On October 16, 1964, at the Lop Nur nuclear test site in Xinjiang, China successfully exploded its first atomic bomb. This news completely detonated world public opinion and brought a huge "psychological impact" to Western countries.
In the past few days, the news of China's successful detonation of the atomic bomb has dominated the world's major news, and the New York Times has reported dozens of reports on China's successful construction of the atomic bomb.
At this time, there was a person who was also happy like a child overseas and was being interviewed by major media, and he was li zongren, the second person of the Kuomintang and acting president.
For various reasons, Li Zongren flew to the United States at the end of 1949 to settle down, and until the first atomic bomb in China, he had lived away from his homeland for 16 years. When the American reporter interviewed him about the atomic bomb incident, Li Zongren said a word and expressed the voices of countless Chinese sons and daughters.
Why did Li Zongren leave his homeland and fly to the United States to live for so long? What exactly did he say that made Chinese people so excited?
During the warlord melee in the early years of the Republic of China, the Gui warlord forces led by Li Zongren and Bai Chongxi have always occupied a place in the country, and in the early period of the Northern Expedition, Li Zongren and Chiang Kai-shek cooperated fairly, and both of them were ambitious people who wanted to realize their political ambitions through the Northern Expedition. In 1929, due to political disagreement, the Chiang-Gui War broke out between Li Zongren and Chiang Kai-shek, but in this war, Li Zongren lost and then retreated to Guangxi.
So the Gui warlords led by Li Zongren and Bai Chongxi held Guangxi and began their long anti-Chiang road. Immediately after the Japanese army invaded our country and committed shocking crimes on our national soil, Chiang Kai-shek's policy of "taking care of the outside world must first be at home" and his disregard, non-resistance, and inaction toward the aggressors were quite critical within and outside the Kuomintang.
However, at this time, in the face of the japanese invaders' wanton invasion and sabotage, Li Zongren stood up, made up his mind to resist Japan, and launched an anti-Chiang Incident. After the "Xi'an Incident," Li Zongren also sent a telegram to the whole country, telling everyone in a clear-cut manner that he advocated peacefully resolving the mutiny and jointly establishing an anti-Japanese government.
In 1938, the Japanese army invaded, Li Zongren commanded the Battle of Xuhai, and from March to April, the two-month-long Battle of Taierzhuang achieved an unprecedented victory in annihilating more than 20,000 Japanese troops! This battle greatly encouraged all the anti-Japanese armed forces in China at that time.
In the years that followed, Li Zongren also persisted in the War of Resistance, only to drive the invaders out of Chinese land. At this time, infighting within the Kuomintang was also becoming fierce, and the Gui forces headed by Li Zongren and other important figures within the Kuomintang demanded that Chiang Kai-shek step down and that Li Zongren serve as acting president.
In the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Li Zongren wanted to prevent the People's Liberation Army from crossing the Yangtze River through peace talks and sent a delegation to Beiping for negotiations, but in the end he refused to sign the "Internal Peace Agreement" on the peace conditions put forward by our party. Three months later, the People's Liberation Army captured Nanjing, and the Kuomintang's reactionary rule was overthrown.
By this time, many kmt officials had begun to think about their future ways out. In fact, there were not many choices in front of them at that time.
First, abandon the dark and surrender to the light, and the uprising joins the camp led by our Party.
Second, a road to black, follow Chiang Kai-shek to Taiwan.
Third, flee overseas, away from the vortex of struggle.
Li Zongren's thinking at that time was still very stubborn, and it was impossible for him to choose by abandoning the dark and casting light, so the only choice that really lay in front of him was the last two choices. So after much thought, Li Zongren finally chose to fly directly to the United States through Hong Kong at the end of 1949, on the pretext of medical treatment, and began his 16-year exile.
Li Zongren, who had just arrived in the United States, was still fantasizing about being able to "make a comeback", because after all, he was still the "acting president", and it was his title that the Americans had a very good attitude toward him at the beginning, thinking of using his title of "acting president" to do something, so Li Zongren, who had just arrived in the United States, was also received by the then US President Truman.
But soon after, chiang kai-shek, who was not dead, restored his "presidential" position in Taiwan, continued his dictatorial rule, and then formally removed Li Zongren from all positions in the Kuomintang, which meant that Li Zongren was no longer nominally at the top of the Kuomintang.
