A black car pulled up in front of an ordinary house on a summer day in 1972, and a young man stepped out of the car to ask the villagers if this was someone's residence. After receiving an affirmative reply, he announced that he had come on Zhu De's order and made a special trip to pick up the old man to meet Zhu De. There was a sound of heavy footsteps behind the door, and then the door opened, and a gray-haired old man walked out excitedly, tears rolling in his eyes. It turned out that this old man hadn't seen Zhu De for many years, and he wrote a letter to him two days ago to ask to see him, but he didn't expect Zhu De to attach so much importance to it and immediately sent someone to pick him up... Why does Zhu De attach so much importance to this old man, and where is this old man sacred?
1. The relationship between Ouyang Yi and Zhu De
1. We met for the first time in 1928
In the autumn of 1928, a revolutionary army of workers and peasants led by Mao Zedong himself arrived in a small mountain village on the border of Hunan and Jiangxi. This team was the famous Autumn Harvest Uprising troops, and after more than a month of marching, they finally arrived at the predetermined meeting place. And here, what has been waiting for a long time is a separate battalion unit led by Xiao Ke.
The independent battalion could be described as the most elite revolutionary armed force at that time, and in their ranks, there was a young political instructor named Ouyang Yi. As a hot-blooded young man, Ouyang Yi was extremely excited to join Mao Zedong's troops. He couldn't wait to ask his comrades-in-arms about Mao Zedong's whereabouts, and finally saw the true face of this "Hunan man" for the first time under the guidance of people.
On that day, Mao Zedong was dressed in a simple blue cloth robe and a straw hat, and greeted the arrival of heroes from all walks of life with a calm demeanor. When he saw Ouyang Yi, he stepped forward to greet him cordially: "Are the comrades of the independent battalion all well, and what are the casualties along the way?"
Ouyang Yi was deeply moved by Mao Zedong's humility and courtesy, and a sense of admiration spontaneously arose in his heart. He replied again and again: "Master Mao, everything is fine here, but you have worked too hard!"
Mao Zedong smiled and waved his hand: "That's good, it's not easy for you to come all the way." He looked around and continued, "Zhu De's team has moved east, and we are here to greet you and go up to Jinggang Mountain together!"
In this way, in a chance meeting, Ouyang Yi not only saw Mao Zedong's true face for the first time, but also heard the name "Zhu De" for the first time. Although he didn't know at the time that these two people would become the founders and leadership core of New China, the first impression they left on Ouyang Yi had been deeply imprinted in the young man's heart.
2. A deep friendship was formed during the Jinggangshan period
In 1929, after careful consideration by the party, Ouyang Yi was appointed political commissar of the 28th Regiment of the Red Army. As a political commissar, Ouyang Yi is diligent, conscientious, and always strict with himself according to the standards of a Communist Party member. He not only completes his job conscientiously, but also often takes the initiative to do something outside of his own duties, and where there is a shortage of manpower, he will immediately fill it. It is precisely this spirit of enduring hardships and standing hard work and selfless dedication that has won unanimous praise from the Red Army soldiers.
Once, on the way to the march, the Red Army was suddenly attacked by the enemy. The situation was critical, and fighting was on the verge of breaking out. Ouyang Yi didn't say a word, immediately put on his military uniform, picked up a pistol, and fought side by side with the soldiers. In the smoke of gunpowder, he was fearless and commanding, and finally helped the Red Army to get rid of the enemy's siege.
This scene was witnessed by Zhu De, who was the commander-in-chief of the Red Army at the time. Zhu De praised Ouyang Yi's performance, and at a party meeting, he publicly commended Ouyang Yi: "Comrade Ouyang Yi is a loyal Communist Party member, and he is also an excellent political commissar, and his work style and fighting spirit are worthy of learning from all of us!"
Since then, a deep revolutionary friendship has been forged between Ouyang Yi and Zhu De. Zhu De valued the young political commissar very much, and Ouyang Yi also regarded Zhu De as his mentor and role model. In the years that followed, they participated in the arduous Long March together, and finally won a great victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan.
3. Zhu De's attention to Ouyang Yi
During the Long March, Zhu De encountered a life-threatening situation. It was January 1935, when the Red Army arrived in Zunyi, Zhang Guotao tried to launch a split in the central government, and Zhu De was not afraid of danger and decisively stopped this conspiracy. But it was precisely because of this incident that Zhang Guotao held a grudge against Zhu De, and one night, he secretly sent someone to steal Zhu De's horse and slaughter it.
After learning of this situation, Zhu De was very worried that his safety would be further threatened, so he immediately wrote to Ouyang Yi, asking him to send two elite generals to serve as his personal guards.
The letter soon reached Ouyang Yi's hands. As Zhu De's old friend, Ouyang Yi did not dare to delay for a moment, and immediately selected two soldiers with extraordinary skills and asked them to guard Zhu De's side day and night to prevent accidents.
