Chen Yi
preface
"Discipline is the measuring instrument of the combat effectiveness of the army."
This is what Chen Yi once said. Chen Yi not only strictly requires his subordinates to abide by discipline, but he himself, in his life and work, is also strict with himself and his family.
Because of this, whether it is fighting wars or after the founding of New China, he has done a very good job in every task as the mayor of Shanghai and the minister of foreign affairs.
MONTGOMERY: No wonder Chiang Kai-shek lost
As a soldier of the Red Army, as a respected leader who has made outstanding military achievements, Chen Yi has always adhered to the bottom line of not taking a needle and a line from the masses, even if it is just a watermelon in the farmland.
In 1945, Chen Yi led his army into The village of Hewan in Yimengqian, where, after careful planning, Chen Yi successively led his troops to victories in a series of great battles such as Lunan and Meng Lianggu, and made great contributions to the founding of New China.
The following summer, due to overwork, Chen Yi fell ill, his body temperature rose sharply, his appetite was greatly reduced, and his whole body was emaciated. This made Chen Yi's guard Da Shun, very anxious.
Just when Da Shun was thinking bitterly about how to help Chen Yi recover his appetite and recover his body, while pacing back and forth at the gate of the barracks, Da Shun suddenly slipped under his feet and hit a toe.
Looking down, I didn't know who threw a watermelon peel and almost let myself fall. Just as Da Shun was about to pick up the watermelon peel and throw it away, he suddenly had an epiphany. Watermelon? The chief usually likes to eat watermelon the most. But I haven't eaten it once since I came here.
On a hot day, eating watermelon can just help the chief increase his appetite. Thinking of this, Da Shun happily clapped his hands together and prepared to find a watermelon for the chief to eat.
So, Da Shun found a melon field in the village. Looking around, there was only one seven- or eight-year-old child in the melon field, and there were no adults. The eldest asked the child, "Little brother, what about your adults?" I want to buy you a watermelon. ”
Seeing that Da Shun was wearing a military uniform, the child thought of the goodness of the Red Army to the people on weekdays, so he said to Da Shun: "My father told me to come to see the melon, and if you want to eat it, pick one to eat." ”
Da Shun remembered the rules of the army and could not take the things of the masses casually, so he insisted on buying watermelons, and the child agreed. Da Shun happily knocked on the east and west in the melon field, wanting to pick a good watermelon for Chen Yi.
Chen Yi in Linyi
However, just as he was picking out the watermelon and preparing to pay, he suddenly found that there was no money in his pocket. What can I do about that? Da Shun was anxious, and he thought in his heart how to explain it to his little brother.
But after waiting for a long time, I didn't see the figure of my little brother. It seems that the child went to play with his friends and would not be able to come back for a while and a half.
Unable to wait for the little brother, Da Shun wrote an IOU on the spot, put it in the melon field, picked up the watermelon and ran. After going back, seeing that Chen Yi was resting, Da Shun cut the watermelon and let Chen Yi's children eat a few pieces first.
Not long after, Chen Yi woke up. Seeing the watermelon in the children's hands, Chen Yi asked Da Shun, "Where did this watermelon come from?" ”
"I bought it, I see you don't have an appetite, I want to appetize you." Da Shun did not dare to tell Chen Yi the truth, but Chen Yi sensed that something was wrong: "Where did you get the money to buy watermelon?" ”
This can be asked da Shun. Da Shun quickly changed his mouth and said, "This is what I picked up on the road." ”
Chen Yi understood that there must be something wrong with this watermelon. He snapped, "You tell the truth, did you steal it?" ”
Chen Yi during the war
Seeing that he could not hide it, Da Shun could only tell the process of picking watermelons, such as telling each other. After Chen Yi listened, he said solemnly:
"A watermelon thing is small, but it has a big impact. We are the people's army, and we should love the people at all times and everywhere! We must never do anything that violates the discipline of the masses! ”
At this time, Da Shun was deaf and pulled his head, he knew that he had made a mistake, but he didn't know how to be good, and he looked at Chen Yi with a weak heart, and he was overwhelmed.
It just so happened that Chen Yi's wife, Zhang Qian, came in. After learning what had happened, Zhang Qian took a little money out of her pocket and stuffed it into Da Shun. Da Shun smiled gratefully at Zhang Qian, turned and ran out of the room, straight to the melon field.
