However, during the meeting, the staff handed Premier Zhou a note. Premier Zhou took the note and saw a rare lapse. After a moment of silence, Premier Zhou whispered: "She is dead, she is dead, Gong Peng is gone." Got it!"

Picture丨Gong Peng

Foreword

In 1970, Premier Zhou was receiving foreign guests in the West Flower Hall of , and the two sides had friendly talks.

However, during the meeting, the staff handed Premier Zhou a note. Premier Zhou took the note and saw a rare gaffe. After a moment of silence, Premier Zhou whispered: "She is dead, she is dead, Gong Peng is gone! "

So what kind of friendship is there between Gong Peng and Premier Zhou? Why did her death make Premier Zhou so sad?

Premier Zhou first met Gong Peng

In 1937, Gong Peng returned to Shanghai after graduating from Yenjing University and taught geography in a school, and used this as a cover to carry out underground party activities among progressive students.

On August 13 of this year, the Japanese invaders launched a massive attack on Wusongkou , and the Shanghai navy and civilians fought bloody battles to defend their homeland. In order to support the front line, Gong Peng actively participated in the relief activities organized by the underground party and contributed his own strength to the Chinese Anti-Japanese War. However, in the face of the enemy's fierce attack, Shanghai finally fell.

Faced with the situation at hand, Gong Peng decided to go to Yan'an with his classmates after repeated thinking.

At the beginning of 1938, Gong Peng and his classmates packed up lightly and quietly left Shanghai with simple luggage. Gong Peng served as the person in charge of this operation. We are all young people, full of passion in our hearts. On the road, while singing songs of national salvation, we discussed what the liberated areas were like.

Picture丨Gong Peng

After more than half a month of traveling, Gong Peng and his party finally arrived at the Xi'an office of the Eighth Route Army. After explaining their purpose of coming, and under the arrangements of the person in charge, Gong Peng and others took another bus and finally arrived in Yan'an. After

arrived in Yan'an, the test for Gong Peng and others really began. Because most of Gong Peng's group were born in the city and had not experienced much hardship. During the Anti-Japanese War, the living conditions in Yan'an were very difficult. They wanted to get out of the small circle of intellectuals and join the workers and peasants. Dedicating oneself to revolution is by no means an easy thing.

After experiencing the hardships of life in Yan'an, many of Gong Peng's classmates were shaken and returned to the rear areas of the Kuomintang-controlled areas. Gong Peng also respects his classmates' choices. Faced with the difficult life in Yan'an, Gong Peng did not give in. Instead, he strengthened his belief and stayed in Yan'an.

Gong Peng first studied in Northern Shaanxi Public School in Yan'an for a period of time, and then entered Yan'an Marxist-Leninist College to study. Gong Peng has a strong adaptability and quickly adapted to life in Yan'an. Here, she had the opportunity to contact worker and peasant cadres and grassroots people outside the student circle, and met many veteran comrades with rich revolutionary struggle experience.

It can be said that life in Yan'an had a great impact on Gong Peng and made her realize the importance of revolution more deeply.

Picture丨Gong Peng’s old photo

In October 1938, Gong Peng ended his studies at the Marxist-Leninist College and was assigned to work in the Taihang Mountains. On the way from Yan'an to Taihang Mountain, Gong Peng happened to meet Mr. Peng. Mr. Peng, who has experienced hundreds of battles, is an upright person and values ​​talents. He talked a lot during the two days together. Mr. Peng recognized Gong Peng's ability very much, so he decided to keep Gong Peng in the secretarial department of the Eighth Route Army Headquarters.

In this way, Gong Peng put on the uniform of the Eighth Route Army and became a secretary at the headquarters. Drafting foreign correspondence, recording and organizing the chief's speeches, reporting domestic and foreign news copied from the radio, receiving visiting foreign guests, etc. are all the work of the secretarial department.

In the headquarters, Gong Peng met leaders such as Commander-in-Chief Zhu De and General Zuo Quan, and worked under their direct leadership. Gong Peng's work ability has been greatly improved!

In September 1940, the organization took Gong Peng's ability into consideration and transferred her to work in Hongyan Village, Chongqing. After arriving at the destination, Gong Peng introduced himself generously: "My name is Gong Peng. I was transferred from the Eighth Route Army Headquarters. I am very happy to be able to work together with you!" The comrades present had a good first impression of Gong Peng. They all helped her get familiar with the environment and move in.

Picture丨Gong Peng (first from left) takes a group photo with Premier Zhou and others

According to the arrangement of the leader of the Southern Bureau, Gong Peng came to work next to Premier Zhou.

A few days later, Gong Peng came to Premier Zhou's office, but at that time Premier Zhou was discussing work with another comrade next door, so he asked Gong Peng to sit down and wait.

