On a cold Beijing spring day in 1950, Chairman Mao and a few of his cronies sat around an old-fashioned log table in a simple and historic building in Zhongnanhai.
The pine trees outside the window are gently swayed by the wind, and the interior is warm and quiet, with only the occasional sound of chopsticks clinking against the plate breaking the silence.
In this almost solemn atmosphere, Li Yinqiao and his wife were invited to dinner with Chairman Mao, which was an extremely rare honor.
Chairman Mao had just returned from a visit to the Soviet Union and seemed to be in a very good mood. He always had a satisfied smile on his face, obviously pleased with the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and Mutual Assistance.
This trip was not only his first time abroad, but also a big step forward in New China's diplomacy. At the dinner table, Chairman Mao had a casual conversation with Li Yinqiao and his wife Han Guixin, and the topics involved national affairs and small things at home, showing the deep personal relationship between them.
Han Guixin was originally a staff member responsible for taking care of Chairman Mao's daughter, and today, she is sitting here and dining with national leaders, which is undoubtedly a major turning point in her life.
Li Yinqiao is Chairman Mao's guard, and both of them are fellow villagers in Hebei, so Chairman Mao specially arranged for them to become husband and wife.
As the meal gradually comes to the table, the atmosphere becomes more relaxed. The table is filled with dishes of the best tastes and flavors: braised pork, steamed fish, stir-fried vegetables, each of which shows the chef's meticulous preparation.
Chairman Mao specifically mentioned the construction of Xiangshan during his departure from Beijing, and he was concerned about this issue, because Xiangshan was not only his residence, but also a witness to many historical events.
In response to Chairman Mao's question, Han Guixin mentioned that the construction of Xiangshan is in full swing, and she inadvertently revealed that a cadre built a two-story building in Xiangshan and liked its quiet environment. This sentence instantly changed Chairman Mao's face, and the originally mild atmosphere froze.
Chairman Mao's brows tightened, and his voice suddenly sank: "Oh, which cadre is so good at enjoying it?" This question not only made Li Yinqiao and Han Guixin realize the seriousness of the problem, but also made the atmosphere in the restaurant tense.
Chairman Mao's voice was deep and powerful, apparently expressing great dissatisfaction with this behavior. He has always advocated honesty within the party, and this behavior has clearly touched his bottom line.
In the early morning of the next day, Chairman Mao ordered someone to urgently summon the cadre to the Juxiang Book House in Zhongnanhai. The cadres came with great ambition, but they did not know what kind of accusations they were about to face.
The atmosphere in the book room was solemn, Chairman Mao, Premier Zhou, Nie Rongzhen and others were present, and the scene was like a trial.
Chairman Mao asked bluntly: "I heard that you have built a two-story building in Xiangshan?" The cadre was shocked and stammered to admit. Chairman Mao's anger erupted like a volcano: "The country has only been established for a short time, what is the difference between your style of work and that of the rich landowners in the past? The common people are still suffering, but you are enjoying it!"
The atmosphere was tense and Zhou Enlai and Nie Rongzhen tried to ease the mood, but Chairman Mao insisted that such behavior must be severely punished.
Chairman Mao's anger burned with his rebuke of cadres for not only being selfish, but also potentially triggering a broader culture of corruption.
He loudly declared: "I have told you a long time ago that the cadres of the Communist Party must be honest. You're good, let me tear it down. Immediately afterward, he even ordered in a fit of rage: "Pull it out and shoot it." ”
The incident touched Chairman Mao's strict demands on discipline, and in front of the leaders present, he recalled the corruption case of Xie Busheng, a Soviet cadre, in 1932.
At that time, Xie Busheng was shot for corruption, which became the first shot in the anti-corruption campaign in the Soviet area. Chairman Mao used this example to emphasize that there should not be the slightest tolerance and connivance in the party, and the party must be strictly administered.
Premier Zhou and Nie Shuai stepped forward to persuade and try to calm Chairman Mao's anger. They suggested that the situation should be investigated first and not acted hastily.
Although Chairman Mao did not carry out the shooting order in the end, the incident triggered a series of self-examination and clean-up within the party to ensure that party members and cadres do not forget their original intentions and adhere to discipline.
This incident not only caused a shock within the party, but also set off an upsurge in the fight against corruption and the promotion of clean government throughout the country.
From the end of 1951 to October 1952, the whole country launched the "three antis and five antis" campaign, which severely cracked down on corruption and waste, and ensured the purity and credibility of the party and the state.
Through this series of actions, Chairman Mao once again proved that he attached great importance to the party's discipline and honesty and self-discipline.
This also made all cadres understand that any act that violates the purpose of the Communist Party will be investigated and punished with the strictest punishment.
This dinner, although simple, became an important moment in China's political history, and its impact was far-reaching.