In 1940, a rare photograph was taken in Moscow, Lin Biao in front of the camera wearing a suit, looking Sven and elegant, and the young man Li Tianyou standing side by side with him exuded a confidence and grace comparable to it. This photo has aroused the curiosity of many people, who can take a photo with Lin Biao, an important military leader, and what is his origin?
Li Tianyou, who was only 14 years old, was born in a poor family in Guangxi and dropped out of school early due to his family's difficulties. In order to find a way out, he left his hometown and joined the ranks of Li Mingrui's subordinates. Although this seemed like a wrong decision, he was lucky to meet the communist Zhang Yunyi there. This encounter changed his fate, he gained insight into communism and the Communist Party, and finally chose to join the party organization.
In 1929, at the age of 16, Li Tianyou participated in the Baise Uprising led by Deng Xiaoping and Zhang Yunyi, and this moment became his new life. Zhang Yunyi recalled that there were many setbacks in the early days of the uprising, but Li Tianyou performed well, always forged ahead, was not afraid of vicious battles, and even held his ground after being injured many times.
In 1930, when the Seventh Red Army went north, Li Tianyou was responsible for protecting the security of the commander of the army and the leading organs. He stepped forward, led the whole company, charged and protected the troops from danger. This made his name widely known and known as "Little Tiger Company Commander".
Li Tianyou's heroic deeds attracted Zhang Yunyi's special attention, and he predicted: "This little ghost head, who is less than 16 years old, is so fierce, and when he is 26 years old and 36 years old, he will be able to pay off?" The warlords in Guangxi were out of mix. Zhang Yunyi's evaluation made Li Tianyou's reputation even higher.
In 1932, Li Tianyou's troops were assigned to attack the city of Ganzhou, and although the strategic line was wrong, Li Tianyou's combat effectiveness was excellent. He was even shot three times, but still led everyone to successfully land on the city and became a martyr in everyone's mind.
After that, Li Tianyou's fame spread among the Red Legion, and he became a highly respected military leader. In the Anti-Japanese War, he served as the commander of the 686th Regiment of the 115th Division, and worked with Lin Biao, especially in the Pingxingguan Dajie, where his troops played a key role and made great achievements for the victory.
However, with the establishment of the state, Lin Biao was promoted to marshal, while Li Tianyou became a general, serving as the 1st deputy commander of the Guangzhou Military Region, becoming Huang Yongsheng's deputy. Although the two once had a deep battlefield friendship, they parted ways on the political road.
In the turbulent years, Li Tianyou firmly protected old comrades and did not easily criticize leading cadres at all levels, so he was praised as a "tiger general" and had tiger guts. He has always adhered to his beliefs and gave everything for the victory of the revolution. In 1970, Li Tianyou died at the age of 56, but his name will forever be engraved in the annals of the revolution.
In 1994, the People's Liberation Army published the biography of General Li Tianyou, once again making his heroic deeds known. The legendary story of Li Tianyou will always inspire future generations, he is a great hero in the history of the Chinese revolution, who sacrificed his life for the country and the people, and his achievements will be immortalized.