preface
Chairman Mao once said in his later years: "I have several friends of the Right. "The right wing of Chairman Mao's words refers to some well-known democrats from the Kuomintang, and General Zhang Zhizhong is one of them.
Picture | Zhang Zhizhong
Three good friends to Yan'an
After the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, chiang kai-shek, in order to gain sufficient time to steal the fruits of the victory of the War of Resistance and eliminate the army and base areas led by the Communist Party of China, sent three telegrams to Yan'an in succession, inviting Chairman Mao to Chongqing, the stronghold of the Kuomintang, to conduct "peace talks."
Chairman Mao was boldly invited to go there, directly disrupted all of Chiang Kai-shek's ideas, and could only sing this fake play the scalp, and sent Zhang Zhizhong and Hurley to Yan'an to pick up Chairman Mao and other CPC delegations to Chongqing for negotiations.
At eleven o'clock the next morning, Chairman Mao boarded the plane for Chongqing, and the whole city of Yan'an was full of people, and people spontaneously came to the airport to send Chairman Mao off, and some senior generals even shed tears when they shook hands with Chairman Mao and waved goodbye.
Picture | Chairman Mao talks with Hurley and Zhang Zhizhong
Zhang Zhizhong, who was watching this exciting scene on the side, was also greatly shaken in his heart; he had never seen any leader in the Kuomintang whose relationship with the masses was so harmonious; from the expressions of the people, he saw that everyone sincerely supported and loved Chairman Mao, and he vaguely felt in his heart that such a leader and the people were invincible.
Zhang Zhizhong's enthusiasm and enthusiasm in the entire Kuomintang-Communist negotiations also left an extremely deep impression on Chairman Mao.
In order to protect Chairman Mao's safety, Zhang Zhizhong took the initiative to give up his official residence for Chairman Mao's residence and office use, and the service and security work of the entire Zhang family was personally arranged by Zhang Zhizhong, without giving outsiders a single chance.
Although chiang kai-shek proposed this "peace talks," there was almost no preparation within the Kuomintang for the "peace talks," and it was not until Chairman Mao agreed to go to Chongqing for peace talks that Chiang Kai-shek began to make urgent arrangements and began the work of "peace talks" in a disguised manner.
Picture | Chairman Mao arrives in Chongqing
In the peace talks, the most active and active person was none other than General Zhang Zhizhong; between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, Zhang Zhizhong constantly ran to mediate and showed great sincerity for peace, and his spirit of sincerely seeking the country and forgetting oneself was greatly appreciated by Chairman Mao.
On October 10, 1945, the Communist Party of China and the Kuomintang formally signed the Double Tenth Agreement, and the signing ceremony of the agreement was held in the living room of General Zhang Zhizhong's residence.
The next day, Zhang Zhizhong personally sent Chairman Mao back to Yan'an, this time the second time General Zhang Zhizhong visited Yan'an.
When the plane flew over the mountains and was about to land at Yan'an Airport, Zhang Zhizhong was once again surprised to see the crowd of black pressure on Yan'an Airport. He wrote in his diary: Cadres, the masses, men, women and children, in their expressions show the greatest concern and joy for the leader, this scene is really touching!
Picture | Chairman Mao returned to Yan'an
Thinking about it for a moment, Zhang Zhizhong began to sigh long and short again, and he couldn't help but think that there were still many people in the Kuomintang at present who had anti-communist thoughts in their hearts, and it was really stupid.
