On Jinggang Mountain, the red flag fluttered, and the trumpet of the revolution sounded passionately. However, in this red hot land, there is a little-known emotional entanglement. In May 1928, the 35-year-old Chairman Mao had just tied the knot with He Zizhen, but who would have thought that not long after the marriage, an unexpected news would break this short period of tranquility.
Yang Kaihui, Chairman Mao's wife, is still alive! This news was like a bomb, exploding on Jinggang Mountain. Chairman Mao was pleasantly surprised, but he fell into a dilemma. The Communist Party clearly stipulates monogamy, how should he be?
At this moment, He Zizhen said the poignant words: "It's okay, you take Sister Kaihui up the mountain, I'll go!" What kind of emotions are contained in these words? Did He Zizhen really leave like this? How did Chairman Mao make his choice?
1. The red wedding on Jinggang Mountain
Jinggang Mountain in 1928, pine waves, clouds and mist. In this revolutionary mecca, known as the "Red Cradle", a special wedding is underway. The groom is 35-year-old Mao Zedong, and the bride is 18-year-old He Zizhen. Although the wedding was simple, it was very significant, it was not only the intersection of two people's lives, but also an important union in the revolutionary cause.
On the day of the wedding, Jinggang Mountain was filled with joy. The soldiers of the Workers' and Peasants' Revolutionary Army sang and danced to send their most sincere wishes to the newlyweds. However, careful people still noticed that Chairman Mao's eyebrows were always shrouded in a layer of gloom that could not be dissolved.
It turned out that not long ago, Chairman Mao learned a heartbreaking news: his wife Yang Kaihui is said to have died in Changsha. This news was like a bolt from the blue, which plunged Chairman Mao into deep grief. Although he sent people to Changsha many times to verify the situation, the replies he received were all heartbreaking.
It was against this background that the comrades on Jinggang Mountain, especially Yuan Wencai, Wang Zuo and others, began to try their best to match Chairman Mao and He Zizhen. They believe that the revolutionary cause requires Chairman Mao's wholehearted devotion, and He Zizhen, as a young and promising revolutionary woman, is the ideal partner.
He Zizhen, formerly known as He Peichang, is a native of Liuyang, Hunan. Although she was young, she was already a staunch member of the Communist Party. In 1927, at the age of 17, she participated in the Autumn Harvest Uprising, and then went to Jinggangshan with the army. On Jinggang Mountain, she was diligent and studious, and worked actively, and was soon recognized and appreciated by her comrades.
At first, Chairman Mao was hesitant to remarry. On the one hand, his feelings for Yang Kaihui are still difficult to give up; On the other hand, the revolutionary situation was severe, and he also knew that he needed a partner who could fight side by side. Under the persuasion of his comrades, Chairman Mao finally agreed to the marriage.
On the wedding day, He Zizhen wore a simple blue cloth dress, looking young and vibrant. Her eyes flashed with enthusiasm for the revolution and reverence for Chairman Mao. Chairman Mao was dressed in a gray tunic, and although he was smiling, he could still see a trace of complex emotions in his eyes.
The ceremony of the wedding is simple, there are no cumbersome etiquette, and there is no lavish pomp. Witnessed by their comrades-in-arms, they swore an oath to each other and promised to fight together for the revolutionary cause for life. This wedding is more like a revolutionary pledge meeting.
However, no one thought that this seemingly successful marriage would soon face a huge test. Shortly after the marriage, an unexpected news came, breaking the short-lived tranquility on Jinggang Mountain.
The news came from a special guest - Yang Kaiming. He is Yang Kaihui's cousin, and he made a special trip from Changsha to Jinggangshan to tell Chairman Mao an astonishing fact: Yang Kaihui is still alive! She is hiding in her hometown in Itakura, waiting for the day when she will reunite with Chairman Mao.
This news was like a bombshell, exploding on Jinggang Mountain. Chairman Mao was pleasantly surprised, and he couldn't wait to rush to Yang Kaihui's side immediately. However, the practical dilemma soon emerged: he had just married He Zizhen, and now he learned that Yang Kaihui was still alive, what should he do?
Second, I was shocked to hear that Yang Kaihui was still alive
On an early summer morning in 1928, the morning fog was thick on Jinggang Mountain, and the birds in the mountains were chirping. Suddenly, the silence of the morning was shattered by the sound of hurried footsteps. A middle-aged man in ragged clothes and a dusty face hurried to the front of the octagonal building, this uninvited guest was Yang Kaiming, Yang Kaihui's cousin.
