In many people's impressions, Chiang Kai-shek was a very wily and scheming person, but few people knew that he also had 8 generals on whom he relied heavily. As Chiang Kai-shek's direct troops, they were deeply trusted by Chiang Kai-shek and led the Kuomintang troops in southern and northern wars.
But among these eight people, there was a patriotic general. Although he was in the Kuomintang camp, he always thought about the Communist Party in his heart.
Later, after fierce fighting, the Kuomintang was defeated and Chiang Kai-shek fled to Taiwan. Seven of the eight tiger generals followed Chiang Kai-shek to Taiwan. Only this patriotic general stayed. So who is this person? What is his final outcome?
These eight tiger generals all held important positions in Huangpu Military Academy . They joined the Kuomintang troops under Chiang Kai-shek's solicitation and later developed into Chiang Kai-shek's capable generals. After Chiang Kai-shek's defeat, the seven people who followed Chiang Kai-shek to Taiwan were He Yingqin, Chen Cheng, Gu Zhutong, Liu Zhi, Jiang Dingwen, Qian Dajun and Chen inherited .
These seven people were loyal followers of Chiang Kai-shek, whether during the Anti-Japanese War period or the Liberation War period. However, after arriving in Taiwan, many people were not reused by Chiang Kai-shek. Only Chen Cheng was regarded as the most promising person to succeed Chiang Kai-shek. However, due to long-term fatigue, Chen Cheng died of illness early. The other six people also died in depression.
The only one who did not follow Chiang Kai-shek to Taiwan was the famous Zhang Zhizhong. Although Zhang Zhizhong's family's financial situation was not very good when he was a child, his parents always valued Zhang Zhizhong's education. Therefore, Zhang Zhizhong was enlightened from an early age and developed the idea of saving the country and the people.
When he was 16 years old, his mother, in accordance with the custom of the family, handed a full 24 silver dollars into his hands and let him go out on his own. Because during his journey, he saw many people living in dire straits, so when the 1911 Revolution broke out, Zhang Zhizhong did not hesitate to join the anti-Qing camp. Later, he studied in the infantry department of Baoding Military Academy. During his studies, his grades were always excellent.
At that time, Chiang Kai-shek was still the principal of the Whampoa Military Academy. He had always paid great attention to outstanding talents in various schools. Once he found a suitable one, he would bring him into his camp. Zhang Zhizhong naturally attracted his attention. After Zhang Zhizhong completed his studies, Chiang Kai-shek immediately invited him to the Whampoa Military Academy to serve as the captain of the student team. He was awarded the rank of colonel by Chiang Kai-shek, and Zhang Zhizhong therefore joined the Kuomintang Revolutionary Army.
In early 1924, the first congress of the Chinese Kuomintang was held in Guangdong. In order to overthrow the rule of the Beiyang warlord , the first cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party was officially reached.
At that time, Zhang Zhizhong was already able to take on his own role and served as the chief of staff of the headquarters of the garrison area in Guangzhou. During his tenure at the Whampoa Military Academy, Zhang Zhizhong met Zhou Enlai and fell in love with Zhou Enlai at first sight. Now that the Kuomintang and the Communist Party are cooperating, Zhang Zhizhong once again comes together with the like-minded Zhou Enlai, and the two sides have launched close cooperation.
During the cooperation process, Zhang Zhizhong fully recognized the revolutionary ideas of Zhou Enlai and others, and was deeply impressed by Zhou Enlai's personal charm, and the two became close friends. Later, Zhang Zhizhong, who was deeply influenced by the Communist Party, even proposed to Zhou Enlai the idea of joining the party.
With the development of the revolutionary situation at that time, the contradiction between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party intensified, which made Zhang Zhizhong very depressed. When he was in Huangpu Island, Zhang Zhizhong actively discussed the cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party with Chiang Kai-shek, but Chiang Kai-shek always firmly disagreed. That night, Zhang Zhizhong couldn't sleep. He couldn't understand why the Kuomintang and the Communist Party couldn't live in peace.
One day in 1926, when he was walking with Zhou Enlai, Zhang Zhizhong, who had always talked little, appeared very depressed.Seeing his listless look, Zhou Enlai couldn't help but ask: "Brother Wenbai, why did you become a mouthless teapot today? Just say what you have to say, I'm afraid something will go wrong if you keep it in your heart."
Zhang Zhizhong had no choice but to say He poured out all the anguish in his heart. Faced with the issue of political stance, Zhou Enlai suddenly became serious. He then asked: "What are you going to do?"
At this time, after some thinking, Zhang Zhizhong became a little excited and his voice was high. After a few degrees, he held Zhou Enlai's hand tightly: "Can you introduce me to join the Communist Party of China? Why don't I join the Communist Party too? What do you think?"
