Chapter 12 V. The Contest between the Diehards and the Peacemakers

It can be said that within the Kuomintang government, although the vast majority of people want peace, there are some blind, selfish, and self-interested diehards who still hold the idea of ​​​​undermining peace and use various methods to put pressure on the peace talks representatives.Zhang Zhizhong cited the following examples in his memoirs: "... I hope that you will never forget the five principles of political democracy, economic equality, social security, freedom of life, and the military, and make a reasonable, reasonable, and legal solution; otherwise, if you are contented for a while, you will have endless regrets. ..."

——Pan Gongzhan and others sent Li Zongren, He Yingqin, Yu Youren, and Juzheng's Yinyan electricity. "...Peace talks are a major national event, and they are definitely not something that can only be obtained by the Kuomintang and the Communist Party. In the government, you must not forget your own position. It was created by the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution last year. Gou first ignored the Constitution and set it aside Regardless of the National Assembly, what status and power will the princes use to negotiate with the Communist Party? There will be a meeting in Japan, and he believes that the government should strive for an equal peace within the scope of reason, reason, and law. And what must be upheld should be the four principles of political democracy, economic equality, social security, and freedom of life. As for the necessity of national ownership of all military forces and the protection of basic human rights, this is especially right and proper, and there is no room for excuses. It is believed that any revision of the Constitution and the political system is absolutely the responsibility of the National Assembly, and no one can override it. It is especially recommended that the government be invited to follow the resolutions of the National Assembly last year and hold a temporary meeting of the National Assembly to make the final decision. … "

——National University Representative Shanghai Friendship Association Li Zongren and He Yingqin also forwarded Yin Yan telegrams of peace talks representatives. "...(1) The dignity of the Constitution must be maintained, and if it needs to be amended, it should be done through legal procedures; (2) The state structure of the Republic of China cannot be changed; (3) The basic rights and free way of life of the people concerned should be guaranteed. (4) From the day the peace talks begin, the government and the CCP should immediately cease all combat actions unconditionally; (5) The results of the peace talks of government representatives must be approved according to legal procedures; The press is free to conduct interviews.  …”

—— Li Zongren and He Yingqin from the Association of Legislative Councilors in Guangzhou forwarded Yin Shidian to representatives of peace talks. "...(1) The content of the peace talks is related to the survival of the whole people. Moreover, the sovereignty of the country belongs to the people. Therefore, when the peace talks are held, representatives of public opinion should participate from both the Kuomintang and the Communist Party. Journalists from both sides are allowed to conduct interviews freely and make them public at any time to show frankness and selflessness; (2) The Constitution is the fundamental law of the country, even if it can be amended according to the law, it cannot be arbitrarily abandoned; (3) Freedom is a basic human right of the people, especially any government should respect it. The political democratization, economic socialization, military Nationalization, but it is the principle of the resolutions of the CPPCC in previous years, and it is also the same as the psychology of the people of the whole country. This time the peace talks should still be followed unchanged.  …”

——The National Peace Promotion Association Li Zongren and He Yingqin also passed on the telegram to the representatives of the peace talks. "...(1) After the peace representatives arrive at the peace, they should first propose an immediate and unconditional truce between the two sides; (2) All reports of the peace talks should be made public; (3) The details of the peace talks should be reported to the Party Central Committee at any time. (4) The content of the peace talks should adhere to the following principles: (a) the state system cannot be changed; (b) the people's free way of life must be guaranteed; (c) the constitution must be amended according to legal procedures; (d) the land reform should be carried out first , but against the use of violence; (e) the issue of war responsibility should be beyond discussion.  …”

——The Kuomintang Central Executive Supervisory Standing Committee and the Central Political Committee's meeting decided that the Central Secretariat should send Ju Zheng, Yu Youren, Li Zongren, and He Yingqin's Yin Thirty Meeting Suiwu telegram. "...(1) In general, the boundaries between peace talks and surrender must be clearly distinguished, and the two sides should negotiate on the basis of equality and rationality; (2) The existing strongholds guarded by the North China National Army, such as Qingdao, Taiyuan, and Guisui , Baotou, Datong, Xinxiang, Anyang and other places must be maintained, and cannot be easily given up under the pretext of peace, or have any unreasonable measures...; , and first clear the above-listed strongholds..."

