Regarding the Liao family, Zhou Enlai once said emotionally: "I have had three generations of friendship with the Liao family." During the Whampoa Military Academy, Zhou Enlai met and Liao Zhongkai and became friends. After Liao Zhongkai passed away, Zhou Enlai always took special care of his wife and children.
Zhou Enlai always cared for He Xiangning, and always cared for Liao Mengxing and Liao Chengzhi. They also called him his brother and regarded Liao Mengxing's daughter as their goddaughter. Therefore, Zhou Enlai's relationship with the Liao family was unusual.
Zhou Enlai
1971, He Xiangning made two requests before his death. Everyone present was shocked after hearing this. Premier Zhou agreed to the other party's request without hesitation. So what two requests did He Xiangning make?
. Zhou Enlai and the Liao family are in the origin of the Liao family.
. If you want to talk about the origin of the Zhou Enlai and the Liao family, you have to start with Liao Zhongkai.
As early as 1924, when Liao Zhongkai served as the representative of the Whampoa Military Academy of the Kuomintang, Zhang Shenfu, then deputy director of the Political Department of the Whampoa Military Academy, recommended Zhou Enlai, who was still in France. But Zhou Enlai's situation abroad was not very good and he did not have the travel expenses to come back. After hearing this, Liao Zhongkai immediately remitted the travel expenses for Zhou Enlai.
In September of that year, Zhou Enlai finally arrived in Guangzhou. In October, he served as chairman of the Guangdong District Committee of the Communist Party of China and also served as an instructor of the Whampoa Military Academy. In November, he served as the director of the Political Department of the Whampoa Military Academy, and thus began his friendship with Liao Zhongkai.
Liao Zhongkai
Zhou Enlai also respected Liao Zhongkai very much when he first met him, and Zhou Enlai's ability and talents also gained the trust of Liao Zhongkai. Therefore, he always supported Zhou Enlai's work. He said:
"Politics is the General Staff of the Party's representatives, and the Director of the Political Department is the Chief of Staff of the Party's representatives, and the Director of the Political Department has the right to exercise the powers of the Party's representatives."
With the joint efforts of the two, the political work of the Whampoa Military Academy was effectively carried out, reshaped, and developed vigorously.
At work, the two cooperate well, and in life, they are also close.
Zhou Enlai often finishes breakfast at Liao Zhongkai's home and then goes to work at Whampoa Military Academy together. Zhou Enlai's work in the school did not disappoint Liao Zhongkai's hopes. Not only did he select outstanding students as grassroots party representatives for training and training, but he also established the first revolutionary armed force to implement the party representative system for the military academy teaching team.
Zhou Enlai
At the same time, under the influence of Zhou Enlai, Communists accounted for a large proportion of various departments of the military academy.
In the revolutionary struggle, the two people fought side by side, cooperated tacitly, and trusted each other.
When first expedition to in 1925, Zhou Enlai followed the army to the east and made political mobilization at the oath-taking meeting, and also did a lot of political work along the way. On March 5, Liao Zhongkai also personally came to the Dongjiang Front to express condolences. Under their unremitting ideological and political work, the troops always exuded the light of revolution, inspiring them to win consecutive victories.
Zhou Enlai has a close relationship with Liao Zhongkai, but what is unknown is that his wife Deng Yingchao and Liao Zhongkai's wife He Xiangning are also very good friends.
Deng Yingchao
In August 1924, Deng Yingchao came to Guangzhou to marry Zhou Enlai. Not long after, he served as Secretary-General of the Guangdong Provincial Women's Department of the Kuomintang, and the minister was He Xiangning, Minister of the Kuomintang Central Women's Department . During this period, the two worked sincerely, carried out a series of fruitful work, and forged a deep friendship.
Of course, Liao Zhongkai's two children also witnessed the deep friendship between the two families.
Liao Chengzhi wrote about the first time he saw Zhou Enlai in his memoirs, saying that he was 16 years old that year. That night, he saw a man in a white canvas suit coming in at the door of his house and whispered to his father for a long time.
However, what impressed him the most was Zhou Enlai's firm eyes and strong eyebrows. Afterwards, he asked his father who this was, and his father was surprised that he didn't know Zhou Enlai.Afterwards, the father solemnly said, "He is the Communist Party's general Zhou Enlai!"
and Liao Mengxing also affectionately called Zhou Enlai "Brother".