Yang Kaiming's arrival caused quite a commotion on Jinggang Mountain. The guards stopped him and examined him carefully. After some twists and turns, Yang Kaiming finally met Chairman Mao. When Yang Kaiming said the purpose of his trip, the entire octagonal tower fell into a dead silence.
"Chairman, Kaihui she's still alive!" Yang Kaiming's voice trembled a little because of excitement, "She is now hiding in her hometown in Itakura, waiting to reunite with you. "
This news was like a thunderbolt that hit Chairman Mao in an instant. He jerked to his feet, his hands clasped on the edge of the table, unable to speak for a long time. The other comrades in the room looked at each other, not knowing how to react.
Chairman Mao quickly calmed down and began to ask Yang Kaiming in detail about Yang Kaihui's situation. It turned out that after the failure of the Changsha Uprising, Yang Kaihui took his three children to hide in Tibet, and finally hid in his hometown in Bancang with the help of relatives. She has been waiting for the day when she will reunite with Chairman Mao, silently supporting the revolutionary cause.
Yang Kaiming's words revealed Yang Kaihui's strength and loyalty. She raised her children in a difficult environment, while also being on the lookout for enemy raids. Even so, she still insisted on writing letters to Chairman Mao, but unfortunately none of these letters could be delivered to Jinggangshan.
Chairman Mao listened to Yang Kaiming's narration, and his eyes flashed with a complicated light. He was ecstatic that Yang Kaihui was still alive, but he was also heartbroken by the suffering she had experienced. He couldn't wait to rush to Yang Kaihui's side immediately and take her and the children to Jinggang Mountain.
However, the dilemma of reality soon emerged. Chairman Mao has just married He Zizhen, and now he learns that Yang Kaihui is still alive, what should I do? The Communist Party clearly stipulates monogamy, and this sudden news put Chairman Mao in a dilemma.
The news soon spread in Jinggangshan. The comrades had a lot of discussions, some were happy for Chairman Mao, and some were worried about this complicated situation. Yuan Wencai, Wang Zuo, and others began to discuss how to deal with this sensitive issue, so as not to affect the morale of the revolutionary army.
After He Zizhen learned the news, he showed extraordinary calmness and generosity. She walked up to Chairman Mao and said calmly: "It's okay, you take Sister Kaihui up the mountain, I'll go!" "
He Zizhen's words moved everyone present. Her tone is lighthearted, but anyone can feel the deep love and sacrifice that lies within. This 18-year-old girl, in this situation, shows her mind and bearing, which makes people awe-inspired.
However, things did not get simpler because of He Zizhen's statement. Chairman Mao fell into deeper thought. He couldn't bear to live up to Yang Kaihui's years of waiting and dedication, and he was unwilling to hurt He Zizhen, who had just been married to him. More importantly, he was well aware that at this critical juncture, the revolutionary cause was more important than personal feelings.
At the same time, the situation in Jinggangshan has become more and more tense. The encirclement and suppression of the Kuomintang reactionaries became more and more fierce, and the revolutionary army was facing a severe test. Chairman Mao realized that no matter what decision was made, the overall situation of the revolution must be taken into account.
In the days that followed, Chairman Mao sent people to Bancang secretly several times to try to get in touch with Yang Kaihui. However, the enemy blockade became more and more stringent, and communication became extremely difficult. Each time the traffic officers were sent out took huge risks, and some never even came back.
In this case, the plan to bring Yang Kaihui to Jinggangshan became more and more difficult. Chairman Mao had to face a harsh reality: in the current revolutionary situation, he may not be able to immediately reunite with Yang Kaihui.
Just when Chairman Mao was racking his brains for this, the situation in Jinggangshan underwent new changes. The enemy's encirclement and suppression became more and more fierce, and the revolutionary army was facing the test of life and death. In this case, personal emotional issues had to be put on hold for the time being. Chairman Mao must devote himself wholeheartedly to the struggle to defend Jinggangshan and lead the revolution.
Third, He Zizhen's righteousness is awe-inspiring
On Jinggang Mountain, He Zizhen's sentence "It's okay, you take Sister Kaihui up the mountain, I'll go", like a pebble thrown into the calm lake, stirred up layers of ripples. This 18-year-old girl, with her great righteousness, left a strong mark in the history of the revolution.
He Zizhen's decision was not impulsive. After learning the news that Yang Kaihui was still alive, she experienced an inner struggle. As a young Communist Party member, she was well aware of the importance of the revolutionary cause and that personal feelings should be subordinated to the overall situation. But as a newly married wife, she also has deep feelings for Chairman Mao.
