Chapter 41 (3) Seeking perfection through grievances

At the Lianghekou meeting, Zhang Guotao agreed with the central government's strategy of going north.After the Songpan campaign plan was formulated, Zhang Guotao also expressed his agreement to fight Songpan.At this time, Hu Zongnan's troops had not yet been concentrated, the bunkers had not yet been built, and the troops lacked food, so his situation in Songpan was very difficult.If the Red Army and the Fourth Army can follow the deployment of the Central Military Commission and concentrate their forces to rush eastward and attack Songpan, they will quickly acquire the Songpan area, open the road to Gannan, and avoid traveling thousands of miles westward from the vast grassland to the north.However, due to Zhang Guotao's change of mind, the central government's plan to go north and the Songpan campaign plan formulated to implement the plan to go north are facing aground.

According to the marching route stipulated in the Songpan campaign plan, after the troops led by Zhou Enlai, Mao Zedong, and Zhu De arrived in Luhua, they arranged political mobilization, food preparation, and troop training, while patiently waiting for Zhang Guotao to lead the army northward and attack Songpan.After Li Fuchun reported to them Zhang Guotao's proposal to solve the "organizational problem", they were alerted, but they hadn't expected the situation to develop so quickly and so seriously.After receiving the telegram from the Sichuan-Shaanxi Provincial Party Committee and Chen Changhao, they were greatly shocked.

Mao Zedong said: "These people are extremely arrogant! A provincial party committee dares to force the central government to 'make a quick decision', and a military political commissar dares to appoint the chairman of the Central Military Commission, and even dictates to the Politburo! Isn't Zhang Guotao too impatient? " Luo Fu said: "This is clearly a blatant threat!" Mao Zedong said: "Zhang Guotao, what does this guy want to do?" Luo Fu said: "Isn't it obvious that he wants to replace the central government!" Mao Zedong said: "This place is a shop left by his ancestors. Does he want it?"

Luo Fu said: "He has a lot of troops in his hands. If his conditions are not met, he will not send troops!" Zhou Enlai read and read Chen Changhao's telegram, frowning tightly.His illness was getting worse day by day, he was getting thinner day by day, and he had a bad cough.He formulated the Songpan campaign plan while sick. He thought that the two armies would work together to defeat Hu Zongnan and take Songpan.Unexpectedly, the battle plan he had worked so hard to make would become a scrap of paper due to internal power struggles!He was distraught. Regarding Zhang Guotao's character, I am afraid that no one in the central government knows better than Zhou Enlai.As early as eight years ago when he organized and directed the Nanchang Uprising, he worked with Zhang Guotao.Although on the eve of the Nanchang Uprising, Zhang Guotao came to stop the uprising under the order of the person in charge of the "right-leaning central government", but because he failed to persuade the uprising leaders after arriving in Nanchang, he changed the uprising and let it go. Contribute!In June 1928, they went to Moscow to attend the "Sixth National Congress" of the Communist Party of China and were elected to the Central Committee and Politburo together.After he experienced the ups and downs of the Fourth Plenary Session of the Sixth Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee appointed three members of the Standing Committee in Shanghai to be in charge of the work of the Central Committee. These three were him, Zhang Guotao, and Xiang Zhongfa.On the issue of Zhang Guotao's fight for power, he shared the same feelings as Luo Fu. Zhang Guotao is now in command of a large army, and if he is not given corresponding powers, he cannot be asked to lead his troops northward.At this time, it would be impossible to defeat Hu Zongnan, take Songpan, and clear the obstacles to the northward movement without Zhang Guotao leading the Fourth Front Army to participate.If we have to quarrel endlessly on the issue of internal power distribution, not only will the central government's plan to go north come to naught, but it may also lead to terrible internal strife.Once this happens, the consequences will be unimaginable.

"Should we study the position arrangement of Comrade Guotao?" Zhou Enlai said, looking at Mao Zedong and Luo Fu. Mao Zedong said: "I have already arranged for him to be the vice chairman of the Military Commission. Isn't that enough?" Zhou Enlai said: "He has tens of thousands of troops in his hands. In order to unite him to go north, we can only make some concessions." Mao Zedong said angrily: "This is tantamount to making him push his feet!" Zhou Enlai said patiently: "If he doesn't make some concessions, he will refuse to lead his troops northward. What can we do to him? Now internal unity is the most important thing, not only uniting him alone, but more importantly, the tens of thousands of soldiers of the Fourth Front Army! Let's bear it if we can, it's no big deal to suffer a little grievance, as long as the two front armies can go north together as planned, then everything will be fine!"

