In 1928, a Japan passenger liner bound for Dalian slowly left the port of Shanghai. On the deck, a middle-aged man with a long beard and a robe was standing side by side with a woman in a cheongsam. They look like an ordinary businessman couple, but they hide an amazing secret. The couple are none other than Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao, important leaders of the Chinese Communist Party, who are risking their lives to travel to Moscow for the Sixth National Congress of the Communist Party of China.
However, fate always likes to joke. When the ship arrived in Dalian, several Japan police officers suddenly boarded the ship to investigate. One of the policemen stared at Zhou Enlai, his expression suddenly becoming serious. "You're Zhou!" He said flatly. Zhou Enlai's heart was shocked, but he replied without changing his face: "You recognize the wrong person." "
This thrilling scene is just one of the many dangers encountered by Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao on this trip. How did they save the day? And how did they finally make it to Moscow? What other unknown twists and turns did they go through in this thrilling journey?
In the spring of 1928, the domestic situation in China was turbulent, and the White Terror enveloped the whole country. The Chinese Communist Party decided to convene the Sixth National Congress in Moscow to avoid being pursued by the Kuomintang. In order to ensure the safe arrival of the delegates in Moscow, the party organization carefully planned two secret routes.
The first route was from Shanghai to Vladivostok on a Soviet merchant ship, and then by train to Moscow. The route was relatively safe, but Soviet merchant ships were scarce, making it difficult to arrange for a large number of delegates to depart at the same time. The second route is to take a boat from Shanghai to Dalian, then transfer to a train to exit via Harbin, Manchuria or Suifenhe, and finally enter the Soviet Union to Moscow. Although the route is more dangerous, it allows for more delegates to depart in batches.
Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao were arranged to take the second route. In order not to be obtrusive, they carefully designed the disguise identity. Zhou Enlai grew a long beard, put on a robe, and dressed himself as an antique dealer. Deng Yingchao was dressed in a half-new cheongsam and pretended to be Zhou's wife. They bought first-class tickets for a Japan passenger ferry bound for Dalian to qualify for the status of wealthy merchants.
One day in May, Zhou Enlai and his wife boarded the passenger ship. The Huangpu River is sparkling in the sun, and the passengers on board are bustling. After entering the first-class cabin, Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao found that most of the passengers here were richly dressed wealthy businessmen, and some even brought their entourage. In comparison, their outfits appear somewhat plain. In order not to arouse suspicion, the two tried to avoid talking to others, and spent most of their time on the deck watching the scenery or reading the newspaper.
Although they did not have much money with them, in order to maintain the image of wealthy businessmen, they had to eat in first-class restaurants. Every time they eat, they can feel that someone is watching in the dark. The feeling of being watched was unsettling, but they remained calm and continued to play their part.
When the ship stopped in Qingdao for a short time, Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao took the opportunity to go ashore and buy a large number of newspapers. Due to the recent Jinan tragedy, Zhou Enlai wanted to know the latest developments in the situation. Back on the boat, he was intently reading the newspaper and didn't notice that two people had been secretly staring at them.
In the midst of this seemingly calm voyage, a crisis crept in. When the ship arrived in Dalian, several Japan police officers from the Dalian Maritime Police Department suddenly boarded the ship to investigate. They directly stopped Zhou Enlai and his wife, who were packing their luggage, and began a series of inquiries.
"What do you do?" The policeman at the head asked.
Zhou Enlai replied unhurriedly: "I do antique business." "
Deng Yingchao was shocked because she knew that there were no antiques in the suitcase at all. If the police ask for a search of luggage, their disguise is immediately revealed.
The policeman continued to ask: "Since you are a businessman, why do you buy so many newspapers?" "
Zhou Enlai calmly explained: "It's boring to take a boat, read the newspaper to pass the time." "
"Where are you going?" The policeman asked again.
"Jilin." Zhou Enlai replied.
"What are you doing in the Northeast?"
"Go visit my uncle."
The police couldn't ask for any valuable information, so they decided to take Zhou Enlai to the Water Police Department to continue the interrogation. Deng Yingchao wanted to go with her, but Zhou Enlai stopped her seriously and asked the police to help arrange a hotel for Deng Yingchao to stay in temporarily.
