Chapter 5 Chapter Five

"Mao Zedong paid great attention to principles throughout his life. Generally speaking, he always consciously abided by the regulations. This is undoubtedly the greatest support and cooperation for our comrades engaged in security work." Li Yinqiao, the head of the guard, said After finishing, he paused for a moment and said: "But Mao Zedong is also a person with a very rich personality. He is impulsive and willful. When he gets emotional, no one can stop him. Usually, when he wins a battle, Mao Zedong will recite a few lines of Peking opera. After a successful meeting, he would throw away the mountains of documents in his hands and say to our guards: "Go, go for a walk." At this time, Mao Zedong often talked about the past and the present, and the sea and the sky were broad. Tell you non-stop, or joke with you again and again. Mao Zedong’s jokes are never unconventional, always humorous and witty. Therefore, they always benefit our guards a lot; Mao Zedong has another performance after he is in a good mood: sleep Great sleep. And the speed of falling asleep is amazingly fast. There is no need to go for a walk first, then take four sleeping pills, and massage for a long time before falling asleep as usual.

"In 1956, Zhou Enlai went abroad secretly. On the day of his return, Mao Zedong, who had worked all night, got up in the morning and took sleeping pills. I saw that he was still tossing and turning and couldn't sleep, so I stayed by the bedside and gave him a massage. Even his ability could not calm him down. Mao Zedong turned over, sat up from the bed, and said, "Yinqiao, don't be so busy, make me a cup of tea! Later, you can make another phone call and ask if Enlai is back?" "This is the sixth time I have been urged to ask. At noon, Zhou Enlai still did not come back, and Mao Zedong did not sleep. In the afternoon, Premier Zhou Enlai finally came back. I hurried in to report to Chairman Mao that Comrade Zhou Enlai had returned. I I thought maybe Mao Zedong would ask me to make a phone call to meet Zhou Enlai, but Mao Zedong said "oh", turned over and fell asleep peacefully, not a minute before and after."

Li Yinqiao spoke excitedly, his eyes sparkled. "In your security work, have you ever encountered a time when Mao Zedong didn't speak? Have you ever been unable to stop it?" We asked. "Yes, that's great!" Li Yinqiao said. "The central government has strict regulations on Mao Zedong's security work. During the war years, it was mainly to prevent the frontal enemy and enemy agents who sneaked into the interior. At that time, the emphasis was on armed guards and air guards-to prevent the enemy from throwing bombs. After liberation, Mainly to prevent special accidents from spies, spies, hidden enemies and public occasions. Mao Zedong is the leader of the entire Chinese people. His safety is related to the stability of the new Chinese society, the fate of the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese socialist revolution , also affects the cause of communism in the world. Therefore, the central government’s security work for Chairman Mao has always been placed on the important agenda of the central work. In this sense, we can see that the central government attaches great importance to Mao Zedong's security work. Even when Comrade Stalin was alive, he was very concerned about the safety of Comrade Mao Zedong. In December 1949, Mao Zedong first It was the first and only meeting with Stalin in Moscow. When parting, Molotov came here to convey to Mao Zedong the hope that Stalin repeatedly urged. Don't be careless. It can be seen that Mao Zedong's security work is important. However, Mao Zedong himself did not take these things seriously. Especially when he was in a mood, he could not use the conventional security measures. Although the Minister of Public Security and me The head of the guard has reasons and the right to stop him, but after all he is the chairman of the whole party and has the supreme power. He must be serious. Let alone me, the little head of the guard, it is Minister Luo Ruiqing, and if it is higher, even Premier Zhou Enlai Gotta give in."

"When did this happen?" "On the issue of swimming." Li Yinqiao introduced, "Except for reading, Mao Zedong's hobbies are really not many. Walking is his habit, and the second thing he loves the most is swimming. Mao Zedong will be happy when he sees water. It is said that It’s been like this all his life. The bigger and more urgent the water, the higher his mood. In Zhongnanhai, he likes to bathe with water every day. Does the swimming pool receive foreign guests? In fact, there was no swimming pool in Zhongnanhai before Mao Zedong lived in it. This was specially built by the relevant central government departments for his old man. In his later years, Mao Zedong moved out of the Juxiang Bookstore in Fengze Garden, and it was right by the swimming pool Staying at work. Mao Zedong said to me more than once: He loved swimming when he was a child, and he almost fed the big fish in the Xiangjiang River! He said that swimming is the best exercise, which can make the whole body active. At the same time, it can make the People forget everything and don't think about anything. This is a good medicine for mental and spiritual maintenance. Swimming can also cultivate a person's strong will. Mao Zedong spent his entire life in the army and took care of everything after liberation. For him, swimming is a The best kind of sport. Therefore, his passion is unmatched by others. In addition, his swimming level is also top-notch. Today's leading comrades Xiaoping also love swimming very much. To a certain extent, it was influenced by Mao Zedong Impact."

