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照片中有两个人,一位是毛主席,一位是陈叔通。是毛主席在罗瑞卿陪同下参观在北京故宫举办的“基本建设出土文物展览”时拍照的,时间是1954年5月17日下午4点。 背景是:新中国成立后建立了中科院考古所,在河南省辉县进行了主动性发掘。当时全国范围内的基础建设陆续上马,不断地有古代文物被发掘出来,因此考古所在文物局的领导和要求下,相继在长沙、郑州、西安、唐山等地进行了配合发掘。1954年4月,文化部决定在位于午门的历史博物馆举办“全国基本建设工程中出土文物展览会”,从全国范围内在基本建设工程中发现的131713件文物精挑细选出了3760件最具代表性的精品文物,向公众公开展览陈列,陈列的地方就在午门城楼正殿。毛主席对历史和考古工作很感兴趣,因此他听说展览会已经布置完成之后,就非常热心地在5月17日提前踏访。走访后,毛主席意犹未尽,又在5月20日来到故宫,继续参观。他对陪同人员说:“这就是历史。你们应当学点历史,要懂得历史,知道中国的昨天和前天。”参观中,毛主席和陈叔通留下了如上合影照片。 陈叔通,1876年生,浙江杭州人,他是近代中国著名的政治活动家,也是在国内享有较高威望的爱国民主人士。他是光绪二十九年(1903年)的进士,放榜后授予翰林院编修,后来东渡日本攻读政治法律,回国后深感满清政府之腐败无能,遂愤然加入了光复会从事反清活动。辛亥革命之后,陈叔通一开始热心从政,担任过“中华民国”第一届国会众议会议员,先后任浙江都督府秘书长,大总统府秘书,国务院秘书长。后退居杭州,担任浙江光业银行董事兼任总经理办公室主任。陈叔通早年曾经担任过杭州求是书院(浙江大学的前身)的副监院(即副校长),这所学校人才辈出,其中有两名学生是蒋方震(字百里)、钱家治(字均夫)很是出名。 这两人和陈叔通一样,都是以字行于世,蒋百里后来成为大名鼎鼎的民国“三个半军事家”之一,被授予陆军上将军衔,而钱均夫则担任过浙江省教育厅厅长,是一位文史学家。蒋百里有个女儿名叫蒋英,钱均夫有个儿子名叫钱学森,他们两个后来结为夫妻。 钱学森和蒋英因父辈是陈叔通先生的学生的缘故,对陈叔通以“太老师”相称,二人年轻时也曾经在求是书院的校园里玩耍,对“太老师”执礼甚恭。 1949年9月,73岁的陈叔通被选为第一届全国政治协商会议副主席,成为新中国的高级领导人,毛主席对他也十分尊敬,称之以“叔老”而不名。 陈叔通是前清翰林,旧学的学问是很高的,所以毛主席特地邀请他一起来故宫看展,陈老来到展厅,与毛主席一起仔细查看周口店发掘出来的北京猿人的牙齿、工具等珍贵文物,抚今追昔不胜感慨。他们这次在午门的展厅内外走了2个多小时,然后又绕着午门城楼走了一圈,在西北角楼处,工作人员为毛主席和陈叔通照了相。 重点来了:因为此行中陈叔通见毛主席手里拄着一根竹子做的手杖,便好奇地向毛主席要了过来,捧在手里仔细端详,发现就是再普通不过的竹子,不由得大为感慨。他没想到毛主席身为一个国家的最高领导人,日常用度竟和普通的老百姓没有什么区别,陈叔通见过光绪皇帝、慈禧太后,也见过袁世凯、孙中山、蒋介石,但毛主席的做派和他们都大不相同。他也更加确信了,毛主席和他所代表的中国共产党才是真心实意为国家富强,民族振兴服务的队伍。就在二人交谈期间,工作人员不失时机地按下快门,抓拍了这张照片。 还有话呐:二人合影之后,毛主席从西边城墙上看到近处防空部队的高炮阵地,说了一句:“高射炮设在这里不好,敌机飞到这里再打就晚了。”这话,很重要。被有关部门采纳了。 毛主席和陈叔通的这张合影被刊发在了当月的《人民画报》上,而当时《人民画报》不仅在中国国内发行,而且还会发行到一些外国去。在这个海外发行范围中就包括了美国,而美国国内的新闻审查机构当时也没有对《人民画报》予以查禁。就这样,这么一本刊登毛主席和陈叔通合影的《人民画报》漂洋过海来到了大洋彼岸的美国洛杉矶,随后鬼使神差地被放在装蔬菜的篮子里,被送到了钱学森家。至于是谁给钱学森家“送外卖”时把中国国内发行的报刊给他送去,这需要对此感兴趣的人去挖掘了。其实,这时距离拍下这张照片已经过去了一年之久,而钱学森因为掌握着美国导弹的最核心机密,在申请回国而遭到美国政府的迫害,自1952年开始就被长期软禁,并始终被FBI的人监视。 