One day in May 1955, Mao Zedong went to the western suburbs to participate in an event. The members of the tour included secretary Gao Zhi, guards Li Yinqiao, Wang Jingxian, Sun Yong and others. After the event, when the car returned to Fucheng Gate, Mao Zedong suddenly said that

Preface

On May 1955, Mao Zedong went to the western suburbs to participate in an event. The members of the travelers were secretary Gao Zhi , guard Li Yinqiao , Wang Jingxian, Sun Yong and others. After the

event, when the car returned to Fuchengmen , Mao Zedong suddenly said that he was hungry. Gao Zhi looked out the window and said, "Chairman, we will arrive soon, and we will have dinner when we get home."

Unexpectedly, Mao Zedong said firmly, "No, let's go to the restaurant to eat."

The money for treating guests is not enough

Everyone looked at each other, not knowing what to do. Although he knew that Mao Zedong had long wanted to go out and experience the lives of ordinary people, his life safety must be guaranteed, and no one dared to take this risk.

Seeing that everyone was not talking, Gao Zhi looked around and looked at everyone's expressions. When he looked at Mao Zedong, he found a trace of loss in Mao Zedong's eyes.

So he gritted his teeth, "Chairman, what do you want to eat?"

Mao Zedong looked at Gao Zhi and smiled, asking him to help pick a family. Gao Zhi thought for a long time, and suddenly a sudden enlightenment appeared. "Chairman, why don't we go eat the most famous mutton soaking steamed bun in Shaanxi!"

Mao Zedong's eyes lit up, "Okay, I haven't eaten mutton soaking steamed buns for a long time, and my tongue was thinking. However, be careful when going there, you must not affect the people's meals, and don't make any luxurious meals. Let's just eat some simple."

After a while, the group came to the "Xi'an Restaurant" where mutton soaking steamed buns. In order to ensure Mao Zedong's safety, Gao Zhi and the guards whispered to discuss the security issues of the trip.

Gao Zhi knew that Mao Zedong had always hated "making a big deal". If he surrounded the guards and "separated" the people, he would definitely be angry.

Therefore, everyone can only arrange the guards in the dark, not only to hide from diners, but also from Mao Zedong, so that the meal can be enjoyed. After getting off the bus with

, Gao Zhi asked the store to arrange a small room divided by wooden boards. After Mao Zedong sat down, he looked at the bustling diners around him and asked with interest, "Is this store very authentic?"

Gao Zhi told him that the store was run by industrialist Wang Mingxuan. Because the more than 20 technical employees in the store were selected from the old halal brands in Xi'an, the taste was very authentic , and it attracted many people to taste it as soon as it opened.

Mao Zedong nodded with satisfaction.

After a while, the fragrant mutton soup buns were served on the table. Mao Zedong looked at the slices of meat and side dishes inside and smiled from ear to ear.

It is rare to see Mao Zedong so happy, and Gao Zhi followed him with joy. So he took the initiative to propose, "Everyone can eat as much as you want, I treat you today!"

Everyone laughed, "Okay, then we are not polite."

But Mao Zedong thought about it. He leaned close to Gao Zhi and asked in a low voice, "Gao Zhi, how much is your monthly salary?"

Gao Zhi immediately understood that Mao Zedong was worried that so many people would let him spend money, so he replied with a smile, "I have a hundred yuan a month, don't worry, I still have the money to invite everyone to eat mutton steamed buns."

Mao Zedong seemed to have not been relieved, "One hundred yuan a month, our people have not reached this level."

Gao Zhi didn't want Mao Zedong to be so melancholy. He pushed Mao Zedong's bowl over, "Chairman, eat it quickly, otherwise it will be cold in a while."

Mao Zedong came to his senses. As soon as he picked up the chopsticks, he found that the portion in his bowl was more weight. He immediately understood, "I can't eat so much."

As he said, Mao Zedong used chopsticks to transfer some of the steamed buns in his bowl to Gao Zhi and Li Yinqiao, and then he started eating with relish. The taste of this restaurant is really good. Everyone chatted and ate, and they ate clean in a short while.

