At 1:16 a.m. on October 22, 1986, Marshal ***, who dedicated his life to the country, passed away at the age of 89.
At the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the victory of the Long March in the afternoon, everyone was saddened to learn of the sad news.
A week after his death, he presided over a memorial meeting in the Great Hall of the People, attended by more than 5,000 people from all walks of life in the capital to mourn the founding marshal who fought until the last moment of his life.
In the 80s, the domestic people seemed to have become Xi to hearing the news of the death of the founding fathers in the news, Su Yu, Xu Shiyou, Han Xianchu, ** and other old comrades all died in those 10 years, ** every day will also issue obituaries of the death of old cadres, sometimes several times a day, the people of the whole country while seeing one obituary after another, but also feel the end of an era.
During that time, he felt absolutely uncomfortable, and his old comrades-in-arms who had fought side by side with him for decades passed away one after another, especially Ye Shuai, who played a pivotal role in the party and the people, also died after years of illness and torture, so that Deng Gong had another very important idea.
That is, the leaders of his generation have reached the end of their lives, and if they do not pay close attention to the problem of people, China's future will become uncertain, and perhaps the new development situation that has just been built will also be in danger of collapsing.
After Ye Shuai's memorial service, a "big but not small" news suddenly came:
"The day after Ye Shuai's memorial service, the three elders held a 'three-person secret meeting' at **'s house. ”
Although it is not an official source, it is very accurate, because the staff left them **, but the photographer only stayed for a while before being "sent" out, and then the door of the reception room was closed, leaving only three old people to talk secretly.
The 82-year-old is the chairman of the Military Commission, the 77-year-old is the chairman of the People's Republic of China, and the 81-year-old is the first secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission. It is worth mentioning that before this secret conversation, the three of them had not seen each other for a long time, not only had they rarely appeared in public in those years, but even ** had lived in seclusion for a long time, and the outside world even speculated that they were "seriously ill" and "difficult to overcome".
There is a lot of buzz about this at home and abroad, and ** is talking about it"If Deng Gong is gone, will China change?"and other problems, and even rumors have been reported in Hong Kong, which has not yet returned"**Sick, **market immediately**".The sound of the wind.
Anyway, one thing is certain, this "three-person secret meeting" is by no means for the sake of reminiscing.
Later events confirmed this point, it is said that Zhao Tianyuan, the guard of **, was called in once after the secret conversation began, only to hear the three old men shouting at that time: "Smoke, take the cigarette!".Zhao Tianyuan took them cigarettes and immediately retreated, and then the door was closed for dozens of minutes.
This secret meeting lasted for 80 minutes, and after *** and *** left, Zhao Tianyuan found that there were 6 filter cigarette butts in the ashtray - that was left by ***, because the other two did not smoke.
That is, ** smoked 6 cigarettes in 80 minutes.
**The reasons for smoking are the same as ***, they are all to refresh the mind. It can be seen that although the content of this conversation has not been made public, it is undoubtedly not trivial, and it must involve a major choice of the party and the state, so important that even *** and **, who have never smoked, are anxious to help Comrade Xiaoping ask for cigarettes.
A few months later, on January 16, 1987, at the enlarged meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China, he resigned from the post of general secretary of the Communist Party of China. This can't help but make people feel that eighty percent of **'s resignation is related to that "secret meeting".
What's even more unexpected is still to come, nearly 9 months after the resignation, that is, before the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, **and** both expressed their desire to completely retire after the 13th National Congress and no longer hold **leadership positions.
At that time, the personnel arrangements of the ** leaders were sensitive enough, and this time there were ** three senior cadres jointly proposing to resign, which was tantamount to detonating a bombshell, but the Politburo and others in the party also quickly expressed their attitude: unanimously opposed.
The sudden bombshell news, coupled with the coincidence of time, made people can't help but think about the content of the "secret talk" of the three elders a year ago.
But one thing is certain, that secret conversation must have revolved around one topic – the transition between the old and the new.
In the eyes of many people, the proposal of ** and other three people to take a back seat is earth-shattering, but if you think about it carefully, there is nothing surprising that they want to resign from the leadership position of **, as early as several years before the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held.
