But what Jiang didn't know was that Du Yuesheng had already had close ties with the Communist Party as early as the beginning of the civil war. This time, leader Chairman Mao personally sent a telegram to contact Du Yuesheng and try to persuade him to stay.

" Chiang Kai-shek is no longer reliable. I also want to stay in the mainland, but the Communist Party will probably not forgive me!"

In 1949, when the People's Liberation Army's offensive approached Shanghai, Du Yuesheng came to persuade him to stay in Shanghai. His subordinates said this.

Du Yuesheng, the once arrogant boss of Hengshe in Shanghai, has now become a straw drifting with the tide.

In his last days in Shanghai, the Kuomintang Chiang Kai-shek just sent people, hoping that he could go to Taiwan together.

After all, Chiang Kai-shek has regarded himself as Du Yuesheng's leader, friend and brother for many years. He also has many years of cooperation experience, so it is reasonable to want to take him away.

But what Jiang didn't know was that Du Yuesheng had already had close ties with the Communist Party as early as the start of the civil war. This time, the leader, Chairman Mao, personally sent a telegram to contact Du Yuesheng and try to retain her.

After dealing with the Kuomintang perfunctorily, Du Yuesheng began to seriously consider the invitation of the Communist Party, but in the end he chose to leave Shanghai, where he once dominated.

So, what makes Du Yuesheng, who is known for his decisiveness and ruthlessness, so hesitant and fearful? What did he experience after leaving the mainland?

(Note: Elderly Du Yuesheng)

Next, let us take a look at the reason why Du Yuesheng did not dare to stay---the love-hate relationship with the Communist Party.

The first contact with the Kuomintang and the Communist Party

In 1924, with the convening of the National Congress of the Kuomintang, the first cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party officially began.

Du Yuesheng became an important partner of the Kuomintang in economic and other aspects because of his relationship with Chiang Kai-shek.

(Note: The former site of the National Congress of the Kuomintang)

At this time, Du Yuesheng had dealings with the Communist Party. Among them, the person with whom he had the most frequent contacts was Wang Shouhua, chairman of the Shanghai Federation of Trade Unions and a member of the Communist Party. He protected the progress of Shanghai to a certain extent. labor movement.

Although Du Yuesheng was not interested in Marx's theory, he did provide a lot of practical help to the activities of the Communist Party. To a certain extent, he was indeed the target of our party's alliance.

(Note: Communist Party member Wang Shouhua)

But the good times did not last long. After Sun Yat-sen's death, although Chiang Kai-shek achieved continuous victory in the Northern Expedition , at the same time his desire for power and ambition also began to expand.

Chiang Kai-shek did not believe in so-called communism from the bottom of his heart, and he himself was a representative of the landlord class.

So what we know as the "April 12" counter-revolutionary coup took place. Chiang Kai-shek united all forces to encircle and suppress the Communist Party. Countless Communists and pro-Communist leftists in the Kuomintang were brutally murdered.

(Note: Workers arrested in the April 12 coup)

It was during this coup that the respected martyr Li Dazhao finally died at the hands of the Northeast warlord Zhang Zuolin .

In Shanghai, the Chinese Association organized by Du Yuesheng, Huang Jinrong , Zhang Xiaolin became Chiang Kai-shek's accomplice. Du Yuesheng also used an excuse to trick Wang Shouhua into the museum, and finally brutally arrested and killed him.

This is why, as we mentioned at the beginning, Du Yuesheng later remained hesitant and hesitant about whether the Communist Party would forgive him.

(Note: Chiang Kai-shek’s accomplice in the April 12th coup)

After the establishment of Chiang Kai-shek’s Nanjing government, he was appointed as an advisor to the General Headquarters of the Navy and Air Force, a major general counselor to the Military Commission, and a counselor to the Executive Yuan. Although he had no real power, these titles gave him He has rich political resources and solid backing.

Du Yuesheng had initial contact with the Communist Party and the Kuomintang at almost the same time, but in the end his choice tied him to the Kuomintang reactionaries and stood on the opposite side of our party.

It was this choice made more than 20 years ago that made Du Yuesheng finally reject the invitation of our party in 1949, and also paved the way for him to leave the mainland.

