In the long river of history, some friendships are like bright stars, passing through the fog of time and space, illuminating the hearts of future generations. The friendship between Chen Geng and Song Xilian is such a dazzling star. The two are both students of the Whampoa Military Academy, fellow villagers and classmates, and have experienced the ups and downs of the revolution together, but they have been coerced in the torrent of troubled times and embarked on completely different paths. How did their friendship withstand the test in the midst of partisan disputes and wars? At the turning corner of history, how did they transcend the boundaries of their stance with a broad mind and regain their old affection? Is this friendship spanning half a century really as subtle as the friendship between Li Yunlong and Chu Yunfei as Chen Zhifei said? How will their stories enlighten our understanding and tolerance today? Let us explore this dusty past and unveil its mysterious veil together.
Whampoa Military Academy: The cradle of revolutionary friendship
On Changzhou Island in Guangzhou, there is a military academy, which is not only the cradle of modern military education in China, but also the place where countless revolutionary heroes set sail in their dreams. Here is the Whampoa Military Academy, the birthplace of revolutionary friendship, and the starting point of the friendship between Chen Geng and Song Xilian.
In 1924, the Chinese Kuomintang, with the help of the Soviet Union, established the Whampoa Military Academy in Guangzhou. The purpose of this military school was to train revolutionary military talents and overthrow the rule of imperialism and feudal warlords. Here, young people from all over the country gathered, with their love for the country and the nation, and eager to contribute to China's independence and national rejuvenation through their own efforts.
Chen Geng and Song Xilian, two young people from Xiangxiang, Hunan, met here. They are both first-term students of the Whampoa Military Academy, they are from the same wealthy families, and they also cherish revolutionary ideals. In this land of revolutionary passion, their friendship quickly took root in shared ideals and beliefs.
Chen Geng, born in a military family, his grandfather Chen Yiqiong was a general of the Hunan Army, and his family has a family motto of "Virtue follows Yanghu, Yuan Shao Ji'an", emphasizing moral cultivation and family traditions. Although Chen Geng's father did not enter politics, he was deeply concerned about the changes in the current situation and supported the Xinhai Revolution and the peasant movement. With such a family background, Chen Geng has been influenced by revolutionary ideas since he was a child.
And Song Xilian, born in a literati family, his ancestors are many talents, his great-grandfather Song Changui and grandfather Song Guangqing are both well-known literati, and the family has a strong cultural atmosphere. Song Xilian received a good education from an early age and had a deep interest in literature and history.
At the Whampoa Military Academy, Chen Geng and Song Xilian received modern military education and the baptism of revolutionary ideas. They study military tactics and political theories, participate in military exercises, and train day and night to become qualified officers. In the process, the friendship between the two also deepened.
Education at the Whampoa Military Academy is not only military training, but more importantly, cultivating students' revolutionary spirit and patriotic feelings. Here, Chen Geng and Song Xilian came into contact with many revolutionary predecessors, such as Sun Yat-sen, Liao Zhongkai and others, whose thoughts and actions had a profound impact on the two.
During his days at the Whampoa Military Academy, Chen Geng and Song Xilian participated in many important revolutionary activities together, such as the Northern Expedition. They fought side by side in the flames of war, and together they experienced life and death trials, and these experiences made their friendship even more unbreakable.
However, the great wheel of history is rolling forward, and the road of revolution has never been smooth. With the outbreak of the civil war between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, former classmates and friends had to stand on the battlefield of opposition. Chen Geng stood firmly on the side of the Communists, while Song Xilian chose the Kuomintang. Despite their different positions, their friendship did not break down because of this.
In that turbulent era, the friendship between Chen Geng and Song Xilian was like a bright lamp, illuminating each other's hearts. Their story has become a good story in the history of the Whampoa Military Academy and even the entire Chinese revolution.
Brothers in troubled times: deep friendship under different positions
In the grandeur of modern Chinese history, the friendship between Chen Geng and Song Xilian is like a unique landscape, although their political positions eventually diverged, but the deep friendship between the two can transcend all this and become a good story to be celebrated.
Chen Geng's friendship with Song Xilian began at the Whampoa Military Academy, which was a cradle for training revolutionary soldiers. There, the two not only learned military skills, but also forged a deep affection for the country and the nation. However, with the outbreak of the civil war between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, the trajectories of the two began to diverge. Chen Geng firmly chose the path of the Communist Party, while Song Xilian remained in the Kuomintang.
Despite their different political positions, the two maintained a complex and delicate friendship during the war-torn years. In the context of the fierce civil war between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, Chen Geng and Song Xilian encountered on the battlefield many times. In a battle in 1941, Song Xilian's unit confronted Chen Geng's troops on the front line. Facing his former best friend, Song Xilian ordered to avoid a head-on conflict with Chen Geng's troops as much as possible. This decision caused quite a bit of controversy in the military, but Song Xilian insisted that it was due respect for old friends.
The brutality of the war did not wear out the friendship between the two, but deepened the understanding and respect between them to some extent. After the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in 1945, the contradictions between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party intensified again, and Chen Geng and Song Xilian once again stood on opposite sides. During this period, although the two rarely had the opportunity to communicate directly, through various channels, they tried their best to avoid putting each other in a desperate situation.