At this time, Gong Peng was very excited. She had been thinking about various questions in her mind. What tasks would Premier Zhou assign to herself? Can you do it yourself? However, Gong Peng still drove these distracting thoughts out of her mind. She raised her head and looked around. This was an ordinary office. The furnishings inside were very simple. Three combat maps were hung on the wall in front of her. Each map had markings on it. There are some numbers and instructions.

At this moment, Premier Zhou walked in. While greeting Gong Peng, he casually closed the curtain next to the map.

After Gong Peng introduced himself, Premier Zhou nodded and asked: "Before I came in, what did you see in this room?"

"I saw three maps."

"Tell me more specifically."

Gong Peng described the scene that was imprinted in his mind: "There is a map of Europe, another is a military map of China's anti-Japanese battlefield, and there is another one that I only read half of. You walked in Just pull up the curtain."

Picture丨Premier Zhou

After hearing Gong Peng's answer, Premier Zhou smiled and said, "Your observation is quite keen."

The next Premier Zhou was like an "examiner". Had a conversation with Gong Peng. Many years later, Gong Peng thought of this scene and said happily: "My eyes were very easy to use at that time, and I could remember everything. I answered all the questions asked by Premier Zhou correctly."

From then on, Gong Peng began to work with Premier Zhou. He serves as Foreign Affairs Secretary and is also Premier Zhou's liaison and press releaser in dealing with foreign journalists and foreign envoys. As a member of the foreign affairs team, Gong Peng's task is to create a situation for external publicity and be responsible for liaison with the international united front and foreign journalists.

Gong Peng works under the direct leadership of Premier Zhou, and she has benefited a lot from her daily exposure.

Picture丨Gong Peng

In Chongqing, Premier Zhou had direct conversations with many international dignitaries, and on the eve of the Wannan incident, he also met with the famous American writer Louis Strong. They met for several days in a row, and Gong Peng accompanied him at the scene. , and served as a translator.

At that time, Premier Zhou was usually used to working from 12 midnight to 4 am, and the people who were doing specific work around him could not sleep at this time, because he was not sure which person he would ask when doing something, and the work The staff arranged their schedules according to Premier Zhou's habits.

One day, when Gong Peng returned to the dormitory to rest, she quietly told Zhang Ying that she had been criticized by Premier Zhou today. It turned out that when Gong Peng reported work in the evening, he was a little unfocused. When Premier Zhou saw it, he said: "You young people are not as energetic as I am. Look, I am not sleepy yet!"

In order to better cooperate with the work of the central leadership comrades, Gong Peng has been tempering her will, and she quickly adapted to night fighting. Premier Zhou highly recognized Gong Peng's work ability and attitude: "Gong Peng is a diplomatic talent with both style, magnanimity and knowledge!"

Around 1942, in order to adapt to the development of the situation, Premier Zhou called for a certain level of education Comrades learned English and set up part-time study classes in the office.

But what Gong Peng didn't expect was that although Premier Zhou studied abroad for many years after graduating from Nankai , and his English and French were very good, he could talk directly with foreign guests, and often pointed out mistakes in translation work, but he still set an example , learn humbly and ask Gong Peng to teach him English knowledge.

Picture丨Gong Peng’s old photos

For this purpose, Gong Peng made careful preparations, but she never mentioned teaching Premier Zhou English in front of everyone. Many years later, Gong Peng's colleagues recalled:

Gong Peng received a foreign education since she was a child, and her English skills are very good.But there is no arrogance in her, showing off herself and looking down on others.

Premier Zhou's right-hand man

After being tempered by the War of Resistance Against Japan and the War of Liberation, Gong Peng has become Premier Zhou's right-hand man and plays an important role in the diplomatic work of New China.

On October 1, 1949, Gong Peng was invited to climb the Tiananmen Rostrum. Standing under the five-star red flag fluttering in the wind and looking into the distance, she breathed a deep sigh of relief.

At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, the Founding Ceremony officially began. Chairman Mao solemnly announced to the world at the Tiananmen Gate Tower that " the People's Republic of China has been established!". After hearing Chairman Mao's words, Gong Peng recalled the past years in his mind. Those comrades who worked together for the revolution. Now everyone's wishes have finally come true, and the people can finally live a good life. There is no need to Endure the exploitation of the old society...

At 1 pm on November 3, 1949, Government Affairs Council Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Zhou Enlai convened the first meeting after the establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Xihua Hall of Zhongnanhai. The meeting decided to establish a joint office. Gong Peng was Appointed Director of the Intelligence Division.

