He was the guardian that Chairman Mao "borrowed" from Premier Zhou Enlai, but he accompanied Chairman Mao for a full 15 years, and the two of them had already formed a relationship between father and son over many years, and after he left, Chairman Mao's side was no longer equipped with a new guard chief.
But it was such a beloved defender of Chairman Mao, who was not allowed to accompany Chairman Mao when he first visited the Soviet Union abroad in 1949, and when he learned the truth afterwards, he understood chairman Mao's good intentions, and this guard leader was Li Yinqiao.
As chairman Mao's only chief guard in his life, what kind of past did he have with Chairman Mao?
Why did Chairman Mao treat him so seriously?
01
"Kung Fu master" Li Yinqiao joined the army as a young man to serve the country
In September 1927, in an ordinary peasant family in Dongheyan Village, Anping County, Hebei Province, a baby fell to the ground, and he was Li Yinqiao.
Basically every boy has a dream of becoming a hero in his heart, Li Yinqiao is no exception, plus he is really not interested in learning, at a young age, he begged his parents to send him to Wudang Mountain to learn art.
Li Yinqiao's parents saw that their son really had no talent in learning, coupled with the poor family, and sent their son to Wudang Mountain for training, which was a good idea.
Old photo of Wudang Mountain
So Li Yinqiao, who was still a small turnip head, was sent to Wudang Mountain by his parents and became a lay disciple of Wudang Mountain, although Li Yinqiao was not a reading material, but he was quite talented in learning martial arts.
At a young age, he played the boxing techniques taught by his master, and in addition to boxing, he was also quite proficient in swordplay.
With high understanding and Li Yinqiao's own efforts, he soon learned the master's skills to the Mathematical Society, and when his master had nothing else useful to hand over to Li Yinqiao, he bid farewell to the master and returned to his hometown.
The village after being visited by Riko
On the way back to his hometown, he looked at the devastated land destroyed by the Japanese invaders, and he immediately made up his mind to join the army.
Soon after returning home, part of Hebei Province was occupied by the Japanese and became an enemy-occupied area, and it happened that the Eighth Route Army was recruiting soldiers near the village, and he resolutely said goodbye to his parents and prepared to join the Eighth Route Army and become a soldier who defended his family and country.
But at this time, Li Yinqiao was only 11 years old.
Real photos of the Eighth Route Army
Due to li Yinqiao's young age in joining the army, he did not go to the front line to kill the enemy as he wished, but became a logistician in the rear of the army.
Li Yinqiao was very depressed, he felt that his martial art had been wasted, and when the superior who led him saw that he was so depressed, he comforted him and said:
"You're too young now, and when you're older, you'll have the chance to move to the front line to kill the enemy."
Li Yinqiao
But Li Yinqiao waited for this opportunity, from an Eighth Route Army that resisted the Japanese to become a glorious People's Liberation Army, he failed to transfer from logistics to the front.
Why is this happening?
In fact, at the beginning, Li Yinqiao's boss planned to let him reach a certain age and transfer to the front line to realize his dream.
However, with the understanding of Li Yinqiao, Li Yinqiao's superiors found that he was steady and steady, his observation ability was extremely strong, and the logistics department needed talents like him more than the front line, so Li Yinqiao worked in the logistics department in obscurity for ten years.
The People's Liberation Army under soviet lens
02
Outstanding ability to serve as a guardian of great men
In 1947, at the age of 20, Li Yinqiao ushered in the first major turning point in his life, that is, to become a guard at the side of Premier Zhou Enlai.
When Li Yinqiao learned of this news, he was happy and sad, and he was very proud to be a guard by Premier Zhou's side. It is sad that in recent years, I have not been able to go to the front line to carry guns and fight.
After only half a year of following Premier Zhou, Li Yinqiao was "borrowed" by Chairman Mao.
It turned out that Li Yinqiao was originally a defender that Premier Zhou had specially sought for Chairman Mao, because at this time the domestic situation in China was chaotic, and Chairman Mao's personal safety was greatly threatened, and Premier Zhou, who was in charge of the central security work, naturally took this matter to heart.
Li Yinqiao, who had a high force value and was calm in his work, entered and was recommended to Premier Zhou, but it was not a sloppy thing to choose guards for the chairman.
So Li Yinqiao was left by Premier Zhou for six months to temper himself, after all, it is not an easy task to be a qualified guard. During these six months of getting along, Premier Zhou felt that this young man was very good, careful and down-to-earth, and sincere.
