1932: Playing with the Japanese Communist Party with a doll

One group was Zhang Guotao's "confidants" left in Hubei, Henan and Anhui; the other group was the "workers, peasants and soldiers" who were illiterate and lacked literacy.

A large part of these two types of people were together, further exacerbating the chaos at the scene.

After being provoked again and again, even Li Desheng, who had tried hard to correct his temper, could no longer bear it and shouted coldly:

"Okay! Since you comrades have such great doubts in your hearts, I will tell you about Zhang Guotao's problems! Comrade Ma Shiwu!" "Here I am!"

Ma Shiwu, dressed in the bulky uniform of a Red Army soldier but still looking incredibly pretty, bounded onto the stage. Amidst scrutiny, she briefly recounted what she had said that day. Now, no one else danced.

Just like Zhou Chunquan that day, no matter how much he leaned towards or was loyal to Zhang Guotao, the Red Army was still the Red Army, not some faithless warlord army. Moreover, even in a warlord army, traitors would be stabbed in the back, let alone the Red Army!

Above all the little thoughts, little plans, and little considerations, the word "communism" always stands out (even if it is only in name).

Betraying the revolution and selling out comrades is the bottom line of the bottom line.

refute?

How to refute?

The document has been read out in full, what can you say to refute it? Besides, didn't Chairman Li emphasize this as well?

At this point, the Party Central Committee has not yet released any concrete evidence. Because no comrade can be wrongly accused, and no punishment can be imposed without evidence, these last words silenced the last murmurs of opposition and complaint.

"No evidence, no arrests."

Everyone suddenly felt that changing the leader might be a good idea.

...Comrades, please immediately convey and implement the Party Central Committee's decision after you leave. However, please do not spread the news about Comrade Zhang Guotao for the time being..."...Since all comrades have no objections, let's end today's meeting here. Comrades Chen Changhao, Shen Zemin, Guo Shushen... and others will remain!"

The crowd dispersed, and only Chen Changhao, Shen Zemin, Guo Shushen, Gao Jingting, Cai Shenxi, Wu Huanxian, Sun Yuqing... and some cadres at the level of army commander, political secretary and chairman came to a small room.

"Comrades, starting today, I, Li Desheng, will work with you..."

Li Desheng briefly explained his current position and resume, then asked everyone present to introduce themselves. Then he got straight to the point: "Now, let me emphasize something again!"

“! ! ! ”

Everyone couldn't help but sit up straight.

Everyone knows that Zhang Guotao's era has completely ended.

Now, everyone is more worried about the new Li Desheng's seemingly "impatient" nature (because he didn't even hold a banquet and went straight to work). Where will he lead them? "The Hubei-Henan-Anhui Branch of the Communist Party of China must deeply reflect on the problems of dogmatism, empirical practice, disorder, and excessive exaggeration in its previous anti-counterrevolutionary work!"

This is not limited to the Hubei-Henan-Anhui base area. Similar problems exist in Soviet areas across the country due to the previous erroneous policies of the central government and the redoubled recklessness of local cadres. Therefore, we must reflect deeply on this.

For example, Xia Xi of the Hunan-Hubei-West Hubei Soviet Area was dismissed from his post and sent to the Central Soviet Area to reflect on his mistakes, as even the cadres who had attended the meeting with him opposed him and reported his problems. ... Especially under the leadership of Zhang Guotao, the Hubei-Henan-Anhui base area and the Red Fourth Front Army displayed sectarianism and suppressed dissidents in the name of anti-counterrevolutionary activities!"

Chen Changhao was shocked.

I had originally thought that the Central Committee's mobilization was simply due to the discovery of Zhang Guotao's betrayal, but now it seems... an attempt to eliminate Wang Ming's influence. Originally, Chen Changhao was extremely dissatisfied with the Soviet Central Committee's decision to convene a congress to elect a so-called "new Central Committee" without the approval of the Communist International (Wang Ming).

However, because the Shanghai Central Committee and the Politburo were indeed gone, a new leadership was needed, and it was impossible to establish contact with the Soviet Union in the short term, so he temporarily gave up his opposition; but if Jiangxi was also planning this... should he...

