In 1950, near the end of the Chinese Civil War, Premier Zhou Enlai sent General Zhang Zhizhong to Guangzhou to secretly meet Chiang Ching-kuo in order to strive for a peaceful solution to the issue of cross-strait reunification. However, on the eve of the negotiations, Marshal Ye Jianying suddenly called and urgently informed Zhang Zhizhong: "Mr. Wenbai, I am Ye Jianying, your position is exposed, withdraw quickly!" Soon after Zhang Zhizhong evacuated, his original station was shelled by the Kuomintang army. This thrilling experience makes people wonder: Why did Zhang Zhizhong risk his life to go to Guangzhou? What did he and Chiang Ching-kuo want to talk about? Will the final meeting go ahead as scheduled?
Zhang Zhizhong's early life
Zhang Zhizhong was born in 1890 and his ancestral home is Shangqiu, Henan. His father, Zhang Zonghan, is a local clerk, and although his family is not wealthy, he is also a well-off family. Since he was a child, Zhang Zhizhong has shown extraordinary talent, he can recite the "Three Character Classic" at the age of 5, and can compose ancient couplets at the age of 8.
In 1903, 13-year-old Zhang Zhizhong was admitted to study in Shangqiu Mansion School. The school education strictly follows the old system, majoring in classics, history, children, and collections, and Zhang Zhizhong systematically studied traditional Chinese culture here. He is diligent and studious, has top grades, and is regarded as a leader.
In 1907, when Zhang Zhizhong was 17 years old, he had to drop out of school and return to his hometown because his family was poor and unable to provide for his education. After returning to his hometown, he taught at a private school while teaching Western studies on his own. During this period, the seeds of the Xinhai Revolution had sprouted in the land of China. Zhang Zhizhong was influenced by new ideas and became deeply interested in overthrowing the Manchu Qing Dynasty and establishing the Republic of China.
In 1911, the Xinhai Revolution broke out. Although Zhang Zhizhong did not participate in it personally, he was full of yearning for the revolution. The following year, he joined the local New Army and began his military career. In 1914, Zhang Zhizhong was admitted to the Second Preparatory School of the Baoding Army, where he systematically studied modern military theory and operational knowledge. After graduation, he served in several army regiments, successively serving as platoon commander, company commander, and battalion commander.
Zhang Zhizhong's relationship with the Kuomintang and the Communist Party
In 1924, Zhang Zhizhong was hired to teach at the Whampoa Military Academy, which was the beginning of his indissoluble bond with the Kuomintang and the Communist Party. At that time, the Whampoa Military Academy was founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen himself to train new-style revolutionary officers, and Communists were also sent to teach in the school. Zhang Zhizhong met the young Zhou Enlai and others here, and although they were older, they were full of admiration for these hot-blooded young people.
In 1926, Chiang Kai-shek launched the historical crime "April 12" coup d'état, and the killers suppressed the Communists. As an instructor at the Whampoa Military Academy, Zhang Zhizhong did not participate in the massacre, and he openly expressed his opposition to the civil war and called for a peaceful resolution of the contradictions between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party. Since then, Zhang Zhizhong has been advocating unity and cooperation with the Communist Party within the Kuomintang.
In 1936, the Xi'an Incident broke out. The root cause of this incident was the refusal of the Kuomintang to resist Japan, which led to the defeat of the Northeast Army. Zhang Zhizhong, who was already a Kuomintang general at the time, did not hesitate to support the Northeast Army's proposals, demanded an end to the civil war, united with the outside world, and personally went to Xi'an to mediate. Eventually, Chiang Kai-shek was forced to accept an armistice, and the Kuomintang and the Communist Party were once again united in the fight against the Japanese invaders.
After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, Zhang Zhizhong served as the chairman of Hunan Province. During his administration, Hunan worked closely with the New Fourth Army, the base of the Communist Party. The New Fourth Army developed and grew in Hunan, and Zhang Zhizhong not only acquiesced to it, but also provided a large amount of material and manpower support for the New Fourth Army. Chiang Kai-shek was furious when he learned of this, and repeatedly denounced Zhang Zhizhong for being "pro-communist" and "colluding with the enemy."
In 1945, after the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, the contradictions between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party intensified again. It is against this background that the Chongqing negotiations were launched. As a member of the Kuomintang delegation, Zhang Zhizhong advocated the peaceful settlement of the dispute as always. He wrote to Chiang Kai-shek many times, stressing the danger that "both sides will be defeated in a civil war." Unfortunately, Chiang Kai-shek turned a blind eye, which eventually led to the full-scale outbreak of the civil war.
