"Spring is not autumn after, so why worry about age? Your life must be combined with the cause of the people, and your gray hair will not be on your head."
This is Comrade Deng Yingchao's most heartfelt poem in his later years, which shows her open-mindedness to life.
However, birth, old age, sickness and death are natural laws, and they are not reversed by personal mentality. How did Deng Yingchao face the eternal proposition of death?
On January 8, 1976, Premier Zhou unfortunately passed away. Before his death, he made corresponding arrangements for his affairs: after , he would not hold a memorial service, he would not say goodbye to the body, the body would be cremated after dissection, and the ashes would not be retained. All funerals should be simple and lighter.
Photo | The people bid farewell to Premier Zhou (old photo)
However, the people did not agree, and the Party Central Committee did not agree. In the end, it was a large-scale farewell. On the ten-mile long street , countless people came spontaneously and bid farewell to the "good prime minister of the people" with tears in their eyes.
Premier Zhou was solemnly explaining to Deng Yingchao on his deathbed:
"You and my ashes are not reserved! If you die first, I can guarantee that you can do it; if I die first, can you guarantee that you can do it?"
Deng Yingchao nodded: Don't worry, I won't let you be embarrassed!
Premier Zhou was filled with relief when he heard this, but he felt guilty that he wanted to take a step first. He could only look at the wife who had been with him for life until he closed his eyes forever.
Picture | On January 8, 1976, Premier Zhou passed away in Beijing. The farewell ceremony of Premier Zhou's body (old photo)
Comrade Deng Yingchao said virtuously. From the moment Premier Zhou passed away, he began to prepare for his own affairs.
She kept Premier Zhou’s urn and told the staff around her to use it again after she died.
She also joked with her secretary Zhao Wei many times, saying that after , you must not engage in condolences after your death, be simple and light, and do not cause trouble to the organization, etc.
978's Party Founding Day , that morning, Deng Yingchao suddenly asked Zhao Wei to bring paper and pen. Zhao Wei was full of doubts, what should I write early this morning?
Photo | Comrade Deng Yingchao took a photo with Zhao Wei and his wife (old photo)
Deng Yingchao saw her doubts and gave the answer with a smile: "To celebrate the birthday of the Party, I want to write a letter to the Party Central Committee, which is the arrangement for my funeral."
Zhao Wei felt uncomfortable after hearing this and quickly advised: Sister Deng, you are still strong now. Before you even think about this matter, you should think about how to live well and live long!
Deng Yingchao was very firm, saying that while his mind is clear, he would write down the charter early.
Deng Yingchao wrote the following five points in his letter, which are basically the same as what Premier Zhou asked before his death: will not hold a memorial service after his death, will not hold a body to see off, the ashes will not be retained, the body will be cremated after dissection, and the former residence and memorial hall will not be installed in the residence before his death.
Picture | Comrade Deng Yingchao is working (old photo)
Generally speaking, it doesn’t bother to organize and disturb the masses, just keep everything simple.
The letter was written and sent to the organization. The relevant parties attached great importance to it and expressed that they would respect Deng Yingchao's opinions, but there is no need to hurry to do this matter, and we will talk about it later.
Deng Yingchao was in good spirits and physical condition at this time, and he insisted on taking an important responsibility at work. It was indeed a bit too early to talk about these things at this time.
In June 11982, six years after Premier Zhou's death, Deng Yingchao once again brought this matter to the desk and made some supplements based on the first draft 4 years ago as a formal will that can be published in the future.
Photo |Premier Zhou and his wife Deng Yingchao (old photo)
Supplementary content is as follows: Regarding the relatives of Premier Zhou, after the Prime Minister and himself passed away one after another, do not take care of them for the sake of the two, and do not take care of them based on relevant principles and disciplines.
Half a year later, Deng Yingchao wrote another formal will as a supplement to the previous will. The main contents include:
No need to work hard when he is sick and has no help. He pays the party dues for the unused salary, and pays the public with Premier Zhou's residence. Most of the relevant books, text materials, conversation records, recordings, photos, clothing, etc. are returned to public ownership, and a few are given to the comrades around him.