No, how to report?

Can't report...

Having said that, I always feel that something is wrong with Wang Ming's situation. I should just calm down first...

Regardless of what Chen Changhao was thinking, everyone else felt their scalps tingle. No way, no way?

Are you going to start pranking people again?

Chairman Zhang killed one, and you, Chairman Li, killed another? Please stop!

If the killing continues, there will be no one left in the Hubei-Henan-Anhui Soviet Area! But do they dare to say these words?

dare not.

Anyone who dared to say such things, like Xu Jishen, would likely have long since frozen solid beneath Baique Garden. "...So, in response to this, as the branch secretary, I'm issuing several orders..."

Everyone's pens immediately touched the notebook.

"1. Immediately launch an investigation into the Baiqueyuan Incident. Find out which comrades were wrongfully murdered. Establish a martyrs' cemetery. All cadres from the Hubei-Henan-Anhui base area will gather together to pay their respects."

Everyone nodded heavily.

To be honest, even Zhang Guotao's former confidants thought that the Baiqueyuan incident was too unkind, especially the death of Xu Jishen and his wife.

Eliminating dissidents is something everyone can actually "understand". Anyone who wants to be in power must do this; killing is the simplest way to do it.

But, killing is killing, why must it be so cruel? Wouldn't it be better to just shoot him?

Regardless of Chairman Li's intentions, at least this was the way it should be done, and Zhang Guotao's mistakes in this matter should be corrected. "2. Immediately release all comrades who were imprisoned during the previous anti-counterrevolutionary campaigns in the Hubei-Henan-Anhui base area..."

"Well... Chairman Li..."

Chen Changhao raised his hand and said cautiously:

"If we just release people like this, we might end up releasing some counter-revolutionaries, and then..." He didn't mean to object or find fault, but it was the truth.

The purge was indeed cruel and resulted in the unjust killing of many people, but it is undeniable that it also eliminated many counter-revolutionaries.

Li Desheng didn't care much:

"It doesn't matter. If there's evidence later that proves they are indeed counter-revolutionaries, it won't be too late to arrest them then." "Uh... they all have confessions..."

“…confession…”

Hearing this, Li Desheng sighed deeply:

"Do you think I didn't find out how you obtained those confessions before I came here? Comrade Zhou Chunquan has already confessed his own mistakes and those of some of his comrades in Ruijin." "Uh..."

Chen Changhao's objection was stuck in his throat. He still didn't know how it was obtained.

Severe torture!

With the big stick, any confession you want will be extorted. If anyone refuses to confess and dares to resist, then just kill them!

Not to mention Zhou Chunquan, Chen Changhao himself and some of the people present were not that clean either! So, no one objected to this order anymore.

However, not opposing it does not mean they are not worried.

Will those who were released bite them back?

"3. From today on, any form of arrest without evidence is strictly prohibited. All trials must prioritize substantive evidence over confessions. Once the new Criminal Law and other laws are promulgated and implemented, they will be strictly enforced!"

Let’s put aside what the Criminal Law is for now. No one objects to this article.

With such an order, at least, if Chairman Li wanted to learn from Chairman Zhang's "old wisdom" and launch the previous purge to deal with those who were purged, it would not be so easy. On the contrary, some people were still muttering in their hearts:

Why did Chairman Li put himself in such a shackle?

"4. Starting today, the Hubei-Henan-Anhui Soviet Area will continue to carry out the Rectification and Anti-Counterrevolutionary Movement..." Before anyone could let out the shock on their faces, Li Desheng's clear voice fell: "However, the principle of the Rectification Movement is... to punish past wrongdoings and to cure the disease and save the patient!"

"The White Sparrow Garden incident must not be allowed to happen again!"

142 Huanran—New Hubei, Henan, and Anhui (Additional Update)

"...clatter...clatter..."

The sound of chains and footsteps woke the young woman, who had fallen into a deep sleep, exhausted from continuous interrogation and long-term detention. To say she was young was only referring to her actual age. She was only 21, the best age for a woman.

