In 1965, Li Zongren, the former acting president of the Kuomintang, returned to China after traveling many places from the United States. Standing on this familiar land, he glanced at the south, and was chased by Chiang Kai-shek, and he finally returned home.
In order to show his welcome to Li Zongren's return, Premier Zhou brought He Long, Peng Zhen, and former senior KMT generals to wait for him at the airport. When Li Zongren got off the plane, Premier Zhou went up to shake hands with him, like an old friend who had not seen him for many years, and greeted him on behalf of Chairman Mao.
(Li Zongren and Chairman Mao)
At this time, Li Zongren is 75 years old. Facing the enthusiasm of his former opponents, he couldn't help but moved. This time he really went home.
Soon Chairman Mao met with Li Zongren, and the chairman asked him what his plans for the future were. At this time, Li Zongren had no ambitions of the year. He just wanted to use the rest of his life to contribute to the country, so he euphemistically expressed his desire to become the National People's Congress. The idea of the vice chairman.
After listening, the chairman thought for a while, then smiled, and did not directly answer whether he agreed. Upon seeing this, Li Zongren understood the chairman's attitude.
It is reasonable to say that Li Zongren was an important figure in the Kuomintang. After returning to China, his request to be the vice chairman of the National People's Congress was not excessive. Why did the chairman smile and refuse to say anything?
1. Young Tiger General, Taierzhuang Victory
(Li Zongren and his wife)
Li Zongren was born in 1891. At that time, it was in turmoil, Sun Taiping was not long in the past. The meeting is still being planned, and warlords everywhere are impatiently enclosing the territory. For Li Zongren, the future is built on blood.
Fortunately, he has a healthy family. He is still studying at the Guangxi Army Primary School in Cai E , and slowly cultivated courage beyond ordinary people.
In 1916, Li Zongren served as the platoon leader under Li Hu, and fought with the troops of Guangdong Governor Long Jiguang. One morning, the troops of Long Jiguang suddenly launched an attack.Want to catch Li Zongren by surprise.
Li Zongren didn't expect the other party to be so anxious. They didn't even dig the trenches, so they rushed up without running a few steps and they became a sieve. He had no choice but to order his men to rely on the terrain as a cover, and general artillery fired at a long-range counterattack.
(Li Zongren)
At that time, the army’s discipline was very poor, and there were some trash that was weak when it saw the enemy. When the enemy's first wave of offensive was repulsed, these soldiers had not yet shown a fear of war. But the enemy obviously wanted to take the position and organized several charges in succession, and Li Zongren's men began to waver. Seeing that the soldiers were so frustrated, he secretly screamed that they were not good, so he mobilized everyone to charge.
Seeing that Li Zongren stood up, the opponent looked at the target and fired at that side. The bullet hit Li Zongren's right cheek, and blood drenched immediately, revealing his teeth.
Li Zongren endured the pain and continued to mobilize soldiers to charge. He has always adhered to the principle of not falling below the line of fire, so he fought back with injuries and almost lost his life. Later, the military doctors squeezed the sweat for him, and if the bullet went a little bit too far, he would never stand up again.
Li Zongren, who survived the disaster all the way through, relied on his unrelenting momentum to become a member of the Kuomintang Military Committee and the first person in the Gui family.
(Battle of Taierzhuang)
In 1938, Li Zongren commanded the Battle of Xuzhou. In the Battle of Taierzhuang, he joined the New Fourth Army to severely inflict a decisive victory on the Japanese army. History is a pen, scribbling down events, but unable to write about the hardships. Although Li Zongren was no longer a stunned young man in his 20s and 30s, Death once again passed him by and almost took everything from him.
Li Zongren’s Guangxi Legion is not Chiang Kai-shek’s direct line of troops. The daily armaments are always not distributed in full, and most of the work done is extremely thrilling.
This time he sent Li Zongren to Xuzhou to fight against the so-called "The Best Japanese Imperial Army" and the Isotani Army. The two Japanese armies have assembled more than 40,000 troops and 70 or 80 tanks.Hundreds of heavy artillery and a large number of aircraft assisted in the battle.
Li Zongren wants guns and no guns, no one is required, and only a little food and grass. While he will be left out by Chiang Kai-shek, he has to fight against the Japanese ace army, which is tantamount to sending him to death.
(Battle of Taierzhuang)
On March 24, the Japanese army officially attacked Taierzhuang. The number of artillery shells dropped every day as many as six to seven thousand rounds. Sun Lianzhong's troops could only defend themselves and did not dare to fight. Soon the Japanese began to destroy the outer fortifications and sent infantry forward. Sun Lianzhong did not dare to wait for the Japanese army to attack and resist, so he merged with the Japanese army on the outskirts of Taierzhuang.
