In March 2006, the editorial staff came to visit with a sample of General Xiang Shouzhi's memoirs. Even though the old general cherished every word in the book, he still looked at it carefully, nodding his head from beginning to end. However, when he turned to the end of the cover of the book, the old general's brow furrowed slightly, and a look of displeasure appeared on his face.
How did the price of this book get set at 58 yuan? General Xiang Shouzhi raised his head and looked at the editorial staff present with a serious gaze: "I explained before, don't exceed 50 yuan." General Xiang Shouzhi's harsh words made the editorial staff dare not refute lightly. Why did the old general insist that the price of the memoir should not exceed 50 yuan?
In the early eighties, after the end of the self-defense counterattack on the southern front, Xu Shiyou officially proposed to ** that he no longer work due to poor health and asked to retreat to the second line. At that time, Xu Shiyou put forward two requirements: first, because he could not adapt to the climate and environment of Beijing and Guangzhou, he asked to live in Nanjing; Second, it is hoped that the Nanjing Military Region will provide support and assist him in completing the writing of his memoirs. After consideration, Xu Shiyou's request was finally approved. After returning to Nanjing, Xu Shiyou chose to live in No. 8 Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, where he once lived, and began the idyllic life he dreamed of.
On 30 July 1981, the Nanjing Military Region held a military parade to celebrate the 54 th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Although Xu Shiyou had always been reluctant to seize the limelight from his old subordinates (the commander of the Nanjing Military Region at that time was Nie Fengzhi), he finally attended the celebration at the invitation of his old subordinates many times. This became one of the few occasions for Xu Shiyou to appear in public after his retirement.
In order to support Xu Shiyou in writing his memoirs, the Nanjing Military Region made great efforts. Nie Fengzhi, who was the commander of the military region at the time, specially transferred personnel from the military region to form two writing groups. The reason why Xu Shiyou is in a hurry to write his memoirs is mainly because of his advanced age, although he always deceives himself verbally and says that he is the same as when he was young, but he himself knows that his body is not as good as before in all aspects. He hopes to pass on some of his combat experience from his youth to future generations.
Secretary Li Wenqing also actively searched for Xu Shiyou's old comrades-in-arms and old subordinates to provide first-hand information for the memoirs. For example, Lieutenant General Qian Jun and Xu Shiyou were brothers in Shaolin Temple, and the two have always had a good relationship. After Xu Shiyou decided to write a memoir, he often visited Fuguishan, where Qian Jun lived, and the two talked with relish. Qian Jun enthusiastically helped, and even went all the way to the Huashan Hotel, where the writing team lived, and provided valuable advice for the creation of the memoir.
In 1982, Nie Fengzhi was elected as a member of the First Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, and Xiang Shouzhi officially succeeded him as the commander of the Nanjing Military Region. Xiang Shouzhi is Xu Shiyou's old subordinate, joined the Red Army in 1934, initially in the 76th Regiment of the Red Ninth Army, the regiment commander was Liu Changyi, and the deputy commander was Xu Shiyou. Although Xiang Shouzhi was not able to continue under Xu Shiyou, he always had great respect for the old chief. In Xiang Shouzhi's view, Xu Shiyou is a tough guy in the army, not afraid of sacrifice, and always takes the lead. This image is deeply imprinted in Xiang Shouzhi's heart.
In order to support Xu Shiyou in writing his memoirs, the Nanjing Military Region made great efforts. Nie Fengzhi, Xiang Shouzhi, and other military region leaders formed two writing teams to assist in sorting out materials and collecting first-hand information needed for their memoirs. Nie Fengzhi, Xiang Shouzhi, and other leaders of the military region did not hesitate to do everything possible to contact their old comrades-in-arms and subordinates, and provided strong support for the creation of their memoirs. Among them, Nie Fengzhi made a special trip to the Dabie Mountain area and visited some of Xu Shiyou's old comrades one by one. All this provided a solid foundation for Xu Shiyou's memoir creation.
Around the Spring Festival in 1985, Xu Shiyou suddenly felt abdominal distension and pain, but he has always refused to admit that he was sick, and he has been reluctant to go to the hospital**. It wasn't until March that Xu Shiyou underwent a physical examination at East China Hospital in Shanghai. The results showed that he was suspected of having liver cancer. At first, only some leaders of the Nanjing Military Region knew about this news, including Xiang Shouzhi and Nie Fengzhi. Considering Xu Shiyou's emotions, Xiang Shouzhi decided to arrange for Xu Shiyou to undergo another physical examination at the General Hospital of the Nanjing Military Region.
During Xu Shiyou's meeting in Jinan to attend the East China Group of the Central Advisory Committee, his physical examination report was sent to Xiang Shouzhi's desk. This made everyone present feel uneasy. Although Xiang Shouzhi made every effort to arrange Xu Shiyou's **, he could not stop the deterioration of his condition in the end. On October 22, 1985, Xu Shiyou died in Nanjing at the age of 80. After Xu Shiyou's death, nine military region leaders, including Nie Fengzhi and Xiang Shouzhi, attended the farewell ceremony for the old chief's body.
In 1990, General Xiang Shouzhi stepped down. In 2005, the TV series "General Xu Shiyou" began to be filmed, and General Xiang Shouzhi, who had been retired for many years, served as the general consultant of the TV series.
Three. In March 2006, staff members visited with a sample of General Xiang Shouzhi's memoirs. At first, the old general was quite happy to see the book, but when he turned to the end of the book and saw that the price had been set at 58 yuan, the old general's expression instantly sank.
I clearly explained, ** should not exceed 50 yuan. General Xiang Shouzhi looked up at the editorial staff present with a serious gaze: "Why don't you listen to me?" This is a matter of principle. ”
The editors looked at each other, a little confused. The old general suddenly spoke: "Last year, you reprinted General Xu Shiyou's memoirs, how much did it cost?" The editor thought for a moment and replied, "50 yuan." ”
That's right. General Xiang Shouzhi said firmly: "General Xu Shiyou is an old chief whom we respect, and the reprint of his memoirs is also 50 yuan, and I have never been able to surpass the old chief." No matter how reasonable you say the publication is, I can't accept it. Publication** must be less than 50 yuan, otherwise it should not be published. ”
After careful calculations by the editorial staff, the price of "Xiang Shouzhi's Memoirs" was finally set at 47 yuan. The old general smiled with satisfaction.
Although General Xu Shiyou has passed away for many years, in Xiang Shouzhi's heart, he always remembers this old chief with a distinctive personality.