In this way, Zhou Enlai followed the police to the water police station alone, while Deng Yingchao was placed in a hotel. The fate of this couple seems to be hanging by a thread.
Zhou Enlai followed the Japan police to the Dalian Water Police Department, maintaining a calm attitude throughout the process. The police department is dimly lit and there is an unsettling atmosphere in the air. Several police officers took Zhou Enlai to a hut and began an interrogation that lasted for hours.
As soon as the interrogation began, the police went straight to the point: "Are you a communist?" "
Zhou Enlai replied without changing his face: "I am an antique dealer, not a Communist Party. "
The policeman apparently did not believe this answer and continued to ask: "Then why did you go to the Northeast?" "
"As I said, I'm going to visit my uncle." Zhou Enlai repeated calmly.
The police seemed to have caught something, and immediately asked: "You said that your surname is Wang, but your uncle's surname is Zhou, how can this be explained?" "
Zhou Enlai explained unhurriedly: "What's so strange about this? My mother changed her surname to Wang when she married my father, but her brother naturally remained surnamed Zhou. "
This logical explanation left the police speechless for a moment. They instead asked for Zhou Enlai's specific identity information, including age, place of birth, educational background, etc. Zhou Enlai can answer every question fluently, without revealing any flaws.
The policeman asked, "You said you are an antique dealer, can you tell us about your recent business?" "
Zhou Enlai replied calmly: "Recently, I bought a piece of blue and white porcelain from the Song Dynasty in Shanghai, and I plan to take it to the Northeast to sell. In addition, I also received a few landscape paintings from the Ming Dynasty, and I plan to sell them when the price is right. "
Zhou Enlai's description of the antiques was professional and detailed, so that the police could not find a flaw for a while. But they didn't give up and continued to ask for more details.
"You said you were going to Jilin to visit your uncle, so where does your uncle live?"
Zhou Enlai replied without thinking: "He lives in West Street in Jilin City, which is a courtyard house with a yard. "
The policeman continued to ask: "Your uncle works in the government, what is the specific position?" "
"He worked as a clerk in the provincial finance department." Zhou Enlai's answer was quick and specific.
The interrogation lasted several hours, and the police took turns trying to find out the flaws in Zhou Enlai's identity from all angles. However, no matter how difficult they were, Zhou Enlai was able to deal with it calmly and give reasonable and specific answers.
Just when the police officers were confused and frustrated, a policeman suddenly burst into the interrogation room and whispered a few words to the leading policeman. The lead policeman's expression suddenly became serious.
"You said you were an antique dealer, why didn't you have an antique in your luggage?" The lead policeman asked sharply.
It turned out that while Zhou Enlai was being interrogated, other police officers had already conducted a thorough search of his luggage. However, they did not find any antiques in the luggage, which is obviously inconsistent with Zhou Enlai's previous statement.
Faced with this fatal problem, Zhou Enlai did not panic. He calmly explained: "I said before that the blue and white porcelain of the Song Dynasty and several Ming Dynasty landscape paintings that I recently acquired were all ready to be sold in the Northeast. How can I possibly carry these valuables with me? I have already arranged it through the trust company, and when I arrive in Jilin, I will naturally pick it up. "
While this explanation is reasonable, the police are apparently still skeptical. Just then, the door to the interrogation room was pushed open again, and a police officer walked in. He whispered a few words in the lead policeman's ear, and then the lead policeman's expression changed significantly.
"Mr. Wang," the lead policeman's tone suddenly became polite, "it seems that we have made a mistake. You can go, sorry for delaying you for so long. "
It turned out that while the police were interrogating Zhou Enlai, Deng Yingchao was not idle. She used the time she spent waiting at the hotel to manage to contact the local underground party organization. The underground party immediately took action, through various connections and channels, to put pressure on the Japan police to release the "innocent businessman".
Zhou Enlai stood up calmly, tidied up his clothes, and said to the police: "It's okay, it's your job." But next time you encounter a similar situation, I hope you can be more cautious and don't disturb the itinerary of legitimate businessmen. "
In this way, Zhou Enlai successfully resolved the crisis and walked out of the Water Police Department. After he reunited with the anxiously waiting Deng Yingchao, the two immediately changed their original plans and decided to leave Dalian immediately to avoid another accident.
