Foreword
On May 31, 1982, Zuo Taibei suddenly received three "babies" from his mother Liu Zhilan. The first is the eleven letter from his father, General Zuo Quan, to his mother Liu Zhilan; the second is in December 1939, the newly married Zuo Quan couple wrote a dedication to Commander-in-Chief Zhu De; the third is July 15, 1942, Liu Zhilin, the brother of Liu Zhilan who works next to Zuo Quan, wrote a letter to his sister about the sacrifice of his brother-in-law Zuo Quan.
At this time, Zuo Taibei recovered her emotions and began to read from the first family letter. When she read the last letter from her father to her mother, Zuo Taibei's emotions were like a flood bursting a bank and poured out. out. One paragraph of the letter is written like this:
... I want to come to Taibei and grow taller and know a lot. In leisure and sitting alone, sometimes it always seems that you and Taibei are playing and talking with me. Especially Beibei was very naughty. He was underground for a while, and then crawled into his mother's arms. It was so happy. It's a pity that the three are divided into three places. If they are together, it would be very happy... Zhilan! My dear, don't see it easily at times. 21 months after separation, when will we meet? Nian Nian, Nian Nian! Under the party's rectification style, we are willing to make our own efforts and strive for progress! Use progress to comfort yourself, and use progress to reward your heartfelt goodbyes.
On May 25, 1942, on the day of General Zuo Quan's death, Zuo Taibei was only two days old before reaching the age of two, so she had almost no impression of her father. Before receiving these three treasures, Zuo Taibei had a special feeling of deviation towards the title of father.
She once said: "I have been eating'big pot rice' since I can remember. I have never been hungry. I always have food to eat. It is a very low level of communism. Anyway,'clothes come to reach out, and food comes to open your mouth. ', the nursery is my home,The nursery is all my life. I didn't feel the sacrifice of my father. To me at that time, it really didn't matter whether I had a father or not.
After seeing the three treasures that his mother had kept for decades, the 42-year-old Zuo Taibei really "knowed" her father. She believed that his father loved herself and he was a great hero.
Figure | Eighth Route Army Deputy Chief of Staff Zuo Quan
From November 1940, Zuo Quan wrote 12 letters (one of which was missing) in 21 months, with a total of 16,000 words. Each of Zuo Quan's letters was written in 21 months. Family letters are used to greet his wife and daughter in a larger space, which shows how much he hopes to survive to be reunited with his family!
So, Zuo Quan had time to escape when he was in distress, but why did he refuse to conceal himself? The matter started from 1939.
Three days before the sacrifice, he wrote to his wife and daughter
In February 1939, Liu Zhilan accompanied the Central Inspection Team from Yan'an to visit the Taihang Mountains, speaking on behalf of the Central Women’s Committee. At that time, Zuo Quan assisted Zhu De and Peng Dehuai at the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army on the Taihang Mountains, and commanded most of China's war of resistance.
Liu Zhilan grew up in Beijing, and she and her six sisters were each flower-like, known as the "Seven Fairies". How beautiful is Liu Zhilan? According to the memories of old comrades, Liu Zhilan, Pu Anxiu (Mrs. Peng Dehuai), and Ye Qun (later married to Lin Biao) were called "Yan'an Three Beauty".
Figure | Liu Zhilan
Suddenly a 22-year-old girl with a good-looking appearance came to the regiment, which naturally attracted the attention of the soldiers, and Zuo Quan was no exception. Strangely speaking, before Liu Zhilan came, Zuo Quan seemed to be indifferent to matters of men and women. He once said : "I sacrificed all my happiness,Fight for my career. So, Zuo Quan was already a 33-year-old unmarried man at the time.
Maybe it was love that knocked on the door! When Liu Zhilan came to the stage to give a report, Zuo Quan under the stage was like a soul, and when he applauded, he was better than others. It took a few more shots. His "abnormal" behavior was seen by Mr. Zhu next to him.
Mr. Zhu has always been concerned about Zuo Quan's marriage, and he found Liu Zhilan and introduced her to the basic situation of Zuo Quan. And said: "Left deputy staff is waiting for your reply.
Liu Zhilan raised her head and smiled and said: "Then follow the commander-in-chief's arrangements!"
Mr. Zhu quickly waved his hand: "Fighting, I am the commander-in-chief, you listen to me; to find someone, you are the commander-in-chief, and I listen to you. I'm a matchmaker and I can't do it all. Don't think that it is the commander-in-chief who is the introducer.
