preface
On October 1, 1949, after the founding of New China, Zhou Enlai has been concurrently serving as foreign minister.
However, Zhou Enlai did everything himself, and every burden on his body was not easy. Therefore, after careful consideration, Mao Zedong decided to let Zhou Enlai dismiss his post as foreign minister and name Chen Yi to resist this burden.
As a general galloping on the battlefield, Chen Yi is very confident in fighting, but he is a "layman" with dark eyes on diplomacy.
The more he thought about it, the more he felt that he was not suitable for this position, so Chen Yi of the acute son directly found Zhou Enlai.
"It is my honor to assist you in managing foreign affairs, but I Am Chen Yi, sometimes my speech is destructive, sometimes I am emotional, and as soon as my feelings come up, many words blurt out, no matter how heavy or heavy, within us, what harm to comrades, I can explain to my comrades, but in diplomacy, that can be smashed, I still ask the central authorities to reconsider."
Pictured chen yi and Zhou Enlai
Probably guessing that Chen Yi would come, Zhou Enlai smiled, "I have talked to the chairman about your opinion, and the chairman believes that you are 'afraid of things' as an advantage, so you are the only one in diplomatic work." ”
Since Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai were so sure of themselves, Chen Yi did not shirk his resignation.
"Since the Central Committee has taken a fancy to me, then I should come down first, but I have words first, if I am incompetent, I will be removed as soon as possible, and don't delay the big thing." In addition, the foreign minister's order should not be given, I will follow you for a period of internship. ”
Zhou Enlai nodded at him in a dashing manner, and then sent Chen Yi eight words, "Diplomatic work, authorization is limited." ”
Figure 丨 Chen Yi
Chen Yi's debut
In this way, Chen Yi once again "changed careers".
On April 7, 1955, Chen Yi, as Zhou Enlai's deputy, went to Jakarta to attend the Asian-African Conference.
First of all, the "Kashmir Princess" passenger plane on which our delegation was riding exploded and caught fire, killing all 8 Chinese envoys and 3 foreign journalists on board.
After investigation, it was confirmed that the perpetrators of this vicious murder were the agents of the United States and Chiang Kai-shek, and their target was Zhou Enlai.
It was only when Zhou Enlai temporarily received an invitation from the Burmese government that he did not follow the original route and fly from Hong Kong to Jakarta on the Kashmir Princess.
Picture 丨 Kashmir Princess
On the 13th, Chen Yi, who was in Yangon, Myanmar, received a call from Beijing. The phone said that Mao Zedong had gone to Hangzhou, and after hearing the news of the plane crash, he cancelled all activities and waited for news from the delegation, and was anxious about it.
After putting down the phone, Chen Yi came to Zhou Enlai's room and informed him of the situation. After Zhou Enlai listened, he handed Chen Yi the letter sent by Deng Yingchao, "The people in the situation are calmer than the people watching the battle, it is really difficult to explain." ”
Chen Yi echoed, "Diplomacy is like fighting a war, where there is 100% security." ”
"We are here to promote world peace and to enhance the understanding and friendship of the people of all countries for New China, and even if an accident occurs, it is worth it."
Zhou En, while saying, crouched down on the table to reply to Deng Yingchao,
"Your letter received, thank you for your kindness and slander. Once I learned, I should be more cautious and work harder. Civil warfare is like a military battle, can not be without danger, can not fight an unprepared battle, everything should be considered from many aspects, after collective deliberation and then proceed, I hope you can rest assured. ”
Soon, the central government made an urgent decision to send Yang Qiqing, vice minister of public security, to Yangon to ensure the absolute safety of the delegation.
Figure 丨 Yang Qiqing
On the 16th, Zhou Enlai and Chen Yi set off, and when they flew over Singapore, they suddenly encountered a thunderstorm area and had no choice but to make a forced landing.
At that time, Singapore had not yet established diplomatic relations with us, and we did not know anything about Singapore airport, so everyone was very nervous, and Yang Qiqing also stressed that everyone should not get off the plane.
After the plane stopped, the owner of the airport came forward and invited everyone to go to the lounge to rest and rest, Zhou Enlai accepted his kindness, and Chen Yi followed Zhou Enlai closely and came to the lounge together.
