Preface
Picture | Zhang Zhizhong
When talking about Premier Zhou, Zhang Zhizhong once said: "All my progress is inseparable from the help and education of my old friend Zhou Enlai. I will never forget his feelings. His idea of broadly uniting people is a role model for Chinese people to learn."
"I am your father's younger brother"
"Peace General" Zhang Zhizhong "becomes a connection" with the Communist Party, thanks to some degree to Premier Zhou.
As early as 1924, when Zhang Zhizhong was serving in the Whampoa Military Academy, he had already met Premier Zhou. At that time, Zhang Zhizhong and Premier Zhou got the same thing at first sight. He also applied to join the Communist Party of China and discussed it secretly with Premier Zhou.
Premier Zhou was very happy for this, but while he was happy, Premier Zhou said that he would only give Zhang Zhizhong an answer after asking the party organization. After a while, Premier Zhou took the initiative to find Zhang Zhizhong and replied:
"The Communist Party of China organization certainly welcomes you to join the party, but your goal is relatively large. The two parties have an agreement. The CCP does not absorb senior Kuomintang cadres, , and , and it is possible to be inconvenient at this time. It is better to wait for the right time. But the CCP promises to support you secretly and make your work easier." Although Zhang Zhizhong was a little sad when he heard this, he still listened to Premier Zhou's words and nodded slowly.
According to Zhang Zhizhong's son Zhang Yichun's recollection: "In 1925, my father attended the wedding of Uncle Zhou and Mother Deng. During the wedding banquet, my father even got Uncle Zhou drunk."
At that time, the struggle between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party was very fierce, and Zhang Zhizhong believed that the revolution had just begun. The Kuomintang and the Communist Party should only be united and should not be divided, so they leaned more left-wing in their actions, which led to the doubts of Chiang Kai-shek.
Picture | Zhang Zhizhong
For this reason, Chiang Kai-shek asked his confidant Wang Mao (mào) Gong: "Is Zhang Zhizhong a Communist Party?"
Wang Maogong quickly replied: "The rumors are not trustworthy." Since then, Chiang Kai-shek was relieved.
During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the War of Liberation, Zhang Zhizhong, as the chief representative of the Kuomintang, held many peace talks with Premier Zhou, the chief representative of the Communist Party. Among them, the most famous one is the Chongqing negotiations in 1945.
Previously, Zhang Zhizhong had repeatedly advised Chiang Kai-shek to "alliance with the Communist Party", which made Chiang Kai-shek very angry. Once, Chiang Kai-shek was furious and said, "Am I talking to the representative of the Communist Party?"
But Chiang Kai-shek also saw some ways from it: 1. Zhang Zhizhong is a rare person who can break through the stalemate between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party; 2. Zhang Zhizhong is a person who can be met and held by the CCP leader Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou; 3. Zhang Zhizhong is still a suitable person who can convey the true ideas of the CCP.
1945, the Kuomintang government advocated the Kuomintang-Republic negotiations. When Chairman Mao agreed, Chiang Kai-shek specially appointed Zhang Zhizhong as the representative to go to Yan'an to welcome Chairman Mao.
In order to arrange for Chairman Mao to negotiate in Chongqing for related matters, Premier Zhou also came to Chongqing in advance to arrange the matters. Zhang Zhizhong not only gave up his residence, Guiyuan , but also took great pains to arrange the guards.
After considering Chairman Mao’s safety, Zhang Zhizhong thought for a long time before saying to Premier Zhou: "In order to protect Mr. Mao's safety, I am preparing to send a pistol platoon from the guard battalion of the Political Department to serve as the guard. Most of them are from my hometown and must be reliable."
Premier Zhou knew that Zhang Zhizhong put Chairman Mao’s safety first, and he was deeply grateful, but he did not want to let his friends fall into danger. In the situation, he shook his head and said: "This is not good. If anything happens, the responsibility will be pushed to you... It's better to do this. You should contact the Chongqing Security Command. Your people can be replaced with plainclothes and serve as internal security."
Picture | Premier Zhou
Hearing Premier Zhou's meticulous arrangements, Zhang Zhizhong nodded with a smile.