Deng Yingchao felt that it was almost done, but she was still worried.
Picture | Comrade Deng Yingchao is reading a book (old photo)
In the following time, he repeatedly reminded the staff around him that he must follow the will after his death and do not cause too much trouble to the organization.
Among the two wills made by Deng Yingchao in 1982, the rest are reasonable, but the claim that she requested to stop treatment when she was sick was not very consistent with the traditional Chinese morality.
If you give up treatment for it, comrades will feel sorry for it, and this one is not very acceptable.
However, Deng Yingchao saw this very thoroughly. She once explained this issue:
Picture | Comrade Deng Yingchao (old photo)
"A person's birth, old age, sickness and death are normal, and no one can avoid it, and cannot escape. When my life is about to end and there is no need for artificial and medicine to prolong life, don't use rescue methods..."
Simply put, this is a "euthanasia" problem.
In the traditional Chinese concept, we should do everything we can to keep people’s lives until the last moment, believing that this is the practice of cherishing life.
In modern times, with the integration of Western thoughts, a new trend of thought about respect for life has spread, and euthanasia is a concentrated reflection of this.
Deng Yingchao not only deeply agreed, but was also willing to practice it with his own heart. This was extremely difficult in China at that time.
Photo | Comrade Deng Yingchao and Zhao Wei (old photo)
Zhao Wei once joked with her, saying that Sister Deng always talked about the word "death". Is it because she was afraid of death, which made Deng Yingchao laugh:
"I am not afraid of death! I didn't expect that I could live to this day. Death is a natural law. I wasting manpower and material resources like this."
However, as a secretary, Zhao Wei, how dare he respond to this matter.
In the past central leadership, there was never the so-called "euthanasia". Not only did she dare not respond, but the hospital would not agree, and no one in the central government dared to approve it.
If the people find out, they won’t scold everyone to death, and maybe everyone will be sent to prison!
Picture | Comrade Deng Yingchao and Zhao Wei (old photo)
988, Deng Yingchao retired from the position of Chairman of the Sixth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at the age of 84, but he still refused to "supervise the elderly". He always worried about the country's affairs and did not forget to actively learn modern culture. Time is unforgivable, and the sufferings suffered in the early years have also caused some hidden dangers to the body. In just two years, my whole body's condition gradually became worse.
Since early 1990, Deng Yingchao was frequently sent to the hospital due to upper respiratory tract problems. Secretary Zhao Wei was quite worried, afraid that Sister Deng could not hold on...
In late June 11992, Deng Yingchao had a high fever due to pneumonia just one week after he was discharged from the hospital. The same symptoms as last time, he was rushed to the hospital by Zhao Wei and others, and this was the last time.
Picture | Comrade Deng Yingchao's old age (old photo)
In the past, everyone was not worried about Deng Yingchao's hospitalization. After all, Sister Deng is older and her physical function has declined. It is better to go to the hospital for conditioning.
However, this admission was only a week since the last discharge. The same symptoms occurred one after another, which was much more serious than the last time. Everyone has an answer in their hearts, but they are unwilling to accept it! After a systematic examination of Deng Yingchao's condition, the director of the department explained the severity of Zhao Wei: "It is possible, be prepared!" As soon as
said this, everyone's heart skipped a beat and realized that it was time to prepare. At the same time, he pretended to be normal to prevent Sister Deng from finding something strange.
Picture | Zhao Wei (old photo)
After sorting out his emotions, Zhao Wei warned everyone not to have too much psychological pressure, but at the same time, he should be prepared and accompany Sister Deng to the last part of his life.
Seeing Sister Deng lying on the hospital bed, Zhao Wei's thoughts couldn't help but float to the various things that happened more than ten years ago, before Premier Zhou died of illness.
It was the autumn of 1975. Premier Zhou's body became more and more haggard. He basically lived in the hospital most of the time, but he still had to worry about national affairs.
Once, Zhao Wei was called, and Premier Zhou first talked about how to deal with the ashes. Zhao Wei felt very uncomfortable, so he asked Premier Zhou not to talk about this topic, which was a bad omen.
pic | In September 1975, Premier Zhou met with foreign guests in the hospital (old photo)
Premier Zhou immediately regained his serious expression and criticized Zhao Wei:
"You are not an materialist , people always die, what's the matter?"
