On a summer morning in 1976, the sky in Beijing was exceptionally clear, and the sun pierced through the clouds and sprinkled on the wide Chang'an Avenue. But in an air-conditioned parlor in the Great Hall of the People, the atmosphere was a different story.
Here, Zhu De, China's top general, sits in a heavy mahogany chair, surrounded by solemn silence, with only the ticking of the clock echoing in the empty room.
He was supposed to have an important diplomatic meeting this morning with visiting Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser.
Time passed slowly, and the foreign guests were slow to arrive. The roar of the air conditioner continued to resound in the room, in stark contrast to Zhu De's waiting.
Waiting was a normal thing, but on this special day, every minute of delay seemed to be silently draining the old general's physical strength and patience.
Loyalty and perseverance: Zhu De after Zhou Enlai's death
1976 was a year of change and challenge for China, and after the death of Premier Zhou Enlai, Zhu De felt a heavier responsibility on his shoulders. Although he is old and in poor physical condition, he still sticks to his post and works hard day and night.
Every morning, when most people are still asleep, Zhu De begins his working day and does not finish his day's work until late at night.
He has a tight schedule, often attending meetings, reviewing a large number of documents, and dealing with state affairs.
During the difficult period after Zhou Enlai's death, Zhu De tried his best to maintain the stability of the party and the country. He attended numerous political meetings and received visiting officials, despite his own declining health.
The tenacity and perseverance he showed in his work caught the eye of those around him.
His secretaries and staff often find that even late at night, Mr. Zhu's office is still lit and he is still doing his work.
Although Kang Keqing and other close comrades constantly reminded him to pay attention to his body, advised him to reduce his workload, and even to rest early, Zhu De always modestly refused.
His dedication to his work and concern for national affairs made it impossible for him to easily let go of his responsibilities.
Even in public, he always showed a firm and steady attitude, as if to silently tell everyone that even in difficult moments, he would stick to his post.
Body Overdraft: Zhu De's Health Crisis
As the intensity of his work increased, Zhu De's health problems gradually emerged. The recurrence of the pneumonia problem did not lighten his workload and continued his work schedule as usual, not only in internal meetings, but also in receiving foreign guests and participating in public events.
Every time he appeared in public, Zhu De maintained a strong attitude, although in reality his health was much worse than before. Although this behavior won the admiration of many people, it also made the hearts of those who cared about him feel heartache.
During an event to receive foreign dignitaries, Zhu De appeared at the meeting place on time, despite his illness. During the meeting, he discussed in detail and precisely the possibility of cooperation between the two sides, demonstrating his deep understanding and rich experience in state affairs.
After the meeting, he went straight back to the office to continue his work, without giving himself any buffer and time to rest.
Zhu De's daily work is closely watched by his secretary and staff. They often find that even late at night, Mr. Jud's office is lit while he is reviewing documents or preparing for the next day.
They tried to persuade Zhu De to reduce his workload, but Zhu De always insisted on his own work rhythm, believing that only through unremitting efforts could he contribute to the development of the country.
Zhu De's health continued to deteriorate, and symptoms of coughing and difficulty breathing became more frequent. Still, he chose to keep working.
During an internal meeting, despite his efforts to maintain his usual mental state, it was clear that he was already very weak and needed help to walk.
The challenge of meeting foreign guests
June 21, 1976, is a day of great significance for Jude, who will meet with visiting Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser.
Despite his poor physical condition, he insisted on getting up early to prepare for this important diplomatic event. In the early morning, the sky was slightly bright, and when Zhu De got up, his body shook slightly, showing fatigue, but he quickly stabilized his body and started the day's work.
Dressed in a formal suit, Jude was accompanied by his entourage to the Great Hall of the People, which would be the place where he would meet with Fraser.
Entering the living room, Zhu De felt that the temperature of the air conditioner in the room was low, and there were bursts of cold air floating above his head, which made him involuntarily tighten his collar. Despite his poor health, Jude sat on the couch and waited for Fraser's arrival.
Time passed slowly, and the scheduled meeting time had arrived, but Zhu De was still the only one waiting in the living room.
Outside sunlight is projected into the house through heavy curtains, creating a serene and solemn atmosphere. Zhu De sat there, his eyes sometimes looking out of the door, sometimes looking down at the documents in his hand, his expression was calm and patient.
As the minutes passed, the foreign guests still did not appear. Zhu De occasionally talked a few words with the staff who came in to inquire about the situation, and then continued to sit there and wait. Despite his calm appearance, the frequent action of checking his watch reveals the length and inconvenience of the wait.