And as early as September 1980, ***, who wore many hats, resigned from the post of deputy prime minister, and at that time some people saw the clues that he wanted to retire.
What's going on here?
On January 13, 1982, **at the Politburo meeting, he said to everyone:
"Streamlining institutions is a revolution that all veteran cadres must recognize. Revolutionizing, rejuvenating, intellectualizing, and professionalizing the contingent of cadres is a strategic requirement of revolution and construction, and is also the most glorious and sacred duty of our veteran cadresIt is our last historic contribution to the party, and it is also a serious test of the party spirit of each of us. If this revolution is not carried out and the elderly and sick people block the way of the younger, energetic, and capable people, it is not only that there is no hope for the four modernizations, but it will even involve the issue of the destruction of the party and the country. ”At that time, China's leading organs, like the Soviet Union, had problems such as excessive average age, over-age tenure, lifelong leadership system, and "patriarchal system" for cadres.
The average age of the chief and deputy ministers of state organs is nearly 70 years old, the average age of the chief and deputy secretaries of the provincial party committee has also passed 65 years old, and even the average age of the standing committee members of the county party committee at the grassroots level has reached 50 years old or above, and there are even some veteran cadres in their 60s who are still "active" at the grassroots level.
Although Cao Mengde has a cloud: "Lao Ji is in the bush, and his ambitions are thousands of miles." But this does not hide the objective fact that the old cadres are inadequate, the Chinese tradition has always been that the higher the rank, the older the age, but the old age and frail people can not continue to fight on the front line, and it will also make the cadre group appear to be in short supply.
Therefore, Deng Gong emphasized that the first-class departments and cadre systems must spit out the old and absorb the new, and inject fresh blood. If the cadres are dead, once the people are affected, the country will gradually lose its vitality.
If the resignation of *** vice premier in 1980 did not show that he wanted to "retire to the countryside", then this speech in 1982 made his inner desire to retire unmistakable. And everyone knows what Deng Gong's retirement means.
At the meeting, Deng Gong said it well, and everyone listened to it really, but they all thought that China still needed Deng Gong to control the situation at that time, and he was afraid that he would not have the strength to retire. On the eve of the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, when many people forgot about it, ** actually proposed retirement again, and it was mentioned together with *** and ** for the first time in history.
At this time, everyone finally realized:Deng Gong is going to take the lead in the "big blood change", and the aging problem of cadres, which has plagued the country for a long time, seems to be completely rectified from the root.
And Deng Gong in order to make the "big change" is the Communist Party's tried and tested method to solve the problem for decades-Before you let others do it, you have to do it yourself.
**, if others take the lead in retiring, many old cadres just don't want to retire and have to retire.
At the 1982 Politburo meeting, ** also said:
"In the past few years, I have consciously done less work and let others do more. China's current policy is not just me, and that's why I haven't been seen for a long time. Now, I'm thinking about when I'm going to retire. Retirement is good for people's health, I don't do work, I don't participate in work, and China's current policy is still going well. ”This is a perfect answer to the outside world's discussion about "if Deng Gong is gone, will China change".
After the 12th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in September 1982, a new department was established that had never been seen before, the Advisory Committee, and he served as the chairman of the committee.
*The advisory committee is a temporary organization, and its members are all veteran cadres who have retired from the front line. **know,**From ** to the locality, many cadres have served for many years, although the "big blood change" can make ** at all levels "rejuvenate", but it is not good to be too anxious, and it takes at least 5 to 10 years of buffer.
This is the original intention of the first proposal to form the Advisory Board. After young cadres take office, old cadres cannot immediately be "hands-off", but appropriately participate in some decision-making as members of the first advisory committee, and use their years of experience to drive young cadres to play their due role after retirement.
This form of "bringing the old with the new" can allow the new and old to be replaced in a buffer state of several years, and make the leadership position smoothly transition from the tenure system to the retirement system, which not only completes the rejuvenation of the committee, but also avoids some problems caused by "too much urgency and too fast".
