On January 6, 1972, Marshal Chen Yi completed 71 years of magnificent life. On January 10, Premier Zhou got up early and was busy with Chen Yi's memorial service at 3 p.m., and he didn't even take care of lunch until 1:30 p.m. that day.
Chen Yi in the ward
Not long after, seeing that the time for the memorial service was approaching, Premier Zhou planned to go to the scene. But at this time, a call came from the Zhongnanhai office, and the other party said that the chairman wanted to attend the memorial service. When he heard about it, he immediately made a series of changes, temporarily raising the specifications of the memorial service.
So why did Chairman Mao temporarily change his mind and attend the memorial service? During this period, he made another move to make Chen Yi's wife Zhang Qian cry out in tears, "Don't you dare to be"?
Marshal Chen Yi died
In 1969, Chen Yi, who was working in Shijiazhuang, often felt pain in his abdomen and was visibly emaciated. Zhang Qian looked very distressed, so she wrote to Premier Zhou and asked to go to Beijing for treatment.
Premier Zhou attached great importance to this and personally sent someone to pick up Chen Yi's family and return to Beijing. Soon after, Chen Yi came to the hospital for a physical examination and was diagnosed with acute cecalitis and needed to be operated on as soon as possible.
Unexpectedly, when Chen Yi was pushed onto the operating table, the doctor found that Chen Yi's condition was much more serious than expected, and the colon had become cancerous, and it was necessary to remove the cancerous part.
Subsequently, the doctor urgently adjusted the surgical plan, and the original half-hour operation time was postponed to 5 hours, and finally the cancerous part was successfully removed. However, in the recovery after the operation, due to improper care, the wound became infected, causing myocardial infarction, and Mr. Chen's body was weak again.
But even though his health was very poor, Chen Yi still insisted on participating in the May Day labor celebration in 1971, and when he saw Chairman Mao, he was very excited and gave him a military salute.
Chen Yi poses with Mao Zedong
The Chairman was also very pleased and asked him how he was doing. Chen Yi waved his hand and said, "Don't worry Chairman, I've recovered." ”
However, a few months later, due to overwork, Chen Yi fell ill again, this time with a serious illness that it became a problem to eat.
At the end of the year, Marshal Chen Yi's condition deteriorated, his internal organs were rotten and perforated, cancer cells spread throughout the body, and people became skinny. On New Year's Day in 1972, Chen Yi was in a coma many times, which made the people around him nervous. Despite the best efforts of the medical staff, he still had a high fever.
At 3 p.m. the next day, his old friend Li Xiannian came to visit, and when Chen Yi learned about it, he tried his best to sober himself up and said: "Thank you, old comrade..."
Li Xiannian was moved by the sight, but he was still relieved of his old friend, and when he left, he could no longer hold back his emotions and could not cry.
That night, Chen Yi regained some sanity, and after Premier Zhou heard about it, he immediately drove to the hospital to visit and talked a lot with this old comrade. But soon after, Chen Yi fell into a coma again.
On the morning of the 5th, Chen Yi was awake again, as if he were returning to the light, he was clearly conscious, and he was able to communicate briefly with his family.
Finally, Chen Yi said with difficulty, "Is Ye Shuai here?" His family said: "Ye Shuai just left, and I didn't stay long when I saw you unconscious." ”
Chen Yi took a group photo with his family
At 4 p.m. the next day, Chen Yi was terminally ill, and although he recovered his breathing after emergency rescue, he was still unconscious.
After Ye Jianying learned the news, he rushed to the hospital to visit his old friend who had worked together for decades. Seeing Chen Yi's unconscious appearance, Ye Shuai burst into tears on the spot.
Ye Jianying said excitedly, "Elder Chen, you must wake up quickly, Chairman Mao has spoken for you!" Chairman Mao and the Party Central Committee asked me to come and see you, and you can recuperate with peace of mind, and everything will pass. ”
It turned out that on January 6, Chairman Mao said to Premier Zhou and Ye Shuai: "Some things have been confirmed by time, and they are not at all, so don't talk about them in the future, you and Comrade Chen Yi will talk about it!" ”
This is Chairman Mao speaking openly for Mr. Chen, and then Ye Jianying rushed to the hospital with the note, read it several times in front of Chen Yi, and then handed the note to Chen Yi's daughter Shanshan.
