Chapter 8 Chapter Eight: The Yellow Crane Tower That Can’t Get Down, The Red Wall That Can’t Get Out

As a great man in the history of the Chinese nation, Mao Zedong's image in the hearts of the people and the achievements he has created are incomparable to any emperor or monarch in the thousands of years of Chinese civilization history.No matter when he was alive, or today, more than 20 years after his death, no one can deny this. Mao Zedong's great life and people's admiration for him made him gradually become a "sage" and the image of the nation, the backbone of the country, respected and admired by hundreds of millions of people from an ordinary person.All of this, Mao Zedong is well deserved, no matter whether we have opposed the "personality superstition" yesterday or today, the people's feelings for their leaders are always sincere and understandable .

However, perhaps because of the people's feelings for Mao Zedong, Mao Zedong himself had to pay a heavy price in the decades after the founding of New China.Because Mao Zedong himself has always opposed his isolation from the people, and we, the guards and the public security department, who are responsible for his security work, must do the same. Mao Zedong was a very emotional person.In addition to his work, he likes to chat, talk and even joke with people casually.Especially as his image in the hearts of the people became more and more "deified", his desire became stronger, sometimes to the point of longing.Those of us ordinary people who curse the crowds on the street all day long in order to squeeze the bus or line up to buy a commodity that is in short supply, cannot imagine the wish of Mao Zedong, who is the lord of the country and aloof from above.Although the time when Mao Zedong was deified is getting farther and farther away from us, and today when some of us talk about the tragedies that occurred after Mao Zedong was deified in his later years, they always criticize Mao Zedong impassionedly without objective analysis. This great man is not that one, but if we think about it calmly and add a few more ifs, we will probably have a new understanding of the mistakes Mao Zedong made in his later years.Yes, if Mao Zedong could not be restricted by the guards and the relevant regulations of the central government, he could often contact the masses and understand the real situation from real life; if Mao Zedong could be like an ordinary leading cadre at the grassroots level, he could often go to the countryside , go to factories, go to the lowest level of society, and listen to the opinions of cadres and the masses on the party's policies, the line and guidelines formulated by themselves, and not rely on those who love to sing praises and report good news but not bad news. If we use the "reports" and "materials" on the Internet to understand the situation, the tragedy of the ten-year "Cultural Revolution" in Chinese history may not happen. Perhaps, China's modernization and the "moderate prosperity" of people's lives have already been realized today.Perhaps, Mao Zedong himself is an unprecedented great man.

It is impossible for a human being to have no shortcomings and mistakes, and Mao Zedong was the same.However, when we learned from the guards that Mao Zedong, the leader of hundreds of millions of people, could not just go to a farmhouse to have a meal of braised pork, or go to a factory to listen to the industrial construction there Whether it is done right or not, we have a new understanding of the root of Mao Zedong's mistakes in his later years. The following are the stories we heard from Mao Zedong's defenders. Although they will never appear in official historical documents and many party history textbooks, they give us another perspective on Mao Zedong and the reasons that led to Mao Zedong's mistakes in his later years. , there will be a deeper and more comprehensive understanding.

"I left Mao Zedong before the 'Cultural Revolution', and I don't know much about the mistakes he made in his later years. But one thing is clear to me, that is, as Mao Zedong's image in people's minds became higher and higher. For the sake of safety, his actions are more and more restricted. If I say that Mao Zedong's personal freedom is getting less and less as he gets older, many people may not believe it, but in fact it is. This phenomenon has become more and more serious since Mao Zedong entered Beijing and in the following decades.” Li Yinqiao, the head of the guard, recalled.In Yan'an and Xibaipo, as long as Mao Zedong wanted to, he could take a guard or a secretary by his side and go wherever he wanted.At that time, the social environment was just like the song sang "the sky in the liberated areas is a clear sky." Although we were facing Chiang Kai-shek's millions of rampant reactionary troops, Mao Zedong's safety was very safe.At that time, there was no distance between the people and Mao Zedong.Mao Zedong could wear cloth shoes, roll up his sleeves, and work with the old farmers to pinch dung balls and dig out mud. The villagers could also bring up baskets to send red dates and millet to Mao Zedong, which was very affectionate.However, when Mao Zedong said "The People's Republic of China was founded in" on the Tiananmen Gate Tower, and his feet stepped into the high red wall of Zhongnanhai, the situation was different.Here, what needs to be explained is: Mao Zedong himself has never put forward and expressed any suggestions on how to strengthen his operational security.All subsequent security regulations imposed on him were central.Absolutely guarantee the safety of Chairman Mao Zedong, the leader of the people, and the series of security measures taken by the central government are not wrong.

We can illustrate this from several things. The first event was the day of May 1, 1949.On this day, the weather was particularly sunny, and Beijing was in the midst of spring. At about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, I heard the electric bell ring in the duty room, and I knew that Mao Zedong had woken up from sleep, so I went straight to his bedroom. "Yinqiao, let's go to the Summer Palace." I was very happy to hear Mao Zedong say this.I thought to myself: The chairman should take a rest and change his mind.Because the People's Liberation Army successfully crossed the river in the past few months and Nanjing was liberated, the central government was very encouraged, and Mao Zedong was also in a good mood during this period.Often chant a few lines of Beijing opera.Just to prepare for the New Political Consultative Conference and a lot of things about the founding of New China, he met with democrats from all walks of life and drafted various documents day and night, and still couldn't rest well.But today, he can take the initiative to come to the Summer Palace, we staff members are naturally very happy, besides, we young people also want to have fun in the Summer Palace, a famous royal park both at home and abroad.At that time, the staff around Mao Zedong, including those old comrades who participated in the Long March, except for drilling ravines and living in cave dwellings, none of them enjoyed the blessing of visiting parks in the past!Probably Mao Zedong, an old man, knew what we were thinking, and said to me before we set off: "Call other comrades, and all who can go." So, almost all the comrades in our guard class were dispatched, which really benefited from his old man's glory.

The car soon arrived at the East Gate of the Summer Palace.As soon as we got out of the car, Mao Zedong left us and went straight to a car that was parked before us.Oh, so he has a date!At this time, we entourages suddenly realized. After he came to Beijing from Xibaipo to "rush for the exam", Mao Zedong met with democrats almost every day, or talked freely in the study, or had small discussions at the meeting place, or visited a certain gentleman's house in person.And there are many times when I meet famous people in theaters and parks.This time it is again.I couldn't help but sigh in my heart: Mao Zedong, Mao Zedong, what else is on his mind besides work?