Zhao Wei saw that Premier Zhou was so serious and it was hard to say anything else, but he already realized in his heart that Premier Zhou was afraid that time would be too long, and his emotions were a little depressed for a moment.
Zhao Wei went back to tell Sister Deng about this matter. Deng Yingchao said it suddenly, saying that the two had already discussed this matter. If the Prime Minister left first and he asked for permission from the central government, it would be much easier to deal with when he was.
Deng Yingchao's strength and open-mindedness are not only because she and Premier Zhou are both firm materialist , but also bury her sadness deeply in her heart, not wanting Premier Zhou and everyone to worry about her.
Picture | Premier Zhou and Comrade Deng Yingchao walked with each other (old photo)
When the closest lover was about to die, he showed a rather peaceful attitude, which was extremely difficult.
has been with her for most of her life. Premier Zhou is undoubtedly the one who knows her best. Seeing that she always comes to the hospital to accompany her, she is alone, she has guessed her thoughts.
Prime Minister said that this is not good, what if something happens; he convinced Deng Yingchao that she must be accompanied by Zhao Wei when she comes again.
What is love that is mutually supportive?
Premier Zhou and senior Deng Yingchao are like this. They share common beliefs and move side by side on the road of revolution. In the love outside of righteousness, they are considerate of each other's feelings, so that they can work together for a lifetime and become the most enviable couple in the 20th century!
Photo | Premier Zhou and his wife Deng Yingchao (old photo)
When Zhao Wei accompanied Deng Yingchao to Premier Zhou's ward, he called out "Prime Minister". Premier Zhou stretched out his skinny right hand from the bed and signaled to hold Zhao Wei.
Zhao Wei did not agree, saying that his hand was too cold just from outside. Premier Zhou whispered "Not afraid". Zhao Wei quickly rubbed his hands and then held Premier Zhou's stretched out hand.
Clinker Premier Zhou stretched out his other hand and held Zhao Wei's hand tightly with both hands. He said seriously: "You must take good care of your elder sister!"
Zhao Wei was so sad when he heard this, with tears in his eyes, and nodded in response.
Photo | Premier Zhou, Deng Yingchao took a photo with the staff of the West Flower Hall. Zhao Wei was in the middle (old photo)
Under the insistence of Premier Zhou, Zhao Wei accompanied Deng Yingchao to spend the last days of Premier Zhou. He had a deep understanding of the past of Premier Zhou's death. Now facing Sister Deng's situation, he can naturally be a little calmer.
In Deng Yingchao's last days, she was already a little dazed and couldn't even sustain her most ordinary diet and needed to be hung by infusion. can be said to be experiencing great pain, but she cared for everyone around her as usual.
During Deng Yingchao's long and short hospitalization process for more than two years, what she said most to the comrades and medical staff around her was:
"I am just an ordinary patient, the same as other patients. Don't pay too much attention to me, care more about other comrades and do your own work at the same time."
Photo | Comrade Deng Yingchao (old photo)
Several times, because of the unbearable illness, I called the nurses and apologized to them repeatedly afterwards.
Whenever an expert comes to consult, unless his body is really unable to hold on, he must clean himself up and ask someone to support him and sit on the sofa and wait for the experts to come.
In the few days before Deng Yingchao's death, the condition had reached an extremely critical moment. Two nurses took turns to take care of him during the day and at night, which made her very sad.
When she was in a little better, she took their hands and said sincerely: "I feel very sad in my heart. Thank you so much! "
Photo | Comrade Deng Yingchao's later years (old photo)
Of course, Deng Yingchao attached great importance to the will. He specially asked Zhao Wei to confirm whether it was sent to the central government and once again asked him to do it simpler. should not cause too much trouble to the organization, otherwise he would not have the face to meet the Prime Minister in the dark!
html At noon on July 9, less than two days after Deng Yingchao's death, he probably realized his situation and asked the nurse to call Zhao Wei and said to her: "Zhao Wei, I will meet you for the last time! "Zhao Wei was extremely sad when he heard this, but he also knew that he could not be beaten by sadness at this time. He forced all his energy to make Sister Deng leave decent.