After more than 40 days of tortuous negotiations, the leaders of the Communist Party of China made appropriate concessions from the overall situation, which ultimately led to the consensus between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party on some major issues.
When Zhang Zhizhong saw that the peace proposition that he had been pursuing for many years was finally possible, he smiled satisfactorily.
On the evening of October 8, Zhang Zhizhong, on behalf of Chiang Kai-shek, held a grand farewell banquet to bid farewell to Chairman Mao and his group who were about to return to Yan'an.
When the banquet was about to end, Premier Zhou took the initiative to find Zhang Zhizhong and invited him to a place without anyone else and said: " Wenbai , the peace talks are over, Chairman Mao will return to Yan'an as soon as possible, but we are not at ease to let Chairman Mao go back alone!"
Zhang Zhizhong knew very well about Premier Zhou's intentions and knew that this was Premier Zhou's trust in him, so he smiled. He replied: "Mr. Enlai, don't worry too much! Mr. Mao was invited by me to Yan'an, so I naturally have to take him back!"
pic丨Chairman Mao, Premier Zhou, Zhang Zhizhong
Hearing this, Premier Zhou hurriedly said gratefully: "Then Mr. Wenbai will be the one who is going to do it."
The day after the signing of the Double Ten Agreement, Chairman Mao returned to Yan'an accompanied by Zhang Zhizhong. That night, Premier Zhou held a banquet in Guiyuan to thank the staff who served Chairman Mao, and Zhang Zhizhong's son Zhang Yichun also participated.
After the meal and everyone was gone, Premier Zhou took Zhang Yichun's hand and said, "I'll say a few words to you, where are you going to school?"
"Dejing Primary School." Zhang Yichun replied.
"You go find a notebook, can I write an inscription for you?"
"Of course it's good." Zhang Yichun hurriedly found a notebook happily and handed it to Premier Zhou.
Premier Zhou took the notebook and wrote:
"The light is in sight, the future is endless. New China belongs to your younger generation. - Brother Yichun Shishi."
Zhang Yichun read it and felt something was wrong, so he said: "You are my uncle, why do you call me Brother Yi?"
Premier Zhou took Zhang Yichun's hand and said with a smile: "This means I am your father's younger brother."
Zhang Yichun then suddenly realized and nodded.
Of course, this sentence is not a polite word from Premier Zhou, but sincere. Although Premier Zhou refused to give in at the negotiating table, when he was a guest at longan , Premier Zhou would always sit modestly on the footstool next to Zhang Zhizhong's sofa.
"Mr. Enlai, you really can keep guests!" After the decisive battle of the three major strategic battles, the Kuomintang's defeat was decided. On New Year's Day 1949, Chiang Kai-shek once again issued a "peace-seeking" statement to the Communist Party and formed a Kuomintang government peace talks delegation with Zhang Zhizhong as the chief representative.
On April 1, Zhang Zhizhong and his team arrived at Peking and held peace talks with the CCP delegation headed by Premier Zhou. However, because Chiang Kai-shek refused to accept the terms of peace talks proposed by the CCP representatives, the Peking broke down, which also made Zhang Zhi feel very emotional.
Not long after, the Kuomintang decided to send a special plane to take back the delegation, but the Kuomintang government peace talks discussed whether to stay in Peking or return to Nanjing. Most people believed that there would be no good results when returning to Nanjing now, so it would be better to stay in Peking and continue to work hard for the peace talks.
Picture丨Kuote Group photo before going to Peking
At that time, there were still a few people planning to return to Nanjing to report their lives. Finally, after the persuasion of Premier Zhou and others, they gave up the idea of going back, but Zhang Zhizhong insisted on going back. No matter how Premier Zhou persuaded him, he always emphasized: "Mr. Enlai, I am the chief representative, I cannot go back and report my life."
Zhang Zhizhong's attitude made Premier Zhou very worried. For this reason, The Prime Minister also said:
"'Xi'an Incident' We are sorry for a friend named Zhang. Today we cannot be sorry for the second friend named Zhang. You must stay in Peiping."