In this way, under the careful protection of Ouyang Yi, Zhu De quickly got through this crisis. Years later, whenever Zhu De recalled this experience, he would express his heartfelt gratitude to Ouyang Yi for his loyalty.
In 1972, Ouyang Yi, who was in his late teens, wrote to Zhu De, expressing his desire to see him. After Zhu De learned of the news, he attached great importance to it, immediately arranged a special car to go, and instructed the driver to pick up the old man Ouyang Yi with the most respectful attitude.
It can be seen that Zhu De's attention to Ouyang Yi is not only due to the decades-long revolutionary friendship between them, but also out of sincere admiration for the selfless dedication and outstanding contributions of this old comrade-in-arms throughout his life.
2. Ouyang Yi's outstanding military exploits
1. Cover the heroic sacrifice of the large army
In the spring of 1949, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) prepared to march into Yunnan and open a strategic gate to the southwest. At this critical moment, the Central Military Commission appointed Ouyang Yi to lead a unit to serve as the "rearguard" of the whole army, responsible for covering the transfer of large forces and at the same time containing the enemy's attack.
Although it was just a seemingly simple cover task, Ouyang Yi clearly knew that the hardships and dangers involved were unimaginable to ordinary people. When he accepted the task, he resolutely said to his superiors: "I will definitely do my best to complete this important covering mission!"
Soon, Ouyang Yi led his troops to build strong fortifications along the Jinsha River. They used this natural fortress to set up numerous bunkers and firing positions in order to maximize their firepower superiority and combat enemy attacks.
Just when the fortifications were beginning to take shape, a soldier lay on the side of the fortifications and asked Ouyang Yi, "Chief, how long are we going to hold on here?"
Ouyang Yi spit out a puff of smoke rings and said in a deep voice: "Hold on for three days and three nights, do comrades have this determination?"
"Yes!" the warriors replied in unison.
However, three days and three nights passed quickly, and the enemy's offensive showed no signs of abating, but intensified. Ouyang Yi had to contact his superiors again for further instructions.
"Hold on for three days and three nights!" the order from the superior came again.
Ouyang Yi frowned, he knew that this was already an extraordinary request. But he still replied without hesitation: "We will go all out and stick to it for three days and three nights!"
And so, three days and three days, six days and six nights passed quickly. But just when everyone thought that they could finally evacuate, the order from their superiors came again, asking them to hold on for another three days and three nights! Nine days and nine nights, which was an intensity unimaginable to ordinary people, but Ouyang Yi and his soldiers did not complain at all.
"For the sake of the people, even if you fight for your life!" said one soldier firmly.
Nine days and nine nights later, when Ouyang Yi finally led all the personnel to evacuate victoriously, his superiors spoke highly of his performance: "Comrade Ouyang Yi, what a fierce general! They have completed an 'almost impossible task'!"
2. A lifetime of selfless dedication
In fact, Ouyang Yi's life was spent in the smoke of war. As early as 1928, he had already joined the revolutionary armed forces and participated in the famous Autumn Harvest Uprising. Since then, he has been following the party's banner, and has made countless meritorious deeds after several baptisms of war.
In 1929, Ouyang Yi was appointed political commissar of the 28th Regiment of the Red Army. As a political commissar, he not only completed his work dutifully, but also made selfless dedication and endured hardships. As long as there is a shortage of manpower, he will be the first to rush forward and set an example for the soldiers with his practical actions.
At one point, the Red Army was suddenly attacked by the enemy on the march. The situation was critical, and fighting was on the verge of breaking out. Ouyang Yi didn't say a word, immediately picked up the pistol and fought side by side with the soldiers. Under his calm command, the Red Army quickly repelled the enemy's attack.
This scene was witnessed by Zhu De, then commander-in-chief of the Red Army. Zhu De was full of praise for Ouyang Yi's heroic performance, publicly praising him as "a loyal Communist Party member and an excellent political commissar."
Since then, Ouyang Yi has been following Zhu De and Mao Zedong, participating in the arduous Long March, and finally achieving a great victory in the War of Resistance against Japan. It can be said that Ouyang Yi's life was spent in the smoke of war, and he used his actuon to interpret the noble quality of a communist "serving the people wholeheartedly".
3. A touching scene of the reunion of old friends
1. Ouyang Yi wanted to see Zhu De in his later years
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, Ouyang Yi is already a gray-haired old man. Once upon a time, he was the brave and mighty Red Army soldier, but now his health is deteriorating and his movement is becoming more and more inconvenient.
In his long revolutionary career, Ouyang Yi has made countless comrades-in-arms and comrades. However, Zhu De is the most special one for him. They met during the Autumn Harvest Uprising in 1928 and forged an unbreakable revolutionary friendship. From the fiery years of Jinggangshan, to the harsh test of the distant frontier, to the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression that decided the fate of the nation, Ouyang Yi and Zhu De can be said to share life and death, and weal and woe.
But just when Ouyang Yi was getting older, he suddenly remembered Zhu De, whom he hadn't seen for many years. Although they are in high positions themselves, the desire to meet again after a long absence is from the heart. So, one summer day in 1972, Ouyang Yi picked up the pen and wrote a letter to Zhu De asking to see him.
