In July 1937, after a four-month trek, Xu Qianqian finally arrived in Yan'an.
As soon as Xu Xiangqian arrived in Yan'an, Chairman Mao received him. After briefly inquiring about the situation of the Western Route Army, the chairman said to him: "Stay in the green mountains and not worry about firewood; if you can come back, there will be eggs if you have chickens." ”
The chairman's words of relief made Xu Xiangqian feel very touched in his heart.
From leaving the army in mid-March to embark on the return journey to mid-July, Xu Xiangqian, like other soldiers who returned to Yan'an, experienced countless tribulations and life-and-death dangers.
On March 14, 1937, the remnants of the Western Route Army broke through the enemy's encirclement and blockade and entered the area of Shiwo in Qilian Mountain. At this time, there were only more than 3,000 people left in the army. An atmosphere of sadness hung over everyone's heart, and although everyone did not want to admit it, the truth was in front of them: the Western Route Army had failed.
In the evening, the Military and Political Committee of the Western Route Army held its last meeting, and the meeting made a decision:
1. The rest of the Western Route Army formed three roads to carry out guerrilla attacks on the spot: Wang Shusheng led the first road, which was the right detachment, with about five companies of troops; Zhang Rong led the first road, which was a cadre detachment, including wounded, women, and children, about a thousand people; Li Xiannian and Cheng Shicai led the first road, which was the left detachment, including the remnants of the Red 30 Army and the direct subordinate units of the headquarters.
2. Commander-in-Chief Xu Xiangqian and General Political Commissar Chen Changhao left the army and returned to Yan'an to report on their work; a working committee of the Western Route Army, composed of Li Xiannian, Li Zhuoran, Li Te, Zeng Chuanliu, Wang Shusheng, Cheng Shicai, Huang Chao, and Xiong Guobing, was set up to command the troops in a unified manner. Li Xiannian was in charge of the military, and Li Zhuoran was in charge of political leadership.
Regarding the matter of leaving the team, Chen Changhao had communicated with other members of the Military and Political Committee in advance, but Xu Xiangqian himself did not know about it before the meeting, so this decision was unprepared for him.
Li Zhuo, then director of the General Political Department of the Western Route Army, then came and recalled: "... At that time, Comrade Xu Xiangqian was very dull, did not speak, and seemed not to want to leave, but the meeting had already formed a decision, and there was no way. ”
After the meeting, Xu Xiangqian found Chen Changhao, hoping to persuade him to stay with him, at least to play a role in stabilizing the hearts of the army. But Chen Changhao was very emotional, and he said excitedly: "No, we will go back and fight with the central authorities!" ”
What is the struggle that Chen Changhao is talking about? In fact, it is a question of responsibility for the failure of the Western Route Army. Xu Xiangqian later recalled:
"I really didn't want to go at that time, but I didn't insist on one, in fact, Li thought about them first and didn't want me to go." I accommodated Chen Changhao's opinion, made a mistake that I regretted for life, and felt guilty. If I stay, the military will be more stable, and at least more cadres can be brought to Xinjiang. ”
In order to ensure the safety of Xu and Chen, the headquarters was clearly protected by Yuan Lifu, chief of the security section of the Political Department, Chen Mingyi, staff officer of the headquarters, and Xiao Yongyin, commander of the guard platoon, with more than 20 soldiers accompanying them.
From Qilian Mountain to Yan'an, we must first break through the enemy's heavy blockade and rush out of Qilian Mountain, then cross the Heihe River, break into the North Mountain, cross the desert, cross the Yellow River, and finally reach northern Shaanxi; on this road, we will be searched and arrested by the enemy at any time.
The road back to the east is by no means an easy task.
Late at night, half a round of the moon sprinkled on the Qilian Mountains, a gentle and sweet, but no one had the heart to appreciate, everyone dragged heavy steps, trekking the snow.
During the day, hide in ravines, under rocks, and in the trees, hiding from the enemy's search and hunting teams; at night, heading east of the rising star of the rising star, towards Yan'an.
By dawn on the third day, they faintly heard the sound of rushing water, and the Black River was in front of them.
It was already dawn, and crossing the river at this point was likely to encounter the enemy. So everyone hid in a small forest nearby, waiting for the night to come.