Before making this decision, He Zizhen had many long talks with Yuan Wencai, Wang Zuo and others. She inquired about Yang Kaihui's situation and learned about Yang Kaihui's sacrifices and contributions to the revolution. He Zizhen realized that Yang Kaihui was not only Chairman Mao's wife, but also a respectable revolutionary predecessor.
Late one night, He Zizhen stood alone on the edge of the cliff of Jinggang Mountain, looking at the starry sky in the distance. The mountain wind is howling, as if telling the hardships of the revolution. It was at this time that she made up her mind. Early the next morning, she found Chairman Mao and said those touching words.
He Zizhen's decision caused a lot of shock on Jinggang Mountain. Many comrades were touched by her selfless spirit. Some people persuaded her to think again, but He Zizhen's attitude was always firm. She said: "The revolution needs Chairman Mao, and Sister Kaihui also needs him." I was young enough to do more for the revolution. "
However, things didn't go the way He envisioned. Chairman Mao did not immediately agree to her proposal. He believed that in the current revolutionary situation, any rash decision could affect the overall situation of the revolution.
At the same time, the situation on Jinggang Mountain is becoming more and more tense. The encirclement and suppression of the Kuomintang reactionaries became increasingly fierce, and the revolutionary army was facing a severe test. In this case, personal emotional issues had to be put on hold for the time being.
Despite this, He Zizhen did not back down. On the contrary, she threw herself more actively into revolutionary work. She took on more tasks on her own initiative, including caring for the wounded and organizing women to participate in childbirth. In her work, she has shown extraordinary courage and intelligence.
Once, the enemy suddenly attacked a village in Jinggangshan. He Zizhen led a group of women, braving a hail of bullets, to successfully move the wounded and important documents to safety. This operation not only saved the lives of many comrades, but also protected important military intelligence.
Another, at a secret meeting, He Zizhen made a bold proposal. She suggested that the special status of women should be used to form a secret intelligence unit. This proposal was highly appreciated by Chairman Mao and other leading comrades, and it was quickly put into practice. Under the organization of He Zizhen, this intelligence team of women made an important contribution to the revolution.
He Zizhen's performance won the universal respect of his comrades. Many people began to reacquaint themselves with this young girl, no longer seeing her just as Chairman Mao's wife, but as an excellent revolutionary fighter.
However, He Zizhen did not forget Yang Kaihui because of this. She asked Chairman Mao many times about Yang Kaihui's news, and expressed her willingness to personally pick up Yang Kaihui up the mountain. However, due to the increasingly severe blockade of the enemy, this plan could not be implemented.
During this time, He Zizhen also did a touching thing. She began learning to sew and was ready to make clothes for Yang Kaihui and her children. She said: "Sister Kaihui and the children must have had a hard time at the bottom of the mountain, and when they come up the mountain, they should have new clothes to wear." "
These behaviors of He Zizhen not only reflect her generosity and kindness, but also show her noble character as a member of the Communist Party. She proved with practical actions that the interests of the revolution are above all else, and that personal gains and losses are insignificant.
However, fate always seems to like to joke. Just as He Zizhen was preparing to welcome Yang Kaihui, a shocking news came: Yang Kaihui was captured by the enemy.
This news was like a thunderbolt from the blue, and everyone on Jinggang Mountain fell into grief. Chairman Mao stayed awake all night, and He Zizhen also cried with red eyes. She regretted that she couldn't pick up Yang Kaihui up the mountain earlier, but she was more worried and sympathetic to this "sister" she had never met.
In the following days, He Zizhen took the initiative to take on the responsibility of comforting Chairman Mao. She not only took care of Chairman Mao's daily life, but also tried to regulate his emotions so that he could continue to focus on the revolutionary cause. At the same time, she also organized her comrades to try to rescue Yang Kaihui, although in the end she was unsuccessful.
Fourth, Yang Kaihui's tragic ending
On November 14, 1930, on the Apricot Garden execution ground outside Changsha, gunshots rang out, and a young woman fell in a pool of blood. She is Yang Kaihui, Mao Zedong's first wife, a strong revolutionary.
After the news of Yang Kaihui's arrest reached Jinggangshan, Mao Zedong and He Zizhen immediately organized a rescue operation. They sent several teams to try to infiltrate Changsha to rescue Yang Kaihui. However, the enemy's unusually tight defenses, coupled with the severity of the revolutionary situation at the time, these rescue operations ended in failure.