When he walked to the door, Chen Yi saw two Kuomintang agents sitting inside, and he immediately deployed guards to keep a close eye on the every move of the two men.
Zhou Enlai calmly chatted with the boss, and from time to time he tasted the refreshments sent, and after two hours had passed, the plane could take off again, Chen Yi breathed a long sigh of relief, and the two agents could only return home sadly.
Picture 丨 Zhou Enlai
This time, the plane arrived in Jakarta smoothly, and the meeting proceeded as scheduled, until the third day, when the Chinese Embassy suddenly received an anonymous letter saying that the US and Chiang Kai-shek agents had organized a 28-person death squad to assassinate Zhou Enlai at the Asian-African Conference.
Chen Yi slapped the letter on the table, "They still want to carry out assassination?" Shameless and despicable! Subsequently, he found Yang Qiqing and discussed the most detailed and comprehensive defense plan.
On one occasion, Zhou Enlai had to meet with a hundred or so journalists, during which he had to pass through a complex area.
Yang Qiqing was just about to send two strong guards to protect Zhou Enlai, and Chen Yi spoke, "I am the premier's deputy and also the premier's guard, let me stand by his side." ”
It may also be this "airtight" defense that ensures Zhou Enlai's absolute safety in Indonesia.
Picture 丨 Sukarno
However, Chen Yi did not go as Zhou Enlai's guard, he was Zhou Enlai's deputy, and he would carry the banner of diplomacy in the future, so he needed to establish relations with relevant people.
Once, Indonesian President Sukarno brought a plate of yellow fruit and handed it to Chen Yi, which had a soaring odor that made Chen Yi can't help but frown.
He tried to take a small bite to taste, and slowly, his brow stretched out, "This thing is like stinky tofu, smelling and eating incense." ”
Sukarno told him that this is a specialty of Indonesia, durian, many people are not used to eating, did not expect Chen Yi to like this taste.
In addition to durian, Chen Yi and Sukarno also like to eat spicy. At lunch, Sukarno specially prepared wild mountain peppers from Indonesia, but He did not expect Chen Yi to grab 4 and put them in his mouth, looking at Sukarno stunned, "You are really heroic!" ”
Figure 丨 New Fengxia
Chen Yi was still very leisurely, "It is easy to eat 4 peppers at a time, although it seems that the mouth is on fire at that time." It is not easy to eat chili peppers at every meal for a long time like His Excellency the President, just as the President insists on anti-imperialism and anti-colonization to the end. ”
The more the two people talked, the more they fell in love, and later began to call each other brothers, Sukarno said, "After talking to Marshal Chen Yi, I feel that there is a stirring force, and I often get a kind of satisfaction." For some more complex issues, Chen Yi only has a few words, but he can speak clearly. ”
During the National Day in 1956, Sukarno came to China to visit, accompanied by Chen Yi throughout the journey. They first came to the Changchun Film Studio and stayed until after 2 p.m., when Sukarno was a little tired.
However, after hearing about the stars filming in the studio, Soekarno went with great interest. At that time, Xin Fengxia was filming "Liu Qiao'er", and Sukarno listened with relish.
Figure 丨 New Fengxia
At the end, he was still a little unsatisfied, so he said to the accompanying photographer, "Aren't you going to make my visit a color film?" Come on, shoot us all in. ”
Sukarno then came to Xinfengxia and extended an invitation to her, hoping that she would go to Indonesia to see local comedies.
Chen Yi took over the stubble, "Well, we are preparing to send a delegation." ”
In the evening, the studio held a dance party, and Sukarno walked straight towards Xin Fengxia, who shook her head nervously, "I'm sorry, I can't dance..."
Chen Yi stepped forward to break the siege, "Our opera actors are folk artists, dancing this kind of foreign stuff will not, let Xiao Yuan find a good dance partner for you." ”
Sukarno looked a little unnatural, but helpless.
Figure 丨 New Fengxia
After the dance, Sukarno invited Xin Fengxia again to invite her to have a supper, and this time, Xin Fengxia did not know how to refuse, so she had to agree.