This thrilling experience not only demonstrated Zhou Enlai's outstanding adaptability and courage in the face of danger, but also demonstrated the strength and efficiency of the underground organization of the Communist Party of China. Despite the unexpected interrogation and interrogation, Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao successfully took the first step to go to Moscow to participate in the Sixth National Congress. However, their journey has only just begun, and more challenges await them.
After exiting Dalian, Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao immediately took a train to Harbin. This northeastern city, due to its unique location and historical background, became an important stopover on their way to Moscow. Harbin was not only the hub of the China Eastern Railway, but also the focus of competition between various countries at that time, where Russia, Japan, China and other forces intertwined, making the city full of complex political atmosphere and mystery.
The train slowly entered Harbin Station, and Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao cautiously stepped out of the carriage. People come and go on the platform, and various languages come and go. They, according to a pre-arranged plan, looked for comrades at the joints on the platform. The joint code is a seemingly ordinary action: a man in a gray hat will stand by a newsstand at the end of the platform, holding a copy of the Harbin Daily in his hand, and look at his watch from time to time.
Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao pretended to be ordinary tourists and slowly walked towards the newsstand. Sure enough, they saw a man who matched the description. Zhou Enlai stepped forward and asked in a pre-agreed code language: "Excuse me, is today's "Far Eastern News" sold out?" "
The man immediately replied: "I'm sorry, the Far Eastern Daily has been sold out, but I have a copy of the Harbin Daily here, do you want it?" "
This is the sign of the success of the joint. The connector then led Zhou Enlai and his wife out of the station, through the bustling streets, and in front of a small inconspicuous Russian-style building. The building looks dilapidated on the outside, but on the inside it is a secret contact point for the Chinese Communist Party in Harbin.
After entering the small building, the connector immediately reported the current situation to Zhou Enlai. It turned out that Japan agents had already launched a large-scale search in Harbin, and they seemed to have gotten some rumors that important Communist Party personnel were going to pass through Harbin. For the sake of safety, the original plan for Zhou Enlai and his wife to rest in Harbin for a few days had to be changed.
The new plan was for Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao to leave Harbin that night on a train bound for Manchuria. To avoid arousing suspicion, they need to change their identity again. This time, Zhou Enlai will play a Russian businessman, while Deng Yingchao will dress up as his daughter.
In the next few hours, Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao began intense preparations. They changed into Russian clothes, and Zhou Enlai also put on a Russian felt hat and a pair of round-rimmed glasses. More challengingly, they also need to familiarize themselves with some basic Russian conversation in a short period of time in order to deal with possible cross-examination.
Just as they were ready, the connector suddenly brought the disturbing news: Japan agents seemed to have their eyes on the area, and they were going door-to-door searching for suspicious people. Zhou Enlai made a quick decision and decided to transfer immediately.
The connector led them through the basement of the small building to a secret tunnel. This tunnel was built by the Russians in the early years to avoid Japan searches. The tunnel was dark and damp, winding, and Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao followed the connector cautiously.
After nearly an hour of trekking, they finally came out of the other side of the tunnel and found themselves in a small village on the outskirts of Harbin. Here, another comrade of the underground party was waiting for them, and a carriage was prepared for them.
Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao boarded the carriage and pretended to be Russian father and daughter who were going on an outing. The carriage slowly drove towards the train station, and along the way they saw many Japanese military police checking passers-by. Whenever he encountered an inventory point, Zhou Enlai would greet the gendarmes in his newly learned Russian, pretending to be a hospitable Russian businessman. His composure and fluency in Russian kept the gendarmes unsuspecting.
Finally, the carriage arrived at the train station. Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao successfully boarded the train to Manchuria. They breathed a sigh of relief when the train started slowly. However, they know that this is only a small episode in a long journey. More challenges await them ahead.
The train sped through the night and headed for Manchuria. Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao sat in the carriage, pretending to be chatting, but in fact they were communicating their next plans in code. They knew that once they arrived in Manchuria, they would face stricter inspections. Because Manchuria was the last checkpoint into the Soviet Union, Japan and Kuomintang agents would be closely monitored there.
However, no matter how many difficulties and obstacles lie ahead, Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao are determined to complete this mission. They had only one goal: to arrive safely in Moscow, attend the Sixth National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and contribute to the future of the Chinese revolution.