Zhang Zhizhong was very moved when he heard Premier Zhou's care, but he still shook his head and said: "Zhizhong was ordered by the government, and he was uneasy to not report his life!"
Faced with Zhang Zhizhong's stubbornness, Premier Zhou was still determined to keep this friend who had been with him for more than 20 years.
On April 2On April 23, Nanjing came to pick up the Kuomintang peace talks delegation to arrive over Peiping and requested landing. After learning about this, Premier Zhou decisively instructed the airport command tower to reply: "The runway of the plane is being repaired and cannot land. Come again in two days."
had no choice but to turn around and return.
On April 25th, when Premier Zhou visited Zhang Zhizhong, he said to him: "Brother Wenbai, let's go and pick up the guests together!"
"What kind of guest?" Zhang Zhizhong asked in confusion.
Premier Zhou said mysteriously: "It is the one you are most familiar with, and you will know it when the time comes."
When Zhang Zhizhong followed Premier Zhou to the airport, he waited for a moment and saw a plane landing. After walking off the plane, Zhang Zhizhong couldn't help but be stunned. He looked at Premier Zhou with gratitude and hurriedly met the person who walked off the plane.
It turned out that the plane on this day was sent by Bai Chongxi and to receive the representatives of the peace talks. Due to the help of the underground party of the Communist Party of China, Zhang Zhizhong's wife and two children were secretly sent onto the plane.
Looking at the wife and the child, Zhang Zhizhong burst into tears and said emotionally: "Mr. Enlai, you really can keep guests! Thank you!"
Picture | Premier Zhou and Zhang Zhizhong
Since then, Zhang Zhizhong has stayed in Peking. After reunited with his family, although he had a moment of joy, as time went by, his mood gradually became depressed and his ideological struggle was very fierce.
Once, when Chairman Mao, Premier Zhou, Marshal Zhu De and others came to visit him, he sighed and said:
"I am a member of the Kuomintang. Now I stand on the side of the Communist Party. Will people say I am 'speculative'? This question has been circling in my mind for a long time and I have not come up with an answer."
Hearing Zhang Zhizhong's words, Chairman Mao, Premier Zhou and others hurriedly persuaded him to help him get rid of his ideological burden.
Finally, Premier Zhou and Zhang Zhizhong had a heart-warming and frank conversation: "I think you are still feudal. Why do you only have fantasies about certain people, rather than thinking about the Chinese revolution and the Chinese people!"
Premier Zhou's words were sharp and cordial, and sincere in blame, which made Zhang Zhizhong suddenly enlightened. Since then, he decided to give up his old grievances and cooperate sincerely with the CCP.
After seeing Zhang Zhi suddenly understand, Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou showed a satisfied and gratifying smile.
Not long after Zhang Zhizhong settled in Peking, the family encountered some financial difficulties. Zhang Zhizhong considered that he had troubled Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou too much when he came to Peking, so he didn't want them to worry about him. After thinking for a long time, he asked his children to borrow money from Fu Zuoyi.
As an old friend, Fu Zuoyi immediately asked someone to take 500 silver dollars and handed it to Zhang Zhizhong's child, and instructed: "If you have difficulties, let your father come to me."
Soon, Premier Zhou learned that Zhang Zhizhong's family was facing financial difficulties, so he immediately allocated 6,000 yuan. Due to busy work, Premier Zhou was unable to come to the door to deliver money and apologize, so he had to write a letter. Apologize and wrote at the end of the letter: "Brother Wenbai, I don't know that your economy is in such a difficult situation. Now I allocate 6,000 yuan for you to use."
Picture | Premier Zhou
Looking at Premier Zhou's letter, Zhang Zhizhong almost burst into tears. To him, Premier Zhou sent not only a few thousand yuan, but a great concern and care for him.
Premier Zhou’s care for Zhang Zhizhong
After the founding of New China , Premier Zhou spent all his time working days and forgot to eat and sleep, but he never forgot his friend Zhang Zhizhong. In addition to official contact, Zhang Zhizhong invites Premier Zhou to gather once a year, and Premier Zhou never refuses.