Just when she was uncomfortable, Chen Yi arrived, and he sat down on the chair with a "big grin", "Oh, Your Excellency, President, why didn't you notify me when you invited me?" ”
Sukarno could only smile on his face, thinking that Chen Yi should leave quickly. Chen Yi calmly looked at his watch, and then looked at Xin Fengxia, who had calmed down, "The time is not early, Xin Fengxia still has to study the script with the factory director, so she has to lose her companion, so it is up to my old friend to accompany you..."
Sukarno could only watch as Xin Fengxia quickly got up and left.
Picture 丨 Zhang Qian and Chen Yi
Opening up "Lady Diplomacy"
Slowly, Chen Yi's diplomatic work began to gradually enter a better situation, at this time, he found a problem,
"After the founding of New China, it was very attractive in the whole world, and many people in the world wanted to come to China to see. Foreign leaders have brought their wives, and if we entertain only male state guests and no one entertains their wives, they will feel that we, a revolutionary country, do not attach importance to women. It is humane for the ladies of our leading comrades to accompany them, and they can also take the opportunity to do some friendly work. ”
Therefore, in 1956, Chen Yi's wife Zhang Qian was arranged to visit Pakistan in a Chinese women's delegation led by Li Dequan.
Most of the members of the women's delegation were veterans with outstanding reputations and outstanding achievements, and Zhang Qian was the youngest of them. Therefore, before the delegation set off, Deng Yingchao specifically mentioned that
"During this visit to Pakistan, the reception side may have a higher reception standard for Zhang Qian, because Chen Yi is vice premier of the State Council and is more active in diplomatic activities, and if the Pakistani side has such an arrangement, it is also for our government to see, and I hope that other comrades in the regiment will support the work of the regiment and also support the work of Comrade Zhang Qian."
Of course, everyone can understand, but Deng Yingchao's words also vaguely reveal the plan for Zhang Qian's future work.
Picture Shu Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao
Around 1958, Chen Yi began to mobilize Zhang Qian to do diplomatic work and wife work. Zhang Qian is reluctant, she likes literature, likes drama, wants to have an independent career, and she plans to translate two books in a year.
Probably because there was a clear goal, Chen Yi mobilized several times, Zhang Qian should not do it several times, there was no way, Chen Yi found Zhou Enlai.
Zhou Enlai thought about it and decided to let Deng Yingchao do Zhang Qian's work, "You go and do the work, you female comrades are good to talk to each other." ”
Then, Deng Yingchao invited Zhang Qian to the West Flower Hall, "This is diplomatic work, but also women's work, your conditions are very good, very suitable for doing this work, you will definitely be able to do a good job." ”
Deng Yingchao did not say much, but the words were all expectations for Zhang Qian, and at this point, Zhang Qian could only put down her goals and choose to devote herself to diplomatic work.
Picture 丨 Zhang Qian and Chen Yi
When she got home, she put the Chinese-Russian dictionary and word book next to her pillow in the corner of the bookshelf, and Chen Yi looked strange and asked her, "How did you put away your most precious things?" Participate in diplomatic work, not even a foreign language? ”
Zhang Qian sighed, "These things are going to be put away, and now you need something in English." This is the third time I have transferred to work, all for you, and even my own profession is gone. ”
Chen Yi understood her depression,
"I know you gave up a lot for me, but didn't I change careers several times?" After 20 years in the military, I moved to urban management, and this time to diplomacy. For the sake of the revolution, for the sake of the country, let's do it together. ”
After that, Zhang Qian also officially turned to diplomacy.
Pictured chen yi and Zhou Enlai
Officially appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs
In February 1958, Chen Yi officially became Minister of Foreign Affairs. Before taking office, Chen Yi, who had been in contact with diplomacy for a while, still said to Zhang Qian nervously,
"When I concurrently serve as foreign minister this time, there may be four kinds of results, one is to achieve achievements, the second is to generalize, the third is to make a big mistake, and the fourth is to get seriously ill."
It can be seen that Chen Yi has always seemed to have little confidence in his own diplomacy, but it turns out that the two of them have done a very good job.