"Hello, Chairman!" This time, I met an old gentleman with fluttering silver threads and long gown with slippers.He is Mr. Liu Yazi, a famous patriotic democrat.Because on the day we entered the capital, a ceremony of entering the city was held at Xijiao Airport. When reviewing the armed forces, Mr. Liu Yazi was also present as a welcome representative from all walks of life.Liu Yazi is an old friend of Mao Zedong. When Mao Zedong was at the Guangzhou Peasant Movement Institute, he met Mr. Liu Yazi and became a close friend ever since.At the First Plenary Session of the Seventh Central Committee of the Party, the Central Committee decided to hold the first Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference before the founding of New China.It happened in February 1949. Mao Zedong specially asked someone to telegraph Mr. Liu Yazi who was in Hong Kong in his own name, inviting him to attend the CPPCC meeting in Beijing.

Although Mr. Liu is small in stature, he has strong bones and is an indomitable democrat.The old man arrived in Beijing on March 18 this year.We followed Mao Zedong to Beijing on March 25.At that time, because it was the eve of the People's Liberation Army crossing the south of the Yangtze River, Mao Zedong was extremely busy with work and rushed to write an article "Comment on the White Paper". Therefore, the CPPCC meeting had to be postponed until September.Liu Yazi was very dissatisfied with this, and wrote a poem "Sentiments to Chairman Mao".In the poem, he compared himself to the "five deer" in the former Han Dynasty, complaining that he could not be reused, and threatened that his talents would not be met, and wanted to leave the political circle and return to his hometown to live in seclusion.

That day, when I was on duty, I was present when Mao Zedong read Liu Yazi's poem. After Mao Zedong finished reading Liu's poem, I said loudly, "My good fellow, you are so angry with me!" When I heard this, I quickly asked, "Chairman, who dares to get angry with you?" He smiled, waved his hands, and said, "It's all right, it's an old friend for decades!" "Who is it?" I asked curiously. "Liu Yazi, he is a great talent in China, a great talent. He organized the Progressive Literature Society at the end of the Qing Dynasty. He is a strong anti-imperialist, anti-feudal, and anti-Chiang Kai-shek!" From then on, the "Liu Changbeard" got some understanding.

At the end, Mao Zedong held Liu Yazi's poems, pondered for a moment, and said to himself: "When I have free time, I want to talk to him, just talk to him." On this day, we came to visit the Summer Palace on May 2.I didn't know at the time that Mao Zedong wrote a poem in reply to the poem "Sentiments to Chairman Mao" that he wrote specially for Liu Yazi on April 29 the day before. Mr. Liu Yazi".In response to Liu Yazi's dissatisfaction, bourgeois world outlook and serious individualism, Mao Zedong euphemistically criticized and advised Mr. Liu Yazi to proceed from the overall situation of the revolution and not stick to individualism with the poem "Too much complaints prevent heartbreak, and long-term things should be taken into account". small circle.

After Liu Yazi got Mao Zedong's poem, he touched his soul. He felt ashamed and inspired at the same time. Therefore, he invited Mao Zedong to "listen to teachings".In this way, Mao Zedong and him met in the Summer Palace on this day. On this day, Jiang Qing also went with Li Na. "Okay, Yazi, are you close?" Mao Zedong held his old friend's arms with both hands and looked at him carefully. "Okay, thanks to Chairman Mao!" Mr. Liu Yazi praised repeatedly. "——Brother Yazi, don't talk about the old chairman, between old friends, if you call me like that, I will not be free anymore." Mao Zedong stopped and said very seriously. Liu Yazi was taken aback, then stroked his beard, laughed heartily and said, "Alright, I'll still call you Brother Run, Brother Run." "That's all right!" Mao Zedong was also happy. It can be seen that Liu Yazi's full of complaints probably disappeared at this moment.While talking, the two walked towards the inside of the Summer Palace. I have seen the Grand Theater, visited the Garden of Harmonious Interests, and climbed up to the Yishou Hall. In the tea room, Mao Zedong and Liu Yazi sipped tea and discussed poetry, talking and laughing happily, creating an atmosphere of scholarly poets.About an hour later, Mao Zedong stood up and suggested: "Let's go, we are all very happy today, and go to the park for a good swim." "Okay, now that the tea is full and the complaints are gone, going to the garden - happy, happy!" Liu Yazi patted his stomach and readily agreed. After coming down from Yishou Hall, you directly enter the long corridor. Looking at the historical building in front of him, the poetic Liu Yazi sighed: "The Empress Dowager Cixi was corrupt and incompetent. She succumbed to the pressure of imperialism and signed many unequal treaties, which brought great pain and disaster to the Chinese people." She collected the blood and sweat of the Chinese people and dedicated it to imperialism to build her paradise, which is really shameful." When the old man got excited, he would put a pair of fists in the air and wave them. Mao Zedong was completely like a philosopher.He took Liu Lao's words and said: "However, things are always dialectical. She Cixi used the money to build the navy to build the Summer Palace, which was a crime at the time. Now it seems that even if the navy was established, it still needs to It was given to the imperialists. The Summer Palace was built, and the imperialists can’t take it away. The people can come and enjoy it today, so it’s better than squandering it with her and the princes in the court.” Liu Yazi admired Mao Zedong's ingenious remarks so much that he threw himself into the ground. "There is Mao Zedong in China! Chairman, you are so great!" His thumb stood straight in front of Mao Zedong's eyes. "Hey, you're here again, Brother Yazi, isn't that good!" After Mao Zedong said this, Mr. Liu Yazi felt embarrassed.However, he still said stubbornly: "Great, Run Zhi, Mao Zedong is great." After turning around, some of our guards helped Mao Zedong and Liu Yazi to the small steamer and Shifang, and the two discussed again.On the way, I met Lin Biao and Ye Qun, shook hands with each other, said goodbye after saying goodbye. At this time, Mao Zedong suggested: "Let's board a boat and swim on the lake." Liu Yazi readily agreed. A guard and I sat with him on one yacht, and the rest on the other. Taking advantage of the spring breeze rippling the lake, Mao Zedong and Liu Yazi were in high spirits. There were bursts of laughter on the lake from time to time. When the boat arrived in the middle of the lake, Mr. Liu Yazi raised the topic again.He said that today's victory is what we have been looking forward to for a long time.The victory of the Communist Party is certain.Because the Communist Party's line and policies are correct, in line with public opinion, and supported by the people, this is the basis of victory.However, we didn't expect that the People's Liberation Army would cross the river so quickly and occupy the south. We don't know what trick Chairman Mao used. Mao Zedong smiled, speaking in a strong Hunan dialect, and said: "There is no magic trick in war. If there is a magic trick, it is to know yourself and the enemy, and make correct decisions based on the actual situation. Also, as the old man said, the people The support of the people is the greatest ingenious plan. One million troops want to cross the river, and there are no warships and ships. Without the strong support of the people, it will not be successful. The people rely on the people to use local methods to build wooden boats, wooden rafts, and boats on the long river. Tens of thousands of wooden boats were dispatched together and headed straight to the opposite bank. In addition, we had a lot of artillery cover, and 300,000 troops passed quickly. Can you say this is a clever plan? This is common sense. But, such an ordinary Common sense, Chiang Kai-shek doesn't know... what he thinks is the natural danger of the Yangtze River, and the aid of the US imperialists. Those are all swan meat, which is too good to eat, so can he not fail?" "Hahaha... that's right." Liu Yazi repeatedly said yes. The cruise ship bypassed the island in the middle of the lake, and passed through the beautiful and magnificent Seventeen-Arch Bridge, preparing to berth on the east bank. This day coincided with the "May 1st" International Labor Day holiday, and there were many people visiting the garden. At that time, although Mao Zedong's security work was relatively tight, the method of "quiet garden" would never be adopted.However, news of Mao Zedong's visit to the Summer Palace spread like wildfire.When I saw the crowds of people around the shore, I couldn't help but get nervous.Because Beijing had just been liberated at that time, the underground activities of the hidden reactionaries and enemy agents in the city were very rampant. If there were bad guys hiding among the masses and playing tricks, the situation would be complicated. "Chairman Mao, it's Chairman Mao!" "Long live Chairman Mao!" "Long live Chairman Mao—!" On the shore, the crowd could already see the people on our boat, so they shouted slogans, and the crowds were crowded. The scene was spontaneous, so it was extremely enthusiastic and chaotic. Afraid of accidents, I asked Chairman Mao: "Chairman, should we go ashore in another place?" "Hey, don't change it, don't change it, it's all the masses, what's there to be afraid of!" At this time, Mao Zedong was already somewhat infected by the crowd scene on the shore, and he disagreed with my opinion. What matters is the masses, and Mao Zedong was never willing to take an attitude of ignoring them and simply walk away.It certainly does the same today. This made me even more nervous, because I know that today's security force is very insufficient. Except for a few of our guards and a few peripheral guards, there is almost no police force.It is very difficult for a dozen people to deal with hundreds of people in front of them. The guard Mao Zedong must not have the slightest loophole! I quickly asked the guards to stick to Mao Zedong back and forth, and I also had to take care of Mr. Liu Yazi. At the same time, I had to command several guards to maintain order as much as possible. However, when Mao Zedong came ashore, no matter how loudly I and a few guards cadres tried, we couldn't resist the raging waves of people. At that time, there were still a few months before