On May 31, 1940, Mao Zedong held a banquet in Yan'an. He wanted to entertain the overseas Chinese leader Tan Kah Kee;
A dozen days ago, Chiang Kai-shek held a banquet in Chongqing, and his guest was also Chen Kah Kee.
In order to receive Mr. Chen Kah Kee, Mao Zedong spent a total of 1.5 yuan for the banquet, and even he himself laughed at himself, "Am I being too stingy?" Can buy 800 cattle, Chiang Kai-shek can be said to be generous.
A group photo of Chairman Mao Zedong and Mr. Tan Kah Kee
There is no doubt that Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai-shek attach great importance to the reception of Mr. Tan Kah Kee, and they are sincere.
However, as Mao Zedong himself said, to entertain a famous overseas Chinese leader like Mr. Tan Kah Kee, Mao Zedong, who was "stingy", only spent 1.5 yuan. Is such a banquet too shabby?
At the same time, many people are curious about how Chiang Kai-shek's 80,000 ocean "hospital fee" was spent.
In addition, the leaders of the Kuomintang and the Communist Party hosted Mr. Tan Kah Kee in tandem one after the other. With such a huge disparity in reception specifications and banquet expenses, how would Mr. Tan Kah Kee react?
Many young people may not be familiar with Mr. Tan Kah Kee.
Mr. Tan Kah Kee is from Jimei, Tong'an County, Quanzhou Prefecture, Fujian Province. He is a famous patriotic overseas Chinese leader, entrepreneur, educator, philanthropist, and social activist.
Mr. Tan Kah Kee also has an identity-NanyangChairman of the Overseas Chinese Association for Relief for Motherland Refugees.
The Nanyang Overseas Chinese Association for Relief for Motherland Refugees was established in 1937. In order to support the all-out war of resistance, Mr. Tan Kah Kee organized and mobilized the overseas Chinese in Nanyang to donate and purchase national salvation bonds.
Mr. Tan Kah Kee also organized the selection of overseas Chinese drivers to return to China and participated in the transportation of anti-Japanese war materials on the Yunnan-Burma Highway , which made great contributions to the cause of the war of resistance in the motherland.
In the winter of 1939, Mr. Tan Kah Kee, who was nearly old, personally led a delegation to return to the motherland for condolences and inspections.
The delegation first conducted an inspection in , an area under the national control of . After the tedious approval process, Mr. Chen Jiageng was notified that Chiang Kai-shek would meet the members of the delegation on the third floor of Chongqing Inspirational Club.
On this day, Mr. Tan Kah Kee arrived at inspirational agency earlier, and he will be here waiting for Chiang Kai-shek's arrival.
"Chairman Chiang is here!" a young officer shouted. Chiang Kai-shek, wearing a black cloak, walked majestically through the door, followed by a large group of KMT central officials.
Mr. Tan Kah Kee politely stood up, shook hands with Chiang Kai-shek, and greeted him.
Chiang Jieshi during the Anti-Japanese War
"Mr. Chen, please take a seat." Chiang Kai-shek said that a guard expertly removed his cloak for him and quickly withdrew.
Mr. Tan Kah Kee noticed that after Chiang Kai-shek was seated, the KMT military and political dignitaries present took their seats one after another.
Before that, they stood with their hands down, respectful and fearful, and they didn't even dare to breathe.
Seeing this look, Mr. Tan Kah Kee has an indescribable feeling in his heart.
Before returning to China, an overseas Chinese once said to Chen Kah Kee: "Many officials of the Kuomintang government are pampered, and Chiang Kai-shek is often like a local emperor, very majestic." .
During this meeting, Tan Kah Kee clearly felt that the financial situation of Chiang Kai-shek's National Government was very bad, and it was in urgent need of assistance from people from all walks of life, especially patriotic overseas Chinese.
Over the next few days, Mr. Tan Kah Kee took the trouble to accept dinner after dinner.
In order to welcome him, the KMT officials in Chongqing took turns to fight. They arranged for the members of the delegation to stay in the most luxurious hotel in Chongqing and held a series of large and small banquets.