But it is not enough to like it yourself, but only with the appetite of the chairman, and this opportunity to make Chairman Mao notice Li Yinqiao will soon come.
In August 1947, Chairman Mao's troops interfering with the enemy were trapped near the Yellow River by the enemy, and at this time it began to rain heavily, which greatly affected the speed of the troops.
The whole team was divided on whether to cross the Yellow River, so Chairman Mao was irritable and wanted to calm down and smoke a cigarette, but because the rain was too strong, several people did not light the fire.
At this time, Li Yinqiao, who was with Premier Zhou, relied on his own wisdom and wisdom to light the chairman's cigarette very smoothly.
At this time, Chairman Mao also noticed this young man who was following Premier Zhou and felt that he was very appetizing with himself.
Therefore, after the crisis passed, Chairman Mao, who was in urgent need of guards, took the initiative to ask Premier Zhou for Li Yinqiao, and at this time, Li Yinqiao did not know it and was still dreaming that he would soon be able to go to the front line to carry a gun.
In this way, Li Yinqiao was transferred to Chairman Mao's side as a guard.
On the day he officially became Chairman Mao's defender, the chairman noticed Li Yinqiao's strange appearance and took the initiative to ask him:
"Do you have anything on your mind that would like to be my guard?"
Li Yinqiao could have said that he was willing, after all, he was also very proud to be Chairman Mao's defender, and what he might not get would always be in turmoil, and the more he did not let Li Yinqiao carry back his gun on the front line, the deeper his obsession became.
So when Li Yinqiao answered Chairman Mao's question, he resolutely chose the answer he wanted most in his heart, and carefully muttered to the chairman: "No."
The chairman was also happy when he heard it, and he was really an honest baby, so he continued to ask Li Yinqiao:
"A lot of people want to come and work with me, why don't you want to?"
Li Yinqiao replied:
"Chairman, since I joined the army in 37 years, I have been working in logistics for ten years, and I want to carry a gun to the front line to kill the enemy more than I do logistics work."
When Chairman Mao heard this, he smiled happily and felt that this little guy was still quite ambitious. So he said to Li Yinqiao:
"You are a child with ambition, but now there is a real shortage of people around me, we have made a gentleman's agreement verbally, you stay with me for half a year, and after half a year, whether you will continue to stay with me or leave to the front line, it is up to you to decide."
Li Yinqiao did not expect that Chairman Mao would be so approachable when communicating with his subordinates, and that when the two had differences of opinion, they would consult with himself, so he decisively agreed to Chairman Mao's electronics.
Li Yinqiao, who is full of hope for the future, has become more conscientious in his treatment and care of Chairman Mao.
Chairman Mao and Li Yinqiao were photographed
03
The shadows have been with each other for 15 years, and the relationship is the same as that of father and son
Happy days always pass very quickly, and in the blink of an eye half a year has passed, and Chairman Mao is also very satisfied with Li Yinqiao's work in the past six months.
Although Chairman Mao very much wanted Li Yinqiao to continue to work by his side, after all, it was difficult for a gentleman to chase after his words, so Chairman Mao took the initiative to find Li Yinqiao to talk:
"Silver Bridge, these six months have passed really fast, the gentleman's agreement we originally agreed on has reached the time, have you decided whether to leave or stay?"
Li Yinqiao did not expect that the chairman was so busy, and he could still remember the original agreement between the two, so he hesitated, after all, people's hearts are long, and they have been managing the chairman's living for half a year, and they have long cultivated revolutionary friendship with the chairman.
Chairman Mao saw his hesitation and took the initiative to persuade Li Yinqiao: "Speak out boldly, whether you go or stay, I will respect your decision." ”
After hearing this, Li Yinqiao plucked up the courage to say to Chairman Mao: "I want to leave, but I don't want you, but Chairman you have already agreed to let me go, then the previous half-year covenant has been abrogated, if you want, we can sign a new one." ”
When Chairman Mao heard that the little guy had grown up and would make me happy, he said to Li Yinqiao happily: "Okay, then we will continue for another half a year, and you will follow me for half a year to study well." ”
However, before the time of the second gentleman's agreement was over, Li Yinqiao, who had already been promoted to the rank of chief of the guards, took the initiative to tell the chairman: He did not leave, as long as the chairman did not drive him away, he would always rely on the chairman..
Why did Li Yinqiao undergo such a big change in less than a year?