Picture丨Gong Peng (first from left)

In the following years, Gong Peng worked in this position for 14 years. She was the only woman among the dozen or so cadres at the director level or above in the early days of the establishment of the ministry.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a place full of talents. Many comrades are senior generals and veterans who have been tested in wars. They have many years of party experience and rich experience in revolutionary struggle. As an intellectual cadre, Gong Peng has a clear understanding of herself. She often says: "I am just an ordinary staff member around Premier Zhou, so I can only work harder and learn from other old comrades humbly."

In Zhou Everyone who works around the Prime Minister knows that Premier Zhou has very strict requirements for subordinate cadres, especially some old subordinates and people around him.

As Premier Zhou's assistant in press work, Gong Peng has to carefully read various documents and important news reported by overseas media every day, and collect all aspects of information at any time. Over the years, this has become a habit. Premier Zhou is well aware of the importance of mastering international dynamic information. For this reason, he often provides timely and specific guidance and help to the work of the Information Department, and may personally inquire about the specific details of an event at any time.

Picture丨Gong Peng (third from right)

One time, Premier Zhou was in urgent need of a piece of material, but because his secretary was not around for the time being, Premier Zhou directly called the office of the Information Department. Everyone was busy, and a comrade He picked up the phone and asked casually: "Who are you?" The other party replied: "I am Zhou Enlai, please give me some information immediately..."

After Gong Peng learned about it, he immediately organized the collection, sorting and writing of manuscripts. , often working until midnight to finally finish the manuscript. Gong Peng is Premier Zhou's old subordinate. The two have worked together for many years and have forged a deep revolutionary friendship. Premier Zhou also has great trust in Comrade Gong Peng and often talks to her about the overall deployment and specific arrangements of the work. , giving various important instructions.

In April 1954, Gong Peng followed Premier Zhou to attend the Geneva Conference . This is the first large-scale important international conference that our government has participated in since the founding of New China. In order to hold this conference successfully, the Chinese delegation has made a lot of preparations.

On the afternoon of April 24, the delegation flew to Geneva, Switzerland, and was welcomed by the Swiss Commissioner. Premier Zhou issued a brief written statement at the airport. On April 28, Premier Zhou made his first speech at the Geneva Conference. In the afternoon of that day, the Chinese delegation held its first press conference at the Press Center, before the press conferences of the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union.

Picture丨Gong Peng

Gong Peng introduced Premier Zhou's speech at the meeting to reporters from various countries. More than 300 foreign reporters attended the meeting, and they listened attentively to Gong Peng's speech and introduction.

During the Geneva Conference, whenever the spokesperson of the Chinese government released news to the outside world, the hall was always packed. Facing the hundreds of reporters in the audience, Gong Peng looked at ease. She elaborated on the Chinese government’s views on major issues. positions and various opinions.

Gong Peng's performance at that time left a deep impression on many foreign reporters. Song Yimin, who once worked in the Embassy in the Soviet Union, once recalled:

At that time in Moscow, I could read a lot of reflection materials written by delegations. The number was very large, but the introduction and comments of Gong Peng accounted for the most space. In today's terms, Comrade Gong Peng became the main highlight of the delegation... What impressed me most was her reputation in the numerous reports by reporters. Reporters not only introduced her conversation, but also talked about her temperament and demeanor. Adjectives such as firmness, solemnity, elegance, and friendliness appeared repeatedly. Reading these reports further makes people feel proud to have Comrade Gong Peng in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs!

Premier Zhou learned of Gong Peng's death

Gong Peng's working ability has been greatly demonstrated on the world stage.

In the following years, Gong Peng also took on greater responsibilities and contributed to the construction and development of New China.

In May 1970, Gong Pengyin, who was usually in poor health, fell ill and was hospitalized due to fatigue. After some consultation with the doctor, it was discovered that Gong Peng's condition was serious and required surgery.

Picture丨Gong Peng, Zhou Enlai and others took a group photo

After learning about this incident, Premier Zhou immediately rushed to the hospital to visit. Premier Zhou came to Gong Peng's side with a solemn expression and personally felt her pulse. Looking at Gong Peng's thin face, Premier Zhou stood silently in front of her hospital bed for more than ten minutes. Premier Zhou personally asked the doctor in charge about Gong Peng's condition, and then told him that he must treat Comrade Gong Peng well!

On September 20, 1970, Gong Peng died of illness at the age of 56!

When Chairman Mao learned about Gong Peng's death, he said in a low tone: "Gong Peng was a good comrade!"

On the day of Gong Peng's death, Premier Zhou was having talks with foreign guests because of work. However, During the meeting, the staff handed Premier Zhou a note. Premier Zhou took the note and saw a rare lapse. After a moment of silence, Premier Zhou said with a choked voice: "Gong Peng is gone! Gong Peng is gone... "

Picture丨Premier Zhou

In the years that followed, Premier Zhou missed this right-hand man who got to know Chongqing very much. He praised Gong Peng many times in front of the staff: "She is a flag for women in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs!"