Liao Mengxing
At that time, Liao Zhongkai was sincerely working for the cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, but his sincerity did not impress the rightists of the Kuomintang. They instructed the thugs to assassinate Liao Zhongkai. When Zhou Enlai immediately rushed to the hospital to visit Liao Zhongkai, he had already passed away.
His wife and children were standing by the bed, feeling very sad. Zhou Enlai endured the pain while comforting them, but he didn't know that he was already in tears.
For this reason, the seeds of revenge for his friends were secretly planted in his heart. Since Liao Zhongkai died, Zhou Enlai did not close his eyes for two days and two nights and did not go home. They had originally agreed to arrest the murderer at 11 o'clock that night, but he almost died due to martial law. When he returned home, the driver's blood splattered all over his body.
Zhou Enlai
failed to catch the murderer, which made Zhou Enlai very angry, so he wrote an article titled "Don't Forget the Revenge of the Party". While being cynical, he denounced the evil behaviors of imperialism and the Kuomintang right, and while shouting that he would not forget the revenge of the Party and vow to avenge the Party.
Not long afterwards, he also participated in the "Liao Case Inspection Committee" and did a lot of work to find the murderer.
The sudden death of the good brother made Zhou Enlai heartbroken, but he knew that he could not be depressed because of this. Liao Zhongkai's wife and children were still waiting for him to take care of him. Therefore, since then, Zhou Enlai has been particularly concerned about He Xiangning and her children.
He Xiangning sees Zhou Enlai again
After Liao Zhongkai's death, He Xiangning also inherited her husband's will and continued his unfinished career.
1927, Chiang Kai-shek launched a counter-revolutionary coup. For the sake of revolutionary cause, He Xiangning delivered a speech on Hankou , calling on the majority of revolutionary party members to defeat the counter-revolutionaries, and publicly refused to serve as witnesses for Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling.
Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Mei-ling
On July 15, when Wang Jingwei coup in Wuhan and hunted down Communists, He Xiangning bravely stood up to protect the Communists and the left side of the Kuomintang, and even wrote a letter to Central Organization Department and said:
"I am the Minister of Women. I think women are both 'Communist' and 'Certain Communists'. I am their leader. If you have any questions, you are not allowed to make things difficult for them!" After
, she also sent someone to help comrades in Hankou send tickets.
1931 18th Incident happened, He Xiangning returned to Shanghai and tried her best to help Anti-Japanese War . She sold her paintings and famous paintings she collected for many years, and donated all the money she received to the Red Cross.
After the outbreak of the Battle of Shanghai, when the 19th National Route Army disobeyed the Kuomintang's non-resistance order, He Xiangning resolutely risked his life and took two trucks to comfort the anti-Japanese soldiers on the front line.
Song Ching Ling and He Xiangning
With the development of the revolution, Chiang Kai-shek took extreme measures against the Communist Party. He Xiangning and Soong Ching Ling wrote letters to him at the same time, which put a lot of pressure on Chiang Kai-shek.
1935, the Kuomintang did something that made He Xiangning heart-wrenching. The Kuomintang North China Military Sub-district Dai Li Chairman He Yingqin signed the "He Mei Agreement" with the Japanese. After He Xiangning learned the news, she was very angry and sent someone to give one of her old skirt to Chiang Kai-shek and wrote a poem on the skirt to mock him.
After the outbreak of the full-scale war of resistance in 1937, He Xiangning was nearly 60 years old, but she still devoted herself to the national salvation movement and established the earliest and largest women's anti-Japanese group "Chinese Women's Anti-Enemy Support Association" in Shanghai.
After the fall of Shanghai, He Xiangning came to Hong Kong and took every opportunity to publicize the spirit of the people's war of resistance, called on international friends and overseas Chinese to support the war of resistance, and also gave his paintings to overseas Chinese who donated them.
He Xiangning
1939, in order to support the War of Resistance Against Japan, she also sent a large number of medicines and medical devices from Hong Kong.After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, she could also take a break, but in order to completely draw a clear line with Chiang Kai-shek and oppose Chiang Kai-shek's treason, she and Li Jishen and others planned to establish the Revolutionary Committee of the Kuomintang to carry out anti-Chengchi activities.
