In 1966, Mao Zedong met with Li Zongren on the Tiananmen Gate Tower
Foreword
On the morning of July 26, 1965, Li Zongren and his wife Guo Dejie and Cheng Siyuan and others visited Beijing Dongjiao Textile factory.
Since returning to China on July 20, Li Zongren has not only met with old friends, but also arranged visits. He is in a good mood, and his emotions are always in excitement. However, his greatest wish has not yet been realized, that is, waiting for Chairman Mao Zedong to receive him.
Before, Li Zongren had passed the comrades of the United Front Department, and several times proposed to meet Chairman Mao Zedong. In the past 30 to 40 years, although he has had contacts and exchanges with Mao Zedong in one way or another, he has never seen one. In Li Zongren's mind, Mao Zedong is a mysterious and great figure. Now that he has returned to his motherland, how can he not look forward to seeing Mao Zedong?
Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong made a humorous joke: You got on the "thief ship" by mistake, even Bai Chongxi was also scolding you
Li Zongren, who was visiting, came to the workshop with great interest. Everything is very curious, ask while visiting. The leaders and workers of the factory also answered his questions enthusiastically. The former acting president of the Kuomintang came to visit the factory. In their view, he was a very important and special guest. They regarded this reception as an important and sacred political task.
Suddenly, a staff member of hurriedly came to Li Zongren and whispered, “Chairman Mao is waiting to meet you in Zhongnanhai. Please go right away.”
Li Zongren’s face immediately showed a very pleased and excited look. He kept saying "Okay, okay, okay! Let's go right away." So he immediately stopped his visit to this factory and hurried to Zhongnanhai.
Mao Zedong
At this time, the day is almost noon. Mao Zedong, who works in Zhongnanhai, put down his work and immediately felt the hot weather. He loves swimming, and swimming is his favorite sport in his life, so Mao Zedong came to the swimming pool. At the same time, he decided to meet Li Zongren in such a natural way, and the meeting place was arranged in a pergola by the swimming pool.
Mao Zedong has heard relevant parties report to him some situations before and after Li Zongren's return. Seeing Li Zongren, this is also something he is very interested in. Although he hasn't met Li Zongren yet, over the decades, their contacts and some of their decisions that affect the course of history seem to come to him.
In Mao Zedong's mind, Li Zongren is an influential figure. Relevant departments arranged to accompany Mao Zedong to meet with Li Zongren, including Peng Zhen, Guo Moruo , Xu Bing, Zhang Shizhao, Liu Zhongrong, Jiang Qing, Yu Liqun and others.
Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong swam a few laps in the swimming pool. After coming up, he sat down in the pergola and lit a cigarette. When he turned his head and saw that the staff was leading his old friend Liu Zhongrong to the swimming pool, he waved to Liu Zhongrong enthusiastically. Liu Zhongrong has not met Mao Zedong for many years, so when he saw the chairman, he immediately greeted Mao Zedong very earnestly.
In the swimming pool, there are still many officials from agencies swimming. While talking with Liu Zhongrong, Mao Zedong looked at the swimming crowd happily and smiled with relief from time to time.
After a while, Li Zongren, Guo Dejie and Cheng Siyuan arrived.
Li Zongren, his wife Guo Dejie and Cheng Siyuan entered Zhongnanhai from Xinhuamen by car. Accompanied by the staff, Li Zongren and others were walking along the swimming pool.
Zhongnanhai Swimming Pool
Li Zongren who came to the swimming pool,Seeing Mao Zedong still in the water, to put it more vividly, I saw Mao Zedong lying on the water with a cigarette in his hand.
"Ah! I didn't expect the chairman to swim so well!" Li Zongren couldn't help but said to the entourage.
Seeing that Li Zongren and the others were coming, Mao Zedong climbed into the swimming pool. Wipe clean the water drops on his body, put on his clothes, and greeted him enthusiastically. He cordially shook hands with Li Zongren and Guo Dejie, and said in a loud voice: "You are back, very good, welcome you!"
