Text/Xu Yueming
Before liberation, Zhou Enlai and Zhang Zhizhong belonged to different political parties, one was a stalwart of the Communist Party and the other was a senior general of the Kuomintang. They have different political positions and perspectives, and they are sometimes at odds with each other for the benefit of their respective parties. But people know each other, and they know each other, but they have formed a sincere and deep friendship in their long-term revolutionary exchanges. This pair of true brothers, who are also enemies and friends, have endured nearly half a century of trials and tribulations, and the flower of friendship has lasted for a long time. The revolutionary friendship of fifty years of liver and gallbladder has left a good story for future generations.
At first sight, I feel sorry for each other
Zhang Zhizhong and Zhou Enlai first met during the Great Revolution. After the first Kuomintang-Communist cooperation, in May 1925, the Kuomintang founded the Whampoa Military Academy on Huangpu Island in Guangzhou to cultivate reserve forces for the revolution, with Zhou Enlai as the director of the political department and Zhang Zhizhong as the chief of education. Since then, the two have begun to contact, and at first sight, they quickly become a pair of sincere friends. Zhou Enlai and Zhang Zhizhong were both open-minded and bright-minded people, and they were both very bold and talkative, especially Zhou Enlai's profound knowledge, outstanding talent, capable style and extraordinary personality charm, which made Zhang Zhizhong very admirable. When Zhang Zhizhong wrote his memoirs in his later years, he said: "He (Zhou) was very enthusiastic, and he had great attraction in his conversation, demeanor, and knowledge. Moreover, the two men's views on the work of military academies, major events at home and abroad, and the future and destiny of China are also "slightly the same as what the heroes see"; more importantly, Zhang Zhizhong accepted revolutionary ideas in his early years and always adhered to Dr. Sun Yat-sen's three major policies of uniting Russia, uniting with the Communist Party, and supporting peasants and workers, which became the basis for them to establish friendship. It can be said that the friendship between the two planted precious seeds in the Whampoa period, and gradually blossomed and bear fruit. At the Whampoa Military Academy, zhang Zhizhong attended every lecture given by Zhou Enlai to the students, and Zhou Enlai's lectures on Marxism abroad and the workers' and peasants' movement at home enabled him to broaden his political horizons, increase his knowledge, and gradually turn his thinking to the left, and he had close relations with many Leftist Figures of the Kuomintang and communists in the military academy.
◆ Zhou Enlai
With the deepening of his understanding of the Chinese Communist Party and his trust in Zhou Enlai, Zhang Zhizhong formally proposed to Zhou Enlai to join the Chinese Communist Party. Zhang Zhizhong took the initiative to ask to join the Communist Party, and Zhou Enlai was naturally very happy and welcomed, but at the same time he realized that this matter was extraordinary and should be reported to the Party Central Committee first. Soon, the CPC Central Committee replied to Zhang Zhizhong's application, and Zhou Enlai conveyed to him: "Of course, the CPC side welcomes you to join the party, but your goal is too big, the KMT and the CPC have made an agreement, and the CPC will not recruit senior KMT cadres into the party." At this time, I am afraid that there will be inconveniences, so it is better to wait for the appropriate time. However, the CCP promises to support you in the future and make your work easy to do. After listening to Zhou Enlai's words, Zhang Zhizhong pondered for a long time and said: "The CPC's opinion is reasonable and far-sighted, so I will continue to work for the Kuomintang." After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Zhou Enlai and Zhang Zhizhong's younger son, Zhang Yichun, recalled this past in conversation, and said with great emotion: "If your father joined the Communist Party of China at that time, now he is either our marshal or a revolutionary martyr." Although Zhang Zhizhong did not join the Chinese Communist Party as he wished, he admired and respected Zhou Enlai even more, and regarded him as a confidant. At that time, Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao were preparing to get married at the Whampoa Military Academy, but the economic constraints and busy affairs made them decide to make the marriage simple. After Zhang Zhizhong heard about it, he thought it was inappropriate and said: "Marriage is a major event in life, and it cannot be too simple. Therefore, he immediately informed his friends and confidants in the military academy, and at his own expense, he organized two tables of banquets. At Zhou Enlai's wedding banquet, Zhang Zhizhong, who usually rarely drank alcohol, drank with his confidants and friends and drunk Zhou Enlai. This incident made Zhou Enlai and his wife very moved, and deng Yingchao still remembered these past events vividly, saying that she would never forget them in her lifetime.