At the same time, she and other non-party democrats actively responded to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and issued a call to convene a new political consultation meeting to accept the leadership of the Communist Party of China.
In April 1949, He Xiangning and his children arrived at Beijing Station. Here she met Zhou Enlai, Deng Yingchao and others who had met again. For a moment, her eyes were red with excitement.
For many years, they have worked together for the war of resistance. Fortunately, they finally waited for the moment when the sun rose and the founding of New China. Facts have proved that their efforts have paid off.
He Xiangning
In September, He Xiangning attended the plenary meeting of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and was elected as a member of the Central People's Government.
In June 1950, she and Liu Yazi and others wrote a letter to Chairman Mao to congratulate the 29th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. In the letter, she said:
"The anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, this is a glorious anniversary in Chinese history, and it is also a glorious anniversary in the history of humanity in the world."
At the same time, they also enthusiastically stated that will "resolutely support the leadership of the Communist Party of China" as a birthday gift for the party.
August of this year was the 25th anniversary of Deng Yingchao and Zhou Enlai's marriage. For this reason, He Xiangning carefully drew a picture of " plum blossoms and pine and cypress" for them as a souvenir. In 1954, on Deng Yingchao's 50th birthday, she drew a "Chrysanthemum Picture" and gave it to Deng Yingchao, symbolizing her profound and sincere feelings for Deng Yingchao.
He Xiangning painted
. When the Korean War broke out, the New China resolutely set out to fight against the U.S. aggression and aid Korea, He Xiangning also carefully painted the "Magpie Peony Picture", and then asked Zhou Enlai to write the inscription on it.
Zhou Enlai had a rule about himself and never wrote inscriptions on other people's paintings. However, when He Xiangning invited him to write inscriptions, he made an exception and wrote a couplet of 12 characters:
Magpie reported victory in aiding Korea; flowers were heroes who resisted the United States.
From the perspective of Chinese folk sayings, magpies have the meaning of revelation, and "Yi" means "sending", which also expresses Zhou Enlai's determination to win this battle and his expectations for the soldiers.
He Xiangning
Of course, Zhou Enlai respected He Xiangning from the bottom of his heart. Therefore, after the founding of New China in , he also took special care of her. Even Zhou Enlai made two requests before He Xiangning died.
Zhou Enlai specifically approved He Xiangning's last wish on the spot
1958. On He Xiangning's birthday, Zhou Enlai also took his wife to celebrate his birthday and organized dozens of young lesbians to go there. Everyone was happy and very lively.
Everyone sang songs from the Red Army era next to each other. Deng Yingchao finished singing one, and He Xiangning also sang a Guangdong tune.
During the meal, Deng Yingchao took some candy from the table casually and said he wanted to take it back for the children to eat. Zhou Enlai was also happy to eat with the pastries on the table. When he was eating the second piece, Deng Yingchao gently hit him in the hand and said he would leave some children to eat. He Xiangning looked at it and smiled, and called the waiter to hand over the snacks to Zhou Enlai and his wife like their family before leaving.
Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao
On November 26, 1961, Zhou Enlai hosted a "Broadway Birthday Ceremony" in the CPPCC Auditorium. One hundred people in their seventies gathered together to celebrate their birthday.
As soon as Zhou Enlai entered the venue, he walked towards the 83-year-old birthday star He Xiangning. He Xiangning saw Zhou Enlai coming from afar and hurriedly got up, but because of his mobility, his cane fell to the ground. Zhou Enlai walked by quickly, picked up the crutches for the old man, shook hands and celebrated her birthday, and then greeted the old people present one by one.
Through this birthday party, it can also be clearly seen that Zhou Enlai and He Xiangning and others have a deep friendship, which can also show the close contact between the democrats and the Communist Party of China for decades.After the founding of New China, He Xiangning's son Liao Chengzhi followed Zhou Enlai to engage in overseas Chinese affairs, youth, foreign affairs, united front work, etc.
