In the late autumn of 1974, Chairman Mao, who was 81 years old, arrived in Changsha, Hunan on a special train and moved into the Ninth Provincial Party Committee Institute. Here, Chairman Mao calmed down and thought about several major issues.

In the late autumn of 1974, Chairman Mao, who was 81 years old, arrived in Changsha, Hunan on a special train and moved into the Ninth Institute of the Provincial Party Committee. Here, Chairman Mao calmed down and thought about several major issues.

In addition to Changsha Decision-making , it is the last batch of war criminals.

Chairman Mao’s later years

Two years ago, Chairman Mao attended the memorial service of Marshal Chen Yi and Marshal Chen 4 while sick. Since then, his physical condition has deteriorated. The doctor suggested that he have a comprehensive examination and at least several times of fluid intake, but Chairman Mao is unwilling to get injections and take medicine.

is in poor health and has to insist on working. The staff around him are very reluctant, so they plan to ask some old comrades to persuade him. In addition to Zhou Enlai, there is also Hua Guofeng.

At that time, Hua Guofeng was the Minister of Public Security at that time. In addition to taking the time to talk about family matters with Chairman Mao, he also talked about work. This year, he compiled the "Report on the Seventh Batch of Amnesty of War Criminals" and submitted it to Chairman Mao.

Hua Guofeng told Chairman Mao that since the first batch of war criminals were pardoned in 1959, six batches have been pardoned, and now more than 200 people have not been pardoned. It has been more than ten years now, but there are still 13 people who are stubborn and stubborn, and have not received the prescribed amnesty conditions.

13 people? Chairman Mao was shocked when he heard this number. It was really a headache to say that there were not many numbers. When the founding of New China, Chairman Mao was in his prime. Now he is old, let alone those prison war criminals?

Chairman Mao pondered for a long time, and then made an instruction. He said:

is all forgot, it is not good for us to force others to reform. Before the land reform, we would fight against landlords and kill bullies. That's because the people are afraid. Now the people don't know these people. Why are we killing them?

Although Chairman Mao’s words were underestimated, Hua Guofeng immediately understood what Chairman Mao meant:

First of all, these people have been detained for decades, and if they continue to be detained, they will probably die of illness in prison. Second, now that society has progressed, war criminals have changed their evil and done good, and will not harm the people. The most important point is that these war criminals were once senior officials of the Kuomintang, and it was generally a good thing to release them.

Then, Hua Guofeng immediately discussed Chairman Mao’s instructions with Premier Zhou and planned to release all war criminals, because from the beginning of the amnesty of the first batch of war criminals that year, Premier Zhou put in a lot of effort for this.

Starting from the policy of "no killing"

After all wars, punishing war criminals is an important task for the victorious party, and the handling of war criminals faced by New China is no exception.

Later in the Liberation War, the Kuomintang army was defeated and fell. Except for the Kuomintang officers who were shot dead by the People's Liberation Army, some of them were captured and became prisoners of war.

For example, senior Kuomintang officials Du Yuming and Zheng Tingji are some typical examples.

Du Yuming was a student of Huangpu First Class and was once highly valued by Chiang Kai-shek. Before being captured, he served as the commander-in-chief of the Kuomintang Northeast Security and the deputy commander of the "Suppression Headquarters" of Xuzhou .

In the Huaihai Battle , Chairman Mao sent Chen Yi to write a letter of urging surrender. After Chen Yi gave the "Letter to Urge Du Yuming to Surrender" to Du Yuming, Du Yuming was not shocked at all and still wanted to fight to the death.

was finally captured by the People's Liberation Army. Chen Yi and others talked to him personally, hoping that he would reform himself, but Du Yuming refused to negotiate and said, "If you want to kill or cut, you will be fine." He has never accepted his crime and never gave in.

even when he was transferred from Jinan to Beijing in November 1950, he thought he was going to the execution ground and was afraid of being executed by Lingchi, so he hid more than 60 sleeping pills in his cotton pants, intending to find an opportunity to commit suicide.

In fact, there are many senior officers like Du Yuming who intend to go to extremes, and the most stubborn and representative one is Huang Wei .

