Picture丨Premier Zhou and Li Zongren took a group photo
Foreword
At 11 a.m. on July 20, 1965, a silver-gray plane landed slowly over Beijing Capital Airport .
The welcoming team led by Premier Zhou stood at the foot of the gangway. As the cabin door opened, Mr. Li Zongren, the former acting president of the Kuomintang, who was of moderate stature, thin and strong, strode out. Looking at the scene in front of him, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart: I have finally returned to my motherland after 16 years of separation. Got it!
After walking down the gangway, Li Zongren and Premier Zhou hugged each other tightly, listening to each other's heartfelt voices with their chests.
"Welcome, Mr. Li Zongren!"
"Zongren is guilty, how dare you trouble Mr. Prime Minister?"
The welcoming team on the tarmac was very large, including leaders of the party and the country, officials from various government departments, and democratic parties. Party representatives and civil and military officials under Li Zongren when he acted as the KMT president.
Former opponents and allies, yesterday's followers and rebels, had a historic reunion under the banner of a patriotic family. The atmosphere on the entire tarmac at that time was cheerful and warm.
Later, Li Zongren, accompanied by Premier Zhou, shook hands warmly with Chen Yi, He Long and others who had repeatedly competed on the battlefield in the past. After the greetings, Premier Zhou smiled and said to Li Zongren: "Please come here to meet an old acquaintance."
Li Zongren nodded happily after hearing this.
When Premier Zhou introduced Li Zongren to the "old acquaintance", Li Zongren was stunned. After seeing the other party, Li Zongren felt a sense of guilt in his heart: I still owe the other party an old debt!
After an unknown amount of time, Li Zongren came to his senses, and then bowed and apologized to the old acquaintance in front of him: "General He Jifeng, Zongren is sorry for you!"
The old man who was called "General He Jifeng" slowly said Said: "We meet again, the world is so small! Commander Li..."
He Jifeng became Li Zongren's subordinate
On July 7, 1937, Marco Polo Bridge Incident broke out. He Jifeng, then the commander of the 110th Brigade of the 29th Army of the Kuomintang , personally commanded the troops to fight against the Japanese invaders, fired the first shot of the Chinese Anti-Japanese War, and caused heavy losses to the Japanese invaders.
As a result, He Jifeng became a famous anti-Japanese hero at home and abroad. For a time, condolences and congratulatory messages came in from all over the country. He Jifeng noticed that among these condolences and congratulatory messages, there were also messages from the leaders of the Communist Party of China, such as Mao Zedong and Zhu De. , and expressed his willingness to be a strong backing for the 29th Army and requested the Nanjing government to go on an expedition.
Since then, He Jifeng’s attitude towards the CCP has changed.
Picture丨He Jifeng
The situation reversed soon. The Japanese invaders mobilized heavy troops and launched an attack on the position of He Jifeng's department. Faced with the enemy's powerful offensive, He Jifeng fought and retreated along the Jinpu Line to prevent the Japanese invaders from advancing, and fought many bloody battles with the enemy.
In early November, He Jifeng led his troops to retreat to Damingfu , and launched a desperate struggle with the Japanese invaders. He Jifeng personally directed the battle, and the soldiers regarded death as if they were home. They fought one after another and fought bloody battles with the enemy for three days and two nights. In the end, Daming Mansion fell because they ran out of ammunition and food. Determined to serve the country with his own death, He Jifeng insisted on not wanting to evacuate the daimyo. His subordinates had no choice but to forcibly drag him onto their horses and evacuate him to Nanle County.
He Jifeng was extremely sad and angry, so he raised his pistol, pointed it at his left chest and shot himself, and fell in a pool of blood. When the subordinates came to rescue him after hearing the news, they found a note with wet ink: Cannot be sent back Peking After New Year's Day, I have no face to face Yanzhao elders...
For He Jifeng's suicide, November 1937 The "Central Daily News" on the 15th reported this:
Damingcheng was resisted heroically by our army, but because the positions were completely destroyed and the officers and soldiers sacrificed too much, they had no choice but to retreat slightly. He Jifeng, the commander of the city defense division, did not defend the city because of his great reputation, and was irrevocably responsible. He was too embarrassed to see his commander again, so he shot himself with a gun to thank the people of the country.
Picture丨Chiang Kai-shek
Fortunately, He Jifeng's shot did not hit the vital part, and he survived after the full rescue efforts of his subordinates and doctors. Chiang Kai-shek After learning about He Jifeng's deeds, he awarded him the first-class Blue Sky and White Sun Medal.
In 1938, He Jifeng temporarily left the army to recuperate, but he did not take a break. Instead, he seriously thought about the way to save the country during his recovery. At this time, the news of the great success of Pingxingguan was published in the newspaper. He Jifeng, who had fought against the Japanese invaders, was very shocked. They are also Chinese, why can the Eighth Route Army defeat the Japanese invaders, but the Kuomintang army cannot?