the founding of New China, but the admiration for Mao Zedong had already spread throughout the people of Beijing.No one wants to miss the opportunity to witness Mao Zedong's demeanor in the park.There were more and more people onlookers, and they were desperately hugging Mao Zedong.Some people rushed to reach out to shake hands with Mao Zedong.It was the first time for us guards to see this kind of scene, so we were a little helpless, and our hearts were hanging in our throats with nervousness.The young men held hands, each with a burly body, guarding Mao Zedong, and was ready to defend Mao Zedong with his life at any time. Finally arrived at the gate of the park.However, the situation here is even worse. The people outside the gate were many times more than the people watching in the park!I was a little dumbfounded at the time.Once something happens, how can I, the chief guard, explain to the central government and the people of the whole country?The founding of New China is still waiting for Mao Zedong to announce it on the Tiananmen Gate tower!what to do?what to do? There is no other way!Thousands of people flocked even more desperately.At that time, I had only one choice, which was to defend Mao Zedong with my own life.But I alone can't stop all kinds of accidents that may happen suddenly from the left, right, front, back, and front.So, I ordered the guards to do the same. However, this did not solve any problems, except that we could not surround Mao Zedong like an iron wall, and Mao Zedong was also taller than our guards. In terms of guards, he was "" The target is too exposed." Let everything be fate! Wiping off my sweat, I glanced at Mao Zedong.There was no smile on his face, but his eyes were shining brightly.He is excited.He always looks like this when he's emotional.His emotions are completely integrated with the crowd.I really want to say a word of persuasion to him, please don't stop and get out of here immediately.But I know it won't work now. Everything is developing naturally. "Di-di-di-di-" At this moment, there was only a rush of whistles.Ah, I saw the savior: two teams of public security personnel and the People's Liberation Army team came in! The stone in my heart fell off at once. Mao Zedong and Liu Yazi finally got out of the crowd and boarded the car. "My God, today is too dangerous." On the way back, I said while taking off my soaked military uniform. But Mao Zedong said nonchalantly: "There is no need to be so nervous. There are so many people, even if there are bad people caught in the middle, he would not dare to shoot. His hands will tremble. Don't you need to be so nervous." He said it easily, but after returning to Shuangqing Villa in Xiangshan, my heart was still trembling for a long time! This is the first time.The second time was in Wuhan in February 1953. Mao Zedong spent the Spring Festival this year in Wuhan. As soon as he settled down, he asked me and the secretary to notify the leading comrades of the Central South Bureau and the Wuhan Municipal Party Committee to report the situation.At that time, many people went to our party, including Luo Ruiqing, Minister of Public Security, Yang Shangkun, director of the General Office of the Central Committee, and other comrades.Mao Zedong had great affection for Wuhan. He told me that he had been to Wuchang and Hankou as early as during the first Civil Revolutionary War, but he had never been to Hanyang.This time I really want to cross the river and go to Hanyang to have a look. The Central South Bureau, the Hubei Provincial Party Committee, and the Wuhan Municipal Party Committee attached great importance to Mao Zedong's arrival.The main leading comrades came to the place where Mao Zedong stayed almost every day to report on work and listen to instructions.At that time, the secretary of the Wuhan Municipal Party Committee was Comrade Wang Renzhong. At that time, Comrade Wang Renzhong was very young and appeared to be very capable. Mao Zedong seemed to appreciate this young municipal party secretary. He talked to Wang many times and expressed his important opinions. .He said: "The new China we established is a socialist new China. Therefore, I am in favor of progress and against conservative and backward. I don't want to see a backward China in this world." After entertaining the local party and government leaders and comrades in charge of a small number of departments for lunch, Mao Zedong took the hand of Liu Huinong, who was also the general manager of the Wuhan public-private joint venture Minsheng Shipping Company at the time, and said: "Comrade Liu Huinong, the three major parts of Wuhan, I have only been to Wuchang and Hankou. Two places, but I have never been to Hanyang, I want to visit, how about it?" "Chairman, this matter..." At that time, Liu Huinong seemed very embarrassed.Because before this, Minister Luo Ruiqing and others had already greeted the local comrades out of consideration for Mao Zedong's safety, hoping that everyone would cooperate in dissuading Mao Zedong from going to Hanyang.One is that the bridge had not been built at that time, the other was that there were no ships crossing the river, and the third was that the social order in Hanyang was still unstable. "Why, is there any difficulty?" Mao Zedong asked again. Liu Huinong had no