Mao Zedong gritted his teeth, puffed on his cigarette, and remained silent. Luo Fu said: "Comrade Enlai's views are reasonable. I think we should consider the overall situation and make some concessions to Zhang Guotao." Mao Zedong said: "How else can we let it go?" Luo Fu said, "Isn't he going to seize military power?" Mao Zedong said: "Whatever he wants, we will give him what?" Zhou Enlai: "We can't give him whatever he asks for. But if we don't give him a corresponding position in the organizational form, then it will be difficult for us to win him and unite the Fourth Front Army."

Mao Zedong said: "For him, what is the corresponding position?" Zhou Enlai said, "I'll give way to him." Mao Zedong and Luo Fuqi were surprised and looked at Zhou Enlai, speechless for a long time. Zhou Enlai added: "Now this is the only appropriate arrangement." Mao Zedong and Luo Fu looked at each other, silent. Zhou Enlai emphasized: "The Military Commission is under the leadership and supervision of the Politburo. If he seizes the power of the Military Commission, it does not mean that he can do whatever he wants. In the future, the Politburo, especially our Central Standing Committee, can strengthen the leadership and supervision of the Military Commission. "

Mao Zedong smiled sadly, and heaved a long sigh.At this time, he took the initiative to give up military power. Only Zhou Enlai could do this kind of grievance. On July 18, the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held a meeting in Luhua.Zhou Enlai resigned as General Political Commissar of the Red Army.The meeting decided that Zhang Guotao was the general political commissar of the Red Army and the chief of the Central Military Commission.Zhou Enlai transferred the work of the Standing Committee of the Central Committee, but before Zhang Guotao was familiar with the work, Zhou Enlai temporarily assisted him.The meeting also decided that Chen Changhao would be a member of the Standing Committee of the Central Military Commission; Bo Gu would be the director of the General Political Department of the Red Army, and Li Fuchun and one of the Fourth Front Army would be the deputy directors; .

After listening to the meeting host Luo Fu announce the above-mentioned personnel adjustment plan, Zhang Guotao complacently looked around at the participants, posing as a winner.His eyeballs rolled around, and another trick came out.He pointed out that just the adjustment of the military leadership organization cannot satisfy the wishes of the commanders and fighters of the Fourth Front Army of the Red Army. Look at the meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee held here, and he was the only one attending the Fourth Front Army of the Red Army.Now, the comrades of the Red Fourth Front Army are very dissatisfied with this phenomenon.Luo Fu was stunned for a while, then looked at Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai.I saw Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai looking at Zhang Guotao in amazement.Zhang Guotao's troubles happened unexpectedly, which they didn't expect.

Luo Fu thought for a while and said, "Our meeting only decides on the adjustment of the military organization, and we will not discuss other issues for the time being." Zhang Guotao said loudly: "I suggest that the adjustment of the Central Committee and the Politburo be included in the agenda of this meeting." Mao Zedong glared at Zhang Guotao and said: "The adjustment of the Central Committee and the Politburo is to be discussed and decided at a plenary meeting of the Central Committee. The Politburo meeting has no right to make such a decision." Zhang Guotao sneered and said: "You held an enlarged meeting of the Politburo in Zunyi, didn't you make adjustments to the Central Standing Committee?"

