On June 10, 1979, " Xinhua News Agency " published He Zizhen's photo, which immediately caused quite a stir across the country. People praised this strong revolutionary woman endlessly.
Below the photo, "Xinhua News Agency" also published a report about He Zizhen being co-opted as a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. However, what few people know is that her election was the result of Kong Congzhou's hard work.
Kong Congzhou and He Zizhen are in-laws. Although they rarely meet, Kong Congzhou often listens to Li Min talk about her revolutionary experience, so he has always admired his in-laws.
On the day when He Zizhen's ashes arrived at Beijing Airport, 78-year-old Kong Congzhou went to the airport to greet him in person. Looking at Li Min who was full of tears, he felt very uncomfortable...
Sons and daughters' in-laws
August 29, 1959, The wedding of Li Min and Kong Linghua was held grandly in Zhongnanhai Yi Nian Hall. The wedding was presided over by Chairman Mao and Kong Congzhou, the elders of both parties. Deng Yingchao, Cai Chang and other friends of Chairman Mao attended the wedding. He Zizhen, who was recuperating in Nanchang , also conveyed his congratulations .
Speaking of Kong Congzhou and He Zizhen becoming in-laws, we have to start with the love between Li Min and Kong Linghua.
In May 1946, Kong Congzhou, then deputy commander of the 38th Army of the Kuomintang, led his troops in the uprising. After several twists and turns, he joined the embrace of our party. Chairman Mao even personally approved him to become a Communist Party member.
Later, Kong Congzhou's son Kong Linghua was also sent to Shijiazhuang Rongzhen School under the arrangement of Zhou Enlai. After the liberation of Peiping, the school moved to Peiping and was renamed Bayi School. At that time, many children of central leaders were Li Min, who goes to school here and has just returned from the Soviet Union, is one of them.
In this way, Kong Linghua and Li Min became classmates. During the long-term relationship, the two gradually developed a deep relationship. Later, Kong Linghua was admitted to Beijing Institute of Aeronautics and , and Li Min was admitted to Beijing Normal University . Because of the distance between them, We chatted frequently in the near future and soon established a romantic relationship.
Chairman Mao has always loved Li Min. He naturally noticed the recent changes in his daughter. One night, he called Li Min to his side and asked with a smile: "Who is Xiao Kong's father? What does he do?"
Li Min She blushed a little when she was asked. She knew that her father knew that she was in love. She lowered her head and said shyly: "Dad, I didn't ask, but we are both from Bayi School, and his father should also be a cadre in the army. Besides, I didn't ask. "We are dating. What is his father doing?"
Chairman Mao joked: "Isn't Jiaojiao going to get married? I have to find out about the situation of my future in-laws."
So, Li Min went to find Kong Linghua. Asked about it and told dad the truth.
"Oh! It turns out to be General Kong Congzhou, I know him!" Chairman Mao showed a satisfied smile, and then he began to worry about his daughter's marriage. According to the original arrangement, the wedding date was set for July 1959. .
However, because Chairman Mao went south to attend the Lushan Conference at this time, the wedding had to be postponed, so it was changed to the time mentioned above.
It is worth mentioning that when he was in Lushan, Chairman Mao met with He Zizhen. The two talked about a lot, including his daughter's marriage. Chairman Mao said that Jiaojiao's marriage required her mother's consent.
After learning about Kong Linghua's past, He Zizhen said excitedly: "The chairman agrees, and I agree too." In this way, when Chairman Mao returned to Beijing, the wedding of Kong Linghua and Li Min went smoothly.
At that time, Kong Congzhou, who was the principal of Shenyang Advanced Artillery School, happened to be in Beijing for a meeting. Chairman Mao called his in-laws directly and invited him to preside over the children's wedding. Kong Congzhou was very happy.
On this day, Kong Congzhou and Chairman Mao's cousin Wang Jifan came to Zhongnanhai. Chairman Mao saw them and hurried forward to greet them. He held Kong Congzhou's hand and introduced to the guests present with a smile: " This is Li Min's father-in-law, Kong Linghua's father, Comrade Kong Congzhou. "
The wedding was held in a joyful and lively atmosphere. Chairman Mao also had a few drinks with Kong Congzhou. Everyone was very happy. He Zizhen heard her daughter's story and felt sincere. feel gratified.
Although He Zizhen and Kong Congzhou did not meet each other at this time, through the children's narration, the two had a good impression of each other, because they were both comrades who had contributed to the final victory of the revolution.