choice but to make a statement. "The chairman had better not go." "why?" Liu Huinong brought up the above three reasons, but it is difficult for others to stop what Mao Zedong wants to do.He asked Liu back, "Have you, Liu Huinong, been to Hanyang? And you, Wang Renzhong, the first secretary of the municipal party committee, have you been to Hanyang?" Wang Renzhong and Liu Huinong replied: "Of course I have." Mao Zedong smiled with his hands on his hips.He asked again, "Then how did you get there?" "Sit in a boat." "Okay. You guys go by boat, and I will go by boat too." It seems that this trip will be done.I saw that Minister Luo Ruiqing had no choice but to rub the back of his head aside. At about ten o'clock the next day, the Long Navigation Bureau sent a boat, and when I saw Liu Huinong coming, I called out Mao Zedong, and several people boarded the boat together. According to Mao Zedong's meaning, the ship sailed until the rudder dropped and then returned.The boat was riding the wind and waves in the river, and Mao Zedong stood on the deck, patrolling both sides of the Han River with great interest, asking questions while watching, and the boat docked when it reached Gaogong Street in Hanyang. "Is the Hanyang Arsenal in the Qing Dynasty located in this area?" Mao Zedong asked on the road. Liu Huinong pointed to the towering Guishan foothills and said that it was there.However, in the early days of the Anti-Japanese War, the Kuomintang moved the factory equipment to Sichuan, and the original factory buildings were blown up by the Japanese invaders. In the second half of 1950, the Wuhan Municipal People's Government built a cotton textile factory there. Mao Zedong nodded thoughtfully, and said: "Back then Li Hongzhang knew that he wanted to build his country's military industry, but he did so to consolidate their reactionary feudal dynasty. Now, we also want to build factories for the happiness of the people. prosperity of the country." On the way back, Mao Zedong stood on the deck and asked Wang Renzhong and Liu Huinong with concern: "Do ordinary people have to take a boat when they think of Hanyang?" When he got an affirmative answer, Mao Zedong said: "The Yangtze River Bridge between Wuchang and Hankou The central government and Hubei Province have already started to work, and there should be a bridge on the Han River, which can connect the three towns of Wuhan into one, which will be convenient for the masses, and the construction of Wuhan will have a leap forward.” Wang Renzhong happily promised to follow Mao Zedong's instructions to speed up the construction of water transportation in the three towns of Wuhan. In just two or three days, from Mao Zedong's conversations with the leaders of Hubei Province and Wuhan City, I gradually understood how much Mao Zedong cared about the strategic construction of Wuhan City, an important city in the south of China.Like directing the three major battles, he gave decision-making instructions to the work of the newly born local people's government.I couldn't help but secretly admire Mao Zedong's greatness: he was not only a great strategist on the battlefield, but also a great architect of construction. As a guard of Mao Zedong, I did not expect that something happened to Mao Zedong in the next day that made me break out in a cold sweat. That was February 18th.It happened to be the fifth day of the first lunar month.Mao Zedong had been sleeping very well for the past two days, and he could lie down and sleep for several hours at three or four in the morning every day.Because he had to listen to reports and visit factories and cities during the day, he also learned to work during the day. On the 18th, after Mao Zedong got up, he said to me: "Yinqiao, is today the fifth day of the Lunar New Year? Well, as the saying goes, eat and drink enough on the third and fourth day of the new year, and the lantern festival on the fifth and sixth day. It is now On busy days outside, we also go out for a walk." "Oh no, Minister Luo and the others won't agree." I was anxious, and said casually: Minister Luo Ruiqing has ordered, in order to prevent accidents, the central government does not allow Mao Zedong to walk around the people casually. "Don't let the eldest son Luo know, let's go by ourselves!" Mao Zedong winked at me like a naughty child.To be honest, I really wanted to promise him at the time.Because I know that the high-ranking Mao Zedong really wanted to go shopping in the streets like an ordinary person, go to a small stall to eat a bowl of tofu nao, and have a happy chat with the old man for a while. But I absolutely can't do that. So, I still reported to Minister Luo Ruiqing-for this, I must obey Luo Ruiqing, not Mao Zedong himself. It cannot be stopped.Minister Luo suggested that you can go out for a walk, but you must wear a mask. So Luo Ruiqing, Yang Shangkun, Li Xiannian, Wang Renzhong, Liu Huinong, Yang Qiqing and other leading comrades, together with me and several guards, accompanied Mao Zedong, who was wearing a mask, up the stairs to Guishan Snake Mountain. During the third Spring Festival after the founding of New China, there were a lot of people visiting the park.Our group of ten or twenty people, no matter how we gathered Mao Zedong in the middle, was extremely conspicuous after all.When