In 1985, a pair of brothers and sisters from Northeast China visited North Korea and learned that their father, who had sacrificed for 48 years, had become a legend in North Korea
In the spring of 1985, an ordinary northeastern brother and sister embarked on a journey to North Korea. They were originally just curious about their father and looking forward to a foreign land, but when they arrived in Pyongyang, they were stunned by what they saw. Crowds of North Koreans greeted them, children held flowers and officials expressed enthusiasm in jerky Chinese. Everywhere they went, people even sprinkled water on the ground to reduce dust as a sign of respect. The siblings were puzzled: Why were two ordinary Chinese people so welcomed? What kind of person is their father, Zhang Weihua? What deeds have you done that make the North Korean people feel so grateful for them? What is even more puzzling is why they know so little about their father, who has become a household name and legend in a foreign land. What kind of historical mystery will this visit unravel for them?
In Fusong County, Jilin Province, there was a wealthy merchant named Zhang Wancheng who ran a fur and ginseng business. In 1920, a North Korean doctor named Kim Hyung-gil came to Fusong with his 8-year-old son, Kim Sung-ju (later Kim Il-sung). At that time, due to the sensitive status of North Koreans, it was difficult for the Kim family to settle in the local area.
By chance, Jin Hengji cured Zhang Wancheng, who was seriously ill, with his superb medical skills. In addition to gratitude, Zhang Wancheng not only helped the Jin family solve the problem of settling down, but also formed a deep friendship between the two families. Zhang Wancheng's son Zhang Weihua is one year younger than Kim Sung-joo, and the two children quickly became good friends who talked about everything.
In 1925, 15-year-old Zhang Weihua and 16-year-old Jin Chengzhu studied together at a local school. In their spare time, the two teenagers often talk about their ideals. Kim Sung-ju is deeply worried about the fate of his motherland, North Korea, while Jang Weihua is also infected by the patriotic feelings of his friends. In the woods, by the river, and in the fields, they discussed how to change the fate of the two countries.
In 1926, Kim Hyung-gil died of illness. On his deathbed, he entrusted his wife with two pistols, hoping that in the future they would be handed over to his son for the revolutionary cause. After the Zhang family learned the news, Zhang Wancheng personally handled Jin Hengji's funeral and helped the Jin family tide over the difficulties in many ways. This kindness deeply touched the young Jin Chengzhu, and also made Zhang Weihua more determined to join the revolution with Jin Chengzhu.
In 1927, Kim Sung-ju formed the first revolutionary organization in Jilin. Although Zhang Weihua is still young, he also secretly provides help to his friend's career as much as he can. He used his father's business connections to pass information on Kim Sung-joo, and sometimes secretly took some money from his family to fund revolutionary activities.
On a cold winter day in 1928, Jin Chengzhu, who was studying in Jilin, suddenly received a notice that someone had come to look for him. When he returned to the dormitory, he saw Zhang Weihua in the dust. It turned out that Zhang Weihua learned that his father was going to send him to Shenyang to study, but he thought that Jin Chengzhu was in need of help, so he stole his father's pistol and walked to Jilin for two months to join the revolution.
Kim Sung-joo was both moved and worried. He was well aware of the dangers of the revolution and could not bear to let his best friend take risks. So, he arranged for Zhang Weihua to work as a teacher in Yushutun, not far from Jilin, to cover the underground work as an identity. During this period, Zhang Weihua not only taught and educated people, but also secretly disseminated revolutionary ideas and developed comrades.
In 1929, the situation became more and more serious. Kim Sung-ju decided to go to the mountains to build a revolutionary army. Considering Zhang Weihua's safety, he persuaded his friends to return to Fusong for the time being, and then come back to join the revolution after completing their studies. Although Zhang Weihua was reluctant, he still followed his friend's advice.