This is because during the one-year period with the chairman, Li Yinqiao was deeply attracted by Chairman Mao's personal charm, and he also understood a truth, not only to go to the front line to kill the enemy is to contribute to the country, he stayed behind to do a good job of Chairman Mao's food, clothing, shelter and transportation, no less than the soldiers who went to the battlefield to kill the enemy.
What Li Yinqiao did not expect was that he stayed by the chairman's side for a full 15 years, which was something that other wei ministers did not dare to think.
Chairman Mao, who was taken care of by Li Yinqiao, began to worry about Li Yinqiao's marriage. After all, Li Yinqiao followed him, there was no time to meet some young girls, plus Li Yinqiao himself was shy, and when he wanted to chase people, the yellow broccoli was cold.
Chairman Mao was in northern Shaanxi
While Chairman Mao was worried, Li Yinqiao met his true love, that is, Han Guixin, the nursery of Chairman Mao's youngest daughter Li Na.
These two young people, because the chairman's daughter got to know each other, obviously liked each other, but because of shyness, neither of them was willing to take the initiative to take a step forward, which made Chairman Mao, who was a bystander, anxious, and tried his best to match the two.
It is precisely because of Chairman Mao's efforts that Li Yinqiao and Han Guixin successfully entered the palace of marriage a year after meeting each other.
Han Guixin
04
Li Yinqiao was denied an entourage to visit the Soviet Union
Chairman Mao's great love for his own chief of defense is a well-known thing, and with his experience as a teacher, Chairman Mao succeeded in reviving the love of learning for Li Yinqiao, who was not interested in reading since childhood.
In addition, Chairman Mao was also very concerned about the trivial matters in Li Yinqiao's life, and after learning that Li Yinqiao's wife was pregnant, the frugal Chairman Mao also sent people to buy many fresh fruits many times to comfort Han Guixin.
A month after the founding of New China, Chairman Mao was invited by the Soviet leadership to visit the Soviet Union, which was chairman Mao's first time to go abroad to offer condolences.
Therefore, in order to make the chairman more comfortable, Wang Dongxing, who was in charge of the arrangement of the entourage, added Li Yinqiao, who had a very thorough understanding of Chairman Mao's living habits, to the entourage list.
However, when chairman Mao handed over this list, he saw the chairman decisively cross Out Li Yinqiao's name from the accompanying list with a big stroke of a pen.
Wang Dongxing
Chairman Mao's move made everyone scratch their heads, and even Li Yinqiao himself began to doubt what he was doing badly, so Li Yinqiao, who was outspoken and quick-talking, went to Chairman Mao and asked:
"Chairman, why didn't I take me on this visit to the USSR, is it that I didn't do enough good enough?"
Chairman Mao was also happy when he heard this, so he patted Li Yinqiao's shoulder and explained:
"Xiao Han has just given birth to a child, it is the time when he needs to be taken care of, what if you follow me away Xiao Han?" So this time you will be at home with her well, and the next time you have a chance, you will definitely come with you. ”
Chairman Mao and Li Yinqiao and his wife take a group photo
After Li Yinqiao listened, he was very moved, and the tears did not know what to do, but they could not control the gushing out of their eyes.
Chairman Mao saw how this was so big and still cried his nose, so he comforted Li Yinqiao: "Yinqiao, the boy has tears and does not flick ah, now I need your company more than I come to Xiaohan." ”
So Li Yinqiao did not let the chairman hurt his own affairs under such a tired situation, so he used his hands to dry the tears on his face.
Although he was very concerned about Chairman Mao's safety, he still obeyed the chairman's words and obediently stayed in China to accompany his daughter-in-law to confinement.
Chairman Mao visited the Soviet Union
05
The feast is not dispersed, and the chairman is sorry to change careers
Li Yinqiao always thought that he would always stay by the chairman's side to take care of him, but no one expected that the moment of separation would come so quickly.
In 1962, China experienced three consecutive years of natural disasters, the life of the people all over the country was very miserable, coupled with policy mistakes, the entire country's economy fell into a stalemate.
In order to alleviate the pressure, the central authorities issued the principle and policy of cracking down the army and simplifying the administration, and Chairman Mao, as the leader of a country, naturally bore the brunt of it in order to set a good example, so Li Yinqiao, the captain of the guards who had been with Chairman Mao for 15 years, was naturally sent down to the localities.
Even though both of them were very reluctant, Li Yinqiao still had to leave.
