Chapter 45 Xi'an peace talks

On the night when Zhou En came to Xi'an to meet Zhang Xueliang, they agreed on five conditions for the negotiation. They also agreed with Zhang Xueliang: In order to meet the attack of the Jiang army, the Red Army will go south at the same time. , and then out of the lower reaches of the Weishui River to attack Liu Zhi's department westward from Tongguan.According to this agreement, the Red Army successively entered Yan'an, Wayaobao, Yanchuan, Yanchang and other cities, and controlled Qingyang, Huanxian, and Xifeng areas on the western front. The next morning, that is, on December 18, Zhou En came to Yang Mansion on Jiufu Street to pay a visit to Yang Hucheng.Yang Hucheng has a long-term friendship with the Communist Party of China. Zhou Enlai first greeted Yang on behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.The Red Army made self-criticism on behalf of the CCP on the two issues of accidentally killing Yang Hucheng's third police brigade commander and Communist Party member Zhang Hanmin, and raiding Yang's department after reaching an agreement with Yang.Then, he explained the process and main content of the conversation with Zhang Xueliang last night, as well as the proposed peaceful settlement policy.

Yang Hucheng also frankly stated his own views: whether Chiang Kai-shek will resist Japan in the future, and whether he will not retaliate against those who initiated the Xi'an Incident, he has to have concerns.The Communist Party and the Kuomintang are hostile parties, they are equal in status, and they can fight and make peace with Jiang; but he is Chiang's subordinate, if he releases Chiang easily, and once Chiang turns his face, his situation will be different from that of the Communist Party. Zhou Enlai understood Yang Hucheng's concerns very well, and comforted him: Now not only people from all walks of life across the country are forcing Chiang Kai-shek to fight against Japan, but even the international community is also trying to persuade him to fight against Japan.Chiang Kai-shek himself, now he will live if he resists Japan, and die if he does not resist Japan.As for whether Chiang will retaliate, it does not entirely depend on Chiang Kai-shek personally.As long as the three areas in the Northwest are united, and then the people of the whole country are united to form a powerful force, even if Jiang has the heart of revenge, it is impossible to achieve it.Yang Hucheng said:

I am more willing to listen to and respect the opinions of the CCP. Zhou Enlai telegraphed to the Central Committee, "The purpose of the Nanjing pro-Japanese faction is to cause civil war, not to save Chiang. Soong Meiling wrote to Chiang: I would rather resist the Japanese than die the enemy. Kong Xiangxi tried to reconcile, Song Ziwen came to Xi'an on the condition of an armistice, and Wang Jingwei will return to China." "Jiang's attitude began ( At that time), he expressed his toughness, and now he has switched to conciliation in an attempt to restore freedom." In addition, Zhou Enlai also reported the reaction of local forces in various provinces to the Xi'an Incident.

After the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China received the telegram, it became clearer about the situation in Xi'an and the whole country, and a Politburo meeting was held in time, and the policy for the Xi'an Incident became clearer.Indicate that the CCP delegation can openly negotiate with Chiang Kai-shek and Song Ziwen.At the same time, the central government sent Bogu and Ye Jianying to lead the other members of the delegation to Xi'an with the latest opinions from the central government. After Zhou Enlai talked with Zhang and Yang, he went to the Xijing guest house to find Song Li, the acting secretary of the Northeast Military Industry Committee of the Communist Party of China, Xie Hua and Xu Binru of the Northwest Special Branch, and analyzed the situation with them. Members of the Communist Party must put the overall interests of the country first. It is inappropriate to try and eliminate Chiang Kai-shek. They must publicize the Communist Party's policy of peacefully resolving the "Xi'an Incident" in their posts, and go all out to realize the "Xi'an Incident" peaceful settlement.

On the morning of December 20, Duanna, an Australian who had a close personal relationship with Zhang Xueliang, flew to Xi'an with Song Ziwen.The arrival of Duan Na changed Chiang Kai-shek's attitude of not cooperating with Zhang and Yang.Song Ziwen was an important figure in the pro-British and American faction of the Nanjing government and Chiang Kai-shek's brother-in-law. He came to Xi'an to get in touch with Chiang Kai-shek and to further investigate the situation.When Zhang Xueliang saw him, he said frankly: The Northeast Army, the 17th Route Army and the Red Army have jointly agreed on a peaceful settlement policy. As long as Chiang Kai-shek agrees to the eight propositions in Zhang and Yang's telegram, the three parties will unanimously agree to release Chiang Kai-shek.Later, Zhang Xueliang accompanied Song Ziwen to visit Chiang Kai-shek.Chiang Kai-shek cried when he saw Song Ziwen's letter from Song Meiling: "If Ziwen doesn't return to Beijing within three days, he will come to live and die with you."