Huang Wei's corps is not only Chiang Kai-shek's direct troops, but also known as elite troops. So after several defeats, Huang Wei never worried about the combat effectiveness of his troops, and even cooperated with Chiang Kai-shek to use poison gas bombs when he was defeated.

After Huang Wei was captured, he did not take the PLA newspaper at all, and even insisted that he had never made a mistake. The judge once asked Huang Wei, would you admit your guilt?

Huang Wei said: "What crime do I have? If I have any guilt, my only crime is that I have lost the war and I will not admit anything else!"

Huang Wei thought this way, and his comrades, including Du Yuming, would also think this way.

As the saying goes, victory or defeat on the battlefield is common for military strategists. Under the leadership of Chiang Kai-shek for a long time, they always thought that since they were captured, they would inevitably be executed in those few days.

But they did not expect that a few days, weeks, months, or even years later, they would still live well because Chairman Mao personally issued an order to not judge or sentence all war criminals and implement the "no killing policy", which was simply unbelievable for war criminals.

As early as February 1952, Premier Zhou instructed the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security to immediately deal with Japanese war criminals and Chiang Kai-shek's group war criminals, including puppet army traitors, to make immediate decisions.

After investigation, the Ministry of Public Security reported it to Premier Zhou and believed that most war criminals had the idea of ​​reforming themselves, so Premier Zhou immediately discussed with Chairman Mao and basically reached a consensus, that is, to release war criminals leniency in batches.

In March 1956, at the second executive meeting of the CPPCC, Premier Zhou personally presided over the meeting and put forward the idea of ​​studying and deciding with Chairman Mao at the meeting, proposing to release war criminals, which was approved by the majority.

Finally, Chairman Mao decided to "not kill any war criminals" and agreed to implement leniency in batches. On the same day, Premier Zhou said this after Lu Ding's report:

"After the CPPCC, you can put more than a dozen war criminals to see." Although

has not been officially implemented, this news surprised many people in the Ministry of Public Security, and even shocked Chiang Kai-shek after hearing it. You must know that from the whole world, all those captured in the war can be guaranteed to be "not killed". This is the first time I have heard of it.

Premier Zhou conveyed Chairman Mao’s instructions: "Killing these war criminals will not increase production, two cannot improve the scientific level, three will not help us eliminate the four pests, four will not be strong national defense, five will not be able to recover Taiwan."

Everyone at the audience was admired by the hearts of the Communists represented by Chairman Mao when they heard Chairman Mao’s words. What’s even more admirable is that Chairman Mao not only said in advance that he would release them, but also treated them preferentially, which was something that war criminals never thought of.

Thanks Chairman Mao for

Zheng Tingji, who was detained in Gongdelin Prison in Beijing, is like Du Yuming and others. After just coming to Beijing, he was worried. Every day when he heard the whistle, he felt like he was going to the execution ground.

is depressed all day long and doesn't even want to do anything. But over time, Zheng Tingji unexpectedly discovered that it seemed that the prison administrators were very good to them. They not only did they do a lot of fish and meat, but also did not take strict supervision. There are three things that touched Zheng Tingji the most.

First, the People's Liberation Army will take it to see a doctor when it is sick.

Due to years of war and going northeast and west, he suffered from serious chronic diseases and often he had no strength to live in prison with his inmates. After the prison administrator reported, the People's Liberation Army soldiers took Zheng Tingji to see a doctor and also performed surgery on him.

During that time, he would not be handcuffed, nor would he be worried about his escape. Zheng Tingji felt very strange. It was not until he was discharged from the hospital that Zheng Tingji realized that the People's Liberation Army was very concerned about every war criminal. When everyone was sick, they would go to the hospital. Even if they had stomachache or even had a small cold, the People's Liberation Army would send people to deliver medicine.

This puzzled them. Could it be that the People's Liberation Army would be so good to a dying person? At that time, there were rumors in the prison that Chairman Mao would not kill them. After several years of transformation, Zheng Tingji, like Du Yuming and others, felt that this might be true.