But anyone who sees her current appearance would suspect that she is a middle-aged woman in her forties or fifties.

His hair was dry, his face was haggard, his clothes were torn, his body was covered with wounds, and he even had a missing little finger.

Don't ask why they were so cruel to a woman, especially one they'd worked with before. They were simply following orders from their superiors to thoroughly root out the counter-revolutionary group. Cheng Xunxuan shook his hair lightly, his swollen eyes barely able to discern the source of the voice.

Several men were frantically trying to unchain the cell, but in their haste, they couldn't get it open for quite some time. Ah... isn't this the man who interrogated me...

It seems that they are finally going to execute me?

Thinking of this, Cheng Xunxuan struggled to prop up her frail body, straightened her clothes, and stood up, leaning against the wall. The rattling of her anklets blended with the clatter of the iron chain on the gate. She wanted to maintain her last bit of dignity.

Finally, the visitor opened the door. Before entering, Cheng Xunxuan took a step forward:

"Are you going to kill me? Sure, but can you let me take a shower before you die? I haven't showered for more than half a month." "Uh... Cheng..."

"You can't even meet this request? Fine, then please tell my husband, Comrade Xu Xiangqian, that his wife is loyal and has betrayed neither the Party nor him." (Due to the confusion, historically, Xu didn't learn of his wife's death or these words until Zhang Guotao completely defected and fell.)

(There were many such things in that era, just like the teacher never knew the suicide note Jiao Yang left for him.)

"Uh...no...that..."

Cheng Xunxuan didn't notice the mixed expression of embarrassment and worry on the man's face. He thought that he was unwilling to agree to even such a small request. He suddenly became angry: "This request is not too much! I just want you to..."

"No...Comrade Cheng Xunxuan, we are here to let you out..." "...Hmm?"

After a few days of rest and recuperation, and after he could barely walk with assistance, Cheng Xunxuan immediately went to Xinji County (the "capital" of the Hubei-Henan-Anhui base area) and met the new secretary and chairman:

"Chairman Li!"

"Oh, it's Comrade Cheng Xunxuan, hello!"

Li Desheng, his eyes bloodshot but clearly full of energy, smiled and shook hands with the wife of his future general. "I've been very busy with work lately and haven't had time to visit you. I'm really sorry..."

"No way! I already know, you saved me..."

Cheng Xunxuan hurriedly returned the gift, wanting to express his gratitude for being rescued, but Li Desheng just waved his hand:

"No, it's not about whether I save you or not, and I don't need your thanks. The Party is correcting its own mistakes, so why should we thank you? It's good that you don't blame us for coming late!" "No, no! Chairman Li, you are too polite..."

After a brief exchange, Li Desheng, a newly arrived and busy official, sent Cheng Xunxuan on his own to explore the area and wait until he had fully recovered before returning to work. Having no other choice, Cheng Xunxuan, eager to resume his revolutionary career, could only wander around Xinji County, accompanied by his sister-in-law.

As a result, she hadn't walked far when she heard a group of men wailing loudly. Their sobs were heartbreaking and unbearable to hear. "Sister-in-law, what's going on? Why are so many people crying? And so loudly?"

"Uh...Xunxuan, you're just getting better, don't worry about these things..."

"Let's go! Sister-in-law, let's go take a look!"

The two of them slowly moved to the edge of the playground and saw a spirited little woman on the stage comforting a young Red Army soldier who was crying uncontrollably. The soldiers below the stage were also in tears. Behind them was a large banner that read "Grievance Meeting."

Cheng Xunxuan soon understood what it was, and while deeply impressed by its profound impact on the soldiers, he also burst into tears. Moreover, the petite woman presiding over the work on the stage was actually Li Desheng's wife, He Zizhen...

It seems that this Chairman Li is really different from that Chairman Zhang...

At least, when Chairman Zhang was in office, he didn't allow soldiers to speak, nor did he drag officers who made mistakes to the stage to be criticized and reflect on their mistakes, right?