After returning to Fusong, Zhang Weihua did not give up his revolutionary ideals. He secretly organized the "Communist Youth League" in his hometown and carried out underground struggles. He took advantage of his father's business to transmit information and materials to the revolutionary organization. Sometimes, he would venture to Jilin to keep in touch with Kim Sung-joo.
In 1930, Kim Sung-joo was arrested and imprisoned for participating in the riots. After Zhang Weihua learned the news, he immediately used his family connections to inquire around and try to rescue his friends. When he heard that Jin Chengzhu had been released, he immediately rushed to Jilin to look for him. However, the city of Jilin was heavily guarded, and was full of military police and Japan agents.
Just as Zhang Weihua was about to leave Jilin, he met Jin Chengzhu on the train who was about to escape. At the critical moment, Zhang Weihua calmly pretended to be a rich young master, and brought Jin Chengzhu into the first-class carriage to avoid the interrogation of the military police. At the next stop, Zhang Weihua skillfully used his father's business connections to successfully help Kim Sung-ju escape from the tiger's mouth.
This thrilling rescue experience made Zhang Weihua more determined to revolutionize. He understood that although he was born into a wealthy family, his true value lay in contributing to the cause of national liberation. Since then, Zhang Weihua has lived the life of a rich young master on the surface, but secretly devoted himself to the revolutionary cause.
After the outbreak of the September 18 Incident in 1931, Zhang Weihua realized that the revolutionary situation was more urgent. He decided to take advantage of his identity and opened a photo studio in Fusong County. The photo studio, called Shincho, quickly became a well-known local venue, attracting not only ordinary people, but also Japan military officers and local officials.
Zhang Weihua concealed his true intentions as the owner of the photo studio. He took advantage of the opportunity to take pictures of his guests and gathered a lot of information about the movements of the Japanese army and the local government. At the same time, the backyard of the photo studio became a place for secret meetings of underground party members. Zhang Weihua skillfully uses the darkroom as a cover for cryptographic communication and file delivery.
In the spring of 1932, Zhang Weihua received a secret letter from Kim Sung-joo, asking him to establish a secret intelligence network in Fusong. Zhang Weihua immediately set about taking action, and he first developed several reliable clerks as underground party members. Under the pretext of sending photographs, these clerks went deep into villages and towns to gather information and develop new comrades.
In order to expand the revolutionary power, Zhang Weihua also used his status as the son of a wealthy merchant to frequently attend banquets and gatherings of the local upper class. On these occasions, he quietly inquired about the movements of the Japanese army and the puppet government of Manchukuo, and at the same time looked for possible revolutionary comrades.
In the summer of 1933, Zhang Weihua learned that the Japanese army planned to build a secret military base near Fusong County. He immediately organized his manpower and took great risks to sneak around the site and draw up detailed topographic maps and building layouts. This information was passed on to the anti-Japanese forces led by Kim Sung-ju through secret channels, providing key information for a successful raid that followed.
As the revolutionary activities deepened, Zhang Weihua's situation became more and more dangerous. In 1934, Japan agents launched a large-scale search of underground organizations in the Fusong area. Zhang Weihua was in danger, and he skillfully used his "friendly" relations with Japan officers to provide cover for underground party members. He even held a photo exhibition of Japan officers in a photo studio, taking the opportunity to successfully transfer several important underground party members disguised as staff members to successfully move out of the danger zone.
At the beginning of 1935, Zhang Weihua received a difficult task: to establish a secret supply line for Kim Sung-joo's troops. He made full use of his father's business network to build a series of secret warehouses throughout the Northeast under the cover of purchasing photographic equipment. These warehouses not only stored large quantities of food, medicine and ammunition, but also served as temporary shelters for revolutionaries.
However, as time went on, Japan agents became increasingly suspicious of Zhang Weihua. In the spring of 1936, the emergence of a traitor put the entire underground network in jeopardy. Zhang Weihua immediately made a decision, destroyed all the secret documents in the photo studio overnight, and arranged for most of the comrades to evacuate. He himself stayed behind to continue maneuvering and buy time for the others.