In 1949, the Kuomintang was gradually defeated, and under the instructions of the Central Military Commission, Chen Yi was ready to lead the army to invade Shanghai.
Before entering Shanghai, Chen Yi specifically emphasized the issue of discipline to the soldiers of the People's Liberation Army, and he repeatedly warned everyone:
"We must dye Shanghai 'red,' and we must not be dyed 'black.
At the same time, Chen Yi stressed that everyone must strictly abide by the discipline of entering the city. Heavy weapons cannot be used in combat in defined areas. After entering the city, no one is allowed to enter the house. At the end, Chen Yi once again emphasized:
"This one must be enforced unconditionally!"
Pla
Some cadres felt incomprehensible about such an order and argued: "What if it rains?" And the wounded? ”
Chen Yi continued:
If you don't enter the house, you won't enter the house! Neither can the Heavenly King Lao Tzu! This is a greeting gift from our People's Liberation Army to the people of Shanghai.
”
Because of Chen Yi's order, after the People's Liberation Army entered Shanghai, the command posts of the army, divisions, and regiments were all set up in open spaces. When they slept at night, up to the cadres, down to the ordinary soldiers, the 100,000 troops all slept on the streets.
The people of Shanghai were very touched to see this scene. After the rain, the PLA's clothes were all wet, and it still strictly observed discipline and insisted on resting outside and not disturbing the masses. Some people could not bear it and persuaded them to go into the house to rest, but the warriors refused.
There were also many enthusiastic citizens who boiled hot tea and sent steamed buns to the soldiers to comfort them. It was also rejected by the Platon Army.
Such strict discipline shocked the people of Shanghai and many countries that were watching. The people rushed to tell each other:
"The Communist Party of China is a political party that serves the people wholeheartedly! Chinese People's Liberation Army is a true soldier of the people! ”
The Liberation Army of Shanghai slept on the ground
At the same time, the media in Hong Kong, Western Europe, North America and other countries and regions also competed to publish classic photos of the victorious division of the People's Liberation Army sleeping on the road in Shanghai, a ten-mile ocean field.
Rong Yiren, a national capitalist, recalled that at that time, he was preparing to move from Shanghai to Hong Kong. However, after witnessing the People's Liberation Army sleeping on the street, he gave up this idea and decided to stay and participate in the construction of new China. Because, from this group of disciplined Chinese soldiers, he saw the hope of the country and the nation.
The famous Marshal Montgomery of England looked at the photo and also exclaimed:
"I finally understand why your army was able to defeat Chiang Kai-shek's million-strong army armed by the United States!"
An apple shocked the Panchen Lama
In addition to making outstanding military achievements on the battlefield, Chen Yi, who walked down the battlefield, was also an outstanding united front work expert, and thus forged a deep friendship with people from all walks of life in Tibet.
In 1956, at the inaugural meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the Tibet Autonomous Region, the central authorities sent Chen Yi to Lhasa to congratulate them.
During this period, many children in towns, pastoral areas and agricultural areas all held flowers in their hands and warmly welcomed the delegation led by Chen Yi.
Chen Yi was in Tibet in 1956
In the face of many children, Chen Yi did not have any shelf of the chief, and picked up the children again and again and talked with them. Therefore, everyone's impression of Chen Yi is very good. The Panchen Lama also admired Chen Yi's character, and the two became close friends.
In 1961, Chen Yi and He Long went to Tibet again to visit the Panchen Lama. During this time, the Panchen Lama entertained them with apples. At first, everyone was very polite and embarrassed to eat. The Panchen Lama personally handed the apple to Chen Yi, He Long, and others.
But after pushing back, everyone ate. Since I have not eaten an apple for a long time, everyone eats it very sweetly. Chen Yi accidentally lost his mouth and said:
"I haven't eaten an apple in a long time!" It's delicious. ”
Hearing Chen Yi's words, the Panchen Lama beside him was greatly shocked and asked with an unbelievable expression:
"You're the leader of a country, and you don't have an apple to eat?"
Chen Yi said truthfully: "Now I can't even eat enough, even if there are apples to eat..."