In prison, Yang Kaihui showed amazing strength and courage. The enemy tortured her many times in an attempt to get information about the Communist Party from her, but Yang Kaihui always gritted her teeth and did not say a word. Her steadfastness shocked the other inmates and won the admiration of the guards.
Once, a guard secretly brought pen and paper to Yang Kaihui, hoping that she would leave a last word for her family. Yang Kaihui wrote a touching letter, expressing his firm belief in the revolutionary cause and his deep affection for Mao Zedong. This letter was later secretly circulated and became an important document in the history of the revolution.
While in prison, Yang Kaihui also met other arrested Communist Party members. She inspired them with her strong will, organized them to study revolutionary theories and discuss the current situation. Even in such a difficult environment, she did not give up her pursuit of revolution.
At the same time, Yang Kaihui's mother and relatives and friends are also actively running to try to rescue her. They found some old friends with ties to the Kuomintang, hoping to rescue Yang Kaihui through their networks. However, these efforts ultimately failed. The Kuomintang authorities had already made up their minds to execute the wife of the "communist bandit leader."
Shortly after Yang Kaihui's arrest, her three children were also captured by the enemy. The enemy tried to use the children to threaten Yang Kaihui and force her to comply. However, in the face of the children's cries, Yang Kaihui showed extraordinary strength. She comforted the children and said, "Mom will not betray the revolution, you must remember that Dad is a hero who fought for the people." "
During this time, Yang Kaihui experienced unimaginable suffering. She has to endure both physical torture and the pain of being separated from her children. But she never wavered, did not give in to the enemy. Her strength comes not only from her belief in the revolution, but also from her deep affection for Mao Zedong.
During the interrogation, the enemy repeatedly told Yang Kaihui that Mao Zedong had married someone else in Jinggangshan. They hoped to use this to strike at Yang Kaihui's will. However, Yang Kaihui's response to this was moving. "Even so, I will never betray him, I will never betray our common ideals," she said. "
On November 14, 1930, Yang Kaihui was escorted to the execution ground. On the way to the execution ground, she chanted revolutionary slogans and sang "The Internationale". Her courage was contagious to those around her, and even a few soldiers shed tears.
At the last moment before the execution, the enemy again persuaded Yang Kaihui to surrender, promising that if she publicly announced her break with the Communist Party, she would be pardoned. Faced with the temptation of life, Yang Kaihui refused without hesitation. She said: "My life belongs to the revolution, and I would rather die standing than live on my knees!" "
Gunshots rang out, and Yang Kaihui fell. She used her life to interpret what a real revolutionary is and what is unswerving love.
The news of Yang Kaihui's sacrifice soon spread throughout the country. In the revolutionary base areas, people spontaneously held commemorative activities. Many people were moved by her deeds and expressed their desire to carry on her legacy and fight for the revolutionary cause to the end.
On Jinggang Mountain, Mao Zedong and He Zizhen fell into deep grief after learning the bad news. Mao Zedong wrote a memorial poem overnight, expressing his endless thoughts for Yang Kaihui and his bitter hatred for the enemy. He Zizhen organized the women comrades to make a banner with the words "Comrade Yang Kaihui is immortal".
Yang Kaihui's sacrifice was not only a personal tragedy, but also a huge loss to the entire revolutionary cause. Her deeds have become a spiritual force to inspire future generations, and her name has been forever engraved in the annals of the Chinese revolution.
After Yang Kaihui's death, her three children were sent to the Yang family's ancestral home. They had a difficult childhood there. It wasn't until years later that they were able to reunite with their father. The three names Mao Anying, Mao Anqing and Mao Anlong, also because of their mother Yang Kaihui, have become widely known names in modern Chinese history.
Yang Kaihui's sacrifice not only did not weaken the fighting spirit of the revolutionaries, but inspired more people to join the revolution. Her deeds were widely spread in the base area and became an important spiritual force to boost morale. Many young people joined the Communist Party, saying that they would inherit Yang Kaihui's legacy and fight for the revolutionary cause to the end.
5. Mao Zedong's deep grief
Yang Kaihui's sacrifice dealt a huge blow to Mao Zedong. On the night of learning of this bad news, the comrades on Jinggang Mountain heard Mao Zedong's heart-wrenching cry. This iron-blooded tough guy, when he lost his beloved wife, couldn't help but reveal the most fragile side of human nature.