He Zizhen in his later years
After living in Nanchang for a period of time, He Zizhen returned to Shanghai to recuperate due to health problems. At that time, Li Min and Kong Linghua lived in Beijing. She had been wandering alone for many years, and she often felt lonely inside.
In order to make his mother happy, in April 1963, Li Min and Kong Linghua discussed and decided to send their six-month-old son Kong Jining to his grandmother. Because the couple was too busy to leave, this matter was called In the hands of Kong Linghua's sister Kong Shujing.
He Zizhen, who was recuperating at home, was overjoyed when she saw her grandson arriving. She hugged Kong Jining and played with her every day without feeling tired at all, and her spirits were obviously much better.
Kong Shujing told her eldest brother the good news, and Kong Linghua and his wife were equally happy. So, for many years after that, Kong Jining traveled back and forth between Beijing and Shanghai. The appearance of the child also filled He Zizhen's life with joy.
In the summer of 1965, Kong Linghua and his wife took He Zizhen to Qingdao . Kong Congzhou and his wife also brought Kong Jining here. He Zizhen and Kong Congzhou met, and the two families visited the sea view of Qingdao, talking and laughing.
During this period, Kong Congzhou found an opportunity and asked He Zizhen quietly: "The children have been married for a few years, are you still satisfied with Linghua?"
He Zizhen smiled and replied: "With half a son-in-law, I am very satisfied with Kong Linghua. ." Kong Congzhou also laughed. He had also participated in the revolution and was a son and daughter. The two of them had endless topics to talk about.
He Zizhen was even more excited about this trip to Qingdao. However, the injuries she suffered while covering the wounded during the Long March did not ease. In her later years, He Zizhen suffered from illness all year round. After Kong Congzhou learned about his mother-in-law's condition, he often I will ask my son to take Li Min to visit.
After the reform and opening up, the country formulated a development policy centered on economic construction, and the society showed a vibrant scene. He Zizhen, who was in Shanghai, once again ignited her fighting spirit. She also wanted to do something for the country, but this At that time, Chairman Mao had passed away, and she did not know how to speak to the central government.
At this moment, Kong Congzhou took the initiative to write a letter to Deng Xiaoping, truthfully explaining He Zizhen's revolutionary achievements to him, and hoped that the central government would consider it and let her serve as a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. After Deng Xiaoping learned about the situation, he directly approved it. Character.
When this good news reached He Zizhen's ears through Li Min, and when He Zizhen, who was far away in Shanghai, saw her photo published in the newspaper, He Zizhen shed tears of joy. Yes, there is nothing more special than the central government recognizing her. Much to her delight.
Those days were one of the happiest times in her life for He Zizhen in her later years. Now, we can no longer see her words of thanks to her in-law Kong Congzhou, but in her heart she will definitely be very grateful for his help. .
A few days later, He Zizhen told the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee the wish that had been hidden in her heart for many years: "I want to go to Beijing, pay homage to Chairman Mao's body, and see Tiananmen ."
Yes, since returning to China from the Soviet Union, due to various reasons The reason is that He Zizhen has never been to Beijing. Recently, she was still one step behind. This is inevitably a pity for her.
As Chairman Mao’s former wife, He Zizhen felt even more uncomfortable when she was unable to go to Beijing to mourn Chairman Mao’s death. As for going to see Tiananmen, it is the wish of all revolutionaries, because this is the goal they have fought for throughout their lives. The place of realization.
Faced with He Zizhen's sincere request, the leaders of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee were also very moved. Soon, they received approval from the central government, and He Zizhen's wish was fulfilled. A few days later, a special plane flew to Beijing with He Zizhen.
Kong Linghua and his wife helped He Zizhen off the plane. According to the arrangements of the central government, He Zizhen was admitted to 01 hospital . Some old comrades such as Kang Keqing and Zeng Zhi came here to visit. He Zizhen was very happy to see that his old friends were still there.
Later, after confirming that He Zizhen's body was stable, Kong Linghua and Li Min accompanied her to Tiananmen. Looking at the passing pedestrians and the portrait of Chairman Mao hanging high on the Tiananmen Gate, He Zizhen sighed.
A few days later, she came to the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall again and saw Chairman Mao, who had been separated for a long time. Only this time, one was lying in a crystal coffin and the other was sitting in a wheelchair. Heaven and earth were separated forever.
Several times, He Zizhen almost couldn't help crying, but every time she didn't cry. When she felt the most uncomfortable, she bit her white handkerchief, speechless and choked. The reason why she didn't cry was because she was afraid of the staff. Worried about her health.