Later, Liu Zhilan mentioned in her memory that her thoughts were like this:
"I regard the boss as an elder. Since the boss said it personally, I can’t refuse it, and it’s very fast. Getting married has no emotional basis. My petty bourgeois sentiment at that time was very strong. I regarded myself very high. Although I was 22 years old and had many contacts with people, I had never been in love with anyone.
At first, Liu Zhilan's impression of Zuo Quan was just an upright deputy chief of staff. On April 16, 1939, Zuo Quan married Liu Zhilan at the Eighth Route Army Headquarters in North Village, Lucheng. Zuo Quan cherished his marriage extremely and cared for his wife. Plus. December 16 of the same year is Mr. Zhu’s 54th birthday.
Figure | 1939,Zuo Quan took a photo outside the bridal chamber
On the same day, Zuo Quan and Liu Zhilan wrote a new birthday poem-"To Our President Zhu". The beginning was this:
Commander-in-chief, you were born in a semi-colony In a semi-feudal society, you have worked tirelessly to destroy it for decades. There are thousands of people behind you, following the path you have opened up. You are the banner of the Chinese nation and the Chinese people's liberation!
In this way, the husband and wife express their gratitude to this respected old comrade-in-arms and matchmaker. Mr. Zhu is also very happy, and hopes that their husband and wife can always be harmonious and beautiful.
Soon after, Liu Zhilan became pregnant, and her early reaction was very strong. At that time, she was living in the Women's Committee of the Northern Bureau. Zuo Quan rode to see her from the headquarters every evening for more than two months. This was really rare among senior generals from the army. The gay men around all know Mrs. Zuo Quanai, and the lesbians all envy Liu Zhilan for finding a caring husband.
On May 27, 1940, Zuo Quan and Liu Zhilan's daughter were born. The 34-year-old Zuo Quan was pleased with a daughter, and the joy can be imagined. It is said that after Zuo Quan took his wife and daughter back to the Eighth Route Army headquarters, he got up at night to change diapers for the child, holding the child in his arms and reluctant to let go. Looking at her husband's good care, Liu Zhilan is very pleased. The originally happy family of three lived a happy life, but was strangled by this cruel war.
The war became more and more tyrannical, and the Japanese army madly attacked the Taihang Mountain base like crazy dogs. The headquarters of the Eighth Route Army is frequently moved, and it is inconvenient for family members to accompany the army. On August 30, 1940, Zuo Quan had to send his wife and daughter to Yan'an. Before leaving, Zuo Quan took a photo with his wife, Liu Zhilan, holding his daughter who was waving his hands and was dissatisfied for a hundred days.
In the photos of Zuo Quan that can be collected, Zuo Quan's lips are almost closed and his expression is serious. Only when I was holding my daughter, I smiled brightly. This photo is the only family portrait. The couple smiled happily.Time seems to be frozen at that moment.
Picture | In August 1940, in Zhuanbi Village, Wuxiang County, Shanxi, Zuo Quan and his wife Liu Zhilan and his daughter Zuo Taibeizhao's only family portrait
After Liu Zhilan and his daughter left, Zuo Quan was at a loss. Whenever someone goes to Yan'an, he has to take away letters or some daily necessities. Liu Zhilan also often writes to Zuo Quan. The letters contain comfort, an introduction after the separation, and complaints about the hardship of life and the hardship of bringing a baby.
On May 20, 1941, Zuo Quan wrote a reply after receiving a letter from Liu Zhilan. The plain and plain family letter reveals his longing for his wife and daughter.
To his wife, Zuo Quan cherishes the guilt of not being able to accompany his wife and sharing his worries. 's letter is written like this:
Although peony is good, green leaves support, this is an old saying. Little Taibei is able to grow so strong, lively and cute because of your proper nurturing. Although you are affected a lot, the main reason is that you have delayed some time, but this is also a major event and not in vain. You want me to make a fair conclusion. I think you have already made this conclusion, which means "I have the advantage, and you have suffered." Regardless of suitability, I agree with this conclusion.
Figure | The letter from Zuo Quan to Liu Zhilan on May 20, 1941
This paragraph shows that Zuo Quan affirms the hard work his wife has given for the child and admits that his wife has suffered. Regarding his wife’s complaints, Zuo Quan’s response was very manly: "I sympathize with you, and I don’t tire of your complaints."