"You, the head of the guard, and the swimming skills of the guards are definitely not average." Li Yinqiao shook his head and said: "When I first came to the chairman's side, I was basically a landlubber. Later, I gradually learned. Mao Zedong once jokingly said to me: 'Yinqiao, you have to learn to swim after following me, otherwise, you will be in the water. There is no 'Silver Bridge' anymore, at that time, when Lord Dragon came, the Golden Bridge and Silver Bridge would be completely useless!" "Among our guards, some comrades couldn't swim at all before. After Mao Zedong took us to Beidaihe, he often went to the beach to teach these comrades how to swim."

"It seems that learning to swim is one of the basic conditions for being Mao Zedong's bodyguard!" We joked. Li Yinqiao smiled. "Yes, but no matter how we learn, we are still below his old man's level! One time, we went swimming in the sea with Mao Zedong, and a guard had just learned how to swim. When the waves came, he almost choked. The gall was vomited out. Seeing the guard vomit with snot and tears, Mao Zedong was so happy that he yelled like a child: "If you want it, after you have drained your snot and tears, you will no longer be afraid of dragons." Your lord!'"

"Mao Zedong's addiction to water is notorious. Once he wants to swim, even the armed forces can't stop him!" Li Yinqiao opened his affectionate thoughts and recalled... After liberation, Mao Zedong had the opportunity to go to every place he wanted to go in the motherland. Among them, his favorite places were Lushan in Jiangxi, Changsha in Hunan, the West Lake in Hangzhou, and Beidaihe.Since the late 1950s, Mao Zedong had to go to Beidaihe to recuperate and work in summer, and he lived for a whole summer.In this way, the central authority will go with it.This tradition has been carried on by China's second and third generations of leaders.Beidaihe is a beautiful seaside resort, surrounded by mountains and rivers, with the endless blue waves of the Yellow Sea. In the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 1960s, Mao Zedong lived in Beidaihe for a long time, followed by Hangzhou.

After the liberation of the whole country, Mao Zedong and we all moved to Beijing. During the first two or three years in Beijing, Mao Zedong was very busy. I never thought of taking Mao Zedong to swim in rivers or lakes.But at the beginning of 1953, when Dr. Xu Tao came, he remembered this incident. One day, when Xu Tao and we were having a hard time worrying about Mao Zedong's rest, he suddenly thought of teaching Mao Zedong to swim—because Dr. Xu was very good at swimming, so he sent his thoughts to Minister Luo Ruiqing and the central leadership in charge of health care work. Vice Minister of Health Fu Lianjun made a report.

"What if the chairman is drowned?" Although they didn't know whether Mao Zedong could swim, they agreed with Dr. Xu's suggestion, but they also became worried.After careful consideration, they agreed to teach him in the shallow place first, and let him move slowly. Doctors and guards must stand on the spot, and take immediate measures if there is a situation.For this reason, the Central Affairs Administration built an indoor swimming pool in Yuquan Mountain.This swimming pool is less than four meters long. It is more like a big bathtub than a swimming pool.Probably the relevant leaders were afraid that something might happen to Mao Zedong in the water.Nothing can happen in this "big bathtub".

One day, I was walking in the yard with Mao Zedong, and Dr. Xu came over. "Chairman, I would like to ask you a few questions." Among the staff working around Mao Zedong at that time, Xu Tao was called a "big intellectual" by Mao Zedong because he was a top student at Beijing Medical University. In contrast, we guards, aunts, As a guard soldier, when he chatted with Mao Zedong, he opened his mouth and said that they were all "high-level". As soon as Mao Zedong saw him, he accelerated his walking speed. He knew that when this little doctor Xu came, he would definitely put forward a lot of "opinions" and "suggestions" every day about his sleeping, eating, etc. All are well-founded.Mao Zedong was a man who didn't follow the rules and never died. He had his own unique hobbies and rules of life. Whoever suggested something new to him, unless your theory made him have nothing to say, he would all reject it.Fortunately, the ink in Xu Tao's stomach is not light, so he can "compete" with Mao Zedong on some issues.