Li Zongren hurriedly replied, "I am very happy to return to the motherland."
Then, Mao Zedong and Cheng Siyuan shook hands and said to Cheng Siyuan as he shook hands: "Hearing a name for a long time is like thunder." When Cheng Siyuan heard this, he was at a loss and was speechless.
However, Cheng Siyuan knew in his heart that Mao Zedong's "long-heard famous name is like a thunderbolt" is a kind of encouragement and affirmation to him. In the past years, he believed that Mao Zedong had heard of him. However, Mao Zedong said so heavy, mainly referring to his five trips to Beijing to build a bridge for Li Zongren's return to the country.
said, everyone sat down on the chairs in the pergola. A cool breeze blew away, driving away the heat of midsummer, and everyone felt a little cool and comfortable.
Mao Zedong
As soon as he sat down, Mao Zedong humorously said to Mr. Li Zongren in a thick Hunan accent: "Mr. Neighbors, Taiwan and Hong Kong are scolding you now. It doesn’t matter, they call us a communist bandit. 'It has been decades. When you returned to China this time, you came to be a'bandit', and you got on the'thief ship' by mistake. The Taiwan authorities keep calling us'bandit' and the mainland of the motherland as the'bandit zone', you Didn't it mean to be on the'thief ship' by mistake?"
Mao Zedong's humor made Li Zongren speechless for a while. It was Cheng Siyuan who reacted quickly. He hurriedly replied for Li Zongren: "We got on this boat and we have landed on the other shore."
"Yes, we have landed on the other shore." Peng Zhen on the side followed. So Mao Zedong and everyone laughed.
The hearty laughter spread,Attracted the cadres who were swimming, they turned their heads and saw Mao Zedong talking with the guests very happily by the swimming pool, and they all smiled heartily.
Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong said again: "Now, even Bai Chongxi is scolding you. I think he scolds you. First, there is no way, second is helpless, and third is regret. He has a future. Yes, you opened a way for them when you came back."
Hearing Mao Zedong say this, Li Zongren's mood immediately became a little heavy, and he slowly said: "He has a hidden meaning."
Li Zongren's words , Reveals Bai Chongxi's situation in Taiwan. At this time, no one who knew Bai Chongxi was better than Li Zongren!
Mao Zedong said tolerantly: They come back, we all treat each other with courtesy
Li Zongren, who is already old, finally met Chairman Mao Zedong. He was also a little restrained when he was happy. In addition to the hot weather, his forehead was covered with beads of sweat, and he took out a handkerchief to wipe it from time to time.
Seeing this scene, Mao Zedong said peacefully: "Taiwan prevented you from coming back through the United States, but did not figure out how you came back."
Mao Zedong said, apparently expressing Zhou Enlai's precise arrangements and deployment of Li Zongren's return to the country. Satisfied, watching Li Zongren excitedly.
Mao Zedong
Li Zongren said that many people overseas actually miss the motherland. They are eager to return to the motherland, and their hearts are toward the motherland.
Mao Zedong said immediately after hearing that, those who have gone overseas, who are willing to come back, are welcome. When they came back, we all treated each other with courtesy. With that said, Mao Zedong turned his head to Li Zongren and said to Li Zongren: " Chiang Kai-shek is one level higher than you, you are his subordinate, and we welcome him back."
It was noon, and the weather was too hot. . Mao Zedong wore a swimming suit, still oozing fine beads of sweat. I saw him wipe his sweat with a towel,While looking at the crowd in the swimming pool, he showed that he wanted to go into the water again.
Seeing this, Peng Zhen suggested that Chairman Mao dive for a while. Mao Zedong said: "Okay, you come too. Where's Guo Moruo, come and swim. Mr. De Lin, do you want to swim?" Li Zongren replied that he would not swim anymore and let Cheng Siyuan go for a swim.
So Mao Zedong, Peng Zhen, Guo Moruo and Cheng Siyuan jumped out of the swimming pool.
