Zhou Enlai: the story on HearLore

European Revolutionary Activities

After leaving Whampoa Zhou worked underground establishing independent Communist cells across China. His greatest danger came from KMT secret police established 1928 specifically tasked identifying eliminating Communists. To avoid detection Zhou changed residences monthly using various aliases often disguising himself as businessman sometimes wearing beard. Only two or three people knew his whereabouts ensuring maximum secrecy. He disguised urban Party offices preventing shared buildings within same cities requiring passwords for member identification. Meetings restricted before 7 am or after 7 pm avoiding public transport and visible presence anywhere. November 1928 saw creation Special Service section Central Committee abbreviated Teke controlled subsequently by Zhou. Chief lieutenants included Gu Shunzhang strong ties Chinese secret societies alternate Politburo member Xiang Zhongfa. Four operational sections protected members gathered intelligence facilitated communications conducted assassinations known Red Squad. Main concern establishing effective anti-espionage network inside KMT secret police. Within short time Chen Geng head intelligence section planted large mole network inside Investigation Section Central Operations Department Nanjing center KMT intelligence. Three most distinguished agents used infiltrate KMT offices were Qian Zhuangfei Li Kenong Hu Di referred later Zhou as most distinguished workers party 1930s. Agents critical survival CCP helping escape Chiang Encirclement Campaigns. Late April 1931 Gu Shunzhang arrested Wuhan former labor organizer weak commitments CCP. Under heavy torture gave detailed accounts underground organizations leading arrest executions over ten senior leaders city. Offered provide details Shanghai only meeting directly Chiang Kai-shek. One agent working Nanjing Qian Zhuangfei intercepted telegram requesting instructions abandoning cover warn impending crackdown. Two days before arrival Nanjing allowed evacuation changing communication codes known Gu. Meeting briefly Chiang arrived Shanghai assisting raiding offices capturing unable evacuate quickly resulting largest death-toll since Shanghai massacre 1927. Reaction extreme murdering fifteen family members buried quiet residential areas assassinating Wang Bing leading KMT officer moving rickshaws unprotected bodyguards. Most surviving relocated Communist base Jiangxi best agents also moved Pan Hannian became Teke director night scheduled leave June 1931 Xiang Zhongfa spent hotel ignoring warnings morning spotted leaving hotel immediately arrested imprisoned French Concession. Attempted prevent extradition bribing chief police but authorities appealed ensuring intervention impossible hoped transfer Nanjing opportunity kidnap failed agreed transfer Shanghai Garrison Headquarters under General Xiong Shihui subjected relentless torture interrogation convinced disclosed everything ordered executed. Zhou succeeded secretly purchasing copy records showed disclosed location residence followed round arrests executions escaped capture abandoned apartment morning Xiang's arrest establishing new Politburo Standing Committee relocated to Communist base Jiangxi near end 1931. By departure one most wanted men China. Decision abandon Jiangxi announced placing Zhou charge organizing supervising logistics Communist withdrawal plans made absolute secrecy waiting last moment inform even senior leaders group movements objective break enemy encirclement few casualties before Chiang forces completely occupy bases unknown criteria determine stay go 16,000 troops notable commanders including Xiang Ying Chen Yi Tan Zhenlin Qu Qiubai left form rear guard divert main force Nationalist troops noticing general withdrawal withdrawal 84,000 soldiers civilians began early October 1934 intelligence agents successful identifying large section Chiang blockhouse