For this reason, He Jifeng had the idea in his mind that he wanted to go to Yan'an to visit Chairman Mao, Mr. Zhu and other Communist leaders. Just go, He Jifeng took action immediately, and after many twists and turns, He Jifeng arrived in Wuhan. In Wuhan, He Jifeng met Premier Zhou and told him his thoughts, and received strong support from Premier Zhou: "Welcome to Yan'an to have a look!"
After Premier Zhou's arrangement, He Jifeng arrived in February 1938. Arrive in Yan'an secretly. That night, He Jifeng was received by Chairman Mao. During the chat, He Jifeng asked Chairman Mao all his inner questions, such as "What is the difference between the Eighth Route Army and the National Army?", " The victory of the Anti-Japanese War depends on The Communist Party or the Kuomintang?" Wait.
Picture丨Chairman Mao
Faced with He Jifeng’s questions, Chairman Mao answered them one by one. Listening and listening, He Jifeng said with emotion: “I used to regard it as a virtue for soldiers not to ask about politics, but I don’t understand until today. A soldier who doesn't care about politics can only become a headless fly. "
"The reason why you came to Yan'an under huge political pressure shows that you have doubts about your beliefs. However, don't just listen to me. I hope you can stay here for a few more days, listen more, and see more, so that you will understand the Communist Party better," Chairman Mao suggested.
After more than a month's trip to Yan'an, He Jifeng got to know the Communist Party, and the Communist Party also got to know He Jifeng. After repeated deliberation, He Jifeng proposed to stay in Yan'an and participate in the anti-Japanese war. However, considering He Jifeng's special status, the Party Central Committee decided to allow him to continue working in the Kuomintang army and strive to play a greater role.
Regarding the decision of the Party Central Committee, He Jifeng happily accepted: "When I go back, I will definitely take good control of the troops and fight to the end." In this way, He Jifeng reluctantly left Yan'an.
After returning to the army, He Jifeng served as the deputy commander of the 77th Army. He decided to rely on the power of the organization to guide this old army onto the path of unity and resistance. When He Jifeng served as deputy army commander, he actively promoted the anti-Japanese policy of the Allied Communist Party and educated officers and soldiers to fight side by side with the Chinese New Fourth Army and join hands in resisting Japan.
Picture | Old photo of He Jifeng (first from right in the back row)
In January 1939, the Hubei-Henan Border Special Committee decided to formally absorb He Jifeng as a special member of the Communist Party of China based on his request when he was in Yan'an and his performance after returning to the army.
When the comrades of the underground party told He Jifeng the news, he said excitedly: "This is a turning point in my life."
Soon after, due to various reasons, He Jifeng was transferred to the fifth theater of , and Li Zongren also became his boss.
Li Zongren sent He Jifeng to the "Public Capital" for trial
After He Jifeng came to Li Zongren's command, and after getting familiar with the environment, he thought about continuing to do something for the Chinese Communist Party and the New Fourth Army under its leadership.
One day, Feng Zhian, the commander of the 19th Army, came to complain to He Jifeng, saying that the business he opened in partnership with others was bleak due to the impact of the war, and all his money was lost. Now he still needs money to fill the hole. I don’t know. Where to get money.
After hearing what the other party said, He Jifeng thought: "The New Fourth Army and the guerrillas are short of money and weapons. Isn't this an excellent opportunity?"
For this reason, He Jifeng said to the other party, the last time he fought with the Japanese invaders More than 500 guns were seized in combat, and they can be exchanged for money with the New Fourth Army.Feng Zhian, who was anxious for money, thought about it and agreed, and warned that the news must not be leaked.
Picture丨Li Zongren
For this reason, He Jifeng handed the gun to the guerrillas, and also took part of the money given to the guerrillas as money for selling the gun and gave it to Feng Zhian. Originally, this matter was very secret and would not be exposed. Who knew that the traffic officer of the New Fourth Army was caught by Li Zongren and could not withstand the torture of the enemy, so He Jifeng was confessed.
After learning about this incident, Li Zongren immediately summoned Feng Zhian and asked about the details of the matter. Feng Zhian, who had benefited, naturally did not betray He Jifeng, so after he came out of Li Zongren's office, he immediately informed He Jifeng of the situation and asked him to prepare quickly.
It was precisely because of Feng Zhi'an's advance notice that He Jifeng had enough time to transfer all the Communist Party members whose identities were exposed from his 179th Division. The military policeman Li Zongren who came to search found nothing. But Li Zongren didn't want to give up, so he came up with another idea: Send He Jifeng to Chiang Kai-shek in Chongqing to see how Chairman Chiang deals with Feng Yuxiang's "communist" subordinates!
After learning about Li Zongren's plan, He Jifeng was very troubled:
First, if he abandons the troops and goes to Yan'an alone, then all his hard work over the years will be in vain; second, if he abandons his troops and goes to Yan'an alone, Pulling the troops to the side of the New Fourth Army may provide Chiang Kai-shek with an excuse to create anti-communist friction.
Picture丨Li Zongren
After repeated thinking, He Jifeng decided to go to Chongqing. The worst result would be to be executed. However, He Jifeng believed that the situation at hand was not that serious. Although the traitor betrayed him, the other party did not know his specific situation, especially that he had become a secret member of the Chinese Communist Party.
