Figure | Cheng Qian and Chen Mingren
<h1 class="pgc-h-center-line" data-track="6" > preface</h1>
On the evening of September 7, 1949, a train spat white smoke and slowly drove into The Qianmen Station in Beiping. Among the more than a hundred people on the platform of the station was a conspicuous banner with the following words: "Welcome General Cheng Qian."
At this time, Mao Zedong, accompanied by Zhu De, Zhou Enlai and others, was waiting here to meet Cheng Qian, who had been a Kuomintang elder and a first-class army general...
<h1 class="pgc-h-center-line" data-track="152" > Cheng qian: Chairman, you are so busy, how did you come? </h1>
Finally, Cheng Qian appeared at the east gate, and for such a grand welcome scene, which he had never expected, he waved to everyone while walking quickly toward Mao Zedong and other leading comrades.
After seeing Mao Zedong, Cheng Qian was very excited and said: "Chairman, you are so busy, how did you come?" ”
Mao Zedong tightly held Cheng Qian's hand and said, "No matter how busy I am, I will come!" We are fellow countrymen, and you are my old boss, so wouldn't it be rude not to come! Welcome to my house! ”
Pictured| Chairman Mao
Mao Zedong called Cheng Qian an old boss because he had joined the army after the Wuchang Uprising, and after that he became an ordinary soldier in the New Army in Hunan, where he mastered the basic movements of a soldier by participating in exercise training in the barracks.
In this regard, Mao Zedong also humorously said: "I have not forgotten the few shots of the gun on the shoulder, the gun down, the aiming, and the shooting to this day, and these are all learned from the new army commanded by your Cheng Songgong (Cheng Qian). ”
Mao Zedong looked cheng qian up and down, and then said: "This time, please come to the CPPCC meeting, we will discuss state affairs together, and you have any opinions and ideas that you want to say!" ”
It is worth mentioning that Cheng Qian and Mao Zedong are both hunan people and have always had good personal relations, although they have chosen different paths, but even in very difficult times, they have not cut off contact with each other.
As early as 1945, during the Chongqing negotiations, Mao Zedong made a special trip to Cheng Qian's home and had an in-depth conversation with him, through which they found that they shared the same position and opinions in many aspects.
Figure | Old photo of Chairman Mao during the Chongqing negotiations
At that time, because Cheng Qian was a veteran of the Kuomintang side and had a good conversation with Mao Zedong, he revealed to him the inevitability of civil war and advised Mao Zedong to leave as soon as possible.
In the summer of 1948, under the situation of continuous victory of the People's Liberation Army, Chiang Kai-shek, in order to stabilize his position in Central China and contain the Gui clan, appointed Cheng Qian as the director of the Kuomintang Changsha Appeasement Office and the chairman of the Hunan Provincial Government.
At the same time, the open and secret struggle between the Chiang Kai-shek clique and the Xingui clique also began.
However, Cheng Qian had followed Sun Yat-sen to the democratic revolution in his early years, and when he was preparing to build the Whampoa Military Academy, Sun Yat-sen intended to make Cheng Qian, who had founded the Army Martial Arts School and had rich experience in running schools, serve as the principal of Huangpu, and later because of Cheng Qian's initiative to retire, Chiang Kai-shek became the principal.
However, although Chiang Kai-shek appointed Cheng Qian at this time, he was not entirely at ease with him, so he sent Huang Jie, Liu Jiashu and other Huangpu generals to Hunan to let them grasp the actual military power, hoping to use this to put Cheng Qian in the air.
Not only that, in addition to Chiang Kai-shek, Bai Chongxi, who supported the army in Wuhan, also put pressure on Cheng Qian from time to time, wanting to completely control Hunan and Guangxi into his own hands. In this way, Cheng Qian could only try to find a balance between Jiang Gui.
Pictured | Bai Chongxi
In this context, in order to survive in the cracks, Cheng Qian took an anti-communist stance in public, but in fact he had a strong idea of democracy and progress, and he himself was also very dissatisfied with Chiang Kai-shek's dictatorship of losing power and humiliating the country.
After arriving in Hunan, he adopted a series of effective methods to achieve the purpose of gaining a firm foothold and expanding his strength.
Cheng Qian said with great emotion: "If Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Three People's Principles could be implemented, they would not be where we are today." Now we should also have our own political views and implement the people's livelihood economy, which is always a natural thing. ”
Cheng Qian's ambivalence attracted the attention of the Cpc's Hunan Provincial Working Committee, which thought that he could be enlisted to side with the people.
Later, Zhou Enlai gave instructions on this, proposing to set up a secret radio station in Changsha so that the Party Central Committee could keep abreast of the progress of the peaceful uprising in Hunan at any time.
