Chapter 19 6. The Sincerity of the Communist Party

On the morning of the 21st, Zhang Zhizhong and others learned that Mao Zedong and Commander-in-Chief Zhu had ordered the People's Liberation Army to march south of the Yangtze River.At this time, they felt that the mission of the delegation had ended and there was no need to stay in Peiping any longer.Just as they were studying the route back, they received urgent calls from Li Zongren and He Yingqin: Brother Zhang Wenbai also transferred to Yan, Lizi, Yunting, Wei Zhang and all comrades of the delegation: The communist party has read the full text of Mao Zhu's order to the communist army broadcast today. When will the special plane to welcome the delegation take off here? Please contact me by telegram.Brother and others have worked hard on this trip, although things have not yet been completed, you are not ashamed to look up, and I would like to comfort you first, all faces are exhausted.

Mao Zedong and Zhu De issued an order to march to the south of the Yangtze River, and the sound of artillery was rumbling under the city of Nanjing. Zhou Enlai kept guests again and again, what should the representative of Nanjing do?Zhang Zhizhong said to Mao Zedong: We were in charge of the regime in the past period, and now it has failed. I should also be in the past... Zhang Zhizhong sent a telegram to Nanjing, and at the same time told the CCP, saying: "Nanjing plane came to peace on the 23rd. We are scheduled to return to Nanjing on the 24th, please take care of us." At that time, Zhou Enlai came to visit Zhang Zhizhong and told him that we have successfully crossed the river, but as the situation changes, there is still the possibility of resuming peace talks; whether your delegation returns to Shanghai or Guangzhou, the Kuomintang spies will not let you go. over yours.

Up to now, Zhang Zhizhong feels quite embarrassed.At this time, the People's Liberation Army had already driven to the city of Nanjing. Li Zongren, He Yingqin and other important officials had already fled by plane. All government departments were in chaos. In fact, the Nanjing government was in a state of paralysis. Zhang Zhizhong's mood was very complicated. Of course, he still hoped to go back. . Zhou Enlai repeatedly persuaded the members of the Nanjing delegation to stay. He believed that if these people went back if the peace talks failed, there would be no good results. It would be better to stay in Peiping.He also knew that the two old men, Shao Lizi and Zhang Shizhao, had expressed that they did not intend to go back, and he had already made arrangements for this matter. The most difficult thing for him was the issue of Zhang Zhizhong's fate.

From the bottom of his heart, Zhou Enlai, including Mao Zedong and Zhang Zhizhong, are old friends and appreciate Zhang Zhizhong's peaceful spirit.I remember that Zhou Enlai and Zhang Zhizhong met during the first KMT-CPC cooperation period, and they formed a deep personal relationship.During the Zhongshan ship incident, Zhang Zhizhong also expressed his intention to join the Communist Party of China. At that time, Zhou Enlai said to him: "We welcome you to join the party, but our two parties have made an agreement not to admit the other party's senior cadres into the party. We will talk about your request when the time is right." Go." Zhang Zhizhong also laughed.During the Anti-Japanese War, Mao Zedong went to Chongqing to negotiate. To ensure safety, Zhang Zhizhong took a special plane to Yan'an to pick him up. It can be said that Zhang Zhizhong is very friendly to the Communist Party.Of course, due to different positions on political issues, Zhang Zhizhong still had a tit-for-tat debate with the CCP delegation with a very open mind when negotiating on behalf of the Nanjing government.

Once Mao Zedong met Zhang Zhizhong at Shuangqing Villa in Xiangshan and asked him his opinion on the new regime of the Communist Party of China. Zhang Zhizhong said at that time: "I think there are many reasons for the failure of the Kuomintang, but the main problem is that Chiang Kai-shek has adopted the wrong policy of being pro-American for a long time. I am very happy that you will implement a new policy in the future. I advocate that the foreign policy of the Soviet Union and the United States should be implemented, that is to say Pro-Soviet should also be pro-American. This relationship needs to be balanced. Today’s world structure has also undergone great changes. The United States and the Soviet Union are vying for world hegemony. China also plays a pivotal role in the middle and is the main target of the two competitions. China Whichever side we vote for will prevail. We should plan for the Chinese nation. It is best not to lean toward the United States or the Soviet Union politically. As you know in the past, the Kuomintang government leaned toward the United States, which led to Today's failure. I personally hope that you will not lean towards the Soviet Union in the future."

Mao Zedong said with a smile: "I disagree with you. We Chinese are either inclined to imperialism or to socialism. This is an objective fact. There is no third way. Of course, our Chinese Communist Party will fall to the Soviet Union." La." "I still don't agree with this point of view," Zhang Zhizhong said. Mao Zedong said: "We can discuss this issue in the future." Zhang Zhizhong said: "In our China, the dispute between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party should be a matter between brothers. They are of the same nation, and they are all Chinese. Whoever suffers will gain. Don't take it too seriously. In the past, we did not manage this well. The country, from now on, your Communist Party will have a heavy burden to manage this country, but I believe that you can manage it well.”

