On December 21, 1949, just over two months after the founding of New China, Chairman Mao rushed to the Soviet Union. So what is going on?
It turned out that this day was Stalin's 70th birthday, and Chairman Mao, who had always known how to be grateful, would naturally come to celebrate his birthday at the first time.
Because he knows in his heart that the Soviet Union is of great significance to our newborn new China, and that friendly exchanges with the Soviet Union will benefit our country's development without harm, and this is the perfect opportunity.
As the founding leader of New China, this visit was of great significance, so I also attached great importance to the choice of gifts, and at that time, Ren Bishi, one of the five secretaries of the Central Committee, stood up and said: "I have been in the Soviet Union for a long time and have a certain understanding of Stalin!" ”
After pondering for a few seconds, Ren Bishi directly said: "I have a principle, that is, gifts should not only be precious but also full of warmth, both With Chinese characteristics and with a sense of "deliberateness". ”
Chairman Mao
According to this principle, finally under the unremitting efforts of everyone, a full "gift list" was presented in front of everyone, what blue porcelain vase, cloisonné tea set, etc., all kinds of rare treasures, dazzling.
However, when Chairman Mao was given instructions, none of them satisfies the Chairman, and who would have guessed that within a few days, Chairman Mao himself drafted a telegram:
Shandong prepared five thousand kilograms of cabbage, five thousand kilograms of turnips, five thousand kilograms of green onions, and five thousand kilograms of pears, adding up to a total of 20,000 kilograms, as a gift for Stalin's 70th birthday.
As soon as the telegram came out, everyone was stunned and surprised, and some even wondered: "Is there a famine in the Soviet Union?" Why did Chairman Mao send so many dishes? Everyone was puzzled, looked at each other, and shook their heads.
So why did Chairman Mao give Stalin these gifts? What is the moral behind it?
This has to start from the beginning of the founding of New China.
Stalin
On October 1, 1949, the founding of New China was established, and about two hours later, the Soviet government sent a note to our government, on the one hand, to celebrate the founding of the People's Republic of China, and on the other hand, to clearly express the willingness of the Soviet Union to establish diplomatic relations with New China.
It was precisely because of the leadership of the Soviet Union that more than a dozen Eurasian countries recognized china one after another.
Although this heart-warming act of the Soviet Union was in chairman Mao's hands, his old man was still very excited when he heard it, because it was quite important for a newborn China, even if it was supported by only one country, at this time, it was quite precious, not to mention that this country was the big brother of the socialist camp.
Therefore, the excited Chairman Mao immediately pinched his fingers and calculated that it was time to visit the Soviet Union.
This is not the first time that Chairman Mao has proposed to visit the Soviet Union; as early as the period of the agrarian revolution, many leaders of our Party went to the Soviet Union several times and met Stalin, but only Chairman Mao was the exception.
Visit Chairman Mao of the SOVIET Union
In January 1949, Chairman Mao again sent a request to Stalin to visit the Soviet Union, but Stalin, considering that Chiang Kai-shek's regime still existed at that time, refused Chairman Mao.
This time, Chairman Mao felt that Chiang Kai-shek's regime had been shattered, Stalin's misgivings no longer existed, and that it was soon his birthday, and that it was most appropriate to visit the Soviet Union.
So he called Stalin again, asking for a visit, and sure enough, as Chairman Mao had expected, Stalin immediately replied: "I warmly welcome Chairman Mao to the Soviet Union." ”
Therefore, on December 21, on the occasion of Stalin's 70th birthday, he visited the Soviet Union, but after some discussion, Chairman Mao felt that if he went on his birthday, all the communists in the world would flock to it, which would not be conducive to talking about things, so the time was finally set for early December.
The moment chairman Mao had been waiting for for many years had finally arrived!
Chairman Mao's main purpose in coming here this time was two main purposes: First, to celebrate Stalin's birthday, and second, to sign the new Sino-Soviet treaty; for this opportunity, Chairman Mao waited for a long time, and today his wish has finally come true, and everyone in our Party is excited.