Li Zongren, who became the "commander of the light rod", did not have much use value for the Americans, which also made him gradually become an "idle man". This can be imagined as a blow to Li Zongren, who has half a life and is full of revolutionary ambitions.
In addition, Li Zongren's daily life is not very satisfactory. When he first arrived in the United States, Li Zongren's former friends and subordinates would often come to visit him, more or less to dispel his nostalgia. But later, as these people had their own lives, fewer and fewer people came to visit him, which also made Li Zongren feel lonely and sad.
The only consolation he could feel was that when his grandchildren came to visit him on weekends, he could take them to play some of the traditional games of his hometown. Because, in his heart, he always remembered the motherland. Although Li Zongren has always had a prejudice against our party, in the depths of his heart, he always considers himself a Chinese. In those years on the battlefield of the War of Resistance Against Japan, after all, he also made outstanding achievements.
In fact, as early as 1955, Li Zongren published an article on the settlement of the Taiwan issue, saying that since the founding of New China, it has developed rapidly, and such achievements in a short period of time are unprecedented. At this time, Li Zongren had already made some changes in his view of our party, and he had seen the CPC leading the new China, the country's momentum was growing stronger and stronger, and it attracted the attention of the whole world, and he had a deep admiration in his heart.
Later, when asked about the Taiwan issue, Li Zongren said without hesitation: "Taiwan has been China's territory since ancient times, and this matter need not be said more." ”
Not only that, when the news of The atomic bombing in China came, Li Zongren immediately called all his friends and relatives in the United States one by one to express his excitement. When interviewed by the American media li Zongren, he said: "I am very happy today, happy for my original failure, not because of my mistakes, delay the birth of a new China, we actually have such a powerful China." This sentence speaks to the voices of countless Chinese sons and daughters.
Li Zongren's series of actions in the United States attracted the attention of the Chinese government and Premier Zhou, who immediately issued instructions for the relevant departments to send someone to contact Li Zongren's former secretary, Cheng Siyuan, invite him to Beijing to see, and then contact Li Zongren through him. Cheng Siyuan was impressed by the sincere attitude of the people who were sent, so he came to Beijing to talk with Premier Zhou.
The two had in-depth communication on the Taiwan issue and Li Zongren's return to China, and Premier Zhou told Cheng Siyuan what he had in mind, and after listening to what Premier Zhou said, Cheng Siyuan immediately expressed his willingness to help Premier Zhou and complete the matter of Li Zongren's return to China.
After agreeing to Premier Zhou, Cheng Siyuan began to think about how to successfully complete this task, and it happened that at this time, li Zongren's person who took care of him called and told Cheng Siyuan: "Mr. Li always feels uncomfortable in the United States and says that he is not used to it. Mr. Li also always mentioned that people live a lifetime, and in the end they always have to fall leaves and return to their roots, and they feel that they want to go back to their hometown. ”
As Li Zongren's secretary, Cheng Siyuan knew that Li Zongren was concerned about the motherland, but he had been doing nothing, nothing more than having a lot of worries in his heart, worried that he would become a turtle in an urn when he returned to China, taking this into account, Cheng Siyuan immediately contacted Premier Zhou, and after Premier Zhou patiently described the current development trend in China, he understood that Li Zongren's return to China this time was absolutely beneficial and harmless. Premier Zhou also instructed Cheng Siyuan to have a chance to meet Li Zongren and have a specific conversation with him in the future.
During this period, the new round of general elections in the United States has also come to an end, Kennedy has become the new US president, Li Zongren has illusions about the new US president, hoping that the other side can adjust its China policy and establish new Sino-US diplomatic relations, and wrote a letter to Kennedy for this purpose, but there is no substantive reply.
Li Zongren also wrote to Cheng Siyuan about this matter and asked him to present the letter to Premier Zhou for his eyes, but Premier Zhou told Cheng Siyuan that he must convey it to Li Zongren, do not have illusions about the Kennedy government, and at the same time implement the European meeting as soon as possible, and the final meeting time is determined to Be December 1963.
After the time was determined, Premier Zhou also formally invited Li Zongren to return to China, and asked Cheng Siyuan to bring several permits. "Mr. Li can settle in China, or he can live in China for a period of time, and then decide whether he is willing to stay." After coming back, if you feel that you are not adapted, you can go back again, and if you are still willing to come back, you can come back again. ”
It can be said that these permits give Li Zongren the opportunity to choose completely freely, without the slightest restraint. From this, it is not difficult for us to feel Premier Zhou's enthusiasm and respect for Li Zongren.
