共產黨又少了一個民主人士 《女人和土匪》 （英譯本）（43）

 

 

Chapter 43

 

 

Chen Jiagen’s telephone call made the provincial leadership have a discussion on the issue. The leaders felt that it was serious for a grenade to be found by the wall of the Zhang’s courtyard. If Zhang Yunxuan were proved to have associated with the Kuomintang agents, should he be arrested? If he were arrested, that would be a blow to the united front work. If he were not, that would hurt the social stability.

Chen’s decision of putting Zhang under house arrest was somewhat a bad decision. But he did that for revolutionary purposes. It meant that he wanted to safeguard socialism and the new power. Thus, he should not be punished for this action.

The issue of the grenade might be complex. The political situation was sensitive. Jiang Jieshi planned to fight back and the American invaders were still in Korea. The new government was in financial difficulty. But to make the revolution successful, united front work was indispensable.

The provincial Communist Party secretary told the other leaders that they should be cautious in dealing with the matter and then he went to another meeting. Yan Zhengfu presided over the meeting. Some comrades thought this might be a trick of the enemies to worsen the relationships between the Communists and Zhang.

The public security workers studied the case carefully. In their eyes, the grenade was left carelessly, not purposefully. The enemy must be cruel and well-trained. Zhang’s son said that there were many pots of gold in his home. If so, why didn’t Zhang donate some to the new government? Did he want to plot with the bandits against the new government?

Yan listened to the accounts with care. He felt that Zhang was in a difficult situation. Then he heard people mention that the Kuomintang bandit Yang Yongchun was also segregated for examination.

Yan asked, “Why?”

Chen said seriously, “Because he said the Kuomintang fought against the Japanese.”

Yan was amused at this. He wanted to blame Chen for his ignorance. But then he was aware of the sensitive political situation. The Communists had been notifying the ordinary people that the Kuomintang did not fight against the Japanese but surrendered to them. Thus, Yan could not refute such a wrong idea given the political situation.

This was politics. People had to do as the leadership said, or they could be regarded as guilty.

This issue was delicate to deal with. No leader present would tell Chen that the Kuomintang army did fight against the Japanese invaders. If anyone did this, he would be considered as a supporter of the Kuomintang. That would become a political problem, and his political career would come to an end. Yan felt that he should be wise in solving this problem. Thus, he said to Chen:

“Yang Yongchun is not a worker under you. Why did you put him under house arrest in your office building?”

The people present laughed.

Chen rubbed his scar in his jaw, claiming, “I did not ask him to do that. It is he who is willing to stay with Zhang. This Kuomintang soldier claimed ‘the Kuomintang army fought against the Japanese invaders’. I just could not stand him.”

Someone supported Chen, arguing, “That man should be arrested.”

Chen felt he had done something great, going on, “That’s why I think I should report the case to the provincial leadership.”

Director Xiao of the Public Security Bureau said, “I think we should arrest Yang. He said too much for the Kuomintang. He would bring more trouble to Zhang.”

Yan gave a glance at the two men. He felt they were aggressive as Communists. Yan knew the central government stressed united front work. Yan had a good personal relationship with Zhang, and Yang had even once saved him. So, if these two people were sent to prison, the united front work would be a failure and the Communists would be laughed at.

Yan was aware that the Kuomintang had cooperated with the Communists in fighting against the Japanese invaders. Without the former, the Communists could not have defeated the Japanese invaders so easily. Without the support of such Kuomintang generals as Zhang Xueliang, the situation would have been totally different.

Yan had once negotiated with Zhang for the latter’s uprising. He should protect Zhang for whatever reason. He should keep his promise to Zhang.

To protect Zhang, the Communist policy of united front work must be stated. He should also give an example of how Chairman Mao handled the case of General Fu Zuoyi for the peaceful liberation of Beijing. Thus, Yan said:

“Let me state that the Communists promise to protect those famous non-Communists who have done great contributions to the Chinese revolution. We have made it clear that any action against them must be ratified by the superiors first.” He cast a glance at the people present and then said to Chen, “We haven’t found any evidence against Zhang, have we?”

Chen was aware of the revolutionary discipline. He knew this was an indirect criticism.

Yan decided, “The provincial Communist Party secretary has ordered to set Zhang free. At once!”

Chen asked, “How about Yang? He claimed that the Kuomintang had fought against the Japanese invaders.”

Yan thought for a while, and said, “The Eighth Route Army and the New No.4 Army under the Communist leadership also cooperated with the Kuomintang in fighting against the Japanese. Would you arrest anyone who said this?”

Then, Xiao said, “Yang should not have said so. At least we should give him a warning.”

Yan replied, “Some warning may be necessary.”

Xiao remarked, “It’s a good decision to set Zhang free. The enemies are associating with Zhang. Let’s keep an eye over the Zhang’s house. The issue of the grenade must be settled, or the Zhang’s house would have to be watched.”

Yan had a sip of tea, and asked, “Do you think Zhang is related to the issue of grenade?”

“Sure. Zhang did the uprising orally, but did not change his mind. He had too much property and a lot of gold. Why didn’t he give some to the government? Why didn’t he abandon some houses to the government? Zhang did not support the Communists. That is clear!”

Yan was aware that something had happened to Zhang, asking, “Did you search his house?”

Xiao replied at once, “Yes. Some time ago, we talked with Zhang for the house. We’d like to have some of the house for office. But Zhang did not agree. He even asked for money for that. Shit! The money is from the government. How could we give it to him? That house is so big that many reactionary agents could hide there. I don’t think this man revolutionary.”

Yan was shocked, asking, “Did you ask Zhang for land?”

“Yes, but on a negotiation basis. Why does his family occupy such a big land?”

Yan pulled a long face, uttering, “The provincial leadership has ordered that Zhang must be protected. So, it is wrong to negotiate with him for land. How could you do that on personal basis without thinking about the party’s interests?”

Yan was not happy at this. But he did not lose his temper. He was aware such leaders as Chen and Xiao were taking advantage of the political situation for their personal purposes.

Yan calmed down, and said to Xiao:

“Do you mean we should guard the Zhang’s house?”

Xiao replied, “Yes.”

Xiao’s suggestion was supported by many people present. Yan did not think Xiao suitable for this work. He suggested putting Cao Fade in charge of this issue because he was familiar with Zhang. The meeting was over. Xiao said in an unsatisfied way, “Shit! I think we must teach Zhang a lesson!”

Yan remarked, “You must think of the Party’s policies first.” Yan was worried about Zhang’s future. It was almost off-work time. Yan received a call from the Provincial Commerce Chamber, saying that Zhang had submitted his application for resignation and Yang had gone home with Zhang.

Yan sat on the chair for a while, heaving a sigh, “What a big loss to the Communist united front work!”