1. Arrived in Wuhan

The train on Yuehan Road took three days and three nights to carry us to Xujiapeng Station. It was the evening of the ninth. In a daze, he indiscriminately accepted the poster of a small inn in Hankou, and crossed the river under the leadership of Mr. Receptionist.

The inn was small and overcrowded, but upstairs it was a big room for us. The smell of opium smoke, the noise of mahjong tiles, and the laughter of the goddesses, all of which were playing American jazz music in harmony, surrounded us all night long. However, Wuhan is already the heart of the Anti-Japanese War!

The next day, I talked to the garrison headquarters on the phone, and inquired about the address of the office of the Eighth Route Army, and unexpectedly learned that Ye Xiyi (Ting) was also here, and the "New Fourth Army Office" had been established. I also talked on the phone with the two offices at the same time, Zhou Gong (Enlai) was in a meeting, and the person who answered the phone asked me to call again at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Xiyi received a call, but promised to come and see us first, telling us to wait in the inn.

After a while, the alarm was put off. At that time, Hankou did not have air defense equipment for the general public. During the pre-warning, although there were many people running around on the street, most of them ran to the river or an open place in the suburbs to take refuge. If you don't want to hide, you don't have to run at all. We didn't run either, and kept using the inn as an air-raid shelter. After the emergency alarm was put off, only then was the city silent. Out of curiosity, I once walked out of the arcade to take a look, but was interfered with by the members of the protection team on the street. This can be very serious. After a while, several members of the protection team gathered and poured into the building.

It was very ferocious, and there was a lot of momentum to arrest me. They meant it so clearly that they didn't say it, but I said it for them.

"You think I'm a traitor, sending signals to enemy planes on the riding floor, don't you? ……”

"Who the hell are you? You say, you say! A middle-aged man grabbed my left hand and shook me several times.

Su Jun, who came with me, was anxious: "You can't be so rude, this is Deputy Director Guo!" ”

"Deputy Director? What deputy director? The bearer still asked unconvinced, but his anger was already a little soft. The others have lost their first courage, and some have already retreated to the door.

"What deputy director? Deputy Director of the General Political Department of the General Headquarters of the National Revolutionary Army! Did you forget? ”

This is the old official title of the Northern Expedition, just like "Dead Zhuge shackled away "Sheng Zhongda", but this old official rank hacked away the protection regiment. During the Northern Expedition, the General Political Department had a prestige in Wuhan, and I often participated in large-scale mass meetings in those years. These people who are going to arrest me may have listened to my speech. So they made a 180-degree shift and started apologizing to me.

That made me a little embarrassed. Originally, I did something wrong, but I provoked others to apologize.

2. "Grievances"

After the alarm was lifted, Xiyi arrived.

We met in Nanjing three months ago. At that time, the Red Army units that were concentrated in various parts of the southern part of the Yangtze River were preparing to be reorganized into the New Fourth Army, with him as the commander. After three months of preparation, the work was ready. His office had only been established for a long time, but it was probably coming to an end soon: because he would soon be on the front lines.

I asked him: What does Chen Cheng mean by coming to me this time?

"Shall I call you an official," replied Xiyi, "and keep you in bondage." Let's go look for Zhou Gong, he will definitely know more details. ”

"I called just now, and the person who answered the phone said that Zhou Gong was in a meeting and asked me to call again at three o'clock."

"Even the person answering the phone doesn't know about you. …… However, they are indeed very busy. So, let's go see Huang Qixiang first. ”

I was dragged by Xiyi to the Xuangong Hotel in the French Concession to meet Huang Qixiang. It was only because of his statement that I punctured a stuffy gourd.

It turned out that the Kuomintang army planned to restore the Political Department, with Chen Cheng as the minister, Zhou Enlai and Huang Qixiang as the deputy ministers, and there were four departments under it, and the first, second, and third departments were set up outside the General Affairs Department, the first department was in charge of party affairs in the army, the second department was in charge of mass organizations, and the third department was in charge of propaganda.

"This really wronged you," Huang Qixiang said politely as if he had already become a vice minister, "Chen Cheng originally wanted to set up three vice ministers, but the 'old man' said that there are only two in other ministries, and it is not good to set up three in the political department." However, another workaround was to hire you as a member of the steering committee on the one hand, so as to show that your status was above that of the director. "As for myself," Qi Xiang continued, "I may also be the head of the second hall." ”

"If you want to say that you are wronged, I have wronged you." I replied, "I don't care about status, can you guarantee a job?" ”

"Of course you have a job as the head of the department, but the deputy minister is an empty shelf."

"Do the job of selling plasters? Honestly, I've done enough. The question is whether the work of popular mobilization can be carried out in a real way. ”

"Take your time, I don't dare say anything today. Assuming that I am the director of the second department, I believe that it will be compatible with your propaganda and quasi-cooperation. ”

"But I can believe that the head of the third hall can let me do it, and the head of the second hall will never let you do it."

