At the end of January 1937, the American Smedley came to Yan'an. Yan'an ballroom dance gradually became fashionable under his teaching. The information disclosed in the book "The History of Daily Life in Yan'an (1937-1947)" by the American "Qiao Bao" shows that who would have thought that this would have triggered a conflict between Mao Zedong and He Zizhen, leading to the two breaking up.
The female reporter went to Yan'an to "bite" Zhu De.
On January 13, 1937, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China entered Yan'an with the Red Army headquarters.
At the end of the same month, the American Agnes Smedley went to Yan'an as a reporter for the Frankfurt Daily News for more than seven months for an interview.
Smedley is the second reporter to interview in the Chinese revolutionary team after Edgar Snow, and has been introduced in advance by Song Qingling, Snow and others, so it is very much appreciated.
On the evening of arriving in Yan'an, Smedley met Zhu De and Mao Zedong successively.
She recalled her first impression of Zhu De: "He is more than fifty years old, his looks are amiable, his forehead is full of wrinkles. He really looks like the father of the Red Army. His face is full of spring breeze, and he repeatedly welcomes me and stretches out to me. Hands out; I wrapped his arms around his neck and kissed him on the left and right cheeks."
These two loud and passionate kisses, in many articles at that time and in the future, were said to be Smedley hugging Zhu De's face and "gnawing" twice.
After hugs and kisses, Smedley walked around next to this sturdy figure, and said straightforwardly: "Let me take a good look at you!"
On the second day, the China Literature and Art Association and the New China Newspaper jointly assembled, welcome Smedley's visit.
Smedley brought ballroom dance
Smedley to Yan'an for the first time, and was arranged to live in the courtyard of the original landlord next to the city wall.
Later, the courtyard was requisitioned as the guest house of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Chinese Soviet Central Government, and they moved to the cave at the eastern foot of Phoenix Mountain.
Living next to them are Otto Braun (Li De), the resident consultant of the Communist International in China, and George Heidem (Ma Haide), an American doctor who came to northern Shaanxi with Snow.
There is a portable phonograph and a few records in their cave.
Soon, a private entertainment party appeared in Smedley’s residence. With phonographs and records, of course ballroom dancing is indispensable.
According to Smedley's memories, Mao Zedong just started "because of his strong self-esteem, he didn't learn to dance, and he didn't have a sense of rhythm physically", but he often bare the residences of customers. "Sometimes, I wrote a note to Mao Zedong,'please come and talk'. He came soon, with a bag of peanuts in his hand. So foreign friends sang loudly, the Chinese host clapped the festival, and the song was left to China. The hosts may sing or talk about ancient times, the cave dwellings are full of people, chatting and laughing, and it becomes a pleasure for a while. "
At this time, Smedley will invite everyone to line up and teach them to dance the Virginia folk dance, followed by the western ballroom dance.
Smedley recalled: "Zhu De and I broke the superstition and unveiled the scene of ballroom dancing. Zhou Enlai then jumped up, but he danced like a person doing math learning problems. Peng Dehuai likes to watch and refuses to come down. Dance once. He Long danced for joy with the music melody on the floor of the blue brick pavilion. He is the only dancer with a sense of rhythm. Among the women in Yan'an, I won the notoriety of corrupting the military style. People are terrible and popular. I looked sideways, so that when Zhu De invited me to teach him another dance, I actually declined him. He accused me of being afraid of things and said:'I have fought feudalism for a long time, and now I don't want to give it up!' I had to stand up to democracy I danced with him in the name of "
slowly, the ballroom dance gradually appeared in the public party.
At that time, there was a small Christian church on the east side of the bell tower in the ancient city of Yan'an, which was turned into the Central Auditorium of the Communist Party of China. Almost every weekend night, a party or dance is held here.
Smedley and her "students" became the "stars" at the party.