In addition, whenever Zhou Enlai had something to do, he always liked to call Liao Chengzhi to help. Even at three or four in the morning, whenever Zhou Enlai called Liao Chengzhi, Liao Chengzhi would always accept the work without exception. Therefore, everyone joked that Liao Chengzhi was "Prime Minister Zhou's does not care about the minister ". This can also show Zhou Enlai's trust and respect for Liao Chengzhi.
Liao Chengzhi
1970, Liao Chengzhi had a heart attack, and Zhou Enlai made careful arrangements for his treatment. When he learned that his condition had worsened, he went to the hospital to visit him. When he couldn't find time, he called Liao Chengzhi's wife to ask about the situation and reminded him:
"Give him soy milk, milk has cholesterol, which may be harmful to heart disease."
1968, after He Xiangning spent his 90th birthday in Beijing, his body was a little overwhelmed. In 1970, because of accidental fall, he had pneumonia and came to the hospital for treatment. Fortunately, he was rescued under the care of Zhou Enlai and Soong Ching Ling.
In early 1972, pneumonia broke out and He Xiangning came to the hospital again. This time the condition was in full swing, which also caused the old man's physical condition to decline sharply.
In August 1972, He Xiangning, who was already 94 years old, was in danger of his life. I hope to meet Liao Chengzhi. After Zhou Enlai learned about it, he immediately arranged for the mother and son to meet.
He Xiangning and Premier Zhou
They came to He Xiangning's bed together. Her eyes slowly opened and she shouted softly: " Zhou Gong ! Zhou Gong!" She insisted on making two requests word by word:
"I don't want cremation, I want to go to Nanjing!"
Zhou Enlai held her hand and replied loudly without hesitation:
"On behalf of Chairman Mao and the Party Central Committee, I agree with your request. Don't worry, we will do it! You and Mr. Zhongkai will always be together."
Zhou Enlai's promise also made He Xiangning relieved. She nodded with satisfaction, and then fell asleep again.
Although He Xiangning's request was not excessive, in the environment at that time, this request was indeed unreasonable. Zhou Enlai was the first advocate of cremation, and most of the people asked for cremation. Therefore, when everyone present heard He Xiangning's request, they were shocked, and they didn't know how Zhou Enlai would reply to her.
But Premier Zhou’s philosophy and the old man’s wishes immediately made everyone present even more surprised.
Zhou Enlai
Later, when Zhou Enlai talked about this matter to Liao Chengzhi, he said: "Old Mrs. He made great contributions in her life, and her requirements should be met."
At 3 a.m. on September 1, He Xiangning died in Beijing Hospital at the age of 94.
htmlOn the afternoon of September 5, a grand memorial service was held in Beijing, and Chairman Mao and the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China also sent wreaths. Chairman Zhu De presided over the meeting, and Soong Ching Ling delivered an eulogy. She said:"Ms. He Xiangning is Mr. Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary comrade-in-arms, Mr. Liao Zhongkai's revolutionary companion, a close friend of the Communist Party of China, and an outstanding representative of the Kuomintang revolutionary faction. ...Ms. He Xiangning's life is a revolutionary life and a life of fighting."
He Xiangning
After the memorial service, Zhou Enlai sent Deng Yingchao and others to transport He Xiangning's body back to Nanjing and buried it with Liao Zhongkai's tomb on the side of Zhongshan Mausoleum, which was also fulfilling her last wish.
In fact, He Xiangning had already considered this wish before his death, so when building Liao Zhongkai's tomb, he asked to build the tomb into a form of a combined tomb, leaving a place to place the coffin for himself. After
, Liao Chengzhi instructed to place his mother's coffin on the left, clear the inscription and re-carve the new inscription. The inscription reads: "Liao Zhongkai He Xiangning's Tomb".
That's it, the two of them stayed by Sun Yat-sen's side, sleeping here among the green pines and cypresses.
He Xiangning’s Tomb of Liao Zhongkai
Looking back on He Xiangning’s life, she has experienced three historical periods and spanned two centuries. The long journey of life is rugged and bumpy. What is valuable is that she has always insisted on the spirit of Sun Yat-sen and Liao Zhongkai, stood on the side of the revolution, unswervingly supported the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and contributed all her strength to the founding of New China. At this point, we also feel the perseverance and courageous spirit in her, which inspires us to continue to contribute to the cause of socialism.
