Mao Zedong returned to Hunan for the last time

In the early morning of October 13, 1974, Mao Zedong returned to Hunan for the last time. The special train no longer stops on the dedicated line of Datuopu Airport in the southern suburbs, but stops at the East Railway Station in the city, giving people an unusual signal: Mao Zedong is old? Mao Zedong is sick?

It is more than 300 kilometers from Wuhan to Changsha. Mao Zedong, who had not rested all the way, seemed tired. With the support of the staff, he trudged off the special train. He shook hands with the head of the Hunan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China who came to greet him and said: "I am here this time to recuperate. Rest. "Let's not talk about work. You can go about your business and I won't affect you.

On the way to the hotel, we passed by the bank of the Xiangjiang River. Mao Zedong, who was already in his twilight years, signaled to stop the car, faced the river flowing northward, gazed at the foothills where the autumn colors remained, and indulged in memories of the past.

This time, Mao Zedong lived in Building 6 of the Ninth Institute of the Provincial Party Committee. As soon as he got out of the car, he recognized the waiters Guo Guoqun and Zeng Caimou whom he had met three years ago. He called out their names and shook hands: "Xiao Guo, Xiao Zeng, you are still here."

As a guarantee The General Office of the Central Committee and the Hunan Provincial Party Committee made detailed arrangements for Mao Zedong's safety and recuperation in Changsha. The Provincial Party Committee established a security work command and leadership group. Zhang Pinghua, the second secretary of the Provincial Party Committee in charge of the work, serves as the general commander, and Li Zhenjun, secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Gao Wenli, director of the Provincial Public Security Department, are responsible for specific work.

Building No. 6 of the Ninth Institute of the Provincial Party Committee is the place where Mao Zedong loved to live. Building No. 6 is actually a bungalow located at the foot of the tree-lined Chenjia Mountain. To the south is the reception office of the Provincial Party Committee, to the north is the Martyrs Park, and to the east is the Provincial Party Committee Courtyard. It is fresh, quiet and full of vitality. Zhang Yufeng, former secretary of Mao Zedong, once told the author that there are many orange trees planted in Chenjiashan behind the Ninth Institute, which are full of golden tangerines. Chairman Mao liked to walk in the orange grove and bask in the sun. Sometimes he would half-jokingly and half-seriously warn the staff not to have any plans for the oranges. He was very satisfied with the tree planting and greening in the Hunan Provincial Party Committee compound, which freshened the air and produced fruits.

When Mao Zedong came to Changsha this time, the central government did not entrust him with any work. In fact, since he moved in, a plane has been flying between Beijing and Changsha every day, delivering documents and then taking away the documents he reviewed.

During Mao Zedong’s life in Changsha, apart from making a series of important decisions on party and state personnel arrangements, the rest of Mao Zedong’s time was spent recuperating from illness. Although he was seriously ill, he still cared for the work of Hunan Province and the people of Hunan, which deeply moved the responsible comrades of the Provincial Party Committee and the reception staff.

Mao Zedong’s eating habits still retain the characteristics of his hometown and are also very simple and frugal. He likes to eat taro, radish, roasted sweet potatoes, corn, potato cakes, mushrooms, minced meat, silver carp tails, fire-baked fish, etc. Due to the strict requirements of health doctors, he rarely eats chili peppers.

Mao Zedong's teeth were not very good at this time, and he wanted all his meals to be cooked poorly. The chefs stew, steam, and boil, carefully making the dishes more suitable for his taste. Shi Yinxiang, the chef at the reception desk, said that once I made a fish for the chairman to eat, I steamed it first and removed the bones, then put it in a bowl with the soup and put it on the red hot iron plate to bake until the soup became sticky. Then bring it down to the chairman to eat. The chairman said it tasted delicious and he would do it this way in the future.

Master Shi also said that when the chairman wants to eat, we are very quick and can usually prepare the meal and serve it within half an hour. The chairman is very busy and tired at work. If we delay a little, the chairman may fall asleep in his chair.

Mao Zedong was 81 years old. Not only was he old and frail, but he also had some unfulfilled ambitions in the country's political life. He used to be personally involved in state affairs, but now he also entrusted them to other central leaders to handle. , which was an unspeakable pain and torture for Mao Zedong, who had struggled all his life. In such an old age and painful state of mind, Mao Zedong arranged for relevant experts and staff to type and annotate many ancient literary works for him to read and listen to, and also recorded some ancient poems and lyrics to replace the "Cultural Revolution" Those new songs in praise of virtues relaxed Mao Zedong's depressed mentality and comforted his tired spirit.

After a long-term recuperation in his hometown of Changsha, he changed to a different political environment and natural environment. His body and mind were quiet and rested, and he felt much calmer. However, he read and listened to large-character books of ancient works, social, current affairs, and history. It can still arouse his emotion if it is often stirred up.