Zhang Guotao said this to Mao Zedong.Recently, he went around everywhere and asked relevant central officials about the situation of the Zunyi Conference. He had a lot of opinions on the election of Mao Zedong to the Central Standing Committee at the Zunyi Conference. He believed that the convening of the Zunyi Conference and the decisions made at the meeting were illegal.At the same time, he had the idea of ​​adjusting the Central Committee and the Politburo, and adding people around him to the Central Committee and the Politburo. Mao Zedong held back his breath and said: "The enemy is now, we should unite as one, capture Songpan, and realize the central government's plan to go north, and we should not raise such a question at this time." Zhang Guotao smiled slyly, and said: "Comrade Chairman Mao, I disagree with your opinion, and neither do comrades in the Fourth Front Army. If the organizational problem is not resolved, the two Front Armies will not be able to unify their military command, and they will not be able to securely establish defeat the enemy." Mao Zedong said with a serious expression: "The central government handed over the Military Commission to you, turned the headquarters of the Fourth Front Army into the headquarters of the Red Army's general front enemy, and added comrades from the Fourth Front Army to the headquarters of the Red Army. Isn't that enough? How else do you want to adjust?" Zhang Guotao spread his hands helplessly, and said eccentrically: "There must be comrades from the Fourth Front Army in the Central Committee and the Political Bureau. If this problem is not resolved, the ideological work of comrades in the Fourth Front Army will not be successful. If I take them northward, there will be some difficulty." Luo Fu looked very embarrassed, but still said in a gentle tone: "To make such a big adjustment to the Central Committee and the Politburo, it needs to be decided at the Central Committee Plenary Session. Now it is impossible to hold the Central Committee Plenary Session!" Zhang Guotao stood up impatiently, looked around everyone domineeringly and said: "I, Zhang Guotao, did not invent the precedent of adjusting the Politburo without holding a plenary session of the Central Committee! Enlai and I are the only members of the Politburo elected by the First Plenary Session of the Sixth Central Committee." Two people, didn’t you all come in by-election later? Have all the comrades in the by-election passed the Central Committee’s plenary session? If it is necessary to call the Central Committee’s plenary session to adjust the Central Committee and the Politburo, and now the Central Committee’s plenary session cannot be held, Doing so would be unfair to the Fourth Front Army! Comrade Enlai, don’t you think so?” During Zhang Guotao's confrontation with Mao Zedong and Luo Fu, Zhou Enlai had been thinking hard about how to ease the atmosphere of this fierce debate.He kept thinking in his heart that Zhang Guotao was at the moment when he was successful, and the central government needed him to go north, which further contributed to his arrogance.But if he takes a tough attitude towards him, not only will the two sides quarrel, but the two front armies that have just joined forces will split.This was what Zhou Enlai was most worried about.Therefore, he said in a kind tone: "Comrade Guotao's proposal to adjust comrades from the Fourth Front Army to the Central Committee and the Political Bureau cannot be said to be completely unreasonable." Before Zhang Guotao could finish Zhou Enlai's words, he smiled triumphantly and said, "As far as what Comrade Enlai said, I feel very comfortable!" Zhou Enlai coughed violently, covered his chest with his hands, and said with difficulty: "A major event like the adjustment of the Central Committee and the Political Bureau needs to be carefully considered. There is no rush. It is impossible to demand that the Military Commission, the Political Bureau, and the Has the Central Committee and the Politburo been fully adjusted?" Zhang Guotao nodded and said: "The central government must make a plan for this and put it on the agenda. Otherwise, when will it be resolved? I'm afraid the comrades of the Fourth Front Army don't have the patience?" It's true that you, Zhang Guotao, don't have the patience!Zhou Enlai did not say this, but said as calmly as possible: "The Central Committee respects your opinion, and respects the opinions of comrades in the Fourth Front Army. As I said just now, the adjustment of the Central Committee and the Politburo must be carefully considered, and it cannot be changed just as it is said. At present, the most urgent thing is to conquer Songpan and realize the central government's plan to go north!" Zhang Guotao let out a long sigh of relief and said, "With your words, it will be done!" However, Zhang Guozhen said one thing at the meeting and did another thing after the meeting.On the one hand, he incited in the Fourth Front Army, openly criticized the right-wing Central Committee, and provoked conflicts between the Fourth Front Army officers and soldiers and the Central Committee;After encountering difficulties with Luo Fu, Mao Zedong and other members of the Central Standing Committee, he didn't give up, and ran to Zhou Enlai's sickbed to pester him. Zhou Enlai was very weak, so he cheered up and talked with Zhang Guotao.He advised: "Comrade Guotao, I have just handed over the power of the Military Commission to you, and I am expecting you to lead your troops to capture Songpan and open the passage to the north! I think you should focus on the Songpan Battle. Arguing endlessly about organizational issues will only delay the battle opportunity!" "Oh, brother Enlai, you don't understand my difficulties!" Zhang Guotao looked troubled, and sighed while talking. "It's easy for you to convince me, but it's not so easy for the comrades of the Fourth Front Army! It can be said that even I can't control their emotions now. How can I convince them? Four There are nearly 100,000 troops in the front army, but I am the only one in the Central Committee and the Politburo, is this obviously unfair?" Zhou Enlai said: "Organizational issues must always be resolved. After defeating Songpan and leading the troops to the north, it is too late to talk about organizational issues!" Zhang Guotao said: "How difficult it is to persuade the comrades of the Fourth Front Army to attack Songpan and go north without first solving the organizational problem! Brother