So as a first visit to the Soviet Union, and it is stalin's birthday, what gifts should I bring?
In order to be able to select gifts that are both meaningful and ingenious, Chairman Mao specially summoned Ren Bishi, Yang Shangkun, and others to his side to discuss the matter.
In order to brainstorm, Yang Shangkun even found dozens of people to discuss, everyone talked about it, and actively contributed advice, some said Xiang embroidery, some said cloisonné, blue and white porcelain, and many said Longjing, sculpture, etc., and even some people said Beijing roast duck, duck pear, etc., a wide variety of people, dazzling.
Nevertheless, these gifts can be said to be the national essence of our country and can best represent the characteristics of our country, but when Yang Shangkun and Ren Bi handed over the list to Chairman Mao, None of them were satisfied.
Ren Bishi
I saw Chairman Mao look back and forth several times, and almost all the gifts on them were crossed out by him, but after that, he took up his pen and wrote down cabbage, green onions, turnips and other vegetables.
The next day, Chairman Mao personally sent a telegram to Shandong, clearly stating: "5,000 catties of Chinese cabbage, green onions, radishes, and pears each to celebrate Stalin's 70th birthday must be completed before December 4." ”
On almost December 1, all the gifts for Stalin's birthday were basically fully prepared, and all the gifts would be sent in the name of our party, the People's Liberation Army, the government, and the peasants, among them, the gifts of our party at that time were Xiang embroidered silk statues, blue flower porcelain, Longjing tea, etc.; the gifts of the People's Liberation Army were Stalin's ceramic statues and silk embroidery statues, the government's gifts were ceramic plates and Jingdezhen colored porcelain, and the peasants' gifts were green onions, cabbage, pears, radishes, and so on.
This series of gifts is enough to see the importance that our country attaches to visiting the Soviet Union, and also fully demonstrates the national characteristics of our country.
As the leader of a country, Chairman Mao's visit to the Soviet Union was not only to wish Stalin a happy birthday, but to represent the people and the party, hoping that the two countries could cooperate in friendship and make progress together.
Shandong scallions
Only by donating our national characteristics and traditional culture can we show our sincerity, even if it is an inconspicuous cabbage and turnip, it is of great significance in Chairman Mao's view, which is the recognition and pride of our own nation.
So why did Chairman Mao choose only these few?
First of all, vegetables and fruits are more practical, because Chairman Mao knows that the Soviet Union is a big industrial country, has always been a relatively developed heavy industry, coupled with the low temperature of the Soviet Union all year round, not suitable for growing grain and vegetables, in their country, there are very few grains and vegetables, usually they are eating bread, milk, beef, etc., want to eat vegetables and fruits, need to be imported.
On the contrary, China is a big agricultural country, rich in vegetables and fruits, but compared with the Soviet Union, the industrial base is relatively weak, so Chairman Mao brought these specialties of our country to the Soviet Union, on the one hand, to show national self-confidence and reflect the advantages of China's traditional agriculture, and on the other hand, it is sincere, to send friends the most needed gifts, to solve their dilemma in this regard.
This can also be seen in the sincerity with which my country treats them.
Group photo of our delegation visiting the Soviet Union
The second is the special meaning of history. Although most of the gifts given by our country are local characteristics, they are the treasures of our country.
However, Chairman Mao chose this way because he had a certain historical meaning.
For example, Xiang embroidery, produced in Chairman Mao's hometown, not only represents Chairman Mao personally, but also shows the national characteristics of our country. Jingdezhen porcelain, the treasure of China's ceramic art, since the Beginning of the Song Dynasty, has been famous, is one of the most popular crafts in China.
Not to mention, cloisonné is not only well-known at home and abroad, but also in the Qing Dynasty, it is dedicated to the royal family, reflecting the status and identity, and to a certain extent, it also shows China's respect and attention to the Soviet Union.
