Chapter 35 (2) The transfer of the highest power of the CCP

After the Tucheng meeting, Mao Zedong came to Zhou Enlai's residence to discuss important matters.Originally, everything should be brought up at the meeting just now. Mao Zedong came to talk to Zhou Enlai alone at this time, which is obviously a very important matter. Mao Zedong lit a cigarette, took a few puffs, and said, "Enlai, what do you think of Bogu's recent performance?" Zhou Enlai brought Mao Zedong a cup of boiling water, looked at Mao Zedong, and said, "I just want to hear your opinion on Bogu!" Mao Zedong let out a long smoke, and said bluntly: "Bo Gu's attitude towards the Zunyi Conference no longer has any prestige in the minds of comrades. It will be more difficult to ask him to continue to lead. For days, Luo Fu has been discussing with me that Bogu can't be allowed to lead anymore."

On this issue, Zhou Enlai once again coincided with Mao Zedong.He nodded sympathetically to Mao Zedong, and said: "After the Zunyi meeting, no one will accept Bogu's leadership again. Now, since this matter has been brought up, I think it's better sooner rather than later." Mao Zedong had a pleasant expression on his face, and stared at Zhou En said: "When Bo Gu goes down, who will take over?" Zhou Enlai thought for a while and said, "In my opinion, it's more appropriate for you to take over." Mao Zedong shook his head and said: "I am not suitable. I have left the central core since the Ningdu Conference. It has been more than three years. Now, I have just returned, and I cannot take up this burden immediately."

Zhou Enlai said in a persuasive tone: "Now the members of the secretariat are only you, me, Luo Fu, and Bogu. I am a member of the original three-person group, so I am not suitable for this important task. That is, you and Luo Fu choose one of them. You are As the chairman of the central government, it is reasonable to assume overall responsibility at the party center." Mao Zedong shook his head again and said: "I think it is appropriate to let Luo Fu do it. At the Zunyi Conference, he systematically criticized Bogu and Li De for their military command errors, and he was well received by everyone. He came back from Moscow, and he can also unite a large number of comrades who stayed in the Soviet Union. The Communist International also trusted him more, and let him succeed Bogu, so that we can explain to the Communist International in the future.”

Zhou Enlai pondered for a moment and said: "Since you don't accept my suggestion, I can only say that the matter is of great importance. A few comrades in our secretariat will discuss it again and make a final decision." Mao Zedong breathed a sigh of relief and said: "The most critical issue is still with Bogu, and I have to ask you to do his ideological work!" Zhou Enlai hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly, the expression on his face became heavy.It is not an easy task to persuade Bogu to voluntarily give up the supreme leadership of the Party Central Committee!At this time, among the core members of the Central Committee, except Zhou Enlai, who else can persuade Bo Gu?

Bogu felt very strange when he saw Zhou Enlai's visit.If this had happened a month ago, it would have been normal.At the Zunyi Conference, Zhou Enlai did not stand on the same side with him and Li De, and "split" from the three-person group. He still has a grudge about this. He couldn't figure out why the comrades who were members of the three-person regiment were so mild in their criticism of Zhou Enlai, while they were so harsh and merciless towards him and Li De, almost cruel?He also made a mistake in military command. Why did Zhou Enlai finally get the understanding and tolerance of his comrades? But the military power has been left behind, and he has been accused of being the "culprit" of the wrong military line?

However, apart from being annoyed, he had to admire Zhou Enlai, who was always known for adopting flexible strategies, and his great wisdom and courage at critical moments were beyond the reach of him and Li De.If he had adopted Zhou Enlai's attitude at the meeting, then his current situation would definitely not be like this.But he couldn't do it. Since September 1931 when he served as the head of the CPC Central Committee in Shanghai, his situation has never been as embarrassing as it is now.Although nominally his position as the top leader of the Party Central Committee has not changed, but no matter where he goes, no matter who he meets, he rarely sees the expression of respect he used to, and many people even cast him condemning eyes .

In the day-to-day work of the Party Central Committee, Luo Fu took over more and more, and in some respects it was obvious that he did not exist.In terms of the most important military command, the Politburo originally designated Mao Zedong as Zhou Enlai's helper. Because of Zhou Enlai's humility and accommodating, Mao Zedong became more and more anti-client and approached the protagonist. No one came to ask him for instructions and reports, no one came to ask for his opinions, and his role as the general manager was useless.The sorrow of being isolated tormented him all the time.He often murmured: "I am so miserable, time is like courage, when the courage turns, the Red Army will emerge from the blue sky."