After the news of the layoffs was announced, Chairman Mao immediately called Li Yinqiao to his side and reluctantly told him:
"Silver Bridge, you are a very good comrade, but there is no future with me, it is precisely because of you that you can make me work with peace of mind over the years, you have grown up, it is time to leave me to go for a while."
After listening to the chairman's words, the tears in Li Yinqiao's eyes could no longer be endured, and he cried and said to Chairman Mao: "Chairman, I really don't want you, I would rather not have my own future, I just want to stay by your side and take care of you." ”
After listening to Li Yinqiao's remarks, Chairman Mao exhorted him:
"Silver Bridge, you are still only 35 years old, you go down and do a good job, you are so smart, you will certainly be able to break out of a new world, have more contact with the masses of the people, improve your ability, after leaving me, you must not be arrogant, and be a person with your tail between your legs."
Li Yinqiao tearfully obeyed Chairman Mao's instructions and assured the chairman: "I will definitely become a useful talent." ”
In April 1962, just as Li Yinqiao was preparing to leave Beijing with his wife and children, Chairman Mao appeared and said to Li Yinqiao:
"Silver Bridge, the two of us will finally make a gentleman's agreement, after you leave, you must remember to go back to Beijing once a year to visit me, when I am alive, you come to see my people, after I die, you will come to my grave once a year to worship me I will be satisfied."
Li Yinqiao was very touched by the chairman's special act of sending himself, and tearfully agreed to the chairman's request.
After bidding farewell to the chairman, Li Yinqiao took the train in Tianjin.
When he arrived in Tianjin, he found that he had been assigned to work in the police station, and his rank was that of deputy director.
Although in terms of Li Yinqiao's qualifications, this position was really a bit low for him, but he remembered Chairman Mao's teachings, and he was a man with his tail between his legs, and although his status was not high, he still worked very diligently.
Every year, Li Yinqiao would follow Chairman Mao's instructions and visit the elderly in Beijing, but after all, Chairman Mao himself was very busy and did not see him every time.
However, every time the two successfully met, Chairman Mao would cordially inquire about Li Yinqiao's recent situation, and Li Yinqiao himself never reported good news or worry, and every time he picked up good things and reported to Chairman Mao.
It was not until 1965, when Chairman Mao was passing through Tianjin during his inspection in the south, and asked the staff around him about Li Yinqiao's recent situation, that he knew that Li Yinqiao had suffered a loss.
Chairman Mao couldn't help but sigh: "This child of Yinqiao is just too honest and will be bullied." ”
So he asked someone to call Li Yinqiao to talk: "Instead of letting you go down to the grassroots level to learn more about industry, why are you still staying in the public security bureau, you are just too honest, and you don't know how to resist when you are bullied." ”
After accepting a reprimand from the chairman, Li Yinqiao hastily assured the chairman: "Listen to the chairman." ”
So after Chairman Mao left, Li Yinqiao was transferred to the Tianjin Guomian No. 2 Factory as the deputy secretary of the party committee. Although the official has been promoted and the experience gained has been sufficient, people are getting busier and busier, and the number of times they can visit the chairman has gradually decreased.
Although Li Yinqiao could not often come to see himself, Chairman Mao was still very concerned about Li Yinqiao's recent situation, and every time he heard the news that he was doing well, Chairman Mao was very happy.
And Li Yinqiao also thought that the chairman would always be able to see him when he went to Beijing to visit, but on September 9, 1976, Li Yinqiao got a shocking news on the radio, that is, the beloved chairman was gone.
Li Yinqiao couldn't believe it and immediately took a car to Beijing overnight, but when he saw Chairman Mao's body, the tears in Li Yinqiao's eyes could no longer help but gush down.
Elderly Li Yinqiao
Because no one said to him anymore, "Silver Bridge, have you been doing well lately?" ”
Although Chairman Mao was gone, his Dun Dun teachings still kept echoing in Li Yinqiao's ears, supervising him to be strict with himself, so that although Li Yinqiao later held a high position, he was able to insist on a clean wind in both sleeves.
Moreover, every year on Chairman Mao's death day, Li Yinqiao would drag his family and mouth to the chairman's grave to worship and fulfill the special gentleman's covenant that belonged only to Chairman Mao and himself.
Just because of this, in 2009, when he was already on his sickbed, he would take the hand of his relatives and say, "I haven't gone to see Chairman Mao yet." ”
Because for Li Yinqiao, Chairman Mao was not only a person, but also his own division commander and father, so on September 22, 2009, Li Yinqiao died with the thought of the chairman at the age of 82.