2. Zhu De carefully arranged a special car to pick up Ouyang Yi
After Zhu De received Ouyang Yi's letter, he was extremely excited. As the supreme leader of the party and the state, his schedule is naturally extremely busy. However, in the face of the wishes of this old revolutionary friend, Zhu De attached great importance to it.
He immediately convened a meeting of the staff to study it, and decided to send a special car to personally bring the old man Ouyang Yi to Zhongnanhai. Zhu De also specially instructed the driver: "You must take Ouyang Yi over as soon as possible, and you must be extra cautious on the road." When you arrive at his house, you must greet him with the most respectful attitude and the most solemn etiquette in any case. ＂
Zhu De's words fully reflect his respect and importance for Ouyang Yi. Although Ouyang Yi is just an ordinary veteran, in Zhu De's heart, he is his closest and most trustworthy comrade-in-arms and comrade.
In this way, the special car sent by Zhu De soon drove to Ouyang Yi's doorstep. When the driver rang the doorbell to announce his intention, there was a heavy footstep sound from inside the door. Then, the door was opened, and an old man with gray hair slowly walked out.
3. Reunion after a long absence, farewell to deep feelings
Seeing the special car coming to pick him up, Ouyang Yi's eyes couldn't help but moisten. He never expected that Zhu De would attach so much importance to himself and send a car to greet him. The joy of reunion after a long absence instantly filled his whole body.
Soon, Ouyang Yi was respectfully sent into the car. Along the way, he sometimes remembered the years when he fought side by side with Zhu De in the past, and sometimes he would sigh at Zhu De's attention and thoughtfulness to himself.
Finally, the car arrived in Zhongnanhai. Zhu De had been waiting in the West Flower Hall for a long time. Seeing Ouyang Yi walk in, he immediately got up to greet him and said cordially: "Ouyang, it's been a long time!
Ouyang Yi was so excited that tears welled up in his eyes, he held Zhu De's hand tightly, unable to speak for a long time. After a long while, he finally spoke: "Mr. Zhu, thank you so much! We haven't seen each other for many years, I didn't expect you to still attach so much importance to me and be considerate of me... ＂
Zhu De smiled and waved his hand: "What are you talking about? We are old revolutionary comrades-in-arms, and the friendship between you and me is as unbreakable as steel! You have made such great contributions to the revolutionary cause, and I should attach importance to you." ＂
In this way, the two old friends relived those eventful years with a word from you. They recalled the bits and pieces of their common experience, and their words were affectionate, which deeply touched everyone present. Zhu De praised Ouyang Yi as a "loyal old comrade-in-arms", and Ouyang Yi sincerely thanked Zhu De for caring for him.
IV. Conclusion
Comrade Ouyang Yi followed Zhu De and Mao Zedong all his life, and it can be said that he breathed the same breath and shared the same fate with the party and the revolution. From the first shot of the Autumn Harvest Uprising in 1928 to the great victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan, Ouyang Yi rarely left the smoke of war.
He served as the political commissar of the Red 28th Regiment during the Jinggangshan period, and he was diligent and conscientious, winning unanimous praise from the soldiers. Later, on the Long March, he formed an unbreakable revolutionary friendship with Zhu De.
In 1935, when Zhu De encountered Zhang Guotao's conspiracy, Ouyang Yi immediately sent two elite soldiers to guard Zhu De's side day and night to ensure his safety. Years later, whenever Zhu De recalled this experience, he would express his gratitude to Ouyang Yi for his loyalty.
In the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression that decided the fate of the nation, Ouyang Yi also established outstanding military achievements. At one time, he led the troops as the "rearguard" of the whole army, responsible for covering the transfer of large forces. On the Jinsha River, Ouyang Yi commanded his officers and soldiers to hold their positions for nine days and nine nights, and finally completed this "almost impossible task". Zhu De personally praised him as "a fierce general".
Even in his later years, Ouyang Yi's loyalty to the party and the revolution never wavered. In 1972, he wrote a letter to Zhu De, expressing his desire to see Zhu De. After Zhu De learned of the news, he attached great importance to it, immediately arranged a special car to go, and instructed the driver to take the old man Ouyang Yi to Zhongnanhai with the most respectful attitude.
The scene of reunion after a long absence deeply moved everyone present. Zhu De praised Ouyang Yi as a "loyal old comrade-in-arms", and Ouyang Yi sincerely thanked Zhu De for caring for him. The two old revolutionary friends relived those eventful years with a word from you, and said goodbye to deep feelings.
From an ordinary peasant to a heroic son and daughter of the party and the people, Comrade Ouyang Yi used his life to interpret the lofty quality of a communist who "serves the people wholeheartedly". He forged an unbreakable fighting friendship with Zhu De, Mao Zedong and other proletarian revolutionaries of the older generation, and witnessed the sincere friendship between comrades-in-arms in those difficult years.