Seeing that Bogu was depressed, Zhou Enlai did not directly talk to him about changing the authority of the head of the Central Committee, but first said something that sounded off topic.He said: "You were dissatisfied with the criticisms of the comrades at the Zunyi meeting, and you also had prejudices against me, Zhou Enlai. I understand this. To tell you the truth, I am not completely convinced by some of the criticisms of the comrades." However, we must admit that most of the criticisms made by comrades are correct, and under this premise, there is no need for us to dwell on some minor issues.”

Bogu smiled sadly and said: "You, Zhou Enlai, have patience and can bear that kind of uselessness. I can't bear it. I, Bogu, follow the line of the Communist International. If I have any mistakes, it should be judged by the Communist International. Mao Zedong, What qualifications do people like Luo Fu and Wang Jiaxiang have to accuse me?" Zhou Enlai: "We will discuss these issues later when we have time! Besides, at the Zunyi meeting, everyone still affirmed that our political line is correct, but only criticized our military command mistakes and demanded that the leadership of the Military Commission be changed. What can you say about this?" Isn't it reasonable?"

Bogu said: "I am following the line of the Communist International. To say that our military line is wrong is to say that the military line of the Communist International is wrong. My point of view will never change!" Zhou Enlai said: "Comrade Bogu, please imagine, if at the Zunyi meeting, you, Comrade Li De, me and Comrade Kai Feng were stubborn and refused to give an inch, what kind of meeting would it be like? What about our current situation?" Bo Gu grimaced and remained silent. Zhou Enlai said: "Lao Jiang is now mobilizing hundreds of thousands of troops to chase and intercept us! We failed to smash the five 'encirclement and suppression' campaigns in the Central Soviet Area. With more than ten thousand people, if we use the old method to command, not only will we not be able to get rid of the enemy's pursuit and interception, I am afraid that comrades will no longer obey our command!"

Bogu lowered his head, still silent. Zhou Enlai said: "It is our top priority to break out of the enemy's encirclement as soon as possible and to create a new Soviet area. Now whoever's method succeeds, we will adopt his method, as long as it can bring the troops to the destination. Under this major premise, we Some personal gains and losses, some grievances, what are they?" Bogu raised his head, opened his eyes, and stared at Zhou Enlai: "Comrade Enlai, you came to see me today, didn't you..." Zhou Enlai said in an unusually solemn tone: "Comrade Bogu, we must take care of the overall situation!..." Bogu lowered his head again.After a long time of hard thinking, he raised his head and looked at Zhou Enlai, and said in a low tone: "Actually, I have been thinking about this issue these days. Up to now, fewer and fewer comrades listen to my words, and the command is not effective. , if I continue to lead, it will be difficult. Since you have also considered this issue, I can only obey the opinions of the majority of comrades." Zhou Enlai said gratefully: "Comrade Bogu, you are so clear about righteousness, comrades will thank you very much!" "It's all about doing the party's work well." Bogu heaved a sigh of relief and looked at Zhou Enlai. "Who will replace me?" Zhou Enlai was confident, and said: "Comrade Luo Fu is tentatively decided. However, the Standing Committee of the Central Committee will hold a meeting to formally discuss it before making a final decision." Bogu nodded and said, "What about my future work? You can't tell me to be idle!" Zhou Enlai said: "In order to strengthen the work of the General Political Department, how about you take charge of the work of the General Political Department?" Bogu thought for a while, and said bluntly: "Okay, the work of the General Political Department should be strengthened, so I will temporarily grasp the work of the General Political Department." As he said, his eyes casually fell on the several burdens on the bed and the foot of the wall. , which is the file of the highest level of the Party Central Committee, a symbol of the highest power in the Party.Since leaving Jiangxi Central Soviet Area for the Western Expedition, these burdens have been inseparable from him.He walked over, as if saying goodbye to his old partner, and reluctantly stretched out his hands to caress those burdens. Seeing this scene, Zhou Enlai's heart sank, not knowing what to say.Both of them had complicated feelings. Bo Gu called out, and the guard outside the door stepped into the house.Bogu asked the guards to carry those burdens to Luo Fu.Zhou Enlai waved his hands to the guards who wanted to take action, and said to Bo Gu: "Don't worry, the Standing Committee of the Central Committee hasn't discussed this matter yet!" Bogu said with a wry smile: "It doesn't affect my handing over this burden to Comrade Luo Fu, does it?" Zhou Enlai said: "Let's wait until the Central Standing Committee discusses and approves it." Bo Gu said: "I won't wait any longer. If there is any burden on the General Political Department, you can ask them to pick it for me!" According to Bo Gu's instructions, several guards and servants carried the burdens to Luo Fu's residence. During the Long March, the highest power of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was handed over in this way.