As a result, when it was time to check out, something embarrassing happened. Because the meal was temporarily initiated, Gao Zhi didn't bring enough money to treat him.

Gao Zhi was sweating and searching for his pocket. Mao Zedong was still waiting by his side. The longer the time was delayed, the more accidents were likely.

At this time, Li Yinqiao noticed his strangeness, and he walked over and asked Gao Zhi what happened.

Gao Zhi informed everyone of the situation, and Li Yinqiao quickly summoned everyone to help raise money. As a result, no one had the habit of bringing money, and after a long time, he couldn't get enough to eat for 6 yuan, 30,000 and 9 cents.

At this moment, a diner in the lobby recognized Mao Zedong. He shouted in surprise, "Chairman Mao? It's really Chairman Mao!"

's voice directly made all diners in the hotel focus on Mao Zedong. Mao Zedong was not in a hurry. He waved his hand and said hello to everyone in his Hunan accent, "Hello comrades!" The

store owner suddenly realized and said he didn't have to charge money. But Gao Zhi couldn't do this. He repeatedly promised the store that he would send money to the next morning.

After receiving the permission of the store, Gao Zhi quickly ran back to Mao Zedong. At this time, Mao Zedong was surrounded by enthusiastic crowds. Everyone was useless and finally got in the car and returned to Zhongnanhai .

The next morning, Gao Zhi went to the hotel and gave the money to the store. The store owner once again stated that Mao Zedong's visit was an honor in the store, and he treated this meal as a treat by himself.

Gao Zhi's head shook like rattle , "The Chairman repeatedly emphasized to us that he is not allowed to take the masses' stitches. If he knows this, he will definitely criticize me."

has no choice but to accept the money.

Mao Zedong's education

In fact, as long as the staff around Mao Zedong will remember Mao Zedong's education of "not taking the masses one needle and one thread". After all, this is one of the disciplines of our party.

In February 1929, Mao Zedong, Zhu De, and Chen Yi led the main force of the Red Fourth Army to Dabaiwei, Ruijin, Jiangxi.

One night, Mao Zedong and Zhu De were studying the combat plan under the kerosene lamp. Suddenly, a soldier reported that several merchants sent a bag and a note and left.

Mao Zedong opened the bag and saw that there were white silver dollars in inside !

only realized when I saw the note that these businessmen believed the wrong propaganda of the Kuomintang reactionaries, thinking that Red Army would also rob their stores like the Kuomintang, so they gave some money to "handle".

Mao Zedong sighed, "Our Red Army just came to Gannan . We must implement policies to protect the interests of merchants, maintain normal order in the local area, and build revolutionary bases."

So, Mao Zedong, Zhu De and Chen Yi, carrying horse lanterns and braved the wind and snow, found the shop owner who gave silver dollars from door to door.

Chen Yi put the bag back on the counter, "Boss, we are here to return the gifts to you. Please take the money back."

The boss was confused and asked quickly, "Sir, do you think it's too little? We can add it."

Mao Zedong smiled and waved his hand, "Boss, we can't take any of this money, please take it back." Then, he introduced the Red Army's policies and discipline to the boss, which made the boss feel relieved.

Seeing that the boss took back the silver dollar, the three of them said goodbye. Later, when the Red Army left Dabaiwei, it was flirted with local people. Many businessmen said, "The Red Army is good and has strict discipline, which has never been seen since ancient times."

However, Gao Zhi, who clearly remembers discipline, still "turned over". In fact, this is also a bit too "slackened".

In May 1960, Gao Zhi followed Mao Zedong to Wuhan. One day, Zhang Guoxing, a life administrator at , found Gao Zhi and told him that there was no soap on the stove. He asked if he could buy some soap from local comrades in Wuhan.

The market supply was relatively tight at that time. A person had only one piece of soap in the first quarter and had to buy it with tickets.

Mao Zedong used clean water to wash his hands and faces. He usually didn't use soap. He would apply some soap to wash only by dipping ink. Therefore, his quantitative dosage is more than enough for him.