<h1 class="pgc-h-center-line" data-track="155" > Cheng Qian, Chen Mingren: on the side of the people</h1>
After the People's Liberation Army quickly encircled Changsha, Mao Zedong and the Central Military Commission decided to take political measures to win political efforts while increasing military pressure in order to promote the peaceful liberation of Changsha as soon as possible.
Against this background, the United Front Countermeasures Group was established in January 1949, and Cheng Qian and Chen Mingren were the focus of the struggle. Everyone unanimously held that Cheng Songgong should think for the sake of the people of Hunan, and that Hunan can only have a way out by taking the road of peace.
In fact, in the face of the PLA's steady victories on the battlefield, the Kuomintang has long been shaken, and in this case, it is war or peace, including the political forces within Cheng Qian, who have to make a choice, and Cheng Qian already has the answer in his heart.
Later, Cheng Qian entrusted Cheng Xingling to contact the Hunan underground party on his behalf.
In fact, ever since Chairman Mao put forward the eight conditions for peace talks and Chiang Kai-shek announced his retirement, Cheng Qian has often been in a very complicated state of mind, and his thinking is very contradictory.
He had already seen that the Kuomintang was at the end of the road and there was only one way to choose, but by this time he had been declared a Kuomintang war criminal by the CCP, so he was more and more confused about how to deal with this matter.
Unlike Chiang Kai-shek, Cheng Qian's yearning for peace was even greater, and when the Kuomintang refused to sign the Internal Peace Agreement, he deliberately wanted to break away from the Kuomintang reactionary clique and side with the people.
Pictured| Chiang Kai-shek
After learning of Cheng Qian's concerns, our party sent people to do his ideological work and made it clear: According to the party's united front policy, as long as Gong Gong resolutely stands on the side of the people, we will not only not settle old accounts, but also receive due treatment.
On April 11, 1949, Cheng Lian's written statement pointed out:
Hunan is the Hunan of 30 million people, and it is my wish that I am sincere and upright, and with the strength of our group that we have gathered bit by bit, I want to save Hunan from the disaster of artillery fire, to ensure social order and stability, and to preserve the vitality of the localities.
In May, after Bai Chongxi's defeat and retreat to Hunan, he further strengthened his reactionary rule over Hunan, so that the peaceful uprising in Hunan also suffered more and more serious resistance.
In June, under the impetus of all parties, Cheng Submitted a Memorandum to the CPC Central Committee and Mao Zedong to the Hunan Provincial Working Committee of the CPC, in which he clearly stated his position: stand on the side of the people's interests, resolutely oppose war, and vigorously advocate peace.
Figure | dive
Of course, to advocate peace, it is not enough to rely on Cheng Qian's strength alone, so he must have someone who can help him control the situation in Hunan and seize military power, and this person is none other than Chen Mingren.
Chen Mingren once said to people after drinking: "The situation in the battlefields of the whole country is getting worse and worse, chiang kai-shek is rowing a broken ship, and this ship must sink." Through these words, we can see Chen Mingren's disappointment in Chiang Kai-shek, but even so, he still has a lot of worries in his heart.
For Chen Mingren at that time, he was first worried that the "Liangzi" he had previously formed with the Communist Party would be liquidated (Chen Mingren was rewarded by Chiang Kai-shek for insisting on the Battle of Siping and owed a blood debt to the people), and secondly, he was worried that if things were not done well, there would be a risk of leaking secrets, and he was also worried that he would wear the hat of "surrender".
Our party attaches great importance to this, and Zhang Shizhao once entrusted Cheng Xingling to convey Mao Zedong's previous conversation with him: "At that time, Chen Mingren was sitting on their boat, rowing their own boats, and everyone wanted to row and win!" This is a matter of course, and we will understand that as long as he stands up, we will still reuse him. ”
Chen Mingren listened to Mao Zedong's words, which can be regarded as eating a "reassuring pill", he said excitedly: "I think that as long as I can save the people and save Hunan, I am willing to sacrifice the small self and complete the big self, and I have made up my mind!" ”
After that, Chen Mingren more actively cooperated with Cheng Qian secretly, greatly accelerating the pace of the uprising.
Picture | Chen Mingren
On July 4, Mao Zedong sent a telegram to Cheng Qian, in which he wrote: He is extremely relieved that he is determined to adopt the policy of opposing Chiang Kai-shek and Guizhou and peacefully resolving the Hunan issue.
On the 29th, the Fourth Field Army of the People's Liberation Army entered Huachun Mountain in Changsha County. When the conditions were ripe, Cheng Qian and Chen Mingren led a rebellion, and on August 4, they sent a telegram to the whole country, announcing that they would break away from Chiang Kai-shek's reactionary clique and accept the leadership of the Communist Party of China.