"My great intellectual, I'm taking a walk to rest now, you don't need to teach me any more lessons." Mao Zedong knew that the visitor was not friendly, so he hurriedly bowed his hands. Xu Tao was also very clever, he smiled and didn't speak yet.After Mao Zedong slowed down, he said nonchalantly: "Chairman, last time you told me that one of us likes social science and the other likes natural science, and we can learn from each other to make up for it. Now let me ask a question." Mao Zedong glanced at him. Xu Tao knew from his eyes that Mao Zedong had relaxed his "vigilance", so he said, "Chairman, can you tell me where the earliest life on earth came from?" Mao Zedong was worthy of being an astute politician, he seemed to realize that Dr. Xu was making another detour to trip him in, "Xu Tao, what are you going to do?" Dr. Xu said seriously: "Are you talking about natural science? You said that the two of us learn from each other to make up for each other. Can't you always test me?" Usually, we doctors and guards can be very casual with Mao Zedong, so we don't need to mind. "Sea water?" Mao Zedong replied. "So what's the best exercise?" Mao Zedong looked at Xu Tao, and there was a trace of kind sarcasm in his eyes: Are you Xu Tao trying to play tricks again?Mao Zedong put his hands behind his back, raised his head and chest, deliberately exaggerated his swaying posture when he walked, and walked in front of Xu Tao with his eyes upturned very proudly.In that way, it's like a naughty kid who wins. "A walk," he said. "No, it's swimming." Xu Tao said after taking the words.Mao Zedong suddenly turned his head and stared at him.Xu Tao became nervous, and hurriedly lowered his head to add: "I mean, returning to the water is returning to the birthplace of life." Yes, why didn't I remember that Mao Zedong once told me that he likes swimming.Standing aside, I suddenly remembered what Mao Zedong had said to me in the past, and I couldn't help but secretly admire Dr. Xu: "He is a college student after all." I hope he can convince Mao Zedong.Sure enough, Xu Tao gave Mao Zedong a list of benefits related to swimming.This is similar to what Mao Zedong said, except that the most important thing Mao Zedong said is missing: Swimming can be done without thinking.However, I think this one is aimed at Mao Zedong himself.Because there are too many things in his mind every day.The rest of Dr. Xu's theories are basically consistent with him.I secretly worked hard for Dr. Xu Tao. "It seems that you can swim?" Mao Zedong asked kindly. Xu Tao was proud: "That's needless to say! Chairman, don't worry, I will teach you, and I guarantee that you can learn it in a week." "Oh, the chairman can swim!" When I was about to open my mouth, I saw Mao Zedong's eyes cast on me, and he squeezed his eyes at me with a smile.I understand, the old man wants to play tricks on the young man with the big ax in front of Lu Ban's gate. Xu Tao reacted quickly, and suddenly asked suspiciously: "Chairman, can you swim?" Mao Zedong smiled slyly and didn't answer, just asked him: "Where are you going to teach me how to swim?" Xu Tao was encouraged and said loudly happily: "Yuquanshan indoor swimming pool, we will leave tomorrow, will it work?" "No, the day after tomorrow!" Mao Zedong thought for a while and said. "Okay, the day after tomorrow is the day after tomorrow, and then you can see how I am as a coach." Xu Tao was a little carried away, and ran over to grab my arm: "Yinqiao, you will also go the day after tomorrow." I was about to say to him: "You are not qualified as a coach." But Mao Zedong gave me a serious wink.I understood that he was going to "cure" his doctor about swimming.So I just nodded to Dr. Xu, and I was very happy, because on the one hand, I wanted to see how they sang this "drama", and on the other hand, Mao Zedong agreed to go swimming and engage in his favorite sport. This day has finally come.But when Mao Zedong came to Yuquan Mountain, he saw that the small swimming pool was built next to his residence in Yuquan Mountain.His face sank: "What's going on, when did this pool emerge?" The comrades in the administrative department had no choice but to explain: it was built just for him. Mao Zedong became angry when he heard it: "It was repaired for me? Why didn't you report such a big thing? Do you know when it is now? Outside is the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, and inside is the first five-year plan. Enlai, they can't wait to send a piece of paper every day." Divide the money into two halves. It’s good for you, how many times have I told you to repair the swimming pool for me, why don’t you do what you told me?” The comrade in the administrative department was told that his head was straight down. When it was over, Mao Zedong not only lost his interest in traveling, but also provoked a lot of anger. He turned to me and said, "Ask me how much it cost to build this pool, deduct it from my allowance and manuscript fee, and send it to the administrative office tomorrow." !” After