Chapter 31 Chapter Thirty-One

April 1949 Nanjing Yaogang Beiping April in Nanjing is the most beautiful season of the year. The sycamore trees all over the city spread their green shade like a canopy; the magnolia trees bloom with white and huge flowers; Falling flowers like snow are swirling one after another, and the fragrance floats for ten miles. Li Zongren's life is not going well, and he has no intention of enjoying the spring.The peace talks delegation was sent away at the beginning of the month, and Liu Zhongrong secretly returned to Nanjing on the 9th, but the message from Mao Zedong he brought was not satisfactory.Bai Chongxi was even more resentful. When he heard Mao Zedong say that he was good at leading troops, and that he would set up a central government in the future and make the best use of his talents, he sneered and said, "Forget it! Let me be a surrender general, never Possibly. If they really have peace and sincerity, they shouldn’t cross the river! On this issue, we can’t back down a single step, never back down! Never back down! As long as they don’t cross the river, everything is easy to talk about; Just hit it."

Liu Zhongrong didn't expect Bai Chongxi to be so angry: "Mr. Jian, with all due respect, if we could fight, there would be no such negotiations. Since we can't fight, the conditions offered by Mr. Mao can't be said to be unfavorable. This time I When I arrived in Peiping, I felt that the Communist Party was still sincere about the peace talks, and made concessions on many terms. Moreover, these concessions were made only for you, Mr. De and Mr. Jian. The Communist Party is the victor—there is a saying that maybe It should not be said that it is not easy to seek peace in the first place—now the Communist Party has opened the door, don’t use our hands to close it again.”

Bai Chongxi was furious: "Why do you become a lobbyist for the Communist Party? Why can't we fight? Our one hundred thousand troops, our air force, and navy are all vegetarians? I can tell you that the United States has promised to support Degong. The United States will not stand idly by! If the Chinese Communist Party dares to cross the river, it will trigger World War III! Peace talks are not about surrendering, not being short-tempered, and not being manipulated by others! If they want to cross the river, let the guns do the talking!" When Li Zongren heard Bai Chongxi talk about the United States, his heart trembled, like a bottle of five flavors poured down, sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and astringent, he couldn't tell what it tasted like.

A few days ago, Li Zongren, who was helpless in every possible way, was also in a panic. On a whim, he planned a radical method to stimulate the United States.He sent his men to tentatively contact the Soviet Union, hoping to reach an agreement that the Soviet Union would intervene in the civil war.Unexpectedly, the United States didn't buy it at all. Leighton Stuart jokingly called Li Zongren "secretly sending glances" to the Soviet Union, just like a lowly prostitute.As a result, both sides were offended.No way, Li Zongren bit the bullet and visited the American ambassador, Mr. Stuart, who had had a good personal relationship with him.

Li Zongren faced Stuart, who had a nose job, and said pleadingly: "Old friend, I want to bring up an old topic again. I hope that your country can lend my government one billion dollars; if not, five hundred million is fine, to help stop the worsening epidemic inflation." Leighton Stuart was very blunt: "I'm sorry, the State Department has already responded to the dollar issue, and I don't think I need to repeat it." The Kuomintang is in a dilemma, and the United States is also in a dilemma with the Kuomintang.Especially when the United States realized that the acting president they were supporting was nothing more than an empty signboard, their enthusiasm for the Kuomintang government dropped to zero.When this hopeless and shameless government repeatedly asked them for dollars, their contemptuous expressions seemed to say: Do you want meat?So first prove that you have the ability to bite people!

However, the Communist Party's plan to cross the river still prompted the US government to feel a little pity.On April 14, the U.S. Congress passed a bill to extend the "China Aid Act" passed on April 3, 1948 to February 15, 1950, in order to allocate 400 million U.S. dollars for the bill The unused 54 million U.S. dollars in China continued to aid the Kuomintang government. Li Zongren shook his head and smiled wryly, this is just a drop in the bucket. Crossing the river is closely related to negotiations. In the past few days, the Military Commission has sent telegrams one after another. The prospects for negotiations are flickering.The rain continued to fall, fall, and fall, the river branch water network was full of water, and the fields in Yaogang swelled rapidly, and the accumulated water was full of feet.

