Volume 1: Red Star Over China Chapter 71: The Zunyi Conference (2)

  The attendees of the Zunyi Conference included Central Politburo members, alternate members, and responsible persons from the Red Army General Headquarters and various army groups. Among them were 6 Politburo members: Qin Bangxian (also known as Bo Gu, Central General Secretary), Zhou Enlai (Vice Chairman of the Soviet Military Commission and Red Army General Political Commissar), Zhang Wentian (Chairman of the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic), Zhu De (Chairman of the Soviet Military Commission and Red Army Commander-in-Chief), Chen Yun (Party Secretary of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions), and 4 alternate Politburo members: Wang Jiaxiang (Chairman of the Soviet Military Commission, Director of the Red Army General Political Department, and Chairman of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions), Deng Fa (Director of the State Political Security Bureau of the Chinese Soviet Republic), He Quan (also known as Ke Feng, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League, and representative of the 9th Army Group), and 11 responsible persons from the Red Army General Headquarters and various army groups: Bo Cheng (Chief of Staff of the Red Army), Li Fuchun (Deputy Director of the Red Army General Political Department and Commander of the 1st Army Group), Nie Rongzhen (Political Commissar of the 1st Army Group), Peng Dehuai (Commander of the 3rd Army Group), Yang Shangkun (Political Commissar of the 3rd Army Group), Dong Zheng (Commander of the 5th Army Group), Li Zhuoran (Political Commissar of the 5th Army Group), Luo Ruiqing (Commander of the 9th Army Group), Deng Xiaoping (Editor-in-Chief of the Red Star Newspaper), Liu Yimin (Commander of the Central Guard Regiment), and Otto Braun (Military Advisor to the Communist International) and Wu Xiu (Interpreter).

  Historically, the Zunyi Conference made four decisions:

  Reorganized the party's central leadership;

  Elected political bureau standing committee members;

  Assigned Zhang Wentian to draft a resolution;

  Further divided tasks among standing committee members;

  Abolished Bo Gu and Li De's highest military command power.

  Decided that Zhu De and Zhou Enlai, as main responsible persons of the Central Military Commission, would take charge of military commands.

  Zhou Enlai was the person who made the final decision.

  After the meeting, it was also decided that Zhang Wentian would replace Bo Gu to be in overall charge within the party.

  A three-man team consisting of Zhou Enlai and Wang Jiaxiang was established to take charge of military commands.

  Due to the arrival of Liu Yimin, the Red Army had actually grasped command. In addition to a series of victories taken by the Red Army from Tongdao to Guizhou, the issue of military command was no longer an urgent problem that needed to be solved at the meeting. Political and organizational issues have risen to the height of urgent need to be resolved. The number of participants in the meeting also increased by three compared to the Zunyi Conference in history. Dong Zhentang, commander of the 5th Army Corps, Luo Binghui, commander of the 9th Army Corps, and Liu Yimin, commander of the Guard Division, all attended the meeting.

  Bo Gu began his report.

  It all started from the meeting with Liu Yimin in the corridor. Bo Gu was greatly shocked ideologically. To be honest, he reflected on his way here. Therefore, the report made by Bo Gu today on the reasons for the failure of the Fifth Encirclement Campaign is quite thorough. His self-criticism of his subjective mistakes is also very sincere. At the end of the report, Bo Gu voluntarily proposed that he was not suitable to take the responsibility of being the overall person in charge of the Party and asked to resign from his position as a member of the Politburo. He requested the meeting to elect a new person in charge of the Party.

  Liu Yimin sat in a corner of the conference room, listening with his mouth agape. He had not expected Bo Gu's report to be like this. The difference between this and Bo Gu's performance at the Zunyi Conference in history was too great. It seemed that Bo Gu was also a loyal revolutionary who had the courage to correct his mistakes.

  After Bo Gu finished his report, Zhou Enlai also made a military work report. He reviewed the military work since the Fifth Encirclement Campaign and made a very sincere self-criticism.

  After completing two reports, I started speaking at the meeting.