. Among Zhang Zhizhong's regular customers, Premier Zhou comes the most times. Sometimes he calls in advance, and sometimes he doesn't make a call. After Premier Zhou goes out to do his job, he will turn to Zhang Zhizhong's house and chat for a while before leaving.
According to Zhang Zhizhong's son Zhang Yichun's recollection:
"Prime Minister Zhou was very interesting when chatting with his father. Sometimes they sat upright on the sofa, while tasting tea and talking about work; sometimes they were very casual. When my father was tired of talking, he leaned on the sofa, took off his shoes, and placed his feet on the small round pier in front of the sofa. His father didn't feel rude, and Premier Zhou didn't see him. Strange. Sometimes Premier Zhou felt hot, so he unbuttoned the buttons on his chest, opened his arms, put his hands on his waist, and walked around the house to talk. Even as he talked, he even took the small round dormitory and sat in front of his father. The two of them talked face to face. "
One day, Premier Zhou was carrying a multi-layer lunch box in his hand and excitedly came to Zhang Zhizhong's house by car. Before he got out of the car, Premier Zhou said happily: "Mr. Wenbai, please try my skills today."
It turned out that it was not long ago. Premier Zhou had a meal at Zhang Zhizhong's house. During the meal, Premier Zhou praised: "Mr. Wenbai, your cooking skills are good, but you are not as delicious as me."
Picture | Premier Zhou
Premier Zhou finished saying this and laughed with Zhang Zhizhong. Zhang Zhizhong’s wife Hong Xihou, who was sitting aside, said with a smile: “We have to try the Prime Minister’s skills for a day.” Premier Zhou nodded repeatedly. After dinner, Premier Zhou talked with Zhang Zhizhong for a while before leaving. Premier Zhou always remembered Hong Xihou’s words.
On this day, Premier Zhou took advantage of his unhappy work and cooked fish and tofu. After that, Premier Zhou had no time to rest, so he put the rice in a lunch box and sent it to Zhang Zhizhong's house.
Zhang Zhizhong felt very warm and happy after seeing Premier Zhou bringing the meal. At the dinner table, Zhang Zhizhong ate and praised, "It's really good, I hope I can eat it often."
As time goes by, the friendship between Premier Zhou and Zhang Zhizhong becomes deeper and deeper.
One year, an Huangmei Opera troupe in Anhui came to Beijing to report the performance. Premier Zhou knew that Zhang Zhizhong was from Anhui and especially liked dramas in his hometown, so he immediately invited Zhang Zhizhong's family to watch the show.
That night, Zhang Zhizhong's family had dinner at Premier Zhou's house in the West Flower Hall of Zhongnanhai. After dinner, everyone took a car to the Government Council Auditorium to watch Huangmei Opera. While driving, Premier Zhou insisted that Zhang Zhizhong's car was in front. After Zhang Zhizhong was humble, Premier Zhou's car did not move. Seeing that the Huangmei Opera was about to start performing, Zhang Zhizhong had to say politely: "It's better to obey your orders than respect. We are walking in front."
There was a fork in the road from the West Flower Hall of Zhongnanhai to the auditorium. Zhang Zhizhong's car was inserted into the fork and gave Premier Zhou's car to the front. At this time, Zhang Zhizhong's car was back and forth. When Zhang Zhizhong's car arrived at the entrance of the auditorium, Premier Zhou's car had already driven away.
When Zhang Zhizhong's car just arrived at the auditorium and listened firmly, Premier Zhou walked down the steps and opened the door for Zhang Zhizhong. Zhang Zhizhong got off the car and said humorously: "Isn't it a big driver to open the door? Isn't it a shame for me?"
Premier Zhou also smiled on his face. In this way, the two of them walked into the auditorium to watch the show with a smile.
pic | Zhang Zhizhong
In the years that followed, Premier Zhou has always been very concerned about Zhang Zhizhong's life, work, and family.
In September 1966, Zhang Zhizhong was sent to the 301 Hospital due to serious illness. Whenever he saw Premier Zhou busy with work and met representatives from all over the country, he was very worried about Premier Zhou's health. So he often asked someone to bring Premier Zhou's note. In the note, Zhang Zhizhong had a few short words from beginning to end. He earnestly hoped that Premier Zhou would take care of his health.