2. The Kuomintang and the Communist Party competed for invitation

The time came in 1949. As the People's Liberation Army's offensive approached step by step, the National Government in Shanghai was about to usher in its own end.

Du Yuesheng was originally very nervous. He believed that the Communist Party had an sworn hatred against him and hated him deeply. If the Communist Party really entered Shanghai, his end would be doomed.

But what he didn't expect was that at the most nervous moment, the Communist Party sent him an invitation first.

(Note: The People's Liberation Army liberated Shanghai)

Our party first entrusted the famous democrat Huang Yanpei to contact Du Yuesheng and persuade him to cooperate with the Communist Party.

Chairman Mao even personally sent a telegram to persuade Du Yuesheng to stay, hoping that Du Yuesheng could stay and contribute to the new government and people. After learning that Du Yuesheng was hesitant, Premier Zhou also proposed the idea of ​​​​an interview.

Seeing this, many people may ask, why did our party take the initiative to invite Du Yuesheng to stay when he committed such a crime in the counter-revolutionary coup?

There are three main reasons.

(Note: democrat Huang Yanpei)

First, during the Anti-Japanese War , Du Yuesheng showed full national integrity and took many actions. He also helped the Communist Party in the war of resistance behind enemy lines and the war of liberation.

When Shanghai fell, in order to take advantage of Du Yuesheng's status and money, the Japanese kept sending people to woo him, but he simply refused.

In order to escape the persecution of the Japanese, Du Yuesheng left Shanghai and went to Hong Kong.

Later, he went to Wuhan to meet Chiang Kai-shek. After clarifying his anti-Japanese attitude, he returned to Hong Kong to continue related activities.

He also had some contacts with Communist Pan Hannian and provided the Eighth Route Army with some much-needed weapons and supplies.

(Note: Du Yuesheng is with his disciples)

and used some of his original intelligence network and contacts to help our party's underground staff carry out reconnaissance work in Shanghai.

When the War of Liberation was ongoing in 1947, he agreed to the Communist Party's request and accepted underground party member Jin Shan as a closed disciple, providing a certain degree of help and support for his work and actions in Shanghai.

Secondly, there were cracks in the relationship between Du Yuesheng and the Kuomintang Chiang Kai-shek and some senior officials.

In 1945, the Japanese invaders were driven out of the land of China, and Du Yuesheng was able to return to Shanghai, which he was most familiar with.

(Note: Du Yuesheng)

Du Yuesheng returned to Shanghai and began to reorganize Hengshe, which had been turned upside down due to the chaotic current situation. With the support of Chiang Kai-shek, he developed branches in many cities across the country.

During the election of Shanghai Speaker in 1946, Du Yuesheng used a large number of resources and connections to build momentum for himself. However, when

was about to succeed, it was replaced by Pan Gongzhan sent by Chiang Kai-shek, which made Du Yuesheng very embarrassed.

Later, during the Shanghai tiger hunting operation conducted by Chiang Ching-kuo , Du Yuesheng's son was seized and arrested for violating regulations.

Du Yuesheng was angry, so he reported the company of Kong Lingkan (Kong Xiangxi's son), and the relationship with the Kong family was tense for a while.

(Note: The Great Corrupt Official Kong Xiangxi)

It was against this background that senior leaders of our party judged that Du Yuesheng would not continue to cooperate with the Kuomintang. This judgment was proved to be correct afterwards.

In March 1949, Chiang Kai-shek in Nanjing invited Du Yuesheng to meet. During the conversation between the two, Chiang kept revealing that Shanghai would not be able to hold on sooner or later, and hoped that Du Yuesheng could move to Taiwan together.

Du Yuesheng is coping on the surface, but in fact he has his own calculation in his heart. He feels that Chiang Kai-shek no longer trusts him. If they go to Taiwan together, he will always live in the shadow of the very controlling Chiang Kai-shek.

(Note: Chiang Kai-shek in his later years)

The third is related to the policy of our party. Our party has always adopted a policy of tolerance. For those who have made mistakes, if they can accept transformation and contribute to the new government, then we The party is willing to adopt a cooperative attitude.

