One day at the end of March 1949, the mayor's office in Peking welcomed an uninvited guest. I saw a tall figure break in in a hurry, it was General Fu Zuoyi, who led an army of 250,000 to a peaceful uprising. As soon as Ye Jianying stood up, he saw Fu Zuoyi slapping his palm on the table, and asked angrily: "Brother Cangbai, is this how you treat your friends?" "
The second monk Ye Jianying was puzzled, and he didn't know why Fu Zuoyi, who had always been good-tempered, was so angry. Years of experience dealing with bigwigs from all walks of life have taught him to figure out what's going on first. So, Ye Jianying smiled and asked Fu Zuoyi why. Fu Zuoyi calmed down a little and found that Ye Jianying really didn't know anything about things, so he said that his guard regiment was completely disarmed by the guard troops in Beiping.
What's going on? Why was Fu Zuoyi's guard regiment disarmed? How will Ye Jianying deal with this thorny problem?
Early in the morning at the end of March 1949, the mayor's office in Peiping welcomed an unexpected visitor. General Fu Zuoyi, the general who had just led a peaceful uprising with an army of 250,000, broke into Ye Jianying's office angrily at this moment.
Fu Zuoyi's arrival broke the original tranquility of the office. His tall figure flashed by the door, and he came to Ye Jianying's desk in a few steps. Without waiting for Ye Jianying to stand up, Fu Zuoyi slapped his palm on the table, making a "bang" sound.
"Brother Cangbai, is this how you treat your friends?" Fu Zuoyi's voice was full of anger and disappointment. This question was like a heavy hammer, which made Ye Jianying stunned in place for an instant.
Ye Jianying was puzzled by Fu Zuoyi's sudden visit. As old friends for many years, they have always gotten along well with each other. Fu Zuoyi has a gentle personality and rarely gets so angry. Ye Jianying was confused for a while, not knowing what happened to make Fu Zuoyi so angry.
Years of experience in dealing with bigwigs from all walks of life told Ye Jianying that the most important thing at this time is to figure out the ins and outs of things. He took a deep breath, tried to stay calm, and with a gentle smile on his face, he said to Fu Zuoyi: "Old Fu, don't worry, let's sit down and talk slowly." What the hell is going on? "
Fu Zuoyi saw Ye Jianying's dazed expression, and his anger calmed down a little. He realized that Ye Jianying might really know nothing about things. So, Fu Zuoyi sat down and began to tell Ye Jianying what happened.
It turned out that just last night, Fu Zuoyi's guard regiment was suddenly disarmed by the guard troops in Beiping. This guard regiment is a close army that Fu Zuoyi has carefully cultivated for many years, and is not only responsible for his safety, but also an important support for him in Beiping. The sudden disarming action made Fu Zuoyi feel both shocked and angry.
"Brother Cangbai, when I led an army of 250,000 to revolt peacefully, you promised me that I could keep this guard regiment. Isn't it treacherous to suddenly disarm them now? Fu Zuoyi's tone was full of doubt and distrust.
After listening to Fu Zuoyi's narration, Ye Jianying was also very surprised in his heart. As the mayor of Peking and the director of the Military Management Commission, he had no idea about such a major matter. This not only confused him, but also made him realize the seriousness of the situation.
Fu Zuoyi continued: "We are friends and comrades-in-arms. I believed in the Communist Party, so I chose to revolt peacefully. But now that this is happening, what do you make me think? How do you explain to my subordinates? "
Ye Jianying realized that if this matter could not be properly handled, it would not only affect Fu Zuoyi personally, but also shake the foundation of the newly established regime in Beiping. He must find out the ins and outs of the matter as soon as possible and give Fu Zuoyi a reasonable explanation.
"Old man, please believe me, I really don't know about this." Ye Jianying said sincerely, "I promise you that I will immediately start investigating and give you an explanation as soon as possible." Before that, please go back and calm down, okay? "
Fu Zuoyi looked at Ye Jianying's sincere eyes, and his anger gradually subsided. He nodded, stood up and prepared to leave. Before leaving, he turned back to Ye Jianying and said, "Brother Cangbai, I trust you and the Communist Party. But there must be an explanation for this matter, and I wait for your news. "
Looking at Fu Zuoyi's departing back, Ye Jianying realized that he was facing a thorny problem. He must find out the truth as soon as possible, not only to appease Fu Zuoyi's emotions, but also to safeguard the credibility of the new regime. Ye Jianying picked up the phone, prepared to contact the Pingjin Garrison Command, and began the investigation of this emergency.
