preface
Pictured| General Xu Haidong
Speaking of General Xu Haidong, Wang Zhen once said: "Big Brother Haidong is my well-deserved big brother... I'll never forget Big Brother..."
Xu Haidong and Wang Zhen
Xu Haidong and Wang Zhen, both well-known generals in the history of the Chinese revolution, have made great contributions to China's revolution and construction in their decades of revolutionary careers, and have been praised by party and state leaders.
Chairman Mao once praised Xu Haidong as "a banner of the working class" and "the leader of the Red Army," and Chairman Mao praised Wang Zhen and wrote an inscription for him: "There is a creative spirit."
Xu Haidong and Wang Zhen first met in October 1936, and in the 34 years of exchanges that followed, they established a friendship of comrades and brothers, and the love between them is also a good story among the generals.
In October 1936, Xu Haidong was ordered to lead the Red Fifteenth Army to meet the Red Second and Fourth Fronts and achieve the victory of the three main forces of the Red Army.
At that time, Xu Haidong first greeted the Sixth Army of the Red Second Front Led by Wang Zhen, the two had never met, but they had heard each other's names for a long time, and after meeting, Xu Haidong and Wang Zhen embraced each other like old friends who had not seen each other for many years and had a very warm conversation.
During the conversation, Xu Haidong and Wang Zhen each talked about their own lives and revolutionary experiences, as well as their views on some issues, because their revolutionary experiences and personalities are very similar, so the distance between them suddenly narrowed.
Pictured| General Wang Zhen
They are all workers
Xu Haidong worked as a kiln worker before joining the revolution, and Wang Zhen worked as a coal shoveler on a locomotive on the Guangdong-Han Railway in 1920 before joining the revolution.
They are very good at fighting, and they have achieved great success.
Xu Haidong participated in the famous Northern Expedition, and in the famous Battle of Tingsi Bridge, he led a platoon and achieved the good result of annihilating 4 artillery companies of the warlord Wu Peifu, and later served as the deputy commander and commander of the Red Twenty-fifth Army.
At the beginning of 1935, under the leadership of the Provincial Party Committee of Eyu and Shaanxi, Xu Haidong led the Red Twenty-fifth Army to carry out the struggle to create the Eyu-Shaanxi base area, and repeatedly smashed the enemy's "anti-encirclement and suppression" and established and consolidated revolutionary power. In October of the same year, he led his troops to victory in the two battles of Laoshan and Yulin Bridge, which effectively cooperated with the northward march of the Central Red Army. In late November, he led the Red Fifteenth Army to fight side by side with the Central Red Army and won a great victory in the Battle of Zhiluo, and in many battles, Xu Haidong showed military talent.
The same is true of Wang Zhen, who was one of the main founders of the Xianggan Soviet Region, served as the political commissar of the Sixth Red Army, a member of the Central Military Commission Branch, and the acting commander of the Military Region.
In April 1934, the Xianggan Red Army won a major victory in ambushing the enemy's 43rd Army Brigade in Yongxinsha City, Jiangxi Province, killing and wounding more than 2,000 enemy brigade commanders and officers and men, and was commended by the Central Revolutionary Military Committee of the Chinese Soviet. It effectively cooperated with the Long March of the Central Red Army.
In addition to being similar in origin and ability to fight, Xu Haidong and Wang Zhen also have very similar personalities, they are very upright, and in the face of critical junctures and major issues of right and wrong, their positions are firm, their banner is clear, and they are unwavering.
Since the first meeting, Xu Haidong and Wang Zhen have felt very good in talking, and since then they have begun to call each other brothers, Wang Zhen called Xu Haidong "Xu Haidong" because of how old Xu Haidong was, and Xu Haidong called Wang Zhen "Old Brother Wang", and in the decades since, the two have called each other in this way.
During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the War of Liberation, xu Haidong and Wang Zhen got along less often because of their work relationship, and even did not meet for a long time, but this did not hinder the friendship between the two of them, and they always cared about each other in their hearts and cared about each other at all times.
Comradeship
During the war years, Xu Haidong suffered from a very serious lung disease, but even if he was seriously ill, he still insisted on being on the front line of the battle and was always unwilling to leave, until August 1947, Xu Haidong, who had been galloping all his life on the battlefield, was sent to Dalian by the Party Central Committee for recuperation.