"I'm afraid it's still ......."

"Lao Guo's words are right," Xiyi said, "I dare to believe it." If the 'old man' would make you the head of the second department, why wouldn't he let you or Enlai be the head of the political department? Didn't you work as Chen Cheng's teacher in Baoding (Military Academy), and didn't Enlai be the original ancestor of political work? It's actually okay to let Lao Guo do it, why do you have to ask Chen Cheng to do it? ”

"You are all too ideal," Huang Qixiang also said a little helplessly, "In fact, it is already progress, compared to Chen Lifu as the director of the sixth department!" ”

At the time, no one could deny this. The sixth department is the predecessor of the new Political Department, which was also established under the Military Commission after the start of the Anti-Japanese War, and now it will be changed to the Political Department, and Chen Cheng will replace Chen Lifu. At that time, it was indeed a bit like, not only the soup was changed, but also the medicine was changed. As an ingredient in medicine, didn't even Zhou Enlai and Huang Qixiang have to be added?

After coming out of the Xuangong Hotel, Xiyi asked us to simply move to his office, and we were naturally very happy. So he moved from the inn to No. 26 Taihe Street.

3. "Squeeze together"

At night, in the room of Zhou Gong in the Eighth Route Army Office, I saw Zhou Gong, Ying Chao, Wang Ming, Bo Gu, Lin Lao and Dong Lao.

Wang Ming is the first time they met, Bo Gu met once in Nanjing three months ago, the others are old friends who have not seen each other for ten years, and it is indeed a miracle that they can see each other again in Wuhan after ten years.

It is only one or two horizontal streets away from the New Fourth Army Office, and it is in the same Japanese concession, which was originally a foreign company of the Japanese. But here the situation is completely different, the air is very tense, everyone is happily busy with their work, and there is not a single idler in sight.

After enthusiastically reminiscing about old feelings, they talked about the restoration of the Political Department.

The situation that Zhou Gong said was similar to what Huang Qixiang said, but he said that the director of the second hall had the same opinion as us. He said that it would not be for Huang Qixiang or other third-party friends to take the same role, and it might fall on the heads of Fan Hanjie or Kang Ze. - This speculation is accurate, and it didn't take long for Kang Ze to be appointed as the director of the second hall.

At that time, I expressed my unwillingness to do it. Let me start by saying that I am deaf and not suitable for this kind of work. Secondly, I believe that doing propaganda work under the control of the Kuomintang can only sell plasters for the reactionaries and help deceive. Third, it should be more effective for me to speak in a free position than to join an incapable ** organization. I believe that once I become an official, the young people will not forgive me.

But I was criticized for saying this. It was mainly Wang Ming who expressed his opinion. He said: The current situation has been achieved by striving for it, and although we are not yet satisfied, we still have to work hard to win it, and we must absolutely not retreat. People who can pass both are currently feeling the need, and there is still a little less. We don't want to do it, but we want to do it. We're going to fight for work. To work in the reactionary camp, the Communist Party will first be able to understand, and the understanding of the youth will not be a problem.

Although I can't refute this, I'm not convinced. I just had a vague feeling that nothing would come of my work. I have had enough of the stubbornness of the reactionaries. During the Northern Expedition, I have experienced it for two years, and since the Anti-Japanese War, I have also experienced it for four months, is it possible for ice and charcoal to be compatible? Moreover, there is also the stubbornness of the Japanese invaders, the great enemy of Japanese imperialism, and I have experienced it for 20 years. If our work is ineffective, we will be criticized by history.

Zhou Gong spoke. He said: "It's okay to think about it, so you might as well listen to your friends' opinions." Where necessary, we also have to secure some favourable conditions. But let's not take propaganda too lightly. Propaganda should focus on education, and I would rather be the director of the third department and let you be the deputy minister. But they wouldn't say yes. To be honest, with you as the head of the third department, I can only consider accepting their deputy minister, otherwise it would be meaningless. ”

Then another friend half-jokingly said, "This is the first time that the regime has been opened, and although the door is still very small, we should try to squeeze it wider." Let's go and squeeze together. ”

Fourth, the temptation of the puppet

Although the Kuomintang in Nanjing and the Central Party Headquarters of the Kuomintang have all moved to Chongqing, the important figures in the party, government and military aspects of the Kuomintang are almost all concentrated in Wuhan. Leaders of various opposition parties and factions, as well as well-known figures in the cultural circles, have almost all gathered in Wuhan one after another. Wuhan became the de facto capital of the Anti-Japanese War.