Panchen was even more surprised: "You are the foreign minister, and you often receive foreign guests, so why can't you eat fruit?" ”
Chen Yi and He Long
Chen Yi laughed:
"The fruit was for the foreign guests and we couldn't eat it. If I, the Foreign Minister, take the lead in violating discipline, how can the people below manage it? ”
It turned out that it was a difficult time at home. Don't say Chen Yi, even Chairman Mao has cut back on food and clothing, taken the lead in not eating meat, eggs, and grain rationing, and vowed to work with the people of the whole country to tide over the difficulties together.
This is true even for children who are growing their bodies.
Chen Yi, Zhu De, Li Xiannian and others sent the children who used to eat at home to the big stove canteen to eat the big pot of rice with the staff. Chairman Mao's children also ate with everyone in the school canteen.
However, after all, it is the age of the long body, which is when the children eat more. Therefore, Chairman Mao's daughter Li Ne often felt that she did not have enough to eat. After learning of this situation, Chairman Mao's defender Li Yinqiao wanted to help Li Ne.
However, Li Yinqiao is well aware that Chairman Mao has stressed many times before that we must not engage in specialization. Therefore, Li Yinqiao did not dare to report to Chairman Mao, and could only privately and quietly let li ne send a package of biscuits.
Chairman Mao did not know where he heard the news and severely criticized Li Yinqiao:
"I have repeatedly ordered and repeatedly declared that I must not engage in specialization, so why should I engage in specialization?"
Chairman Mao
Li Yinqiao did not understand, he argued: "Other parents also send things to their children..." Chairman Mao was very angry, patted the table and said:
"I don't care about other people, my children, not a single cookie is allowed to be sent!"
In this way, Li Yinqiao no longer dared to send something to Li Ne.
Later, Li Ne went home from vacation, and at the dinner table, he did not care about the girl's restraint, and took the bowl and swallowed it. At the end of the meal, I also drank the bottom of the bowl with water. As a father who grew up watching Li Ne, Chairman Mao was very heartbroken. But he still didn't make an exception for Li Ne. After the start of school, Li Ne still eats at school.
Therefore, under such circumstances, although Chen Yi is the foreign minister, he still can't eat our seemingly ordinary apples.
After the meeting, the Panchen Lama asked Chen Yi and others to take the remaining apples away, which was also a little bit of his own heart. But Chen Yi and others were unwilling to take it. The Panchen Lama insisted:
"I have so many apples here, I can't eat them, so you can take them with you!"
However, Chen Yi had to take an apple, and he said humorously:
"Since the master is the benefactor and gives us alms, then we are not welcome." I took one back and gave It to Zhang Qian to taste and let her untie her hunger. ”
Chen Yi and Zhang Qian
Although it was only a small thing, it made the Panchen Lama very touched and unforgettable.
The Panchen Lama said that Chen Yi and He Long were the founding fathers of the country with outstanding merit and were the leaders of the country. But they couldn't even eat an apple. Compared with them, they are really taken care of too much by the party and the state.
At the same time, the Panchen Lama also lamented the integrity of the Communist Party and the beautiful qualities of the cadres who are selfless and self-denying. He also loved the Communist Party from the bottom of his heart and admired Chairman Mao, Premier Zhou, Chen Yi and other proletarian revolutionaries.
The Panchen Lama deeply believes that with such a wise and great party and such a leader, there is no difficulty that our country cannot overcome!
It turns out that this is indeed the case, and we not only survived those three difficult years, but also completely got rid of the days of not having enough to eat. Through the efforts of countless people, we can not only eat enough, but also eat well.
He Long
Strict requirements for family
In Chen Yi's view, as a cadre, it is not enough to just manage yourself well, and he often says to the cadres:
"The words and deeds of the relatives of cadres are very convincing among the masses."
Therefore, for his family, Chen Yi also has strict requirements. He had a "three chapters of the covenant law" with his parents and children.
After the founding of New China, Chen Yi's parents came to Shanghai from their hometown of Sichuan to visit their son, who had been separated for more than 20 years.
Seeing his gray-haired parents, Chen Yi was very guilty, and greeted them warmly and arranged for them to live at home. However, because Chen Yi and Zhang Qian are busy with work, there is no time to spend time with their parents. The second elder had been in Shanghai for several days, and Chen Yi had only accompanied them out for an afternoon.
Chen Yi's father, who used to be accustomed to being in his hometown, came to Shanghai, a place where he was not familiar with life, and was bored at home all day, very unaccustomed.