While recuperating in Changsha, Mao Zedong's thinking seemed to be particularly clear, and he was able to calm down and think about many issues. For example, regarding the election of deputies to the Fourth National People's Congress, Mao Zedong personally nominated and added a group of people who were unlikely to be elected according to the political standards of the time. Dong Jiageng, a role model for a generation of Chinese youth, was attacked during the "Cultural Revolution" and was sent to his hometown to do farm work, but no one cared about him. But Mao Zedong thought of this young man whom he had met and had dinner with, who had studied for several years and "had so much culture to do things in the countryside." In accordance with Mao Zedong's advice, Zhou Enlai inquired specifically about Dong Jiageng's whereabouts, by-elected him as a deputy to the Fourth National People's Congress, went to Beijing to hold meetings, and participated in political affairs.

In the early morning of October 15, Mao Zedong returned to Hunan for the third day. According to daily routine, Mao Zedong usually worked all night and rested in the morning. But early in the morning, his heart suddenly moved, he walked out of the bedroom and walked straight to the empty terrace in front of Building No. 6. The secretary who jogged up closely followed him and asked him where he was going. He blurted out that he should go to Orange Island to have a look.

Waiter Zeng Caimou recalled:

Chairman Mao suddenly wanted to go to Orange Island. We were so busy that we didn’t know why the old man was going to Orange Island so early in the morning. A car with light-colored curtains pulled up quietly drove out of Jiusuo, out the back door of the Provincial Party Committee, and onto the boulevard Yingbin Road. The car drove slowly towards Qingshuitang, Xiaowumen, the old railway station, May Day Square, and the Xiangjiang River, all places he was familiar with when he was young.

The car drove onto the Xiangjiang Bridge. The waiter told Mao Zedong that the Xiangjiang Bridge was repaired in only one year. Last year, the leaders of the provincial party committee showed Mao Zedong a photo of the Xiangjiang River Bridge and said how wide it was. However, Mao Zedong said that the Xiangjiang River Bridge should be called the Xiangjiang River Small Bridge. Today he saw the Xiangjiang Bridge with his own eyes and felt that it was big enough.

The car stopped at the ruins of Shuilu Temple in Juzizhou. Mao Zedong wanted to get out of the car and take a walk, but the weather was very cold and the staff tried their best to dissuade him. He could only open the curtains and look through the car window to take a closer look at the water of the Xiangjiang River and Orange Island, which he had always dreamed of. He also looked at the looming and familiar places in the past, such as Yuelu Mountain in Hexi and the First Normal University in Hedong. A tall poetry monument has been built at the head of Juzi Island, engraved with "Qinyuanchun·Changsha" written by Mao Zedong.

The 81-year-old Mao Zedong, trapped in a car, recalled that when the current hit the water and the waves stopped the boat, he felt lost and thoughtful. After a long time, he said: "Go back!"

On the evening of the 16th, after watching the live broadcast of the cultural program on Hunan TV, Mao Zedong said to the leading comrades of the Provincial Party Committee: He hopes to develop color TV so that More people watch TV.

The 26th is Mao Zedong’s 81st birthday. The staff carefully cleaned Mao Zedong's residence early. Mao Zedong’s favorite winter plums and white camellias were picked and decorated in the living room. The specialties of Mao Zedong’s hometown were also placed on the coffee table: a plate of wick cakes, a plate of cut sugar, a plate of golden candies, and a plate of twist strips. Zhou Enlai, who came all the way to discuss the Fourth National People's Congress, and the hospitable Hunan Provincial Party Committee staff quietly celebrated Mao Zedong's birthday in Hunan.

On this day, Mao Zedong walked out of the bedroom and walked to the living room. When he saw his favorite wax plums and white camellias placed on the table, he smiled knowingly. He looked happy, walked over slowly, took out a wintersweet from the vase, smelled it, and then gently put it back in place. The staff invited him to taste snacks from his hometown. He picked up a piece of wick cake and put it in his mouth, ate a chopstick of longevity noodles, took a sip of hibiscus wine, and then pointed at the bottle, asking everyone to finish it and not waste it. He gave the staff apples and grapes as gifts from North Korean Prime Minister Kim Il Sung and mangos as gifts from President Marcos of the Philippines.

For lunch, the staff around Mao Zedong followed the rules for many years and ate noodles, called longevity noodles, to express their sincere wishes. They also sent Mao Zedong a bowl of noodles. It is said that in order to celebrate Chairman Mao's birthday, the staff specially selected a bottle of Hunan-produced liquor "Imitation Maotai" for Mao Zedong to taste. Mao Zedong picked up the white porcelain bottle containing the wine, looked at it, took a shallow sip of the wine, and said that this wine Very good. It is brewed with water from Baisha Ancient Well. The quality and taste are both good. It is not good to call it "Imitation Maotai". It is better to call it "Baisha Liquid"! Therefore, this new liquor produced by Changsha Distillery was named "Baisha Liquid" according to Mao Zedong's wishes.