I climbed the Yellow Crane Tower, when Mao Zedong looked back on the railing and looked down on the beautiful scenery of Jiangcheng with great interest, a few elementary school students slipped past my armpit.As the saying goes, people have small eyes.A few meters away from the burly Mao Zedong, these elementary school students looked at the big man "wearing a mask" with curiosity and doubts.Coincidentally, Mao Zedong's eyes moved to the primary school students. "Chairman Mao?!" A child exclaimed in surprise. It didn't matter if he called it, but Mao Zedong nodded to the children again.It was so lively now, a few elementary school students shouted like a few drops of water splashed into a boiling oil pan: "Chairman Mao!" "Chairman Mao is here!" "Chairman Mao is coming—!" In an instant, the good news spread around the Yellow Crane Tower as if it had grown wings, and spread throughout the streets and alleys of the three towns of Jiangcheng. Thousands of students and citizens rushed towards the Yellow Crane Tower like a tide. "Long live Chairman Mao!" The slogans and cheers of "Long live Chairman Mao!" erupted on both sides of Jiangcheng.Standing on the stone steps going down from the Yellow Crane Tower, I raised my head and eyes, and my face immediately changed color: this time there are many times more people than there are in Kunming Lake!Besides, here is no better than Beijing. During Mao Zedong’s foreign tour, we were extremely unfamiliar with a river city once occupied by the Kuomintang puppet regime. Its enemy situation, social situation, terrain and transportation were all very unfamiliar.Once an accident happens, you can stare blankly! I couldn't help turning my eyes to General Luo Ruiqing, the Minister of Public Security, the "big guard".Unexpectedly, Minister Luo Ruiqing, who has been on the battlefield for a long time, is as tense as me at this moment. "Quick, quickly surround the chairman!" He yelled at me. So, several of our guards and local security personnel quickly surrounded Mao Zedong with arms. However, how could the few of us withstand the crowds that came like Mount Tai! "Come on, let's circle around again!" Seeing that something was wrong, Yang Shangkun, Li Xiannian, Luo Ruiqing, Wang Renzhong, Yang Qiqing and other leaders also ignored their own image, imitating our appearance, holding hands and leaning against each other. Facing the crowd, the feet kicked hard on the ground, and pulled another circle outside our circle.They yelled, yelled, and used their positions to persuade and order the masses not to crowd or crowd, but the masses seemed to not hear them at all, or they didn't pay attention to them at all.They want to see Mao Zedong, want to shake hands with the great savior, and have a word. "This won't work. We have to find a way to contact the city, send troops, and send comrades from the Public Security Bureau to help!" "But how can I get out?" I listened to Luo Ruiqing, Li Xiannian, and Wang Renzhong discussing hastily.Yes, who can get out?Li Xiannian and Wang Renzhong are the leaders of the local province and city, so there is no way to transfer people from the province or city at this time.At that time, it would be nice to have a walkie-talkie or something like now.But if the army and public security personnel come, what can we do in the face of such a scene? There is no other way but to let nature take its course! Although that was the only way we could do it at the time, what we still wanted was to get Mao Zedong safely out of the Yellow Crane Tower, where there was no village in front and no shop behind.Because the goal here is too big, and the surrounding area is wide and open, within an hour, hundreds of thousands or millions of people will flock here, and the situation will become more complicated at that time.The onlookers wanted to have a glimpse of Mao Zedong, and they didn't pay much attention to Mao Zedong's safety.People who could see Mao Zedong in the front hoped to spend more time with their savior, while those who couldn't witness the leader's demeanor in the back were even more anxious and would desperately embrace him. Who can guarantee that nothing will happen? "Head of the guard, no... no!" The guard Zhao Hetong said to me out of breath. I wanted to ask him what was the matter, but my throat was so dry that I couldn't speak.I had no choice but to shake my fist to signal him to persist. "Water...the iron water bottles are all crushed!" Xiao Zhao told me. "Even if people... are crushed, we must... defend Chairman Mao!" I finally shouted at him and other guards with a fiery voice. I don't know how much sweat I sweated, I just feel that my head is going to explode in a while! How to do it? "Minister Luo, let's try to move towards the river. This is the closest place to the river." I asked Luo Ruiqing for instructions, and he nodded repeatedly. So, all of us guarding Mao Zedong moved towards the river step by step while shouting. There are too many people, no matter how hard we try, we can't move a few steps.Seeing that we were all about to collapse, Luo Ruiqing, Yang Shangkun, Li Xiannian, Wang Renzhong and other leaders became impatient, and shouted to the crowd with livid faces: "Don't squeeze anymore, don't squeeze anymore!" Safety considerations!" "Everyone consciously make way for