On the same day, all major newspapers in Changsha published a telegram on the uprising jointly signed by Cheng Qian and Chen Mingren, led by 37 Kuomintang military and political leaders, in which they solemnly stated:
"Submerged and others obeyed the will of the people, called for peace, and hoarsely exhausted. In the future, in accordance with the people's stand, we should join the people's democratic regime of the CPC leaders, join the people's army, and work together to build a new democratic China. ”
Since then, Changsha City, the capital of Hunan Province, has declared its peaceful liberation, and the People's Liberation Army has held a solemn and grand ceremony to enter the city on this day.
Xinhua News Agency reported: "When the citizens of Changsha walked into their homes with the fatigue of a day and a night, looking at the morning light in the east, they could not help but say excitedly: The sky is really bright!" ”
Pictured| Chen Mingren and Chairman Mao
When Chiang Kai-shek heard the news of the uprising of Cheng Qian and Chen Mingren, he was immediately enraged; he could not accept the fact that his former confidant had defected to the Communist Party overnight, but no matter how much Chiang Kai-shek was unwilling, these had become facts, and at the same time showed his unpopularity.
<h1 class="pgc-h-center-line" data-track="165" > the friendship between Cheng Qian and Mao Zedong after the founding of the People's Republic of China</h1>
On August 30, Mao Zedong personally drafted a telegram and sent it to Cheng Qian, which read: "The new CPPCC is about to be convened, and it is proposed to invite Song Gong, Qiu Yishan, and Chen Ziliang (Chen Mingren) to attend, to discuss the state of the country, and if they can be ordered to drive, they will not be welcomed." ”
Mao Zedong had considered how to resettle Cheng Qian, and for this reason he met cheng Xingling separately before the CPPCC meeting began, and Cheng Xingling revolted with Cheng Qian, and Mao Zedong said to Cheng Xingling:
"Song Gong has been engaged in it for decades, several ups and downs, but it has never been overthrown, it is not simple. I would like to discuss with you how to arrange it for the Gong of Song. The Central Committee decided to set up several major regions first, of which the Central and Southern Military and Political Committee is one of them, which belongs to the Fourth Field Zone. Song Gong is an old senior, when he was engaged in the revolution, we were all students, I want Song Gong to be the vice president, but on the generations, it is really a bit difficult, do you discuss this matter with Song Gong. ”
Later, Cheng Qian temporarily served as the chairman of the Central And southern military and political committee. After the adoption of the Constitution in 1954, Cheng Qian served as chairman of the Hunan Provincial People's Committee, and later changed his name to governor.
Pictured | Cheng Qian and Chairman Mao
On September 10, Mao Zedong hosted a banquet for General Cheng Qian at the Zhongnanhai Yishou Hall, and Chen Mingren and Li Minghao were also invited, and Liu Shaoqi, Zhu De, Zhou Enlai and others attended the banquet. During the banquet, Mao Zedong said with great interest: "It is also a kind of happiness for us to talk about our hometown and the past together. ”
Although Mao Zedong rarely drank alcohol in peacetime, on this day he kept raising a glass and said: "General Cheng Qian, General Chen Mingren led all the officers and men to declare the uprising, which enabled Changsha to be peacefully liberated, so that the people's lives and property were guaranteed. ”
For the merits of Cheng Qian, Liu Shaoqi, Zhou Enlai and others also gave full affirmation.
Cheng Qian was very excited about the CPC leaders' warm and sincere treatment, and immediately stood up, raised his wine glass high, and then said: "I used to follow Chiang Kai-shek, who humiliated the country and the people, and as a result, I took the wrong road, and I am ashamed, and in the future, under the leadership of the Communist Party and Chairman Mao, I will definitely strive for the future of New China." ”
Figure| In 1949, Mao Zedong invited the Kuomintang uprising generals and democrats to visit the Temple of Heaven, the first three Cheng Qian, the sixth right Chen Mingren, the back right third Li Minghao, and the right fourth Cheng Xingling
On October 1, Cheng Qian was invited to climb the Tiananmen Tower, becoming one of four former senior Kuomintang generals attending the founding ceremony.
It is said that Mao Zedong and Cheng Qian, a fellow countryman, had a lot of contacts, and in the autumn of 1952, Cheng Qian was specially invited to go boating in Zhongnanhai. Not only that, after the two men boarded the boat, Mao Zedong picked up the wooden pulp and prepared to row for Cheng Qian.
In this regard, Cheng Qian hurriedly said: "I can't do it, I can't make it, you are the head of state, and you are nearly a year old, how can you let you row for me?" ”
Mao Zedong said: "Wherever, where, you are the elder of the Kuomintang, and you are still my old superior, and we are fellow countrymen, and we still share each other's shares, not to mention that you are now a rare year, and you can't let you row for me." ”
Cheng Qian could not resist Mao Zedong, but had to agree, and this warm historical picture was also captured by the accompanying photographers, forever frozen in the long river of history.