Second, it is not as good as a little girl

in prison all year round. If you can get out, you will rush to sign up.That day, they were going to work in the farm outside Qincheng. Not only were they not handcuffed, but everyone also gave them farm tools.

Zheng Tingji was very puzzled. Isn’t the PLA worried that they will run away? Later I found out that his idea was completely wrong. The prison administrator said first: perform well and have the opportunity to deal with leniency in the future.

On the way back from outside the farm, I walked to an apple tree and happened to see an apple falling down, but unexpectedly it was picked up by a little girl.

Zheng Tingji was very sad. After working for a day, he met an apple but the little girl picked it up. But unexpectedly, the little girl came over and handed him the apple.

"Grandpa, I picked up an apple. Did you collect it? I'll give it to you."

Zheng Tingji asked in surprise: "Little girl, why don't you eat the apple you picked up by yourself?"

The little girl said: "Dad said that this is a public apple, you can't eat it casually."

The little girl left, but Zheng Tingji was stunned. He had been in the Kuomintang for many years and had never heard of such beautiful words. He thought, I was not as good as a little girl!

From these small things, we gradually saw the greatness of the Communist Party. It is said that Chairman Mao is a benevolent and righteous leader. After ten years of training, Zheng Tingji finally realized this.

Third, Chairman Mao kept his word

Time has come to 1959. Before the National Day, Chairman Mao proposed at a national conference that on the occasion of celebrating the tenth anniversary of the founding of New China, a group of war criminals who have indeed changed their evil and done good will be amnested.

Not only that, Chairman Mao also personally signed the pardon order , and this incident was eventually passed to Gongdelin Prison.

The war criminals were working that day, Wang Yaowu holding a newspaper and shouting, "Good news, good news!"

Everyone surrounded him and rushed to the newspaper. Then Wang Yaowu read:

When celebrating the tenth anniversary of the founding of the great New China, a group of war criminals who had indeed changed their evil and good were pardoned. They were imprisoned for ten years and those who had indeed changed their evil and good were released.

Zheng Tingji listened in the crowd and found it incredible. Everyone rushed up and snatched the newspaper. After seeing Chairman Mao’s signature, everyone said to each other: "Really, this is true, I can finally go home."

Zheng Tingji also squeezed over and sighed heavily. In one breath, there were three conditions on it. One of them was ten years. It was ten years since he was captured in 1948 until now. His tears came out and he said silently: "Chairman Mao, you are such a good leader."

On December 4, the war criminals finally waited for the exciting amnesty meeting. The auditorium read: "Agreement of Amnesty of War Criminals", and Du Yuming and others listened carefully to the judge's speech below.

After a long wait, the judge of the Supreme People's Court of began to announce the first batch of amnesty list: "Du Yuming."

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

"Zheng Tingji."

The war criminals who heard his name held their own amnesty books and could no longer stop their tears. The remaining people who did not read the name were crying.

The judge told them: "Don't be discouraged if you haven't read the name. There will be the second one. It is important to perform well and you can release it."

This day was extremely excited for all war criminals. Since then, everyone has become more motivated to work and the prison has become more orderly.

"Thank you Chairman Mao, thank the Communist Party." The moment he walked out of prison, Zheng Tingji, Du Yuming and others looked back at this magical place and were deeply moved.

Following Premier Zhou’s instructions, after being pardoned, anyone with family members in Beijing can go home. If there is no home, you can follow the arrangements of the party organization.

Finally, these war criminals were not only taken care of in life, but also in work. Whether it was Du Yuming from Gongdelin, Beijing or the last emperor of Liaoning War Criminals Management Office, they had a new understanding of the Communist Party.

Chairman Mao: All of them are released

According to the data statistics of that year, only the first batch of amnesty was amnesty. From the statistics of the provinces and cities across the country, there were tens of thousands of war criminals released, and five more amnesty were successively conducted.

The second batch was pardoned on November 28, 1960, with a total of 50 people. Among them, the well-known war criminals include Li Xianzhou , Fan Hanjie , and Puyi's younger brother Pujie, etc.