The love for Xiao Taibei and Zuo Quan is about to overflow. Between the lines in the letter, the daughter is mentioned. For example:
has a few pieces of clothes, a few pieces of floral cloth, and a letter, and I lost them when I heard about the blockade.It’s a pity that those pieces of cloth are not bad, and they look good. I think that after you made clothes for Little Taibei, you can give the little guy a nice look, and they all fall out. No wonder being a father, but the little guy is too bad luck. NS.
This little baby, little angel, I really like her. Now I am bigger, stronger, more lively and more beautiful, able to call mom and dad, and be well-behaved and not naughty. It really gives me so much miss and happiness. It's a pity that each party can't see her hugging her.
Picture | Zuo Quan's last letter to his wife
At the end of the letter, Zuo Quan wrote what he had brought back to his wife and daughter from the front line, and he wished to bring all the good things back. The content is like this:
The trustee bought two sets of hot weather clothes for Taibei, but they have not been delivered yet. After the winter clothes are ready, they will be sent to you. The red woolen trousers have been sent to you by the winter trustee once. If Taibei's clothes are enough to wear, you can keep them for use and take care of them. My problem is easy to solve. In addition, I will send a woolen coat, a military uniform, two trousers and a few daily necessities. All hope will be collected. The seven boxes of milk biscuits are self-made. It is very good, and the fiat currency is 20 yuan. This is a recent translation. I would like to keep the draft fee for a little stuff.
The signature of this letter read: The person you miss all the time, Taibei’s father
Liu Zhilan regretted the letter she wrote about "grumbling" later. In a letter to her daughter Zuo Taibei in her later years, she said:
After returning to Yan'an, I will take you by myself. The difficulties are conceivable. I wrote you a letter when I was in the worst mood. My father said, I had already known that I would forget everything. This is not a change of heart, but an angry word. At that time, I was very young, and I had too little understanding of life, and I was far away from both sides. I was emotionally impulsive and wrote that letter by mistake. Now I am deeply regretful and regretful after reading it.
Zuo Quan is a very emotional person. In his heart, the status of his wife and daughter is always an important place. If it is a peaceful age, Zuo Quan must be a good husband and a good father. It is no exaggeration to say that he will dedicate everything he has to his family. But now is the time when the country is alive and dead, and only by "giving up small families to protect everyone" can more small families go from darkness to light.
A few steps over the mountains, the left power fell
In 1942, the Japanese invaders carried out the cruel "Three Lights" policy in an attempt to put the soldiers and civilians of the anti-Japanese base areas to death. At the beginning of February of the same year, the Japanese army began to concentrate its forces and launched a large-scale "mopping up" in the Taihang Mountains, centered on Matian in Liao County (now Zuoquan County), where the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army was located. Due to our army's early preparations, the enemy's three attacks failed.
In May, the Japanese army, irritated and furious, brought in 30,000 elite troops from all directions to launch an unprecedented brutal "mopping" on the base area of Taihang Mountain.
Figure | Zuo Quan and Peng Dehuai
The situation at the time was: in the face of the multi-channel joint attack by the Japanese army, the main force of the Eighth Route Army had turned out, while the Northern Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Eighth Route Army Headquarters were still in place. Encircled by the enemy.
On May 25th, Japanese aircraft dropped bombs and strafed from time to time, and the breakout troops were blocked in a narrow ravine. At the moment of crisis, Zuo Quan, the deputy chief of staff, regardless of personal safety, resolutely demanded the break: "After I break, I will cover everyone to break through!"
The Japanese army quickly contracted the encirclement by virtue of its superior force and slammed a shell into it. The dense crowds caused great chaos and anxiety to those who broke out. Zuo Quan did his best to greet everyone while boosting morale.At 2 o'clock in the afternoon, at Shiziling Gaojiapo, with a short break, Zuo Quan inspired the extremely exhausted team: "Comrades, rush together, as long as we cross the front block line, we will be safe."
After Zuo Quan gave the task, he was suddenly grabbed by the guard company commander beside him. Zuo Quan understood what the other party meant, but he would not leave his subordinates and choose to leave alone.
Figure | Left Quan (left) and Liu Bocheng (right)
Japanese planes circling and bombing frantically, dense artillery fire poured down the steep slope of , and the left right stood on the steep slope At a high place, waving his arms vigorously, commanded the troops to quickly climb over the mountain ridge. Suddenly, a shell screamed, and Zuo Quan shouted: "Comrades, lie down." As soon as the voice fell, the second shell struck again, and Zuo Quan's head, chest, and abdomen were all hit by shrapnel.
