In May 1972, Beijing Airport was filled with gongs and drums, singing and dancing, and Premier Zhou was walking at the front of the procession, shaking hands with Siad, the supreme leader of Somalia, to say goodbye.

In May 1972, Beijing Airport was abuzz with gongs and drums, singing and dancing, and Premier Zhou was walking at the front of the procession, shaking hands with Siad, the supreme leader of Somalia and saying goodbye.

Standing in the crowd, he was so calm, calm and outstanding. Who would have thought that after this gorgeous farewell party, Premier Zhou would be diagnosed with "bladder cancer".

Premier Zhou

Listening to the trembling voice of the medical representative reading out the inspection report, something strange suddenly flashed in Premier Zhou's eyes, but he returned to calm after a few seconds.

"I can cooperate with you, but you must also cooperate with me" , Premier Zhou said to Zhang Zuoliang, the representative of the medical team.

Zhang Zuoliang first nodded one after another, and then fell into confusion. When he came back to his senses, he found that Premier Zhou had already been immersed in work.

Zhang Zuoliang

The so-called "cooperation" simply means that Premier Zhou is willing to spare time to cooperate with the medical team in seeing a doctor, and the medical team must also cooperate with his time to handle work.

In the next two years, Premier Zhou attended meetings, received foreign guests, stayed up all night correcting documents, and received anti-cancer treatment.

But still failed to control the growth rate of the tumor...

Premier Zhou

In 1974, Premier Zhou had to leave Xihua Hall and was admitted to the 305 Hospital because of frequent blood in the urine . In the hospital, Premier Zhou started the dual-track mode of work and treatment. .

On January 8, 1976, Premier Zhou finally could not survive the torture of illness and passed away with regrets for the unfinished work.

Premier Zhou

All the medical staff cried bitterly. Even Chairman Mao shed tears after hearing the news in Zhongnanhai...

It is difficult to see each other off, so do not cry.

January 9, 1976, Central People's Broadcasting Station spread the news of Premier Zhou's death throughout the country, and the whole country suddenly fell into sadness.

At that time, workers in factories, teachers and students in schools, and pedestrians on the street will all cry helplessly as if they are suffering from "heart-breaking ".

Because some people could not believe the reality, they rushed to the newsstand and bought the "People's Daily" to confirm the bad news repeatedly.

On January 10, 1976, the Central Funeral Committee opened a memorial channel for the leaders of the Party Central Committee and the people.

Zhu De, Ye Jianying, Deng Xiaoping and the older generation of revolutionaries all came to the hospital with heavy hearts. After walking half a circle in front of Premier Zhou's body, they left reluctantly.

At that time, the funeral office planned a mourning period of five days, and at least 60,000 people could be selected from one million people to come to pay their respects.

However, due to the large number of people, the grief of the masses was too strong, which put huge pressure on the funeral office. In desperation, finally had no choice but to compress the condolence time to 3 days. During the

period, because foreign guests continued to come to pay their respects and took up part of the time, those who did not have the opportunity to meet Premier Zhou could only spontaneously bring flowers to the Monument to the People's Heroes to express their condolences.

January 11, 1976, is the last day for people to participate in condolence activities. After this day, Premier Zhou's body will be sent to Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery for cremation.

After learning the news, Premier Zhou's relatives and adopted orphans of martyrs burst into tears. Especially diplomat Qiao Guanhua, who was single-handedly promoted by Premier Zhou, cried so much that he was out of breath.

"Why can't even the body be kept?" "Why should the Prime Minister be burned to ashes after working hard for the country and the people all his life?" "We don't want the Prime Minister to be cremated"!

Seeing the people crying and shouting not to be cremated, Deng Yingchao couldn't help but cry too.

You must know that "cremation" is a funeral system implemented by the Party Central Committee in order to save farmland and set an example. Although it goes against the traditional Chinese people's "laying in peace", it is a good innovation that keeps pace with the times.

Deng Yingchao

Premier Zhou once said : "I have been a firm materialist throughout my life. I only believe in science." It is his dream and his dream to be reduced to ashes and sprinkled between heaven and earth to nourish all things. expectations.

Qiao Guanhua and Deng Yingchao knew this best, but when it came time to send Premier Zhou's body to Babaoshan , their hearts began to tremble again...

"Everyone, give way, don't waste time." , the people attending the funeral could not help but roar, and the crowd reluctantly gave up the passage while wiping their tears. They knew that with this farewell, there would be no more Premier Zhou in the world...

Deng Yingchao

4:45 pm , Deng Yingchao walked out of the mourning hall holding a photo frame of Premier Zhou, followed closely by four ceremonial soldiers carrying Premier Zhou's coffin. Ye Jianying, Deng Xiaoping, Li Xiannian, Wang Hongwen and others walked slowly behind the coffin.