Premier Zhou was very moved every time he saw it. Every time Premier Zhou wanted to visit his old friend Zhang Zhizhong in person, but he was always unable to get out of work. In desperation, Premier Zhou had to send Luo Qingchang to condolences to Zhang Zhizhong on his behalf.
On February 1, 1969, the farewell ceremony for Li Zongren's body was held in the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery Auditorium. Premier Zhou came in a busy manner. In the lounge, when Premier Zhou saw Zhang Zhizhong, he hurried forward, held his hand tightly and said, "Brother Wenbai, you must take care of yourself!"
Zhang Zhizhong nodded repeatedly. Premier Zhou only chatted with Zhang Zhizhong for a few words, because there were still many old friends watching and waiting for him. Premier Zhou had to let go of Zhang Zhizhong's tightly held hands and walked to Zhang Shizhao. However, what the two of them did not expect was that this was their last meeting.
Since then, Zhang Zhizhong's illness has worsened. As soon as April comes, his condition worsens significantly. After Chairman Mao learned that Zhang Zhizhong's condition is serious, he also sent someone to send the best ginseng in the Northeast. However, even with Chairman Mao's concern, Zhang Zhizhong's health has not improved.
On the afternoon of April 6, 1969, Zhang Zhizhong died of illness in Beijing at the age of 79.
After Zhang Zhizhong's death, the handling of his funeral became a difficult problem. The State Administration of State Organs Affairs of the State Council wanted to hold a farewell ceremony, so he asked the United Front Work Department. The leaders of the United Front Work Department at that time proposed not to hold a farewell ceremony and just visit the family. Gao Fuyou of the State Organs Administration of the State Council felt that something was wrong, so he asked Premier Zhou for the matter.
After Premier Zhou learned of this, he immediately made two decisions: "First, I want to attend the farewell ceremony; second, notify other old friends inside and outside the party."
In this way, Zhang Zhizhong's farewell ceremony was held at Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery under Premier Zhou's personal reservation. On April 9, Premier Zhou arrived at the Revolutionary Cemetery auditorium on time. At that time, the farewell ceremony was also attended by Guo Moruo, Zhang Shizhao, Fu Zuoyi and other Zhang Zhizhong's life friends.
But when Premier Zhou saw that there were not many people participating in the farewell ceremony, he said angrily: "Why are there fewer people? Why don't Tao Zhiyue, Dong Qiwu and others not notify?"
Picture | Premier Zhou
Before the staff could speak, Premier Zhou hurriedly ordered: "It's still time now, go and notify immediately!"
After the farewell ceremony, Premier Zhou named Zhang Zhizhong's wife and children, and instructed: "If you have any difficulties in your future life, please contact Comrade Ding Jiang."
Even after Zhang Zhizhong's death, Premier Zhou never forgot him. In 1975, Premier Zhou often remembered Zhang Zhizhong after lying on his sickbed. On November 25, Premier Zhou called Tong Xiaopeng to his side and instructed: " Take a portion of my savings with me and go and see Mr. Zhang Zhizhong's wife Hong Xihou and the children."
Soon, Tong Xiaopeng came to the Zhang family and asked Hong Xihou about the family situation, saying: "Prime Minister Zhou sent me to see you. The Prime Minister was still thinking about your family on the bed. He instructed me to allocate a sum of money from his savings to you. He was worried that you would have difficulties in life. We are here to give this money today."
Hong Xihou The children were very grateful for Premier Zhou's care, but repeatedly expressed that they could not accept the money. Tong Xiaopeng hurriedly said: "This is Premier Zhou's care for you and his decision. You must accept it, otherwise I will not complete the task."
According to Zhang Yichun's recollection, "Later, our family's life was better, and it was thanks to the money given by Premier Zhou."
Looking at the nearly half century of interactions between Premier Zhou and Zhang Zhizhong, it is not difficult to see that they are both close friends, close friends, and honest friends. Their friendship also vividly reflects the principle and spirit of the Communist Party of China's "long-term coexistence, mutual supervision, mutual loyalty, and sharing honor and disgrace."