Song Ziwen knew that Zhou Enlai had come to Xi'an, so he appointed Guo Zengkai, who came with him, to meet with him to investigate.Zhou Enlai said frankly to Guo Zengkai: The CCP did not participate in this incident, and advocated a peaceful solution to the incident. I hope Song Ziwen will recognize the situation, persuade Chiang Kai-shek to change his policy, and make contributions to the country. Go there, and call on the whole country to support the Nationalist Government and form a united front against Japan.” Knowing Zhou Enlai’s attitude, Song Ziwen felt at ease, and flew back to Nanjing on the 21st to report the situation.

On the afternoon of the 22nd, Song Ziwen, Song Meiling, Jiang Dingwen and others flew to Xi'an.After seeing the Song brothers and sisters, Chiang Kai-shek said: Reorganize the government, hold a meeting to save the country in three months, reorganize the Kuomintang, and agree to unite with Russia and the Communist Party.In addition, he also put forward two conditions: one is that he himself will not come out, and the Song sisters will negotiate on his behalf; the other is the agreed condition, that he guarantees with the "leader's personality" and does not make any written signatures.Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng agreed to his two conditions.

On the 23rd, the negotiation was held in the conference room on the second floor of the west building of Zhang Xueliang's mansion.Those who participated in the negotiations were Song Ziwen, representative of Chiang Kai-shek, Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng, representatives of Xi'an, and Zhou Enlai, representative of the Communist Party of China.After the negotiations began, Zhou Enlai put forward six proposals for the CCP and the Red Army in accordance with the instructions of the Central Committee. First, an armistice and withdrawal of troops outside Tongguan.2. Reorganize the Nanjing government, exclude pro-Japanese factions, and join anti-Japanese elements.3. Release political prisoners and protect democratic rights.4. Stop suppressing the Communist Party, unite with the Red Army to fight against Japan, and openly engage in Communist Party activities.5. Convening a meeting of all parties, factions, all walks of life, and all armies to save the country.6. Cooperate with countries sympathetic to the resistance against Japan.The above six items must be accepted by Chiang Kai-shek and guaranteed to be implemented. The CCP and the Red Army sponsored Mr. Jiang to unify China and unanimously oppose Japan.Zhang and Yang also agreed with Zhou Enlai's six propositions.Song Ziwen expressed his personal agreement and conveyed it to Chiang Kai-shek.In the afternoon, discussions and consultations were held on issues such as organizing a transitional government, withdrawing troops, releasing patriotic leaders, and releasing Chiang.

On this day, Song Meiling met Zhou Enlai and said that since the CCP has sincerity, they should work together under the leadership of the government.Zhou Enlai stated: As long as Chiang Kai-shek agrees to resist Japan, the CCP will support him as the leader of the country.And apart from Chiang Kai-shek, there is no second suitable person in the whole country. Also on this day, Bo Gu and Ye Jianying led other members of the delegation to Xi'an, studied the situation with Zhou Enlai, and carried out a specific division of labor.Zhou Enlai was responsible for the work of the upper-level united front and mass organizations; Bogu was responsible for the work within the party; Ye Jianying participated in the work of the Northwest Coalition Army Staff Group.

On the 24th, negotiations continued.Jiang Fang was attended by Song Ziwen and Song Meiling; representatives from Xi'an were still Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng; the representatives of the Communist Party of China were still Zhou Enlai.Song Meiling clearly expressed her support for stopping the civil war, and Soong Ziwen also made clear commitments to some of the issues discussed. Zi, Confucius, and Song formed the Executive Yuan, and Song took absolute responsibility to ensure the organization of a satisfactory government and eliminate pro-Japanese factions. Chou, the withdrawal of troops, and the transfer of Hu Zongnan and other central troops away from the northwest, the Song Dynasty bears absolute responsibility.Jiang Dingwen has led Jiang to order a truce and withdrawal of troops (now the front line has retreated).