Just when the Japan spies were about to close the net, Zhang Weihua planned a thrilling large-scale intelligence transmission operation. In the name of holding a photo contest, he invited many photography enthusiasts from the surrounding area to Fusong. In the chaos of the game, a large amount of important intelligence and materials were secretly transferred, and the Japanese blockade was successfully broken.
Although this operation was successful, it also exposed Zhang Weihua to great danger. In early 1937, Japan agents finally launched a comprehensive investigation into him. Zhang Weihua knew that he could no longer lurk in Fusong, but he did not flee immediately. Instead, he used his last days to hide all the untransferred documents and supplies in a secret cellar of the photo studio and arranged for reliable comrades to retrieve them later.
One night in March 1937, Zhang Weihua finally left his hometown, where he had lived for nearly 30 years. He disguised himself as an ordinary merchant and embarked on a long journey to Yan'an. Before leaving, he left a letter to his father, explaining who he really was and what he had done over the years, asking for his understanding and support.
Zhang Weihua's departure marked the end of an important stage of Fusong's underground revolutionary activities. However, the seeds of revolution he sowed here did not disappear. Those underground party members who were developed and cultivated by him continued to persist in the struggle and became an important force in the later war of resistance against Japan. And Zhang Weihua himself will continue to contribute his strength to the cause of national liberation on the new battlefield.
On June 25, 1950, the Korean War broke out. Zhang Weihua, who had become a senior cadre of the Communist Party of China at that time, immediately asked his superiors to join the Volunteer Army. Taking into account his special relationship with Kim Il Sung and his familiarity with the terrain of North Korea, the organization quickly granted his request.
In October 1950, Zhang Weihua crossed the Yalu River with the first batch of troops of the Chinese People's Volunteers and entered the Korean battlefield. As a political commissar, he was assigned to the 42nd Division of the 126th Army of the Volunteer Army. The task of this division was to conduct operations on the western front of Korea and prevent the UN forces from advancing on the Sino-Korean border.
Soon after arriving in North Korea, Zhang Weihua faced a serious challenge. In late November, during the Battle of the Cheongchon River, the 126th Division encountered a fierce attack by the 1st Cavalry Division of the US Army. Faced with a well-armed enemy, the officers and men of the Volunteer Army were in a difficult situation. At this critical moment, Zhang Weihua stepped forward and personally led a reinforced company to cross the enemy's blockade line at night, successfully cutting off the supply route of the American army.
This operation not only disrupted the enemy's disposition, but also greatly boosted the morale of the volunteers. Zhang Weihua's bravery and wisdom were praised by the whole division. However, he did not become complacent because of this, but threw himself into the fight even harder.
At the beginning of 1951, the Volunteer Army launched the third campaign. The 126th Division was ordered to participate in the assault on Seoul (present-day Seoul). In this operation, Zhang Weihua once again showed his talent. He came up with a bold plan: to use the cover of the night to allow a small detachment to sneak behind enemy lines and destroy the enemy's communications facilities and command centers.
This plan, while extremely risky, would greatly weaken the enemy's defenses if successful. After obtaining the approval of his superiors, Zhang Weihua personally led the team to carry out the mission. Risking their lives, they managed to penetrate deep into enemy positions, blowing up several important communications centers and an ammunition depot.
This operation created favorable conditions for the capture of Seoul by the Volunteers. However, Zhang Weihua was unfortunately hit by a stray bullet while retreating and was seriously injured. Despite this, he insisted on directing the safe evacuation of the troops, and he did not allow himself to be taken to the rear hospital until the last fighter withdrew from the danger zone.
While recuperating in the hospital, Zhang Weihua did not stop working. He used this time to analyze the situation at the front in detail and wrote a report on how to improve the tactics of the Volunteer Army. This report was later sent to the headquarters of the Volunteer Army, where many of its recommendations were adopted and put into practice.