The next morning, Deng Yingchao's condition worsened again. The doctor used the word "critical" to describe it. Deng Yingchao may stop breathing at any time.
Picture | Comrade Deng Yingchao's later years (old photo)
Zhao Wei and other comrades quickly reported to the central government and began to arrange a funeral afterwards. Come on, list what people like me should do, as well as asking the central government and contact relevant parties, and even the two large pieces of paper were written all over.
At night, Zhao Wei was always guarding Deng Yingchao's side. The doctor also came to check on the condition several times, but every time he said that the situation had not improved at all, and everyone's hearts were hanging.
th at around five o'clock in the morning of 111th, and the sky began to light. The nurse came to check the rounds and called Deng Yingchao on the bed, but received no response. Zhao Wei was anxious: "Sister, I am Zhao Wei, have you heard it? He nodded when he heard it. "Deng Yingchao still did not respond, and even his pulse, blood pressure and breathing became weak and slow. . The nurse hurried to find a doctor, and Zhao Wei also quickly reported to the central government and summoned other staff members around Deng Yingchao one after another.
Photo | Premier Zhou and his wife Deng Yingchao (old photo) Experts from the hospital rushed to carry out first aid, and the central leaders and other comrades were also coming quickly. html At 2:55, Deng Yingchao stopped breathing, and Zhao Wei cried in tears in front of the hospital bed. After a while, he stopped his emotions and leaned over and kissed Deng Yingchao's forehead deeply, and said his final farewell.
Not long after, many members of the Politburo Standing Committee had arrived, so he held a funeral meeting for Comrade Deng Yingchao in the hospital.
's first decision was to issue an obituary immediately, announce Comrade Deng Yingchao's death and will to all walks of life, and discuss other opinions on comprehensive opinions.
photo | Zhao Wei printed a kiss on Comrade Deng Yingchao's forehead (old photo)
Zhao Wei, as a representative of the staff around Deng Yingchao, was also allowed to attend the meeting. Based on Deng Yingchao's explanation during his lifetime, Zhao Wei raised four key issues that were to be discussed and solicited the final disposal opinions:
If Deng Yingchao's will, these questions would not be discussed, and the answers were all no.
Comrade Deng Yingchao was very simple and open-minded, believing that "death" is just the end of life and that too many rituals should not be held for this. This violates the principle of "everything is first of all interests of the party and the country".
Picture | Comrade Deng Yingchao's handwritten will (old photo)
However, considering the emotions of the people and comrades, the central government did not follow Deng Yingchao's will. After discussion, the following decision was made on the four issues raised by Zhao Wei:
1. The portrait of Comrade Deng Yingchao was hung in West Flower Hall , but no notice was issued to the public. If any people came to pay their respects spontaneous condolences, they would be received. This not only took care of Comrade Deng Yingchao's willingness to keep everything simple during his lifetime, but also took care of the emotional needs of the people and comrades.
2. The farewell ceremony for the body needs to be held, and the location is selected in Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery. Zhao Wei suggested that there would definitely be many old comrades coming. In order to prevent standing for too long, they could adopt a time-dividing method and were unanimously approved by the Standing Committee members.
3. Need to be a vigilant, otherwise Comrade Deng Yingchao, who had no children, would be too lonely and take care of the physical condition of the staff and could be rotated, which would also comfort everyone's sadness.
4. Considering the weight of Premier Zhou and his wife in the minds of all walks of life in Japan and the friendly exchanges between China and Japan, please ask the Chinese Embassy to set up a mourning hall in another place. Japanese friends can pay their respects to Comrade Deng Yingchao nearby, so that they will not be too busy.
If a Japanese friend comes to Beijing to pay his respects, the Friendship Association for Foreign Affairs will be responsible for the reception.
Finally, the meeting also passed the following item: agrees with Comrade Deng Yingchao's will to scatter the ashes, quickly contact the Tianjin side, and prepare for scattering the ashes.