◆ Zhang Zhizhong
Soon after the establishment of the Whampoa Military Academy, the Guangdong Nationalist Government announced the Northern Expedition. At the beginning of the Northern Expedition, Zhang Zhizhong strongly recommended Zhou Enlai to Chiang Kai-shek, believing that It was most appropriate for Zhou Enlai to serve as the director of the Political Department of the General Headquarters of the National Revolutionary Army. But Chiang Kai-shek was a political careerist, and he certainly had his own ideas and would never let the Communists take control of the armed forces. Therefore, Zhang Zhizhong's suggestions would naturally not be adopted, but he always believed that the headquarters of the Northern Expeditionary Army without the participation of Zhou Enlai was a major loss for the revolution. After that, the Northern Expedition advanced rapidly, and by September and October 1926, the three towns of Wuhan had been recovered, and Zhang Zhizhong was appointed as the chief of education of the Wuhan branch of the Whampoa Military Academy and the head of the student corps, staying in Wuhan, while Zhou Enlai was transferred to Shanghai. This forced the contact between Zhou and Zhang to be interrupted, but Zhang Zhizhong had been thinking and thinking about Zhou Enlai. On the eve of Chiang Kai-shek's gradually revealing his counter-revolutionary features and launching the "April 12" counter-revolutionary coup, Chen Geng, who was born in huangpu and formerly the commander of Zhang Zhizhong's officers' regiment, suddenly came to see him in secret, saying that he was going to Shanghai and needed travel expenses. Zhang Zhizhong, who had been worried about Zhou Enlai's safety, asked, "Where is Mr. Enlai now?" After learning that Zhou Enlai had arrived in Shanghai, he paid Chen Geng for his travel expenses and repeatedly instructed: "The situation is not right, you go to Shanghai and tell him that you must be careful in your actions!" ”
Helping each other in times of affliction shows the truth
The relationship between Zhang Zhizhong and Zhou Enlai was interrupted for ten years by the revolutionary war at home, and the two came into contact again during the War of Resistance Against Japan. In 1937, the Anti-Japanese National United Front was formed, and the national War of Resistance began. Zhang Zhizhong was transferred from the Songhu battlefield to the chairman of the Hunan Provincial Government, Xu Teli served as the representative of the CPC office in Changsha, Zhou Enlai served as deputy director of the Political Department of the Kuomintang Central Military Commission, and Ye Jianying served as deputy director of the Nanyue Guerrilla Cadre Training Class. In this way, Zhang Zhizhong regained contact with the Communist Party, and he reunited with Zhou Enlai, a friend he had not seen in ten years.
◆ August 28, 1945 at Yan'an Airport, from left to right: Zhang Zhizhong, Mao Zedong, Hurley, Zhou Enlai, Wang Ruofei, Hu Qiaomu, Chen Long.