Mao Zedong
Chairman Mao took the lead to swim forward in a pool of clear water, sometimes back swimming, sometimes side swimming , swimming leisurely, reminding people of the idiom "walking in the garden". At first, Cheng Siyuan fell behind the chairman. Seeing that the chairman was swimming away, he worked harder and swam to Mao Zedong's side. Seeing Cheng Siyuan following, Mao Zedong turned his head and said to him: "You swim well!"
After swimming in the pool for a while, Mao Zedong returned to the pool again. He wiped off the water stains and was basking in the sun while calling Cheng Siyuan to sit next to him.
Mao Zedong and Cheng Siyuan chatted for a while, the staff came to suggest Mao Zedong to end the swimming, because it was past noon.
Mao Zedong and Li Zongren are about to leave the swimming pool. At this time, the officials and children swimming in the swimming pool have stood in two rows by the swimming pool. Everyone applauded warmly and sent farewells to Mao Zedong and Li Zongren. Mao Zedong and Li Zongren shook hands with everyone enthusiastically and bid farewell, and the atmosphere was very warm. This scene moved Li Zongren very much, and he was particularly happy.
Li Zongren
Walking on the road in a car, Li Zongren's mind repeatedly turned a sentence said by Shi Cai Mao Zedong. He couldn’t help but said to Cheng Siyuan: “Chairman Mao said, we welcome anyone who wants to come back, and we treat each other with courtesy when they come back. This is a good speech, a good speech!”
He had a feeling that Mao Zedong told him The clear view he expounded is an important part of the People's Democratic United Front policy of New China.
Mao Zedong: Today we are to realize the ambition of Mr. Sun Yat-sen
left the swimming pool,Mao Zedong and Li Zongren came all the way to Fengze Garden. Everyone sat down in the hotel, and Mao Zedong started talking with Li Zongren again.
Mao Zedong at the table
Li Zongren took the lead to express that he returned to the embrace of the motherland this time and was warmly welcomed by the government and people. First of all, I should express my heartfelt thanks to Chairman Mao. I have been visiting the Beijing area in the past few days, and I have seen the great achievements of the socialist construction in the motherland, and I am deeply impressed. He is very happy for the growing strength of his motherland.
After hearing this, Mao Zedong said modestly that the motherland is not strong enough now, and we have to build it for at least 20 to 30 years. At the same time, Mao Zedong also suggested that Li Zongren go to various places in the motherland to take a look.
Li Zongren nodded clearly. What Mao Zedong talked about was to see everywhere. This was exactly his wish.
Mao Zedong then said to Li Zongren: "We are still doing Mr. Sun Yat-sen's set. Mr. Sun Yat-sen said that China can do a good job and become prosperous and strong, and Mr. Sun Yat-sen has great ambitions... We are going to realize Mr. Sun Yat-sen's ambition today..."
Everyone chatted for a while, and then Chairman Mao suggested taking pictures and eating.
Mao Zedong
The banquet was arranged very well, with a variety of Beijing and Tianjin dishes. The atmosphere is more relaxed and natural when everyone eats. At this time, Mao Zedong seemed to feel that he and Li Zongren had already talked about the same topic, so he talked about poetry with Zhang Shizhao and Guo Moruo while eating.
Mao Zedong first asked Guo Moruo: "Have you written another article recently?"
Guo Moruo said: "The Guangming Daily is asking me to write an article explaining the chairman's "Long March" poem. I haven't consulted the chairman yet. No writing."
At this time, Li Zongren suddenly interjected: "I remember Chairman Mao had such a famous poem, but I don't remember it very clearly."
Guo Moruo casually recited Mao Zedong's "Long March":
The Red Army is not afraid of difficult expeditions,Thousands of water and thousands of mountains just wait for leisure,
Wuling surging with fine waves, Wumeng majestic walking mud pill.
Jinsha water pats the clouds and cliffs warm, and the Dadu Bridge is cold across the bridge.
is even more happy with the snow in Minshan, and after the three armies, they are full of face.
Li Zongren listened and said repeatedly: "Good poems, good poems."