The morning was uneventful, and by noon, there was a sudden noise of horses' hooves. It turned out that the enemy cavalry was passing by, and some people kept looking into the woods. Chen Mingyi, Xiao Yongyin and the others lay tightly on the ground, constantly chanting in their hearts: Don't make a sound.
Afraid of what was coming, at this moment, the green horses tied to the side for the chief roared, and their front hooves vigorously planked the ground, shaking the snow balls on the trees.
Seeing that the situation was not good, Chen Mingyi, Xiao Yongyin and others hurriedly pulled out their pistols and pushed on the bullets. Xu and Chen also held their guns and stared directly at the enemy. Fighting is on the verge of breaking out.
Fortunately, the movement of the horses was masked by the roar and hooves of the enemy's own horses, so they were not exposed. The enemy cavalry passed in batches and batches, all afternoon.
Everyone's hearts hung on their throats, and it was only when the enemy was all over that they were relieved. The angry Xiao Yongyin, carrying a gun, was about to kill the green horse that almost exposed them, but was stopped by the commander-in-chief.
The horse followed him through the Long March and embarked on the Western Expedition, like a companion. In desperation, Xu Xiangqian had to instruct Xiao Yongyin to release the Su Qing horse back into the mountains. Because with it again, there is a good chance that something similar will happen.
The situation just now makes the belt worry about the future trip. Including Xu and Chen, everyone is thinking, what should I do next?
After dinner, before it was dark, Xu and Chen gathered everyone together and announced the decision of the two of them after discussion: the squad was divided into pieces and dispersed. Xu, Chen, and Yuan Lifu returned to the east all the way, and Chen Mingyi and Yang Tianbao led the rest of the personnel to launch a guerrilla attack and wait for the opportunity to return to the east.
Before leaving, Xu Xiangqian handed Chen Mingyi the leather bag he had been carrying with him, and confessed: "When the contents cannot be taken away, burn it!" "This bag contains important documents, with photos of leaders such as President Zhu.
Then, Xu Xiangqian wrote another letter to Xiao Yongyin, "When you arrive in Yan'an, give this letter to the Party Central Committee, and talk about our situation!" After saying that, he gave them the gold ring he had brought as a plate fee.
In the face of danger, Xu and Chen may have been ready to sacrifice. Perhaps, leaving the squad and not having these two chiefs as a "burden", more soldiers can return to Yan'an alive.
Xu and Chen Yiyi shook hands with everyone and said goodbye, "Meet in northern Shaanxi!" After saying goodbye, the three of them took a big stride, stepped on the twilight, and walked east.
The next day, when Yuan Lifu went out to explore the way, he encountered a search and arrest team of ma jiajun and was unfortunately captured. Since then, only Xu Xiangqian and Chen Changhao have been left to continue their eastward journey together.
When you are thirsty, drink a cool stream, or put a handful of snow in your mouth; when you are hungry, eat a little dry food from your fellow countrymen. After a few days of going around, the two walked out of the Qilian Mountains and came to the area around the Ganzhou Damai Camp.
At dusk on this day, Xu and Chen, who were roasting a fire under the cliff, met a person named Wan Huaizhang. This Wan Huaizhang was originally from Hubei and lived in the home of his brother-in-law Dan Fusan.
But Fusan is also a Hubei native, an old Chinese medicine doctor, because Hubei's harsh taxes and miscellaneous taxes are too heavy, in order to make a living, but Fusan took his son, daughter, wife and brother-in-law and righteous son Nie Youcheng to live in Hexi to practice medicine and hygiene.
Chen Changhao is a native of Hubei, and his fellow villagers are particularly affectionate when they meet. Wan Huaizhang then took Xu and Chen back to their brother-in-law's house in Ganjiazhuang, BeiyaoPo. The humble and simple, warm-hearted Dan Fusan warmly welcomed the two.
Along the way, the two ate a steaming meal for the first time and slept on a warm and baking hot kang for the first time.
Unexpectedly, due to a long period of hard work and fatigue, Chen Changhao fell ill.