钱学森的夫人蒋英在收拾送来的蔬菜时意外地发现了去年某期《人民画报》上赫然登着毛、陈二人的合影。夫妇二人所熟悉的“太老师”能够在午门城楼上和毛主席一起合影,其在新中国的地位不问可知。蒋英、钱学森二人对着照片端详了良久,一个大胆的想法突然浮出脑海。经过精心策划,钱学森写了一封致陈叔通的求救信,先是寄到了比利时的妹妹蒋英妹妹蒋华那里,然后又经蒋华之手转到了陈叔通手里。 信的原文如下,写得很工整,能够看懂,就不展开了。 叔通太老师先生: 自1947年9月拜别后未通信,然自报章期刊上见到老先生为人民服务及努力的精神,使我们感动佩服! 学森数年前认识错误,以致被美政府拘留,今已五年,无一日、一时、一刻不思归国参加伟大的建设高潮。然而,世界情势上有更重要、更迫急的问题等待解决,学森等人的处境是不能用来诉苦的。 学森这几年中,唯以在可能范围内努力思考学问,以备他日归国之用。 但是,现在报纸上说中美交换被拘留人之可能,而美方又说谎,谓中国学生愿意回国者皆已放回,我们不免焦急。我政府千万不可信他们的话,除去学森外,尚有多少同胞,欲归不得者。从学森所知者,即有郭永怀一家,其他尚不知道确实姓名。这些人不回来,美国人是不能释放的。 当然,我政府是明白的,美政府的说谎是骗不了的。然我们在长期等待释放,心急如火,唯恐错过机会,请老先生原谅,请政府原谅! 附上《纽约时报》旧闻一节,为学森五年来在美之处境。 在无限期望中祝您 康健 钱学森谨上 1955年6月15日 信函原件 陈叔通收到信件后顿感事关重大,因为钱学森的价值不仅美国人清楚,中国更十分明白,如果有了他的帮助,中国的导弹研发事业完全可以提前很多年。拿着这封信,陈叔通马上去找到了周恩来总理,周总理立即指示准备于8月1日参加日内瓦第二次中美大使级会谈的王炳南,以释放被俘的11名美国飞行员为条件,要求美国政府同意钱学森回国。美国政府虽然十分纠结,但考虑到钱学森已经远离导弹研发工作五年,其所掌握的部分技术和知识已经更新,想来放他回国对美国利益的损害也不会很大,在请示了总统艾森豪威尔之后,决定同意中方的条件。1955年8月4日,美国政府正式通知钱学森:准许他和家人离开美国,解除限制自由的一切措施。9月17日,钱学森和家人登上“克利夫兰”总统号邮轮返回中国,并在10月8日踏上了祖国的土地。 1960年2月,钱学森指导设计的中国第一枚液体探空火箭发射成功,9个月后,中国第一枚近程地地导弹“东风一号”发射成功。 1964年6月,中国第一枚改进后的中近程地地导弹飞行试验圆满成功,1970年4月24日,中国第一枚人造地球卫星“东方红一号”发射成功。 1964年爆炸的原子弹、1967年爆炸的氢弹,使得中国成为核大国。 1954年毛主席和陈叔通的一张合影,使得钱学森夫妇回国,中国的“两弹一星”崛起。看似毫无关联的两件事联系在一起,居然产生了核聚变一样的巨大影响,不能不说是冥冥中自有天意。天佑中华,中华崛起。 思考和研究后不难发现:毛主席和陈叔通的一张合影,毛主席手中的一根竹竿,毛主席看了故宫的防空部队后的一句话,陈叔通影响他的孙子辈的钱学森夫妇回国,新中国在建国后蒸蒸日上,毛主席等老一辈无产阶级革命家的人格魅力和智慧,尤其是是毛主席无私无我的巨大人格魅力,没有这个,就算合影一千张,一万张都是没有用的。 缅怀毛主席,也感谢陈叔通老人家,更感谢当年未留下名字的摄影师,留下了这张“抓拍”的照片。
英文翻译
The photograph depicts a momentous occasion, capturing a meeting between Chairman Mao and Chen Shutong at the Forbidden City in Beijing. It was taken on the afternoon of May 17, 1954, as Chairman Mao, accompanied by Luo Ruiqing, visited the "Exhibition of Cultural Relics Unearthed in the Basic Construction Projects" held at the Forbidden City.