After recovering from his injuries, Zhang Weihua immediately returned to the front line. In the second half of 1951, the war entered a phase of stalemate, and the two sides engaged in a tug-of-war near the 38th parallel. During this period, Zhang Weihua played another specialty of his: psychological warfare.
He organized a special propaganda team to use radio and leaflets to spread peace messages to enemy positions and shake the morale of enemy troops. At the same time, he also used his knowledge of Korean culture to help the volunteers better communicate with the local people and win the support of the North Korean people.
In the spring of 1952, the Volunteer Army launched the famous Battle of Shangganling. The 126th Division, as one of the main forces, participated in this fierce battle for position. During the battles that lasted for months, Zhang Weihua braved artillery fire many times to go deep into the front line to comfort the soldiers and organize supplies. His presence always brings new strength to the tired soldiers.
During a fierce attack by enemy troops, a regiment of the 126th Division fell into encirclement. Zhang Weihua once again showed his courage and wisdom. He led a small detachment through the enemy's artillery blockade and brought much-needed ammunition and medical supplies to the encircled troops. This operation not only saved the lives of many fighters, but also helped the regiment to successfully break through.
In July 1953, the Korean War was coming to an end. In the last few battles, Zhang Weihua is still fighting on the front line. He participated in the organization of the Battle of Jincheng, the last large-scale offensive launched by the Volunteer Army before the armistice. In this battle, the 126th Division achieved an important victory, laying a favorable foundation for the final armistice.
On July 27, the Korean Armistice Agreement was formally signed in Panmunjom. After the war, Zhang Weihua did not immediately return to China. At the invitation of Kim Il Sung, he remained in North Korea to assist in post-war reconstruction. In the months that followed, he made an important contribution to the economic recovery and social stability of the DPRK.
At the beginning of 1954, Zhang Weihua finally embarked on a journey back to his motherland. Before leaving, Kim Il Sung personally held a grand farewell ceremony for him in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the war. Although Zhang Weihua left North Korea, his legendary story in this land will forever remain in the memory of the North Korean people.
In the spring of 1954, Zhang Weihua returned to China from North Korea and was highly valued by the Party Central Committee. In view of his outstanding performance in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Korean War, as well as his rich revolutionary experience, the Central Committee decided to send him to the northeast region to participate in the local socialist construction work.
Zhang Weihua was appointed as a member of the Standing Committee of the Heilongjiang Provincial Party Committee, in charge of industrial and agricultural production. This was a difficult task, because Heilongjiang Province was facing the dual challenges of industrialization and agricultural collectivization. Zhang Weihua gave full play to his organizational skills and decision-making courage that he had cultivated during the Korean War, and quickly threw himself into his work.
In 1955, Zhang Weihua put forward the development strategy of "agriculture and industry go hand in hand". He believes that Heilongjiang Province should pay attention to the modernization of agriculture while developing heavy industry. To this end, he personally led a team to go deep into the countryside to investigate the local production situation. During a trip to the countryside, Zhang Weihua discovered a farmer named Wang Gui, who had invented a new type of farming method that greatly increased grain production. Zhang Weihua immediately decided to promote this method throughout the province and personally won the title of "model worker" for Wang Gui.
In industry, Zhang Weihua actively promotes technological innovation. He put forward the slogan "Learn from the Soviet Union, base yourself on the local area", and encouraged the workers to introduce advanced technology while also making improvements according to the actual local conditions. In 1956, with his support, the Harbin Electric Machinery Factory successfully developed the largest hydro-generator set in Asia at that time, which not only met domestic demand, but also exported to other socialist countries.
However, Zhang's work has not been without its challenges. After the Anti-Rightist Movement began in 1957, he was questioned for supporting the critical views of some intellectuals earlier. Some accused him of being "right-leaning," but Mr. Zhang did not back down. He openly said that criticism and self-criticism are the party's fine traditions, and we should not be quick to buckle our hats. This attitude of courageously adhering to principles has won the respect of many comrades.