Chairman Mao to go?" Luo Ruiqing shouted. Somehow, the crowd who crowded you and me suddenly seemed to understand something, and even consciously flashed a "road" from the sea of ​​people that the needle could not penetrate. In this way, Mao Zedong calmly left the Yellow Crane Tower without any pressure, walked to the river, and boarded the boat! I cried, and the guards and guard fighters all cried.Unexpectedly, the masses are so consciously acting!I really want to kneel down and kowtow to them. As soon as Mao Zedong boarded the boat, he took off the mask on his face, turned around and waved to the crowd. For a long time, the crowd on the bank was undulating like the sea, and the applause and cheers went straight to the sky.I saw so many people shouting and screaming and jumping, the state of ecstasy is indescribable. Our boat sailed, and the crowds on the shore flowed with our boat. Standing in the river and watching this magnificent scene, everyone was moved. Mao Zedong finally arrived at his residence safely, but Minister Luo Ruiqing and Comrade Yang Qiqing, who were in charge of security, couldn't sit still. Feeling deeply disturbed, they came to check on Mao Zedong, saying that they had neglected their duties and failed to do a good job in security.Afterwards, he also solemnly checked with the Political Bureau of the Central Committee. What about Mao Zedong?He didn't mind this at all, and when Luo and Yang were still infatuated with the Yellow Crane Tower during the inspection, he couldn't stop laughing, and didn't blame his "big guard" at all, but just said something humorously, "It's really impossible to get down from the Yellow Crane Tower!" The Summer Palace and the Yellow Crane Tower didn't matter, but Mao Zedong never had his "freedom" again.In order to ensure the absolute safety of Mao Zedong, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee held a special meeting to study several new measures to strengthen his security. After returning from the meeting, Mao Zedong said to me: "The eldest son Luo tied a rope around my feet again. Isn't that good? It's not good to separate me from the crowd." It was obvious that he was not happy with this practice. Yes, but there was nothing he could do, because the Yellow Crane Tower had left a deep impression on him. I was very happy to hear that.Keeping Mao Zedong safe is the most important thing for me, the head of the guard. But then I found that I was too happy too early.Mao Zedong was a very active person, and his thinking was extremely active. Except for his work and meetings, what he thought of anytime and anywhere was to go down and learn about the situation among the masses.Although there are several secretaries and hundreds of security personnel around him, the central government sends him documents and materials from various places and departments every day, as well as some letters from the masses. In Mao Zedong's words, these are "second hand material".He is a leader who attaches great importance to first-hand information. He taught others that "to know the taste of pears, you should taste them yourself", and he himself was the first to do so.He is the leader of the people. He is always concerned about the lives and sufferings of the people. He is the chairman of the party and the country.The comrades in the General Office of the Central Committee knew his temper, so they kept sending him materials, but the more these materials were sent, the more Mao Zedong wanted to go down there to have a look and listen to them. However, he had no freedom.不能随便走，就是出中南海，也必须经中央批准。他渐渐开始不满，甚至有些气愤。 “他们是想让我当关在皇宫里的皇帝爷么，我不干，我不要他们把我的手脚捆住，不到下面亲自走一走，听一听，我怎么能知道下面到底是个啥样？” “材料，光靠材料能了解情况，解决问题吗？” “如今会送材料的人多着呢！他们给你送的材料，专报好的，坏的是不报的！” 毛泽东经常当着我们的面，发泄着心中的不满。 可在这一点上，中央并不怎么让步。而且理由十分充足：毛泽东主席的安全，不仅仅是他个人的事，是全党以及整个国家的大事。 作为卫士长，我非常理解中央的精神，但同时我又非常同情毛泽东。 跟他时间久了，对他想说想做的事基本上能摸个八九不离十。我了解毛泽东，他来自韶山冲的农民家庭，所以他时刻把群众的冷暖疾苦放在心头，在新民主主义革命时期，他的精力全部倾注在民族解放事业上，对打仗、对同蒋介石斗争，他是那样地运筹帷幄，那样地稳操胜券。可搞社会主义，搞工农业生产，我看得出这不仅对中国共产党是个全新课题，对毛泽东而言同样也是个全新的课题。毛泽东是人民领袖，因此，越是处于这样的地位，他越想了解自己制定的方针政策到底有多少是符合广大人民群众利益的，有多少还没有考虑到或是偏离的，人民群众对他所制定的方针政策有多少是满意的，又有多少是不满意的，他统统想知道。 “我是人民选的主席，办好人民的事，我心里才踏实。”毛泽东不止一次对我这样申述他的心头话。 从黄鹤楼出现的意外后，毛泽东想“动一动”就不是那么随心所欲了。下去是可以的，但必须是先要报中央批准——当然一般都是能批准的。但这种情况就不那么自然和客观了。 先说对毛泽东的保护吧，每次出去，就必须先由公安部门通知沿途各单位进行严格的一丝不漏的检查，然后便是精心的布置，譬如估计毛泽东要同什么人谈话，或者聊几句，于是就百里挑一地事先“培养”好几个。如果时间允许，有关部门还要求“彩排”，以保证绝无差错。有关部门知道毛泽东随意性很大，于是就得事先安排好几种方案，以应付需要。 于是，毛泽东的每一次到基层的巡视、考察、参观、座谈……便成为有关部门们“导演”的一出出戏了。真真假假，假假真真，使毛泽东下基层了解第一手情况的本意就在这样的精心安排下，很大程度上都变了样，走了调。 现在我想，人们议论毛泽东晚年所犯的错误，难道与这些情况和做法没有一点相关的因素吗？ 在警卫方面自然更是要求万无一失了。前面警车开道，后面重兵保驾，四周还有便衣警戒，卫士和警卫前呼后拥……那时还不像现在有那么多先进的警备器械，漂亮的防暴防弹轿车，所以只好多派出些人了。于是，毛泽东每到一处，要真正见的群众、干部倒没有几个人，而警卫、安全人员却是一卡车一卡车的。 这种情况，毛泽东不是察觉不到，而是没有办法。久而久之，他慢慢也习惯了，这毕竟比在中南海要好多了。 小人物有小人物的可悲之处，大人物也有大人物的可悲之处。毛泽东的一生有许多不尽如人意的地方，在我看来，他不能像普通人那样活得自由自在，便是他的一大可悲之处。 虽说我是他的卫士长，在权力上无法与毛泽东相论比，但平时，我有比他多得多的自由权利。我随毛泽东进中南海后，家就安在与毛泽东的住处丰泽园仅前后院之隔。平时，毛泽东是不能出这丰泽园的后墙的，而我却不一样。走进红墙我是毛泽东的卫士长，站得有站相，坐得有坐相，可出了丰泽园、回到自己的家，我就是一个自由自在的人了。爱到大街上遛个弯，爱到小摊喝碗棒子粥，啥都可以，而这一切，毛泽东是无法与我相比的。他什么都不能，什么都不会得到。 有一个星期一，我到毛泽东房间。他见我后，便放下手中的文件，很随便地问我星期天都回家干些什么？我说带着小韩——我的爱人一起去看地坛庙会。 毛泽东一听两眼顿时露出十分羡慕的目光，说：“那可一定是很热闹的呀。什么放风筝，卖糖葫芦喽，耍把戏的，要是我去，一定尝一碗大碗茶，北京的大碗茶很有名哩！我第一次喝它还是李大钊先生告诉我的，要到前门才能喝得到正经大碗茶。” “唉——时间过得真快呀，一晃就是二三十年。”毛泽东半躺在椅子上，长叹一声，不无遗憾地说：“要是还像当年那样，口袋里揣上几个铜板，一个人哼着小调，去店铺喝上一碗大碗茶该有多好么！” 听了毛泽东的感慨，我心头好一阵激动。我真想说：“主席，我带您去前门喝大碗茶。”