These complete types of gifts are unique and of extraordinary significance to our country, and sending these things that our country is proud of to other countries has also promoted the exchange and exchange of cultures between the two countries, promoted better exchanges, and better enhanced feelings.
Chairman Mao and the Chinese delegation took a group photo in a special train
Again, the intimacy can be enhanced. Cabbage, radish, pear, and green onion, which are common dishes in the homes of ordinary people in our ordinary people, were sent to the Soviet Union at this time and dedicated to Stalin, which not only reflected Chairman Mao's approachability and friendship with the people, but also narrowed the sense of distance with Stalin, and had a sense of closeness.
These gifts to Stalin made him feel that not only did our leaders respect and love him, but the people of the whole country admired him very much.
These are only the conjectures of posterity, but as to whether it was Chairman Mao's original intention, it is not known, but in any case, Chairman Mao and the people are sincere friends with the Soviet Union, and Chairman Mao is only representing the will of the people.
Later, Yan Mingfu, the head of the translation group who accompanied Chairman Mao on his visit to the Soviet Union, recalled this special experience, which revealed the meaning of Chairman Mao's gift at that time.
At that time, Chairman Mao and Yan Mingfu, including a group of people, stepped onto a special train to the Soviet Union, and along the way, Chairman Mao was full of smiles, talked and laughed, and was in a good mood; at this time, Yan Mingfu, who had been confused, asked Chairman Mao: "Chairman, why did we send Stalin two wagons of turnips, cabbage, and green onions?" ”
Chairman Mao at Stalin's birthday feast
Chairman Mao smiled and said, "Haven't you heard of it?" Shandong people love to eat green onions to what extent, the two angry quarrel, persuasion is useless, but you just give him a green onion, the two will immediately stop and run to eat green onions. ”
After Yan Ming listened, he laughed, this joke he heard for the first time, did not expect the Shandong people to be so cute, then what does this have to do with giving Stalin gifts?
Chairman Mao did not say it directly at this time, but said with a smile: "When you arrive in the Soviet Union, you will know!" ”
After a while, Chairman Mao arrived in Manchuria, and Stalin, in order to show respect, specially sent a special train to greet him, and Chairman Mao boarded the Soviet special train accompanied by the Soviet foreign minister.
Along the way, he enjoyed the scenery along the way and communicated with the Soviets until December 16, after a ten-day trip, Chairman Mao's special train successfully arrived at the Moscow railway station.
In order to greet Chairman Mao, the Soviet Minister of Defense and the Minister of Foreign Trade, and many other leaders, entrusted by Stalin, had been waiting here early to greet them, and specially prepared a welcome ceremony.
Chairman Mao at Stalin's birthday feast
In the afternoon, Stalin met with Chairman Mao, and the two international communist leaders finally met, only to see their hands clasped together and smiling, witnessing this great historical moment.
Although the two met for the first time, it seemed as if they had a thousand words to tell each other, at this time, Stalin could not help but open his mouth first, looked up and down at Chairman Mao, and slightly ridiculed: "I did not expect you to be so young and so tall." ”
After hearing these words, Chairman Mao took a different approach and said humorously: "I am a person who has been ostracized for a long time, and I have nowhere to say." ”
As soon as these words were uttered, the crowd fell into deep thought.
On the 18th, Mikoyan and others accompanied Chairman Mao to dinner, and the two old friends met and talked happily.
As we all know, as early as the beginning of 1949, Mikoyan was ordered to visit Xibaipo, Hebei, when Chairman Mao and other leaders of the country entertained him.
Chairman Mao was welcomed by the Soviet Union at the Moscow station
When they met again, both of them were extremely relaxed, in a pleasant atmosphere, talking and laughing, extremely comfortable.
After a while, the dishes were all served, and Mikoyan introduced the dishes to Chairman Mao with a smile on his face, and Chairman Mao was also extremely happy, and from time to time he laughed a few words.