Soon after the two reunited, there was a fire in Changsha. In this incident, the two men helped each other in hardships and their friendship became more and more consolidated. In 1938, after the fall of Wuhan, Changsha became the front line of the War of Resistance, and the situation was very tense, for which Chiang Kai-shek formulated the policy of "scorched earth resistance". On November 12, Chiang Kai-shek sent a shocking telegram to Zhang Zhizhong, instructing him to burn the entire city if Changsha fell. Zhang Zhizhong did not dare to be sloppy, and made urgent arrangements, stipulating that the army should be set on fire after it withdrew to Miluo, and that the people should be alerted and notified in advance. At such a critical moment, Zhang Zhizhong still did not forget his old friend Zhou Enlai in Changsha City, and at exactly ten o'clock that night, he called Zhou Enlai and asked him to leave Changsha before twelve o'clock. Zhou Enlai, who received the call, knew that the situation was urgent, immediately packed up the documents, and quickly left the residence with the guards. Obviously, Zhang Zhizhong had clear instructions and requirements for his affiliation. However, due to the fact that some greedy and fearful officials fled in the wind, the executives mistakenly believed the rumors, and did not get orders in a hurry, did not ask for approval, and lit fires everywhere without setting off air raid sirens. For a time, a huge fire spread throughout Changsha City, and Zhou Enlai's residence was surrounded by raging fires less than a quarter of an hour after he left... The fire burned Changsha, a famous city of more than 2,000 years, and killed more than 20,000 people. Afterwards, Zhang Zhizhong knew that he had run into a catastrophe, and he was both self-blamed and anxious. At the same time, calls from all walks of life for severe punishment of the murderers were rife, and some Kuomintang officials who wanted to choose themselves or had ulterior motives pushed the responsibility on Zhang Zhizhong and fell into the well. Zhang Zhizhong was afraid and angry, and he had no choice. Zhou Enlai, who was heartbroken by the fire in Changsha, neither condemned Zhang Zhizhong with these people, nor did he sit by the sidelines, but quickly came to his side, first gently exhorted, and then pointed out his responsibility, asking him to "quickly clean up the aftermath and clean up the hearts of the people." This warm word was like sending charcoal in the snow, calming Zhang Zhizhong's frightened heart and giving him strength and hope. Therefore, Zhang Zhizhong sent the draft of "The Truth About the Great Fire in Changsha" to be published in the name of the Propaganda Department and the Political Department of the Kuomintang Central Committee to Zhou Enlai for review. Zhou Enlai carefully and conscientiously revised the words, first criticizing the mistakes of the Kuomintang government's policy of "scorched earth and resisting the war," and then making a realistic analysis of the causes of the fire; in addition to pointing out that the responsible persons had mistakenly believed rumors, were not well prepared, and were temporarily impatient, he also added the words "The people in self-defense were indignant, thinking that the enemy was coming, and they set themselves on fire." The wind knows the grass, and the road knows the horsepower. Just when all parties were criticizing and falling into the well, the support and understanding of old friends made Zhang Zhizhong feel rare, so that he never forgot his life.
Sincere friendship in adversity will make people feel more grateful and cherished. After the Changsha fire incident, Zhang Zhizhong was more concerned and loving for Zhou Enlai, and he also tried his best to do "the things entrusted by people and loyal to people" as much as possible. At the end of 1941, after Japan's sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, the US naval base, US President Roosevelt sent his personal representative Curie to China to talk about aiding China in resisting Japan. Curie dated Zhou Enlai as he left. In this regard, at the joint meeting of the Kuomintang party, government, and army, some people proposed that zhou Enlai be put under house arrest for a day so that they could not meet. Zhang Zhizhong was both indignant and amused after hearing this, believing that this was not only a sabotage of the cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communists, but also an insult to Zhou Enlai's personality. He couldn't help but stand up and say, "Of course, the chairman of the committee will not be unaware of the date, and now that he has not delivered the discussion, why should he spend his own time?" Moreover, it is still unclear whether it is Curie or Zhou Enlai who took the initiative to date. Moreover, the house arrest advocate is not very clever, which will not only arouse the opposition of the CCP, but also easily misunderstand the US side and affect US aid. At this point, everyone stopped discussing.
◆ In February 1946, a three-member investigation team composed of Zhang Zhizhong, Zhou Enlai, and Marshall took a group photo in front of the headquarters of the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region.
