Chapter 15 2. Li Zongren's secret envoy appeared again

April 5, 1949. The Mansion of Li Zongren in Nanjing. Liu Zhongrong, whom Li Zongren secretly sent to Peiping, reappeared. At this time Li Zongren was in a very complicated mood. He was reading an editorial published by "People's Daily". ...Two roads lay before the Nanjing Kuomintang government and its military and political personnel: one is to draw closer to the Chiang Kai-shek war criminal clique and its master, U.S. imperialism. One is to get closer to the people, which is to break with the Chiang Kai-shek war criminal clique and US imperialism, and to make meritorious service in the People's Liberation War to atone for the crimes, in order to obtain the forgiveness and understanding of the people.There is no third way.

We are willing to tell the Nanjing government that the People's Liberation Army is about to march to the south of the Yangtze River.This is not to scare you with empty words... Cheng Siyuan said to Li Zongren: "Mr. Liu has returned from Beiping." Li Zongren put down the newspaper and motioned him to sit down, but it could be seen that his face looked very ugly.Liu Zhongrong looked at him and said, "Mr. Mao brought you a message when I came from Beiping." Li Zongren waved his hand and said, "What are you talking about? The newspaper has published it. Do you think Mao Zedong drafted this editorial himself?"

Liu Zhongrong said: "Of course it is, it can be seen from the style of writing." Li Zongren stopped talking.Liu Zhongrong planned to report to him about the trip to Peking, but he was not so enthusiastic, and turned around and said to Cheng Siyuan: "Call, and invite Dean He to come." Liu Zhongrong hurriedly said: "Mao Zedong's words are only for you and Chief Bai. Is it appropriate for Dean He to listen?" Li Zongren said: "He is now the Premier, so it is right for him to listen." A few minutes later, He Yingqin came in wearing a suit with a big belly.

As soon as he entered the door, he looked at Liu Zhongrong with a smile and said: "Our secret envoy has finally returned! The Communist Party has not made things difficult for you, has it?" Liu Zhongrong patted his head with a smile and said, "It's still here, safe and sound." He Yingqin said: "As I said, people like you have many friends in the Communist Party, and they won't do anything to you." But Liu Zhongrong said deliberately: "There are friends over there, but there are still dangers. Political opinions are different." Li Zongren's secretary was busy serving tea for everyone.Sitting opposite Liu Zhongrong, He Yingqin asked again: "Have you seen Mr. Mao? Are they sincere?"

Liu Zhongrong said, "I see." Li Zongren said: "Your trip to Beiping was very hard this time, just come back, let me tell you about the situation there first." Liu Zhongrong went to Beiping this time to discuss many important issues related to the peace talks with Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai. Mao Zedong’s words were mainly aimed at Li Zongren and Bai Chongxi. Because He Yingqin was a member of Chiang Kai-shek, he couldn’t tell them all. He just briefly reported Regarding the contact with the leaders of the CCP, He Yingqin was cunning and cunning, and kept asking relevant questions, but he had no choice but to be evasive.

Li Zongren seemed not interested in everything anymore, he sat there smoking non-stop. He Yingqin asked again: "You met Mr. Mao, didn't he talk about peace talks?" Liu Zhongrong said: "Tell me, he said that our two families have been fighting for so many years, and it's time to take a breather. They insisted on making peace, and they also said that the people would be spared a lot of suffering. He also said that if we want to fight , They are not afraid, they have strength.” He Yingqin said: "It's a nice thing to say, but why don't they stop preparing for Jiang? Keep mobilizing troops to move closer to us."

Liu Zhongrong said: "Mr. Mao said that the People's Liberation Army must cross the river." He Yingqin said sullenly, "Then what are we talking about?" Li Zongren remained silent all the time. When he sent He Yingqin to the door, he said: "Our representatives are negotiating with them. Let's take a look at the situation first. Let's discuss countermeasures together when Bai Chongxi comes back in a few days!" Three days later, Bai Chongxi came back. Liu Zhongrong came to Li Zongren's mansion to meet him. Bai Chongxi asked: "Have you delivered my letter to Mr. Mao?"

Liu Zhongrong said: "Mr. Mao saw it, and he disagreed with your proposition that 'politics can cross the river, but military affairs cannot cross the river'." Li Zongren said: "The newspaper has already said it publicly, and said that it must be called." Bai Chongxi said: "Then we are not afraid." Liu Zhongrong said: "Mr. Mao said that as long as the two of you are sincere, you can still talk about it. The Nanjing government's brand can not be taken for the time being. Acting President Li can still sit here. When the new government is established, we can continue to cooperate and work together."

Bai Chongxi sneered: "This is a bit attractive!" Li Zongren has no expression.Liu Zhongrong looked at Bai Chongxi and said: "Mr. Mao said that if you can lead troops, you can command the National Defense Forces in the future." Bai Chongxi said: "What is the future? I am their war criminal, and there will be good results." Li Zongren said: "A few days ago, I told Dean He that we will discuss countermeasures together when you come. Tell me what to do now?" Bai Chongxi suddenly stood up and said, "What are you talking about? Whether their troops cross the river is the prerequisite for our negotiation. If they want to cross the river, then don't talk about it."

The relationship between Liu Zhongrong and Bai Chongxi is extraordinary, and he dared to say many things face to face. Li Zongren was depressed, and Bai Chongxi was self-willed, so he could only sigh and say: "Although our representatives held peace talks with the CCP in Beiping, you two should know in your hearts that the strength of the Kuomintang is no longer comparable to that of the CCP. It is easier said than done to negotiate peace with him? In my opinion, as long as there is any hope for peace, we should strive for it.” Bai Chongxi said: "Although the current situation is like this, we are not pessimistic. It is not impossible for us to fight. The Yangtze River is a natural danger. It is not easy for the Communist Army to break through. As long as Degong has the support of the United States, we will be able to persevere."

Li Zongren said: "We still strive for peace talks. I will send someone to contact the United States as soon as possible." Liu Zhongrong asked: "Mr. Mao is still waiting for an answer. I want to go to Peiping again." Bai Chongxi said: "It doesn't matter whether you go or not." Li Zongren said: "It's good to go again. You have to work with our delegation to prevent the Chinese Communist Army from crossing the river. Only in this way can we sit down and talk peacefully!"