According to Mr. Tan Kah Kee's private inquiries, Chiang Kai-shek specially approved a special fund of 80,000 oceans to receive the delegation.
Chen Jiageng said to the members of the delegation: "It seems that the phrase 'the front is tight, the rear is tight' is not made up." A large amount of US aid to China was placed on the top.
There are also many rice , flour and other materials printed with the words "patriotic donation from overseas Chinese".
Mr. Tan Kah Kee was extremely disappointed. He said: "At the time of national crisis, patriotic overseas Chinese donated money and materials to fight against the Japanese invaders. Unexpectedly, they gained some people's pockets..."
During his stay in Chongqing, Tan Kah Kee felt it. "The front is tight, and the rear is tight." I also saw the soldiers in front of them swooning in blood, and the people in the back sang and danced.
This obviously made Tan Kah Kee pessimistic about the prospects of the War of Resistance under Chiang Kai-shek's leadership. He no longer had any illusions about the Kuomintang government, and was deeply worried about the fate of the motherland.
Tan Kah Kee rejected the KMT's proposal to invite him to join the KMT on the grounds that "I don't think the KMT can save China".
While strolling on the streets of Chongqing, Mr. Tan Kah Kee heard a mantra circulating among young people - "This road can't go through, go to Mao Zedong."
He decided to visit Yan'an.
However, when he proposed the idea of visiting Yan'an, he was strongly blocked by the Kuomintang.
At the insistence of Mr. Tan Kah Kee, Chiang Kai-shek had no choice but to agree to Tan Kah Kee's request.
However, Chiang Kai-shek only allowed Tan Kah Kee and other three people to go to Yan'an, and asked Chen Kah Kee to remind him repeatedly: "Be careful not to be fooled by the Communist Party , so as not to be deceived by them." He went to Yan'an and was warmly welcomed by more than 5,000 people in the square outside the south gate of Yan'an.
htmlOn May 31, Chen Jiageng came to Yangjialing at the invitation of Mao Zedong, Mao Zedong will host a banquet for him at his residence.
Chen Jiageng was surprised to find that, except for a guard soldier and two or three staff members, Mao Zedong's residence was no different from that of an ordinary farmhouse.
Mao Zedong welcomed the guests into the cave, took out a can of British cigarettes, and personally lit the cigarettes for Tan Kah Kee.
Tan Kah Kee was puzzled: the chairman of the Communist Party smoked expensive British cigarettes.
Mao Zedong obviously noticed Mr. Chen Kah Kee's expression, and immediately explained: "This is given to me by the American overseas Chinese Situ Meitang , and I specially brought it out to entertain guests today." How can we afford such expensive cigarettes.”
Tan Kah Kee was skeptical of Mao Zedong’s words, but he soon believed what Mao Zedong said.
While Mao Zedong and Mr. Tan Kah Kee were talking, the staff sent an urgent message.
Mao Zedong said to Mr. Tan Kah Kee, "I'm sorry, I'll come when I go."
While Chairman Mao was away, Mr. Tan Kah Kee carefully "visited" Mao Zedong's bedroom and office.
This is a small cave, with few decorations inside, it is extremely simple, and there is a map on the uneven wall.
There is very little furniture in the room, except for a wooden bed, there is only a desk and a few long benches in the room, that's all.
This is a poor man's leader!
Chen Kah Kee couldn't help thinking of Chiang Kai-shek's magnificent and heavily guarded office building, an office with precious calligraphy, paintings and luxurious furniture...
After a while, Mao Zedong returned to the cave after processing the telegram. He placed the half cigarette in a very natural place, It didn't stop until it got hot to the touch.
Mr. Tan Kah Kee also smoked. Based on what he saw just now, he concluded that what Mao Zedong said was true.
Chen Kah Kee said: "Thank you Chairman Mao for welcoming me. This time I am in Yan'an, I feel very cordial."