However, the kitchen is oily, so the soap costs a lot, so Mao Zedong's soap is not enough.

After learning about this, Gao Zhi found the relevant comrades from the Hubei Public Security Department, "There is no soap on the Chairman's stove. Can you buy some here?"

"Yes, the soap on the Chairman's stove should be guaranteed, there is no problem." The comrades in Wuhan were very enthusiastic. So Gao Zhi asked Zhang Guoxing to contact comrades in Wuhan to buy soap.

A few days later, Zhang Guoxing found Gao Zhi and asked if Gao Zhi still has soap. When Gao Zhi asked, the other comrades bought it, and their soap was almost gone, so he asked Zhang Guoxing to buy a piece for him.

After returning to Beijing, Mao Zedong unexpectedly learned about this. He was furious and criticized Gao Zhi fiercely.

Later, he also asked Wang Dongxing to rectify this phenomenon . I don’t know if I don’t check it. I’m shocked when I check it. I’ve eaten marijuana flowers in Tianjin, eaten watermelons in Zhengzhou, received cigarettes in Shandong, and received big crabs in Shanghai. The staff around me have already received a lot of things without Mao Zedong’s knowledge.

At that moment, Mao Zedong was extremely disappointed. He once emphasized to the staff repeatedly, "You have a deep relationship with me, but if you are corrupt, don't blame me for turning against others." At the

criticism meeting, Mao Zedong reiterated again, "You must give others money to buy things, and the same is true for a piece of paper and a pen. Never ask for things from the local area. In the past, you will pay what you ask for from various provinces and cities, and the money will be paid out from my royalties."

Just like that, Mao Zedong took out more than 30,000 yuan from his royalties and refunded the things the staff took from everywhere.

After leaving Mao Zedong

, Mao Zedong had the idea of ​​letting the staff around him go out to work. : First, everyone is likely to leave the grassroots level if they stay by his side for a long time, and second, staying by his side for a long time will be unfavorable to the future of this group of young people.

Mao Zedong thought about this for a long time until December 26. Mao Zedong, who had never celebrated his birthday, rarely had a meal with everyone on his birthday.

This meal was very simple. A few plates of vegetarian dishes and a plate of chili peppers were eaten and chatted, and the atmosphere was very relaxed.

Suddenly, Mao Zedong said in a heavy tone, "You are all old people around me. Today, we have dinner and chat with everyone on our birthday. Now the people are suffering from disaster, and I feel uncomfortable..."

Everyone unconsciously lowered their heads, Mao Zedong looked around and continued,

"Everyone cannot just float on the surface. We must find ways to work at the grassroots level and learn from the masses honestly. Who would you like to go down to work?"

At that time, Gao Zhi was sitting on Mao Zedong's right. When he heard Mao Zedong say this, he almost instinctively responded, "Chairman, I'll go!"

Mao Zedong looked at Gao Zhi with appreciation and gave a thumbs up, "Okay! And Who would like to do it? "

Li Yinqiao, Ye Zilong, Wang Jingxian, Wang Dongxing and others raised their hands to sign up. Mao Zedong was very happy, "Okay, you can go tomorrow."

Gao Zhi felt too hasty, "Chairman, tomorrow is not possible, we have to learn and prepare."

Mao Zedong thought for a while, "Okay, then you go to the two-week training class, and prepare for it. Moreover, not only this time, but also take turns in the future, and all comrades must go down."

The next morning, when Gao Zhi came to Mao Zedong's office to get the documents, Mao Zedong handed him a letter and asked him to pass it on to Wang Dongxing. The letter

is full of Mao Zedong's care for this group of young people:

"...If you don't go to Shandong, go to Xinyang , which is better for your health... I have prepared medicine bags for each of you, and asked the head nurse to teach you how to use it... If you are very hungry, I will send you beef and mutton..."

On January 15, 1961, Mao Zedong met with a staff member wearing clothes in the countryside. He said, "If the masses have any opinions, they must truthfully reflect them. Don't hide them at all, be sure to tell the truth!"

After going to the grassroots level, Gao Zhi indeed discovered many problems. After returning to Beijing, he wrote the problem into a report and reported it to Mao Zedong.