After the Great Leap Forward began in 1958, Zhang Weihua once again demonstrated his vision. In the face of unrealistically high targets put forward in some places, he remained calm and rational. At a meeting of the provincial party committee, he clearly pointed out: "We must seek truth from facts, and we cannot blindly pursue high targets in isolation from the actual situation." This attitude, while somewhat "out of place" at the time, was later proven to be correct.
In 1959, the country experienced severe economic difficulties. Zhang Weihua immediately took action and organized a campaign to "save grain, increase production and save". He took the lead in reducing official receptions and distributing the food saved to those who needed it most. At the same time, he also organized a team of "science and technology to the countryside" to help farmers improve their planting techniques and increase grain production.
In the early 1960s, Sino-Soviet relations deteriorated. As one of the leaders of Heilongjiang Province, which borders the Soviet Union, Zhang Weihua faces serious challenges. On the one hand, he strengthened border defense, and on the other hand, he also paid attention to maintaining normal trade with the Soviet localities, so as to ensure the stability and development of the border areas.
When the Cultural Revolution broke out in 1966, Zhang Weihua once again faced political risks. Some rebels accused him of being a "capitalist roader" and demanded that he be brought down. Faced with this situation, Zhang Weihua behaved very calmly. He took the initiative to explain his history to the masses and expressed his willingness to accept criticism. His sincerity and rich revolutionary experience made many people skeptical of his accusations.
Despite this, Zhang Weihua was temporarily relieved of his post. But he did not get depressed, but took the initiative to ask to be sent to the countryside to participate in labor. During his time in the countryside, he ate, lived and worked with the peasants, winning the trust and support of the masses. He also took advantage of this opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the actual situation in the rural areas and accumulated valuable experience for the subsequent agricultural reform.
In 1971, after the Lin Biao incident, the political situation changed. Zhang Weihua was rehabilitated and returned to his leadership position. This time, he was appointed vice chairman of the State Planning Commission, responsible for the country's economic planning work. In this position, Zhang Weihua gave full play to his talents and experience.
In 1975, Zhang Weihua put forward the economic policy of "adjustment, reform, rectification, and improvement", which was a few years earlier than the later reform and opening up policy. He advocated that while adhering to the socialist orientation, it is also necessary to appropriately introduce the market mechanism and improve economic efficiency. These viewpoints laid an important ideological foundation for the later reform and opening up.
In 1978, the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was held, marking the beginning of reform and opening up. As a senior cadre in the economic field, Zhang Weihua actively participated in the formulation and implementation of reform and opening up policies. He particularly stressed the need to give play to the enthusiasm of local localities and encourage all localities to explore development paths according to their own characteristics.
At Zhang's suggestion, the state approved the creation of several special economic zones, including Shenzhen. He personally participated in the planning and construction of the Special Economic Zone and made important contributions to China's opening up.
In 1982, Zhang Weihua, who was over seventy years old, officially retired. But he did not stop caring about nation-building. In the years after his retirement, he was often invited to give lectures to young cadres, sharing his revolutionary experience and thoughts on the development of the country. Throughout his life, from the anti-Japanese guerrilla warfare in Northeast China to the Korean battlefield and then to the domestic political stage, he has always struggled for China's development and progress.
After his official retirement in 1982, Zhang Weihua did not sit idle, but continued to contribute to national construction in a new way. He is often invited to participate in various symposia and seminars to provide advice on the development of the country. In this process, he paid special attention to the two areas of rural reform and opening up, which are closely related to his previous work experience.
In 1984, Zhang Weihua was invited back to Heilongjiang Province to inspect the progress of rural reform. During this expedition, he discovered a rural development model called the "Daqing Model". This model, which combines industrialization with agricultural modernization, has achieved remarkable results. Zhang Weihua immediately submitted a detailed report to the central government, recommending that the model be promoted nationwide. This report received the attention of the central leadership and played an important role in the subsequent rural reform.