Ye Jianying put down the phone with a solemn expression. He had just finished a call with the Pingjin Garrison Command, and finally learned the ins and outs of the matter. It turns out that behind this seemingly sudden disarming incident, there is a thrilling conspiracy hidden.
Things have to start with Fu Zuoyi's guard regiment. This detachment consisted of three battalions and was stationed in Balizhuang, west of the city. According to the previous agreement, this guard regiment was the only armed force retained by Fu Zuoyi, under his direct command. However, just the night before, there was a sudden unusual movement within the Guard Corps.
It turned out that the two battalion commanders of the second and third battalions of the guard regiment turned out to be hidden Kuomintang spies. These two men have been looking for an opportunity to stir up trouble and try to disrupt the peace situation in Beiping. They chose to take action when the commander, deputy commander, and chief of staff of the Fu Zuo Volunteer Guard Regiment were not in the barracks.
The two spy battalion commanders secretly conspired together and encouraged their soldiers to make trouble. They spread rumors that the Communists were about to disband the guard corps and that they were going to send everyone home. At the same time, they also incited the soldiers to take the opportunity to "make a big move", suggesting that they could take advantage of the chaos to loot their property and then go south to join the Kuomintang.
At the critical moment when the situation inside the guard regiment was about to get out of control, a figure hidden in the shadows played a crucial role. This person is the inside line that Li Kenong planted in advance. At great risk, the inside line passed on the anomalies within the guard regiment in time.
After receiving the news, Li Kenong immediately realized the seriousness of the situation. If the rebellion of these two battalions is allowed to succeed, it will not only endanger the security of Beiping, but also seriously affect the prestige of the new regime. Li Kenong immediately made a decision and immediately reported the situation to Zhou Enlai and Nie Rongzhen.
After Zhou Enlai and Nie Rongzhen received the report, they quickly convened an emergency meeting. They unanimously agreed that the incident must be dealt with decisively, and at the same time, bloodshed and clashes must be avoided as much as possible to prevent affecting the mood of Fu Zuoyi and other rebellious generals.
After a short but heated discussion, they developed a well-thought-out plan of action. First of all, the North China Military Region, commanded by Nie Rongzhen, quickly mobilized an elite unit and secretly surrounded the garrison of the guard regiment. At the same time, they sent a group of experienced political work cadres to prepare for ideological work on the soldiers of the guard regiment.
The operation began that night. The troops of the North China Military Region quietly surrounded the garrison regiment of Balizhuang. Just before the two battalion commanders were about to mutiny, they suddenly found themselves surrounded.
At the same time, the political cadres quickly entered the guard regiment and carried out patient and meticulous ideological work on the soldiers. They revealed the true identities of the two battalion commanders, clarified the policies of the Communist Party, and dispelled the doubts of the soldiers. In just a few hours, most of the soldiers understood the truth and expressed their willingness to accept the adaptation.
In the face of sudden changes, the conspiracy of the two spy battalion commanders was completely bankrupt. They tried to escape, but were quickly captured. During the entire operation, there was no bloodshed, and most of the officers and soldiers of the guard regiment chose to stay and receive the reorganization.
However, in order to ensure the safety of Beiping, the North China Military Region decided to disarm the entire guard regiment. This decision was made out of security considerations, but in the process of implementation, Fu Zuoyi was neglected to be notified in time, which led to Fu Zuoyi's misunderstanding and anger.
Ye Jianying listened to the ins and outs of the whole incident, and couldn't help but sigh at the complexity of the situation. He realizes that this is not just a simple disarming incident, but a thrilling spy battle. Li Kenong's intelligence work, Zhou Enlai's and Nie Rongzhen's decisive decisions, and the precision operations of the North China Military Region all foiled a conspiracy that could endanger Beiping's security.
However, Ye Jianying also clearly realized that this matter was not handled satisfactorily enough. It was a serious negligence that Fu Zuoyi was not informed in time, making this highly decorated general feel offended and distrusted. Now, the most urgent task is to explain the truth of the matter to Fu Zuoyi and dispel his doubts and dissatisfaction.