Shanshan read it several more times and cried bitterly: "Father, the chairman has spoken for you, can you hear?" Close your eyes when you hear it. ”
Sure enough, Chen Yi's eyes moved a little, and he struggled to open his eyes. Ye Shuai saw the situation and took Chen Yi's hand and nodded desperately.
A few hours later, at 11:55 p.m., Chen Yi left safely with the chairman's affirmation and approval.
So, what kind of revolutionary friendship did Mr. Chen and the chairman have, and why did he still think of Chairman Mao until the last moment of his life? In fact, their friendship lasted for 44 years, and they were close comrades-in-arms for life.
Chen Yi was seriously ill
The friendship between Chen Yi and Chairman Mao
Chen Yi and Mao Zedong first met in April 1928, when Zhu De and Chen Yi led the remnants of the Nanchang Uprising to Jinggangshan to meet Mao Zedong's 1st Army of the Workers' and Peasants' Revolutionary Army.
Although they met for the first time, the two saw each other as they were, and Chen Yi shook Mao Zedong's hand and said excitedly: "We have long been looking forward to going to Jinggangshan, and today we finally got our wish." ”
In fact, Chen Yi knew Mao Zedong's name as early as 1920 when he was working and studying in France, and then he began to pay attention to this young man with great ambitions and concerns for the people, and later read Mao Zedong's works many times.
After the Jinggangshan Division, the 4th Army of the Workers' and Peasants' Revolutionary Army was established, with Zhu De as the commander, Mao Zedong as the party representative, and Chen Yi as the director of the political department. Under their leadership, the Red 4th Army achieved quite good results in the first world war, Huang Ao and WudouJiang, Caoshi pass and Yongxincheng in world war II, and the new and old Qixiling and Longyuankou in the third war.
After getting along for a long time, Mao Zedong concluded that Chen Yi was a figure with similar interests and abilities, and immediately wrote a letter to Chen Yi, expressing his trust in Chen Yi with "seeing each other and hating each other, comforting each other, and hoping to discuss things.".
At that time, the competition within the party was fierce, and Mao Zedong Thought was too advanced and clever to be recognized by the majority, and in this context, only Chen Yi understood and supported Mao Zedong, which made Mao very pleased.
In the years since, Chen Yi has always supported Mao Zedong, even at the expense of fighting others.
During the fourth anti-encirclement and suppression campaign, Mao Zedong was attacked, and Chen Yi firmly sided with Mao Zedong and argued with other comrades.
At the Gannan Conference, Chen Yi spoke: "Mao Zedong's leadership policy is very correct, don't look at the growing area of the Soviet Union, the Red Army has tens of thousands of people, but once it suffers 2 defeats, it will face a crisis of collapse." ”
At the second Ningdu meeting, Chen Yi said again: "Some people think that cadres in the Soviet union can fight wars, but nothing else. The achievements of the Soviet union today lie precisely in political correctness and in the leadership of Mao Zedong. ”
Chen Yi took a group photo with Mao Zedong and others
After the Long March of the Red Army, Chen Yi and Mao Zedong lost contact, but they always cared about each other. After the July 7 Incident in 1937, Chen Yi saw Mao Zedong's report in a Hong Kong publication, which was the first time he heard Chairman Mao's voice since the Long March, and he cheered and encouraged: "Mao Zedong has spoken, China has been saved!" ”
At the beginning of 1972, Chen Yi's illness worsened and he was in a coma for a long time, but he still spoke nonsense incoherently in his mouth, but after listening carefully, he knew that even if he was terminally ill, Mr. Chen still had Chairman Mao in his heart.
Before Mr. Chen died, after learning of the chairman's affirmation of himself, he had no regrets in his heart, so he was relieved to leave.
The President decided provisionally to attend the memorial service
In fact, when Chen Yi died, Chairman Mao's physical condition was also very bad! Long- and high-intensity work has made this old man who works for the country suffer from disease. Therefore, under such circumstances, the staff around Chairman Mao always tried their best to persuade the chairman to combine work and leisure and to take a timely rest!
Therefore, according to the custom, Chairman Mao would rest for a while every day after eating at noon! But on the afternoon of January 10, he was lying on his side in his beige pajamas, turning over and over, but he couldn't sleep.
When the secretary Zhang Yufeng saw the situation, he had to help him into the study, but Chairman Mao's expression was still irritable, and he who loved to read books on weekdays could not see it.