  Zhang Wentian criticized the Bogu report for not fully summarizing the reasons for failure. His speech incorporated opinions from others, including Liu Yimin's ideas during his debate with Su Tong. He particularly emphasized Liu Yimin's statement that practice is the sole criterion for testing truth. As Zhang Wentian was about to conclude his speech, he specifically pointed out: "During the passage through the [Yangtze] River, Comrade Liu Yimin, then acting commander of the 18th Regiment, said that our failure was mainly due to the party's political immaturity, vacillating between left and right; unclear guiding ideology, failing to combine Marxist universal principles with specific Chinese revolutionary practices; organizationally, a lack of independence led to the emergence of errors such as the expansion of the Three-Man Group above the Central Committee. In military command, we initially engaged in attrition warfare, adopting the tactic of short, swift attacks from fortress to fortress, abandoning the principle of combining mobile warfare and guerrilla warfare. After implementing strategic transfer, we simply retreated, resulting in the disastrous defeat at the Xiangjiang River. This is a problem that even a new comrade who has just joined the army can see clearly. Why couldn't some of our leading comrades with rich experience in struggle see it?"

  It should be said that Zhang Wentian's discovery was very successful. Next, Wang Jiaxiang, Peng Dehuai, Nie Rongzhen, Zhu De and Chen Yun made speeches, analyzing and criticizing the mistakes of the Central Committee since the Fifth Counter-Encirclement Campaign.

  Zhang's speech was still humorous and incisive, exposing the essence of Wang Ming's left-leaning error line. The speeches of other Red Army leaders such as Zhu De and Nie Rongzhen were based on specific examples of successes and failures, thoroughly criticizing the left-leaning military error line and Li De's blind command. Li De couldn't bear it anymore, bursting out: "Do you want me, a German, to take responsibility for your failure?" After his outburst, he slammed the door and walked away.

  It can be said that China's independent consciousness truly began to awaken with Li Dazhao's slamming of the door and leaving.

  At noon, all the people attending the meeting had lunch at the Red Army headquarters.

  After dinner, Liu Yimin found Zhou Enlai and Zhu De. He reported that in the battle of Qingxi Town, they had captured documents carried by Han Hanying, commander of the 59th Division of the enemy's Central Army, and Tang Yunshan, commander of the 93rd Division. The documents included a newsletter on bandit suppression with information on Red Army activities. Apart from the Red Army that stayed in the Soviet area to fight guerrilla warfare and the 26th Corps of the Fourth Front Army, there were also Red Armies in northern Shaanxi, led by Liu Zhidan.

  Where is the file?

  Liu Yimin handed over the documents to them. After Zhou Enlai and Zhu De looked at them, Zhou Enlai asked if there was any other evidence.

  Liu Yimin hastily pulled out the transcript of the interrogation of Han Hanying and Tang Yunshan. He said, "This news should be reliable. When I was in Zhenyuan discussing with industry representatives, one of the ticket number managers was from Qixian, Shanxi. He said their ticket number had a branch in Yulin but not near Yan'an. The reason is that northern Shaanxi is also in chaos. The leader's name is Liu Zhidan."

  Zhou Enlai thought for a moment. Liu Zhidan was a graduate of Huangpu's fourth period. With the same period.

  "In that case, we'll have to reconsider our strategy."

  Zhu De said: "Xiangxi can't go. Even if we went, we couldn't stay. The Soviet Union can't return now. If we returned, we would still face Chiang Kai-shek's crazy siege. After the Fourth Front Army marched westward, our current base is also unstable. We are seriously studying where the Red Army should relocate."

  "Comrade Liu Yimin, what's your idea?"

  Liu Yimin replied: "I joined the army late and have limited knowledge. These major events are not what I think"

  I only want to follow the Party and Vice-Chairman Zhou and Commander-in-Chief. However, I think that for our Red Army to truly develop, it must gain recognition from people all over the country. Now, fighting against the Nationalist Party, whether we win or lose, in the eyes of many ordinary people, it is still an internal war.

  The slogans of our Red Army to go north and resist Japan are very good. If we can really go north and resist Japan, we will inevitably win the response and support of people all over the country. If the opportunity is ripe, we can even unite with various forces at home to force Chiang Kai-shek to stop the civil war and unite against Japan. In this way, we can not only drive the Japanese invaders out of China but also enable our Red Army to grow and accumulate strength. Moreover, judging from the current situation, the Japanese are unlikely to simply occupy the Northeast. According to Han Ying's confession, there are people in Chiang Kai-shek's government who believe that Japan will launch a full-scale invasion of China. According to Han Ying, Chiang Kai-shek went to Guizhou to pursue and attack our army, on the one hand wanting to eliminate us, on the other hand wanting to let the warlords and the Red Army fight each other, consuming both sides' strength, and thirdly, to seize power in the southwest. It is said that this plan was devised by Yang Yongtai, a high-ranking strategist of Chiang's. In the high levels of Chiang's government, it is called "killing three birds with one stone." Tang Yunshan also confessed that after Chiang Kai-shek seizes power in Guizhou and Sichuan, he plans to build a large rear base in the southwest, preparing for a big battle with Japan in the future. Tang Yunshan also confessed that Xue Yue's orders were not to pursue the Red Army but to advance straight to Guiyang, urging Wang Jialie's army and Long Yun's army to go north and pursue the Red Army. During the Qingxi Town Battle, the Central Army was heading towards Yang, not towards northern Guizhou. Han Ying is generally mediocre at leading troops in battle, but he is not bad at military strategy. Otherwise, I would have had him and Tang Yunshan shot.