Yin and Jiang agreed to release the patriotic leader after returning. We can release it first, and Song will be responsible for the release. D. At present, the Soviet Union and the Red Army are still there.The Song Dynasty guaranteed that Chiang would indeed stop the suppression of the Communist Party, and that Zhang would help him (Song guaranteed that I would give as much as I agreed with Zhang).Three months later, the Anti-Japanese War was launched, and the Red Army changed its designation again, unified command and joint operations. Chen and Song said that they would not hold the National Congress, but first hold the Kuomintang meeting to open up the political power, and then convene a meeting of all parties and factions to save the country.Chiang stated that the KMT would be reorganized in three months. Si and Song agreed to release all political prisoners in batches, and discussed with Mrs. Sun how to do so. In the afternoon, the Anti-Japanese War launched, and the Communist Party made it public. Not, foreign policy: Allied with Russia, liaised with Britain, the United States, and France. After returning, Shen and Jiang issued telegrams of self-reproach and resigned from the Premier. You and Song expressed that they wanted us to support his anti-Japanese and anti-pro-Japanese faction, and sent special personnel to Shanghai to contact him secretly. That night, Zhou Enlai, guided by the Song brothers and sisters, went to Gaoguizi Mansion to meet Chiang Kai-shek.As soon as he entered the bedroom, Zhou Enlai shook hands with Chiang Kai-shek and said, "Mr. Jiang, we haven't seen each other for ten years, and you look older than before." Chiang Kai-shek nodded and sighed: "Enlai, you are my subordinate, you should listen to me. If so.” Zhou Enlai replied: “As long as Mr. Jiang can change the policy of ‘suppressing the outside world first’, stop the civil war, and unanimously resist the Japanese, not only can I personally listen to Mr. Jiang’s words, but our Red Army can also listen to Mr. Jiang’s command. " I also asked why Chiang Kai-shek refused to stop the civil war?Soong Meiling took up the topic and said: "We will not suppress the Communist Party in the future. This time, thanks to Mr. Zhou who came all the way to mediate, I am really grateful." During this meeting, Chiang Kai-shek made three points: "Stop suppressing the Communist Party, unite with the Red Army to resist Japan, and unify the China, under my command; Song, Song, and Zhang have all the powers to resolve everything with you on my behalf. After I return to Nanjing, you can go directly to negotiate." During the meeting, Zhou Enlai also briefly talked about family routines with Chiang Kai-shek. After several negotiations, Chiang Kai-shek also made a verbal promise, so the Song brothers and sisters proposed to Zhang Xueliang that Jiang and Song would return to Nanjing on the 25th. Zhang Xueliang immediately agreed and expressed his willingness to personally escort them.After Zhou Enlai knew about it, he communicated with Zhang Xueliang, thinking that before Chiang Kai-shek left Xi'an, there must be a political document to express it, and he did not approve of Zhang Xueliang's personal escort.Bogu believed that Chiang Kai-shek must issue a "public statement" to change the policy, otherwise he could not be released immediately, and he also did not agree with Zhang Xueliang to escort Chiang back to Nanjing. On the issue of releasing Chiang, Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng had different opinions and had a fierce quarrel.In this regard, Chiang Kai-shek also wrote in "Xi'an Banyue Ji": "I also heard that Yang Hucheng resolutely did not advocate sending Yu back to Beijing, and he broke up with Zhang several times. I don't know the truth about it." After the news of Chiang Kai-shek's release came out, it caused great shock in Xi'an.Some people advocated continuing to detain Chiang and order Chiang to issue orders in Xi'an; some agreed to release Chiang, but insisted that Chiang must sign; Some senior generals of the Northeast Army and the Seventeenth Route Army were more radical. On the morning of the 25th, they jointly wrote a letter to Song Ziwen, to the effect that someone must sign and the Central Army must retreat to the east of Tongguan before releasing Chiang. The two generals agreed, and we also swore to oppose it.Chiang Kai-shek was taken aback when he saw the letter, and asked Song Ziwen to see Zhang Xueliang immediately.Zhang Xueliang considered the anti-Japanese sentiment of the army and was also afraid of causing trouble, so he thought it would be better to let Chiang Kai-shek go early to avoid accidents. On the afternoon of December 25, Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng accompanied Chiang Kai-shek and his wife, Song Ziwen and others quietly left the place of residence, and went straight to Xijiao Airport by car.The airport was crowded with people welcoming Suiyuan Anti-Japanese General Fu