Mao Zedong said: "Although we are old friends, we still have disputes on political issues. This is understandable, but you say that our two parties are brothers, which is not accurate. The main representatives of Chiang Kai-shek's government are the four major families. , They are counter-revolutionaries, how can they call us brothers and sisters?" During this meeting, Mao Zedong also asked about Zhang Zhizhong's future stay, but because the peace talks had not yet come to fruition, Zhang Zhizhong did not make a clear statement. After the peace talks broke down, Zhang Zhizhong was ready to return to Nanjing as the chief representative.Zhou Enlai advised him not to go back.Zhang Zhizhong said: "I personally thank you for your sincerity. Our delegation is here for the peace talks. Now that your Liberation Army has crossed the river, the Nanjing government has refused to sign, and the peace talks have completely broken down. Our delegation should go back. Others will not go back." I have no objection, but I am the chief representative, so I have to go back to Nanjing no matter what.

Zhou Enlai said to him very sincerely, you have also worked hard at this peace talk, and it is a pity that the Nanjing government refuses to sign.I estimate that as the situation changes, the Nanjing government will split. There is still a possibility that we can continue the peace talks. It is also a good thing to achieve partial peace. Now Shao Lizi and Zhang Shizhao are willing to stay and rest. We also hope that you can stay. Zhang Zhizhong said: "I was ordered by the Nanjing government, so it is not convenient for me to stay." Zhou Enlai explained: "As far as we know, many people in Nanjing are threatening to attack those participating in the peace talks. These Kuomintang agents can do anything. Judging from the current situation, whether you return to Nanjing or Guangzhou , Shanghai, the KMT secret agents will not let you go. I have already sorry for a friend surnamed Zhang during the Xi’an Incident, and I can’t let you down today. I hope you don’t leave. As for your family members, I will find a way to let them Come."

Zhang Zhizhong was deeply moved, so he no longer mentioned the matter of leaving. April 24.The special plane sent by the Nanjing government flew directly from Shanghai to Peiping. Zhang Zhizhong was still in conflict. Suddenly Zhou Enlai said to him: "Mr. Wen Bai, your plane is here. Let's go pick up a guest together." Zhang Zhizhong asked, "What guest?" "You'll know when the time comes." After Zhang Zhizhong followed Zhou Enlai to Xiyuan Airport, he suddenly found his wife and children got off the plane.He excitedly said to Zhou Enlai: "Mr. Enlai, we are really old friends, you really know how to keep customers, and you are so thoughtful."

Zhou Enlai said with a smile: "Your family members' lives are in danger at any time, we can't ignore it." From then on, Zhang Zhizhong stayed in Peiping. At this moment, He Yingqin still brought a letter and asked Zhang Zhizhong to fly back to Shanghai.The content of this letter is: My brother Wen Bai also forwarded Shao, Zhang, Li, and Liu brothers to learn from each other: This peace negotiation, despite the best efforts of brothers and others, has not yet been concluded. This is due to the fate of the country.I hereby send a special plane to Ping, and I sincerely pray that I will fly to Shanghai with the whole group on the same day.

