Chapter 21 2. Reunion in Hong Kong

Since Chiang Kai-shek's rebellion against the revolution, Soong Ching Ling had little contact with the Soong family, even to the point of severing contact. There were political differences between Soong Meiling and her second sister Qingling, but her family affection made her secretly protect her second sister all the time.In the most difficult years of the ten-year civil war, Soong Ching Ling inherited Dr. Sun Yat-sen's behest and fought resolutely against Chiang Kai-shek's anti-communist and anti-people behaviors. She became a banner of patriotism and democracy, and naturally became the target of persecution by Kuomintang secret agents.Song Meiling never forgets the bond of flesh and blood, and resolutely does not allow the spies of the military command and the Central Command to do anything excessive to the second sister.

The Japanese army aggressively invaded China, and the whole nation's war of resistance began. The three sisters gradually came together for a common goal. In order to promote and consolidate the anti-Japanese national united front, and to win support from international friends and overseas Chinese for the anti-Japanese war, Soong Ching Ling initiated and organized the "China Defense League" in Hong Kong.Soong Ching Ling put the interests of the nation first, let go of her grievances, and united with her relatives who had parted ways with her politically for a long time. Together with her younger brother Song Ziwen, who was the Minister of Finance of the Kuomintang government at that time, and Sun Ke, who was the executive director of the Kuomintang government, they formed a "protection alliance". the initiator.

During Soong Ching Ling's presidency of the "Baomeng" work in Hong Kong, she also strengthened the relationship with her long-estranged sisters, which had a positive impact on the consolidation and development of the Anti-Japanese National United Front. In February 1940, Song Meiling came to Hong Kong from Chongqing specially for medical treatment.That was when she nearly died in an accidental car accident during a front-line inspection, and suffered from insomnia and frequent hives as a result. Meiling lives in the apartment of the eldest sister Ai Ling, Qingling also moves from her own apartment, and the three Song sisters live together.In the following 40 days, there was a bustling scene in Soong Ailing's residence on Sassoon Road in Hong Kong.

The three sisters were able to get together happily, as if they had returned to the period when they were studying abroad at Wesleyan Women's College in the early years, harmonious and smiling.During these days, the three sisters completely put aside their original roles and spent a good time happily.For many years, this is the first time that the Song sisters have been able to put aside their differences in political stances and truly get along and love each other.They gossip, cook together, tell old jokes that are difficult for others to understand, try on each other's clothes, and share sisterhood.

During the more than 40 days in Hong Kong, the three sisters often accepted interviews and photos from the press, and often held meetings at the home of the eldest sister Song Ailing to discuss anti-Japanese issues. After deliberation, the three sisters decided to go back to Chongqing together to promote the anti-Japanese war, because at this time the Wang Puppet Nationalist Government was established in Nanjing.If the three sisters went to Chongqing together and appeared in the public in the accompanying capital, it should be a great encouragement to the Chinese people in the arduous war of resistance. People would no longer believe the rumors of the split of the Song family and the split of the national government.

On the eve of the departure of the three sisters, they made an amazing move in Hong Kong: the three of them appeared in a Hong Kong restaurant together and had dinner there. On this day, the weather was particularly good, and the busy Hong Kong suddenly became restless. There is an exciting news circulating on the street—the three Song sisters who have been separated for a long time are now sitting together in the Liya Hotel. The three sisters are talking and laughing, and they are very cordial. You must know that in that era, the three Song sisters had become a model for many families to educate their children: the three sisters were not only naturally beautiful, but also talented.Among them appeared two first ladies and a wife of the executive president. Never before in history have there been such prominent compatriots and sisters.

Among the three sisters, one is the "Mother of the Nation" and is admired by everyone; She is the famous richest woman in China.Back then, although their pursuits were different, they were all successful in their respective paths. Normally, it is not easy to see one of them, but now they have the opportunity to see the beauty of the three sisters at the same time. Moreover, the three sisters parted ways due to politics more than ten years ago. Although they have never seen each other attack each other, it is common for Soong Ching Ling to expose and angrily denounce her brother-in-law Chiang Kai-shek.

At that time, they also belonged to different political camps. Soong Meiling directly represented the ruling group in China at that time, while Soong Ching Ling more represented the left wing in opposition, and sometimes even advocated certain ideas in the communist movement.Over the years, the actions of the Song family have been closely linked with every major event in the Chinese political arena. Now that the three sisters suddenly appear together, then this must be a sign.But what will it be?No one could have guessed at the time.The more tempting it is if you can't figure it out, the more you want to find out.

At the time the news interested almost everyone. So men, women, those in robes, those in suits, those with yellow skin and black hair, those with high noses and blue eyes, those with bags, and those with cameras...all ran towards this restaurant in one direction at a time. Those who came early rushed to the door; those who came late crowded the street; those who had a way guarded the window; those who followed the trend stretched their necks; Steady, choose the terrain and wait outside, if you don't believe it, they will never come out. In fact, there is no need to see the three sisters anymore, but this scene was a big news at the time, which is enough to illustrate the influence of the three sisters.