Ye Jianying picked up the phone and prepared to report the situation to Fu Zuoyi in person. He knew that the next dialogue would have a direct impact on Fu Zuoyi's trust in the new regime, and would also affect the stability of Beiping and even the entire North China region.
When Fu Zuoyi received Ye Jianying's call, it was already late at night. Although it was late, the stakes were high, and Fu Zuoyi still agreed to Ye Jianying's request to visit. Not long after, Ye Jianying's car stopped in front of Fu Zuoyi's residence.
Fu Zuoyi personally opened the door to greet him. Although his earlier anger had subsided, there was still a slight doubt and uneasiness on his face. Ye Jianying saw the mood of his old friend, gently patted Fu Zuoyi's shoulder, and said, "Old Fu, I have figured out the ins and outs of the matter, let's sit down and have a good talk." "
The two came to the study, and Fu Zuoyi poured a cup of hot tea for Ye Jianying. Ye Jianying did not speak immediately, but carefully looked at the study. There are several calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls, and various military works and historical classics are neatly arranged on the shelves. These details all show Fu Zuoyi's literati temperament and military literacy.
Ye Jianying took a deep breath and began to tell Fu Zuoyi in detail what happened. Starting with the information obtained by Li Kenong, he explained the conspiracy of the two special battalion commanders within the guard regiment and the urgent measures taken by the Communists to avoid bloodshed.
After Fu Zuoyi listened, his face became solemn. He didn't expect that there were Kuomintang spies lurking in his carefully selected guard regiment. The discovery shocked and angered him.
"Brother Cangbai," Fu Zuoyi said in a deep voice, "If it's really as you say, then these two traitors really deserve to die." But why didn't you tell me in advance? I can handle that too. "
Ye Jianying explained: "Old man, the incident happened suddenly, and the situation is urgent. We are worried that if we startle the snake, it may lead to even more trouble. And we're not sure how many people are being bewitched within the Guard Corps. For the sake of Peiping's safety, we had to take this approach. "
Fu Zuoyi was silent for a moment, and then asked, "What about my other subordinates?" How are they doing now? "
Ye Jianying immediately replied: "Don't worry, most of the officers and soldiers have already understood the truth, and they chose to stay and accept the adaptation." We will take care of them and ensure that their treatment is not affected. "
Hearing this, Fu Zuoyi breathed a sigh of relief. But then he asked another question: "But why didn't you tell me the truth in the first place?" You know, when I heard that the guard regiment was disarmed, I felt like I had been betrayed. "
Ye Jianying said sincerely: "Old man, this is indeed our negligence. It happened so suddenly, and we were so busy dealing with the crisis that we neglected to report back to you in a timely manner. This was our mistake and I apologize to you on behalf of the organization. "
Fu Zuoyi looked at Ye Jianying's sincere eyes and nodded slowly. He said, "Brother Cangbai, I understand your difficulties. But you know, trust is mutual. I led an army of 250,000 to revolt because I believed in the Communist Party. I hope you trust me as well. "
Ye Jianying said with deep feelings: "Old man, you are right. This incident teaches us a lesson. We will learn our lessons, and in the future, when dealing with similar issues, we will definitely pay more attention to communication with you rebel generals. "
The two talked a lot, from the public order situation in Beiping to the development of the situation in the whole country. Fu Zuoyi put forward many constructive suggestions, and Ye Jianying wrote them down carefully.
The conversation went on late at night, and Fu Zuoyi's mood was obviously calmed down a lot. He stood up, walked to the window, and looked out the window at the night view of Beiping. After a while, he turned to Ye Jianying and said, "Brother Cangbai, I believe in you. I also believe that as long as we work together, we will be able to build Beiping and the whole of China into a better place. "
Ye Jianying also stood up, held Fu Zuoyi's hand, and said solemnly: "Old Fu, don't worry. We will surely cherish the trust of you rebel generals. The Communist Party will do what it says, and we will work together to contribute to the construction of New China. "
The two old friends looked at each other and smiled, and both felt that this conversation had eliminated the barriers between them and enhanced mutual understanding. When Ye Jianying left, the east had already appeared white. This sleepless night not only resolved a misunderstanding, but also laid a more solid foundation for the construction of New China.