That evening, in order to thank Zhang Zhizhong for his care in Chongqing, Chairman Mao held a grand party to welcome Zhang Zhizhong, and Chairman Mao smiled heartily: "Chongqing negotiations, thanks to your warm hospitality, I am grateful, in Chongqing you entertained me with a good banquet, but when you arrived in Yan'an, I can only entertain you with millet, I am really sorry!" ”
When Zhang Zhizhong left Yan'an the next day, Chairman Mao personally took him to the airport, and on the way, Chairman Mao said to Zhang Zhizhong: "I know that you are a person who really hopes for peace. ”
Zhang Zhizhong smiled and asked, "Why can I see it?" ”
Chairman Mao said, "There are facts to prove it, first, you renamed the "Sweeping Newspaper" to "Peace Daily," which was run by the Kuomintang when jiangxi besieged us, and now that you have changed your name, there must be many people who disagree with it; second, you have abolished a concentration camp run by Kang Ze, which is a very good thing!" ”
Pictured by Zhang Zhizhong and Chairman Mao
Listening to Chairman Mao's words, Zhang Zhizhong's reverence for Chairman Mao in his heart became even more important. Later, in Zhang Zhizhong's memoirs, he wrote: "Since the first meeting in Yan'an, he has left a deep impression on me, and every contact since then has deepened my impression, and his carefulness and sincerity have left an indelible impression on me." ”
In order to achieve peace at home, the reorganization of the army became the first and foremost issue, and the three US generals Marshall, Zhang Zhizhong, and Zhou Enlai formed the highest military trio, Xiao Ju, and began the work of reorganizing and unifying the army.
In order to prevent the occurrence of conflict, the three people took a special plane, which lasted for seven days, and began to inspect all parts of the country, and the final destination of the trip was Yan'an, and this was also Zhang Zhizhong's third visit to Yan'an.
At the welcome party held by the CPC Central Committee for them, Zhang Zhizhong took advantage of the wine to say to Chairman Mao: "When you write history in the future, don't forget to write "Zhang Zhizhong's third trip to Yan'an." ”
Pictured: Chairman Mao, Premier Zhou, and Zhang Zhizhong
After listening to this, Chairman Mao laughed and said, "General Zhang may still have to go to Yan'an in the future, so how can he say that he will arrive three times?" ”
Zhang Zhizhong replied: "Peace has been achieved, the government has been reorganized, the CPC Central Committee should have moved to Nanjing, you went to Nanjing, and Yan'an will no longer have a fourth chance to come." ”
Chairman Mao smiled and said, "Yes, of course we will go to Nanjing in the future, but I heard that Nanjing is very hot, and I am afraid of the heat, so I hope to live in Huai'an, which is not far from Nanjing, and I will go to Nanjing for the meeting." ”
Although it was just a joke, Chairman Mao's mention of the possibility of Zhang Zhizhong's fourth arrival in Yan'an really happened later, but it was not realized and was rejected by the CPC Central Committee.
In 1947, when the Kuomintang was losing ground on the domestic battlefield, Chiang Kai-shek thought of the move of peace talks, so he called Zhang Zhizhong over and asked him to go to Yan'an again for negotiations, and sent a message to the CPC Central Committee, but this time it was rejected by the CPC Central Committee, and Zhang Zhizhong was not able to "go to Yan'an in the fourth place."
Picture 丨 Zhang Zhizhong (second from the right)
Why can't the Kuomintang be reborn
In January 1949, the peaceful liberation of Peiping, inspired by this, the atmosphere of domestic peace talks was getting higher and higher, and the first thing Chairman Mao dealt with after entering Peiping was the issue of the Peking Peace Talks, and the chief representative of the Kuomintang negotiations this time was still the peace general Zhang Zhizhong.
However, just as all the matters of the negotiations had come to an end and were waiting for the Kuomintang deputies to sign, the diehard Kuomintang faction headed by Chiang Kai-shek rebelled and refused to sign, and Chinese the Peking Peace Talks broke down.
Under the repeated persuasion of Premier Zhou Enlai and Chairman Mao, Zhang Zhizhong finally chose to stay in Beiping, which became a major news of concern at home and abroad, and the Kuomintang made a big fuss about it, first saying that Zhang Zhizhong was detained by Beiping, and then sending two consecutive telegrams saying that Zhang Zhizhong had been "instigated" by the Chinese Communists to instigate peace in Beiping and had now left Beijing and his whereabouts were unknown.
The group photo of the Kuomintang delegation before going to Beiping
Zhang Zhizhong was so outraged by the Kuomintang attack that he issued a statement in the newspaper refuting the Kuomintang's nonsense, in which Zhang Zhizhong wrote:
"I have been living in Beijing for more than 80 days, and from what I have seen and heard, I feel that new hope has been revealed everywhere, and the bitterness I have accumulated in my heart over the years has been swept away, and I have truly achieved spiritual liberation.