Mao Zedong wrote the poem "Butterfly Loves Flowers: Answer to Li Shuyi" in grief, in which "I am arrogant, Yang Jun loses the willow, and the willow is light and straight to the sky." asked Wu Gang what he had, and Wu Gang took out osmanthus wine. expressed his endless thoughts about Yang Kaihui. This poem later became a classic in Chinese revolutionary literature and a window into Mao Zedong's inner world.
In the days that followed, Mao Zedong showed extraordinary willpower. Despite his inner torment, he insisted on commanding the battle and leading the revolution. He told his comrades: "Kaihui's sacrifice has strengthened our revolutionary convictions, and we must comfort her soul in heaven with victory." "
However, Mao Zedong did not forget Yang Kaihui and their children. He repeatedly sent people to inquire into the whereabouts of the children and tried to take them to the revolutionary base areas. However, due to the war, this wish has not been realized.
During these difficult days, He Zizhen gave Mao Zedong great support. She not only took care of Mao Zedong's daily life, but also took on more work on her own initiative, allowing Mao Zedong to focus on the revolutionary cause. He Zizhen's actions deeply moved Mao Zedong.
In 1931, the Red Army established the Central Soviet District in Ruijin, Jiangxi. Here, Mao Zedong organized an event to commemorate Yang Kaihui. At the meeting, he recounted Yang Kaihui's revolutionary deeds and called on everyone to learn from her revolutionary spirit. This event is not only a memory of Yang Kaihui, but also an encouragement to the revolutionary aspirants.
In the same year, Mao Zedong received the shocking news: his eldest son, Mao Anying, had been captured by the Kuomintang. This news once again plunged Mao Zedong into deep self-reproach and pain. He has said many times that if Yang Kaihui and the children could have been brought to the base area, maybe such a tragedy would not have happened.
In order to rescue Mao Anying, Mao Zedong and the central leaders ran in many directions. They negotiated with the Kuomintang through various channels, and finally succeeded in rescuing Mao Anying in 1935 and sending him to the Soviet Union to study. This rescue operation also made Mao Zedong feel the pain of losing his loved ones again.
During the Long March, Mao Zedong often stood alone in the dead of night, gazing at the starry sky in the distance. Comrades all know that he is missing Yang Kaihui and the children. Once, while climbing over the snowy mountains, Mao Zedong saw a blooming rhododendron, and he stopped and stared for a long time. Later, he told his comrades: "Kaihui likes azaleas the most." "
In 1935, the Red Army reached northern Shaanxi. Here, Mao Zedong finally had the opportunity to arrange for someone to go to Changsha to inquire about the situation of Yang Kaihui and the children. When he learned that Yang Kaihui's grave could no longer be found, Mao Zedong was silent for a long time. He later wrote in his diary: "Why should heroes bury their bones, if life is only as first seen." "
During the Yan'an period, Mao Zedong mentioned Yang Kaihui many times in public. He praised Yang Kaihui as a "strong revolutionary" and "an example worthy of learning from the whole party." He also encouraged the young revolutionaries to dedicate everything to the revolutionary cause like Yang Kaihui.
In 1939, Mao Zedong's second son Mao Anqing and third son Mao Anlong were finally taken to Yan'an. Seeing his sons who had been separated for many years, Mao Zedong was so excited that he burst into tears. He hugged the two children tightly and refused to let go for a long time. At that moment, everyone saw the soft side of the great revolutionary.
Mao Zedong said to the children: "Your mother was a great revolutionary who gave her life for the revolutionary cause. You must always remember her and learn from her revolutionary spirit. From then on, Mao Zedong often found time to spend with his children, telling them revolutionary stories and teaching them to carry on his mother's legacy.
In 1945, after the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, Mao Zedong finally had the opportunity to return to Changsha. He made a special trip to the foot of Yuelu Mountain, where Yang Kaihui once lived, and stopped there for a long time. Locals said they saw tears glinting in the corners of Chairman Mao's eyes.
Many years later, when the revolution was victorious and New China was founded, Mao Zedong stood on the tower of Tiananmen Square and announced the birth of the People's Republic of China to the people of the whole country. At that exciting moment, he couldn't help but think of Yang Kaihui's figure in his mind. He knew that without the sacrifices of Yang Kaihui and countless revolutionary martyrs, there would not have been today's victory.
In Mao Zedong's later years, he still often mentioned Yang Kaihui. He told the staff around him: "Kaihui is one of the most important people in my life, and her sacrifice has strengthened my determination to serve the people." This deep love and nostalgia accompanied Mao Zedong until the last moment of his life.