Crowds occupied roads and blocked traffic.No one complained, and as soon as the latecomers asked why, they immediately joined the trend.People gathered more and more, and the scene became bigger and bigger. Soong Ching Ling came to Hong Kong after the fall of Shanghai and had many activities, which is known to all; Soong Ai Ling lived in Hong Kong after the fall of Wuhan, but she did not hold a public office, so few people know about it; as for Song Meiling, who was supposed to stay in Chongqing, the accompanying capital of the Kuomintang, when did she come? People don't even know what to do in Hong Kong and come to Hong Kong.

At this time, the three sisters were indeed in the hotel.However, their gathering is not a private banquet, nor is it simply to recount the family relationship between sisters, but for the great cause of China's war of resistance. The gathering was not limited to the three sisters, there were also a group of people from various patriotic organizations in Hong Kong, but even in front of celebrities, the three sisters of the Song family were always the focus of attention. They still follow the principle of "big give way to small", with Soong Meiling speaking first.Seeing Soong Meiling wearing a black silk embroidered Chinese-style cheongsam, the openings on both sides of the cheongsam only reached her knees, graceful, luxurious and elegant, she walked up to the rostrum swiftly, her bright black eyes scanned the venue first, she did not speak immediately, because The most important thing is to let the participants better focus on themselves, and at the same time, she also uses this moment to convey a kind of confidence to people. She didn't talk too much about the truth, but spoke highly of the work of the China Defense League led by the second sister Soong Ching Ling in a very appreciative tone, and praised the Baomeng and the China Industrial Cooperation Association (referred to as "Gonghe") for promoting the situation of China's Anti-Japanese War , Contacting friends at home and abroad, raising anti-war supplies, and helping war refugees have done a series of fruitful work. These few words elicited prolonged applause. Since the founding of the Baomeng, this is the first time that the Baomeng has received the approval of the temple of power of the Kuomintang.In the past, KMT government officials took an evasive attitude towards both "Baomeng" and "Gonghe".After Song Meiling praised Baomeng, she specifically asked her second sister Soong Ching Ling to ask Baomeng to audit the financial accounts of the Hong Kong branch of the "Friends of the Wounded Soldiers Society" she had just announced. Fair and honest. Soong Ching Ling is still so solemn and elegant.She first called on people to support the Friends of the Wounded Soldiers Movement led by Song Meiling.Then she proposed that the newly established Hong Kong branch of the Friends of the Wounded Soldiers should be chaired by the eldest sister Song Ailing. Public office, but she organizes the industry, develops the economy, and often wins by strategizing. Therefore, there is no more suitable person than her for this position. At this time, Song Ailing is not as young and beautiful as her two younger sisters, but she still has her demeanor.She wears a diamond ring on her finger, and there is a huge pearl on the bun behind her head.Like her two younger sisters, she both wears a Chinese-style cheongsam, probably to show a posture of abiding by Chinese traditions and a state of mind that is at odds with foreign invaders.She participated in the women's comfort meeting organized by Soong Ching Ling in the early days of the War of Resistance, and Soong Meiling was the leader of this national organization.She also donated a lot of money to the War of Resistance and gained a good reputation.In her speech, she did not mention the work she had done in the past, but praised the contributions of her two younger sisters to China's war of resistance, and said that she would do more work in the future. This time, it was the first collective appearance of the three sisters in public during the Anti-Japanese War. Because after Chiang Kai-shek betrayed the Great Revolution, betrayed the Three People's Principles advocated by Sun Yat-sen, and massacred the Communists, Soong Ching Ling parted ways with her sister and brother-in-law, drew a clear political line, and almost cut off contact with her sister in private.Whenever Soong Meiling proposed a sister reunion, Soong Ching Ling always declined with excuses. Even if she agreed, she had to choose to go when Chiang Kai-shek was not in the official residence, otherwise she would not attend. The big goal of fighting against Japan together bridged the political gap between them.At the critical moment of the country's crisis, the three sisters of the Song family couldn't help laughing because their sisters' activities could play such an important role. They also ate together at a Hong Kong restaurant, bringing the political dish called "unity" to the people of the country, seemingly intentionally or unintentionally, which brightened everyone's eyes. This day is March 28, 1940. The news of the three sisters gathering in Hong Kong sent a signal to the domestic public and international observers that the unity of the anti-Japanese forces in China is stronger and the united front is more consolidated. The three sisters gathered in Hong Kong and announced to the world that the traitorous acts of Wang Jingwei's traitor group will not cause any big disturbances in China, and China is still an important battlefield against fascism in the world! The appearance of the three sisters in a public place has aroused the attention and discussion of the international media. The sensitive news circles all predict that the Kong Song family will unite and go to the national calamity together. This kind of friendly gathering of the three sisters is really rare in their life journey!