Deng Xiaoping's thin lips were drawn into a line, and he stood by the window, looking at the gray sky, smoking one cigarette after another.The burden of crossing the river is heavy, and Deng Xiaoping can weigh it on his shoulders.There are 20 Kuomintang armies on the defense line from Hukou to Shanghai on the Babailijiang River. They not only have superior equipment and firepower, but also have the cooperation of the navy and air force.Comparing the two sides, the Kuomintang's army waits for work with leisure, while the People's Liberation Army takes risks in tackling tough situations.One is easy and the other is difficult, the disparity is like heaven and earth.In terms of situation, the Kuomintang set up defenses across the water, and the Yangtze River's natural moat barrier generally blocked the front, with a width of ten Huali; while the People's Liberation Army had to cross the river with only small wooden fishing boats, and there were not many of them.In addition, the most disadvantageous thing for the People's Liberation Army is that if you don't move, you will fall into a situation of fighting with your back—this is a big taboo for military strategists.The above and so on are not easy. If the time to cross the river is delayed and the rainy season on the Yangtze River comes earlier, the consequences will be unimaginable.

Deng Xiaoping smoked three cigarettes in a row, sat down at the table, his mind was full of things, but he didn't know where to start. After Chen Yi finished reviewing the "Instructions of the Political Department of the Third Field Army on Raising Food in the New Area", he casually picked up a copy by Russian writer Dostoevsky.After reading a few pages, he threw the book away and cursed: "My old man, what's the weather like!" He picked up a bamboo hat and went out. He walked around outside the village, passed by a thatched hut with a cat body, and walked in: "Wang Xiucai, how about playing chess?"

Wang Zhebao, known as the "Xiu Cai", was indeed a scholar in the Qing Dynasty. He was a well-educated man. Because of the bad habit of smoking opium, he was impoverished, his wife and children were separated, and he lived in a dilapidated thatched shed.As soon as Chen Yi entered, a mildewy smell rushed into his nostrils.Wang Xiucai was curled up on the floor humming Huangmei ditty and watching "Liaozhai". "Ouch! Head Chen came to the humble house, dare not be, dare not be!" Wang Xiucai pushed the rags beside him, and asked Chen Yi to sit down on his bunk. "Wang Xiucai's Huangmei opera is very tasteful." Chen Yi laughed.

"Head Chen can still tell that this is Huangmei Diao?" "Don't underestimate me. I have acted on stage before. I can sing a few words in Huangmei Diao, but my singing is not good. It is not as good as my chess skills. Let's get back to the book and play chess." Wang Xiucai was also not humble, and "killed" after setting up a battle. The first time I played chess with Chen Yi, it was Wang Xiucai who approached me.He reported his family name and said that he heard that Captain Chen was a chess master, so he came to ask for advice.Chen Yi said that he didn't dare to become a chess master, but he started playing "crotch chess" when he was three years old.