Chen Changhao, who was unwell, suggested that the two rest for a few days before leaving, but Xu Xiangqian was worried. Chen Changhao has the cover of his fellow villagers, it doesn't matter if he lives for a few days, he is a Shanxi accent, once Ma Jiajun comes to search, he will definitely be exposed.
Therefore, Xu Xiangqian decided to go first, and Chen Changhao stayed at his hometown and returned to Yan'an after he had recovered from his illness.
The next day, Xu Xiangqian, who was like an arrow, embarked on the road back to the east.
In the misty sky of the night, only Xu Xiangqian, who was alone, walked alone in the lifeless desolation. His lips were already chapped, and his emaciated cheeks hung with the coldness of an ice blade.
Perhaps it was the favor of heaven, Xu Xiangqian, who was also starry in the night, did not encounter the Ma Family Army's search and arrest team along the way. He hadn't shaved in months, hadn't washed his face for days, and was wearing a sheepskin jacket, no different from a sheepskin.
From Shandan via Yongchang, Liangzhou, Tumen to Jingtai, then cross the Yellow River on a sheepskin raft and head straight for Talachi. While passing through Liangzhou, Xu Xiangqian accidentally encountered Cao Datou, the commander of the Special Agent Battalion of the Western Route Army, and the two of them have been traveling together ever since.
In The Lachi, Xu Xiangqian changed his gold ring for a cotton jacket and dressed as a businessman; Cao Datou also changed his outfit and dressed up as a buddy. This is no longer Ma Jiajun's territory, nor is it far from the Shaanxi-Gansu base area, and Xu Xiangqian's heart is slightly more solid.
After a short rest, the two left The Lachi, crossed the Liupan Mountain, and came to Pingliang. At that time, the Kuomintang troops were moving westward, the city was in chaos, and the atmosphere was somewhat tense. Xu Xiangqian bought a map in the bookstore, quickly found an inn to stay, and closed the door to see the map.
The next day, the two left Pingliang and walked all the way east. There was a snack stall on the side of the road, and they bought some food, and they talked to the stallholders by the way.
Xu Xiangqian asked his fellow villagers, what troops lived on the mountains in the north? The fellows told them that they were the Red Army.
At this moment, the excitement in the hearts of the two can be imagined. After eating, Xu Xiangqian and Cao Datou hurried north to Xiaotun and met Geng Biao and Liu Zhijian. Finally back to the organization, the mood of sadness and joy is really indescribable.
The next day, Liu Bocheng sent someone to take Xu Xiangqian to the headquarters of the Zhenyuan Western Army. They talked about the Western Route Army and the Situation of Aiding the Western Army. Xu Xiangqian was so tired that his energy seemed to be exhausted, and he just wanted to sleep well for a few days.
After resting for a few days in Zhenyuan, Xu Xiangqian went to Yunyang with Ren Bishi and Yang Qiqing. In Yunyang, he met Peng Dehuai, then commander-in-chief of the former enemy, and Zuo Quan, chief of staff.
Peng Dehuai briefed Xu Xiangqian on the situation of the Xi'an Incident and the current situation, and Xu Xiangqian also told some about the difficult situation of the Western Route Army and handed over to Peng Dehuai more than ten golden rings brought back from the Western Route Army.
At this time, Xu had a seizure of front teeth and was in excruciating pain, so he went to Xi'an to extract his teeth.
Zhou Enlai, Lin Boqu and Xie Jueya were all in Xi'an. The grass is different, just like yesterday, they often care about Xu Xiangqian's diet and living in their busy schedules.
Xu Xiangqian reported to them on the situation of the Western Route Army, and Zhou Enlai, Lin Boqu, and Xie Jueya were very concerned about the fate of the captured and separated people, and they made a lot of painstaking efforts to rescue the captured commanders and fighters.
In July, Xu Xiangqian and Zhou Enlai flew back to Yan'an, and Chairman Mao immediately received him and said the words of relief.
In August, the main force of the Red Army was reorganized into the Eighth Route Army, and Xu Xiangqian served as the deputy commander of the 129th Division and rushed to the anti-Japanese battlefield. The defeat of the Western Route Army still had a great impact on him, otherwise the commander of the 129th Division, which was reorganized on the basis of the Red Fourth Front and the Red Army in northern Shaanxi, should be Xu Xiangqian.