  Zhou Enlai asked: "Do you know about the situation in northern Shaanxi?"

  Liu Yimin said: "I have never been there. I don't understand. Only know that it is the hometown of Li Zicheng. Desolate and poor. However, from a strategic point of view, it can connect with Mongolia in the east, Ningxia and Gansu in the west, go south to Qin River 800 miles away, and turn around with a considerable radius. Moreover, it is far away from Chiang Kai-shek's core ruling circle."

  He said: "En Lai, our cavalry is thinking of ways to gather information about the Red Army in northern Shaanxi and related situations. This news is absolutely good for us. At least it gives us one more option. If we can confirm these situations, I can end this aimless transfer."

  Director Zhu said: "If we can make up our minds at the meeting, our strategic goals will undergo a major transformation. Comrade Liu Yimin, you are truly a lucky general for our army. You not only bring new ideas and thoughts, but also so much good news. We must thank you sincerely!"

  "Director Zhu, this is a strategic vision that encompasses everything. Comrade Liu Yimin, work hard! Our Red Army will surely achieve great things!"

  Zhou Enlai said: "If we can merge with the Fourth Route Army, unite our forces and increase our strength. We will not be afraid to go anywhere."

  Zhu Laozong said: "Enlai, during the most intense period of the Xiangjiang Campaign, we had ordered the Fourth Front Army to launch an attack in coordination. Comrade Guantao seemed to have no response."

  "It's been many years since I last saw Zhang Guotao. I don't know what kind of person he is now."

  One civilian saw this as an opportunity and reported: "Vice Chairman Zhou, Commander-in-Chief Zhu. According to Han Han Ying's confession, when their troops surrounded and annihilated the Hubei-Henan-Anhui Soviet area, they captured a group of Red Army cadres. It is said that these people were all purged by Zhang Guotao. Listening to them, Zhang Guotao carried out a large-scale purge in Baima Garden, Eyu, killing people with machine guns when he couldn't kill enough. The entire Huoqiu County Committee was killed off, and only two cooks were left in the Lu'an County Committee. All the others, from the county committee secretary to ordinary cadres, were killed. In Chishan County, 45 members of the Soviet government were killed. In Yingshan County, 10 out of 11 Soviet committee members were killed. The purge and slaughter of the Red Army was even more brutal. A whole company of 100 people from the Hongshan Guard Regiment was killed off at once. The commander of the Baima Garden Red Guard Regiment and three battalion commanders were all killed. Seven company commanders were killed in one night, and over 700 people from the Hong'an Independent Regiment were killed. Many well-known leaders of the Hubei-Henan-Anhui base area, such as Xu Peng, Wang Xiushong, and Cao Xuekai, were all killed off. High-ranking military officers like Xu Jishen and Zhou Weikun, famous Red Army generals, were also killed by Zhang Guotao. After Xu Jishen was killed, his pregnant wife was also brutally murdered by Zhang Guotao. Those Red Army prisoners said that their regimental and company commanders had killed 73 cadres. It is said that the wife of Xu Xiangqian, commander-in-chief of the Fourth Front Army, Cheng Xunxuan, was captured by Zhang Guotao and secretly killed after refusing to yield. On the night before her death, Cheng Xunxuan sang a mountain song. Commander-in-Chief Xu still doesn't know that his loved one was killed by Zhang Guotao. Due to the large number of people involved, the masses in the base area strongly resisted. In Huang'an's sixth district, which is now Xianju District, the masses shouted slogans calling for the overthrow of the murderous butcher Zhang Guotao. They concentrated their Red Guard troops and confiscated the guns of the political security bureau cadres sent by Zhang Guotao. As a result, Zhang Guotao labeled it as an uprising and carried out bloody suppression. Just among village cadres, over 60 people were killed. According to Han Han Ying's confession, after Xu Jishen and Zhou Weikun were killed, the leaders were jubilant, thinking that the Red Army had eliminated its own powerful enemies. Only Chiang Kai-shek said that Xu Jishen and Zhou Weikun died unjustly, that they had taken the wrong path, and that following the Communist Party would lead to this outcome. Vice Chairman Zhou, why do you think the Central Committee agreed to let Zhang Guotao kill Xu Jishen, Zhou Weikun, and so many Red Army soldiers? Zhang Guotao's methods are not even human, they're not even something an animal would do!