Moreover, Shanghai is China's financial center. After taking over Shanghai's affairs, our first task is to carry out economic construction and restore people's livelihood. This requires the help of people with strong economic strength and local resources like Du Yuesheng.

turns enemies into friends, and allows both parties to gain more value through cooperation. It must be said that this is a very wise and politically philosophical move.

(Note: The Shanghai Municipal People's Government was established)

But unfortunately, Du Yuesheng did not agree to the invitation of any party in the end. It is not feasible to go to Taiwan and live under the influence of others without being trusted and with the risk of being excluded at any time.

Although our party has always emphasized the policy of tolerance and hopes for cooperation, Du Yuesheng could not overcome the hurdle in her heart and always judged the heart of a gentleman with the heart of a villain.

Moreover, the April 12 coup in 1927 has always troubled him, and he does not feel that his crimes will really be forgiven.

In such troubles, Du Yuesheng made a difficult decision. On May 1, 1949, when the People's Liberation Army was approaching the city, Du Yuesheng took his whole family and boarded a cruise ship to Hong Kong.

(Note: Shanghai in the 1950s)

Why go to Hong Kong?

Du Yuesheng mainly based on two considerations. First, Hong Kong was still a British colony at that time, and the Kuomintang and the Communist Party could not stretch their hands so far.

Secondly, during the Anti-Japanese War, Du Yuesheng had been active in Hong Kong for a long time and had a certain organizational and economic foundation.

But Hong Kong is not Shanghai after all. No matter how prepared we are, there are still many unknown dangers.

All the way to Hong Kong, and since he was already 60 years old at this time, Du Yuesheng's asthma relapsed due to the fatigue on the journey.

's residence in Hong Kong is only a small space with three bedrooms and one living room. Although it is clean and tidy, it is not the same as his Du Mansion in Shanghai.

Du Yuesheng stays in her room every day without leaving the door. The US$400,000 she brought from the mainland is only enough for daily expenses, and she can no longer enjoy luxury.

(Note: Du Yuesheng in his later years)

3. Regretful miss, desolate old age

The years in Hong Kong are difficult. In Du Yuesheng's heart, he still misses the Shanghai where he made his fortune. In 1950, an opportunity came to him before.

Someone in Shanghai sent a letter saying that Lin Guisheng was terminally ill and might die soon.

Du Yuesheng was very anxious after hearing the news, but due to his special status and poor health, it was impossible to go in person, so he sent his adopted son Du Weifan back.

After Du Weifan visited Lin Guisheng, he came into contact with Pan Hannian, the then executive deputy mayor of Shanghai. Pan Hannian once again expressed to the Du family that he hoped they could return to the mainland.

After Du Weifan returned to Hong Kong, he conveyed this idea to his father. Although Du Yuesheng was happy in his heart, he still acted calmly on the surface. He replied that he was willing to cooperate with your party, but he was in poor health and could not do so for the time being. Return to Shanghai.

(Note: Communist Party member Pan Hannian (first from right))

Always cautious, he decided to wait and see, but the news of his contact with the Communist Party naturally reached Chiang Kai-shek's ears.

Chiang Kai-shek sent Yu Hongjun, Hong Lanyou and others to Hong Kong to persuade.

At this time, Du Yuesheng had a strong desire to cooperate with the Communist Party, but because of fear, he excused himself from illness before observing.

But Du Yuesheng had no interest or trust in the Kuomintang. He only said that he was suffering from illness and was already useless, so he sent these people away.

Since then, old friends have come to Hong Kong one after another to tell them about the Communist Party's tolerance policy. Du Yuesheng has promised outwardly every time, but in his heart he has been waiting for a real opportunity.

Soon, this amazing opportunity came.

(Note: Du Yuesheng in his later years)

One day in 1951, Du Yuesheng received a letter. As usual, he asked his subordinates to read the letter and understand some key information.

But the author of the letter made the calm Du Yuesheng extremely excited, because the letter was signed by Chairman Mao himself.

The general idea is that the Communist Party ignores past grudges and hopes to cooperate with Mr. Du to jointly contribute to New China.

This is what Du Yuesheng has always longed for. The attitude of the top leader has become clear, and he no longer has any worries: go home!