Chen Yi's father called his nephew who worked in Shanghai and asked him to accompany him out for a walk. Therefore, every Saturday afternoon, the nephew asked the unit for leave, and the uncle and nephew quietly made an appointment and went out to play together. For convenience, the nephew also privately called Chen Yi's secretary and prepared a car to send them.
Chen Yi with his parents
But it wasn't long before their little secret was discovered by Chen Yi. At noon on another Saturday, just as the two uncles and nephews were preparing to travel again, Chen Yi suddenly called his cousin and told him very seriously,
Don't take time off to delay your work.
In addition, Chen Yi also invited his cousin to his house for dinner after work.
After having dinner together in the evening, Chen Yi solemnly said to his family: "Let's have a family meeting together." Some words have to be said..."
Chen Yi said to his family:
"Now that it has just been liberated, social order is not very good. Secretly, there are also groups of spies who are coming at me. You should not go out without permission. This will cause trouble for the security guards... Besides, what if something happens to you? ”
After Chen Yi spoke bitterly, he saw his family nod his head in agreement. He continued:
"You must abide by revolutionary discipline, let's make three chapters of the law."
Chen Yi's father nodded and motioned for Chen Yi to continue, and Chen Yi said:
"First, you can't use public cars at will. Second, you can't do things in my name. Third, there is nothing special, don't go out casually. ”
Chen Yi is in Shanghai
Of these three, the first and second are better to say, and the third is indeed a little difficult for Chen Yi's father, who is accustomed to freedom. However, Chen Yi's father gladly agreed, he was willing to support his son's work and did not want him to be difficult.
After living in Shanghai for a while, Chen Yi's parents were not used to life in the big city and did not want to cause trouble for their son, so they proposed to Chen Yi to go back to their hometown.
When they were separated, Chen Yi was extremely reluctant and repeatedly told his parents that he must take good care of himself. When it came, Chen Yi stressed to his parents:
The first two articles of the three chapters of the Covenant law this time cannot be changed at any time or in any place! That's the job of supporting my son! ”
Chen Yi's parents smiled and nodded in agreement, reassuring Chen Yi. Since then, Chen Yi's parents have always been strict with themselves and have never defaulted.
Chen Yi's parents have lived in Chengdu for many years, and in addition to their relatives and friends knowing their identities, even the Chengdu troops and the leaders of the Chengdu Municipal Party Committee do not know that they are Chen Yi's parents. Later, when Zhou Enlai passed through Chengdu and talked to He Bingyan, the commander of the Chengdu army, about Chen Yi's parents, He Bingyan only knew.
He Bingyan
For his children, Chen Yi also "three chapters of the law":
First, the clothes worn by the eldest child, the children below continue to wear. Second, do not take a public car. Third, everything must be done in strict accordance with the system.
Therefore, the children of Chen Yi's family often wear old clothes. The old man is new, the old is old, the old is three, and the old is broken, which is Chen Yi's requirement for his children to dress. However, because the third elder Chen Xiaolu grew faster, every time it was his turn, the clothes were not only worn, but also often did not fit.
Once,
Approaching the New Year, Chen Xiaolu touched his pants that could not even cover his calves and stomachs, and asked Chen Yi's secretary pitifully: "Uncle, will I wear this dress for the New Year?" ”
There are countless such things in Chen Yi's home.
In order to educate the children, in 1961, Chen Yi also wrote a poem to the children, "Show your children":
We should know the ideals and be more strategic to the world.
I will be ashamed of all, for selfishness.
If everyone can do this, the world is free.
Chen Xiaolu
Under Chen Yi's ears, Chen Yi's children have strict requirements for themselves. Later, when Chen Xiaolu married Su Yu's daughter, a watermelon feast was held, which deeply touched the guests who came to celebrate.
It turned out that it was summer, and at Chen Xiaolu's wedding banquet, there was only a large watermelon on the table.
Although he has made many contributions to the construction of new China, Chen Yi has never been proud of his achievements. In 1959, when Chen Yi returned to his hometown and relatives, he was just in time for the completion of a newly built stone bridge in his hometown. The villagers proposed that this stone bridge be named "Marshal Bridge".
When Chen Yi heard this, he tried his best to stop it, and he said to everyone:
"How old am I Chen Yi?" The real praise is for the working people! Let's call it 'Labor Bridge'. ”