The background of this encounter is deeply rooted in the establishment of the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences after the founding of the People's Republic of China. Active excavations were conducted in Huixian, Henan Province, as a part of the nationwide infrastructure development. Numerous ancient artifacts were unearthed during this period, prompting the Institute to coordinate excavations in Changsha, Zhengzhou, Xi'an, Tangshan, and other locations as per the directives of the Cultural Relics Bureau.
In April 1954, the Ministry of Culture decided to hold the "National Exhibition of Cultural Relics Unearthed in the Basic Construction Projects" at the historical museum located at the Meridian Gate. A total of 3,760 representative artifacts were carefully selected from 131,713 relics discovered nationwide and put on public display. Chairman Mao, known for his keen interest in history and archaeology, eagerly visited the exhibition ahead of its official opening on May 17. He returned to the Forbidden City on May 20 for further exploration, emphasizing the importance of understanding China's history and heritage. It was during one of these visits that the iconic photograph of Chairman Mao and Chen Shutong was captured.
Chen Shutong, born in 1876 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, was a prominent political activist and a respected patriot in modern China. He passed the imperial examination in 1903 and later studied political science and law in Japan. Upon his return, he joined the anti-Qing activities of the Restoration Society. After the Xinhai Revolution, Chen served as a member of the first National Assembly of the Republic of China and held various governmental positions. Later in life, he became involved in banking and education, even serving as the vice president of the Zhejiang University's predecessor, the Qiu Shi Academy.
Two of his students at the Qiu Shi Academy, Jiang Bai Li and Qian Jun Fu, also adopted courtesy names. Jiang Bai Li, later known as one of the "Three and a Half Military Strategists" in the Republic of China, was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General. Qian Jun Fu, on the other hand, became a renowned scholar and served as the Director of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Education. Their children, Jiang Ying and Qian Xuesen, eventually married, cementing the deep connection between their families.
Due to their shared educational background and respect for Chen Shutong, Jiang Ying and Qian Xuesen referred to him as "Grand Teacher" and held him in high esteem. In September 1949, at the age of 73, Chen Shutong was elected as the Vice Chairman of the First National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, solidifying his position as a senior leader in the new China. Chairman Mao, in particular, held him in high regard, addressing him as "Uncle" rather than by his name.
Chen Shutong, a former Hanlin of the Qing Dynasty, was highly knowledgeable in traditional studies. Therefore, Chairman Mao specially invited him to the Forbidden City to view an exhibition. Upon arriving at the exhibition hall, Chen Shutong carefully examined the precious artifacts of the Peking Man excavated from Zhoukoudian, including teeth and tools, together with Chairman Mao. They spent over two hours walking inside and outside the exhibition hall of the Meridian Gate, then circled the city tower. At the northwest corner tower, the staff took a photo of Chairman Mao and Chen Shutong.
The highlight of the visit was when Chen Shutong noticed Chairman Mao holding a cane made of bamboo. He curiously asked Chairman Mao for it, holding it in his hands and examining it carefully. He was deeply moved to find that it was just an ordinary piece of bamboo. He couldn't help but feel deeply impressed. He had never expected that the highest leader of the country, Chairman Mao, would have no difference in daily use from ordinary people. Chen Shutong had met Emperor Guangxu, Empress Dowager Cixi, Yuan Shikai, Sun Yat-sen, and Chiang Kai-shek, but Chairman Mao's demeanor was completely different from them. This further convinced him that Chairman Mao and the Communist Party of China were genuinely dedicated to serving the country's prosperity and national rejuvenation. During their conversation, the staff opportunistically captured the moment with a photo.
After the photo, Chairman Mao looked at the nearby anti-aircraft artillery position on the west city wall and remarked, "It's not good to have anti-aircraft guns here. It would be too late if enemy planes flew here and attacked." This statement was very important and was later adopted by relevant departments.
The photo of Chairman Mao and Chen Shutong was published in the monthly "People's Pictorial," which was not only distributed domestically in China but also in some foreign countries, including the United States. At that time, the news censorship authorities in the United States did not ban "People's Pictorial." This issue of "People's Pictorial," featuring the photo of Chairman Mao and Chen Shutong, somehow made its way to Los Angeles, California, and ended up in the hands of Qian Xuesen, concealed in a basket of vegetables. The circumstances of how this domestic Chinese publication reached Qian Xuesen's home in the United States would require further investigation by interested parties. By then, a year had passed since the photo was taken. Qian Xuesen had been persecuted by the U.S. government since 1952 due to his possession of the most sensitive missile secrets and had been under long-term surveillance by the FBI.