From this time on, Gao Zhi's time around Mao Zedong began to count down.

April 19, 1962, Gao Zhi rested on this day. Suddenly, the comrade on duty called him and said that Mao Zedong wanted to talk to him at 3 pm.

Because he was taking care of his children, Gao Zhi simply brought his daughter to Zhongnanhai. He then handed the child over to the staff and entered Mao Zedong's room.

As soon as I saw Gao Zhi, Mao Zedong took his hand and let him sit down.

"Gao Zhi, you have been by my side for ten years. You have been doing well and I am very satisfied. Now, I want to ask for your opinion. Are you willing to continue to work by my side or want to leave? No matter what you choose, I will support you!"

Gao Zhi immediately remembered what Mao Zedong said. He thought for a while and said to Mao Zedong,

"Chairman, from a relationship, I can't bear to leave you and want to be by your side for the rest of my life, but you said that people cannot always be on the surface, especially after several inspections in the countryside, I feel more like you are right, so I want to work at the grassroots level."

Mao Zedong nodded. He was very pleased that Gao Zhi had such an awareness, "Then where do you want to go?"

" I am Shaanxi natives, want to go back to work in their hometown. "

" Well, then you go back to Xi'an to work. After , you can take a good look. I'll come to immediately." Speaking of this, Mao Zedong paused,

"Do you still remember the incident when we crossed the Yellow River before? My old green horse was squeezed out of the river, and it swam desperately before swimming ashore. When we moved to northern Shaanxi, you often hit the front station. This time, you also hit the front station, and I then Come. After arriving in Shaanxi, I want to ride a horse and walk along the Yellow River..."

March 2The more Mao Zedong said, the more hesitated. He wanted to keep Gao Zhi, "Isn't your wife about to have a baby? Why don't you wait for her to give birth to a baby and stay for a while before leaving."

Gao Zhi did not answer. He hesitated. If he waited for his wife to give birth to a baby in Beijing before going to Xi'an, it would take at least a few months to stop. He wanted to go to the grassroots level early to do something.

So, he told Mao Zedong truthfully what he thought, and after hearing this, Mao Zedong said nothing.

Before leaving, Mao Zedong suddenly called him, "Gao Zhi, please satisfy my request before leaving. Can we take a photo?"

Gao Zhi turned around and helped Mao Zedong walk into the yard, and then they left a photo.

On May 7, Gao Zhi, who had finished the handover, officially left Zhongnanhai and returned to Shaanxi. He went to work in the Provincial Party Committee Research Office, Yan'an and other places. He never mentioned the incident of being with Mao Zedong for ten years, and no one knew his origin.

In 1964, Mao Zedong began to prepare for the second inspection of the Yellow River. He specifically instructed the staff to practice riding horses and rode several laps in Beidaihe this summer.

Gao Zhi did not forget this incident. Before taking a bus to Beijing in 1965, Gao Zhi conducted a special investigation on the Yellow River road. He recorded all the mountains and ditches in which places were there.

"I have feelings for northern Shaanxi. I also want to go back and take a look, eat millet from northern Shaanxi, and walk around the Yellow River..."

The conversation lasted for almost an hour. Before leaving, Mao Zedong held his hand, full of reluctance, "Gao Zhi, you often come back to see me, I miss you very much..."

Gao Zhi nodded in agreement, but what he didn't expect was that this was his last meeting with Mao Zedong.

Later, he wrote to the organization, hoping to attend Mao Zedong's memorial service, but for various reasons, the application has not been approved.

Gao Zhi was depressed and drank to relieve his sorrow. until September 13, when he suddenly received a call from Mao Zedong's daughter Li Min, , "Uncle Gao, why don't you come to mourn your father?"

Gao Zhi suddenly sobered up. The next day, he took his wife and children and couldn't wait to go to Beijing. In the days after

, he had been missing Mao Zedong. He regretted leaving Mao Zedong, which led to the time he spent with him being too "short".

On September 9, 2016, 40 years after Mao Zedong's death, Gao Zhi passed away.