On September 27, 1955, the State Council held a grand ceremony in the Huairen Hall in Zhongnanhai, Beijing, which was to recognize and reward those generals who had contributed to the construction of New China.
The heroes who have been awarded the title have more or less made outstanding contributions to the country, or have deep work qualifications to receive this honor.
However, there was a person in a special situation, this person had participated in and commanded many battles, was wounded in the war several times, and almost died, and even on the eve of the conferment ceremony, Chairman Mao visited him.
But just before that, Chairman Mao crossed his name from the original list of awards, and this person who had worked hard for the party and the people for half a lifetime ultimately failed to receive the title.
(Old photo of the conferment ceremony)
Who is this person? Why did Chairman Mao remove his quota from the list before the conferment ceremony? Is there something hidden in this that is not known?
[I worked hard for the party for most of my life, but in the end I didn't get a title]
This person's name was Li Xiannian, who was born on June 23, 1909 in Huang'an County, Hubei Province.
Because he was born in a poor family, he understood from an early age that the conditions in his family were difficult, so in terms of reading and studying, Li Xiannian worked very hard.
In his youth, Li Xiannian inadvertently came into contact with revolutionary ideas, and at that time he realized his love for the party and the country, so he actively threw himself into the work of the party.
In October 1926, he participated in the peasant movement, and the following year, the jute uprising broke out in Huang'an County, and he devoted himself to the uprising activities without hesitation, and during this period he served as the chairman of the Gaoqiao Township Soviet.
Out of enthusiasm and loyalty to the party, even if the jute uprising eventually failed, Li Xiannian did not change his original intention, did not get discouraged and wavered, but insisted on fighting guerrilla warfare with the enemy.
(Li Xiannian old photo)
In December 1927, Li Xiannian officially joined the Communist Party, and since then he has always implemented the revolutionary spirit, always been active and enterprising, worked hard and complained, and actively participated in the work of the party.
At the end of 1929, Li Xiannian transferred to local work, and in 1931, he preached communist theory, and more than 300 aspiring young people were touched by his enthusiasm and chose to follow the steps of the Communist Party.
Subsequently, Li Xiannian led them to join the Red Fourth Front, and he himself transferred from the local to the army and served as the political commissar of the Thirty-third Regiment of the Eleventh Division of the Red Fourth Front, when he was only 22 years old.
In October 1932, for strategic reasons, the Red Fourth Front needed to transfer its position from the Eyu-Anhui base area, and he was not afraid of danger, commanding the revolutionary army to break through the encirclement and successfully open the way for the large troops.
But in the ensuing battle, he was unfortunately accidentally injured, so badly injured that he could hardly move, and could only lie on a stretcher and do some simple physical movements—even though his physical condition was already so bad, he was not willing to give up the work at hand to direct the battle.
Because of his hard work, loyalty and ability, in December of the same year, Li Xiannian was appointed a member of the Northwest Revolutionary Military Committee.
Li Xiannian has been growing up in wars and struggles, participating in this life-threatening battle, and his military quality and command ability have also been qualitatively improved.
In the subsequent battles, he still did not hesitate, charged into the battle, the decisive battle of the empty mountain dam, the battle of the strong crossing of the Jialing River, each battle he showed outstanding talent and firm courage, these battles under the command of his leaders, all achieved a complete victory.
It was after the battle of the Jialing River that he had the first opportunity to meet Chairman Mao, and it was after this meeting that Chairman Mao remembered this talented man in his heart.
In June 1935, the troops under the command of Li Xiannian successfully met with the Red Army, and he reported to Chairman Mao one by one the summary of the current war situation and the intelligence of the Red Fourth Front.
(Li Xiannian in his youth)
Chairman Mao had heard of Li Xiannian's heroic deeds before, and now that he had talked eloquently and had a clever mind, he was even more certain that this man had insight and potential.
Praised and encouraged by Chairman Mao, Li Xiannian became even more a pioneer and radiated glory in the subsequent battles and exerted his own heat.
In the following years, Li Xiannian served as the commander of the Western Route Army, participated in the War of Resistance Against Japan, and he was found in the Battle of Jurong Mountain, the Battle of Tongbai and other wars, and during the Liberation War, he also commanded the Central Plains Breakthrough Campaign.
These difficult battles can achieve final victory, and Li Xiannian is indispensable.