saying that, he shook his hand and left. The next day, I followed Mao Zedong's wishes and asked the secretary to withdraw 10,000 yuan from his manuscript fee and hand it over to the administrative office. Because of this, Xu Tao didn't dare to talk to Mao Zedong about swimming for a while.Later I told him that Mao Zedong was angry because he should not have wasted money on building this swimming pool, and he had no objection to swimming.Dr. Xu regained his courage when he heard this. This time, Xu Tao decided to mobilize Mao Zedong to go to the swimming pool of Tsinghua University. Mao Zedong was a little reluctant at first, but Xu Tao said a few unnecessary words, which made Mao Zedong emotional. Xu Tao said to Mao Zedong like a national first-level coach: "Chairman, you don't need to be afraid. If nothing happens, I will protect you!" "What a big tone." Mao Zedong's eyes widened, and he intentionally moved closer to look Xu Tao up and down, "You protect me?" "Yes!" Xu Tao puffed his chest, "Chairman, this is not bragging. In terms of other things, I have never done as much as you in my life. When it comes to swimming, I..." He probably wanted to say: "I am better than you. "But I didn't say it after all, I just smiled and said: "I can still do it." Xu Tao, Xu Tao, you really don't know the heights of the sky and the depths of the earth.I kept stamping my feet for this guy who didn't know "heaven is high and earth is thick", but he didn't look at me at all, and kept showing off in front of Mao Zedong. "What if something happens?" Look, this Mao Zedong is still pretending to be serious and teasing Xu Tao! "I'll save you." Xu Tao patted his chest, "Your guards are all landlubbers, and I'll fight them one by one in the water! Just don't worry, don't be afraid!" "Oh, Xu Tao, Xu Tao, why didn't I realize that you still have this ability?" Mao Zedong's words were obviously teasing him, but Xu Tao didn't react at all, and was still boasting: "You haven't swum before, so naturally you don't know me!" I almost hurt my stomach from laughing. "Okay, let's go right away!" Mao Zedong seemed to be infected by Xu Tao's "general demeanor". With a wave of his hand, we went straight to Tsinghua University. "Chairman, don't be nervous. The most important thing to do in the water is to relax. Just as you often say that American imperialism is a paper tiger, water is also a paper tiger. You can step on its neck!" Xu Tao supported Mao Zedong while still I'm chattering "comfort"! Look at Mao Zedong again, that serious look.Looking at the two of them about to go into the water, I was about to laugh out loud. "Come on, Chairman, let's swim here." Xu Tao helped Mao Zedong walk in the shallow water.Mao Zedong was deliberately making trouble for him, and walked straight into the deep water area with both feet. "Hey, no, no, don't go that way, the water is deep there." Xu Tao became nervous. "What are you afraid of! I have you to protect me!" Mao Zedong walked faster. "This..." Xu Tao couldn't hold Mao Zedong with his hands, and he was in a hurry.At this moment, with a "plop", Mao Zedong's burly body suddenly bent forward and plunged into the water... "Chairman—!" Xu Tao screamed, and stood there dumbfounded in fright. At this time, Mao Zedong, who had already slipped a few feet away, swung his arms above his head with ease, lay flat on the surface of the pool, and then greeted the doctor whose face turned blue with fright: "Hey, Xu Tao, Hurry up and 'protect' me!" Xu Tao's expression was certain, and he finally recovered from his stupefaction, and shouted in surprise: "Chairman, you can swim!" "When was the first time you saw Mao Zedong swimming? Where is it?" I had heard about Mao Zedong's anecdotes about swimming earlier, and we hope that the head of the guard can talk about it in detail. "The first time - probably in 1953." Li Yinqiao recalled. "During the War of Liberation, we were in the Loess Plateau and the Hebei-Shanxi Mountains. There was no river, and life was tense every day. Mao Zedong never mentioned swimming. He only told me that he often swam in the Xiangjiang River when he was young. He always hated taking a bath. There was too little water and it was not enjoyable. At that time, I knew that Mao Zedong could swim. He asked me if I could, and I smiled and shook my head. "'Oh, it turned out to be a landlubber too!' Mao Zedong told me the benefits of swimming. Swimming can be in contact with nature. It is suitable for men, women and children. It is a whole-body exercise and is especially good for the heart, chest and lungs. Most importantly The good thing is that you can think about nothing while swimming. You can’t do this even with sleeping pills, because when you think about things in the water, you sink and you drink cold water. In the water, you have to be honest, what? Put the matter to the back of your mind, or the Dragon Lord will fill your stomach with water and make you sink without food! Whenever Mao Zedong talks about swimming, it can be seen that he is very excited."