After taking photos with the statue of Chairman Mao, He Zizhen reluctantly left here. After that, for more than a year, she received special approval from the central government and stayed in the 301 Hospital to recuperate.
However, because he was used to living in Shanghai, he was a little acclimated to Beijing. In addition, He Zizhen did not want to cause trouble to the country, so in May 1981, He Zizhen returned to Shanghai.
It is worth mentioning that during the more than a year that He Zizhen lived in Beijing, Kong Congzhou would always ask his son and daughter-in-law about the physical condition of his biological mother from time to time, and also told them to take good care of her.
Two requirements
In the last few years of her life, He Zizhen lived alone at No. 262 Hunan Road. Her brother He Minxue was unable to visit her often because of his health. But at this time, He Zizhen was no longer lonely because she had a grandson. She has also fulfilled her long-cherished wish, and she is very content with the current situation.
On April 15, 1984, Li Min, who was in pain, always felt uncomfortable somewhere, and was absent-minded in tutoring her daughter. At this moment, a phone call came. After hearing the news, Li Min's mind was filled with confusion. Blank, it turns out that He Zizhen is critically ill.
Li Min got up tremblingly after falling on the ground. At this time, Kong Linghua also returned home after learning the news. The two of them packed up their things urgently and ran to Shanghai, hoping to see their mother for the last time. At that moment, Kong Linghua helped Li Min get into the car.
After the plane arrived in Shanghai, Kong Linghua accompanied Li Min to East China Hospital as soon as possible. At this time, He Zizhen had just undergone surgery and temporarily regained consciousness. When she saw her daughter and son-in-law arriving, she smiled and said: "Are you afraid that I won't be able to do it?" Come, they are all here."
Seeing her mother's relaxed expression, Li Min breathed a sigh of relief. But what she didn't know was that He Zizhen was already terminally ill at this time. What she just showed was her final strength because she didn't want her child to suffer. We are worried.
Four days later, He Zizhen died of illness at the age of 75 due to ineffective rescue efforts. That night, Li Min burst into tears. Kong Congzhou, an in-law who received the bad news, was also very sad.
The deceased has passed away, and the most important thing now is to deal with He Zizhen's funeral. However, what to do with her funeral has become a very difficult problem. After all, she was Chairman Mao's wife, and after all, she made contributions to the revolution. contribute.
Looking at Kong Linghua and Li Min who didn't know where to start, Kong Congzhou stood up again. He felt that he needed to take care of his mother-in-law's funeral.
So, that night, he made two requests to the central government overnight:
First, he hoped that the central government could place He Zizhen's ashes in the Babaoshan Columbarium;
Second, he hoped that the central government would agree to publish the news of He Zizhen's death in the newspaper;
This was the most simple request, and the central government immediately agreed. Not only that, Deng Xiaoping also gave special instructions: "Put Comrade He Zizhen's ashes in one room, and we all go to lay a wreath." This move further affirmed He Zizhen's merit.
The instruction report was delivered to Kong Congzhou. He was sincerely happy for He Zizhen. Later, under the escort of Li Min, He Zizhen's ashes were sent to Beijing by special plane. Outside the airport, there were already a crowd of people seeing him off. Everyone shed tears for this great revolutionary woman.
Kong Congzhou even took the trouble to attend the memorial ceremony. Following newspaper reports, many ordinary people from all over the country spontaneously came to Babaoshan to see He Zizhen off. This was the greatest affirmation for her.
Like He Zizhen, although Kong Congzhou once joined the Kuomintang, he was also a staunch revolutionary. As early as the Xi'an Incident, he contributed to the KMT-CCP cooperation. After the uprising, he also contributed to the founding of New China. The development of artillery was painstaking.
After He Zizhen's death, Kong Congzhou in his later years always kept in mind Chairman Mao's instructions and served the country and the people wholeheartedly.
On October 1, 1984, at the National Day military parade celebrating the 35th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Kong Congzhou once again stood on the Tiananmen Rostrum and watched my country's second-generation anti-tank missile formation, developed under his leadership, smoothly pass through Chang'an. Main Street, he was very proud of.
Yes, he lived up to Chairman Mao's expectations and made a huge contribution to the army's artillery modernization throughout his life. Like He Zizhen, he is a great person.
On June 7, 1991, Kong Congzhou passed away in Beijing at the age of 85.
would like to pay high respect to the two revolutionary ancestors with this article!