After the founding of New China, Li Xiannian was appointed mayor of Wuhan, secretary of the Hubei Provincial CPC Committee, and chairman of the provincial government.
At that time, new China was waiting to be revived, and he and Wang Renzhong analyzed the situation, handled problems, and promoted the economic construction of Wuhan.
After that, he served as the director of the Wuhan Jingjiang Flood Diversion Committee, under his leadership, the people of Wuhan worked hard and spent more than a year to build the Jingjiang Flood Diversion Project.
(Now Jingjiang Flood Diversion Project)
In 1954, the Hubei flood broke out, and this flood prevention project, which had just been completed not long ago, played a huge role in flood control.
I have to say that Li Xiannian is a man who really has the ability to do practical work: Wen can control floods, and martial arts can go to the battlefield, which can not only promote the development of the city's economy, but also command the war situation to win the battle.
No matter what is done, it is an act of saving the people from danger, and Li Xiannian wrote the brilliant deeds left behind in the chapter of history, which cannot be questioned by anyone.
It was such a person who had devoted half his life to the country, but in 1955 he did not receive any military commendations.
Then, why did a national meritorious person with such outstanding merit not be awarded a title later?
(Li Xiannian old photo)
【Face the reward and actively refuse, a lifetime of integrity and public service】
In fact, Li Xiannian's failure to be awarded a title has a lot to do with the honesty and devotion that is engraved in his bones.
After the country's development and stability, he, a hero who has worked hard for the country for half a lifetime, should also be commended, and then take a good rest and enjoy the blessings.
But perhaps because he had devoted half his life to the organization, had become accustomed to toiling and working, and had shown no concern when the state repeatedly placed rewards and opportunities in front of him.
For example, in May 1954, according to the needs of the Party Central Committee at that time, some experienced and capable people were needed to work in the Central Committee.
Previously, Mr. Chen Yun, vice premier of the State Council, had heard of Li Xiannian as a figure, knew something about his deeds and character, and out of trust and appreciation, he recommended Li Xiannian as the minister of finance.
Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou had great trust in Li Xiannian, and in view of his past achievements, both recognized and agreed to the election.
(Li Xiannian at work)
However, in the face of a great opportunity, Li Xiannian declined this opportunity to take office, and after hearing about this, Chairman Mao was a little surprised, and after being persuaded, Li Xiannian agreed to serve as the minister of finance.
Later, although Li Xiannian took up the position of minister of finance of the State Council, he never used this to amass wealth, and his daily life was also very frugal, even in daily life, Li Xiannian would not touch the family's money, and the family's expenses were taken care of by his wife.
In addition, the integrity in Li Xiannian's bones is also reflected in the family style - he explicitly demands that his children are not allowed to do business.
From Li Ziyang's recollection, it can be known that there are 4 children in their family, but the 4 children usually do not see their father, because their father has always been busy with work, but even if he is busy, his father's requirements for them are also very strict.
(Li Xiannian daughter Li Ziyang elderly photo)
Li Xiannian taught them that many things that should not be done were resolutely not to be done, from living habits to planning for the future.
For example, someone once persuaded Li Ziyang to do business, but after her father learned about it, he told her to cherish the present, and now her life is very rich and there is no need to do business anymore.
It's just that where can Li Xiannian's family be considered rich and noble? It is nothing more than his own admiration for frugality and thrift, and he does not seek fame and fortune.
Li Xiannian has no requirements for the quality of life, so his daily life is very simple, and he never pays attention to eating and wearing.
When New China was just founded, his daily breakfast was steamed porridge, and he could eat a meat dish at lunch a day, and slowly, this habit has continued in Li Xiannian's life.
In this way, day after day, Li Xiannian has been living a simple and frugal life.
It was not until 1955 that Chairman Mao remembered Li Xiannian, who was honest and low-key in his life and devoted most of his life to the party, and thought that he should also have a place.
But at that time, he had already left the army and did not hold a military position, so Chairman Mao went to Li Xiannian and asked him what he thought of the award of ranks, and wanted to know what he expected from the recognition of military ranks in his mind.
Unexpectedly, and reasonably, Li Xiannian once again refused this award of commendation, telling Chairman Mao that he only wanted to do a good job and that other fame and fortune were not important.