  His face turned iron-green. Zhu De's whole body was trembling violently. Zhou Enlai suddenly couldn't hold back, and a mouthful of blood spurted out.

  Several people rushed to hold him up. Liu Yimin was about to call the doctor. Zhou Enlai shook his head and said, "Comrade Liu Yimin, the Party thanks you, the Red Army thanks you, I, Zhou Enlai, thank you. Thank you for letting us know so much of the truth. This matter must be kept secret for the time being, only we few people know about it. You haven't told anyone else, have you?"

  Liu Yimin immediately saluted: "Reporting to Vice-Chairman Zhou. After interrogating Han Hanying and Tang Yunshan, I withdrew from Qingxi Town. The situations they confessed to, I reported to the three of you. No one else knows about it. Furthermore, these matters still need to be verified by the comrades of the Fourth Route Army. It's said that Zeng Zhongsheng is still being secretly detained by Zhang Guotao!"

  Zhou Enlai turned around and said to Zhu De: "Chairman Zedong, let's go to the meeting!"

  Several people walked into the venue together.

  The meeting began. Looking at everyone's mood is very good. Wen Tian immediately said: "According to the situation of this morning's meeting, I agree with Comrade Bo Gu's request to resign as the overall person in charge of the party. Retain his usual committee duties. Suggest that the meeting elect a comrade as a member of the Politburo Standing Committee. As the overall person in charge of the party, the military commander-in-chief, and the commander-in-chief of the Red Army fighting against the enemy!

  After Zhang Wentian's speech, there was a brief awkward silence.

  The leaders of the period can be roughly divided into three categories. One part had studied in the Soviet Union, another part had returned from studying in France, and there was also a part...

  The earth is long. Because Wang Ming's left-leaning line seized the central leadership power, Mao Zedong suppressed him. For more than two years, he was basically in a state of being sidelined. Although he was a representative of the First Congress and a member of the Political Bureau, and personally created the Central Soviet Area, in terms of merit, ability, labor, and seniority, few leaders who followed the Long March could compare with him. However, when Zhang Wentian suddenly proposed that he take on the role of general secretary of the Party and commander-in-chief of the army, many comrades were unable to accept it at once.

  According to the verification of party history experts, the true command of the Red Army was in the fourth crossing of the Chishui River. That is, the battle of feigning an attack on Guiyang and actually advancing into Yunnan. At the time of the fourth crossing, he manipulated Chiang Kai-shek at will, opening up the northern passage. This battle was like a divine brushstroke in terms of command. He himself was also very satisfied. However, it wasn't until the Zunyi Conference that he officially took over the command of the Red Army. This was because Zhou Enlai fell ill and the conference decided to replace him with responsibility for military command. This is known as the "Zunyi Change of Command". As for becoming the party's highest leader, that came even later, after arriving in Yan'an.

  The appearance of Liu Yimin affected the course of history. Originally, Zhang Wentian, Wang Jiaxiang and three others had been brewing before the Zunyi Conference, omitting many processes. Adding to this was the fact that after the Tongdao Conference, the Red Army won under their command. This led Zhang Wentian to believe that it was time to thoroughly resolve the leadership issues within the party and the army. So he brought it up. This suddenly shifted the conference's theme from summarizing the lessons of the Fifth Encirclement Campaign to discussing the highest personnel issues within the party. The turn was too abrupt, making it difficult for people to speak. As a result, the meeting fell into a brief awkward silence.

  At this time, Zhu De spoke up. To be honest, if it hadn't been for Liu Yimin's words earlier, given Zhu De's character and magnanimous nature, he wouldn't have spoken harshly. Liu Yimin's words had stimulated him, making him feel that if they let these guys continue to wreak havoc, they would finish off the Red Army without needing Chiang Kai-shek to do it. So, Zhu De said: "I agree with Comrade Zhang Wentian's opinion and support his coming out to lead the Party and the Red Army. Additionally, I suggest that we investigate the problems of excessive anti-counterrevolutionary campaigns during Comrade Bo Gu's tenure as head of the Central Committee. I suggest that the Central Committee immediately send a telegram to He Long and Xiao Ke to put Xia Xi on trial for his crimes of excessive anti-counterrevolutionary campaigns and randomly killing Red Army cadres and soldiers!"