In 2001, Zuo Taibei came to the place where Zuo Quan died. She said sadly: "Dad must know that the first shell fired by the enemy was tentative, and there will be a second shell shortly thereafter. It’s still too late to fly and take refuge. But at the time there were a large number of people and horses in Shiziling. Dad would not choose to hide himself. His death was an infinite loyalty to the revolutionary cause!"
Thousands of people turned to safety , Zuo Quan fell on the mountain ridge that was only a few steps away. When Zuo Quan died, holding his favorite revolver in his right hand, a 37-year-old general star fell.
A fighter who participated in the battle recalled:
"The battle was very tragic. When the body was collected, the legs could not be opened. The body was connected to the body. The body of the left deputy chief of staff was not buried until three or four days later.After being buried, it was dug up by the enemy, and the photo was published in the newspaper. "
Luo Ruiqing gave a speech in front of the tomb of Zuo Quan in front of the tomb of Zuo Quan, and he exclaimed: "The salute to the martyrs is not over yet, there are three things to do in the future: the first is Revenge, the second is revenge, and the third is revenge!
Figure | The Eighth Route Army’s burial photo of General Zuo Quan and martyrs
It is true that the sacrifice of General Zuo Quan is a loss to the party and the people. Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping co-written " In commemoration of our comrade-in-arms Comrade Zuo Quan," it said: "The sacrifice of Comrade Zuo Quan is not only a great loss to the Chinese nation, the Chinese people, and our party and army, but also in the feelings of comrades, that is, personal friendship. The loss of one of our closest comrades-in-arms, our grief cannot be described in words. "
Zuo Quan's sacrifice, the family's reaction
Zuo Quan's sacrifice hit Liu Zhilan a great blow. She was only 25 years old and raised her daughter alone with great grief and grief.
Picture | On October 20, 1950, Zuo Quan’s wife Liu Zhilan and her daughter Zuo Taibei were holding hands when moving spirits
How much she hopes her husband can return to her side, even if only One breath is fine. In the eulogy to her husband, Liu Zhilan wrote:
I have heard the news of your death several times, and I don’t want to believe it. Or returning from a serious injury, no matter what kind of mutilated body,I will do my best to care for you and be proud of your incompleteness... Because of your sacrifice, my determination to fight has been deepened. Japanese fascism not only enslaved my country, but also killed my dear people. ... In any difficulty, I have to gritted my teeth and crossed over. If you are a little disappointed and shaken, you are not worthy of being your wife.
Later, when Liu Zhilan wrote to her daughter, she said that she had fantasized about Zuo Quan's return home. She said: "If it were not for the hatred of Matian in May 1942, after the Japanese surrendered, our family would reunite. Life is going to be very happy. He will take good care of both of us, and will never be like the situation he would leave us behind."
The news of Zuo Quan’s sacrifice, everyone concealed it. The mother of Zuo Quan. According to the old comrade’s recollection:
“Zuo Quan’s father passed away when he was young, and his mother worked hard to pull up his four children. Zuo Quan left his hometown at the age of 19 and never met his mother again.”
Figure | Zuo Quan in his youth
After seven years, when the team entered Liling County, Zuo Quan's old mother was already waiting after hearing the news. She asked the soldiers passing by: "Has Zuo Quan come back?"
Thousands of soldiers shouted to the old man: "Zuo Quan has not come back, we are all your sons." At this time, the old lady understood that the youngest son might no longer be alive.
The strong old man did not cry bitterly. She had not read any books, so she asked someone to ghostwrite and wrote such a tragic word: "My son resists Japan and becomes a benevolent,"A worthy death is worthy of an aspiring man. Now that we have succeeded in democratic emancipation, I have sacrificed myself. What a pity, my son knows it, I look down!
On August 15, 1945, Japan announced its unconditional surrender. General Zuo Quan, finally can smile at Jiuquan.
write to the end
came to the cross again in 2014. Ling, a small carduelis landed on the pine tree in front of Zuo Taibei and kept crying. Zuo Taibei felt that the small carduelis was the incarnation of her father. She cried bitterly: "I think , Father seemed to know that I came to see him, and he was very happy. This little siskin seemed to be his father coming from the sky, and he made a special trip to tell me: ‘I’m fine, don’t worry’. ” .