At this time, Chen Yi was playing chess while looking at the dwelling, and saw the couplet written by Wang Xiucai himself on the wall: "That's right." Chen Yi said, "If you don't smoke opium and work hard, do you still need to borrow money?" Wang Xiucai was stunned, his face flushed, and he couldn't put down the chess piece for a long time. Chen Yi continued: "The crime of selling opium lies with Chiang Kai-shek's reactionary government. Those who are close to Zhu are red, and those who are close to ink are black. The key is human effort." "Yes, yes, it's all my fault, my own..." Wang Xiucai was ashamed. Chen Yi signaled him to continue playing chess, while saying: "The moon does not change the light, the sword does not change the steel... A man has his own defense, but he can kill him. You know the book and reason, remember this?" "Remember, remember, from Mei Yaochen's "Wanling Collection". Captain Chen really has a good memory!" Chen Yi looked at the embarrassing Wang Xiucai, and said with a smile: "Well, quitting opium must have the determination to be 'killable but not doggy'. The whole country will be liberated soon, and the people's government needs you people who have ink in their bellies! "As he spoke, he handed over an old knife brand cigarette. Wang Xiucai bowed to accept the cigarette, took the opportunity to wipe off the sweat on his face, and then took a big step forward with the undecided chess piece in his hand. The two were having a good time, and Deng Xiaoping sent someone to invite Chen Yi. Chen Yi put down the chess pieces and returned. As soon as he entered the Sanjin Washing House, Deng Xiaoping handed him a notebook.It was a transcript of broadcast monitoring, in which Deng Xiaoping found a piece of valuable news: Tang Enbo established a political affairs committee in the headquarters of the Beijing-Shanghai-Hangzhou Garrison, which he himself and chaired. Deng Xiaoping said: "It seems that they don't want to sign the peace agreement!" Chen Yi nodded and said: "Your analysis makes sense. This is called the country is easy to change, and the nature is hard to change. Only by beating them to the point of being overwhelmed can there be peace." Deng Xiaoping and Chen Yi immediately decided to invite Tan Zhenlin, Wang Jianan, and Song Shilun to hold a meeting to study together.Two hours later, a telegram from the General Front Committee to the Central Military Commission was sent. This telegram is the third telegram sent by the General Front Committee to the Central Military Commission on the issue of crossing the river that day.The Yangtze River is like a sensitive nerve, lying between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party; it is also like a prop, placed on the negotiating table of the Kuomintang and the Communist Party of China. During half a month of peace talks, the stark contrast between the liberated areas and the Kuomintang-controlled areas, the differences in the hearts of the people, the development of the domestic situation from the Communist Party's newspapers, and the contacts with the leaders of the Communist Party of China, all kinds of edification and enlightenment, the thoughts and feelings of the representatives of Nanjing quickly changed from quantity to quality. Variety. At 7:00 p.m. on April 15th, the Zhumen of the Hall of Qinzheng in the Forbidden City opened.After five days of formal negotiations between representatives of the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, the negotiations will come to an end tonight. Zhou Enlai handed over the revised draft of the "Domestic Peace Agreement" to Zhang Zhizhong.Zhang Zhizhong noticed that the words "draft" had been deleted from this document.Zhou Enlai said: "This agreement is a final draft and cannot be changed. The Nanjing government will sign it if it agrees. But no matter whether it is signed or not, by April 20, a million troops of the People's Liberation Army will immediately cross the river." Zhang Zhizhong asked: "So, this is the final document, can we only agree or disagree?" Zhou Enlai nodded: "It can be understood in this way. This is our final attitude." Zhang Zhizhong was silent for a while, then he took a deep breath and said, "That's fine, just do it!" On April 16, the Nanjing delegation sent Huang Shaohong and Qu Wu back to Nanjing with the "Domestic Peace Agreement". Zhang Zhizhong had thought about sending these two people back.Huang Shaohong is one of the giants of the Guangxi family and has influence on Li Zongren and Bai Chongxi; Qu Wu is the son-in-law of Yu Youren, a veteran of the Kuomintang, so it is convenient for him to work at the upper level of the Nanjing government. Before leaving, Zhou Enlai made a special trip to the Liuguo Hotel where the Nanjing representatives lived to say goodbye to Huang Shaohong and Qu Wu.Zhou Enlai said to Huang Shaohong: "Mr. Ji Kuan (Huang Shaohong), the burden on your shoulders is not light! We are waiting for you to come back. Please tell Mr. Li Delin, I hope he can fly to Peiping to sign." Huang Shaohong said: "In my opinion, whether the agreement can be signed is at most a fifty-fifty hope. Maybe less, but I will work hard to do it." Zhou Enlai nodded: "Chairman Mao wishes you and Qu Wu Have a safe trip, sir. Chairman Mao said that he made an appointment with you, and when the agreement is signed, you will write lyrics and sing along." Huang Shaohong looked very excited and said: "Mr. Zhou, no matter whether the agreement is signed or not, I will come back." "Okay, okay." Zhou Enlai said, "In order to show our sincerity for the peace talks and our hope for the Guangxi faction, we have released Mr. Bai's Mr. Hai Jingqiang. You can take him back with you tomorrow." The "Domestic Peace Agreement" brought back by Huang Shaohong disappointed the Nanjing government.Li Zongren stayed up all night.Bai Chongxi, who flew from Wuhan to Nanjing on a special trip, slapped on the stage after reading the agreement, and shouted at Huang Shaohong: "It's really hard for you, you can bring back conditions like this!" Huang Shaohong's tone is not low: "The conditions are already very good. The CCP has accepted more than half of the more than 40 amendments proposed by us." "So what if it's a hundred? My condition is only one!" "What?" Huang Shaohong looked at the furious Bai Chongxi coldly. "The Communist Party does not cross the river!" "Jiansheng," Huang Shaohong inadvertently provoked a trace of sarcasm, "we should be more realistic and understand our situation. This kind of tough attitude was okay when the Anti-Japanese War just ended, but it is a bit ridiculous