Picture 丨 Zhang Qian
On September 23, 1962, Sukarno's wife Hatini was invited by Mao Zedong to visit China. This was a very grand reception for foreign affairs, not only mao zedong personally received it, but everyone also attended the welcome party in full costume.
On that day, Zhang Qian, as the wife of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, wore a golden yellow cheongsam, and when the light came down, it would reflect a faint purple light, and there was no doubt that she was the most beautiful woman at that party.
After the welcome party, Chen Yi and Zhang Qian began to personally entertain Hattini. The group first came to the Summer Palace, Zhang Qian accompanied Hatini to walk in the corridor full of pictures, and told her the story in the picture, what "The Legend of the White Snake" and "Journey to the West", slowly whispering, telling the story.
While sitting on the rowing boat, the singer who had prepared in advance sang an Indonesian song "Oh Mama", and Hatini was very happy when he heard this song, and he kept singing it.
Picture 丨 Zhang Qian (left one)
Zhang Qian listened and listened, and suddenly came to be interested, she picked up a pen and paper and filled in new words for this song,
"Where does the loud song come from?
Come from a ship full of Gabin.
Where do Indonesian songs come from?
Learned from the neighboring countries of the Southern Heavens.
Oh brother, sing the song of this battle,
West Irian must be liberated..."
When Hattini heard the words from the singer's mouth, she jumped up excitedly and pulled Zhang Qian to kiss her continuously.
Zhang Qian's intelligence and friendship made a deep impression on Hattini, and on the plane back to China, she wrote a letter to Zhang Qian.
"Among these new friends, Sister Zhang Qian is undoubtedly my closest friend. In this modern era, we women also participate in assisting our husbands, we visit the wives of Chinese leaders, establish direct personal and friendly relations, and the important work of Indonesian-Chinese relations is no longer a purely official affair. ”
Not only did Zhang Qian shine in her field, Chen Yi also gradually shined in the field of diplomacy.
Figure 丨 Chen Yi (left)
In 1965, against the international backdrop of the potential expansion of the Vietnam War, Chen Yi held a press conference in Beijing.
The press conference was unprecedentedly grand, attended by more than 3,000 journalists, and everyone was eagerly awaiting Chen Yi to express his views on the current international situation on behalf of the Chinese government.
At 3 p.m., Chen Yi entered on time, and as soon as he came up, someone asked a sharp question, "The U.S. military strength in South Vietnam has increased to 130,000, and various new weapons have been used on the battlefield. ”
Chen Yi's clear answer,
"The Vietnamese people can defeat U.S. imperialism, some people believe that, some people don't believe it. The other day, a French friend told me that American power had not yet been used. I said, your words are reasonable, but the strength of the Vietnamese people has not been exhausted, and the strength of the people of the whole world has not been exhausted, why do you only see the strength of the United States? ”
Figure 丨 Chen Yi
Later, when a reporter asked the United States what kind of attitude China had when it threatened to escalate the Vietnam War, Chen Yi took off his sunglasses and said loudly,
"Whether the United States wants to go to war with China today is up to the president of the United States and the Pentagon to decide. We have no illusions about US imperialism. In order to oppose American aggression, we are all ready.
If U.S. imperialism is determined to impose a war of aggression on us, then welcome them to come early, welcome them to come tomorrow, and in the end we will still be victorious.
Is it the demise of US imperialism or the demise of the people of the whole world? It must be the demise of US imperialism and the great turn of the people of the whole world.
There is a saying in China that good is rewarded with good, and evil is rewarded with evil; It is not that the time has not yet come; When the time comes, everything is reported!
Please don't think that I am a militant, that US imperialism is extremely vicious and deceitful, that it has bullied Chinese, The Koreans, the Indonesians, and even its allies, and that those who have been bullied by it have stood up against it, and that this is caused by the United States itself.
If U.S. imperialism breaks into China, we will do whatever is necessary to defeat it! At that time, there were no boundaries in war. The boundaries are broken by the United States, not by China. ”
Chen Yi's impassioned speech shocked the world, and even foreign media said that Chen Yi's speech produced "huge and compelling force."
However, it is worth mentioning that the US Army, no matter how much it is flying around China, has never dared to step on China's boundaries.