Zuoyi, and no one noticed Chiang Kai-shek and his party.When bidding farewell, Chiang Kai-shek said to Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng: "If there is a civil war before today, you are responsible; if there is a civil war after today, I will be responsible. From now on, I will never suppress the Communist Party. I am wrong, I admit it; you are wrong, you must also admit it .” He also reiterated the six conditions he agreed to.Zhang Xueliang asked to accompany Chiang Kai-shek back to Nanjing, and also wrote a warrant: During Yu's visit to Nanjing, the Northeast Army, under the command of Xuezhong, obeyed the command of Vice Chairman Yang Hucheng. When Chiang Kai-shek took off, Zhang Xueliang boarded his plane and followed.It was four o'clock in the afternoon.When Zhou Enlai got the news, he hurried to the airport by car, but it was too late, and sighed: "Zhang Hanqing (Zhang Xueliang's word) was poisoned by watching those old dramas. He not only (like Dou Erdun) sent a team to send ( Huang) Tianba, you have to plead guilty!" When Chiang Kai-shek flew to Luoyang and landed, he ordered Zhang Xueliang to let Yang Hucheng immediately release Chen Cheng, Wei Lihuang, Zhu Shaoliang, Jiang Dingwen and other detained senior generals.After receiving instructions from General Zhang Xueliang, Yang Hucheng and others also had a farewell party for the detained senior Nanjing generals.Then, Chiang Kai-shek asked Zhang Xueliang for the 50 detained military planes. After returning to Nanjing, Chiang Kai-shek's face changed. He organized a high military court to try Zhang Xueliang, imposed severe sanctions, and sentenced Zhang Xueliang to 10 years in prison.A few days later, Chiang Kai-shek ordered the National Government to announce an "amnesty" due to his previous promise, but "handed over to the Military Commission for strict control." (From then on, Zhang Xueliang lost his freedom and began his prison life of more than half a century. He was first coerced to Taiwan. Later, Zhang Xueliang was released and moved to the United States. He died in Hawaii on October 15, 2001.) Xi'an initially hoped that after Zhang Xueliang sent Chiang Kai-shek to Nanjing, he would be able to return within three to five days, only to find out later that their young marshal had been detained. On January 5, 1937, Chiang Kai-shek ordered Yang Hucheng and Yu Xuezhong to be dismissed and retained, and Gu Zhutong was appointed as the director of the military committee's Xi'an camp.It also mobilized 37 divisions to advance towards Xi'an in five routes. Among them, 12 divisions entered Tongguan and approached Xi'an, forcing Xi'an to surrender.Yang Hucheng and other senior generals of the Northeast Army and the 17th Route Army sent a strongly worded telegram to protest Chiang Kai-shek's plot to detain Zhang Xueliang and prepare to provoke a new civil war.The young and strong faction of the Northeast Army was very indignant and prepared to fight to the death.The main peace and main battle factions in the Northeast Army clashed fiercely. On February 2, Commander Wang Yizhe and his adjutant Song Xueli of the Peace Faction were killed by militants of the Main Battle Faction; Commander He Zhuguo of the Peace Faction heard of the bad luck and hid in Yang Hucheng's mansion. There was infighting in the Northeast Army, the frontline troops withdrew from the Weinan defense line, turned their guns and approached Xi'an to avenge Wang Yizhe.In the face of the complicated and perilous situation, Zhou Enlai focused on uniting the overall situation, immediately discussed with Yang Hucheng, and sent Ying Detian, Sun Mingjiu, and Miao Jianqiu, the main combatants who caused the trouble, to the Yunyang headquarters of the Red Army. mass cannibalism.However, in order to vent his hatred, the veteran of the Northeast Army killed the murderer Yu Wenjun and cut his heart out; he also shot and killed Brigadier Gao Fuyuan by mistake.After that, the Northeast Army drove to Gansu.Soon, the Nanjing government forced Yang Hucheng to go abroad for inspection.After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, Yang Hucheng returned to China to join the war and was imprisoned.He was successively detained in Hunan, Guizhou, Sichuan and other places. When the Kuomintang fled on September 17, 1949, he was ordered to be killed in Chongqing by Chiang Kai-shek. The peaceful settlement of the Xi'an Incident ended the ten-year civil war, formed and developed the Anti-Japanese National United Front, and ushered in a new era of cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party.It became an important key in the turning point of history.Entrusted by the party and the people, Zhou Enlai came to Xi'an at an extremely complex and tense historical moment, and has always been in the center of this huge storm.Fearless in times of danger, calm and witty, selfless in his work, and trying his best to turn the tide, showing the outstanding talents of a great statesman.