Faced with Zhang Zhizhong's change, Zhou Enlai felt that it was very sudden. Zhou Enlai naturally welcomed such an outstanding revolutionary to join the Communist Party. However, there were clear regulations within the party at that time that senior Kuomintang generals could not be recruited to join the Communist Party of China.
Zhou Enlai had no choice but to reject him. Seeing Zhang Zhizhong's disappointed look, Zhou Enlai couldn't bear it, so he said to him: "It may not be convenient at this time. It is better to wait until the right time to join the Communist Party of China. Then I will I will definitely help you secretly so that you can speak within the party!"
After hearing Zhou Enlai's words, Zhang Zhi felt a lot more at ease: "In this case, I still don't want you and Mr. Chiang to split because of the two parties. , any one of them will be harmed."
Because Zhang Zhizhong always hoped that the Kuomintang and the Communist Party could develop peacefully, he was once accused by the Kuomintang reactionaries of being a "red element" and a "red instructor." However, Chiang Kai-shek ignored the opinions of the outside world and still relied heavily on Zhang Zhizhong. Because in Chiang Kai-shek's eyes, Zhang Zhizhong would never have selfish motives.
In June of the same year, Zhang Zhizhong became the director of the Adjutant Department of the National Revolutionary Army. After he accepted the appointment, he immediately recommended Zhou Enlai to Chiang Kai-shek: "It is best for Zhou Enlai to serve as the minister of the General Headquarters so that the two parties can cooperate as before."
Before Zhang Zhizhong could finish his words, he was interrupted by Chiang Kai-shek: " I have ordered Deng Yanda to be the Minister of Political Department. As for Zhou Enlai, he should be the Minister of Finance and Economics." Although Zhang Zhizhong argued hard, Chiang Kai-shek refused to compromise and finally gave up.
Later, as the cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party broke down, the political situation became increasingly tense. The two sides may start a fierce battle at any time. This made Zhang Zhizhong very sad. In order to avoid facing swords with the Communist Party on the battlefield in the future, Zhang Zhizhong took the initiative to propose to Chiang Kai-shek that he should serve as the director of education at the Central Army Military Academy.
Chiang Kai-shek was a little surprised when he heard Zhang Zhizhong's request: "Wen Bai, are you going to eat chicken ribs? Are you worried that one day you and Zhou Enlai will be facing each other on the battlefield?"
Faced with Jiang Jieshi's question, Zhang Zhizhong did not shy away from it at all. : "Yes, I am not willing to fight swords with the Communist Party. Our biggest enemy is Japan, and I want to train talents for the anti-Japanese war. If there is a foreign war, I will definitely lead the troops to fight against the war." After Zhou Enlai learned about this incident He also repeatedly praised Zhang Zhizhong to Mao Zedong as "a friend enough".
Zhang Zhizhong was the only person who had never participated in the "communist suppression" war launched by Chiang Kai-shek from 1927 to 1936. Although he did not participate in the battle between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, Zhang Zhizhong performed very bravely on the anti-Japanese battlefield.
In 1932, when the Japanese army attacked Songhu , Zhang Zhizhong, who was in Nanjing, was in a panic. After meeting Chiang Kai-shek, he took the initiative to ask Chiang Kai-shek for a fight and wanted to lead the army to Songhu to join the front line of the Anti-Japanese War. Under Chiang Kai-shek's instruction, he was quickly appointed commander of the 5th Army and led the soldiers to the front line.
Later, Zhang Zhizhong’s daughter said that Zhang Zhizhong went to the battlefield with the determination to die. At that time, Zhang Zhizhong had already written a suicide note and gave it to his friend for safekeeping.After several fierce battles, Zhang Zhizhong achieved the best record in the Shanghai War in this battle, which was beyond the reach of all other armies. Zhang Zhizhong was also very surprised that he could survive.
After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War , Chiang Kai-shek, in order to seize the credit for the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, will take the opportunity to force the Communist Party to surrender and take its troops as his own. So he sent three consecutive telegrams to Yan'an , inviting Mao Zedong to go to Chongqing to participate in negotiations. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held a meeting specifically on this matter. After weighing it repeatedly, Mao Zedong decided to go to the appointment.
On August 27, 1945, Zhang Zhizhong came to Yan'an under the instruction of Chiang Kai-shek. Mao Zedong and others personally went to Yan'an Airport to warmly receive him. Later in the conversation with Zhou Enlai, Zhou Enlai made it clear: "When I go to Chongqing, what I am most worried about is Mao Zedong's safety."
Zhang Zhizhong immediately comforted: "The leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union have both informed Chairman Chiang Kai-shek "We will definitely ensure Mr. Mao's safety. There should be no problems."
Zhou Enlai was still a little worried: "Brother Wenbai, a guarantee is a guarantee. We still have to think carefully and make sure nothing goes wrong."