On the afternoon of the 26th, Zhou Enlai found Gao Wenli, director of the Hunan Provincial Public Security Department, where he lived and told him that Chairman Mao’s birthday was coming. I would like to invite everyone to have a meal and be happy together. This is not called a birthday celebration for the Chairman. . You go and inform the responsible comrades of the Provincial Party Committee to make arrangements. In the evening, Zhang Pinghua and other provincial party committee leaders and staff at the reception desk of the Hunan Provincial Committee were invited to have dinner at Zhou Enlai's residence in Rongyuan to wish Mao Zedong his birthday. Two tables were opened at one time. Zhou Enlai lived a very frugal life, never eating more than four dishes and one soup. In order to express his birthday wishes to Mao Zedong, he made an exception and asked the kitchen to add a few more dishes. According to Zhou Enlai's instructions, he paid for the two tables of food and drinks. During the dinner, Zhou Enlai discussed work with comrades of the provincial party committee from time to time, and encouraged the staff, asking them to take good care of Chairman Mao's life, let the Chairman rest and recuperate, and ensure the Chairman's "health." Zhou Enlai drank the newly named Baisha liquid wine when he was ill, raised his glass and said: "Comrades, cheers to the health and longevity of the Chairman!"

On January 1, 1975, the sky in Changsha was gloomy, with cold wind and light rain. . In order to make Mao Zedong have a happy day on the day of getting rid of the old and welcoming the new, the staff made some small decorations in Building No. 6. They pasted red couplets on the door that read, "Firecrackers ring out the old year, and plum blossoms welcome the new year." to add a festive touch to the New Year. Then, they made an exception and set off a Liuyang firecracker for Mao Zedong. Zhou Fuming recalled that they set off endless firecrackers and fireworks back to Beijing, and later set them off again for Mao Zedong.

The weather in Changsha was bad, and it was inconvenient for Mao Zedong to go out to watch when the firecrackers were set off, so the staff opened the doors and windows and asked him to sit in the living room and watch outside.

During this period, Mao Zedong was always supported by someone for a walk along the front lawn every morning and evening. Although he was already walking hard, he still walked, smoked and meditated as usual. When his thoughts are concentrated, he stops and thinks about things quietly without saying a word. At this time, the staff around him stopped talking to avoid interrupting his train of thought. Sometimes he also asked to take a car tour in Changsha. But for the elderly with weak eyesight and limited mobility, they can only feel this familiar land with their hearts.

In Changsha, Mao Zedong basically lived a comfortable life. With the careful care of the staff, he gained slightly more weight than when he arrived. But it can also be frustrating at times. Wang Dongxing, who accompanied him to recuperate in Changsha, later talked about this period of time and said that at that time, there were many and chaotic events, preparations for the Fourth National People’s Congress, the establishment of a leadership team, reception of foreign guests, and the "Gang of Four" reaching out to the party and the chairman for power. The chairman originally went to recuperate and have his cataracts treated, hoping to have surgery after he recovered, but the "Gang of Four" interfered with him. During these years, the Chairman's heart was very heavy.

Mao Zedong was still thinking about Zhou Enlai at this time. In order to prepare and convene the Fourth National People's Congress, Zhou Enlai's condition worsened due to excessive workload. Reports about his condition were sent to Changsha from time to time. Mao Zedong always asked his confidential secretary to read it to him immediately. He was silent as he listened, feeling worried and sad for his old comrades. On February 2, the confidential secretary read a report on Zhou Enlai's condition to Mao Zedong who was lying in bed, saying that Zhou Enlai had blood in his stool every day. After Mao Zedong heard this, he was very sad and said to the confidential secretary with great effort: "Go, make a phone call and ask the Prime Minister how the situation is now." The confidential secretary immediately called the Prime Minister's duty room as he wished. During the call, he inquired about Zhou Enlai's condition, diet and daily life, and relayed Mao Zedong's cordial greetings. At this time, Mao Zedong felt a little relieved and recited Zhang Yuanqian's "Congratulations to the Bridegroom" on the sick bed: God's will is always high and difficult to ask, and human circumstances are easy to express. More to Nanpu, see you off.

On February 3 (eight days before the Spring Festival), Mao Zedong suddenly decided to leave Changsha when he woke up early in the morning.

The reason is simple. He does not want to make the staff who have been busy working for 114 days unable to celebrate the Spring Festival because he lives in Changsha.

While in Changsha, Mao Zedong originally wanted to visit his hometown of Shaoshan, not far from here, visit his fellow villagers, and pay homage to his parents' tombs again. Relevant departments in Shaoshan are also ready to receive them. But due to health reasons, Mao Zedong was unable to do so. Before he left, he said to everyone: "I have lived in Changsha for more than a hundred days, and you have worked very hard. 'Good morning, my guest.' After I leave, you can have a good Spring Festival!"

On the 3rd, Mao Zedong’s special train left Changsha.

(This article is excerpted from "Records of Mao Zedong's Inspection in Beijing 1949-1976", with some abridgements. The title was added by the editor.

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