After a while, Chairman Mao looked up and shouted, "Xiao Zhang, what time is it?" Zhang Yufeng told that it was now half past one o'clock, and the chairman patted the sofa and said, "I want to attend Chen Yi's memorial service, and hurry up to transfer the car for me." ”
The news surprised the staff around them, and it was planned that the chairman would not be required to attend the memorial service.
It turned out that because of the social environment at that time, the specifications of Chen Yi's memorial service were somewhat limited!
But even so, Premier Zhou still did his best to let Chen Yi's friends before his death come to give him a ride! Zhang Qian was very grateful for this, and she said to the child: "The premier is now involuntary, we can't let him be embarrassed, everything must be arranged by the organization." ”
After a meeting and discussion, it was finally determined that The memorial service for Chen Yi was presided over by Comrade Li Desheng, and Ye Jianying, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered a eulogy, and the number of people at the memorial service was 500, and it was held at 3 p.m. on January 10 at the Babaoshan Cemetery, and there was no Chairman Mao in the attendance list.
Chen Yi and Zhou Enlai comforted the officers and men
After the time of the memorial service was determined, Vice Chairman Soong Ching Ling and Prince Sihanouk sent letters many times asking to attend Chen Yi's memorial service, and many democrats also proposed to participate in the memorial service, but due to the limitations of the specifications of the memorial service, Premier Zhou could only reluctantly refuse.
Then, why did Chairman Mao change his mind and insist on attending Chen Yi's memorial service? According to Zhang Yufeng's recollection: Since the death of Mr. Chen, the chairman's spirit has not been too good, his face is pale and lost, he has no spirit, he does not like to talk, no matter who he sees.
In addition, Chairman Mao's body was very weak at that time, and he was also sent to the hospital for rescue due to serious illness, his feet were puffy, and he even struggled to walk.
Zhang Yufeng in his later years
But even so, Zhang Yufeng knew the chairman's temper, but no one could dissuade anyone from making any decision, and could only inform the guard captain Chen Changjiang in a hurry.
Chen Changjiang was stunned when he heard this, and the chairman's decision was too sudden. In his memory, after the founding of New China, the memorial service personally attended by the chairman was only attended by Comrade Ren Bishi, and in addition to that, he had never been to Babaoshan, so the guard work of Babaoshan was relatively weak.
But time was tight, so Mr. Chen could only pick up the phone and call the director of the Central Guard Bureau, the deputy director, and the prime minister's office. Then, Chen Changjiang transferred the large and small vehicles out, let the guard detachment prepare for work, and required each soldier to bring enough ammunition.
Just at this moment, Chairman Mao walked out with the support of Zhang Yufeng and others, it was a cold winter season, but the chairman was wearing pajamas on the upper body and plush pants on the lower body, which looked very thin in the cold wind.
Chen Changjiang blamed Zhang Yufeng for not doing things well, the chairman's leather hat and leather coat were hanging in the bedroom, why not give the chairman more clothes? The weather is so cold, can the chairman withstand it?
Instructor Li Lianqing was quick in his eyes and quickly brought a cotton coat and draped it on the chairman's body, but Chairman Mao waved his hands vigorously and his attitude was resolute, and the crowd was not easy to persuade.
Premier Zhou
At the same time, When Premier Zhou heard that the chairman wanted to attend the memorial service, he hurriedly issued instructions to the General Office of the Central Committee: "Please notify all the members of the Politburo in Beijing and let them participate in the memorial service; then notify Vice Chairman Soong Ching-ling, Prince Sihanouk, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the National People's Congress, and the National Defense Commission, so that those who are willing to participate in the memorial service will come." ”
After doing all this, Premier Zhou instructed the General Office of the Central Military Commission to solve the heating problem of the Babaoshan Auditorium and ensure that the indoor temperature is 20-22 ° C. In addition, he asked the Beijing Garrison District to transfer a company to strengthen the guard work on Babaoshan Mountain.
After these tasks were completed, Premier Zhou hurried to the Babaoshan Auditorium and told Zhang Qian the news of Chairman Mao's participation in the memorial service, asking her to calm down when she saw the chairman.
A move made Zhang Qian burst into tears
Soon after, Chairman Mao's motorcade stopped at the entrance of the small auditorium of the Babaoshan Cemetery, and Chen Changjiang hurriedly got out of the car and went to the small auditorium to inform Premier Zhou that Chairman Zhou had arrived.