Seeing that Mao Zedong's cheeks are thin, it is obvious that is not getting enough sleep. , Chen Jiageng asked with concern: "How is your work and rest time arranged?" exception."
Tan Kah Kee shook his head and said, "This is not right, this is not right. This is not good for health. In addition, your office is too rudimentary, it's better..."
Mao Zedong interjected: "I am very good, I can work and sleep well, it is an old habit, and it is not easy to change it. "
Because Tan Kah Kee speaks Hokkien, and Mao Zedong speaks Hunan dialect , it was a little difficult for the two to talk.
So, the staff hired a Fujian cadre to act as a "translator".
The attentive Tan Kah Kee noticed , this Fujian "compatriot" is very relaxed and unrestrained here in Mao Zedong.
Mr. Chen Kah Kee could not help but think of the day when he first met Chiang Kai-shek. He clearly remembered the fearful appearance of those Kuomintang officials in front of Chiang Kai-shek.
Chen Kah Kee Two words appeared in his mind - equality.
Maybe this is the equality advocated by the proletarian party.
Mao Zedong in Yan'an
This evening, Mao Zedong invited Chen Jiageng to dine together in the courtyard of his cave.
Commander-in-Chief Zhu De, etc. The leaders of the Communist Party of China also accompanied him.
It was a banquet, but Mao Zedong's meal was very simple.
The staff set up an old square table in the yard, and more than 10 guests and hosts sat around the table, crowded on a few wooden benches.
What delicacies did Mao Zedong prepare for the distinguished guest, Chen Kah Kee?
Chen Kah Kee found that there were no beautiful dishes on the table, nor a variety of sumptuous dishes. The only meat dish was a pot of chicken soup.
Commander Zhu De said : "This is Chairman Mao's usual food standard."
Mao Zedong corrected on the side: "I don't have the conditions to drink chicken soup every day. I heard that I want to treat a guest to dinner today, and the neighbor's aunt gave me the hen that was still laying eggs. "
Chen Jiageng later learned that as soon as the banquet was over, Mao Zedong asked the guards and soldiers to send a piece of ocean to the neighbor's aunt.
Chen Jiageng also knew the total cost of the dinner: including a hen, the total cost of the dinner was 1.5 Dayang.
Chen Kah Kee attended numerous feasts, and even received a banquet from Chiang Kai-shek and other KMT dignitaries more than ten days ago.
However, it was the first time in his life that he attended such a frugal banquet as Mao Zedong.
This night, Chen Kah Kee tossed and turned and stayed up all night. Sleep.
During his stay in Yan'an, Mr. Tan Kah Kee met a lot of overseas Chinese youth who went to Yan'an to participate in the revolution.
In front of these overseas Chinese children, Tan Kah Kee seemed very relaxed and happy.
Chen Kah Kee asked them many questions, and he went straight to the point, no Detour.
"Is the Eighth Route Army really fighting the Japanese? ";
"Does the Communist Party oppose 'ethics and morals? '";
"Does Mao Zedong care about the lives of ordinary people? "
" Do the people in northern Shaanxi support Mao Zedong and the Communist Party? ";
"Why did you come to Yan'an and why didn't you go to Chongqing? "
The young people told the truth one by one, and their answers made Mr. Tan Kah Kee excited.
Tan Kah Kee's heart was strongly shocked.
In the next few days, Mr. Tan Kah Kee visited Yan'an factories, schools, Shops, markets.
He also visited the "Chinese People's Anti-Japanese Military and Political University" with great interest.
When he left the "Kang University", Mr. Tan Kah Kee received a special gift - a set of gray uniforms of the Eighth Route Army given to him by the "Kang University" students.
htmlAt 5:00 am on the 18th, Chen Jiageng and his party ended their inspection and condolences in Yan'an, and bid farewell to Yan'an under the welcome of the leaders of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region Government, the leaders of the Eighth Route Army Left-behind Office, and representatives from all walks of life in Yan'an.
Mr. Tan Kah Kee's next exam location is , Shanxi , where he will witness the bloody feat of the Eighth Route Army in its bloody war of resistance.