In 1945, after the Negotiations between the Kuomintang and the Communists in Chongqing and the Conclusion of the Double Tenth Agreement, Chiang Kai-shek sent Zhang Zhizhong to Xinjiang to deal with the affairs of Ili and Tacheng. When Zhou Enlai learned of this, he immediately thought of our party comrades imprisoned in the Kuomintang prison in Urumqi. Before Zhang Zhizhong left, Zhou Enlai entrusted him with the matter of rescuing these comrades, and said sincerely: "We have a group of comrades who were arrested by Sheng Shicai, and their fate is still unknown, and the release of political prisoners has been written into the "Double Tenth Agreement." Zhang Zhizhong angrily promised that as long as The matter assigned by Enlai would be done. In March 1946, Zhang Zhizhong was appointed director of the Northwest Camp and chairman of Xinjiang Province. Immediately after taking office, he sent people to visit his comrades in prison and gave instructions to improve their food in prison and allow them to move freely in prison. Then he called Chiang Kai-shek three times to demand the implementation of the "Double Tenth Agreement" and the release of these CCP members, and Chiang Kai-shek finally had to agree. After receiving Chiang Kai-shek's approval, Zhang Zhizhong immediately announced the release of the prisoners and decided to escort them back to Yan'an. He not only personally approved the escort plan, but also repeatedly told the escorts: this is an escort and not an escort, pay attention to politeness, you escort to Lanzhou, someone will take over. The road from Urumqi to Lanzhou is long and chaotic, we must ensure their safety, every place must be called, there are difficulties to ask for instructions, as long as you follow my instructions, everything is my responsibility. Zhang Zhizhong then sent a report to Gu Zhenglun, chairman of Gansu Province, Zhu Shaozhou, chairman of Shaanxi Province, and Hu Zongnan, commander of the Shanxi First Theater. It was emphasized that these CPC personnel were released with the approval of Chairman Jiang, and the camp sent people to escort them back to Yan'an, and asked them to be properly received along the way. At the same time, Zhang Zhizhong telegraphed the incident and the date of their departure to Zhou Enlai so that Yan'an could respond. It can be seen from this that Zhang Zhizhong arranged how thoughtful and meticulous it was! On July 8, 1946, these 131 comrades finally returned to the embrace of the Yan'an Party, which was a major event in the history of the Communist Party of China. However, at this time, the national civil war had already begun, and if Zhang Zhizhong neglected or ignored it slightly, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Liver and gallbladder good stories last forever
True friendship shows true feelings in tribulations, and true friendship can stand the test of time and years. At the end of the Liberation War, Zhang Zhizhong, as the chief representative of the Kuomintang, went to Beiping to hold peace talks with the Chinese Communists, but the negotiations broke down due to the refusal of the Nanjing government to sign the Internal Peace Agreement. After the negotiations broke down, the Kuomintang delegates were faced with the choice of going and staying, and after the CCP persuaded and retained, most of them agreed to stay in Beiping. However, Zhang Zhizhong was deeply influenced by traditional concepts, holding that the delegation was sent by the Nanjing government, and the peace talks could not be concluded, and it was reasonable to go back to resume life. Even if others could have decided not to go back, he, as the chief representative, must not. Otherwise, it will be laughed at by the world. When Zhou Enlai learned of the situation, he came to Zhang Zhizhong's side in his busy schedule and said to him with concern: "Whether you return to Nanjing, Shanghai or Guangzhou, the Kuomintang agents will not let you go." Xi'an incident We are already sorry for a friend surnamed Zhang, and today we can no longer be sorry for your friend surnamed Zhang! After Zhang Zhizhong listened, his heart moved, but he still did not make a clear statement. Zhou Enlai, who was in a bit of a hurry, unceremoniously rebuked him: "I see, you are a feudal person, why do you only have illusions about some people, and not for the sake of the Chinese revolution and the Chinese people?" When he shook hands and said goodbye, he left a sentence of infinite emotion: "We must not forget mr. Han Qing's lesson!" In the past few days when Zhang Zhizhong was hesitant, in order to eliminate his worries, Zhou Enlai secretly informed the Nanjing underground party to urgently protect Zhang Zhizhong's family and move them safely to Shanghai to get out of danger in time. When Zhang Zhizhong and his wife and children met in Beiping, he was deeply touched by everything and said affectionately: "Mr. Enlai, thank you for your thoughtfulness, our family will never forget." Zhou Enlai said sincerely: "I congratulate you on your family reunion." However, please also understand that in order to avoid mistakes, I did not tell you in advance. The CCP leader was so benevolent and righteous that Zhang Zhizhong's family decided to stay in Beiping. Zhou Enlai immediately asked the relevant departments to arrange accommodation, and also particularly stressed that it is necessary to look at a few more places and try to satisfy their families as much as possible. Finally, after careful selection, the Zhang family finally selected the No. 14 courtyard of Beizongbu Hutong, which was formerly the residence of the Beiyang warlord Sun Lianzhong, with a magnificent building, not only many rooms, but also very spacious, as well as a dance hall that can accommodate more than 100 people and a restaurant that can set up 40 or 50 tables of banquets.