Chairman Mao understood Li Xiannian's temperament, knew that he had not sought fame and fortune for so many years, and was unwilling to "force" him again, so Li Xiannian was "excluded" from the list of military ranks.
Therefore, when the title was awarded in 1955, there was no place for Li Xiannian.
(Li Xiannian old age photo)
[Meritorious service to the greatest, the title of general is well deserved]
Because Li Xiannian had no military position at the time of the award, and voluntarily gave up the title, many people unconsciously ignored this revolutionary hero.
I really want to ask, what rank should Li Xiannian get? According to the standards of the founding general, if he was awarded a title, Li Xiannian would undoubtedly be a general, even if he could not be a general, he should be a general.
Speaking of this, some friends may disagree: Many people believe that in the Central Plains Breakthrough Battle, it was precisely because of the mistakes made by Li Xiannian's command and leadership that our army suffered heavy losses, and the final victory also paid a considerable price, and some people even felt that such a victory was not a victory.
What's more, some people compare General Li Xiannian with General Su Yu, believing that if the "god of war" Su Yu leads the troops to command the battle, the casualties will be at least half.
Therefore, some people think that Li Xiannian's merits will not allow him to be awarded the ranks of general and general, but at most a lieutenant general.
(Simulation of the Central Plains Breakthrough Battle)
In fact, in view of Li Xiannian's mistakes in the war, we should look at it rationally and objectively.
Speaking of the Central Plains Breakthrough Battle, objectively speaking, Li Xiannian did not do his best, but he could not ignore the final fruits of victory.
When Recalling this experience in his later years, Li Xiannian said that "we must correctly evaluate the Central Plains Breakthrough" and that he never shied away from the mistakes and responsibilities that occurred in the Central Plains Breakthrough Battle.
Although our army lost tens of thousands of people in this campaign, it can be seen from Chiang Kai-shek's diary that the impact of the First Battle of the Central Plains Breakthrough on Chiang Kai-shek and the Kuomintang cannot be ignored: the troops led by Li Xiannian effectively pinned down the strength of the Nationalist army, ultimately affected the strategic deployment of the Nationalist army, and won the conditions for victory.
Therefore, we must affirm the role played by Li Xiannian in the Central Plains Breakthrough Campaign, and we must not erase all the merits of a person because of his mistake, and affect Li Xiannian's life, and his contribution to the country and the party is beyond doubt.
In addition to the Central Plains Breakthrough War, the Jute Uprising, the Agrarian Revolution, the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the War of Liberation, every battle has Li Xiannian's figure, according to such experience, his conditions fully meet the criteria of the founding general.
As for some people comparing Su Yu with General Li Xiannian, this is really unnecessary.
Comparing the desperate efforts of one revolutionary hero with the achievements of another revolutionary hero is disrespectful to history and the martyrs.
We should not compare General Su Yu with General Li Xiannian, because history does not assume that both are peerless soldiers and heroes that we should remember.
Therefore, remembering his outstanding merits in life, Li Xiannian was fully qualified to be awarded the title of general or general.
Of course, it is still that sentence, history does not assume, Li Xiannian eventually voluntarily gave up the title, so in the end did not become the founding general, this can not be changed.
(Li Xiannian old photo)
However, it is certain that Li Xiannian's failure to receive the rank had nothing to do with his seniority, position, or mistakes in the war, and it was only because he left the army at that time and voluntarily gave up that he did not receive the rank.
Even so, Li Xiannian later achieved great success, and in his later years he was elected president of the country, served on the Politburo Standing Committee, held a state-level position, and also received the honor of "one of the 36 military experts".
On June 21, 1992, Li Xiannian, who had devoted his life's blood and sweat to the country, died of illness in Beijing at the age of 83.
Epilogue:
Li Xiannian dedicated his life to the country, and many battles were based on his command ability, and finally he was able to turn the tide of the war.
He practiced simplicity in his life, so much so that he gave up many honors and awards that belonged to him, but his personality was like this, not seeking fame and fortune, but only seeking to contribute more to the party and the organization.
(Chairman Mao and Li Xiannian meet)
Although Li Xiannian did not receive any military rank in 1955, he later became one of the "36 military experts" and was later elected president of the country, with an official rank of zhengguo, which is enough to prove his brilliant merits in this life.
The name of this revolutionary hero will always remain in the hearts of those older generations and will always be remembered by the country and the people.