As the train slowly moves into Manzhouli Station, Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao face the most dangerous moment of their journey. As a border city between China and the Soviet Union, Manchuria is the meeting point of various forces, and it is also the last checkpoint. Japan agents, Kuomintang agents, and remnants of the Tsarist White Guards all set up bases here to closely monitor and check people entering and leaving the country.
Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao still maintained the disguise of Russian merchant father and daughter. They stepped off the train, mingled with the bustling crowd of passengers, and walked slowly towards the customs check. It was surrounded by inspectors in all kinds of uniforms, their vigilant eyes scanning the crowd for suspicious people.
At this moment, a man in civilian clothes suddenly stopped Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao. In fluent Russian, he said, "Please come with me, you guys, you need to do an extra check." "
Zhou Enlai immediately realized that the situation was not good. He replied, also fluent in Russian: "Sir, may I ask you any questions?" We are just ordinary businessmen who come to do business. "
The man sneered and said in Chinese: "Don't pretend, we have long received news that important communists are going to cross the border from here." You two are so cunning that you almost got scammed. "
Zhou Enlai knew that his composure at the moment was a matter of life and death. He quietly said to Deng Yingchao in Russian: "Don't be afraid, child. This gentleman must have made a mistake. Then he turned to the man and said in Chinese with a thick accent, "I'm sorry, sir." We don't understand Chinese. Did you recognize the wrong person? "
The man looked a little confused, but still insisted, "Follow me, we need to confirm your identity further." "
At this critical moment, a tall man in the uniform of a Soviet officer suddenly appeared and shouted in Russian: "What is going on? Why bother my friend? "
Zhou Enlai recognized this "officer" as an underground party comrade he had met when he was in Harbin. He immediately said in Russian: "Ivan · Petrovich! Great, you've come at the right time. This gentleman seems to have misunderstood us. "
The "officer" turned to the plainclothes man and said in fluent Chinese: "This comrade, are you mistaken?" This is my old friend Sergey and his daughter Natasha. They were famous tea merchants who often came to Manchuria to do business. I can testify for them. "
The plainclothes man was visibly hesitant. He looked at the uniform and badge of the "officer" and finally said, "Well, since you testify, then it's fine." Sorry to bother. After saying that, he walked away.
The crisis was temporarily lifted, but Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao knew that they were not out of danger yet. The "officer" whispered to them: "Come with me, we must get out of here at once." "
The three of them quickly made their way through the crowded waiting hall to the other end of the platform. There, a car with Soviet diplomatic license plates was already waiting. They quickly got into the car, and the car started and drove towards the Sino-Soviet border.
However, shortly after they drove the road, they noticed two cars in hot pursuit. The "officer" said with a solemn expression: "It seems that the plainclothes are still suspicious. We have to get rid of them. "
Cars sped through the streets of Manchuria, chasing vehicles in hot pursuit. The highly skilled driver weaves his way through the narrow streets trying to shake off his pursuers. But the other party is also obviously well-trained and bites tightly in the back.
At this moment, they saw a freight train slowly starting not far ahead. The "officer" immediately decided: "It's now!" "
The driver slammed on the accelerator, and the car rushed towards the train like an arrow from the string. At the moment when the train crossed the road, the car passed through the gap between the two carriages. The tracker who followed was stopped by this sudden change and had to brake urgently.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, the car quickly drove towards the border line. When they finally saw the border checkpoint, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. With the status of "officers" and diplomatic license plates, they successfully passed the inspection and entered the territory of the USSR.
Finally setting foot on the land of the Soviet Union, Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao knew that they had crossed the most dangerous hurdle of this journey. However, the journey to Moscow is still a long one. They must continue to be vigilant, because even within the USSR there could still be spies of the Kuomintang or other hostile forces.
The "officer" told them that next they were going to Moscow on the Trans-Siberian Railway. The journey will last several days, passing through Lake Baikal, Novosibirsk and other places. In the meantime, they need to change their identities again, playing the role of ordinary Soviet citizens in order to avoid attracting unwanted attention.
Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao boarded a train bound for Moscow. With the roar of the train, they knew that they were approaching their destination step by step, approaching a new stage of struggle for the Chinese revolution. However, they also understand that the real challenge is just beginning. In Moscow, what awaits them will be hard political struggles and important decisions. But at the moment, they are only focused on the journey in front of them, on the mission of arriving safely in Moscow to participate in the Sixth National Congress of the Communist Party of China.
On June 18, 1928, after a long and dangerous journey, Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao finally arrived in Moscow. The central city of Soviet power, which is in the middle of summer, is lined with birch trees that add a bit of life to this serious city.
They were arranged to live in a secret residence outside Moscow. It is specially prepared for delegates to the Sixth National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and the environment is quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, which is conducive to confidentiality and discussion. Not long after Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao arrived, they devoted themselves to intense pre-meeting preparations.
The Sixth National Congress of the Communist Party of China officially opened on June 18. The meeting took place in a small village on the outskirts of Moscow, called the "Silver Villa". It was a conclave meeting place provided by the Comintern, surrounded by lush trees and a tranquil environment, which was very suitable for such a high-stakes conclave meeting.
The meeting began with 28 official delegates and 17 alternate delegates from across China. Although the number is small, each of the delegates represents the CPC's organizations and members in various localities. Some of them arrived in Moscow after many difficulties, while others are international students who have been studying and working in Moscow for a long time.
At the beginning of the meeting, there was a heated discussion. At that time, the Communist Party of China was in the midst of a serious setback, and after the defeat of the Great Revolution, many Party organizations were seriously damaged, and how to rebuild the Party organization and formulate the correct line became the core topic of the meeting.
Zhou Enlai, as one of the important leaders of the party, played an important role at the meeting. He gave a detailed report on the Party's work after the defeat of the Great Revolution, analyzed the reasons for the defeat, and put forward his own views on the Party's line and tactics for the future. His remarks sparked extensive discussion among the delegates.
During the meeting, the deputies also conducted in-depth discussions on specific issues such as rural revolution, urban work, and military struggle. Debates often go on late into the night, sometimes even through the night. Despite their differences, all the delegates shared a common goal: to find a correct path for the Chinese revolution.
In the course of the discussions, an important viewpoint gradually took shape: The party should shift the focus of its work to the rural areas and mobilize the peasant masses to carry out armed struggle. This strategic idea later proved correct and laid the foundation for the victory of the Chinese revolution.
The meeting also elected a new Central Committee. Although Mao Zedong did not attend the meeting for some reason, he was still elected as a member of the Central Committee. This shows the affirmation of the party Central Committee that he has carried out the construction of the rural revolutionary base area in Jinggangshan.
In addition to formal meetings, delegates also used breaks for informal discussions. In the gardens of the "Silver Villas" or in the streets of Moscow, they often exchanged ideas in twos and threes to discuss the future of the Chinese revolution.
During the meeting, representatives of the Comintern also took part in some discussions. They provided some advice, but did not intervene directly in the process of the meeting. This reflects the spirit of independence and self-determination that the Communist Party of China has maintained in difficult times.
After nearly a month of discussion and debate, the Sixth National Congress of the Communist Party of China concluded on July 11. The meeting adopted important documents such as political resolutions and resolutions on military issues, which pointed out the direction for the party's work.
After the meeting, Zhou Enlai and some other delegates did not return to China immediately. They remained in Moscow and continued to study and discuss a number of specific issues. At the same time, they also seized the opportunity to learn from the revolutionary experience of the Soviet Union and prepare for future practice in China.
During his stay in Moscow, Zhou Enlai also participated in some activities of the Comintern, broadening his international horizons and strengthening his contacts with the Communist Parties of other countries. These experiences had a profound impact on his future role in the Chinese Communist Party.
In September 1928, Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao embarked on a journey back to China. With the spirit and resolutions of the Sixth National Congress, they prepared to return to the revolutionary battlefield in China to continue their struggle. Although the road ahead is still full of difficulties and dangers, this trip to Moscow pointed out the direction for the Communist Party of China and provided valuable theoretical weapons and practical experience for Zhou Enlai and others.
The Sixth National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was an important meeting held at the most critical moment for the party. It not only summed up the lessons and lessons of the past, but more importantly, pointed out the way for the party's future development. The resolution and spirit of this conference have been verified and developed in the revolutionary practice since then, and have become an important cornerstone of the victory of the Chinese revolution.