Enlai, your words are more fair. On the issue of adjusting the comrades of the Fourth Front Army to the Central Committee and the Politburo , and thank you!" Zhou Enlai couldn't help but laugh, and said: "Why do you make me feel like I'm doing some kind of transaction the more I listen to these words?" "Among the Standing Committee of the Central Committee, we are more willing to listen to your words." Zhang Guotao said very seriously. "You are the only member of the Standing Committee of the Central Committee elected at the First Plenary Session of the Sixth Central Committee. Your words carry a lot of weight! In this regard, you can do a lot and play a major role!" Zhou Enlai's face darkened, and he said: "How can you say that? The central government has now appointed me to help you command the military. The responsibility is heavy! If you can win Songpan as planned and realize the central government's plan to go north, I will be as proud as you; If all of these fail one by one, I don't know where to put my face!" Zhang Guotao said: "As soon as the organizational problem is resolved, I promise to persuade the comrades of the Fourth Front Army to take down Songpan." Zhang Guotao supports the self-respect of the army, and he will never send troops if the central government does not meet his conditions.There was no other way, Zhou Enlai had no choice but to discuss with Mao Zedong and Luo Fu, discussing about making some compromises with Zhang Guotao. Mao Zedong said angrily: "Zhang Guotao's appetite is too great!" Luo Fu also said angrily: "We are facing a guy who is obsessed with power! As long as we let go, his asking price will become higher and higher!" Zhou Enlai sighed heavily, and said: "Now he is instigating everywhere in the Fourth Front Army, saying that the Fourth Front Army has so many heroic worker and peasant cadres, and the central government does not promote them. Demagogic!" Luo Fu said: "It's a bunch of nonsense!" Zhou Enlai said: "What I am most worried about now is that the two fronts will create a greater estrangement over this matter, which will lead to more acute conflicts." Luo Fu looked at Zhou Enlai, then at Mao Zedong.Mao Zedong puffed hard on his cigarette and remained silent. Zhou Enlai said: "If Zhang Guotao does not send troops, we will not be able to capture Songpan, and the plan to go north will not be realized smoothly. Once this happens, the future of the two front armies in the future will be worrying!" Mao Zedong took a few puffs of cigarettes and said: "We can consider agreeing to him some more conditions, but it can't fully satisfy his appetite." Zhou Enlai said: "My opinion is the same. He proposed that more than 20 people should be included in the Central Committee and more than a dozen people should be included in the Politburo. Of course, he would not be allowed to join that many people. But we should consider how many people should be placed in the Central Committee and how many people should be assigned to the Politburo. One or two." Luo Fu said: "He has already negotiated with me for these conditions. There are too few arrangements, I'm afraid he won't accept it!" Mao Zedong said: "That's all, it won't work if you don't accept it." From August 4th to 6th, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held a meeting in Shawo, Maoergai, Songpan County, and decided to add Chen Changhao, Zhou Chunquan, and Xu Xiangqian from the Fourth Front Army as members of the Central Committee; He Wei, Li Xiannian, and Fu Zhong were alternate members of the Central Committee; Chang Hao and Zhou Chunquan are members of the Politburo.At the same time, Chen Changhao was appointed as the director of the General Political Department of the Red Army, and Zhou Chunquan was appointed as the deputy director. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China also made an important decision at the Shawo meeting. In order to strengthen and unify the leadership of the Red Front Army, the Red Front Army Command was formed, with Zhou Enlai as the commander and political commissar.Therefore, in order to win over Zhang Guotao and unite the Fourth Front Army of the Red Army, Zhou Enlai completely gave way to Zhang Guotao, and changed from the original head of the Central Military Commission to the head of the First Front Army of the Red Army.And shortly after the meeting, Mao Zedong, who was a helper of Zhou Enlai's military command, was also forced to withdraw from the Central Military Commission.Zhang Guotao got his wish and took all the military power in his hands. A year later, on July 14, 1936, in a telegram from the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China to the Comintern, it pointed out that Zhang Guotao's struggle for power pointed out: "Last June, the Central Committee and the Fourth Front Army were in Maogongli Fan District. Because of the controversy over strategic issues and the demand for general command, he openly incited sentiments against the Central Committee among the cadres of the Fourth Front Army....He adopted extraordinary measures, such as inciting the cadres of the Fourth Front Army to coerce the Central Committee and demand military posts. He publicly criticized the right-leaning central government, etc. He was not willing to send troops northward until the central government allowed Guotao to be the general political commissar of the Red Army.... He believed that the Politburo meeting, which summed up the five "encirclement and suppression" experiences at the Zunyi Conference, was the party's conciliation doctrine, and asked Bo Gu to withdraw from the secretary In the Politburo, Enlai withdrew from the work of the Military Commission, and did not enter the army until the goal was achieved. We believe that in order to achieve a common northward movement and to transform Guotao and the Fourth Front Army, we must adopt a special and very patient policy. Therefore, in addition to evaluating the party's line Except for a point of insisting on principle, the rest made concessions to him. First of all, Enlai and Mao Zedong withdrew from the work of the Military Commission, and Ren Guotao was the General Political Commissar... and obtained two armies from the First Front Army and the Fourth Front Army to form the Right Army, led by Mao Er Gai went north to Gannan near Songpan, and at the same time had to let Guotao and Zhu De lead the main force of the Fourth Front Army and a part of the First Front Army to form the Left Route Army and go west to Qinghai."