"Xinhua Daily" was launched. Zou Taofen and Liu Xiang's "All People War of Resistance" has also been republished, and the air is indeed changing. Wuhan, which has been dormant for ten years, seems to be gradually regaining its momentum in the Northern Expedition era.

Of course, I tried my best to get the opinions of my friends from all walks of life. What made me feel a little panicked was that everyone almost unanimously agreed that the situation was gradually improving, and that my retreat was not great. We usually criticize the KMT's closed-door doctrine, but today we are opening the door, but we are refusing to enter. Even if you have a lower position, you should never take into account the level of status!

I am compelled by such progressive opinions that I really should not have two more words to say. What's more, the position of the director of the third hall is so low! It is said that the official rank of the director of the department is lieutenant general, which is beyond the reach of others. I myself am a person who advertises myself as a "rescue worker", do I still have to raise my worth?

Unfortunately, however, the situation does not appear to be progressive, although it is progressive, but on the not-to-one side, it does not appear to be progressive at all. In terms of the selection of candidates for the Political Department, it gradually became clear that He Jinhan, director of the first department, Kang Ze, director of the second department, and Liu Jianqun, deputy director of the third department, are all members of the Fuxing Society. With such a group of people, will I be able to work together? Especially Liu Jianqun, deputy director of the third department, is this a prison guard, or the de facto director of the department, and let me be a puppet?

Chen Cheng himself was red and purple at that time, and he came to Taihe Street to visit me three times. He wouldn't have come specifically to visit me. No. 26 Taihe Street was originally Xiyi's office, and Chen Mingshu still lived in it, and Zhou Gong also lived nearby. Whenever he came, he also invited Zhou Gong. Every time he came, he always talked about my inauguration. The first two times I only promised him that I would help with the design. By the third time, Liu Jianqun's deputy director had been revealed, and I had even more excuses.

"Liu Jianqun is a capable person, so let him be the director of the hall, why add my name?"

"Isn't your name allowed to even be borrowed?"

Chen Cheng's name is worthy of "sincerity", and inadvertently, he revealed their intentions. It's not clear that this is asking me to be a puppet!

Status is not to be cared for, work should be fought for, but what about puppets?

5. February 6

February 6 –

I remember this date very well. On this day, Chen Cheng invited him to lunch, and I was notified the night before, but the strange thing was that Huang Qixiang was invited at the same time, but Zhou Enlai was not invited. I wondered: what kind of article is here. So when I crossed the river on the morning of the 6th to make an appointment, I took Yang Hansheng with me. Han Sheng's position was negotiated, and if I became the head of the department, he would serve as the secretary. What about on this day? I want to wronged him and serve as my ear.

When I arrived at Chen Cheng's mansion, as expected, it was not an ordinary invitation, but the first ministerial meeting. With the exception of Enlai, all the proposed senior personnel have arrived. Minister Chen Cheng, Vice Minister Huang Qixiang, Secretary-General Zhang Lisheng, Director of the General Affairs Department Zhao Zhiyao, Director of the First Department He Jinhan, Director of the Second Department Kang Ze, Deputy Director of the Third Department Liu Jianqun, plus Han Sheng and me, whose identities are unknown.

Before eating, there is some gossip-style discussion. One focused on female staff, arguing that the DPA should be based on the principle of not using female staff. He, Kang, and Liu are the most resolute in their opinions, believing that the use of female staff will do all kinds of harm but not benefit. Chen Cheng also agreed, saying that what he was most dissatisfied with was that women wore military uniforms, their hair was permed, and some of them wore high heels, which was really an insult to soldiers. He said that in his capacity as a garrison commander, he would be severely banned in the future.

After dinner, the formal conversation was about to begin, and I was a bit of a dilemma. I discussed with Han Sheng and wanted to leave the table first, and Han Sheng advocated that it would be good to listen to their high opinions. As a result, we stayed.

Several mimeographed documents were issued, one of which was the "Creed of Political Workers", which I drafted for Chen Cheng when I first met him in Wuchang, and which is said to have received the "supreme" approval and decided to serve as a manual for ordinary political workers. Article 1 here clearly states that "under the principle of thoroughly resisting the enemy and saving the country, all personnel shall not engage in individual activities based on the interests of themselves or their parties." This was the first time that an official document of the Kuomintang recognized the "parties". However, in the front of another document (the name seems to be the "Outline of the Organization of the Political Department"), there is a special emphasis on "one doctrine, one **, one leader". When I saw these three "ones", it was even more like pins and needles, and I had a fever all over my body, and I was almost on the verge of fire.

The meeting began. The minister, the deputy minister, the secretary general, and the directors of the first and second departments all spoke, but they only reported some preparatory processes, and there was no "high theory". When it was my turn, Chen Cheng asked me to speak, and I had no choice but to speak.