Li Zongren
Guo Moruo took the opportunity to ask Mao Zedong: "I heard the chairman read this poem to the soldiers himself?"
Mao Zedong said: "Nothing like that! Don't listen to the rumors. I just tell them to serve the people and eat watermelons and peppers..."
Hearing Mao Zedong's words, everyone at the table laughed.
Mao Zedong also said that when he said the three armed forces, he did not refer to the navy, army and air force. There was only one kind of army at that time, and the three armies referred to the first army, the second army and the fourth army.
Mao Zedong
Speaking of poetry, Mao Zedong was obviously interested. He chatted with Guo Moruo and mentioned that he had recently read " Mawei" by Li Shangyin of the Tang Dynasty. He found Mawei very interesting. Later, Mao Zedong mentioned ancient history, geography, literature and other topics... Mao Zedong talked freely, and Li Zongren was fascinated by it. He himself respects knowledge very much, and sincerely respects intellectuals. From the moment he came to Chairman Mao’s living room, he noticed so many bookshelves around them, so many ancient and modern works both at home and abroad. He sincerely felt that Mao Zedong was a great politician, military strategist, theorist, and writer, and Li Zongren really admired him. He praised Mao Zedong from the bottom of his heart: Chairman, you are really a great man who knows everything about heaven, earth, science, literature, history, and philosophy!
Mao Zedong
At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, Minister Xu Bing bit Cheng Siyuan’s ear and said: "May it be scattered?"
So,Cheng Siyuan said to Li Zongren: "Duke, can you thank the chairman now?"
"What anxious, young and strong!" Mao Zedong stared at Cheng Siyuan and said, his tone seemed stern, but he was actually very kind. Mao Zedong received and hosted a banquet for Li Zongren, and it ended in such an atmosphere.
Returning from Zhongnanhai, Li Zongren is very excited. He recalled the conversation with Mao Zedong, and the most interesting thing was that Mao Zedong said: The Communist Party of China is realizing the ambition of Mr. Sun Yat-sen.
Mao Zedong
From his political experience, Li Zongren believes that Mao Zedong's words are a kind words. In fact, the cause initiated by the Communist Party of China has surpassed Mr. Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary ideas in many respects. By saying this, Mao Zedong affirmed Mr. Sun Yat-sen, which is a language for communicating with people outside the party. This language will surely make overseas Chinese all over the world feel excited and get their support!
From his personal experience, Li Zongren deeply admires Sun Yat-sen. During his military career, he was more in touch with Mr. Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary theories, thoughts, and propositions. At the beginning, he belonged to the National Revolutionary Government because of his belief in the revolutionary banner of Mr. Sun Yat-sen. If there was no such move in the first place, then Li Zongren would naturally not have the prominence afterwards. Therefore, he very much agrees with Mao Zedong's evaluation of Mr. Sun Yat-sen: the pioneer of the Chinese revolution.
It is worth mentioning that Li Zongren once said this sentence in his conversation with Mao Zedong: "I am very happy after returning to China. Under the leadership of Chairman Mao, our country is truly unified (except Taiwan). History It has never been unified before.”
Why does Li Zongren have such feelings?
Chiang Kai-shek and Li Zongren
Think back then, the Northern Expedition ended, and the whole country was unified on the surface. However, because Chiang Kai-shek betrayed Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary Three People’s Principles ,Because of his confinement to the selfish interests of one party and one faction, he led to the melee of the new warlords, which caused the country's rivers and mountains to fall apart, and plunged the people of the country into dire straits. After the great victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan, Chiang Kai-shek again launched the civil war , which ended in failure and retreated to Taiwan. At this time, mainland China was able to achieve true unity. This is the most extensive reunification in the history of the Chinese nation.
In this regard, how can Mr. Li Zongren, who has the spirit of patriotism and nationalism, express feelings insincerely?
Disclaimer: This article is an original article by the headline number of official history observations. Any unauthorized reprinting, plagiarism, and manuscript washing must be investigated!
.