In 1986, Zhang Weihua, who was already 74 years old, set foot on North Korean soil again. This visit was different from his earlier experience of war, but as a messenger of peace. He held in-depth discussions with the DPRK side on economic cooperation and cultural exchanges. During his visit, he also paid special attention to some Korean comrades whom he had met during the war, and this reunion touched both sides. This visit not only enhanced the friendship between China and the DPRK, but also provided an opportunity for Zhang Weihua to review his revolutionary career and reflect on the importance of peace and development.
In 1988, Zhang Weihua began to organize his memoirs. In the process, he not only recorded his own personal experience, but also deeply reflected on the course of China's revolution and construction. He particularly stressed the importance of seeking truth from facts, believing that this is the key to the CPC's continuous victories. This memoir later became an important source for the study of modern Chinese history.
In the early 1990s, China's reform and opening up entered a new stage. Despite his advanced age, Zhang Weihua still keeps a close eye on the country's developments. He paid special attention to the development of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, the establishment of which he had previously participated in. In 1992, when Deng Xiaoping was touring south, Zhang Weihua wrote a long letter expressing his support for speeding up the pace of reform and opening up. This letter was later circulated to the central government and became one of the important voices supporting reform and opening up.
In 1995, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Zhang Weihua was invited to participate in a series of commemorative activities. During these activities, he not only recalled his own experience in the anti-Japanese guerrillas in Northeast China, but also emphasized the importance of the spirit of internationalism. He pointed out that it was precisely because of the support of international friends such as the Soviet Union and the DPRK that China was able to achieve a final victory in the difficult War of Resistance Against Japan. This view provides a new perspective on the history of the War of Resistance Against Japan.
In 1997, Hong Kong returned to the motherland. As an old revolutionary who has experienced major historical events such as the establishment of old China, the establishment of new China, and reform and opening up, Zhang Weihua pays special attention to this historic moment. He wrote an article reviewing China's humiliating history in modern times and emphasizing the great significance of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. This article was widely disseminated in the media at the time and played a positive role in enhancing national self-confidence.
After entering the 21st century, although his physical condition has deteriorated, Zhang Weihua's spirit is still strong. He continues to pay attention to national affairs and contribute to national construction within the scope of his ability. In 2002, he paid particular attention to developments following China's accession to the World Trade Organization. He believes that this is an important step for China to further integrate into the world economic system, but it also brings new challenges. He suggested that the government should strengthen the reform of state-owned enterprises and enhance their international competitiveness.
In 2005, Zhang Weihua ushered in his 93rd birthday. On this special day, he received blessings from all over the country. Among them, what touched him the most was a letter from the countryside of Heilongjiang. The letter said that thanks to the strategy of "advancing agriculture and industry simultaneously" that he put forward a few years ago, the countryside has now undergone earth-shaking changes. This made Zhang Weihua deeply relieved and felt that his life's struggle was not in vain.
In 2007, Zhang Weihua passed away at the age of 95. After his death, people from all walks of life across the country sent messages of condolence one after another to cherish the memory of this revolutionary of the older generation who made great contributions to China's revolution and construction. His life, from the anti-Japanese guerrilla war in Northeast China to the Korean battlefield, to the domestic political stage, and finally as a think tank to provide advice for the development of the country, it can really be said that it spanned more than half a century of modern Chinese history. His revolutionary spirit, pragmatic style, and strategic vision have all left a valuable spiritual wealth to future generations.
Zhang Weihua's life has witnessed China's journey from poverty and weakness to prosperity and strength. His experience is not only a personal legend, but also a microcosm of modern Chinese history. His contributions are not only reflected in specific policies and decisions, but also in his consistent revolutionary spirit and deep thinking about the country's development. All these will become important materials for future generations to study modern Chinese history.