可我始终没有说出口，铁的纪律不允许我这样做。 我不由自已地为领袖连随随便便上街遛一趟，喝一碗大碗茶的自由都不能得到而深深感到……我不知道怎样用言词来宽慰毛泽东。 “银桥，你还记得那次在黄河边我们一起到农村搞调查的事吗？”许久，毛泽东缓缓地问我。 “记得，主席。那次您带我转了十几个村子，走了十几天时间，收获很大。”这样的事，我怎么会不记得呢？那是在转战陕北的时候，也就是毛泽东第一次单独让我跟着他到农村调查，回来后让我写《旅行记》的那次。 “收获是很大呀，那时我出去可以随随便便地到老乡家，跟他们一起住窑洞，上炕头，在地里撒粪土……那时有多好哇。” 是啊，那时确实值得我永远的回忆。 那时胡宗南部队在毛泽东指挥的我军沉重打击下，已开始无力向我们发淫威了。部队到达黄河边的神泉堡后，借战事间隙，毛泽东跟周恩来、任弼时、彭德怀打过招呼后，便带着我及一个警卫班开始了一次农村社会调查。那是一次十分愉快和轻松的社会调查。毛泽东想到哪儿，就到哪儿，完全不像以后外出时那种前呼后拥的样子。在陕北解放区，有不少人是亲眼见过毛泽东的，而大多数人则是从画像上见过他。解放区的治安也十分好，群众觉悟也高，我们给毛泽东当警卫也就用不着那么紧张了。 毛泽东走东村，跑西寨，就像小时候在韶山冲的田埂上走一样，非常随便，他每到一处，就跟老乡一起推碾子，唠家常。 一次，毛泽东与老乡在一起，在一个粪堆旁，用手捏着粪肥。毛泽东问老乡：“你们往常都给地里施些什么肥呀？” 一个老乡说：“主要是上粪肥，有时，也上些草肥。” 毛泽东又问：“够不够庄稼生长呢？” 老乡说不怎么够。于是，毛泽东便转身指指窑洞，说：“我住过好几个窑洞，墙上的土皮都熏得黑油油的，这可是很好的肥料，为什么没人用呢？” 老乡们憨厚地笑了起来，七嘴八舌地议论着。有的说：“窑洞的黑土是灶老爷的衣裳，是使不得撒在地里的。”有的说：“祖辈人没有这么用过，所以，我们也没人用。” 毛泽东听后笑了，说：“我们现在种地，就是要跟先人有点不一样，要不然就提高不了产量，今后要科学种地，科学种地就像我们跟胡宗南打仗一样，得讲究点道道哩！” 老乡们连连点头。 毛泽东接着又说：“要说窑洞里的黑土动不得，我看这就不太对头了。天上的老天爷最讲究干净的，我想，这灶老爷也总不是觉得越脏越好吧？你给它刮去黑皮，时常穿上新衣裳，它不是会更高兴么！” “哈哈哈……”毛泽东把深刻的道理，渗进幽默的比喻中，老乡们听了无不赞同，田间里一片欢声笑语。 几个与毛泽东年龄差不多的老乡，一边笑着一边还拍着毛泽东的肩膀，连声说道：“有你的，真有你的！”当时我站在一旁，目睹这情景，心里感到好舒服。人民领袖与人民真如鱼水一般的交融！ 当时，是陕北行政区实行土改后的第一个秋收，农民们都喜气洋洋，像过年一般，在毛泽东搞调查的这一路上，不时有中央和陕北临时人民政府的领导及当地干部向他汇报各方面的情况。每次毛泽东要求他们详细地把农民生活和土改中出现的问题讲给他听，而更多的是毛泽东他自己直接与农民们在一边劳动一边交谈中了解情况。 那几天，毛泽东跟农民一样高兴，他帮老乡们打谷子刨山药就像帮自己家的人干活一样。我怕他累了，便劝他休息。毛泽东摆摆手，说：“跟着老乡们搞秋收，干得越多，我心里越高兴，高兴了就不累了么！” 打谷场角上有一群娃娃们在掰玉米。娃娃们认得毛泽东，便叽叽喳喳地围着“毛爷爷”要他讲打仗的故事。 毛泽东挤挤眼，打趣地对娃娃们说：“你们先回答我一个问题，如果回答出来，我就给你们讲打刘戡的故事。怎么样？” 于是，娃娃们“嗷嗷”地叫起来，瞅着毛泽东出问题。 “你们谁是地主呀？”突然，毛泽东两手叉腰，一本正经地放开粗嗓门，说道。 娃娃们你看看我，我看看你，认真地分辩说：“地主都给我们斗倒了，谁也不是地主。” 毛泽东便又压低粗嗓子逗孩子道：“不是地主，怎么会有这么多粮食呢？” 娃娃们一听是这个问题，便勇敢地抢着说道：“土改了，我们有了地，这是好几家的粮食呢！” 毛泽东笑了，装作刚明白的样子：“哈，原来是大家的！” 娃娃们立刻又叫又跳地拥向毛泽东，有的抱着他的腿，有的往他肩膀上爬：“你逗我们呢！你逗我们呢！……” 毛泽东开怀大笑起来，边笑边举着双手：“好好好，我投降，我投降。” 一天，我跟着他离开南河底村后，便来到了白云山一带。那个山上有座白云寺庙，很大。毛泽东突然问我：“银桥，你到过寺庙吗？” 我说：“小时候跟妈去过小庙烧过香，大庙没见过。” 毛泽东乐了，说：“看来你又跟我一样了。我小时候也是跟母亲到过小庙烧过香，还磕过头呢！不过，我比你强一点，我见过大庙哩！那是在长沙读书时，我与一个同学曾一次徒步五个县搞社会调查，我们身上一文不名，有一次到了微山寺，讨得一顿斋。那寺庙好大哟，方丈是个很有学问的人……” 片刻，毛泽东转头问我：“想不想去看庙？” 我犹豫了：“这……不都是些迷信吗？” “片面片面，那是文化，懂吗？寺庙是中国传统的名胜古迹，它是宗教文化的集中地。是一种了不起的文化。” 我摇摇头，心想：我只知道书本上的东西才是文化呢！ “明天，我们上山一定去看看庙。”毛泽东兴致很高。 第二天早晨，天气晴朗。毛泽东手持柳木棍，带着我，顺盘山的松林阴道，向山上走去。当地的县长闻讯后也从县城赶了来，陪我们一起上山。 到了山顶，毛泽东俯瞰大地，脸上露出了惊喜的神色，那博大的胸膛深深地吸了一口新鲜空气，对我说：“银桥，你看要是再有点云，今天我们可真成了腾云驾雾的神仙了！” 可不是，我高兴地笑了。问：“主席，世上真有神仙吗？” “有啊。”毛泽东一本正经地睁大两眼对我说：“能改变这个世界，能呼风唤雨的就是神仙。这个神仙就是我们的人民，我们的党，我们的军队哇！” 我和县长听他这一说，都笑了。是啊，难道不是这样吗？我们的人民用双手能在地上种出粮，造出田；我们的党领导人民从黑暗中走出，建立起自己的光明社会；我们的军队能以一当十，在短短时间内，打得胡宗南部队落花流水，难道这不是神仙吗？可这一切，难道不都是您毛泽东领导的结果吗？啊，毛泽东，您才是神仙呢！ 我真想把自己的心里话告诉毛泽东。我刚想说，却见茂密的柏树丛里钻出一个老和尚。 老和尚非常有礼貌。看见是县长陪着的，料定是个大人物，于是便合掌施礼。 毛泽东很高兴地上前与他握手，说：“老师父，我们来参观参观你的这个大寺庙。” 老和尚忙弯腰说：“欢迎欢迎，首长请。” 毛泽东笑了：“你们过去是称'施主'么，怎么改口了？可别破坏了佛门的规矩。” 老和尚一听，肃然起敬地重新打量了一下毛泽东，我见他的目光里闪着光芒。 进了寺庙，后入至方丈。屋子里显然是久日无人打扫过，桌椅上蒙了不少灰尘。老和尚又吹又掸的，毛泽东忙说：“不要费事了，我们很随便坐下来聊聊么。” 老和尚还是很客气地给毛泽东沏上一碗香茶，而后才坐下。 “你们现在生活怎么样？”毛泽东问。 老和尚敬畏地望了一眼县长后，含糊地答道：“好，好着哩！” 毛泽东笑着一摆手，说：“出家人是不打诳语的，你们是讲究超脱的，要讲实话。” 老和尚听后很是感动，于是也就不看县长，只管与毛泽东聊道：“不瞒施主，以前这儿信神的多，出家人也多，布施的人多，收入也多，我们生活得很好。后来成了解放区，信神的人就少了，出家的人也少了，来布施的人更少，所以我们的生活便有时显得困难。” “嗯，很好，这才是实话。”毛泽东频频点头。又问：“有什么困难你都说说。” 老和尚受了鼓励，于是便放开了胆子：“施主您是明白的，布施的人少，即便遇到庙会也收不了几个钱，我们吃穿就都有困难了。现在庙里的人已经走了不少。后来人民政府叫我们自力更生，种点地，搞些生产，开头不习惯，干干就手脚灵活了，倒也能劳动。” “好，这可是一大进步。”毛泽东十分赞许道，“你说说，现在生活到底怎样呢？” “出家人不打诳语。现在我们自己打的粮食够吃，其他什么穿衣、治病、修理寺院，一概都由政府包下来。再加上收些布施香火，生活倒也蛮好的了。”老和尚说。 毛泽东听到这里，脸上终于露出宽慰的微笑。“老师父，你看这样安排还妥当吗？” 老和尚连忙拱起双手，做鞠躬状：“托您的福，安排很周到。如今我们出家人也得随着社会一起进步啊！” “讲得好！讲得好！”毛泽东好不高兴，说：“社会变了，人也要变，过去和尚一不生产人口，二不生产粮食。现在要随社会变一变。不生产人口可以，不劳动可不行。我们共产党人是保护宗教信仰的，将来全国解放后也要这样做。不过，和尚还有尼姑们，得参加一些能养活自己的劳动，参加劳动一可以解决吃饭问题，二可以增强身体。老师父，今天我来到你这儿真是'取经'了。” 老和尚高兴得连连点点头：“不敢不敢。” 毛泽东接着又问了有关寺庙的情况，完后便在老和尚的领路下，参观了整个寺庙。 这座白云山寺庙很大，有五十余座殿、堂、庭、阁。毛泽东对那些雕刻、塑像、石碑、牌匾之类尤感兴趣，一块一块地看，一字一字地读，并不时感叹地说：“这些东西，都是我们中华民族的历史文化遗产，一定要保护好，不要把它毁坏了。”转头，他对县长说：“县长同志，请县里再拨一些经费，这寺庙有些地方已失修多年了，得给它重新修一下了。”县长马上掏出小本本记上。 要告别了，老和尚依依不舍地送我们出了寺庙，临别时说：“明天是九月九，这里有庙会，还有大戏，欢迎施主光临。” “噢？明天就是庙会呀！”毛泽东很高兴地接受了邀请，“好，明天我们就来看大戏。” 下山时，我见毛泽东的脚步似乎轻松了许多。看得出，他的心头又去了一桩心事——这大概就是他平时难有闲暇顾及的而又十分注意的我党的宗教政策落实情况。白云寺庙这一趟，使他得到了满意的答案。 说实在的，当时我也很高兴，为毛泽东高兴，也为明天能同毛泽东再来看大戏而高兴。 第二天一早，大路上就已经是热热闹闹的了，老乡们三三两两地喧嚷着上山赶庙会去了。 毛泽东的兴致并不亚于老乡们，他拉着我的手就往山上走：“快，咱们也去赶庙会，看大戏。” 不过，我倒是一时犹豫了：“主席，我们别去了吧？” “为什么？”毛泽东感到突然。 我说：“人这么多，乱糟糟的，怕不安全。” “哎哟，有什么怕的么。”毛泽东满不在乎地说，“要知道，赶庙会就是赶热闹，人少了还有什么意思？再说，赶庙会的人都是去求菩萨保佑、平安无事，谁还敢生是非呀？” 经他这么一说，我也就没坚持了。 一路上，毛泽东又滔滔不绝地给我讲开了：“看庙看文化，看戏看民情。不懂文化不解民情，革命是搞不好的。老百姓利用庙会是去行善做买卖，我们去可以学到很多知识，了解这一带民情和风俗，这对我们接近群众好处大着呢！” 他总是有一套目的的。在我跟他在一起的以后的那些日子里，渐渐了解到毛泽东为了同群众接触，了解到下面的真实情况，只要有可能，他是什么事、什么形式都愿意去做的。 九月初九是重阳节，又是庙会正日，山上的人多极了。庙里庙外，香烟缭绕，木鱼声、念经声，加上庙场上的戏台锣鼓声，可谓好不热闹。 毛泽东没有进殿，只身来到了戏场。那天开场戏是山西梆子。看戏的人很多，开始人们并不知道毛泽东也来了，于是毛泽东就挤在群众后面伸长了脖子朝台上看。他平时对京剧感兴趣，现在有山西梆子，也能对付。 看了一会儿，突然有人发现了毛泽东，于是，戏场里就骚动起来。“毛主席来了！”“毛主席来了！”老乡们兴奋得连戏都不看了，转身都向毛泽东拥来。还有人给他搬来凳子请他坐。毛泽东连连摆手：“不要不要，大家都站着看，我一个人坐着，不是太孤立了吗？”说着便朝人群里挤。 这当儿，台上的戏也演不成了，演员们也挤出后幕来看毛泽东。台上台下，热烈流淌着群众对自己领袖的一种崇敬的心潮。 毛泽东有点待不住了，悄声招呼群众：“老乡亲，看戏吧，今天我们是来看戏的，可不是来看我的。”然后又招呼台上的演员：“你们赶快演吧，我和老乡们是来看你们演戏的呀！”这才又重新演戏了。 那十几天时间里，毛泽东是那样的轻松愉快，自由自在。而且吃得好，睡得好，要不是后来周恩来派人送信来，说中央机关要搬地方，我想毛泽东还会带着我多走几个村寨呢！ 毛泽东是那么渴望能到他的群众中去。什么叫鱼水关系，我觉得毛泽东与人民群众之间的关系，才是最好最好的体现。他渴望到群众中去，像鱼儿渴望到水中去一样，离开了群众，他就会心慌、烦躁、坐立不安，一旦到了群众中去，下了基层，他就是那样的兴奋、快活、谈笑风生。 那时，中国还没有全部解放，可如今，全国都解放了，整个天下都是他和人民的了，然而作为一国之主的他竟不能想到哪儿就到哪儿，这能不使毛泽东焦躁、发怒？可面对高高的红墙，他又能怎样呢？ 可他却不能轻易地迈出这座红墙，别说是高高的红墙，就是要从我这个卫士长身边走出，也不是件容易的事。 我时常为毛泽东难过，而更多的是同情他。 于是，我也总想在尽可能的情况下，利用我的权力，给予毛泽东一点“自由”。但这机会毕竟太少，而且我实在不敢斗胆做出这种也许会酿成比天还要大的严重后果。然而，我依然想，这种机会总是有可能的。因为我太了解毛泽东了，一旦他离开了人民群众，时间稍稍一久见不到来自底层的声音，他就会发闷发慌，坐立不安。他是人民的领袖啊！ 可是，现实却是无情的。解放初期，逃到台湾的蒋介石国