Scenes 51 to 60

Zhou Enlai and Zhang Zhizhong (called by his courtesy name Wenbai by Zhou Enlai, expressing their familiarity) are walking down the small beach on the river bank of the Yangzi. It is obvious that Zhou and Zhang know each other quite well. Zhou criticizes Zhang’s party for still maintaining a policy directed against the CCP and hands him a pamphlet with anti-Communist propaganda. Zhang at first thinks this pamphlet is many years old and from the time when the GMD used to call the Communists “bandits”. Only when Zhou Enlai shows him that this pamphlet was published only half a month ago, Zhang is startled that he did not know anything about this. The pamphlet, Zhou tells him, had been found near a crashed plane (cf. scene 44) which was supposed to deliver it to the front. Zhang argues that it was maybe somebody from the lower level authorities who has done it.
Zhou assures Zhang that he will not make the GMD lose face by coming out with it now, but he wants the GMD to be more cooperative so that they at least can come up with something in these negotiations. [This scene emphasizes that Jiang Jieshi is playing a two-sided game and actually wants to sabotage the negotiations. On the other hand the CCP is shown as an honest party which does everything to guarantee a good outcome]. Meanwhile the two drivers of Zhou Enlai and Zhang Zhizhong are watching them from afar. Zhou Enlai talks vividly, gesticulating with his hands and walking back and forth, whereas Zhang is standing still on one spot, seeming to be rather on the defensive.

Mao Zedong is outside of his temporary residence, talking with Miss Tong. He tells her that he has read her new articles [which are in favour of the CCP now]. Miss Tong wants to publish still more articles about the CCP and in an even more frank way she already did. Mao, though, warns her that she might end up on the government’s blacklist if she criticised the GMD too much.

Jiang Jieshi and his son Jingguo, who is in charge of the secret police force of the GMD, are having a conversation. The Generalissimo is angry that secret information about the negotiations became public. Jingguo remarks to his father that Zhang Zhizhong has a good personal relation to Zhou Enlai; and thus he doubts him. Jiang, however, says he told Zhang to stay close to Zhou Enlai. In any case, even though Zhang is pro peace, he is still on his side. Jiang also tells his son that he is aware that they have to sign some agreement, because otherwise they would shoulder the responsibility for a civil war.

All GMD negotiators are sitting again at the negotiation table. On the opposite side are Zhou Enlai, Wang Ruofei and a third CCP representative. Both sides have drafted an agreement although it is obvious that there is no real solution regarding the issues of the armies and the “liberated areas”.

Jiang Jieshi and his son are in the office of the Generalissimo. Jiang has just read an article which obviously criticized the role of the GMD in the negotiations. Jiang Jieshi remarks that somebody tries to stab the government in its back. His son informs him that a young reporter (Miss Tong) of the GMD’s “Zhongyang Ribao” had written this article. He suggests that the secret police should “take care” of her, but Jiang says there is no hurry. Then they talk about the agreement, Mao Zedong as a person whom they both do not trust in, and how the new agreement might affect the government’s work. Jingguo suggests that though they have to sign the agreement, this should not amount to much. Hitler also violated his contract with the Soviets when he attacked. The Sino-Soviet Alliance, as well, has been signed also by the Soviets in their own interest, but it is also a good weapon against Mao. So they have not to fear anything when signing. Contracts are only there to serve people’s wills!

Paperboys are trying to sell the “Zhongyang Ribao” with news about the new agreement between the GMD and the CCP. Mysterious music creates the feeling that something bad will happen. Miss Tong is walking through the streets. She seems to have the impression that somebody is watching or following her. When she stops and looks around, however, she only sees normal pedestrians and people who are having a meal or just chatting with each other. The music gets a little louder when she quickly steps into a darker and rather dirty back street. She runs through the street, looking back again because she feels somebody is following her. A pan shot shows one of the pedestrians, wearing a hat and a long robe, who follows her hastily. Then there is a cut, and one seen doves flying from a building up into the sky. The audience can only imagine what happened to Miss Tong: she might have been assassinated.