——Letters from sixty-one people, including legislator Wang Bingjun, without dates and titles. We can see the attitude of the diehards from the above telegrams, and of course this fully demonstrates the anti-communist features of some people within the Kuomintang.Under the circumstances at that time, the pressure on the representatives of the peace talks was also very heavy. With the consent of Li Zongren, the Kuomintang government peace talks delegation is still scheduled to leave for Peiping on April 1. At this time, the chief representative Zhang Zhizhong proposed to go to Xikou before leaving.Li Zongren had no objection to his proposal, he just said: "If you think it is necessary, go."

Qu Wu, who was sitting next to Zhang Zhizhong, objected to him seeing Chiang Kai-shek. He said: "In my opinion, it would be redundant for Mr. Wen Bai to go to Xikou again." Zhang Zhizhong said, "I should go there anyway." Li Zongren remained silent.Qu Wu asked again: "Why do you want to go?" Zhang Zhizhong explained: "My intention is also very simple. Although Mr. Jiang has returned to his hometown, our military power is still in his hands. This is a fact! If he does not agree, even if the peace talks reach an agreement It's useless; the diehards in Beijing and Shanghai are now arrogant, and there are often rumors against me. The trip to Xikou, I think, has a suppressive effect on them; besides, Mr. Jiang is still the president of the Kuomintang. , all the representatives except Zhang Shizhao are party members, so it is necessary to ask him for instructions; in addition, in terms of etiquette, I also have the need to see Mr. Jiang."

Li Zongren was not very happy. He said to Zhang Zhizhong: "Whether to go is your own business, but you can't delay the time to go north." Although Li Zongren didn't agree with Zhang Zhizhong's actions at that time, Zhang Zhizhong still went to Xikou. Zhang Zhizhong flew to Xikou on the 29th. Wu Zhongxin arrived early.At this time, Xikou was already very lively, and Zhang Zhizhong clearly felt that the air here was different from last time.There are quite a few dignitaries here, some in public and some not. When he entered Chiang Kai-shek's house, he reported on the peace talks going north.Chiang Kai-shek didn't seem to be very concerned about this. After reading the draft of the peace talks brought by Zhang Zhizhong, he said casually:

"I have no problem with this thing." Zhang Zhizhong hurriedly asked: "Does the president have any instructions?" Chiang Kai-shek took a sip of tea, looked at him and said, "You are undertaking the most difficult task this time, so be careful!" Zhang Zhizhong said: "Thank you to the president for your concern." Qu Wu, who accompanied Zhang Zhizhong, stood up and went outside to chat with other people. Zhang Zhizhong and Wu Zhongxin asked Chiang Kai-shek's views on the peace talks.The two sides exchanged opinions for a while, and finally Chiang Kai-shek said to them: "I can tell you a wish. I plan to live in my hometown, and I will not ask about outside affairs."

Zhang Zhizhong was very happy to hear this. He said: "The president's words are of great help to the peace talks. It is a wise move. This can eliminate divisions within the party. I wonder if it can be disclosed in the newspapers?" Chiang Kai-shek said: "It's up to you to decide." The next day Zhang Zhizhong returned to Nanjing with Wu Zhongxin and Qu Wu. Zhang Zhizhong felt that he had gained something this time. He thought that at least he had figured out Chiang Kai-shek's bottom line, but Qu Wu didn't think so. He believed that Chiang Kai-shek's words should not be trusted.He said to Zhang Zhizhong on the return plane: "We can't be too optimistic." Zhang Zhizhong asked: "Why? Isn't Mr. Jiang's attitude very clear!" Wu Qu said: "You are still a bit naive! Now those diehards around him are opposed to our peace talks with the CCP. Someone once told me that Mr. Zhang is still so enthusiastic about peace talks at this time, and there will be no good results in the future! He is so naive! Now that we are talking about peace, is the Communist Party willing to make peace? I think he will die without a place to bury him!" Zhang Zhizhong smiled lightly and said, "Why don't they dare to say it face to face? There is nothing to be afraid of..." After returning to Nanjing, Zhang Zhizhong immediately published Jiang's remarks in Xikou as a press release, and the next day he gave an impassioned speech in front of many members of the Legislative Yuan, which won warm applause.Afterwards his friends said to him: "This is a warm scene that has never been seen in a meeting of the Legislative Yuan since the constitution was enacted."