On April 24, 1949, under the meticulous arrangements of Premier Zhou, the family of Zhang Zhizhong, chief representative of the Kuomintang peace talks, arrived safely at Xiyuan Airport on a special plane of the Kuomintang.
At the airport, Zhang Zhizhong gratefully said to Premier Zhou: "Brother Enlai, you can really stay with guests." Thank you, thank you. ”
Premier Zhou rushed to the Beijing Hotel with Zhang Zhizhong and his family, and Premier Zhou had already arranged a room on the first floor of the Beijing Hotel in advance.
On the eve of the founding of New China, Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou were very busy in their work, not only commanding the war of liberation, but also busy preparing for the convening of the New Political Consultative Conference. Work is tedious and extremely busy.
Chairman Mao on the eve of the founding of New China
Chairman Mao, who was always in charge, was still worried about Zhang Zhizhong's affairs. After a meeting, Chairman Mao said to Premier Zhou: "Enlai, Mr. Wen Bai's family always lives in the Beijing Hotel, and it is not a long-term solution. ”
Premier Zhou nodded: "Chairman, I have already told the comrades in the General Office to find a house, and these few days should be able to settle down." Rest assured, I will implement it as soon as possible. ”
Chairman Mao smiled: "Good, good! ”
In fact, when Premier Zhou arranged for Zhang Zhizhong's family to stay temporarily in the Beijing Hotel, he had already instructed the relevant responsible comrades to solve the housing problem for Zhang Zhizhong.
Premier Zhou said in a serious tone: "Mr. Zhang Zhizhong is a peace general who went to Yan'an three times and is also a good friend of Chairman Mao, so we must take this work seriously and find a house that satisfies Mr. Zhang as soon as possible." There are several requirements for the big aspect: one is spacious, the second is that the traffic should be convenient, the third is that the environment should be quiet, and the fourth is that Mr. and Mrs. Zhang should be satisfied. ”
Premier Zhou on the eve of the founding of New China
The comrade in charge nodded: "You can rest assured, we promise to complete the task." ”
Premier Zhou also deliberately stressed: "Remember, the work should be done carefully, and the most important thing is to make Mr. and Mrs. Zhang satisfied." One does not work, look at two places, two do not look at three, until Mr. Zhang is satisfied. ”
The comrade in charge replied: "Vice Chairman Zhou, I understand, you can rest assured." ”
The General Office of the Central Committee first arranged a small Western-style building in Fangjian Lane, which is a single-door courtyard, and the building is also very beautiful and of good quality. After Reading it, Mr. and Mrs. Zhang Zhizhong said: "The house is good, but the room is too small to live in, and it is inconvenient to go up and down the stairs." ”
The comrade of the General Office asked, "Mr. Zhang, how do you see the bungalow?" ”
Zhang Zhizhong and Hong Xihou discussed and said: "Bungalows are also OK. The courtyard in Beijing is still good. ”
The next day, the comrades of the General Office led Zhang Zhizhong and his wife to No. 5 Xizongbu Hutong, which is a three-entry non-courtyard, very grand, the three courtyards have a total of more than 30 houses, Zhang Zhizhong is very satisfied.
Hong Xihou spoke: "It's very good here, that is, there are too many high thresholds, there are many steps, enter the gate on the steps, enter the second door on the steps, enter the third door and go up the steps ..."
Zhang Zhizhong had no choice but to say to the comrades in the General Office: "I'm really sorry, it's too much trouble for you." Madame is not in good health, walking is not easy, can you change places. ”
The comrade of the General Office said: "Mr. Zhang, you are not welcome, we will look at a few more places." Vice Chairman Zhou has instructed you to be satisfied. ”
Later, I watched it several times, but for various reasons it was still not suitable. When Premier Zhou found out, he said: "To serve the people, you can't be afraid of trouble. There are so many houses in Beiping, there will always be Mr. Zhang satisfied. ”
Mr. Zhang Zhizhong
In the end, Zhang Zhizhong and his wife met a bungalow at No. 14 Dongbu Hutong. The house was originally built by a German giant merchant and is in the Gothic style. After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, it became the residence of Sun Lianzhong, commander of the Kuomintang 11th Theater.
The house is palatial, spacious and bright, the restaurant is particularly large, the hardware is also very good, there is a large lawn and a small garden in front of the house, and there is a flower room behind the house. Zhang Zhizhong and his wife were full of praise, and they were sure that it was this house.
The night after Zhang Zhizhong's family moved in, Premier Zhou and Deng Yingchao came together to visit Zhang Zhizhong and his wife. As soon as he entered the courtyard, Premier Zhou said in a loud voice, "Brother Wen Bai, we have given you a congratulatory greeting." ”
Mr. and Mrs. Zhang Zhizhong hurriedly opened the door to welcome the guests: "Mr. Enlai, please, please." ”
After the greeting, Premier Zhou went straight to the subject: "Brother Wen Bai, Chairman Mao's meaning, you still have to participate in the work of the new government." ”
Zhang Zhizhong resigned: "You and Chairman Mao have repeatedly persuaded me to join the work of the new government, and I understand your kindness. However, I am a person from the old society, and it is better not to enter politics. ”
Chairman Mao, Premier Zhou and Mr. Zhang Zhizhong
Premier Zhou asked, "Do the people from the old society want to revolutionize?" ”
Zhang Zhizhong smiled: "Of course, we want revolution, others can be abandoned, and revolution cannot be abandoned!" ”
Premier Zhou then asked, "Does the Communist Party welcome everyone to come together for the revolution?" ”
Zhang Zhizhong replied: "Of course, the Communist Party of course welcomes everyone to be revolutionary, and the stronger the revolutionary contingent, the more people the better." ”
Premier Zhou continued to ask: "You want revolution, and the Communist Party welcomes you to revolution." So why don't you join the new government? ”
Zhang Zhizhong laughed loudly: "Brother Enlai, I will participate." ”
Premier Zhou also laughed loudly: "Brother Wen Bai, this is right!" You're not yet 60 years old, so how can you not be revolutionary? ”
Premier Zhou and Zhang Zhizhong talked late at night before saying goodbye to Deng Yingchao. Zhang Zhizhong and his wife sent Premier Zhou to the gate, and Premier Zhou shook Zhang Zhizhong's hand and said: "Brother Wen Bai, or Chairman Mao's words, "The past stage is equivalent to passing the Chinese New Year's Eve, and in the future we will have to start from the beginning of the New Year." Unity is restored, everything in Vientiane is renewed, and we all start from scratch. ”
Zhang Zhizhong said happily, "Good! I must have learned from scratch and started from scratch. ”
Many years later, Zhang Zhizhong said in his memoirs: "He was elected as a member of the CppcC National Committee, elected as a member of the Central People's Government, and finally elected as a member of the Chinese Revolutionary Military Commission. All three committees were under the direct leadership of Chairman Mao. Chairman Mao's implementation of the policy of the democratic united front, pushing it forward, will also enable me to participate in the cause of building a new China. This makes me ashamed and makes me feel honored! ”
Under the inspiration of Chairman Mao Zhou, Zhang Zhizhong laid down his burdens and bid farewell to the past, making many contributions to new China.
(Note: For the sake of respect and convenience, Comrade Zhou Enlai has been writing about Premier Zhou in the text)
(Remarks: For the sake of respect and convenience, Comrade Zhou Enlai in the article is always written as Premier Zhou)