Qian Xuesen's wife, Jiang Ying, accidentally discovered the photo of Mao and Chen from a past issue of "People's Pictorial" while unpacking the delivered vegetables. The couple was amazed to see their familiar "Old Teacher" taking a photo with Chairman Mao on the city tower of the Forbidden City, indicating his high status in the new China. After careful planning, Qian Xuesen wrote a letter seeking help to Chen Shutong, which was first sent to his sister in Belgium, Jiang Hua, and then passed on to Chen Shutong through her. The original text of the letter, written neatly and legibly, will not be elaborated here.
Dear Mr. Qian Xuesen,
It has been a long time since we bid farewell in September 1947 and we have not been in touch. However, seeing your dedication to serving the people and your hard work in various newspapers and journals has truly moved and inspired us.
It was a mistake for me to have fallen into the hands of the American government a few years ago, and I have been detained for five years now. Not a day, not a moment passes without thoughts of returning to my homeland to participate in the great wave of construction. However, there are more important and urgent issues in the world that need to be resolved, and the plight of people like me cannot be used to complain.
During these years, I have only been able to focus on studying within my limited scope, in preparation for my return to my country in the future.
Now, the newspapers are reporting the possibility of an exchange of detained individuals between China and the United States, but the American side is lying, claiming that Chinese students who wish to return have already been released. This news has left us feeling anxious. My government must not trust their words. Apart from myself, there are many compatriots who wish to return but are unable to. From what I know, there is the family of Guo Yonghuai, and there are others whose names I am not sure of. Without their return, the Americans cannot release us.
Of course, my government understands that the lies of the American government cannot deceive us. However, as we wait for our release, our hearts are filled with anxiety, fearing that we might miss the opportunity. Please forgive me, Mr. Qian, and forgive the government for our impatience.
Enclosed is an excerpt from an old article in The New York Times, detailing my situation in the United States over the past five years.
With boundless hope, I wish you good health.
Sincerely, Qian Xuesen June 15, 1955
Upon receiving the letter, Chen Shutong immediately realized the significance of its contents. He understood that the value of Qian Xuesen was not only recognized by the Americans, but also deeply understood by the Chinese. With his help, China's missile development program could advance many years ahead. Holding the letter in his hand, Chen Shitong promptly sought out Premier Zhou Enlai, who immediately instructed Wang Bingnan, the representative to the second Sino-American ambassadorial talks in Geneva scheduled for August 1st, to demand the release of the 11 American pilots in exchange for Qian Xuesen's return. The US government, while reluctant, ultimately agreed to China's conditions after considering the fact that Qian Xuesen had been away from missile development work for five years and that his knowledge may have become outdated. In addition, the potential damage to US interests was deemed minimal. After consulting with President Eisenhower, the US government officially notified Qian Xuesen on August 4, 1955, that he and his family were permitted to leave the country and all restrictions on their freedom were lifted. On September 17, Qian Xuesen and his family boarded the President Cleveland cruise ship to return to China, and on October 8, they set foot on their homeland once again.
In February 1960, the first Chinese liquid sounding rocket designed under Qian Xuesen's guidance was successfully launched. Nine months later, the first Chinese short-range surface-to-surface missile, Dongfeng-1, was successfully launched. In June 1964, the first improved medium-range surface-to-surface missile test flight was successful. Then, on April 24, 1970, China successfully launched its first artificial satellite, Dongfanghong-1. The detonation of the atomic bomb in 1964 and the hydrogen bomb in 1967 made China a nuclear power.
The photograph of Chairman Mao and Chen Shitong in 1954 led to the return of Qian Xuesen and his wife, and the rise of China's "two bombs and one satellite." The seemingly unrelated events were connected in a way that had a tremendous impact, almost as if it were fate. The rise of China is truly a blessing from heaven.
Upon reflection and research, it is evident that the photograph of Chairman Mao and Chen Shitong, Chairman Mao's bamboo pole, and his comment after inspecting the Forbidden City's anti-aircraft forces, all influenced Qian Xuesen's return to China. The charisma and wisdom of Chairman Mao and other revolutionary leaders of the older generation, especially Chairman Mao's selflessness, played a significant role. Without this, even a thousand or ten thousand photographs would have been meaningless.
Let us remember Chairman Mao, and express gratitude to Chen Shitong, and to the photographer who captured that "spontaneous" photo without leaving a name.
打油 毛泽东,陈叔通, 一根竹竿说不同, 照片引回钱学森, 个中奇缘说分明。
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