At this time, Mikoyan was once again excited: "Comrade Stalin has already seen the birthday gift list that you gave to Stalin, chairman, and he likes it very much, and he also thankes you very much." ”
After hearing this, Chairman Mao quickly nodded his head and smiled: "Comrade Stalin is happy, our thoughts have not been in vain!" ”
In the blink of an eye, on the 12th, Stalin's 70th birthday quietly arrived.
That morning, Chairman Mao got up early, went to his desk, and wrote down: Fu Ru Donghai, Shoubi Nanshan a few big characters, as his birthday gift to Stalin.
Immediately afterwards, he went with the staff to the Bolshoi Theater, where Stalin's birthday would be held, and Stalin specially presented the gifts prepared for him by our country to the Pushkin Museum for people to visit. Chairman Mao's handwritten Shou Lian was placed in the most conspicuous position.
This is enough to show the respect that Stalin and the Soviet Union had for Chairman Mao and our country.
After a while, the birthday banquet began in a burst of joy and laughter, and Chairman Mao slowly stepped onto the stage to deliver a congratulatory speech, revealing a high degree of enthusiasm in his words, and once shouted: "I wish Comrade Stalin health and longevity, and long live the great Stalin!" ”
Chairman Mao did this because he knew very well that Stalin was a man of vanity. In doing so, it not only greatly satisfies his psychological needs, but also makes him feel very face-saving.
However, Chairman Mao was not really happy for him, and when taking pictures, Chairman Mao's expression was unusually calm, without a trace of a smile.
Then Chairman Mao was uncomfortable in his heart, so why did he have to endure to please him?
According to Chairman Mao's usual temperament, he would not cater to anyone at all, but the most important thing in coming this time was to sign a Sino-Soviet treaty of friendship and mutual assistance and to get the support of the Soviet Union.
In the face of the interests of the state, personal interests are always put last, so Chairman Mao had no choice but to aggrieved himself and do something he did not like, and Stalin's birthday was just an opportunity, Chairman Mao, who never liked to celebrate his birthday, never liked to do big things on his birthday, and now he has solemnly prepared gifts for Stalin, which is also because of this.
However, the facts were far from what Chairman Mao had expected. In the few days after arriving in Moscow, Stalin and Chairman Mao held only one meeting, and there was no significant result, which made Chairman Mao very unhappy and felt that he was wasting time, so he looked calm when taking pictures.
On the 22nd, Stalin's birthday party was again held in Moscow, and this time Chairman Mao was still sitting next to Stalin. Perhaps Stalin saw Chairman Mao's displeasure and proposed loudly on the spot: "Toast to the deputies of the People's Republic of China and to Chairman Mao, the leader of the Chinese people!" ”
But even so, Chairman Mao was not at all happy, and he was eager to get up and leave. I thought that the banquet would end at about ten o'clock, but I did not expect that directly to about one o'clock in the morning of the next day, the tired Chairman Mao, the mood was even more displeased, did not say a word, and insisted until the end, then quickly walked back to the villa.
Chairman Mao and Stalin
As soon as he entered the door, Chairman Mao said to Wang Dongxing, a staff member accompanying him: "Why is the banquet in the Soviet Union so long, did not eat well, did not look good, just clapped for one night, we can't go back like them." ”
This series of activities made Chairman Mao's mood fall to a freezing point, and there was no hope for this, but who expected that at this time, Stalin proposed to hold a second meeting with Chairman Mao.
Stalin talked from India to Western Europe, Japan, and the global situation, but none of this was of Concern to Chairman Mao, and he made no mention of the Sino-Soviet treaty of friendship that Chairman Mao was concerned about.
This made Chairman Mao, who was already displeased, even more annoyed, knowing that Stalin was saying this because he was concerned about the views of the Western countries and felt that our country was still a new force and was unwilling to cooperate with our country so early.