The old people have been reunited for a long time, and for a while Li and Cheng are also full of mixed feelings, and they seem to have a thousand words in their hearts, but they don't know where to start. When each other's emotions calmed down, Cheng Siyuan conveyed Premier Zhou's greetings to Li Zongren, and also said several permits proposed by Premier Zhou.
In this regard, Li Zongren was very touched, and he said to Cheng Siyuan: "As long as I return to the motherland to settle down, I will be satisfied with my old age." ”
After this meeting, Li Zongren began to prepare for his return to China. Although he did not have any substantive position at this time, both the Kuomintang authorities and the United States were eyeing him, and there were always secret agents who closely followed his movements. Therefore, every step of returning to China must be careful and cautious, and strive to ensure that there is no mistake.
On July 12, 1965, Li Zongren finally waited for the moment to return to China.
The couple had just disembarked from Karachi to prepare for the transfer, an ambulance with flashing police lights stopped in front of them, and after confirming that it was Li Zongren and his wife, they quickly took them to the car, did not dare to delay for a moment, and drove directly to the Chinese embassy. In the car, Ambassador Ding Guoyu explained, "Sir, I am the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, and I have come to greet you on the instructions of Premier Zhou Enlai. ”
It turned out that Premier Zhou had already received intelligence and immediately informed Ding Guoyu that the Taiwan side had set up an ambush at the airport building and was ready to attack Li Zongren and his wife, and no matter what, they would ensure their personal safety! Ding Guoyu, who received the order, quickly borrowed this ambulance from the relevant Departments of Pakistan to pick him up and avoid the eyes and ears of the enemy, so that Li Zongren escaped the disaster.
Finally, on July 20, Li Zongren returned to the embrace of the motherland with his family, and the senior leaders of new China and many former friends held a grand welcoming ceremony for him. After getting off the plane, Li Zongren saw Zhou Enlai, shook hands with excitement and greeted him, and read a statement in public at the airport, indicating that he wanted to contribute to the reunification of the motherland.
The news of Li Zongren's return to China caused a great reaction in the international community overnight, and Chiang Kai-shek, who was hiding in Taiwan, saw that Li Zongren returned to China unharmed and became angry, because he knew that it would not be so easy to assassinate again. Li Zongren's return to China has also become the hottest news in domestic newspapers.
Under Chiang Kai-shek's instructions, the Taiwan side angrily denounced Li Zongren as a "traitor," but the media of various countries praised the communist leader's great mind and gentlemanly demeanor, and the people at home welcomed Mr. Li Zongren back to China and made contributions to the reunification of the motherland.
After returning to China, Li Zongren met Chairman Mao under the arrangement of Premier Zhou. Chairman Mao was very happy and extended his welcome to Li Zongren and his wife. Li Zongren told Chairman Mao that after he returned, he saw that the motherland was so powerful, and his sense of pride was beyond words; when he saw the news of the successful explosion of the atomic bomb in our country in the United States, he knew that China was no longer the original China, and he also said that many people overseas missed the motherland and they were eager to return to the motherland.
Chairman Mao responded that the motherland is stronger than in the past, but it is not enough, there are still efforts to be made, and we welcome all overseas compatriots who are willing to come back, and after returning, they will treat each other with courtesy. He also suggested that Li Zongren take a walk around the country and take a look.
Chairman Mao also personally approved Li Zongren's living treatment to be enjoyed according to the retirees at the vice-state level, and Li Zongren was grateful. But a few years later, Li Zongren's health deteriorated, and under the arrangement of the state, he was admitted to the Beijing Hospital, and not long after, he died of illness. He left his last words: "I resolutely returned to the motherland from overseas in 1965, and I knew that I had taken the right path, and in this new era, I deeply felt extremely honored by the identity of Chinese, and the two best things I had done in my life were Taierzhuang's anti-Japanese resistance, and the other was to return to the motherland." ”
Li Zongren's return to China allowed him to enjoy his old age in peace, and also allowed more compatriots living in exile overseas to see the attitude of New China, which played a positive propaganda role in realizing cross-strait reunification.
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