The third batch was amnesty on December 25, 1961, with a total of 68 people, among which the more well-known ones were Liao Yaoxiang , etc. The fourth batch of

was released on April 9, 1963, with a total of 35 people, including Kangze , Sundu , etc.

The fifth batch was pardoned on December 28, 1964, and a total of 53 people were released, including Wang Lingji and others. The sixth batch of

was approved for amnesty on April 16, 1966, with a total of 57 people, including Fang Jing and and others.

It was not until the end of 1974 that when Hua Guofeng and Chairman Mao reported on the remaining war criminals, what Chairman Mao ordered was.

At that time, Hua Guofeng and Premier Zhou discussed that according to the conditions of amnesty, 1. A good attitude towards admitting mistakes was accepted. 2. Correct reactionary thoughts. 3. Actively accept labor reform. Basically, they have changed their evil and turned to good.

But there are still 13 of them that need to continue to be detained. The reason of the Ministry of Public Security is: they have no sign of changing evil and doing good.

In fact, it is just that it is still very stubborn.

The 13 war criminals are: Xu Tianren, Li Qing, Qiu Shenjun, Zhang Bailing, Guo Jiqian, Li Zongming, Fan Xun, Weng Yu, Liu Yanzhi, Zhou Yanghao , Metabolism, Du Chaoqun, and Shen Qinkang.

After reading the list, Chairman Mao sighed and said, "Let's go, I'll let it go, I've been in prison for more than 20 years. We can't treat others differently, let alone, they have been putting down their weapons for 25 years!"

Hua Guofeng then conveyed the requirements for all release to the prison in accordance with Chairman Mao’s instructions, and also stated that each person would pay 15 yuan of living expenses.

Chairman Mao said to this: "15 yuan is too little, and his courage is too little!"

Finally, according to Chairman Mao's instructions, on the day the war criminals were released, each person paid 100 yuan of living expenses. Those who are capable can work, and those who are sick will go to treat them.

That year, Chairman Mao was already seriously ill and told Hua Guofeng, Ye Jianying and others to have a banquet at Beijing Qianmen Hotel, , and had a big meal. They also had war criminals who had been pardoned before. They were considered "gathering together". At this unique conference, many war criminals cried in tears when they saw their good comrades who had not seen for decades.

At that time, Marshal Ye was 77 years old, and he still enthusiastically congratulated these war criminals on their gloriously becoming Chinese citizens.

, such high-standard courtesy and reception, made many war criminals burst into tears.

Former lieutenant general and deputy chief of staff of the Forward Command of the Xuzhou "Suppression Headquarters" of the Kuomintang and the head of the Northern District of the Military Intelligence Bureau, said:

"This is a glory that I have never enjoyed in my life. Vice Chairman Ye talked to us, approachable, earnest and warm. Vice Chairman Ye conveyed Chairman Mao's instructions, and I shed tears of gratitude after hearing it. I deeply realized that only the great leader Chairman Mao has such a broad mind and great courage."

Huang Wei, who has always had a hard bone, was also silently moved. When he talked to his friends about the past, he realized that the country suffered three years of natural disasters in the 1960s, but the prison never cut off the supply of meat to Huang Wei.

In addition to giving him milk, there are also eggs and meat. At first it was pork, later it was beef, and finally it was yellow mutton.

Huang Wei said: "I finally got a new life today and obtained citizenship. If I thank Chairman Mao, how could I come out without Chairman Mao?"

These Kuomintang war criminals who were all new, each got their place after being released from prison and had a place to support them. Many people were arranged to work in the CPPCC. They not only had citizenship, but some also became cultural and historical specialists, enjoying the living treatment of ordinary cadres.

This is something they never dreamed of.

After Chairman Mao learned that these placements were properly placed, he still issued an instruction saying: "If you have difficulties in life, you can take appropriate care of it."

's transformation of Kuomintang war criminals is a arduous and meticulous task. However, Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou handled this matter very well, and the release of war criminals has also received widespread praise from domestic and foreign public opinion.

That year, Chairman Mao was 82 years old, but his broad mind and far-sighted strategy were still very admirable.