Peace efforts after the founding of the People's Republic of China
On October 1, 1949, the People's Republic of China was officially born. As a veteran general who advocated peaceful reunification, Zhang Zhizhong was extremely pleased with this incident. He immediately pledged his allegiance to the Central People's Government and proposed his own design for the national flag and name of New China.
Zhang Zhizhong suggested that the national flag should be designed with five stars on a red ground and yellow to imply the glorious traditions of the Chinese nation, and that the national name should be the word "Zhonghua," which is simple and atmospheric, and continues the historical context of Chinese civilization. Although these suggestions were not adopted, they reflected Zhang Zhizhong's sincere love for the new China.
At the beginning of 1950, in order to promote the peaceful reunification of the two sides of the strait, the central government decided to send Zhang Zhizhong to Guangzhou to secretly meet with Chiang Ching-kuo, a representative of the Kuomintang. It was a dramatic moment in history.
In order to ensure the absolute secrecy of the operation, Zhang Zhizhong disguised himself and drove to Guangzhou at night. After arriving at his destination, he settled into a hidden house and prepared to wait for Chiang Ching-kuo's arrival. However, on the eve of the talks, there was a sudden accident, and Zhang Zhizhong's whereabouts were leaked.
In the early hours of the morning, Marshal Ye Jianying personally called and said anxiously: "Mr. Wenbai, I am Ye Jianying, your position is exposed, withdraw quickly!" Zhang Zhizhong was taken aback when he heard this, and immediately led his entourage to evacuate quickly. Sure enough, not long after they left, the house was heavily shelled by the Kuomintang troops.
Although the operation failed, Zhang Zhizhong was not discouraged. In the years since, he has been campaigning for the peaceful reunification of the two sides of the strait. In 1955, at a meeting in Beijing, he once again made an enthusiastic appeal: "We should do our utmost to strive for the peaceful liberation of Taiwan and the complete reunification of the motherland." ＂
Until the last moment of his life, Zhang Zhizhong had this long-cherished wish. In 1969, when he was seriously ill in Beijing, he wrote his will: "After I die, I will scatter my ashes on the Bohai Strait to wish the early reunification of the motherland." This will shows Zhang Zhizhong's lifelong dedication to the cause of peace.
A lifetime of running for peace
General Zhang Zhizhong has been campaigning for peace all his life, and this pursuit has been throughout his long military career.
In 1945, World War II ended, and the civil war between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party began. During the Chongqing negotiations, Chairman Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai and other CCP leaders visited Chongqing to conduct final peace talks with the KMT.
As a member of the Kuomintang delegation, Zhang Zhizhong participated in the whole negotiation. He not only provided shelter for Mao Zedong and others, but also personally deployed meticulous security measures to ensure the personal safety of the negotiators.
On one occasion, when Zhang Zhizhong learned that there was a potential safety hazard in the source of food at the negotiation venue, he immediately ordered all the food to be replaced, and personally inspected every dish to ensure that it was safe. During the negotiations, he was always by Chairman Mao's side to prevent any accidents.
Behind all this is Zhang Zhizhong's persistent pursuit of peace. He knew that only peace could stop the flames of war and prevent more unnecessary sacrifices. It is out of this conviction that he will spare no effort to protect his negotiators.
Unfortunately, the Chongqing negotiations ultimately failed due to the stubbornness of the Kuomintang side. In 1949, the outcome of the civil war was already sealed. In April of that year, the People's Liberation Army launched the famous battle of crossing the river, and soon conquered Nanjing, Shanghai and other important towns.
Faced with the general trend gone, Chiang Kai-shek had to consider peace talks with the Chinese Communists. He again assigned Zhang Zhizhong to Beiping to conduct final peace negotiations with the Chinese communists. However, at the last minute of the negotiations, Chiang Kai-shek reversed himself, refused to accept the peace conditions proposed by the CCP, and ordered Zhang Zhizhong to be recalled.
Zhang Zhizhong was deeply helpless and distressed by this. After learning of Chiang Kai-shek's decision, he wanted to leave Peking and return to the Kuomintang camp at one point. But after Zhou Enlai learned the news, he immediately arranged for personnel to persuade and personally went to meet with Zhang Zhizhong.
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Under the persuasion of Zhou Enlai, Zhang Zhizhong finally decided to stay in Beiping and continue to fight for the cause of peace. Since then, he has always called on the Kuomintang troops to surrender and contribute their strength to the reunification of the country.