We consciously took this approach to make the transition smoother," he explained at an enlarged meeting of the Politburo in July 1982, "and perhaps after two congresses, the Advisory Board could be abolished." If it is two terms, it will take 10 years. ”
Deng Gong knew in his heart that before handing over the responsibility of the country to the next leader, he would have to spend several years to eliminate the dependence of cadres at all levels on him, until the country could still develop as he envisioned even without his own participation. In this way, Deng Gong can not only "retire" for the rest of his life, but the country will not stop normal operation because of his retirement, and he can take care of both public and private affairs.
This is what Deng Gong said in early 1982"In the past few years, I have consciously done less work".The intentions can be described as well-intentioned. Even though Deng Gong had the intention of retiring early in the early 80s, everyone was still surprised when the three elders officially expressed their desire to retire completely after the 13th National Congress.
Driven by the first priority, all provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions across the country have also set up advisory committees, and they have all started a vigorous "blood exchange movement". For himself, of course, he also expected the possible result, that is, he wanted to retreat, but he didn't let him retreat.
**, since the founding of the People's Republic of China, he has served as an important leader, although he has experienced ups and downs in his political career, but in terms of status, prestige and work achievements, the three of them are irreplaceable in the party, how can they resign if they resign?
On April 20, 1987, the general secretary of the Communist Party of India, Nambudiribad, visited China, he heard a little wind before coming to China, and as soon as he saw ***, he "got straight to the point": "There are reports that you are going to retire at the 13th National Congress”
Answer: "I've been talking about it for a few years, but there are too many people who oppose it. But I'm going to hold on, I'm afraid it's still half-quitting. I suggested that the Politburo Standing Committee members were afraid that I would not participate in the meeting, and that they should retain one post. ”
Nambudi Ribad asked again: "Will you still hold the post of chairman of the CCP's ** advisory committee?"”
Not finalized. I now have two positions, one is the chairman of the **Military Commission, and the other is the director of the ** advisory committee, and it is enough to keep one, and the advantage is to let others do it, especially young people. In addition, retaining a 'semi-retreat' form can also play the original role. ”
Finally, say, "There's one more benefit to living a few more years." ”
Deng Gong was very powerful, and these words were all fulfilled later.
On October 19, 1987, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection held its last plenary session before the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Beijing. ** At the meeting, it was proposed that after this meeting, he would no longer serve as the first secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Perhaps in order not to surprise everyone, he also announced the core content of the "three-person secret talk" a year ago at the meeting: "In October last year, Comrade Xiaoping, Comrade Xiannian and I jointly agreed to retire together at the 13th National Congress. This is the need of the party's cause. ”
Even the 82-year-old ** himself said that he was already tired when discussing national affairs, and he was afraid that he would "mislead the country and the people" if he continued to do it.
In the "secret talk" after Ye Shuai's death, ** also said to *** very simply: "I can't wait any longer, it's time to put it on the agenda!."”
**, the three undoubtedly made proper arrangements for their resignation and what happened after leaving office in those 80 minutes. With such a major decision, it is no wonder that *** smoked 6 cigarettes in 80 minutes, and he was afraid that his brain would not be able to keep up.
The "retreat together" of the three old people stirred up a thousand waves in one stone, and then Peng Zhen, Deng Yingchao, and **also went to Chen** and proposed "full retreat".
These people, without exception, are the fathers of the Republic, although they meet the retirement criteria at an age and have a very resolute attitude, they have to be carefully considered. Finally, at the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, a compromise plan of "each side takes a step back" was finally adopted
"**Implement 'semi-retreat', Peng Zhen, Deng Yingchao, **full retreat'. ”
The so-called "semi-retirement" means that you withdraw from the ** committee, but still have to hold a position that cannot be replaced by someone for the time being;"Full retirement" means that you will no longer hold any position and go home to live a retired life.
This is a bit interesting, the three veteran leaders who initiated the total retirement did not retire, and the veteran cadres who followed them all retired retired as they wished. After that, he continued to serve as chairman of the Military Commission, director of the Central Advisory Committee, and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
The top leadership of the Communist Party of China has finally realized the replacement of the old and the new, and has also "laid a good foundation" for the three old people to officially retire in the future.
This has made the first level of the country realize the determination of the first "blood exchange", and all the new and old leading cadres have been replaced, and fresh blood has been delivered to the first committee, and even the first committee has obtained a large number of young and middle-aged cadres in the prime of life, and the spiritual outlook is completely different.