Before going to Dalian, xu Haidong's condition was so serious that everyone did not have a bottom in their hearts, because the medical conditions in front of them were limited, and there was no way to diagnose it clearly, and after a detailed examination in Dalian by a pulmonary specialist in the United States and a colonel of the Soviet Red Army, it was concluded that most of Xu Haidong's lung tissue had died.
When the doctor learned that he had survived only Chinese herbs during his years on the front line, and thought that this was simply a miracle of life, the military doctor of the Colonel of the Soviet Red Army heard that he was still working and reading books and reading documents during his illness, and said with great shock: "I can't understand how his vitality can be so strong!" ”
In the face of the doctor's shock, Xu Haidong also asked happily: "How long do I have to raise before I can go to the battlefield?" ”
The colonel's medic faced the general, who had a very tenacious willpower, and said with admiration: "Your spirit will restore you." ”
In this way, Xu Haidong looked forward to recovering from his illness and returning to the battlefield, but the war was basically over at the end of 1949.
After the founding of New China, the Party Central Committee specially sent Chen Yi to Dalian to visit him, and in late May 1951, Premier Zhou and Deng Yingchao arrived in Dalian, got off the train, and arrived at Xu Haidong's residence.
As soon as Xu Haidong saw Premier Zhou, he grabbed his hand and said:
"Vice Chairman Zhou, I have not completed the task entrusted to me by the Party Central Committee!"
Premier Zhou shook his head when he saw this: "You have completed your tasks without saying anything, but you are still thinking about working for the party during your illness, and the comrades of the Central Committee and Chairman Mao miss you!" ”
Xu Haidong said excitedly:
"My body is not contentious, I want to fight, but the war is over."
Pictured| General Xu Haidong and Premier Zhou
"Victory, conditions, you can completely cure the disease, the process of revolution is long!" Chairman Mao said that we have only completed the first step of the Long March. Premier Zhou said comfortingly.
Xu Haidong nodded.
During Xu Haidong's long-term treatment and recuperation, many old comrades-in-arms did not forget their old feelings and missed him very much...
Xu Haidong was recuperating at home all day, and he understood history by reading books and listening to the radio, and his understanding of international and domestic events depended on documents, newspapers, and listening to the radio; second, he relied on chatting with his comrades-in-arms.
"A person must have several good friends to talk about", this is a philosophy of Xu Haidong's life in the world, he likes to make friends since he was a child, when he was a kiln worker, there were many "brothers", after participating in the revolution, from the war of life and death, he met many of the best comrades-in-arms, wherever he went, those comrades-in-arms chased after him, even when Xu Haidong was ill, no exception.
During their days in Dalian, some central leaders Liu Shaoqi, Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping, Yang Shangkun, Peng Dehuai, Chen Yi, Ye Jianying, and other old comrades-in-arms, all who came to Dalian for meetings and recuperation, had to take time to see Xu Haidong.
One day in 1956, three state marshals came to Xu Haidong's home at the same time, they were Peng Dehuai, Chen Yi, and He Long, all of whom came to participate in military exercises.
Xu Haidong and Peng Dehuai met in northern Shaanxi at the end of the Long March, and the two of them rolled through a kangtou for many days, and both regarded themselves as "rough people"; Xu Haidong and Chen Yi were comrades in the Huaibei headquarters of the New Fourth Army and were also comrades in arms at the turn of life and death; as for him and He Long, although they were not a "mountain head", the two also became friends when they were in Yan'an, often playing chess together, and neither of them would take a step back when they fought hard, and when they fought against each other, it was often He Long who lost to Xu Haidong.
When meeting in Dalian, He Long insisted on fighting with the sick Xu Haidong, don't look at Xu Haidong who has been ill for many years, and his chess skills are even better.
Peng Dehuai and Chen Yi watched He Long lose, from watching and assisting in the battle to participating in the battle, so that three to one were formed: three marshals fighting a general, six eyes staring at the chess pieces in Xu Haidong's hand, three mouths against one mouth, and the sound of laughter and quarrel for a while broke the tranquility of the small attic on the seashore.
These great military strategists on the battlefield and the meticulous generals and commanders who were meticulous in the course of the whole armament war have now put away their former might, and one by one they have become children.
In addition to bringing Xu Haidong the affection of comrades-in-arms, the old marshals also brought him good news about the modernization of the troops, and this meeting made Xu Haidong, who was recuperating from illness, very happy, and he also got great comfort in loneliness and illness.