Early the next morning, Ye Jianying reported to Zhou Enlai the results of his conversation with Fu Zuoyi. After hearing this, Zhou Enlai expressed his appreciation for Ye Jianying's handling of the matter, and instructed to further strengthen communication and cooperation with the rebel generals. Although the incident was thrilling, the eventual and satisfactory resolution won more support and trust for the new regime.
With the late night long talk between Ye Jianying and Fu Zuoyi, the misunderstanding was resolved, and the reorganization of the guard regiment was carried out smoothly. However, this unit, which had once been loyal to Fu Zuoyi, faced new challenges and missions after the reorganization.
The reorganization work was presided over by political work cadres dispatched by the North China Military Region, who conscientiously carried out the instructions of Zhou Enlai and Nie Rongzhen. First of all, a detailed political review of the officers and men of the guard regiment was carried out, which eliminated potential destabilizing factors. The two arrested battalion commanders were severely punished, but the other ordinary soldiers who were deceived were educated and reformed.
In this process, a young officer named Zhang Guohua stood out. He was originally a company commander in the guard regiment, and he distinguished himself in the turmoil, not only not being confused by rumors, but also actively cooperating with the work of the new regime. The political cadres unanimously agreed that talents like Zhang Guohua were exactly what the reorganized guard regiment needed.
After careful consideration, the higher authorities decided that Zhang Guohua would serve as the head of the reorganized guard regiment. This appointment is not only a recognition of Zhang Guohua's ability, but also a kind of appeasement to the officers and men of the former guard regiment. After all, it is easier to gain the trust and support of the soldiers if you are led by your own people.
Under the leadership of Zhang Guohua, the reorganized guard regiment soon showed a new look. Their first task was to assist the Beiping Municipal Public Security Bureau in maintaining law and order in the city. The task may seem simple, but it can be challenging. As a big city, Beiping has a complicated social situation, coupled with the change of regime, it is inevitable that there will be some chaos.
The officers and men of the guard regiment began to patrol the streets and alleys of Beiping. They are no longer Fu Zuoyi's private army, but an important force in the new regime's governance of the city. Zhang Guohua called on all officers and men to assume their new identities and win the trust of the citizens with concrete actions.
Once, near Xidan, a patrol group of the guard regiment spotted a gang of gangsters who were committing a robbery. These gangsters were originally some stragglers left behind by the Kuomintang, who took advantage of the chaotic period of the change of power to commit crimes. The patrol team immediately launched an operation, and after a fierce pursuit, the gang was finally wiped out.
This successful operation not only won the praise of the citizens, but also gave the officers and men of the guard regiment a new sense of belonging. They began to truly understand what it meant to serve the people.
In addition to maintaining law and order, the guard regiment also undertook the task of assisting in the takeover of the remaining institutions of the Kuomintang. At the time of taking over the Beiping City Government, the officers and men of the Guard Regiment behaved in good order. Not only did they ensure the safety of the handover process, but they also assisted the staff of the new government in taking inventory of files and verifying assets.
One day, while sorting through the archives of the city government, a soldier of the guard regiment found a suspicious document. This document records a batch of gold secretly transferred by the Kuomintang before retreating. When Zhang Guohua learned about it, he immediately reported to his superiors. Under the instructions of their superiors, the guard regiment cooperated with the public security department to launch a secret investigation.
After several days of scouting, they finally found the gold in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. This discovery not only saved a huge amount of wealth for the new regime, but also further dealt a blow to the arrogance of the remnants of the Kuomintang.
The outstanding performance of the guard regiment soon reached the ears of Zhou Enlai and Nie Rongzhen. They were very satisfied with the results of the reorganization of the Guards Regiment as a successful example of the correct handling of the insurrectionary forces.
At the same time, Fu Zuoyi also learned about the new changes in the guard regiment through various channels. When he learned that his old ministry had now become an important force in maintaining peace and stability in the north, he couldn't help but feel a lot of emotion in his heart. He realized that he had made the right choice, and that these soldiers had found a more meaningful direction in life under the new regime.
However, the mission of the Guard Regiment is far from over. As the National Liberation War deepened, they soon received a new task: to assist in the formation of the Beiping Armed Police Force. This is a more challenging job, as it requires not only the extensive experience of the officers and men of the guard regiment, but also the ability to train new recruits.
