Chapter 30 independent

In 1937, the Trotskyist unified organization in Shanghai learned that after Chen Duxiu was released from prison, they sent people to Nanjing and asked Chen to return to Shanghai to participate in the activities of the Trotskyite organization.Chen deeply felt the complexity of the interpersonal relationship within the Trotskyist organization, and he had a bad relationship with Peng Shuzhi and Liu Jialiang, so he refused to return to Shanghai. Luo Han wanted Chen Duxiu to cooperate with the CCP. The Trotskyites were furious when they learned about it, and issued a statement to disregard their relationship with Chen Duxiu and Luo Han: "In the past or in the future, any personal actions similar to this have nothing to do with the entire alliance. Combined statement." Regarding the statement of the Trotskyites, Chen Duxiu said: "I only pay attention to my own independent thinking and do not accommodate anyone's opinions. The remarks I made here have been widely stated to others, and they are only my own. Opinion, does not represent anyone. I am no longer affiliated to any party, I am not ordered by anyone, and I am responsible for myself. I don’t know who my friends will be in the future. I am not afraid of isolation.”

Once, Chen Duxiu told Bao Huiseng that he was no longer a Trotskyist. He heard from Bao that he had a journalist friend whom he could talk to, so he planned to announce that he was not a Trotskyist in the form of an interview with a reporter.Bao introduced Cheng Cangbo, editor-in-chief of Central Daily, to him.But the conversation between Chen and Cheng was not considered speculation, and Chen Duxiu only wrote a note: "Chen Duxiu, styled Zhongfu, also known as Shi'an, is from Huaining, Anhui. I don't know if there are Trotskyists in China, and I am not a Trotskyist. " Cheng was very indifferent, and did not take the note with him when he left.When sending Cheng Cangbo off, Bao Huiseng said that the old man wanted to declare that he was not a Trotskyite, and he planned to use the reporter's mouth to say so.Cheng only said lightly, "Try it."Chen's statement was never published.

When he fled to Jiangjin in his later years, Chen Duxiu's remarks were criticized by the Trotskyist committee, but Chen either wrote directly to the committee or asked someone to forward it on his behalf, and started a written debate with the Trotskyites.At this time, Chen had no supporters, and even Zheng Chaolin, Wang Wenyuan, Chen Qichang and others who had deep personal friendship with him also said: "We, not only never supported Chen Duxiu's proposition, but also had the most unequivocal debate with him, so that In the end, the 'old man' lost his temper and broke off with us."

Bao Huiseng also recalled that Chen Duxiu privately stated that he would not contact the CCP: "The old cadres (referring to Wang Ming and other 'cadres') will not welcome me, and I have no need to find them." In December 1937, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held a meeting to discuss the cooperation with Chen Duxiu in the anti-Japanese war. Wang Ming strongly opposed it, saying: "Our party can unite with anyone, except for the Trotskyists; our party can even cooperate with Chiang Kai-shek and his anti-communist secret agents." Cooperation, except for Chen Duxiu." He also said that Chen Duxiu was a "traitor" because he received a monthly allowance of 300 yuan from Japan.Kang Sheng agreed, saying that Chen Duxiu had a secret agreement with the Japanese, so he was undoubtedly a traitor.In this regard, Chen Duxiu retorted: "You have always used unscrupulous means. Those who follow you are fighters, and those who oppose you are traitors."

After the news of Chen Duxiu's theory of traitors appeared in the newspapers, the cultural and political circles in Wuhan were "outraged".In order to make Chen Duxiu feel the "warmth" of the Kuomintang in this political cold, Zhou Fohai and Tao Xisheng, together with Gao Yihan, Wang Xinggong and other Kuomintang dignitaries, published an open letter in "Ta Kung Pao" to defend Chen Duxiu.Chiang Kai-shek also issued the "Appointment Handbook", instructing Zhou Fohai: "Anyone who has not actually participated in the puppet organization, no matter what the rumors are, must not claim rebellion."

When Chen Duxiu was in Nanjing, Zhou Fohai and Chen Gongbo advocated a compromise with Japan. They often convened a group of people to discuss the policy towards Japan in Zhou's mansion, known as the low-key club.Chen Duxiu was pulled by Zhou to participate in the discussion because of his affection, but Chen always expressed his disagreement in silence. Chiang Kai-shek once asked Education Minister Zhu Jiahua to come forward to lobby Chen Duxiu, hoping that Chen would organize a "New Communist Party" and expressed his willingness to subsidize 100,000 yuan. At the same time, at the National Political Council, he also reserved five seats for the New Communist Party he organized.Chiang Kai-shek also intended to ask Chen Duxiu to be the Minister of Labor.In this regard, Chen Duxiu refused all of them. He said to his friends: "Chiang Kai-shek wants to teach me to pretend to be his pawn. It's really fantastic."

In April 1938, Zhang Guotao expressed his idea of ​​organizing a new Communist Party, and hoped to get the support and cooperation of Chen Duxiu.However, Chen Duxiu was very indifferent to this, and flatly rejected Zhang Guotao's solicitation.Afterwards, Chen Duxiu mentioned the matter to Bao Huiseng and said: "Zhang Guotao wanted to pull me, but I told him that I didn't have the ability." At this time, Tan Pingshan, who was a member of the Preparatory Committee of the Youth League of the Kuomintang's Three People's Principles, also approached Chen Duxiu and asked to organize a third party, but Chen Duxiu flatly refused.

Chen Duxiu once issued a statement saying: "After a long period of imprisonment and traffic jams during the war, I don't know if there are Trotskyist organizations in China. When I talked with Jianying in Nanjing, I stated: My opinion, except Except for Chen Duxiu, I don’t represent anyone. I want to speak for the majority of people in China, and I don’t want to be bound by any party.”