Mao Zedong and He Zizhen broke up with
Yan'an ballroom dance fashion soon aroused strong opposition from the female generals in the revolutionary team. Mao Zedong later recalled: "In Yan'an, we also often hold dance parties, and I can be regarded as a frequent visitor in the dance hall. At that time, not only I liked dancing, but Enlai and Bishi were also happy.Jump for joy, even Mr. Zhu also went to perform some exercises (describe Zhu De's dance steps as if they were out of exercise). But my noble wife, He Zizhen, doesn’t like dancing. She especially hates me dancing..."
Mao Zedong didn’t participate in ballroom dancing at first, but he still frequented the dance hall and interacted with Smedley and Wu Guangwei (ie Wu Lili , Smedley’s translator and secretary) had frequent contacts.
According to Smedley’s memories, “Mao Zedong often came to the cave where I lived with my translator, so the three of us ate together. Light meal, talk for a few hours. Because he has never been abroad, he asked a lot of questions. We talked about India, talked about literature and art. Sometimes he recites the famous lines of ancient Chinese poets, sometimes he whispers his own poetry. He has a poem to mourn the death of his first wife because she was killed by the Kuomintang. ... He speaks Hunan accent and tries to learn Beijing Mandarin from my female secretary, learn English with me, and learn to sing English songs. "
Edgar Snow said based on the records introduced by Smedley: "Mao Zedong would often bring a guard to Smedley's cave just before the sun went down and before he started work. They talked and talked while drinking tea or rice wine. He showed great interest in foreign situations. He is the same age as Agnes. He asked in detail about her life experience, including her love life..." The frequent contact with
made He Zizhen suspicious. One day, she found the cave where Smedley lived and found Mao Zedong and Wu Guangwei sitting very close, facing each other. She was talking, very hot, and smiling. She rushed in angrily. Mao Zedong was still sitting there. Wu Guangwei got up to greet and give up her seat: "He Zizhen, please sit down, come, come! "But He Zizhen replied sternly: "Come on! I came here just for you! I am not for you, nor am I here anymore. "
The atmosphere in the cave suddenly became tense, Mao Zedong was stunned, Wu Guangwei was also at a loss.
He Zizhen immediately turned to Mao Zedong and became angry, and as he spoke, he waved his hand and put his fingers on Wu Guangwei's ears and cheeks.
" Why are you hitting someone? Forget it! "Wu Guangwei was also very noisy.
At this time, Smedley heard the sound and came out to persuade him, and moved his hand to He Zizhen. At that time, the guard standing at the door heard the sound and ran into the house and saw that He Zizhen wanted it. When he was beaten, he went up and clamped He Zizhen's arms with both hands (the original intention was to protect He Zizhen, but there was no way). As a result, He Zizhen was unable to move and could not resist the opponent's offensive. She hit her right eye, and her right eye suddenly became black and swollen.
Just as Smedley was about to strike a second fist, Mao Zedong spoke. He first said to He Zizhen: "Zizhen, what are you doing? Are you crazy? "Then he said to Smedley: "You can't fight anymore, if you have anything, tell me." "
Mao Zedong was both disappointed and embarrassed, so he hurriedly took He Zizhen home.
He Zizhen felt very aggrieved and angry. Zhu De's wife Kang Keqing and other female generals strongly supported He Zizhen. The root of the curse naturally pointed to Smedley. Leaving Xi'an. Then, Wu Guangwei left Yan'an with the Northwest Battlefield Service Corps. Smedley stayed in Yan'an for a while because he fell off his horse. By early September, he and Mrs. Snow said goodbye. Yan'an.
Later, He Zizhen moved to the Soviet Union. Soon, she gave birth to a baby boy for Mao Zedong. At this time, she had already shown peace with Mao Zedong and sent a letter to Mao Zedong.
Unfortunately, she The boy who was born caught a cold when he was ten months old and turned to pneumonia. He died before he could be sent to the hospital for emergency treatment.
Fortune is unparalleled, and misfortunes never come singly. Just as He Zizhen was immersed in the grief of losing her son, one made her The painful news came: Mao Zedong and Jiang Qing were married. Source: Dongfang.com