Zhang Guohua led the guard regiment to actively participate in this new task. They drew up a detailed training plan and unreservedly passed on their experience in maintaining law and order in Peiping to the newly recruited policemen. In this process, the officers and men of the guard regiment are also constantly learning and improving their abilities.
Over time, the Guard Regiment not only successfully assisted in the formation of the Beiping Armed Police Force, but also gradually developed into a new elite force in its own right. Their story became a model for the reorganization of the army in the early days of New China, showing the policy and wisdom of the Chinese Communist Party towards the insurrectionary forces.
Although the reorganization of the guard regiment was only a small episode in the many military changes in the early days of the founding of New China, its impact went far beyond the corner of Beiping. This incident not only succeeded in defusing a potential military conflict, but also provided valuable experience for the new regime in dealing with similar problems.
First, the incident demonstrated the wisdom and flexibility of the Chinese Communist Party in dealing with complex political and military issues. In the face of the threat of the spies in Fu Zuoyi's guard regiment, the Communists neither adopted strong military measures nor chose to calm the situation. On the contrary, through clever tactics, they managed to control the situation in the shortest possible time, while also winning the support of the majority of officers and soldiers. This approach provided a model for resolving the problems of other insurrectionary forces in the future.
Secondly, Ye Jianying's late-night long conversation with Fu Zuoyi reflected the Communist Party's sincerity and respect for the rebel generals. Although Fu Zuoyi had relinquished military power, the Communist Party did not see him as a dispensable role. On the contrary, they listened carefully to Fu Zuoyi's opinions and explained the ins and outs of the matter, and this frank attitude greatly enhanced the mutual trust between the two sides. This won the support of more rebel generals for the new regime and accelerated the process of national liberation.
Moreover, the performance of the Guard Corps after its reorganization proved that the policy of the Communist Party was correct. Through political education and practical work, the army, which had been loyal to the Kuomintang, was quickly transformed into a loyal force of the new regime. This is not only reflected in the daily work of maintaining law and order in Beiping, but also in the major tasks such as taking over the legacy institutions of the Kuomintang and recovering the transferred gold. This successful reorganization experience has provided strong support for the reform of the armed forces throughout the country.
It is worth noting that this incident also highlights the importance of intelligence work in modern warfare. It was precisely because of the intelligence of the secret agents within the guard regiment that the Communists were able to act in a timely manner and avoid a possible bloody clashes. This experience prompted the new regime to pay more attention to intelligence work, and laid the foundation for the establishment of a sound intelligence system in the future.
From a more macro point of view, the reorganization of the guard regiment is an important part of the Communist Party of China's peaceful liberation of Beiping. It not only ensured the peaceful handover of Peiping, but also created favorable conditions for the new regime to rule steadily in this ancient capital. This successful experience of peacefully liberating large cities had a far-reaching impact on the subsequent liberation of Nanjing, Shanghai, and other cities.
In addition, this incident has also provided useful enlightenment for the building of the armed forces in New China. By reorganizing the guard regiment, the Communist Party explored an effective way to transform the Kuomintang army into a people's army. This includes political censorship, ideological education, practical training, and other links. These experiences were widely applied in the subsequent nationwide reform of the armed forces, and made an important contribution to the establishment of a new, loyal army.
The experience of assisting in the formation of the Beiping Armed Police Force after the reorganization of the guard regiment has created a new type of police force. This force not only possesses the discipline and combat effectiveness of the army, but is also familiar with the characteristics of urban public order work, and has become an important force in maintaining social order in New China. This model was later popularized throughout the country and became the prototype of the people's police force.
In the long run, the way in which the Guard Corps was reorganized reflects the attitude of the Communist Party of China toward historical issues. They did not completely deny the role of the old army, nor did they simply copy it. Instead, it adopted the policy of "retaining the essence and removing the dross", and absorbed the beneficial elements while transforming. This wisdom in handling historical issues has provided a reference for New China in dealing with other issues left over from history.
Finally, this event is also a microcosm of social change during the period of alternation of the old and new regimes. It shows that at a major historical turning point, every person, every group, is faced with a choice. The officers and men of the guard regiment have realized the transformation from the old society to the new society through their own choices and practical actions. This close connection between the fate of the individual and the fate of the country is a typical portrayal of that era.