 100,000 silver dollars, angrily shouting, "Get out of here right now, or I'll kill you!"
Who was Zhang Xueliang? He was the eldest son of Zhang Zuolin, the warlord of the Fengtian clique. Born in a chaotic era and raised in Northeast China, he followed his father into the military from a young age, later taking over the Northeast Army and becoming a renowned young marshal. In 1928, he accomplished a major feat—the Northeast Flag Change, bringing the Northeast under the jurisdiction of the Nanjing government, contributing to national unification. Later, the Xi'an Incident cemented his place in history, but that's another story. In 1924, he was only 24 years old, young and ambitious, pondering how to establish himself in the chaotic world.
And Gu Ruiyu? A native of Tianjin, from a wealthy family, a typical rich young lady. She was not only beautiful, but also educated, fluent in English, and quite intelligent. It's said she even performed on stage, making her a woman of considerable talent. In those days, women who spoke fluent English were rare, so it was natural that someone as worldly as Zhang Xueliang would be attracted to her.
How did they meet? It all started with Gu Ruiyu's brother. The Gu family had some influence in Tianjin, and her brother hosted a banquet, inviting many prominent figures. Zhang Xueliang frequently traveled to Tianjin at that time to handle military affairs and attend such events. At the banquet, Gu Ruiyu immediately caught his eye. Not only was she beautiful, but she could also converse in English, and Zhang Xueliang immediately sensed that this woman was extraordinary. Later, he found an excuse to have Gu Ruiyu help translate some documents related to the procurement of military equipment. After several encounters, the two became acquainted.
Not long after, Zhang Xueliang began to have designs on her. At that time, he was already a high-ranking officer in the Northeast Army, commanding a large army, but he was still quite naive in matters of the heart. He felt that Gu Ruiyu was intelligent, capable, and somewhat Westernized, a good match for him. The Gu family, on the other hand, was also happy to have this marriage, given Zhang Xueliang's status and the support he could provide. So, in 1924, the two married in Tianjin. Zhang Xueliang was 24 years old that year, and Gu Ruiyu was a few years younger. The wedding was quite grand, and the news spread throughout Tianjin.
After the marriage, Gu Ruiyu was far from being just a figurehead. She followed Zhang Xueliang everywhere, accompanying him on military campaigns and helping him with many matters. She was fluent in English and could communicate with foreigners, contributing significantly to the procurement of munitions. During those years, Zhang Xueliang was busy reorganizing the Northeast Army, and Gu Ruiyu became his assistant. The Northeast was a chaotic place, with warlords fighting each other, and Gu Ruiyu endured considerable hardship following him.
But the good times didn't last long; problems soon arose. Gu Ruiyu, being from a wealthy family, was somewhat spoiled. After marrying Zhang Xueliang, her life became easier, and she began to get arrogant. She felt she had helped Zhang Xueliang a lot, and her status had changed, so she gradually became haughty. Her old subordinates in the army disliked her, saying it was a woman meddling in military affairs. But she wouldn't listen, believing herself to be right.
Even more troublesome was that she began to believe some people she shouldn't have. There were many factions in the Northeast Army, and some people, seeing Zhang Xueliang's rising power, wanted to sabotage him. These people approached Gu Ruiyu, spreading rumors and gossip. She was easily swayed and actually believed these whispers. Once, she argued with Zhang Xueliang, insisting that his people were unreliable, almost causing him to believe the rumors and kill one of his trusted subordinates. This infuriated Zhang Xueliang, who felt that she had not only failed to help but had almost ruined his plans.
By 1931, their relationship had completely broken down. That year, the situation in Northeast China was even more chaotic, and Zhang Xueliang was overwhelmed with work, while Gu Ruiyu continued to act capriciously. He tolerated it for a long time, but finally couldn't take it anymore. That day, he threw 100,000 silver dollars at her, yelled at her to leave, and even made some harsh remarks. When word got out, people said Zhang Xueliang was heartless, but no one knew how long he had tolerated her.
After being driven away, Gu Ruiyu returned to Tianjin. With the money, she wasn't starving, but without Zhang Xueliang's support, she had no status in Tianjin. She lived a lonely life for the rest of her days, never remarried, and didn't achieve any notable feats. She eventually died in melancholy, and few remembered her when she died.
And Zhang Xueliang? After 1931, his career continued to advance. A few years later, he launched the Xi'an Incident, forcing Chiang Kai-shek to resist Japan, an event that brought him great fame. However, he was then placed under house arrest for decades, only settling into a peaceful life in Hawaii in his later years. His marriage to Gu Ruiyu was long gone, never to be mentioned again.
This story is quite poignant. Zhang Xueliang fell for Gu Ruiyu in his youth, believing she could help him achieve great things, but unexpectedly, her later actions became a hindrance. Seven years passed, from sweetness to bitterness; the twists and turns in between are impossible to explain. Gu Ruiyu wasn't a bad person, but her arrogance and foolishness ultimately ruined their relationship.
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