  Comrade Zhu's words had just fallen. Zhou Enlai continued to say: "I agree with Comrade Wen Tian's opinion, support comrades to lead the party and the Red Army. For the mistakes I made in my work in charge of military affairs and other tasks in China, I will make further self-criticism. Please approve my resignation from the Standing Committee and the post of General Political Commissar of the Red Army. I am willing to continue working hard to make up for the losses caused by the party and the Red Army due to the execution of the wrong line."

  Can't sit still. Immediately said: "Today's meeting. Everyone has summarized the experience and lessons of the Fifth Counter-Encirclement Campaign very deeply. Criticism is made out of a sense of responsibility, not personal attacks. I disagree with Comrade En's request to resign. Our Red Army is now at a critical juncture. The Red Army needs Comrade En. The Party needs Comrade En. As for Comrade Bo Gu, I suggest that the meeting approve his resignation from the posts of General Secretary and Standing Committee member of the Party. I hope Comrade Bo Gu will not take it personally. If mistakes are made, correcting them is what matters. Our Party and army need everyone to unite as one to overcome difficulties."

  Chen Yun sat there, recalling the situation of this morning's meeting. He was pondering why Bo Gu had voluntarily offered to resign. Then he saw Zhang Wentian, Zhu De and Zhou Enlai speak in turn, discussing the issue of the highest leadership. So he stood up and said: "Since we arrived at the Soviet District, the line that has been implemented is indeed a wrong one. This situation must be changed. I agree with Comrade Wen Tian's opinion to support Old Mao to lead the Party and the Red Army. I also agree with Old Mao's opinion not to allow Comrade En Lai to resign. Everyone knows about Comrade En Lai's contributions to the Party and the Red Army. Even if there are mistakes, a deep self-criticism is enough. There is no need for resignation. What time is it now? The enemy is still chasing us from behind. It is not the time when all of our people should resign."

  The afternoon meeting was a sudden and dramatic turn of events. Many people were left bewildered. Those who had been adamant about changing the Red Army's command structure were caught off guard by three unexpected developments: Bo Gu's voluntary resignation, Zhang Wentian's drastic proposal, and Zhu De's unusually harsh tone. Zhou Enlai clearly supported the move, even offering to resign himself. The supporters of Bo Gu were taken aback by his sudden change of heart, having expected him to relinquish his command authority but not actually resign. Five out of six Politburo members, excluding Bo Gu, agreed to step down, with Zhu De suggesting that he should conduct a thorough self-examination. The Red Army's general headquarters and combat units were equally perplexed, unsure what had transpired or why such drastic measures were being taken. Even Zhou Enlai was willing to resign, which was something the soldiers had long hoped for. Naturally, they would support it. Consequently, Nie Rongzhen, Peng Dehuai, Yang Shangkun, and Li Zhuoran all spoke out in favor of the decision to lead the party and the Red Army.

  Liu Yimin and Dong Zhentang, Luo Binghui were present at the meeting. They had no right to speak. But at such a critical moment, if they didn't speak, Liu Yimin would be ashamed to death himself.

  So, he took aim at a mouthful. Liu Yimin operated with sufficient air. He shouted "Report!"

  Everyone in the hall stopped and stared at him. Liu Yimin didn't ask for permission, he directly said: "Reporting to Vice Chairman Zhou, Commander-in-Chief Zhu, and all central leaders. I am Liu Yimin, the commander of the Central Guard Division. When I came to the meeting, all the soldiers of the division asked me to greet you on their behalf! On behalf of the Guard Division, we resolutely support the decision of the Central Committee, and are determined to defeat all enemies under the leadership of the Central Committee, and complete all tasks assigned to us by the Central Committee!"

  Liu Yimin finished speaking, bowed to the audience, and then sat down. Dong Zhentang and Luo Binghui looked at each other, thinking that this young man had stolen the show again. Just as they were about to stand up to speak, Zhang Wentian said: "Since everyone's opinions are roughly the same, I suggest we proceed with a vote!"

  The voting results came out quickly. In favor of Bo Gu stepping down as the party's general leader and Politburo Standing Committee member. Elected as a Politburo Standing Committee member. Comrade as the party's general leader and military commander.

  That's it. With the arrival of Liu Yimin, the Zunyi Conference re-elected the party leadership on the first day and clarified the command of the Red Army, stepping onto a broad stage.

  Mountain people have been busy with work lately. Too busy. Yesterday afternoon was busy until 7:30. Can only code a little less. Thank you friends for understanding! Today, send it early. Make up for yesterday's loss. Cast your votes and rush up with me. Thanks!