Qiao Guanhua, many party cadres and relatives of Premier Zhou followed the leader silently. When the white hearse slowly drove into Chang'an Street, both sides of the street were already crowded with people, forming a human wall... .

Then dusk fell, Chang'an Street was lit up with dim lights, and Premier Zhou's hearse gradually slowed down. He was saying goodbye to this group of lovely and amiable people, and also saying goodbye to this land he loved. …

At 6:08 pm, Premier Zhou’s hearse arrived at the entrance of Babaoshan Cemetery, but was surrounded by people who came to see it off. In order to complete the cremation on time, the funeral office had to bite the bullet and clear the way.

At this moment, Premier Zhou's nephews and nieces were accidentally pushed to the back by the crowd and disappeared. They also had no chance to watch their uncle finish his last journey.

Qiao Guanhua, who had been reserved all the way, could no longer suppress his unwillingness. He pushed aside the crowd with all his strength, rushed to the coffin, and cried bitterly against the coffin.

Qiao Guanhua

"Prime Minister, you have no children in your life, so let me be your son and take you on your last journey."

Weeping, Premier Zhou's coffin was carried into the waiting room. At this time, several people from the funeral department suddenly came out, trying to carry the coffin away and send it to the furnace for cremation.

This move frightened Qiao Guanhua. He instinctively hugged the crystal coffin and blocked it in front of everyone, not allowing them to move at all.

This is great. Deng Yingchao, who was originally tense, was also provoked by Qiao Guanhua to cry bitterly : "Enlai, I will never see you again."

On one side was a diplomat trained by Premier Zhou, and on the other was the woman whom Premier Zhou had loved all his life. The "crying" between the two aroused the suppressed emotions of the people outside the door.

"The scheduled cremation time has come, please give way." With the persuasion of the funeral personnel, the fragile hearts of the people were completely broken.

"Prime Minister, please wake up, you can't leave." People outside the door rushed indoors like swarms, desperately holding down the coffin and preventing the undertakers from getting even half a step closer.

Later, in order to successfully complete the cremation work, Deng Yingchao and Qiao Guanhua had no choice but to endure their grief and leave on their own, leaving the rest to the undertakers.

At 7 o'clock in the evening, the hot furnace was opened, and Premier Zhou's life was reduced to ashes...

At midnight, the staff handed Premier Zhou's ashes to Deng Yingchao, who was exhausted physically and mentally, while Qiao Guanhua was walking home. On the road, like a "walking zombie".

Premier Zhou and Deng Yingchao

So, why is Qiao Guanhua so affectionate towards Premier Zhou? Why did he say goodbye to Premier Zhou as his "son"?

Remembering old events from afar, working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Qiao Guanhua is 15 years younger than Premier Zhou. In his early years, when Premier Zhou founded the Communist Youth League in France, Qiao Guanhua was still learning to write in a private school in Yancheng, Suzhou.

After Premier Zhou returned to China and engaged in revolutionary work, Qiao Guanhua was already studying philosophy at Tokyo Imperial University in Japan.

Premier Zhou

Later The Anti-Japanese War broke out. Qiao Guanhua gave up his doctorate in order to serve the country and went to Hong Kong to become the chief writer of "Shishi Evening News" .

His sharp writing style and unique international political opinions made him famous in Hong Kong. Chairman Mao, who was in Yan'an , after reading his article, said with emotion : "This man has made great achievements."

In 1939, Qiao Guanhua, who knew more and more about international political routines and was also knowledgeable about the forms of civil war, said bluntly: "I want to join the Communist Party of China."

Chairman Mao

When Chairman Mao received Qiao Guanhua's party membership application in Yan'an, he was in a great mood and immediately informed Premier Zhou of the good news.

"Have you read the article written by a man named Qiao Mu in Hong Kong? His article is as bold and analytical as a thousand troops" , Chairman Mao asked.

"I have seen it. He is indeed a rare talent. If he can be approved to join the party, he will definitely be able to unite a large number of intellectuals." After Premier Zhou said this, Chairman Mao nodded in agreement.

At that time, although Qiao Guanhua had not yet met Premier Zhou, he had learned a lot about each other through correspondence.

Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou

In 1942, the Japanese army bombed Hong Kong. Premier Zhou informed Qiao Guanhua to go straight to Chongqing to start handling the news work of "Xinhua Daily".

In Chongqing, Premier Zhou witnessed the love between Qiao Guanhua and Gong Peng, and also experienced their rich foreign language talents and accurate international news literacy.

Qiao Guanhua was also impressed by Premier Zhou's ability to act calmly, calmly, with both ability and political integrity, and to persuade all parties.

In 1949, China entered a new stage and began to emerge on the world political stage, and our Ministry of Foreign Affairs also opened a new chapter.