now." "What do you mean?!" Bai Chongxi jumped up. "You don't have to think about what I mean. What I mean is useless. Now we are facing this agreement, which contains all the meanings of Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai. Whether we sign or not, the Communist army must cross the river. Reply by April 20." Bai Chongxi was furious, and sneered: "Hey! If I didn't look at the person, I thought it was a representative of the Communist Party talking to me! Huang Jikuan, did you make a mistake? You are a representative sent by the government, and you should represent the government's position! It is said that the government still There is a "belly case" as evidence! You Huang Jikuan and Zhang Wenbai not only have heavy burdens, but also sat on the wrong chair! Let me tell you, whether it is you or Zhang Wenbai, history will record your deed!" After saying that, he slammed the door and go. He Yingqin, who was sipping tea one by one, said coldly at this time: "I didn't expect such an agreement, and it was called a 'peace agreement'. Mr. De, what do you think?" He squinted at Li Zongren.Li Zongren sat in meditation, silent. Seeing that Li Zongren hadn't spoken for a long time, He Yingqin said, "Let's hold a meeting of the Executive Yuan. It's a big event after all." Then he left. Only Li Zongren and Huang Shaohong were left in the living room.A pot of Rhododendron blooms under the window inexplicably, and hundreds of pink and white flowers the size of teacups are in full bloom. "Grand Virtue," Huang Shaohong walked a few steps in the hall and approached Li Zongren, "As the leader, he should be cut off immediately. He should be cut off continuously, and he will regret it for thousands of years. Although the CCP's conditions are a bit harsh, they are still within the eight conditions. .If the Guangxi family loses another chance at this last moment, everything will be in vain.” "It's difficult..." Li Zongren spit out two words for a long time. His acting president is more than a "difficult" word?He is an advocate of peace talks. Now such an agreement, even if he signed it, Chiang Kai-shek ignored it, and it was still a piece of paper.What's more difficult is that Bai Chongxi is getting bigger and bigger, and he has the potential to be on an equal footing with him.If he resolutely signed this agreement, it would not only mean a complete break with Chiang Kai-shek, but also the possibility of being at odds with Bai Chongxi.Confronting Bai Chongxi, who holds military power, means breaking up with the Guangxi faction.Judging from recent events, Bai Chongxi's ass seems to be quietly moving toward Chiang Kai-shek.Not long ago, he stated in a secret telegram to Zhang Gan, the commander of the Third Corps: "Today, we cherish 5,000 years of history and culture. Ask the parties, unite as one, and fight to the death. Especially support the center to make effective decisions. Otherwise, people will plan for themselves and disperse power. How many painful historical lessons from ancient and modern failures have fallen on us in an instant!" Li Zongren could not hurt Chiang Kai-shek, but also took care of the mood of his own group leader. "De Gong," Huang Shaohong said in a low voice, "we must be clear-headed, and we must not share the same fate with Chiang Kai-shek. Chiang Kai-shek will eventually surrender to Taiwan, what about us? The situation is overwhelming and there is no other way Let's go, only a draw is enough to protect ourselves!" As he spoke, he became emotional, "You and I, Jiansheng, were classmates when we joined the military academy, and comrades when we joined the army. We have lived and died together for decades, and shared weal and woe. The Guangxi Clan is the only place where our Guangxi family has a world. If De Gong signs a peace agreement with the CCP, he will be able to have a seat in the coalition government as the vice chairman, and our Guangxi children can also be preserved, ensuring that Guangdong and Guangxi will not carry out land reform within two years. These few days This item is still beneficial to us. At this point, we have to face the reality and find a way to protect ourselves!..." Li Zongren waved his hand: "I don't care about whether I will stay or stay. I advocated peace and came to power. If peace cannot be achieved, I will resign and return to the land without hesitation, in order to thank the people of the country!" The next day, Li Zongren sent Zhang Qun to Xikou by special plane.Chiang Kai-shek saw the content of the agreement, slammed the table, and cursed: "Wenbai is incompetent, loses power and humiliates the country!" The peace talks balloon, which had been floating dazzlingly over China for several months, burst with a bang. On April 19, the radio station broadcast Cheng Tianfang, head of the Central Propaganda Department, answering a reporter's question: "The hope for peace is bleak. If the Communist Party crosses the river, the Kuomintang will not surrender, but will resist. Success or failure depends on our efforts. Opposition to crossing the river was decided by the KMT decision-makers a month ago, and this position was only announced today, because Gein’s announcement before that may endanger the peace talks.” This represents the attitude of the Nanjing government, especially Chiang Kai-shek.All the radio waves in Xikou were wild, and a series of orders were sent directly to the generals on the front line, leaving Li Zongren behind. Mao Zedong and Zhu De in Peiping responded generously and issued an order for the general mobilization of the entire army-"Order to March to the Nation". ——Go forward bravely, resolutely, thoroughly, cleanly, and completely wipe out all Kuomintang reactionaries who dare to resist in China, liberate the people of the whole country, and defend the independence and integrity of China's territorial sovereignty. ——Forge ahead and arrest all persistent war criminals.No matter where they fled, they must be brought to justice and punished according to law.Pay special attention to arresting the bandit leader Chiang Kai-shek. ——Announce the final amendment to the domestic peace agreement to any Kuomintang local government and local military groups. For those who are willing to stop the war and use peaceful means to solve the problem, you can sign local agreements with them according to the general meaning of the final amendment . ——After the People's Liberation Army surrounded Nanjing, if the Nanjing Li Zongren government has not fled and is willing to sign the "Domestic Peace Agreement", we are willing to give the government another chance to sign.