Finally the two parties are signing the agreement which came out after their lengthy talks. The first to sign the so called “Double Ten Agreement” are Zhang Qun and Wang Ruofei, followed by Zhang Zhizhong and Zhou Enlai. All other negotiators are standing behind them. After signing, Zhou and Zhang exchange the agreements. They shake hands and hope that this agreement will successfully be implemented. All bystanders applaud.

Mao Zedong and Jiang Jieshi are taking a walk. Mao tells Jiang that he will leave the day after and that Zhou Enlai and Wang Ruofei will continue the talks with the GMD about the issue of convening a national assembly. The Generalissimo, being polite, tells Mao that he would have been happier if Mao would have stayed a few more days in Chongqing but “a state can not exist one day without its ruler”, referring to Mao’s role in Yan’an. Mao Zedong answers that there is only one sun in the sky [i.e. he does not fear to be ousted while away] but that he cannot be called a “ruler”; Jiang should rather call him “head of the bandits” [referring to the anti-Communist pamphlet]. Jiang Jieshi tells him that he, too, wants to move, i.e. go back to Nanjing and re-establish this city as the capital. He invites Mao to join him there and take over the presidency which is too fatiguing for himself, but Mao politely declines: he could not possibly take on something Jiang even considers too much for himself! The most important thing now would be rather to show sincerity in fulfilling the agreement and enhance peace. This chance now in 1945 is unique and they should be up to their historical responsibility.

In a great hall with many Chinese and international guests, the CCP and GMD leadership is celebrating the new agreement between the CCP and the GMD. Jiang Jieshi is not present, while Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai are in the focus of the camera. The Soviet ambassador is also staying close to the Chinese leaders. Zhang Zhizhong holds the opening speech. The motto of the new collaboration is “Peace, Democracy, Cooperation and Unity”. While Zhang Zhizhong is speaking, stressing they have come to an over 70% rapprochement, and introducing Mao Zedong, the huge number of guests is shown, including Song Qingling. Zhang Zhizhong then ends his speech with a toast to Mao Zedong and all guests in the hall toast to each other. Then Mao Zedong begins his speech, thanking Jiang Jieshi and the GMD leadership for the opportunity to hold the peace talks between the GMD and the CCP.
After he has welcomed all guests, he goes on that after fascism has been defeated, the world has changed for the better. The aim of the negotiations was to establish a new China in peace. China could now take the road of peace and democracy. The nation still suffers a lot of problems but only through peace, democracy and unity they could be solved. Mao continues that he, Zhou Enlai and Wang Ruofei have met a lot of new and old friends in Chongqing who share this point of view. Several times Mao stresses that for the sake of the Chinese nation, the GMD and the CCP have to work together in peace and unity for a better China. While he is saying his last words, the camera shows a reddish sun in a completely red sky with doves flying up. Mao’s words are echoing several times in the background.

Many limousines are driving in the direction of the airport. A military band is ready for the seeing-off of Mao. One hears the music of the band and the loud cheers of the bystanders and shouts of the reporters. When Mao Zedong gets out of his limousine, the police men have trouble to control the crowd which seems to be overwhelmed by the Great Chairman’s appearance. [This scene shows Mao Zedong again as considered a star by the masses]. The Great Chairman also shakes hands with the author Guo Moru, who had been at the airport also at his arrival in Chongqing (cf. scene 24). While waving, shaking hands and slowly going in the direction of the plane, Mao seems to be somewhat disturbed when he looks at the people from the press. Again a mysterious and uncomfortable background melody is to be heard (cf. scene 56). Mao Zedong and the audience realise that one person is missing: the young Miss Tong. She appears ghostlike for a few seconds, taking a picture, and fades away.
Now it becomes obvious for Mao and the audience, that something bad had happened to her because of her honesty and frankness. Then Mao, now with a sun helmet on his head, walks further towards the plane. He goes up the stairs, turns around and looks to the people who are cheering him. Mao then waves his helmet to the people with a fatherly smile. In this moment the image changes its colour and appears like a historical photo. Background music starts and a narrator comments this historic moment while the plane carrying Mao disappears into the distance. The scene switches several times to the people who are looking at the disappearing plane. Some of them seem to feel that something bad is still ahead until real peace will be finally achieved. The narrator comments that the civil war in fact was started by Jiang Jieshi but also that history is the greatest author in the world. [I.e. the CCP eventually would found a new and peaceful China.]

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