Picture | Chairman Mao rowed a boat for Cheng
After the founding of New China, Cheng Qian actively participated in the administration and discussion of state affairs, which was highly valued by Mao Zedong. At a later meeting, Cheng Qian said this:
"You say that I Cheng mou made great contributions in the peaceful liberation movement in Hunan, and that I have made great contributions, but in fact, I have said too much, and I dare not say that I have made great contributions, let alone talk about great achievements." I did do some of the work that should be done in the liberation movement in Hunan, and indeed played some role, and the party and the people gave me a high evaluation for this, but I was really ashamed of it.
I think, if there was no strong support from General Chen Mingren, who held military power at that time, could my Cheng's uprising be successful? I will say in a truth-seeking manner that if we really want to count the credit for the peaceful liberation of Hunan, the credit belongs to the Communist Party and the masses of the people, and we have only done a little of the work we should do. ”
"As far as cheng is concerned, if it were not for the patient enlightenment of the underground party comrades of the Hunan Provincial Cpc Committee of the CPC at that time to enlighten my political ideology, I would not have seen a bright future, I would not have abandoned the dark and cast the light, and without my Cheng mou today, I would now be a Class A war criminal held in a cell."
At that time, there were only two roads before us, one was to lay down our weapons, abandon the dark and cast light, and go to the side of the Communist Party and the people; the other was the dead road of determination to make enemies of the people, stubborn to the end, and self-destruction.
At that time, I made a painful decision, and with the help of the underground party organization of the CPC, with the support of General Chen Mingren and other friends, and with the encouragement and support of the people, I sent a telegram to the whole country and made a decision to break away from the Kuomintang Central Committee, break away from Chiang Kai-shek, throw myself into the Communist Party of China, throw myself into Chairman Mao, and throw myself into the masses of the people. ”
In June 1958, during his inspection of Hunan, Mao Zedong invited Cheng Qian to lunch. At this time, Cheng Qian had already served as the governor of Hunan Province for four years, and was later elected vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.
Picture| In April 1959, Mao Zedong presided over an enlarged supreme state council, with Cheng Qian in the front row third from left
During the meal, Cheng Qian solemnly expressed his thoughts to Mao Zedong, and on the grounds that the distance between Beijing and Hunan was too far away to take care of, he asked to resign as the governor of Hunan Province and let the young people do it.
Mao Zedong retained Cheng Qian and said, "Why did Song Gong resign? Now that the overall situation is stable, it is still advisable for you to be the governor of the province. ”
After Mao Zedong sincerely retained, Cheng Qian replied: "Well, I will do my best." ”
Later, Cheng Li held the posts of chairman and governor of the Hunan Provincial People's Government for ten consecutive years, which not only showed the reliance and trust of the party and the people on the democrats, but also demonstrated the strength and influence of the people's united front.
In 1963, on Mao Zedong's 70th birthday, Cheng Qian and his wife were invited to Mao Zedong's home. Mao Zedong and Cheng Qian were fellow countrymen, so they specially asked the chef to add two dishes, one is tempeh fried pepper, and the other is smoked fish, which Cheng Qian loves to eat.
Pictured| Cheng Qian and his family
Cheng Qian rarely drank alcohol, but in order to celebrate Mao Zedong's birthday, he also raised a glass of congratulations many times during the banquet, and presented twelve sets of poems carefully prepared by himself to praise Mao Zedong's great deeds.
Until the beginning of 1968, Cheng Qian suffered a fracture due to a accidental fall at home, and later underwent surgery at Beijing Hospital. On April 9, Cheng Qian died at the age of 86, and the veteran general completed his extraordinary life.
When everyone hesitated to hold a memorial service for Cheng Qian, Zhou En: "In the memory of Cheng Songgong, what else do you need to hesitate?" The memorial service should not only be held, but also solemnly! ”
Later, Cheng Qian's daughter recalled her father saying this:
"When he was just liberated, his father did not have a very good idea of how the Communist Party and Mao Zedong would treat him. But later, every time he came back from Beijing, he was very excited, and after the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, he felt that the country was truly unified, truly single-minded, unlike the Kuomintang. Chairman Mao was leading everyone in one direction, so Father was very happy, as if he had realized his original ideal..."
Photo| In 1952, Mao Zedong took a group photo with Cheng Qian (second from right), Cheng Xingling (first from left) and Wang Jifan (first from right) inspecting the Ming Tombs
Finally, I would like to use this document to give the great leaders Chairman Mao and General Cheng Qian that today's happy life is inseparable from the efforts of these old revolutionaries at a crucial moment, and the people will never forget them!