Whampoa Military Academy Leadership

lines manned troops under General Chen Jitang Guangdong warlord likely prefer preserving strength fighting sent Pan Hannian negotiate safe passage allowing Red Army pass territory controlled without fighting passing three four fortifications needed escape finally intercepted regular Nationalist troops suffering heavy casualties Of 86,000 Communists attempting break out only 36,000 successfully escaped loss demoralized some particularly Bo Gu Otto Braun remained calm retained command numerous high-level disputes direction take causes defeats ensued power struggles ensued consistently backed Mao Zedong against interests Bo Gu Otto Braun blamed later removed positions leadership eventually succeeded re-establishing base northern Shaanxi the 20th of October 1935 arriving 8,000, 9,000 remaining members position within CCP changed numerous times throughout Long March recognized de facto leader exercised superior influence others sharing power Bo Braun months following January 1935 Zunyi Conference mostly retained position displayed willingness display responsibility tactics defeating Fourth Encirclement Campaign recognized successful supported Mao gaining influence inside Party after conference became Zhou assistant reached Shaanxi completed Long March officially took over leading position while took secondary position vice-chairman retain until deaths 1976 unsuccessful averting public defection Zhang Guotao one founders CCP KMT prepared defect disagreement Mao implementation united front policy resented authoritarian leadership style aided Wang Ming Bo Gu Li Kenong intercepted Wuhan engaged extensive negotiations through April 1938 convince compromise refused compromise placed protection KMT secret police expelled Party issued statement accusing sabotage efforts resist Japanese episode serious setback attempts improve prestige Party. During seventh congress Comintern held August 1936 Wang Ming issued anti-Fascist manifesto indicating previous policy opposing Chiang resisting Japan replaced uniting resisting Japan. Zhou instrumental carrying out policy contacting senior KMT commander northwest Zhang Xueliang By 1935 well known anti-Japanese sentiments doubts Chiang willingness oppose Japanese disposition easily influenced indications cooperation fight against Japanese established northeast working committee purpose promoting cooperation Zhang committee worked persuade Northeast Army unite Red Army fight Japan retake Manchuria created new patriotic slogans Chinese must not fight Chinese promote goals Using network secret contacts arranged meeting Yan'an then controlled Zhang's Northeast Army first meeting church the 7th of April 1936 showed great interest ending civil war uniting country fighting warned firmly control national government difficult pursue without cooperation parties ended agreement find way secretly work together time establishing secret contacts growing suspicious increasingly dissatisfied inaction against Communists deceive deployed mock military units giving impression Northeast Army Red Army engaged battle December 1936 flew Nationalist headquarters Xi'an test loyalty local KMT forces Marshal Zhang personally lead final attack Communist bases Shaanxi ordered destroy Determined force direct China's forces against Japanese taken territory preparing broader invasion December 12 stormed headquarters killed bodyguards seized Generalissimo became known Xi'an Incident reactions mixed Mao Zhu De viewed opportunity have killed others including Zhou Enlai Zhang Wentian saw opportunity

When and where was Zhou Enlai born?

Zhou Enlai was born in Huai'an, Jiangsu province on the 5th of March 1898. He entered the world as the first son of his branch of the Zhou family.

What role did Zhou Enlai play during the Long March from 1934 to 1935?

Zhou Enlai organized and supervised logistics for the Communist withdrawal starting in October 1934. By January 1935 he became Mao Zedong's assistant after the Zunyi Conference and officially took over leading positions by October 1935 when the group arrived in northern Shaanxi with only 8,000 to 9,000 remaining members.

How did Zhou Enlai negotiate the Xi'an Incident in December 1936?

Zhou Enlai flew to Xi'an on the 12th of December 1936 to negotiate with Zhang Xueliang after the incident began. He met Chiang Kai-shek on the 24th of December and successfully persuaded him to halt civil war and resist Japan instead of accepting execution or house arrest.

Who were the three most distinguished agents Zhou Enlai used to infiltrate KMT offices?

The three most distinguished agents Zhou Enlai used to infiltrate KMT offices were Qian Zhuangfei Li Kenong and Hu Di. These agents helped the CCP survive Chiang Encirclement Campaigns and provided critical intelligence inside the Investigation Section Central Operations Department Nanjing center.

Zhou Enlai.

European Revolutionary Activities

Whampoa Military Academy Leadership

Underground Intelligence Operations

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Common questions

When and where was Zhou Enlai born?

What role did Zhou Enlai play during the Long March from 1934 to 1935?

How did Zhou Enlai negotiate the Xi'an Incident in December 1936?

Who were the three most distinguished agents Zhou Enlai used to infiltrate KMT offices?