Chairman Mao was so angry that he simply did not leave the villa and slept in it all day; at this time, the Soviet staff invited Chairman Mao to go out to visit, and Chairman Mao immediately took the case and angrily rebuked: My current task is only three, that is, to eat, sleep, and. ”
The unsuspecting staff once fell into embarrassment, thinking that they were not well entertained, so they hurriedly said: "If there is any need, although we say, we will try our best to meet it." ”
At this time, Chairman Mao directly rebuked: "I came to Moscow not only to wish Stalin a happy birthday, I still have work to do, you must maintain the treaty as soon as possible, keep it well, I will leave in a few days." ”
The staff saw the situation, and quickly nodded their heads and slipped away.
Since then, Chairman Mao has continued to stay in the villa all day, not going out, refusing to participate in any activities and see anyone, and the atmosphere has fallen into tension for a time.
In fact, anyone with a discerning eye can see that Stalin and Chairman Mao are secretly fighting, so who in the end will make concessions?
At this critical moment, the actions of the Western media acted like a catalyst, inadvertently pushing things forward.
People's Daily report on Stalin's 70th birthday
Chairman Mao did not participate in any activities in Moscow for several days, which obviously did not conform to the normal state's visit, as if it had disappeared, and the media did not hear anything from everyone for several days. ”
As soon as this news came out, it immediately caused a huge sensation, and at the same time, all kinds of rumors in the United States were overwhelming, and Stalin's atrocities against Chairman Mao were extremely unfavorable to Stalin.
At this time, Chairman Mao seized the opportunity to let loose: "Britain, India and other countries have recognized the newborn People's Republic of China. ”
Stalin could not sit still as he saw that the orientation of the situation was gradually tending to Chairman Mao, and he thought that if he did not sign cooperation with our country quickly, once the Western countries made overtures to Chairman Mao, it would be possible for our country to enter the camp of the Western countries, and at that time, the Soviet Union would likely be isolated.
Therefore, Stalin agreed to sign a friendly treaty with our country, and on February 14, 1950, Premier Zhou went to Moscow to formally sign the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance, and Mutual Assistance with the Soviet Union.
Only then did Chairman Mao show a satisfied smile, and the purpose of the trip was successfully achieved.
Chairman Mao Zhou attended the signing ceremony
The reason why this can be achieved smoothly depends entirely on Chairman Mao's wisdom and backbone, and without Chairman Mao coming to this move, the result may not be the same, which is a great victory for both Chairman Mao and New China.
After the mission was accomplished, Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou embarked on a special train back to China on February 17. Upon arrival in Manchuria, Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou switched to our own special train, and the staff immediately put the gifts returned by Stalin on our train.
Among the most precious are two Guis brand cars, which are known to be the top luxury cars of the USSR, belonging to the armored vehicles in the car, which can not only resist bullets, but also resist infantry mines.
On the way back, Chairman Mao was in a good mood and chatted freely with the staff about Stalin.
While smoking a cigarette, Chairman Mao said: "Stalin has a bad temper, and many times, the words he says are extremely inappropriate, just to give him turnips and green onions that are conducive to Shunqi, while cabbage and pears are both hot and low-fire hahaha." ”
Stalin presented the Guise 115 car
Only then did everyone suddenly realize and shouted, "Finally, I know the deep meaning of this gift from the chairman." ”
But I don't know if it was Chairman Mao's true thoughts, but in any case, Chairman Mao was able to personally prepare gifts to wish Stalin a happy birthday, and he did not hesitate to go against his own heart to please him, which undoubtedly declared our position to the world, and for the sake of the interests of the nation and the country, Chairman Mao did not hesitate to lay down his stature. This is also enough to see Chairman Mao's broad mind and arrogance.
It was precisely because of chairman Mao's efforts that China and the Soviet Union reached an agreement and signed an alliance treaty, and the two countries were able to establish friendly and mutually helpful relations; at the same time, with the help of the Soviet Union, our country began socialist reform and construction, all of which were Chairman Mao's foresight and wisdom.
The reason why we can have such a beautiful living environment now is precisely because Chairman Mao and other leaders have paved the way for us, so we must not forget to dig wells, and as future generations, we must always remember them, and learn from the beautiful qualities in them, and continue to contribute our strength to the prosperity of our country.