As we all know, Beijing was one of the ancient capitals of the feudal dynasty and its geographical location was very good. When new China was founded, Beijing was designated as the capital of the country, and since then, Beijing's political status has been evident and has become a "holy land" to which everyone aspires. Even in the 1970s and 1980s, foreigners were proud to have visited Beijing, and in the hearts of ordinary people, it was an "imperial city".
After the founding of New China, Beijing became one of the seven major military regions, in charge of military affairs in Beijing, Tianjin, Henan and other regions. Of course, the most important work content of the Beijing Military Region is to be responsible for the garrison work in the capital, which is equivalent to the Janissaries of the old era.
Generally speaking, Beijing's geographical location is very important, and the commander of the military region must be a capable, loyal and reliable person. Since the establishment of the Beijing Military Region, Yang Chengwu, Yang Yong, and Zheng Weishan have successively served as commanders. In 1971, the chairman appointed Li Desheng to the post of commander of the Beijing Military Region.
In 1955, when the rank was awarded, Li Desheng's military rank was not high, only major general. In 1971, when Li Desheng was appointed commander of the Beijing Military Region, there were 12 deputy commanders, two of whom were founding lieutenant generals, and their ranks were even higher than his.
Li Desheng was appointed commander of the Beijing Military Region?
During the Red Army period, Li Desheng's position was not high, and he was a soldier for seven years, during which he experienced some setbacks and tests. During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Li Desheng initially held the position of battalion commander, and was later promoted to regimental commander of the Second Military Subdistrict of the Taihang Military Region. In 1945, Li Desheng performed well in the Battle of Mafang, personally commanded, led 82 soldiers into the Japanese stronghold, brandished a large knife and slashed at the Japanese Kou, annihilating all the Japanese troops in the stronghold.
The Battle of Mafang has great significance in the history of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and after the victory of the battle, Yan'an's Liberation Daily spoke highly of it, praising it as a typical war of annihilation. During the Liberation War, Li Desheng served as the brigade commander of the 17th Brigade of the Sixth Column of the Jinji-Hebei Luyu Field Army, and was a subordinate of Lieutenant General Wang Jinshan.
During the Xiangfan Campaign, Li Desheng served as the main attacker and successfully completed the task of "slashing three levels" given to him by his superiors. When the general offensive was about to be launched, Li Desheng still went to the forward position with the deputy brigade commander to survey the enemy's situation and terrain, marked the enemy's artillery, bunkers, turrets, and other fire points, and then assigned tasks.
After the founding of New China, Li Desheng's ability was recognized by the chairman and entrusted him with heavy responsibilities. In December 1970, Li Desheng, who was then the first secretary of the Anhui Provincial Party Committee, a member of the Central Military Commission, and the director of the General Political Department of the People's Liberation Army, received a message from Beijing asking him to enter Beijing immediately.
Knowing that the chairman was looking for something for him, Li Desheng did not dare to delay for a moment, and immediately rushed to Beijing after handing over his work. After the plane departed from Anhui and arrived in Beijing, Li Desheng flew to Zhongnanhai to meet the chairman. As soon as they met, Li Desheng first reported to the chairman on the progress of his work in Anhui in accordance with the previous practice.
The chairman nodded, knowing that Li Desheng was very capable of doing things and was very satisfied with his work in Anhui. After listening to Li Desheng's report, the chairman smiled and said: This time you are returning to Beijing and are ready to let you take up the post of commander of the Beijing Military Region. Li Desheng never expected that the chairman would arrange another position for himself, after he had "complained" about too many positions on his body.
The chairman arranged Li Desheng in this way to temper him, and in the 1960s and 1970s, the senior generals of the older generation gradually withered away and needed some fresh blood. The chairman inspected Li Desheng from many aspects and asked him to shoulder several burdens in order to cultivate his ability to resist pressure and do things.
As commander of the Beijing Military Region, and at the same time holding other positions, Li Desheng was under great pressure. The chairman saw the embarrassment in Li Desheng's body and stressed: The appointment of you as commander of the Beijing Military Region is also a decision of the central authorities, and you should take office next month.
Soldiers take obedience to orders as their duty, and since it is an appointment from a superior, Li Desheng can no longer shirk it. Considering that he had too many positions on his body, Li Desheng suggested to the chairman whether he could resign from some positions. The chairman did not agree to Li Desheng's request, could not resign from a single post, and told him that the focus of his future work would be on the side of the Beijing Military Region, and I was assured that you were there.
Two lieutenant generals and deputy commanders of the Beijing Military Region?
After Li Desheng was appointed commander of the Beijing Military Region, there were 12 deputy commanders, most of whom were founding major generals, which coincided with Li Desheng's military rank. It is worth mentioning that two of the 12 deputy commanders are founding lieutenant generals, and their ranks are higher than Li Desheng's, namely Teng Haiqing and Wu Xian'en.
Whether it was Teng Haiqing or Wu Xian'en, the revolutionary seniority was older than That of Li Desheng. During the Red Army period, Teng Haiqing was the political commissar of the regiment, and there was a difference of several levels between him and Li Desheng. During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Teng Haiqing served in the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army, serving as brigade commanders of each unit.
During the Liberation War, Teng Haiqing served in the East China Field Army as the commander of the 2nd Column. After the establishment of the Third Field Army, Teng Haiqing became the first commander of the 21st Army of the 7th Corps, and under the command of Su Yu, participated in large-scale battles such as Lunan, Menglianggu, and Jinan. Teng Haiqing met the criteria of lieutenant general in both battle merit and seniority, and was awarded the rank of lieutenant general during the grand title in 1955.
It is worth mentioning that from 1961, Teng Haiqing served as the deputy commander of the Beijing Military Region until 1975, when he was the deputy commander of the Beijing Military Region for 14 years. Teng Haiqing also served as the commander of the Inner Mongolia Military Region, and like Li Desheng, was a senior general who held several positions.
Wu Xian'en and Li Desheng are fellow countrymen, and the age difference between the two is nine years. During the Red Army period, Wu Xian'en experienced life and death and survived from the ghost gate. During the Long March, Wu Xian'en served as the quartermaster of the Red Fourth Front, doing some logistical support work.
After the founding of New China, Wu Xian'en was awarded the rank of lieutenant general and served as the director of the Logistics Department of the Beijing Military Region, holding an important position. Like Teng Haiqing, Wu Xian'en served as deputy commander of the Beijing Military Region in 1961, a term that lasted 14 years until his resignation in 1975.
In general, whether it is Wu Xianen or Teng Haiqing, they are stronger than Li Desheng in terms of seniority, and they are both founding lieutenant generals. Li Desheng belonged to the upper echelons of the company, was deeply trusted by the chairman, and was the object of key training and training. Li Desheng did not live up to the expectations of his superiors, and he did a good job in several positions, and the chairman was very relieved to have him in Beijing.