Episode 21 recap: Mao Zedong began to pay attention to the peasants.
Mao Zedong believed that the real reason for Wang Jingwei's weakness was that he did not have control over the military power. Jiang Jieshi knew that there were people causing trouble for him everywhere and didn't want him to stay in Guangzhou anymore. Zhang Jingjiang brainwashed Jiang Jieshi and told him that there would be no place for him when he returned from Moscow. Mao Zedong and Chen Yannian were discussing the Second National Congress, and Zhang Guotao angrily walked in and threw his bag on the table. He told them that the central directive had already been issued, and they should have listened to it. He said that even Chen Duxiu had agreed not to interfere in the internal affairs of the Kuomintang, but Chen Yannian argued that there was no longer someone like Sun Yat-sen in the central government, and they couldn't just comply with everything.
Chen Yannian didn't accept what his father Chen Duxiu said. Zhang Guotao said it didn't matter if he accepted it or not and mentioned that he had already met with Wang Jingwei before leaving. Sun Ke asked Wang Jingwei why he didn't speak up for him at the meeting, and Wang Jingwei told him that so many people were watching.
Wang Jingwei told Sun Ke that he had a lot of things to deal with and couldn't take care of everything. He had entrusted the propaganda department to Mao Zedong. Sun Ke told him that when his father passed away, he didn't appoint a successor, and now he was standing up for him, refusing to let himself be treated unfairly.
Jiang Jieshi took the stage with an arrogant attitude and delivered a speech, talking about the major military events of the past two years. During these two years, they had established the Whampoa Military Academy and fought two wars. Jiang Jieshi's speech on the stage won applause from everyone except Mao Zedong. The decision to impeach the Xishan faction was made, and Wang Jingwei announced the expulsion of several party members and the abolition of Ye Chucang's position. They began to vote for the executive members of the central government, and each candidate went on stage to give a speech.
On January 20, 1926, the Chinese Kuomintang held its second national congress, which concluded with a decision to continue implementing the policies of aligning with Russia, aligning with the Communist Party, and supporting the peasants and workers. Party disciplinary sanctions were imposed on the right-wing members who participated in the Xishan Conference. Only seven members of the Communist Party were selected for the central departments, which was half of what Mao Zedong and others had anticipated. Mao Zedong believed that as long as their people occupied important positions, it would be sufficient, and Zhang Guotao agreed that Mao Zedong's statement was very accurate.
Chen Yannian asked Zhang Guotao when he would return, and Zhang Guotao asked if he was being driven away. Mao Zedong explained that it was because Chen Duxiu had fallen ill a few days ago, and Zhang Guotao was not by his side, which made Chen Yannian worried. Chen Yannian retorted, saying that Chen Duxiu's illness was not caused by him, and both of them knew that Chen Yannian had a tough exterior but a tender heart.
Mao Zedong told Zhang Guotao that Wang Jingwei's weakness was because he didn't have real control over the military power, and they had all witnessed Jiang Jieshi's arrogant attitude. Mao Zedong observed that Jiang Jieshi was rising higher and higher, and even most of his close comrades had joined the Kuomintang.
Zhang Guotao asked Mao Zedong if he was afraid, but Mao Zedong interrupted him before he could finish. He told Zhang Guotao that they should take preventive measures, and Zhang Guotao agreed with this statement. Mao Zedong held a meeting with his comrades and believed that through these movements, the central leadership had also recognized the role of the peasants.
Mao Zedong believed that the sixth round of school enrollment should be open to the entire population, and he thought that more classes should be offered. They needed to quickly compile their own textbooks, and everyone agreed that it would be better for Mao Zedong to teach at the school. Mao Zedong told them that he really wanted to go, but he had to continue his work in the propaganda department, as he was already stretched thin.
Chen Yannian told Mao Zedong that he had found a roommate for him to help with the work in the propaganda department, so he could divide his attention. That person was Shen Yanbing, and Mao Zedong was delighted to see him as he could assist him. Mao Zedong accepted the tasks from the Rural Reconstruction Movement, and he told Chen Yannian that they were fortunate to have Shen Yanbing's help, which allowed him to take on these responsibilities.
Yang Kaihui believed that the liberation of China relied on the peasants, and Mao Zedong also recognized the crucial role of the peasants. Chen Yannian told Mao Zedong that Zhou Enlai had recently mentioned that Jiang Jieshi seemed abnormal, and Mao Zedong found it suspicious that there was no movement from the Xishan faction.
Mao Zedong overheard two children pointing at warships not far away, and he wondered why there were warships at this time.
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