Because Sun Lianzhong's army is also a "unbranded army" in Chiang Kai-shek's eyes, no artillery and tanks are allocated, and they can only forcefully confront the Japanese with flesh and blood. A large number of soldiers died in the artillery fire, and layers of blood were splashed on the walls. Some people saw that the weapon gap was too wide, so they had to exchange their lives for their lives and hacked them with Japanese bayonets.
This tug-of-war was almost a unilateral massacre. The Japanese army continued to attack for three days and finally attacked Taierzhuang. Sun Lianzhong's troops suffered seven to eight casualties. The remaining soldiers hid in the streets to avoid the Japanese roundup.
(Battle of Taierzhuang)
Originally, Li Zongren's plan was that Sun Lianzhong stayed at Taierzhuang, and Tang Enbo hurried forward to support the Japanese army. However, Tang Enbo refused to obey the orders at all, and did not go south, resulting in a devastating blow to Sun Lianzhong's troops. Li Zongren yelled at him in anger, and finally tore his face directly with him, only to mobilize Tang Enbo.
To stabilize Tang Enbo, Li Zongren received a call from Sun Lianzhong, and the troops suffered heavy casualties. Sun Lianzhong hoped that Li Zongren would allow them to leave the city and leave some incense for his troops.
Li Zongren sighed. Now the Japanese army is in great power. Once Sun Lianzhong withdraws, the people in the city will no longer survive. Moreover, once the Japanese army insists on Taierzhuang, it will be even more difficult to take it back. Anxious in his heart, let the remnants of Sun Lianzhong lurch in the city and rush to the front line himself.
On April 6, Li Zongren rushed to Taierzhuang with his troops to personally command the annihilation war against the Isogu Army. The artillery fire lasted all night before Tang Enbo appeared from the back of the Japanese army.Seeing that the strategic offensive had taken place, Li Zongren couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. The initiative was finally in his own hands.
(Battle of Taierzhuang)
But at this moment, the Japanese bomber spotted him, dropped two artillery shells from above and exploded 5 meters away from him, almost killing Li Zongren. He stood up and smoked a cigarette, and then laughed: " The duty of our soldiers is to die for the country, not afraid of death! If we die for the resistance against Japan, the people of the country will always remember us for generations to come! Everyone will follow me. "Speaking and strode forward.
Thanks to the efforts of all parties, the Taierzhuang battle was won. The Japanese killed and injured more than 20,000 people, destroyed more than 30 tanks, and seized a large number of weapons.
Although this battle was the victory of the KMT-CPC coalition army, Li Zongren could hardly hide his sorrow. On the way into the city, he saw some soldiers tensed, their eyes fixed on the tower, most of their bodies were blown off, and some raised their hand mines to pull the tabs, with several bayonets inserted in their bodies, and some were all over their bodies. Scorched, motionless in the burning ruins.
(Tai'erzhuang Battle Memorial Hall)
Li Zongren couldn't help crying as he watched the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country, and suddenly knelt on his knees. The accompanying generals couldn't help but grieve, crying loudly. This hard-won victory was piled up with tens of thousands of lives.
Second, the "gratitude entanglement" between Li Zongren and Chiang Kai-shek
Taierzhuang's victory quickly spread across the country. Chiang was surprised when he heard it, and couldn't help asking: ", you can still command a miscellaneous army? " Chiang Kai-shek is narrow-minded. After this battle, not only did he not change his views on Li Zongren, but he was even more jealous of him, and even humiliated Li Zongren whenever he had the opportunity.
(Li Zongren and Chiang Kai-shek)
The grudge between Chiang Kai-shek and Li Zongren has a long history. After the victory of the Northern Expedition in 1928, Chiang Kai-shek became obsessed with power and desperately wanted to eliminate dissidents and hold all power in his own hands.
At this time, the northern warlord has disappeared,He didn't dare to touch foreigners, he thought about it, and it was better to rectify from the inside and implement "cutting the vassal". Chiang Kai-shek wanted to use this to reorganize the army, plant his own people in various corps, and put an end to the situation of multi-party division.
However, Chiang Kai-shek has always been self-sufficient, and he is not generous enough with people and things, and does not have enough personality charm, and the local troops are unwilling to be controlled by him. When he put forward his ideas at the meeting, some army leaders patted the table and left without giving him any face.
And Li Zongren didn't want to just be a puppet general. He was reluctant to rush out of his brothers, and he was reluctant to give up his hard-earned foundation. He even felt that Chiang Kai-shek's prejudice might ruin his troops. Li Zongren persuaded Chiang Kai-shek: " must not move lightly within the party. " Chiang Kai-shek listened to his words on the surface, but in fact he had a secret suspicion.
(Li Zongren is in Beijing)
Li Zongren knows that this leader is not easy to serve at all. Most of his own words provoke him, so he starts to think of other ways. At that time, he sat firmly in Lianghu, Liangguang , which was a very influential local force.
