This became the most difficult stage of Liu Shaoqi's life. During the 1968 enlarged meeting of the Chinese Communist Party, Liu Shaoqi was subjected to extreme accusations, and he was falsely labeled a "traitor," a "hostile," and a "national sinner." Subsequently, he was formally expelled from the party organization and removed from all his positions. It is heartbreaking that at that time, Liu Shaoqi was suffering from imprisonment, seriously ill, dying, and struggling on the brink of death again and again. He had no idea of the ongoing meeting or how the three hats were buttoned on his head. Those committed to defeating Liu Shaoqi understand that the only way to ensure that he will never be able to regain his position is to dig up the flaws in history and ensure that he cannot turn back again. They held Liu Shaoqi's 1929 rebellion while working in Northeast China as a justification.
(Liu Shaoqi)
In order to investigate the matter in depth, the task force specially contacted Meng Yongqian, who had worked with him in Manchuria. Meng Yongqian recalled that during the interrogation, the expert group's attitude was extremely tough, often slapping the table and glaring at the pressure. They do not allow any ambiguity, do not leave unless they can give a satisfactory explanation, and sometimes even resort to inducing confessions. In this environment, Meng Yong used a potentially intensive interrogation that lasted seven days before finally making a statement that went against his heart. However, he later tried several times to retract these false confessions, but he remained in detention until 1975 due to repeated confessions. There are not a few people like Meng Yongqian who have been implicated in the Liu Shaoqi case. According to statistics, there have been 22,053 wrongful judgments due to Liu Shaoqi's unjust case, and more than 28,000 people have been wrongly punished, including a large number of people who have been criticized and quarantined.
(Meng Yongqian)
Regarding Liu Shaoqi's late experience, it is really embarrassing. In October 1969, due to the tense situation in the central and northern frontiers, the central government decided to transfer some of the subjects of examination to other places, and Liu Shaoqi was among them. He was sent to Kaifeng, Henan, when his body was already quite weak. On the evening of October 17, under the escort of the special case officer, he hurriedly boarded the plane, and he did not even have time to put on his pants and shoes and socks. Soon after arriving in Kaifeng, his body completely collapsed, his condition deteriorated dramatically, and he finally died on November 12.
(Liu Shaoqi)
In the middle of the night on the 13th, Liu Shaoqi's body underwent a secret cremation process, and his descendants had searched for clues to solve the mystery behind his father's death. It was learnt that in the early hours of 13 November, a cremation facility in the area was urgently instructed to dispose of the body of an infected person immediately. The record sheet indicated that his name was Liu Weihuang, his occupation was idle, the cause of death was illness and death, and his relatives signed Liu Yuan in the signature column. In the face of numerous criticisms and attacks, Liu Shaoqi's spouse Wang Guangmei once said to their children: "I often tell you that for a person, the greatest happiness is to gain the trust of the people. Today I would like to add, "For a person, the misunderstanding of you by the people is the greatest pain." How was Liu Shaoqi's reputation restored, and what role did Deng play in this process?
(Wang Guangmei took Liu Shaoqi's ashes)
After more than ten years of long anticipation, Wang Guangmei and her children finally waited for that moment buried deep in their hearts and full of emotion. On May 13, 1958, Wang Guangmei stepped on the plane to Henan with an indescribably complex state of mind. The purpose of this trip is to welcome the ashes of her beloved husband, Liu Shaoqi, home. The decision of the central authorities has given this memorial a more solemn form.
The moment she arrived in Kaifeng, Wang Guangmei tried to stabilize her emotions, but when her eyes fell on the cremation sheet next to the urn, tears still fell silently. On that list, the registrant's name was "Liu Weihuang" — a pseudonym known only to Liu Shaoqi's closest people. Although Wang Guangmei doesn't often hear this name, every time she mentions it, it is like carving a deep imprint in her heart.
(Relatives scattered Liu Shaoqi's ashes into the sea)
And what really stung her heart was the glaring word "unemployed" in the occupation column on the cremation list. For Liu Shaoqi, who has devoted his life to the revolution and New China, such a label is undoubtedly a great injustice and contempt. Wang Guangmei felt not only heartache, but also an indescribable resentment.
The years passed, and the chapter of history turned to May 17, 1980. On this day, the central authorities held an unprecedented memorial meeting for Liu Shaoqi in the 10,000-person auditorium of the Great Hall of the People. The whole venue was immersed in a solemn atmosphere, mourning and joy were low, and all people mourned together. After Deng Xiaoping bowed deeply three times in front of Liu Shaoqi's portrait, he delivered a deeply moving eulogy. His words are full of affirmation and respect for Liu Shaoqi's life's contributions.
(Wang Guangmei)
Wang Guangmei listened to these words, and there seemed to be a warm current flowing slowly in her heart. She knows that this day is not only a consolation to Liu Shaoqi, but also an affirmation of all the people who have paid for New China. She firmly believes that in the long river of history, Liu Shaoqi's name and his deeds will always shine brightly and become a monument admired by future generations. And the phrase "Fortunately, history is written by the people" also seemed to echo in her ears, giving her endless strength and hope.