During a secret meeting in 1946, the two met at a hidden location by the Yangtze River. There was no discussion of political issues at the meeting, just the confiding of two old friends after a long absence. They talked about the changes in their hometown, recalled the Whampoa time, and even recited the Whampoa school song when they were studying. This emotion, which transcends political positions, shows the depth of their friendship.
In 1948, Song Xilian was wounded in a battle and was in critical condition. After learning the news, Chen Geng secretly sent medicine and medical supplies through the Red Cross, although this behavior was most likely incompatible to his comrades. After Song Xilian recovered, he was deeply moved when he learned the news.
Towards the end of the civil war between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, Song Xilian faced the fate of being captured. After learning the news that Song Xilian might be captured, Chen Geng tried his best to obtain a more lenient treatment for Song Xilian through various efforts, although this was the limit of his ability.
Although the torrent of history has pushed them to different paths, the friendship between Chen Geng and Song Xilian is like an invisible link, always connecting two sincere hearts. Their story has become a unique and precious landscape in that turbulent era.
The Passage of Time: The Test of Friendship and Reunion
Time flies, and the wheels of history roll forward. In this ancient and young land of China, the friendship between Chen Geng and Song Xilian has experienced the baptism of war and witnessed the birth of New China. Although the two Whampoa military academy classmates parted ways due to war and political positions, the deep friendship between them is like a secret bond, which has always been firmly linked.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Chen Geng's life opened a new chapter. He became a high-ranking general of the People's Republic of China, participated in the construction of socialism, and contributed his strength to the development of the country and the well-being of the people. In this new era, Chen Geng's political career reached its peak, and his name is closely linked to the history of New China.
At the same time, Song Xilian's fate is completely different. After the end of the Kuomintang-Communist civil war, he was captured as a general of the Kuomintang and faced an unknown fate. In the prisoner of war camp, Song Xilian experienced profound changes in his thinking. He began to reflect on his past choices and maintained a wait-and-see attitude towards the development and changes of New China. Despite the predicament, Song Xilian still misses the friendship with Chen Geng in his heart, which is the most precious memory in the depths of his soul.
There was a time in the lives of the two that there was little intersection. However, the great wheel of history finally pushed them together again. In 1959, Song Xilian was granted amnesty, ending his ten-year career as a prisoner of war. At this turning point, the friendship between Song Xilian and Chen Geng has been tested again.
The time for reunion has finally arrived. After Chen Geng learned the news of Song Xilian's release, he did not hesitate and immediately arranged a meeting with his old friend. In a chance meeting in Beijing, the two veteran generals regained their old friendship. Despite their irreconcilable differences in political positions, at that moment, they were just two old friends who had gone through ups and downs and vicissitudes.
Under the sunshine of New China, the reunion of the two old friends is not only a convergence of personal feelings, but also a reconciliation of history. Their conversation is no longer about strategy and tactics in the midst of war, but about the changes in their hometowns, the safety of their loved ones, and their vision for the future. In such exchanges, the friendship between the two has been sublimated, and their story has become the epitome of the brilliance of humanity in the new era.
The passage of time has not faded the friendship between Chen Geng and Song Xilian, but has made this friendship more precious. In their later years, this friendship became the most precious treasure of their lives. The story of the two veteran generals is not only a legend of personal emotion, but also a warm footnote in the history of New China.
Witness of history: the brilliance of humanity beyond the times
In the long river of modern Chinese history, the friendship between Chen Geng and Song Xilian is like a unique light, penetrating the haze of war and politics, and reflecting the brilliance of human nature. Their story is not only a legend of personal friendship, but also a good story witnessed by history, showing the beauty of humanity beyond the times.
Chen Geng and Song Xilian, two classmates of the Whampoa Military Academy, although they later stood on opposite sides due to the civil war between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, their friendship was never shaken by the difference in political positions. This deep friendship is not only reflected in their personal interactions, but also leaves a deep imprint on many historical nodes.
In 1959, Song Xilian was released as a war criminal, which was an important turning point in the friendship between the two. Chen Geng, although he was already a senior general in New China, did not forget his old friend and went to meet Song Xilian in person. This action is not only a sticking to the friendship for many years, but also reflects Chen Geng's deep affection for his old friends. The scene when they reunited is undoubtedly a vivid display of the brilliance of human nature in the context of that era.
In addition, the friendship between Chen Geng and Song Xilian is also reflected in the respect for each other's achievements. Although they differed in their political positions, in private, they both held each other highly valued and respected for their achievements and talents. Song Xilian has expressed his admiration for Chen Geng's military talent on many occasions, and Chen Geng has also mentioned Song Xilian's bravery and wisdom many times.
In the later years of the two, this friendship became a valuable asset in their lives. Chen Geng recalled the past with Song Xilian on many public occasions, and every time he mentioned it, he was full of affection, these memories not only made people feel the deep friendship between them, but also let future generations see the kindness and beauty in human nature in the context of turbulent times.
The story of Chen Geng and Song Xilian finally transcended their respective political identities and historical limitations, and became a good story that has been passed down from generation to generation. Their friendship is like a mirror, reflecting the most sincere and beautiful side of human nature, and reminding the world that sincere human relationships and respect for humanity are the most precious in any era.
This friendship, which spanned half a century, is not only a story of two people, but also a testimony of history. It tells us that even in the face of national justice and personal beliefs, sincere friendship can still overcome many obstacles and become the common wealth of mankind. The friendship between Chen Geng and Song Xilian has become the brilliance of humanity that transcends the times and illuminates the hearts of future generations.