The state demands new births, and it is also being born; the people demand new births, and they are also being born; why should we, the Kuomintang and individuals, be willing to be left behind and cannot be born again? ”
During this period, the CPPCC session of new China was in urgent preparation, the Central People's Government was about to be established, Chairman Mao invited Zhang Zhizhong to come to the meeting many times and take up a post in the new government, Zhang Zhizhong resigned: "The previous regime was responsible for by us, and now it has failed and has become the past, and I am even more so personally, and the responsibility for the future is borne by you, and I hope that you will succeed and support your success." ”
After waving his hand, Chairman Mao said earnestly: "The past stage has already passed after you issued your statement, which means that Chinese New Year's Eve have passed, and in the future we should start from the first day of the New Year!" ”
Figure丨 Beiping peace talks scene
I don't read your diary
After the start of the civil war, Zhang Zhizhong served as the director of the Kuomintang's northwestern march and the chairman of the Xinjiang provincial government, and had a high prestige in Xinjiang, and in September 1949, Xinjiang was able to be peacefully liberated, and General Zhang Zhizhong was indispensable. After the founding of New China, Zhang Zhizhong was entrusted by Chairman Mao with a heavy responsibility, serving as vice chairman of the Northwest Military and Political Committee and assisting Peng Dehuai in governing the Great Northwest.
Chairman Mao said to Zhang Zhizhong with great humor: "Let's do another Kuomintang-Communist cooperation!" ”
Zhang Zhizhong waved his hand one after another and said, "Chairman, your words are serious, today is the leadership of the Communist Party, and there is no talk of any cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, but the people of the Northwest and the Paoze troops often miss me, and I also miss them, if you think it is necessary for me to go, I am willing to be An adviser to General Manager Peng." ”
Chairman Mao smiled and said, "You have been wronged to be Peng Dehuai's assistant, have you?" You used to be the military and political chief of the four northwestern provinces, and now you are the deputy, have you been wronged? ”
Zhang Zhizhong repeatedly denied: "Wherever, this is already the chairman's reuse of me, and I am honored to be able to be Mr. Peng's deputy." ”
Figure | Zhang Zhizhong attended the inauguration ceremony of the Northwest Military and Political Committee
During his reign in the northwest with Mr. Peng, Zhang Zhizhong did a lot of work for the establishment of the Xinjiang Military Region, the establishment of the Xinjiang Provincial Government, and the stabilization of the uprising troops; not only that, Zhang Zhizhong also did his best to lead the five northwestern provinces, and cooperated with Mr. Peng to complement each other, making important contributions to the stability of the five northwestern provinces.
In spite of this, Zhang Zhizhong's more important work was still in the Central People's Government, and the main work place was still in Beijing, and in order to facilitate Zhang Zhizhong's work, Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou Enlai specially explained to the competent departments to solve a long-term residence for Zhang Zhizhong in Beijing.
After careful selection, the competent department finally selected the No. 14 courtyard of Beizongbu Hutong, which was originally the official residence of the great warlord Sun Lianzhong, a palace-style house, tall and spacious, and only a restaurant could set dozens of tables, and Zhang Zhizhong was able to settle down.
In 1951, the Central Committee organized a delegation to inspect the Huai River, and zhang Zhizhong was originally scheduled to serve as the head of the regiment, but at this time, Zhang Zhizhong fell ill very unexpectedly.
Pictured| Chairman Mao talking with Zhang Zhizhong and Zhou Enlai
After Chairman Mao learned of this incident, he specially sent Jiang Qing to Zhang Zhizhong's home with his own handwritten letter to offer condolences, in which Chairman Mao wrote:
"Mr. Wen Bai:
Read the letter. Smell sick and missed. The delegation is now led by Mr. Shao, and you can rest and recuperate with peace of mind in the hope of early recovery.
i.e. Ode
Be well!
Mao Zedong"
Once, Chairman Mao received four very large cabbages from the peasants in Shandong, and immediately chose one of the larger ones and sent them to Zhang Zhizhong's home, which weighed twenty-seven or eight kilograms.