In addition to the leaders of the CPC Central Committee and old comrades-in-arms who came to see Xu Haidong, Wang Zhen, after learning that Xu Haidong was recuperating in Dalian, made a special trip from Beijing to visit "Elder Brother Xu", who had been separated from him for many years. ”
When Xu Haidong learned that Wang Zhen was going to see him, he did not sleep well for several nights in a row, and after Wang Zhen arrived in Dalian, the local leading comrades of the party, government, and army invited him to inspect the work.
In this regard, Wang Zhen directly refused, saying:
"When I came to Dalian this time, I did not inspect the army or local work, and I came to visit Brother Xu."
After coming to Xu Haidong's residence at No. 75 Wenhua Street, "Brother Xu" and "Old Brother Wang" hugged each other tightly, the two talked excitedly until late at night, and the next day when they were separated, the two also took a precious group photo, and then Wang Zhencai reluctantly bid farewell to Xu Haidong.
Pictured | General Wang Zhen (first from left) and General Xu Haidong (first from right).
Later, the fact that Xu Haidong and Wang Zhen were called brothers was passed on to a senior cadre, who said to Liu Bocheng very seriously: "What is it to call a brother and a brother?" ”
In this regard, Liu Bocheng just smiled and said:
"They are all working class, they can be called brothers!"
Dalian's beach is good, but Xu Haidong can't go to the sea; Dalian's scenery is beautiful, he can't tour, in those years, Xu Haidong's biggest enjoyment is to meet friends.
At first, the doctor was afraid that Xu Haidong's more customers would affect his health, and later found that every time Xu Haidong saw his old comrades-in-arms, it was as if he had taken a stimulant or some effective and wonderful medicine, he had good spirits, good mood, and reduced illness, but if he saw less old comrades-in-arms every once in a while, his condition would worsen.
In the face of Xu Haidong's mood and desire, his old comrades-in-arms deeply understand that whenever an old comrade-in-arms comes to Dalian for office work, the first thing on the schedule is often: "I want to see Comrade Haidong first!" ”
Xu Haidong left his last words: "After I die, I must inform Wang Zhen."
In the years to come, as long as Xu Haidong needed it, Wang Zhen would definitely arrive.
In 1968, Xu Haidong's physical condition deteriorated, although he always said "nothing", but it was clear that it was a strong spirit to laugh, which made xu Haidong's people very anxious, at this time his wife Zhou Dongping thought of Xu Haidong's closest old comrade-in-arms Wang Zhen, and sent his eldest son Xu Wenbo to find him.
Wang Zhen was very anxious after learning about Xu Haidong's situation, and he stomped his feet and shouted: "Why is this so?" Why? After a long time, Wang Zhen comforted Xu Wenbo again: "I will definitely report this matter to the premier, please rest assured, I cannot resign from the matter of Elder Brother Xu..."
Pictured| Premier Zhou and General Wang Zhen
Soon, Wang Zhen took the risk of finding a way to report Xu Haidong's situation to Premier Zhou's secretary and asking Premier Zhou to find a way.
After Premier Zhou received Wang Zhen's report on Xu Haidong's situation, he immediately called the Beijing Hospital and instructed him to transfer Xu Haidong's medical relations to the General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, and also asked his secretary to call and tell the relevant units that he must guarantee the oxygen that Xu Haidong needs.
Xu Haidong was in a coma, and after learning that wang zhen helped him find Premier Zhou, he was so excited that he shed tears, and he muttered to himself: "Old Brother Wang, Old Brother Wang..... Prime Minister, Prime Minister..."
On March 31, 1969, Xu Haidong was anxious and uneasy.
The next day, the Ninth CPC National Congress was about to open, but he, a member of the Central Committee of the Eighth CPC National Congress, had never been notified of attending the meeting.
On this day, Xu Haidong waited from morning to noon, and then from noon to night, from night to the next morning, still did not wait for the notice, this night, Xu Haidong insomnia all night, the sky seemed to really collapse, which made him fall into despair.
Since the Eighth National Congress of the Party and after Xu Haidong was elected as a member of the Central Committee, every time the Central Committee held a meeting, Chairman Mao always had to ask when asking the comrades attending the meeting: Has Comrade Haidong come? ”
Such a simple sentence made the old general feel deeply comforted, and it seemed that the pain of the old illness was much better, but this time he could not wait for the notice to inform him to attend the "Ninth National Congress" for a long time.