Premier Zhou

Premier Zhou is a well-known "talker" within the party and the leader of the CCP who is described as "the most difficult to deal with" by other countries. Naturally, he has to shoulder the important task of establishing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Out of trust, Premier Zhou "hand-appointed" Qiao Guanhua as the director of the International Information Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs without even thinking about it, and he was also responsible for formulating foreign policy.

At that time, all government announcements that the country needed to issue were drafted or reviewed by Premier Zhou. When the overseas version was issued, it was drafted by Qiao Guanhua and finally submitted to Chairman Mao for approval.

Qiao Guanhua

Throughout Qiao Guanhua's diplomatic career, there were many large-scale diplomatic affairs, such as going to the United Nations to accuse the United States of hegemony in Taiwan in 1950, going to North Korea to participate in armistice negotiations in 1951, and attending the Geneva Conference with Premier Zhou in 1954. In 1955, he participated in Sino-US negotiations and returned to China in exchange for Qian Xuesen and so on.

all reflects Qiao Guanhua's talent and ability in foreign affairs, and also proves Premier Zhou's unique vision when selecting talents.

Later, whenever the central leadership wanted to participate in international affairs, Premier Zhou would send Qiao Guanhua to accompany him on overseas visits. They cooperated seamlessly in and outside the diplomatic arena, creating a powerful image of China's diplomatic "heavenly team" overseas.

At the end of 1971, Qiao Guanhua gave an impassioned speech at the United Nations General Assembly, restoring China's legitimate seat in the United Nations.

During this period, he couldn't help but look up to the sky and laugh, which was captured by the media and has been a legend in the history of my country's diplomacy.

Premier Zhou said : "The confidence Qiao Guanhua showed when he spoke at the UN General Assembly is a proud moment for the Chinese people"!

After that, Qiao Guanhua followed Premier Zhou in participating in the visit of US President Nixon to China. Their mutual cooperation contributed to the "Sino-US Joint Communique", which made Sino-US relations achieve a historic breakthrough.

Nixon visited China

But later on, the situation gradually became complicated. Due to special reasons, the relationship between Qiao Guanhua and Premier Zhou gradually faded. It was precisely because he could not often listen to Premier Zhou's teachings in person, which led to Qiao Guanhua's inability to listen to Premier Zhou's teachings in person. For a long time, I couldn't taste the food and couldn't sleep at night.

Feeling guilty and expressing condolences, passing the spark to future generations

In 1973, due to work needs, the working relationship between Qiao Guanhua and Premier Zhou gradually became closer, and Qiao Guanhua was eagerly looking forward to meeting Premier Zhou.

Qiao Guanhua believes that being able to meet Premier Zhou in person and experience Premier Zhou's words and deeds is his greatest luck. It is with this expectation that Qiao Guanhua has been waiting for several months.

Premier Zhou

In the late autumn of 1973, Qiao Guanhua finally met Premier Zhou, and he confided everything as he wished. However, Premier Zhou's words : "It will be good to come back" made Qiao Guanhua burst into tears again.

After that, Premier Zhou was admitted to the 305 Hospital due to illness, and Qiao Guanhua shouldered the important task of Minister of Foreign Affairs. Both of them were busy in their respective fields and rarely had the opportunity to meet again.

It was not until 1976 that Premier Zhou died of illness, and Qiao Guanhua, who was over sixty years old, burst into tears in Babaoshan, did he have the opportunity to loudly vent his long-suppressed emotions.

Premier Zhou

As for Qiao Guanhua crying and shouting that he wanted to be Premier Zhou's son and seeing him off, there is no need to read too much into it.

Because Premier Zhou loves the people like his own son and takes great care of martyrs, orphans, poor old people, and friends within the party, it is understandable that he is loved by others.

In addition, Premier Zhou had no children in his life and had served the country all his life. When he was about to leave, all people with conscience wanted to be his children and die for him, and it was not limited to Qiao Guanhua...

January 15, 1976 , was the last day for the Party Central Committee to bid farewell to Premier Zhou. On that day, more than 5,000 people gathered in the Great Hall of the People, and Qiao Guanhua was among them. This was the most solemn farewell to Premier Zhou after he regained his sorrow.

Because after this, it means that the era of diplomacy led by Premier Zhou has passed. When China's diplomacy faces new situations and challenges in the future, there will never be anyone as wise, tolerant, and inspiring as Premier Zhou. Surrendered.

When he thought of this, Qiao Guanhua was as lost as an eggplant beaten by frost...

Qiao Guanhua

As Chairman Mao said in his poem to Premier Zhou : "The work is not yet completed, the body is tired, and the temples are already autumn. You and I, our generation, endure Will you give up your long-cherished wish? "

It can be seen that the sense of frustration among wise people is always the same. However, time is wasted and life is short. Even if the career is half-finished, it can only be entrusted to future generations.

Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou

Fortunately, our generation has worked hard and lived up to the trust of our predecessors. We have written the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation into the historical journey, and the future will remain unstoppable...