"First of all," I said, "I was too presumptuous." I didn't know beforehand that this would be a ministerial meeting, and I took the liberty of attending it. I am confident that I am not qualified to be the head of the Third Department myself. ”

When I said this, Chen Cheng's face turned red.

"Therefore," I continued, "I am not speaking as the head of the Third Office, but as a friend. ”

In this way, I confess that I am not mentally prepared to take on this task.

"Propaganda work," I continued, "may seem easy to the average person, but it's not. In terms of targets, there is army propaganda, international propaganda, and propaganda against the enemy. In terms of methodology, there is propaganda and art propaganda, and there are various languages and words on the tongue, and there are various art departments in art. There must be a lot of experts to participate here, and it is by no means just one or two people who are the head and deputy director of the department can do the work. ”

"There is another important point: it is difficult to find such a large number of specialized personnel without being busy today, and what is particularly difficult is that most of these specialized personnel are not members of the Kuomintang. If we want to measure talents by the yardstick of 'oneism', then I will be grateful for not being sensitive, and I really can't find even a dozen. ”

Kang Ze, He Jinhan and others looked at each other.

"Therefore, in my capacity as a friend," I repeated, "I hope that you will recognize the difficulties of this work, and change the strictness of the access control." If the door is closed too tightly, not only will the people from the outside not be able to enter, but even the people inside will have to jump out of the window. Anyone can be the head of the department, but first of all, these principles must be mastered, otherwise, no one can hope that the work will be effective! ”

I'm done. Chen Cheng said that he could do what he said, and he could discuss it as much as possible in the future.

Then, the meeting was dispersed.

6. Escape

I'm really unhappy, when is it today, why are you still playing tricks there?

When we returned to Hankow and sat at the wheelhouse window of the ferry, I turned to Han Sheng and explained what I meant. I was going to Changsha that evening, and asked him to tell Zhou Gong about the meeting, hoping to share my opinion with him.

Since they are holding a ministerial meeting today, why didn't they explain it to us first? That's the first point I can't understand. Since there is a ministerial meeting, why don't you invite Zhou Gong? That's the second point I don't understand. Liu Jianqun's appointment was made without our prior consent, is there any way to ensure that we can cooperate? That's the third point I don't understand.

For me to serve as the head of the Third Department, my requirements are that at least the following three minimum conditions should be obtained: (1) the work plan should be drawn up in advance and cannot be constrained; (2) Personnel must have relative freedom; (3) Determination of funds. Today, none of these three items are mentioned, and they dragged me to the stage without a beginning or a tail, which seems to have been raped.

I was worried that I would be saved by my friends if I went to see Enlai, so I decided not to go and asked Hansheng to go alone.

Han Sheng also agreed with me. He said: Work is to be earned, but it must not be compromised. He believed that the Zhou Guild agreed with me. If I go to Changsha, Han Sheng said that he himself wants to go back to Sichuan to save his family.

We parted ways in the Japanese Concession and I returned to No. 26 Tai Wo Street.

I immediately packed my luggage and prepared to set off as quickly as possible, for fear that someone would come to arrest me, which made Liqun and Su Jun a little surprised.

I only said to Liqun: I want to go to Changsha, maybe I won't come back. If you go to northern Shaanxi, then we are far apart, but there will be a period later. Ying Chao cares about you very much, please follow Ying Chao's instructions in all your actions.

At that time, Xiyi had already gone to the front. Although there were still many people living on the 26th, I didn't say goodbye to anyone, so I walked away. I only let Liqun and Su Jun send me.

Liqun was silent and didn't say anything.

We crossed the river and arrived at Xujiapeng Station, and it was still dusk. Memories are inevitable. When I arrived here from Guangzhou, a month passed unconsciously, and time flies so fast!

I had already gotten into the car, looked through the window, and saw Han Sheng and Li Yilu running on the other side of the platform. I'm still a little worried: they're here to keep me, right? I'm afraid you'll pull me out of the car. But my escape in one fell swoop actually gave me some room to maneuver. My relationship with Liqun has long been difficult to separate, and I ran away alone this time, and when I saw her silent attitude, I knew that she was a little melancholy in her heart. If I don't leave, isn't it okay? At the same time, I was asking this question in my heart.

The Hansheng came running.

"Oh, it's so good, we're afraid we won't be able to catch up! We've been to Tai Wo Street. ”

He said happily and handed me a note through the window. That's what Zhou Gong wrote to me:

"It's good to go to Changsha and take a rest. But don't go too far. I'm too busy to see you off, so I wish you a pleasant ride. ”

When I finished reading the note, Han Sheng continued outside the window:

"I'll tell you, I'll be back to Sichuan soon. If there is a ship tomorrow, it will be tomorrow. ”

The whistle blew and everyone shook hands happily. Liqun also shook my hand tightly, but she remained silent and did not say a word.