◆ In 1949, Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and Zhang Zhizhong took photos at Beiping Railway Station.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, although Zhou Enlai took every opportunity every day, he always squeezed out time to sit at Zhang Zhizhong's home and reminisce with his family. He is very concerned about Zhang Zhizhong's family, from life and family to his children's study and work. Zhang Zhizhong suffers from neurotic leg pain and stubborn disease, and when he is old, he has frequent seizures and thinks that he is bitter. Every time Zhou Enlai went abroad, he would bring back some precious medicinal supplements for Deng Yingchao to send over. Later, when Zhang Zhizhong's confidential secretary was cleaning up his belongings, he also found a handwritten letter from Deng Yingchao: Enlai sued me, you need tiger bone glue to treat the disease, and now send the two boxes that are still there for application. The drug was given to him by overseas Chinese during his visit to Cambodia last year. Another bird's nest for you, please collect. I wish you good health! Once, Zhang Zhizhong's younger son, Zhang Yichun, expressed to Zhou Enlai the idea of becoming an electrician, and Zhou Enlai silently remembered it in his heart. Later, at a family gathering organized by Zhang Zhizhong, Zhou Enlai inquired about Zhang Yichun's study and said to Comrade Chen Yun, who was in charge of the electric power industry, who was present: "Wen Bai's second son wants to engage in power technology, so let him go." Chen Yun nodded his promise. Within a few days, an electric power school set up by the Central Ministry of Fuel Industry in Beijing issued an admission notice to Zhang Yichun.
◆ In July 1950, the second meeting of the Northwest Military and Political Committee was held, at which Xi Zhongxun, Jia Tuofu, Zhang Zhizhong, and Peng Dehuai (from left in the front row) were held.
When the "Cultural Revolution" broke out in 1966, Zhang Zhizhong was seriously affected and was raided many times. After Zhou Enlai learned of the situation, with the support of Mao Zedong, he took protective measures against Zhang Zhizhong. He repeatedly publicized Zhang Zhizhong's exploits at Red Guard rallies, saying: "Zhang Zhizhong is a good friend of our party, and he once went to Yan'an three times. During the Chongqing negotiations, Chairman Mao was personally transported and made contributions to ensuring Chairman Mao's safety. Zhou Enlai also specially sent someone to send Zhang Zhizhong to Beijing 301 Hospital for convalescence, and strengthened the guard force for his residence. Under the protection of Zhou Enlai, although Zhang Zhizhong was shocked, he did not suffer a major crime. On April 6, 1969, Zhang Zhizhong died of illness in Beijing, leaving a will saying: "I can find the Communist Party and spend my old age under the leadership of the Communist Party without regrets." At that time, in the midst of the "Cultural Revolution," the leaders of the United Front Work Department proposed not to hold a farewell ceremony, and Zhou Enlai proposed that a ceremony must be held, saying: "I will participate and inform other old friends inside and outside the party of Zhang Zhizhong." On April 9, Zhou Enlai personally visited the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery, presided over the farewell ceremony of Zhang Zhizhong's body, and deeply remembered this sincere friend who was bright and honest. After Zhang Zhizhong's death, Zhou Enlai still remembered the life of his family. Even in late 1975, Zhou Enlai, lying on his sickbed, sent his secretary and the director of the Prime Minister's Office to visit Zhang Zhizhong's family on his behalf, conveying his greetings and asking if there were any problems that needed his help. Even in the case that he was critically ill, he also let the staff send their own writing fees and the office expenses saved in peacetime to Zhang Zhizhong's home, and strive to make their lives better.
Looking at Zhou Enlai's lifelong contacts with Zhang Zhizhong, the brothers who met in the military academy when the teenagers were full of spirit, the opponents and friends when they were in a middle-aged and turbulent displacement, and the close friends who took care of each other in their later years when they were "idle and wide-minded", interpreted the connotation of sincere friendship and set a model for party-non-party exchanges.
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