On the afternoon of November 10, 1989, ** accompanied by the staff to the Great Hall of the People, he had been to the Great Hall of the People countless times, but this time he was the happiest.
As soon as he arrived, the new generation of leadership was already standing there to greet him with a spring breeze.
They shook hands with ***, took a photo with ***, and said to them cordially:
"Thank you comrades for your understanding and support to me, the plenum accepted my request for retirement, and I sincerely thank the plenum and comrades!”
The audience applauded thunderously, and many ** shed tears of excitement.
On this day, the 85-year-old *** ended his 67-year revolutionary career (Deng Gong participated in the revolution in 1922);On this day, the tenure system of the leadership position was also completely terminated.
**On the way home, he was relaxed and said to the guard Zhang Baozhong:
"Now that I'm retired, I can finally go to the department store!”
How difficult it is to come this day, perhaps only *** himself knows in his heart.
Back to September 4, 1989, more than two months ago, the third generation of the party's leading collective, which had just been established for three months, with Comrade *** as the core, came to visit his home.
They all want to persuade *** not to leave their jobs for the time being, and the newly established leadership team cannot do without the support of the old leaders.
But *** said: "Today is mainly to discuss the time and way of my retirement. ”
He also said to ***: "Of course, if there is something to ask me, I won't care, but it is mainly decided by the third-generation leadership collective with you as the core." ”
** It is very unhealthy, abnormal, and dangerous for a party and a country to pin their fate on the prestige of one or two people. If you don't retire, it's hard to say how the world will react if you die in the line of work.
He said frankly: "If I retire and really don't do things, and people are still there, I can still play a little role." I want to simplify my retirement and my funeral after death, please!”
Such a high wind and bright festival made everyone present admire.
*Don't let *** all retreat" There is another reason. Because at that time, the army was doing something unprecedented - a million disarmament, and it was not done yet. **Since the chairman of the Military Commission has initiated the disarmament of one million, he must work to the end, and he must not be replaced halfway. With the exception of ***, no one has the energy and prestige to preside over disarmament matters.
** It is clear that for the sake of the country and the people, even if you retire completely, you must do what you need to do before you can retreat, and you can't drag the mud and water. For the sake of the country, what does it matter if you retire a few years later?Moreover, he also said it before disarmament:
"I will do the things that offend people, and I can't leave them to the next chairman of the Military Commission. ”
Therefore, after the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, although he withdrew from the committee, he still served as the chairman of the Military Commission.
It was also on September 4 that ** formally proposed to all members of the third-generation leadership collective that the heavy ** chairman of the Military Commission be handed over to ***
Two months later, on November 9, the Fifth Plenary Session of the 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was convened, and the plenary session adopted a decision approving the resignation of Comrade *** as chairman of the Military Commission.
** Retired, but he did not stop following the development of China. In January 1992, after retirement, he inspected a number of economically strong cities in the south as an ordinary party member, and put forward many important suggestions such as "the basic line should be managed for a hundred years" and "science and technology are the primary productive forces". Since he had retired from his leadership position, all his suggestions were made in the form of talks, which are known in history as "Southern Talks."
In addition, Deng Gong also came to Shanghai for the Spring Festival many times, and also put forward a lot of far-reaching suggestions that had a far-reaching impact later, such as focusing on the development of Shanghai Pudong, which was also implemented under the mention of ***.
In his later years, he used his last energy to help China's economy that was about to take off.
After that, ** officially returned to the family and spent his last years in the family fun of his children and grandchildren.
From his resignation as vice premier for the first time in 1980 to the Southern Talk in 1992, it took him 12 years to complete the "total retirement" and realize his original promise.
In 1992, the first departments at all levels in the country have basically completed the handover of work, the old cadres have returned to their hometowns to gather with their families, the first department has a new look, and the country is also developing in a good direction, and the first advisory committee proposed to be established at the beginning has finally completed its mission and officially withdrawn from the historical stage.
**, and the older generation of leading comrades dedicate their lives to the country and the people, as long as it is beneficial to the country, they are willing to put down all their personal positions and give them to future generations. This kind of high-spirited festival is extremely admirable.