After Zhang Zhizhong and his wife received this gift, they were reluctant to eat it, so they planted it in a large flower pot and displayed it in the living room of the family, and later, the cabbage smoked moss and blossomed, and the flowers were two or three feet high, and the people who saw it were amazed.
In 1958, Chairman Mao and Zhang Zhizhong had closer contacts, and even invited Zhang Zhizhong to inspect the north and south of the great river together; during the entire 20-day inspection, Chairman Mao and Zhang Zhizhong sincerely intersected and talked about everything, and after returning to Beijing, Zhang Zhizhong compiled all the things he saw and heard every day into a book, asked Chairman Mao to review and ask for publication.
Figure | Chairman Mao and Zhang Zhizhong inspected the work
Chairman Mao smiled and said bluntly: "I don't read your diary, I'm blowing at me." I can't publish without looking at you! ”
Zhang Zhizhong took out the rights granted by the Constitution and said with great enthusiasm: "I have freedom of speech!" ”
Chairman Mao said, "What you wrote is my business, I don't agree, of course I can't publish it, Xiao San also wrote something, and I haven't asked him to publish it." ”
Zhang Zhizhong insisted on persuasion: "What I write is personal experience, seeking truth from facts, there is a sentence to say, there is no little exaggeration, can you publish it after reading it, if you do not read it and do not let it be published, then I will not be convinced." ”
Chairman Mao finally had to say: "Well, I will think about it again, but you can only persuade, you cannot be convinced!" ”
Pictured| Chairman Mao
Your steps are going too fast
In 1966, a special storm swept across the country, at this time Zhang Zhizhong was recuperating in Beidaihe, after hearing about the various situations in Beijing, he could not help but have some uncertainties in his heart, and quickly returned to Beijing, Zhang Zhizhong, who had just returned to Beijing for less than two hours, was rushed to his home to constantly search for something.
Unable to bear it, Zhang Zhizhong loudly questioned them, why did they come here to search, and the unscrupulous leader was greatly annoyed when he saw someone questioning, and asked in a menacing manner: "What are you?" ”
Zhang Zhizhong was annoyed and said sharply, "What kind of person am I, you should ask Chairman Mao." "The people who were already ready to fight a big fight, after hearing this, were a little overwhelmed for a while, and finally they could only leave sadly.
When Premier Zhou Enlai learned of this incident, he immediately took protective measures against Zhang Zhizhong, and after Premier Zhou Enlai reported the incident to Chairman Mao, he sent someone to take Zhang Zhizhong to a safe place to protect him.
Photo: Premier Zhou and Zhang Zhizhong
On this year's National Day, Zhang Zhizhong was invited to climb the Tiananmen Tower to participate in the National Day celebration, Zhang Zhizhong met Chairman Mao, the two have not seen each other for a long time, Chairman Mao's concern and inquiry made Zhang Zhizhong's heart happy.
However, as this huge storm intensified, Zhang Zhizhong felt more and more confused in his heart. On National Day in 1967, Zhang Zhizhong was invited to the upper floor of Tiananmen Square to attend the ceremony.
At this time, Zhang Zhizhong was 78 years old, ill for a long time, and his physical strength was seriously weak, but he still insisted that the guards push him to the tower of Tiananmen Square with a trolley, because he had a lot to say to Chairman Mao.
After seeing Zhang Zhizhong, Chairman Mao took the initiative to come to his side and greeted him, and after Zhang Zhizhong greeted Chairman Mao, he said bluntly to Chairman Mao: "Your steps are going too fast, we can't keep up!" ”
This is Zhang Zhizhong's euphemistic criticism of Chairman Mao, and under such circumstances, zhang Zhizhong's criticism can be imagined how much courage it takes.
Photo | Chairman Mao and Zhang Zhizhong (front left)
In April 1969, Zhang Zhizhong died of illness in Beijing at the age of 80. When he was seriously ill, Chairman Mao sent people to send the best ginseng in northeast China many times to let him nourish his body, and Chairman Mao never forgot his good friend for many years.