Finally, after waiting for nearly an hour, the sound of vehicles moving was heard in the distance, and Zhu De's slightly tired face showed a bit of anticipation.
Soon, the motorcade of foreign guests slowly drove into the sight of the Great Hall of the People, and the arrival of the motorcade broke the silence of the living room. Zhu De slowly stood up, adjusted his clothes, and prepared to greet the foreign prime minister who was about to enter the meeting room.
When Malcolm Fraser walked into the meeting room, the moment the two met, the room was filled with a formal atmosphere of diplomatic etiquette. Jude shook hands with Fraser and exchanged brief pleasantries. Despite his physical exhaustion, Zhu De tried to maintain his grace and dignity, and his expressions and movements appeared extremely professional and calm.
Subsequently, the two leaders sat down and began a friendly and in-depth dialogue. The discussion covered many aspects such as bilateral relations, economic cooperation, and the international situation.
Despite his poor health, Zhu De's mind was still quick, and his answers to questions were both profound and forward-looking, demonstrating his rich political experience and deep understanding of the international situation.
Deterioration of condition: Zhu De's last days
After the meeting, Jude left the meeting room only to learn that Malcolm Fraser had postponed the meeting due to unexpected other arrangements. This information was not conveyed to Zhu De in time, causing him to wait in the air conditioner for nearly an hour longer.
At the end of the meeting, the two sides maintained diplomatic courtesy and friendship, and despite the delay in the meeting, the conversation between the two sides remained fruitful.
After leaving the Great Hall of the People, Zhu De returned to his residence. During the drive, he coughed incessantly, and his physical discomfort became more and more obvious. When he returned home, he felt fatigued, accompanied by a cough and a low-grade fever that forced him to rest immediately.
Although medical personnel had already treated him, Zhu De insisted on simply handling some urgent documents and work matters.
Over the next few days, Zhu De's condition did not improve significantly. His cough and fever persisted, and he even had symptoms of diarrhea during the night.
His secretary and family were very worried about his health, and despite their repeated advice that he reduce his work load and recuperate, Zhu De still insisted on working according to the established schedule, but at the insistence of the doctors, he had to start receiving more systematic treatment and rest.
During this time, the medical staff carefully examined and treated Zhu De. They prescribed some medication to Jude and demanded that he must rest to help him recover. Although Zhu De began to take medicine as prescribed, his physical condition still did not improve much.
On the night of June 25, Zhu De's diarrhea symptoms worsened significantly, and his body became weaker and weaker, so that he felt unwell even in bed and had to get up frequently to go to the bathroom.
"Revolution to the end": Zhu De's political last words
On June 26, after his condition continued to deteriorate, Zhu De was rushed to Beijing Hospital for treatment. The medical staff of the hospital quickly conducted a comprehensive examination of him and arranged a special treatment plan. Zhu De was placed in a special ward, and various medical equipment and drugs began to be used in his treatment to alleviate his condition.
Entering July, Zhu De's health not only did not improve, but instead developed a variety of complications. Heart failure and diabetes worsened, and he also suffered from gastroenteritis and a high fever.
Doctors and nurses at the hospital took shifts watching over him, trying to control the progression of his condition, but Zhu De's body was clearly extremely weak and his response to treatment was not ideal.
On July 4, Zhu De's daughter, Zhu Min, rested in the next room. Suddenly, she heard her father shouting her name with all her might, which made her heart startle, and she hurriedly ran to Zhu De's hospital room. She saw her father lying on the bed, his face pale, but there was a hint of determination in his eyes.
Zhu Min walked to the side of the bed and held Zhu De's hand. Zhu De seemed to want to say something, his lips moved slightly, but he was unable to speak the full words because of the weakness of his body.
By July 5, Zhu De's condition had deteriorated further, and his physical condition had become extremely unstable. The hospital's medical team was busy around his room almost around the clock, adjusting medications and monitoring vital signs in an attempt to stabilize his condition.
However, the invasion of the disease has put Zhu De's body under great pressure, and even continuous medical intervention is difficult to bring about significant improvement.
On the afternoon of July 6, Zhu De's life came to an end. On this summer afternoon, Zhu De quietly left this world, ending his legendary life of 89 years. The atmosphere in the hospital became extremely heavy at that moment, and the medical staff, family members, and comrades who came to the hospital to care for him felt deep grief.
Despite the sadness, people are also remembering Zhu De's great contributions to the revolution and the country throughout his life.
"Revolution to the end" became Zhu De's last political words to the world, which embody his lifelong persistent pursuit and firm belief in the cause of communism.
Resources:
The Biography of Zhu De
Modern History of China
The Story of Zhou Enlai and Zhu De