The trip to Yan'an has become an important experience that Tan Kah Kee will never forget in his life.
Yan'an old photo
He said to people:
"Before I went to Yan'an, the Communist Party I saw in the newspapers was ferocious and cruel, more than thieves and beasts." It is said that 'the CCP commits all evils, rampant exploitation, inhumanity and discipline, mixed men and women, like beasts'".
Tan Kah Kee said: "When I went to Yan'an, the Kuomintang repeatedly advised me not to go to avoid danger."
"But when I arrived in Yan'an, what I saw and heard told me that the truth was not like that, or even the exact opposite." The topic changed:
"I went to the city and the countryside in Yan'an, where I have been in contact with CCP leaders, as well as ordinary officials, soldiers and ordinary people." Education is revitalized, and men and women are in order."
"There are no harsh taxes, no unemployed beggars, and other advantages and disadvantages are difficult to describe. It is really unique, which is beyond my expectations."
After returning to Chongqing, Mr. Chen Jiageng made a piece that was later received by him. Something he called "innocent futility."
Chen Kah Kee told Chiang Kai-shek what he had seen in Yan'an, hoping that Chiang Kai-shek could unite the CCP and actively fight against Japan.
However, it is impossible for Chiang Kai-shek to listen to Mr. Tan Kah Kee's words.
The day after Tan Kah Kee left Chongqing, Chiang Kai-shek lost his temper in front of a group of government officials.
Chiang Kai-shek accused Tan Kah Kee of "changing his attitude towards the Communist Party since he visited and in the northwest".
When the news reached Mr. Tan Kah Kee, Tan Kah Kee was neither angry nor angry.
He calmly said to the people around him: "When I didn't go to Yan'an, I was very pessimistic about China's future. I thought that China's savior had not yet been born, or I was still studying in school ."
Mr. Tan Kah Kee said: "Actually, China's savior already exists!"
"This man is in his 40s and 50s. He has done a lot of great things and will do more and bigger things in the future. This person is now in Yan'an, and he is Mao Zedong!"
Since then, Mr. Tan Kah Kee has resolutely adjusted the aid plan for China, and a large number of materials donated by overseas Chinese "jumped" over Chongqing and were continuously shipped to Yan'an.
When Tan Kah Kee left Yan'an, Mao Zedong once made two demands to Tan Kah Kee:
First, Mao Zedong asked Mr. Tan Kah Kee to tell Chiang Kai-shek that the Communist Party hopes that the two parties will work together to achieve an early victory in the War of Resistance.
Second, Mao Zedong hoped that Mr. Tan Kah Kee could tell the real situation in Yan'an to the overseas Chinese in Nanyang.
Tan Kah Kee agreed very seriously and fulfilled his promise.
After the outbreak of the civil war, Tan Kah Kee called the President of the United States and Congress in the name of the chairman of the Southern Overseas Chinese Federation to oppose the United States' aid to Chiang Kai-shek.
He boycotted the National Assembly convened by Chiang Kai-shek, accusing Chiang Kai-shek of being a "dictatorship of a single husband, so he did not hesitate to flatter foreigners to consolidate his position and eliminate dissidents. Compared with Shi Jingtang, Qin Hui, Wu Sangui, Wang Jingwei, and other thieves, he was better than others."
This is Chiang Kai-shek, who spent 80,000 oceans to entertain Tan Kah Kee, had unexpected results.
Tan Kah Kee
1949, at the invitation of Chairman Mao Zedong, Mr. Tan Kah Kee returned to China to participate in the CPPCC preparatory meeting.
Mr. Tan Kah Kee served as vice chairman of the National Political Consultative Conference, member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and chairman of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese.
On August 12, 11961, Tan Kah Kee died in Beijing .
Chen Kah Kee made immortal contributions to the 1911 Revolution, national education, , the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the War of Liberation, and the construction of New China.
Mao Zedong praised him as "the banner of overseas Chinese and the glory of the nation".