However, Cheng Xunxuan didn't get to watch for long, much less understand the "operational procedures" in detail, because her sister-in-law, worried about her health, quickly persuaded her to leave. After wiping away her tears, Cheng Xunxuan went to the newly reorganized Hubei-Henan-Anhui Soviet Government to ask some questions when she saw two acquaintances:

"Chairman Gao! Secretary Shen!"

The two men scribbling at the table were none other than Shen Zemin, Secretary of the Hubei-Henan-Anhui Provincial Committee, and Gao Jingting, Deputy Secretary of the Guangshan County Committee of the Hubei-Henan-Anhui Soviet Government. Upon hearing the familiar voice, they quickly put down their pens and papers and approached, saying with concern:

"Comrade Xunxuan, you've just been released and haven't recovered yet. Why are you running around?"

Both of them sounded a little guilty, especially Shen Zemin.

Gao Jingting had no idea that Cheng Xunxuan had been arrested, but he had heard some rumors. However, he did not have the courage to ask or investigate further.

"Can't sit still... What are you doing?"

"This...is preparing to compile the laws of our Hubei-Henan-Anhui government." "Laws?"

"Correct."

Gao Jingting handed Cheng Xunxuan a booklet that Li Desheng had brought over:

"Although it's not yet complete, the Jiangxi version is indeed much more formal than ours..." Shen Zemin immediately corrected.

"Comrade Gao Jingting, the Central Committee has moved from Shanghai to Ruijin, Jiangxi, so we should refer to it as the Central Committee there, not Jiangxi." "...Oh, sorry, sorry, I spoke too quickly."

Cheng Xunxuan ignored all this, her attention was completely attracted by the exquisite booklet called "Interpretation of Criminal Law".

...The task of criminal law is to combat all criminal acts through punishment in order to safeguard national security, the people's democratic dictatorship, and the socialist system... "...fixed-term imprisonment refers to...life imprisonment refers to...joint crime refers to...the preparation, attempt, and interruption of a crime, and refers to..."

Cheng Xunxuan was so engrossed in reading the book, which only contained about 5,000 to 6,000 words, that he couldn't put it down. When he turned to the "Second Part, Specific Provisions," he realized he had reached the last page and exclaimed angrily, "Where's the rest? Why is there nothing here?"

"Uh... this is the draft sent by the Central Committee, only the first half. Let us draft some commonly used and urgent legal provisions based on these spirits, and then have in-depth exchanges with the Supreme Court..." Yes, like most bases, in essence, it can be said that there is almost "no" law in the Hubei-Henan-Anhui base area.

Although things like the "Implementation Rules of the Hubei-Henan-Anhui Revolutionary Committee's Land Policy Program" and the "Marriage Law" had been promulgated long ago, how they were enforced was up to fate, especially the "Criminal Law."

You say this thing doesn't exist without exaggeration.

Otherwise, why would the soldiers of the Red Fourth Front Army often complain that "the superiors do not receive punishment for their mistakes, but we are severely punished"?

Otherwise, how could Zhang Guotao and Xia Xi have so arbitrarily created "pocket crimes" and "invented crimes" to kill people who displeased them or did not meet the "standards"? (The later "Spring and Autumn style" of some people in the Red Fourth Front to rave about their achievements in legal construction during that period does not count.)

(I even saw some people forcibly attribute the achievements of the "Thousand Miles into the Dabie Mountains" to the Hubei-Henan-Anhui base area...)

After listening to Shen Zemin and Gao Jingting's explanation, Cheng Xunxuan became even more anxious:

"No! I'm going to find Chairman Li. This thing must be taken out as soon as possible!" As a victim of "pocket crime", she felt deeply about this;

"There are laws to follow, laws must be followed, law enforcement must be strict, and violations must be punished"—this resonated with her heart! If there were legal provisions, if the law could be enforced, how could she have been inexplicably detained and tortured?

"Alright, alright, Comrade Xunxuan, Chairman Li has a lot of other work to do, so please don't bother him anymore. This work is a long-term process and can't be rushed." Shen Zemin smiled and stopped him, then said bitterly: