Uncle Ho and the Party Bureau deemed it necessary to reach a settlement with Chiang’s men. The latter had no hopes for their agents in any eventual elections. Thus, they would certainly go on opposing the general elections to the last minute. They were asking us to reshuffle the government. We could agree to form a provisional coalition government with the participation of some of them. Our conditions were: this government should organize the general elections properly, unify the armed forces and resign when the National Assembly met. And if the Nationalist Party and the Revolutionary Alliance did not dare to present candidates for the elections, we would ask the National Assembly to reserve a number of seats for them.
We put forward those conditions to Tieu Van. He agreed, since he was at a loss what to do. Nguyen Hai Than also had to acquiesce. The Nationalist Party did not agree at first, but eventually had to bow to their masters’ decision. The Revolutionary Alliance and the Nationalist Party promised to stop opposing the elections.
On December 19, the Provisional Government announced that the general elections were to be held on January 6, 1946.
We had overcome a great difficulty. But some cadres did not fully agree with this arrangement. Hearing that Nguyen Hai Than was to be given a high post in the Government, one comrade asked to see Uncle Ho and expressed his objections. Uncle Ho did not explain at length, but only asked: “Isn’t manure dirty? But if it’s good for the rice plants, will you refuse to use it?”
On January 1, 1946, the list of the Provisional Coalition Government was published in the press. Nguyen Hai Than was Vice-President. Men from the Nationalist Party and the Revolutionary Alliance held two portfolios, Economy and Hygiene.
On the afternoon of the same day, the new Government was sworn in at the Municipal theatre.
Uncle Ho read the parties’ declaration of unity and announced the Government’s policies, which included the following points:
— Ensuring success for the nation-wide general elections;
— Unification of administrative offices along democratic principles;
— Integration of various armed forces under the command of the Government; no parties were to have their own armies.
In his opening speech, Nguyen Hai Than said, “As a national leader, I am really to blame for being so late in achieving union”. He promised “to send my own troops to the South to join the people in resisting the aggressors.”
Thirty thousand people in the capital city were present in the square in front of the Theatre. Uncle Ho asked the Government members to appear before the people, who began shouting “Long live President Ho” ceaselessly as he stepped out onto the balcony.
Uncle Ho sent his best wishes to the people on the occasion of the New Year and spoke about the formation of the Provisional Coalition Government. Then he introduced the new Vice-President.
Nguyen Hai Than stepped forth to address the people. Perhaps out of embarrassment, he stammered out a few Chinese words.
Standing close to him, I pulled at his coat and asked, “What are you saying?” Comrade Tran Huy Lieu, who was also standing there, tugged my sleeve and whispered, “Leave him alone! Let him say what he likes!”
Uncle Ho had a very good house prepared for Nguyen Hai Than. He also gave him the car he had been using himself.
A few days later, the Provisional Coalition Government had a formal meeting with Government officials in Bac Bo Palace.
Nguyen Hai Than came in his car. He was escorted by a platoon of bodyguards, guns in hands, bandoleers and belts full of cartridges, and puttees wound round the legs, just like Lu Han’s troops.
During the tea-party, Uncle Ho said in a friendly tone: “Today, I am glad to introduce a new member of our family: Vice-President Nguyen Hai Than...”
Nguyen Hai Than stood up, his face beaming with satisfaction.
“After decades abroad”, he said “I am now truly happy to have such a big house to live in...” Then, carried away by his joy, and perhaps wanting to entertain the audience, he added, “Now, I should like to tell President Ho Chi Minh his fortune...”
But no one responded to his incongruous offer.