While Xu Haidong was still dazed, at the same time, Premier Zhou Enlai was presiding over this emergency meeting, and he announced in a low tone:
Comrade Mao Zedong urgently proposed that Comrade Xu Haidong should attend the Ninth Congress and suggested that he attend the presidium of the Congress. ”
Pictured| Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou
After a moment of silence, the venue echoed one after another: "Agree! agree! ”
At noon on April 1, a deputy director of the General Office of the Central Committee came to Xu Haidong's hospital bedside, conveyed to him the decision of the emergency meeting, and asked: "Can you attend today's opening ceremony?" If you can't go, you can ask the central government for leave! ”
Xu Haidong, who was in despair, was overjoyed when he heard the news, and he said excitedly with tears in his eyes:
"The chairman mentioned my name, and if my body is no longer good, I will climb, and I will climb over!"
In the afternoon of the same day, when premier Zhou saw Xu Haidong come to Chairman Eyre, he took a few steps to greet him, shook hands with Xu Haidong and greeted him, and personally lifted Xu Haidong up and arranged him in his seat. ”
As the meeting was about to begin, Chairman Mao habitually glanced around the venue, then turned sideways and asked:
"Is Comrade Haidong here?"
"It's here! It's here! Xu Haidong heard this familiar voice again, and replied busily, not knowing what kind of force drove him, he actually stood up, and Chairman Mao hurriedly signaled him to sit down.
During the meeting, the election of the members of the central leadership was held, and Xu Haidong could not vote because of his inability to move, so he waved to Wang Zhen nearby, and Wang Zhen rushed to Xu Haidong's side, and Xu Haidong solemnly gave Wang Zhen a military salute and said:
"Brother Wang, I trust you very much, because I am seriously ill and can't walk, please vote on my behalf!"
Wang Zhen bowed affectionately to Xu Haidong and said:
"Brother Xu, I will definitely do it!"
Xu Haidong was able to give the right to vote to Wang Zhen, which was enough to prove Xu Haidong's trust in Wang Zhen.
When Premier Zhou saw this, he nodded to Xu Haidong and Wang Zhen, and all three of them showed a knowing smile on their faces.
After the Ninth National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Xu Haidong was once again elected as a member of the Central Committee.
Late on the night of October 20, Xu Haidong received a notice that "to prepare for war and to 'evacuate,' he must leave Beijing within two days." ”
In the face of this order, Xu Haidong said somewhat unkindly: "Although my health is not good, I don't need your protection when I start a war." ”
"No, you must go, this is Chairman Mao's order!"
Xu Haidong has always revered Chairman Mao and believed in Chairman Mao, whether in war years or in peacetime, as long as it is Chairman Mao's instructions and orders, Xu Haidong resolutely followed and carried them out.
"I carry out Chairman Mao's orders."
The next morning, Xu Haidong changed into new clothes, shaved his face, and prepared to say goodbye to several old comrades, at this time, Wang Zhen took the initiative to say goodbye to Xu Haidong.
"Big Brother Xu!" Wang Zhen said: "Both of us are from working class backgrounds and resolutely support Chairman Mao! ”
Xu Haidong nodded tearfully: "Brother, you are right, don't do bad things, don't be afraid of ghosts calling the door!" ”
Wang Zhen held Xu Haidong's hand tightly and said in tears:
"This breakup, I'm afraid it will be difficult to meet again, Brother Xu, I will not forget you!" Please take care..."
The two old Hangzhou soldiers, holding hands tightly, did not say a word, this silent scene, more touching than a thousand words, but no one expected that this was indeed the last time the two generals met.
After Xu Haidong arrived in Zhengzhou, his condition became more and more serious, and before he died, he called his son Xu Wenbo to his side and said:
"After I die, don't notify my comrades who fought with me, but I must notify Wang Zhen."
Pictured| Xu Haidong
On March 25, 1970, General Xu Haidong died of illness, and after his death, Xu Wenbo followed his father's will and sent a telegram to Wang Zhen in Zhengzhou, telling him the unfortunate news.
After receiving the telegram, Wang Zhen was very sad, he could not eat for several days, and he did not see anyone, and later he personally wrote a telegram of hundreds of words of condolences and sent it to Zhengzhou, but he was returned without reason.
In 1979, the Party Central Committee personally held a memorial service for Xu Haidong, and after attending the memorial service, Wang Zhen found Xu Haidong's family and said:
"Big Brother Haidong is my well-deserved big brother... I will never forget my eldest brother, his lofty revolutionary spirit and excellent qualities are worthy of our eternal study, his historical merits in the Chinese revolution will always shine brightly, and he will always live in people's hearts..."