Zhou Enlai still looked worried. , Zhang Zhizhong expressed that Mao Zedong could live in his residence "Guiyuan". 'Then the two of them discussed carefully and determined the issue of Mao Zedong's security. After everything was negotiated, Mao Zedong, Zhang Zhizhong and others took a special plane to Chongqing.
The Chongqing negotiations were very tense. The Kuomintang and the Communist Party refused to give in to each other on issues of principle, and many negotiations almost broke down. During this period, Zhang Zhizhong was able to reach an agreement between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party. He has been busy running around and made a great contribution to this negotiation.
After the negotiations, Mao Zedong prepared to return to Yan'an, because during the negotiation process, the Kuomintang had been at war with each other, and Zhou Enlai was very worried about the safety of Mao Zedong's return.
Zhang Zhizhong comforted him and said: "Don't worry, since I brought Mr. Mao here, I will naturally send him back safe and sound." Afterwards, he immediately went to ask Chiang Kai-shek for instructions and took over the task of escorting Mao Zedong back to Yan'an. down.
On the afternoon of October 11, 1945, accompanied by Zhang Zhizhong, Mao Zedong’s special plane landed safely at Dongguan Airport in Yan’an, and everyone felt relieved. After a night's rest, Zhang Zhizhong will go to Lanzhou to complete the tasks assigned to him by Chiang Kai-shek. Before leaving, Mao Zedong was full of praise for this patriotic general in the Kuomintang army. He said to Zhang Zhizhong: "You are sincere in your pursuit of peace." Zhang Zhizhong, who was recognized by Mao Zedong, was also very moved.
Later, in order to achieve domestic peace, Zhang Zhizhong accompanied Marshall to Yan'an again and became a good friend of the Communist Party who came to Yan'an three times.
However, the good times did not last long. In 1946, after the Kuomintang had reorganized all its troops, it openly tore up the armistice agreement signed by the Kuomintang and the Communist Party at the Chongqing negotiations and launched a civil war. Subsequently, the Communist Party fought back and launched the Liberation War for the peaceful reunification of the country.
At that time, Zhang Zhizhong was very dissatisfied with the reactionary rule of the Kuomintang. He was committed to maintaining long-term domestic peace. However, his ideals were never realized because of Chiang Kai-shek's civil war policy. Although the Kuomintang troops claimed to be fighting to realize Sun Yat-sen's " Three People's Principles ", they did not take any actual actions, which also made Zhang Zhizhong very disappointed.
In 1948, with the fierce offensive of the Communist Party, the Kuomintang's defense line on the south bank of the Yangtze River completely collapsed. Faced with this situation, the Kuomintang issued a request for peace talks to the Communist Party.
Zhang Zhizhong went to Peking on behalf of the Kuomintang to negotiate based on Mao Zedong's eight conditions. After 22 days of negotiations, Zhang Zhizhong informed the Kuomintang government of the final results. However, because the result of the negotiations was far beyond Chiang Kai-shek's expectations, he was extremely angry and cursed loudly: "We are incompetent and have lost our power and humiliated the country!" Subsequently, the Kuomintang government refused to sign the " Domestic Peace Agreement".
At the same time, the People's Liberation Army troops, who had already been prepared, quickly launched the Cross-River Campaign under Mao Zedong's instructions. Seeing that the peace talks broke down, Zhang Zhizhong felt that there was no need for him to stay in Peiping.
After learning about this, Zhou Enlai immediately came to Liuguo Hotel and personally persuaded Zhang Zhizhong, hoping that Zhang Zhizhong would stay. At this time, Zhang Zhi was very hesitant, because he was sent by the Nanjing government, and morally speaking, he should return to Nanjing to resume his life. Zhou Enlai persuaded him not to move, and said emotionally: "We have already felt sorry for a friend named Zhang in the Xi'an Incident, and now we can no longer feel sorry for you."
Faced with Zhou Enlai's sincere feelings, Zhang Zhizhong was very moved. , he considered that the People's Liberation Army had crossed the river and the agreement was still possible to be signed, so he followed Zhou Enlai's suggestion and stayed in Peiping.
On April 25, 1949, Zhang Zhizhong’s wife and children, who were secretly rescued by Zhou Enlai, also arrived in Peiping successfully. After Zhang Zhizhong saw his wife at the airport, he was very grateful to Zhou Enlai. He held Zhou Enlai’s hand with tears in his eyes and said: " Brother Enlai, you are really good at keeping guests! "
After the defeat of the Kuomintang, Chiang Kai-shek led the remaining troops of the Kuomintang to Taiwan, and his direct troops followed him one after another. Zhang Zhizhong stayed in Peking and later used his influence within the Kuomintang to promote the liberation of Xinjiang.
After the founding of New China, Zhang Zhizhong successively held important positions in the central government. He was also dedicated during his work, running around for the return of Taiwan. In view of his contribution to the peaceful reunification of the motherland during the Liberation War, he was also called " Peace General " .