Picture | Party and state leaders bid farewell to Comrade Deng Yingchao (old photo)
As for why it is Tianjin, this is the only point that Comrade Deng Yingchao mentioned. Tianjin has extraordinary commemorative significance for her. She studied, taught here, started her revolutionary career, and met Premier Zhou who had been with her for her life.
Week where Prime Minister scattered his ashes also had the estuary of the Haihe River in Tianjin, so she chose the location here, which is also the last romance for the two!
7 is the day of the farewell ceremony for Comrade Deng Yingchao's body. Before dawn, Zhao Wei and other staff around Deng Yingchao came to the hospital to change into her clean clothes for the last time. As for saying it is clean rather than brand new, this is because except for a shirt that is newly customized, everything else is old clothes.
picture | Zhao Wei held Comrade Deng Yingchao's urn (old photo)
Chinese people pay attention to wearing new clothes after death. According to China's development at that time, no matter what, Deng Yingchao's new clothes were missing, and the comrades were puzzled.
But Zhao Wei said that this was something Deng Yingchao had already instructed, Mr. Deng believed that wearing new clothes while dying was a meaningless waste, and he should start from her to break this old custom that had little meaning.
At 8 a.m., many central leaders came to the hospital and bowed three times to Deng Yingchao's body in the farewell room. After the procedure was completed, eight etiquette soldiers stepped forward to lift Deng Yingchao's coffin and sent it to the hearse to slowly drive towards the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery. On the way to
8 kilometers, many people who heard the news crowded on both sides of the road just to bid farewell to Deng Yingchao for the last journey. When passing through Tiananmen Square, people from all over the country stood in silence, and the scene was extremely solemn.
Photo | The people bid farewell to Comrade Deng Yingchao (old photo)
Several girls in the crowd shouted out everyone's hearts in the loudest voice:
"Grandma Deng, you will always live in our hearts!"
At the farewell ceremony of the body in Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery, a total of tens of thousands of people came to attend. After the body was cremated, Zhao Wei and Gao Zhenpu (formerly Premier Zhou's guard and Deng Yingchao's guard secretary after Premier Zhou's death) were ordered to collect the ashes. The urn used in
is exactly the one used after Premier Zhou’s death. It has been carefully treasured by Deng Yingchao over the years.
Then, according to the original plan, Zhao Wei and Gao Zhenpu used the car that Deng Yingchao was originally riding to escort his ashes to Tianjin. With the active cooperation of Tianjin, Deng Yingchao's ashes were scattered into the estuary of the Haihe River.
Picture | Zhao Wei scattered Comrade Deng Yingchao's ashes into the Haihe River (old photo)
Zhao Wei faced Haihe , and said with deep affection and nostalgia: "Dear Comrade Deng Yingchao, dear Sister Deng, I have fulfilled your wishes and wills, so rest in peace!"
At this point, Deng Yingchao's basic food after death was stopped.
Zang Kejia In the poem " Some people " commemorating Mr. Lu Xun, there are a few sentences that the author thinks are quite in line with:
"Some people carve their names into stones, wanting to be "immortal";
Some people are willing to be weeds and wait for the fire underground...
The name into stone is rotten earlier than the corpse
As long as the spring breeze blows, there are green weeds everywhere..."
In the author's mind, Comrade Deng Yingchao is the representative of "willing to be wild weeds". She was willing to be a ox for the people when she was born, and when she died, she was willing to leave like wild weeds with the wind...
Picture | Premier Zhou and his wife Deng Yingchao (old photo)
If Premier Zhou is a towering mountain, it will always be looked up to by people. Then, Deng Yingchao is the flower on this mountain. She uses her life to make this mountain more moving.
Even though the mountains are not there, they still use their greatest efforts to maintain everything. Comrade Deng Yingchao once said: "It is actually difficult to be the wife of the Prime Minister."
This "difficulty" comes from her highest requirement for herself, serving the people wholeheartedly, and never specializes because she is the wife of the Prime Minister.
Comrade Deng Yingchao, like Premier Zhou, are "giants" worthy of our look up to and learning!
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