1958 In September, the longest-serving general in British history ended his 50-year military career and began to write books and review history. Seeing that the world in front of him is still in a state of war, he made a painful reflection, hoping to find a way to end the war and make the world live in harmony. He set his sights on the east. He insisted on meeting Mao Zedong. He defeated all the enemies he met with "millet plus rifle", but he didn't go to a military school for a day, nor was he injured once.
1960 On May 24th, Montgomery set foot on the land of China, and the people of China warmly received the western marshal.
On the evening of May 27th, President Mao Zedong met with him in Shanghai, the largest coastal city in China. The hands of two military commanders with different armies and different tactics are tightly held together. Mao Zedong politely asked Montgomery to sit down, smiled and made a surprising opening remark: "Do you know that you are talking to an aggressor?" Montgomery, who has fought many battles, is very wise on the battlefield, but lacks diplomatic acumen. He was at a loss for a moment and didn't know how to answer. Mao Zedong saw Montgomery's embarrassment and said, "At the United Nations, our country has been given such a title. Are you talking to an aggressor? " Mao Zedong immediately ha ha a smile, Montgomery also relaxed a smile.
It turns out that when Britain, the United States and other countries launched a war of aggression against the DPRK in the name of "United Nations forces", the China administration sent Chinese people's Volunteer Army to "resist US aggression and aid Korea" in self-defense. At that time, New China was forcibly stopped by western countries headed by the United States. In the absence of China, the United Nations adopted a resolution condemning China's "aggression against North Korea". At that time, Britain not only followed the United States in sending troops to North Korea, but also voted in favor of the United Nations resolution. Marshal himself held the same view at that time. To his surprise, Mao Zedong started the dialogue between them in this way.
The first military salute to Mao Zedong.
Montgomery said: "This is a war without a winner. Starting from the' 38th parallel', it is very bitter. Finally, everyone returned to the vicinity of the' 38 th Line'. "
Mao Zedong said, "It doesn't matter if you fight like this. As soon as the new China was founded, it attacked the "United Nations Army" led by the United States, letting the whole world know that the people of China stood up. Through the Korean War, the United States should learn this lesson! "
Montgomery suddenly asked, "What will happen when China becomes a powerful country with a population of 1 100 million? What is the ultimate goal of your country? "
Mao Zedong was keenly aware that there was something in Montgomery's words, and immediately pointed out its meaning: "Oh, do you think China will invade foreign countries when it is strong?"
Montgomery said: "This is a lesson of world history. When a country is strong, it will seize foreign territory. There are many such examples, including my country! "
Mao Zedong paused, waved his right hand and said firmly, "The new China will never invade others across the border, nor will it attempt to impose the ideology of * * * on other countries. China was deeply invaded and bullied by foreign countries. We only ask foreign countries not to interfere in China's affairs. Even if I am not alive, China will not expand and invade. "
Montgomery said: "China is an ancient civilization, suffering from the trauma of war. China is the most populous country, and I believe that the key to future world peace lies in China. "
In the west, Marshal Montgomery's ears are full of praise and boasting. When I first met Mao Zedong, I was impressed by his excellent intelligence and extraordinary humor, and I felt admired in my heart. He gave a military salute to Mao Zedong, and two commanders with different values in the East and the West forged a profound friendship from then on.
Salute Mao Zedong for the second time.
After a year, 196 1 September, Montgomery came to China for the second time. At the request of Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China made elaborate arrangements for him to visit all parts of China.
At noon on September 23rd, Mao Zedong met Montgomery in the scenic East Lake of Wuhan. Montgomery entered the door, and Mao Zedong greeted him with a smile, shook hands with Montgomery and greeted him in English. Montgomery felt very cordial. Because it is a reunion of old friends, there is no such diplomatic ceremony.
At this meeting, the two talked about a wide range of topics. They talked about the development and progress of new China, the international situation and Sino-US relations, including the issue of Taiwan Province Province. They even talked about Mao Zedong being the commander-in-chief of the largest army in the world, but he didn't wear military uniform or rank. The conversation didn't end until 9: 30 pm.
According to the prior arrangement, Mao Zedong will leave Beijing the next day to prepare for the National Day. Montgomery will go home after this conversation. However, because they all felt that they were not satisfied, Mao Zedong changed his plan and decided to talk again the next day and have lunch with him. So, on September 24th, the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival in China, their meeting continued in Wuhan, the largest city in central China.
In this day's conversation, they not only talked about life and death, the successor of Mao Zedong's career and eating Wuchang fish, but also talked about China's future ocean strategy.
Mao Zedong said: "Life originated in the ocean, the land is divided into three parts, and the water is divided into seven parts. The hope of mankind lies in the ocean, and mankind should pay more attention to the ocean. "
Mao Zedong said with great foresight: "The modern history of China is a history of maritime aggression by western powers, because China has no powerful navy. Even today, China's strength must start from the ocean, not only to build the' Great Wall at Sea', but also to go to the world through the ocean, enjoy marine resources with the people of the world, and jointly build a peaceful ocean. "
The conversation lasted until 5 pm, and then Mao Zedong invited Montgomery to watch him swim in the Yangtze River. Montgomery who can't swim can only enjoy it on the boat. Seeing that Mao Zedong, who is nearly seventy years old, is like a duck to water in the third largest river in the world, I admire him very much and praise Mao Zedong's unique swimming technique as a "swimming patent". "
Mao Zedong also said to Montgomery harmoniously, "I will spare you this time. Shall we have a race across the Yangtze River next time we visit China? "
Montgomery readily agreed and said, "I would like to be the runner-up."
The next day, Montgomery will return to China. Mao Zedong personally came to the Victory Hotel in Hankou where he stayed, and gave him the ink of "Water Turning Around" he had just written. I saw the inscription at the inscription: "Dedicated to Marshal Montgomery". When the translator told Montgomery the meaning of the word and related information, the marshal was amazed and praised: "Chairman Mao is both a great commander-in-chief and a great poet. It is remarkable that we can romantically foresee the grand blueprint for the construction of the Yangtze River in China through swimming in a poem with less than 100 words. China culture is ancient and profound, and Mao Zedong's poems are extremely mysterious. " So, once again, the British marshal, with admiration, tidied up his military uniform, straightened up his military posture, and gave a solemn military salute to Mao Zedong-this is the second world-famous World War II marshal's military salute to Mao Zedong.