Moreover, Li Zongren treats others generously, does not put on leadership, and manages the army strictly. Soldiers and generals also like to work with him. Li Zongren thought for a long time, and decided to try to infiltrate his power in Beijing, Tianjin, and Tangshan. In this way, even if you turn your face with Chiang Kai-shek, you still have the capital to resist courtesy.
Chiang Kai-shek can't tolerate sand in his eyes, and he can remember his hatred for a lifetime if he moves his territory. Seeing Li Zongren constantly challenge his endurance, Chiang Kai-shek finally couldn't sit still and ordered a large force to attack.
The equipment of Chiang Kai-shek's direct line of troops were all leading weapons at the time, and the supply of materials was also very sufficient, which was not comparable to that of a self-made man like Li Zongren. In the long war of attrition, his turf was also lost one after another, and finally he had to return to Guangxi. In turn, Chiang Kai-shek labelled him "colluding with the Communist Party".
(Li Zongren, Chiang Kai-shek, Bai Chongxi)
During this period, Chiang Kai-shek’s actions in China were very frequent.While dealing with the Japanese, he tried every means to fight against the Communist Party, and he kept trying to "cut the feudal clan".
In contrast, Li Zongren’s generosity and overall outlook have won him the favor of many people. Whether it is his own troops or warlords in other regions, his impression of him is better than that of Chiang Kai-shek. Let Li Zongren take the lead in the vice presidential campaign.
In 1948, the Kuomintang elected its vice president, and Li Zongren also participated. Chiang Kai-shek was very upset when he learned about it. He immediately contacted Li Zongren and asked Li Zongren to withdraw from the campaign.
At this time, the Kuomintang has already been in chaos, and various forces have been fighting for a long time. Li Zongren has been fighting for decades, and every military merit has been saved by himself. He feels that he is qualified to participate in the election, even if the election is successful. For too much. Faced with Chiang Kai-shek's request, Li Zongren refused without giving any room for maneuver.
(Inauguration photo of Vice President Li Zongren)
At the election conference, Li Zongren led by 1,438 votes and finally successfully ran for Vice President. Chiang Kai-shek has always despised this general from a miscellaneous army. Even if he became the vice president, Chiang Kai-shek is still the number one figure in the Kuomintang.
When Li Zongren asked about the dress of the campaign day, Chiang Kai-shek smiled and suggested that he wear military uniforms in accordance with military discipline.
Li Zongren didn't expect Chiang Kai-shek to make a fuss here. He really wore a military uniform, while Chiang Kai-shek wore a long robe. Li Zongren stood behind Chiang Kai-shek, like the other's entourage.
(Li Zongren and the KMT officer)
On the inaugural podium, Li Zongren looked solemn and tried to suppress his inner emotions. He looked at Chiang Kai-shek's triumphant expression under the flashlight, and he had a different plan in his heart.
Not long after the end of the three major battles of the War of Liberation, Li Zongren and Bai Chongxi forced Chiang Kai-shek to go down the field. At this time, the defeat of the KMT was determined, and Chiang Kai-shek wanted to get out of it, so he was eager to find a backer. After all the calculations, only Li Zongren, the "unknown army" in his mouth, is suitable.
(frontal photo of Li Zongren)
At that time everyone knew that the domestic situation was irreversible,The Kuomintang could not stop the historical process. But Chiang Kai-shek repeatedly persuaded Li Zongren and promised "no interference in internal affairs for five years."
Li Zongren has never been so close to the center of power, he couldn't help but temptation to agree. It was only when he became acting president that Chiang Kai-shek had not fulfilled his promise, but was still relying on various relationships to manipulate his own decisions. Even domestic armaments and military expenditures were not left to Li Zongren.
Faced with an empty shell, Li Zongren had to bite the bullet and make strategic deployments. He formulated three major tasks: conspiring with China to make peace; strengthening internal unity and preventing the Communist Party from crossing the river; and seeking American aid.
3. Why was the job application rejected after disarming and returning to the country?
(Vice President Li Zongren's inauguration photo)
Li Zongren’s troops could not stop the people’s hope for liberation, and the Kuomintang on the mainland quickly retreated , Li Zongren also moved from Hong Kong to the United States. At that time, Bai Chongxi invited him to Taiwan, but Li Zongren did not dare to agree. He was afraid that he would be pitted by Chiang Kai-shek as soon as he arrived in Taiwan, so he might as well go to the United States and wait and see for a while.
During his time in the United States, Li Zongren thoroughly saw Chiang Kai-shek's face. After Li Zongren arrived in the United States, he was still acting president, at least nominally the highest leader of the National Government.
And Jiang Jieshi watched the liberation of the mainland, and wanted to take back Li Zongren's power and regain his power. He called Li Zongren: Either return to Taiwan or resign.
Li Zongren now has no army by his side, and there is only one job in his life. After receiving Chiang Kai-shek’s confession, he was indignant and said frankly: “The sick body still needs to be cultivated. If it fails, it will return.”
was this sentence, let Chiang Kai-shek grasp the handle, and he immediately held a meeting. Li Zongren impeached him for not returning to Taiwan and neglecting his duty, and eventually returned to the post of president.
Li Zongren was indignant. At the beginning, he always advocated democracy in the Guangxi army, paid attention to generosity, and took the lead in the battle. He had the ambition to serve the country. He did not expect to encounter such a leader, which killed most of his life. The revolutionary enthusiasm.
In the end, my troops failed to keep, and I had to stay away from my homeland and endure homesickness. At this time, Li Zongren had no reliance, and could only constantly denounce Chiang Kai-shek in the newspapers. Pastime is a block in the heart.
(Li Zongren and Bai Chongxi)
Although Li Zongren is far away in the United States, he always pays attention to the domestic situation. He once visited the chairman of Taiwan Province, who happened to be in the United States, and learned that the relationship between the United States and Taiwan was deteriorating, and he couldn't help but become anxious.
Soon after he published his views on the Taiwan issue in the United States: First, the KMT and the Communist Party renewed peace talks. The Chinese issue should be resolved by the Chinese themselves, and the Americans should not intervene. The second is that the United States should recognize Taiwan as a part of China's sacred territory.
Li Zongren's remarks spread to the mainland, and Premier Zhou gave a high evaluation and expressed welcome to all Kuomintang patriots overseas to visit the motherland.
Li Zongren's identity is rather embarrassing, and his life safety has been threatened by Chiang Kai-shek, even if he intends to return to China, he dare not act rashly.
As time went by, Li Zongren's feelings of returning to his hometown became stronger and stronger, so he asked someone to bring back some cultural relics to donate to the country, and said that these cultural relics were worth 110,000 US dollars.
Premier Zhou was in favor of Li Zongren's idea of donating cultural relics, and he also felt his attitude towards the country. However, the matter of returning to China needs to be discussed in the long term, so the cultural relics are accepted first.
(Li Zongren returned to China)
Later, after being appraised by experts, this batch of cultural relics was adulterated with fakes, and the actual value was only US$3,000. President Zhou could not help laughing for a while. He immediately reported to Chairman Mao.
Chairman Mao smiled and said: " Enlai, isn't this just "casting stones for directions"? Our united front work must be tactical, and we must give him 120,000. "
The prime minister entrusted Li Zongren with 120,000 cash. And brought the chairman’s message: "Mr. Li, the calligraphy and paintings you have collected are authentic and fake, but the government has taken into account your patriotic enthusiasm,Give you a travel expense to Europe. "
This seems simple, but there are actually several hidden meanings.
The oral message said that the cultural relics are not worth 110,000, which means to tell him that the government understands everything and will not look away. Giving him 120,000 means that he Li Zongren is very good. Important, willing to pay more than he expected. And letting Li Zongren go to Europe is actually just an excuse to leave the United States and get rid of US surveillance, and this excuse will not make Chiang Kai-shek suspicious.
(Photo of Li Zongren's return to China )
In 1965, Li Zongren set off from the Netherlands and passed through Pakistan, and then returned to the dreaming motherland.
Premier Zhou brought the central officials and former Kuomintang veterans to pick up the plane for him. At this time, Li Zongren smiled from ear to ear. Look. He was sincerely proud of the development of the country.
Li Zongren issued the "Returning Statement" at the airport: " Zongren is an old man who has no idea of his personal political origins. In the future, he would only do his duty as a member of the people to revolutionize the motherland." Make a contribution to the construction cause, and hope to survive in the motherland, there is enough wish, nothing else. "At this time, he is no longer a warlord walking in the bloody storm, but an old man who loves his hometown.
(Li Zongren returns to China)
Later when the chairman met with Li Zongren, he asked him about his future plans. At that time. Li Zongren's physical condition is not very optimistic, but he still wants to contribute to the position of vice chairman of the National People's Congress.
This position is lower than the original Kuomintang acting president. If Chairman Mao agrees, it may cause unwarranted speculation by others. Chairman. Chairman. He didn’t answer directly, he just smiled, and Li Zongren understood the chairman’s attitude.
Li Ao When studying the deeds of Li Zongren, he said: ", in his later years of life, also used two'weapons' to show his hatred. The effect of "Niao Jingxin": One thing returns to the mainland, and one of his own "surplus value" is not given; one thing is hidden in the famous mountains, and his "Li Zongren's Memoirs" is completed and published. These two ‘weapons’ are the best ending of his life.It's amazing. ”
.References:
Li Zongren, the head of the Gui family
The "deep brotherhood" between Chiang Kai-shek and Li Zongren
Li Zongren's career as two and three things
Great victory with Taierzhuang