Here is a tribute to Xun An. After research, Zhang Zhizhong and all representatives signed and wrote a reply letter to He Yingqin: Zhang Zhizhong's heart was depressed.There were many questions in his mind that could not be answered, he was conflicted and hesitant, and he started a fierce self-ideological struggle.During this period, Zhou Enlai often visited him and persuaded him many times. Mao Zedong also came to express condolences in person, and the ideological struggle was resolved. But at this time, the Kuomintang Central News Agency sent a telegram.The title is "Details of Zhang Zhizhong's Detention in Zaiping".Then two more telegrams were sent out, saying that they were instigated by the CCP to instigate peace in Peking again, and left Peking with their whereabouts unknown. In response to this attack, Zhang Zhizhong finally couldn't sit still.So he publicly published a "Statement on the Current Situation" in Beiping, the original text is as follows: Xinhua News Agency, Beiping, 26th. On the 15th, the Guangzhou Central News Agency telegraphed the Guangzhou "Southwest Daily" Hong Kong Aviation News, which reported "Details of Zhang Zhizhong being detained by the Communist Party in Beiping". The second telegram also attacked and slandered General Zhang Zhizhong and others. General Zhang Zhizhong, who currently lives in Beiping, issued a statement on this matter as follows: These telegrams are full of nonsense and there is no need to refute them.However, since I came to Pingping, I have appreciated the friendship and care of comrades from all over the country, so I would like to say a few words on this opportunity. To be honest, I am living a leisurely life in Peking now; moreover, I arouse a feeling of joy and comfort, which increases day by day.Why?I have lived in Peiping for more than 80 days. From what I have seen and heard, I feel that there is a new change and a new trend everywhere, which symbolizes that the future of our country and the nation has revealed new hope.It means that the CCP has gained the essentials of serving the people and building the country with more than 20 years of struggle experience, and has a strict criticism system, a learning spirit, and a practical, hardworking, and steady style of work.These advantages are reflected in government facilities, which are efficient and free from corruption.What is reflected in the actions of party members are military and political cadres who are frugal, hard-working, and seeking truth from facts.In particular, the New Democracy advocated by the CCP, at this stage, is in line with the basic requirements of our revolutionary Three People's Principles.To sum it up, this is not what our Kuomintang in the past demonstrated in its political facilities and party members' actions.From the standpoint of a member of the Kuomintang, I can only feel infinite guilt, but from the standpoint of a member of the nation, I feel great relief.After all, we Chinese still have the ability to turn around the country's crisis and hope to make the country a better place. We are definitely not a hopeless nation, and this has been proved.The anguish that I had accumulated in my heart for many years was emptied, and I was really liberated spiritually. How could it not be gratifying! Again, I would like to point out for the comrades who care about me: this time the peace talks broke down. Some people in our Kuomintang think the conditions are too harsh, similar to surrender.In fact, to be fair, these eight principles have long been the basis for peace talks recognized by Acting President Li of the Nanjing government, and the twenty-fourth paragraph is the specific method for implementing these eight principles.During the negotiation period, our delegation has earnestly consulted with the representatives of the CCP and proposed more than 40 amendments.Accepted by the CCP more than half.If the war criminals are only stipulated in principle, and the list is not mentioned at all, this is one of the biggest concessions made by the CCP.And it was agreed verbally that if the Nanjing government agrees to sign, it can also make textual amendments.If we understand the inevitable situation of defeating and seeking peace, and can understand the historical routine of regime change, then the revolution is righteous and the world is for the public. Since we are incompetent, we should give up to those who are capable; For those who are successful.Because the civil war belongs to the compatriots, whoever wins and who loses is not the same country.Just think about the last quarter of the Qing Dynasty. If Mr. Sun hadn’t called for revolution and overthrew autocracy, wouldn’t China have suffered imperialist carve-up and co-management long ago?It is not accidental that our Kuomintang has reached such a state after it has been in power for more than 20 years.Of course, I am a party cadre and I have to bear some responsibility.So today we should admit our mistakes with sincerity, admit our failures with courage, and give up the political power frankly, expressing an attitude that the success of the revolutionary cause does not depend on me, and the people's perception will be different from our frank and straightforward attitude and re-evaluate.I hope that the responsible comrades of the Kuomintang Central Committee and all localities can make good use of reason, face the reality squarely, and plan to rein in the precipice with a mind of self-reflection and self-blame.Although it is not the latest, it is the last chance, and it is absolutely inappropriate to let it be missed lightly.If we are still ignorant of the people's hearts and the general trend, and continue to wage hopeless wars, the result will be in vain to hurt the public and harm ourselves. This is inexcusable! Although I am in Beiping, I am thinking about the war zone.Recalling my personal views, I have always advocated the implementation of revolution and the implementation of democratic politics. After the "September 18th" incident, they advocated national unity, resolutely resisted the war, and advocated political solutions to domestic problems to promote peace.These are all common knowledge.Now that the overall situation has evolved to this point, I think that comrades from all over the country should learn from past mistakes and make decisive decisions, resolutely express sincere cooperation with the CCP, and work together for Mr. Sun’s revolutionary Three People’s Principles, that is, the realization of the CCP’s new democracy.As for our Kuomintang, it is time to completely reform and promote new life, so that we can adapt to the times, create the times, and achieve the historical mission that we revolutionaries should shoulder.At present, if we take a long-term view, broaden our minds, and think about the interests of the nation and the happiness of future generations, not only do we not need to be pessimistic, but we also have reasons for optimism.The country requires a new life, and it is being reborn; the people demand a new life, and it is also being reborn. Why can't we, the Kuomintang and individuals, lag behind alone and cannot be reborn! On the same day, "People's Daily" also published a Xinhua News Agency editorial - "Comment on Zhang Zhizhong's Statement", saying that "this statement is welcome. Its advice to the patriotic elements in the Kuomintang is to point them to the only bright way out." Mao Zedong was also very concerned about Zhang Zhizhong. Once in a conversation, he expressed the hope that he could join the Chinese People's Government and take up the position of the Central People's Government.But Zhang Zhizhong said: "We were responsible for the regime in the past period, and it has failed now. It is a thing of the past, and I should also be a thing of the past." Mao Zedong said with a smile: "In the past stage, since you issued a statement, it is equivalent to the 30th of the new year. In the future, we should start from the first day of the new year!"