He found the editor-in-chief of "News" Qian Yongming and wrote a reply letter to the Communist Party, stating that he would return to Shanghai as soon as possible.

But something unexpected happened, and God played a joke on Du Yuesheng.

(Note: Qian Yongming)

Qian Yongming got very drunk after returning home that day, and put the letter that was supposed to be sent to Beijing into the envelope of the reply letter to Taiwan. This letter was accidentally delivered to Chiang Kai-shek. on the table.

This time, Chiang Kai-shek also learned wisely. Although he was angry, he did not use questioning and assassination, but launched a public opinion war.

He first published an article in Taiwan's "Central Daily News" to the effect that Du Yuesheng, Qian Yongming and others had formally applied to go to Taiwan and would leave Hong Kong in the near future.

(Note: Kuomintang Central Daily)

Don’t you want to go to Shanghai? Don’t you want to cooperate with the Communist Party?

Now let’s see if they still believe you!

This was not the end. Chiang Kai-shek sent Kuomintang agents to Hong Kong to spread rumors, saying that the mainland was going to hold a rally to criticize the 412 coup. If Du Yuesheng returned to Shanghai, he would be liquidated first and then shot on the spot.

This frightened Du Yuesheng, who was already sensitive and fearful. When things developed to this point, it was obviously impossible to return to the mainland.

In this way, Du Yuesheng once again missed the opportunity to return to his hometown, which he thought about day and night. This also became another great regret for him. Throughout his life, he could not return to his familiar hometown.

(Note: Chiang Kai-shek in his later years)

This series of changes caused Du Yuesheng to completely lose his last hope and energy. His neurasthenia became more and more serious, he was worried every day, and his heart condition became increasingly pessimistic.

In August of the same year, Du Yuesheng, who felt that his end was approaching, called his family and made a will: After my death, I will take my body back to Shanghai and bury it in Gaoqiao.

After Du Yuesheng passed away, Chiang Kai-shek was not willing to let go of the dead. He published an article in the name of Du Yuesheng in the Central Daily News, smearing the Communist Party as a bandit, showing his unwillingness to be used by the Communist Party and his image of being loyal to the Kuomintang.

He even set up a cemetery in Taipei for Du Yuesheng. This is Chiang Kai-shek. He does nothing for national justice, but he is very good at doing such small things.

(Note: Du Yuesheng’s cemetery in Taipei)

The once arrogant Shanghai tycoon Du Yuesheng just passed away in a foreign land, amidst fear, despair, loneliness and regret, leaving only an inheritance of US$250,000.

Conclusion

Du Yuesheng's life is legendary. From a penniless country boy to gaining wealth and status, there is an element of luck, which is also inseparable from his outstanding abilities.

But throughout his life, he paid too much attention to the so-called brotherhood and interests, and did not pay attention to true integrity. Although he made many contributions in the Anti-Japanese War, they were far less than the damage he caused to the revolution.

He served as an accomplice of the executioner Chiang Kai-shek in the April 12 coup. For many years, his gang organization has been rampant in Shanghai, bullying the people, and finally ended up dying in a foreign country.

God originally gave him a chance to change his ways and return to his motherland, but due to a combination of circumstances, he was not able to realize it.

This is probably the final punishment that fate has dealt to him for what he has done.

Today's Shanghai is still prosperous and lively, and people coming and going are also interpreting various wonderful stories and plots.

Du Yuesheng undoubtedly left a wonderful story. As for the merits and demerits of the past, let’s leave it to future generations to judge.

Reference:

Was Martyr Wang Shouhua buried alive by Du Yuesheng? Ye Lei Shanghai Party History and Party Building 1996 Issue 2

On Du Yuesheng's political speculation before and after the "April 12" coup Li Changqing Chinese and Foreign Entrepreneurs 2011 Issue 22

Du Yuesheng The Choice of Jinbaoshan Literature and History in Spring and Autumn Period 2008 Issue 7

Mainland China "Does Not Remain" Du Yuesheng Mei Wangqiaoyuan 2013 Issue 4

Du Yuesheng's Desolation in His Later Years Lu Chun Archives World 2009 Issue 11

Editor: Shi Wei

Editor: Lin Hua