After He Jifeng was sent to Chongqing by Li Zongren, he was immediately placed under house arrest, making it difficult for even his old boss Feng Yuxiang to see him. He Jifeng, a famous anti-Japanese general, would rather die on the battlefield than endure this boring interrogation and review. For this reason, He Jifeng tried his best to find his relatives and friends, hoping that they could help deal with it.
After several twists and turns, He Jifeng learned that if he wanted to return to the front line, he must have an official letter from the Fifth War Zone asking for people, but He Jifeng also understood that it was basically impossible to get Li Zongren to send a letter asking for people. After more than half a year of review,
still found no clues from He Jifeng. It was also during this period that the domestic situation changed suddenly. General Zhang Zizhong was killed in action. The Japanese army frequently dispatched planes to bomb Chongqing. Telegrams from all directions asking for people and money flew to Chiang Kai-shek like snowflakes.
Under such circumstances, many people put pressure on Chiang Kai-shek: He Jifeng was a famous anti-Japanese general, and his long-term stay in Chongqing might be detrimental to public opinion!
Picture丨Chiang Kai-shek
Chiang Kai-shek saw that He Jifeng could not find any "criminal evidence", so he had to let him go. Before leaving, Chiang Kai-shek made an exception to entertain He Jifeng at a banquet in order to win over people. At the banquet, Chiang Kai-shek said to He Jifeng: "You are a hero during the Marco Polo Bridge War... Now, they recognize me as the national anti-Japanese leader, and I will give you a special certificate."
What He Jifeng did not expect was that as soon as he was tried Over the years, not only has his official position not been demoted, but he has been promoted. Chiang Kai-shek not only made him the commander of the 77th Army, but also specially presented He Jifeng with a " Zhongzheng Sword ".
When Li Zongren learned that He Jifeng not only returned safely but also received a "Zhongzheng Sword", he decided to be cautious in dealing with this person in the future. In order to bridge the gap between the two, Li Zongren sent people to invite He Jifeng to the headquarters many times to reminisce about the past, but He Jifeng politely refused each time. There was no other way, so Li Zongren had no choice but to take advantage of his position to go to He Jifeng's department to inspect the work, and made a special trip to visit He Jifeng.
After Li Zongren saw He Jifeng, he jokingly said: "General He, what should I say about you? You look like you are a commoner, don't smoke or drink, and are rustic. Some people say you are a communist. I believe it."But I don’t believe you when I see you yelling at people and hitting them. "
Picture丨Li Zongren
Li Zongren wanted to use this joke to break the deadlock and excuse himself for sending He Jifeng to Chongqing for trial. However, He Jifeng did not buy the boss's account and did not give him face at all. He coldly said Said: "Really?" Chief Li, do you think there are any good people in the Kuomintang? "
He Jifeng's question made Li Zongren very embarrassed, and he left angrily. In the following days, the relationship between the two has been very tense and stalemate. Later, He Jifeng raised the flag of righteousness and threw it at the Huaihai Battle Li Zongren, the "acting president" of the people, was defeated and fled to the United States. The two parted ways with hatred.
The two reunited again, and Li Zongren bowed and apologized.
In 1965, under the careful arrangement of Premier Zhou, Li Zongren finally flew back after 16 years of absence.
In the spacious and bright departure hall of Capital Airport , Premier Zhou led party and state leaders, including He Jifeng, and representatives from all walks of life to greet Li Zongren, who has lived abroad for 16 years. The traveler stood at the door of the cabin, waving his hat and greeting the familiar and unfamiliar crowd below. Accompanied by Premier Zhou, Li Zongren shook hands and greeted each other one by one.
Picture.丨Li Zongren took a photo with Premier Zhou
When Premier Zhou led Li Zongren to a weather-beaten old man, Li Zongren was stunned. He recalled the past and felt very guilty in his heart. "Guillotine", how should this old debt be settled?
After some time, Li Zongren came back to his senses, and then bowed and apologized to the old acquaintance in front of him: "General He Jifeng, Zongren is sorry for you! "
The old man called "General He Jifeng" said slowly: "We meet again, the world is so small! Commander Li..."
That night, at the Great Hall of the People, Premier Zhou held a grand banquet to entertain Mr. Li Zongren. General He Jifeng also attended the banquet. In the spotlight, Li Zongren's face glowed red and he frequently raised his glass. However, , careful people will find that there is a trace of uneasiness and sorrow in Li Zongren’s smiling eyes...
After a few drinks, Li Zongren left the seat with his wine glass and walked towards General He Jifeng: "General He, Zongren is sorry for you. ! I want to borrow this glass of wine to express my many years of apology to the general. "
Picture丨He Jifeng (right)
After listening to Li Zongren's words, He Jifeng also stood up, raised the wine glass in his hand and said: "Old sir, we have passed the age of hating each other. Our generation has wasted too much time, so hurry up and contribute to national construction! "
Li Zongren nodded heavily after hearing this. The personal grudges between the two people disappeared with the sound of the collision of wine glasses!