At this time, Zhou Enlai, Song Qingling, Zhu De, Ye Jianying, Li Xiannian and others were already waiting in the lounge, many of whom were not originally on the attendance list, but rushed to the first time after hearing the news of the premier.
Subsequently, Premier Zhou took the lead in going out to greet Chairman Mao, and the group came to the third lounge. Here, the Chairman has remained silent, with a particularly heavy heart.
Zhang Qian and Chen Yi
After a while, Zhang Qian came here, her eyes filled with tears, and said: "Chairman, you are weak, why did you come to the memorial service?" ”
The moment she met the chairman, Zhang Qian turned the grievances and bitterness in her heart into tears. Chairman Mao originally wanted to get up to greet him, but he tried several times without success, and Chen Changjiang saw the situation and rushed to help him up.
Zhang Qian was very touched in her eyes, and for a while her emotions were difficult to control, and she lost her voice and cried bitterly. The chairman shook Zhang Qian's hand, tears came out of the corners of his eyes, and said sadly: "I have come to mourn Comrade Chen Yi, he is a good comrade, a good person..."
Zhang Qian was so excited that she couldn't help but hold the chairman's arm and murmured: "When Chen Yi was critically ill, he still remembered the chairman's birthday, and despite his difficulty in eating, he still ate a bowl of shou noodles, wishing you a long and healthy life for the elderly." ”
Chen Yi
Chairman Mao listened to the mixed feelings in his heart, and the corners of his eyes turned red, and after a while he said, "What about the children?" I would like to make a few remarks on behalf of Comrade Chen Yi. ”
Soon, Chen Yi's four children came to the lounge, and the chairman asked about the children's situation one by one, encouraging: "You young people don't understand things, you always have to live another 20 years, after experiencing several setbacks, you must study harder, work well, and inherit your father's will..."
After the children left, Zhang Qian continued: "Chen Yi sometimes does not understand things, which makes the chairman angry. ”
The chairman said: "Don't say so, Comrade Chen Yi has made a lot of contributions to the revolution, and this has already been concluded. In the more than forty years of getting along, cooperation has always been harmonious, and despite several arguments, Chen Yi still implements the central line and is good at engaging in unity. ”
Zhang Qian took Chairman Mao's arm
After the talks, Zhang Qian considered that the chairman was not in good health and said with concern: "Chairman, sit for a while and you will go back." ”
The chairman shook his head and said, "No, give me a black veil!" I also want to mourn Comrade Chen Yi! ”
Zhang Qian burst into tears after hearing this, and she waved her hands one after another: "Then how dare you!" ”
In Zhang Qian's view, it is not easy for the chairman to come to the memorial service site to send Chen Yi off, and this move has moved her to tears.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, the memorial service was held on time, and Premier Zhou came to chen Yi's portrait to deliver a eulogy, although the eulogy was only 600 words, but he choked up twice.
At this time, the original 500-person synagogue was crowded with more than 1,500 people, and everyone was infected by the atmosphere of mourning, and there were whimpers from the crowd from time to time.
The chairman stood in the middle of the queue, he quietly listened to Comrade Chen Yi's life of struggle for the revolution, his body trembled slightly, and it was obvious that the chairman was also in great sorrow.
After reading it, the chairman and all the staff bowed three times to Chen Yi's ashes. Before leaving, the chairman once again gazed at the portrait of Comrade Chen Yi, turned to shake hands with Zhang Qian, told her to mourn, and let the children study and work well.
A group of people accompanied the chairman to the front of the car, the chairman wanted to get on the car, but his legs were weak, how could not lift up, Zhang Yufeng and several people around him rushed to support, which made the chairman get on the car.
Zhang Qian and Chen Yi
Zhang Qian saw the situation, and only gratitude was left in her heart, but she did not expect that the chairman was seriously ill to this extent, and still insisted on attending the memorial service. Seeing that the chairman's motorcade was far away, the grief and excitement that had been suppressed in Zhang Qian's heart could no longer be suppressed, and she held Chen Yi's urn and cried bitterly.
She told the chairman's positive evaluation of Chen Yi and hoped that her husband would rest in peace under the Nine Springs.
Comrades Mao Zedong and Chen Yi met in the Jinggangshan Revolution, and together they walked through the difficult and turbulent years and established a deep friendship with each other that far exceeded those of the superiors and subordinates. It is precisely because of this that the chairman personally went to Chen Yi's memorial service, which was also the last time in his life to participate in the memorial service.