When talking about the Sino-Vietnamese War, people will always be reminded of the old saying: "Soldiers are precious and fast". In 1979, China decided to give Vietnam, which claimed to be the world's third-largest military power, a blow to the country.
In that war, standing on the command platform was actually a veteran general who was over his prime! Yes, you heard it right, 73-year-old Senior General Xu Shiyou took command of the expedition, and this cannot help but make people wonder why 72-year-old Senior General Su Yu failed to become the commander of this war? Is it just because he is one year younger?
Or, is there an unknown consideration behind it? Let's talk about it and maybe discover some little secrets of history!
During the Spring Festival that year, every household was busy buying New Year's goods, but on the distant frontier, the drums of war were tense and the smoke of gunpowder was filled. Back on February 17, 1979, the Chinese army embarked on a journey against Vietnam.
This time, their purpose is not to conquer, but to teach the neighbor who dared to challenge a lesson.
Who are the men in command of this particular war? Young lads? No, but the gray-haired, faltering old generals.
Among them, General Xu Shiyou is 73 years old, and Yang Dezhi is also 68 years old. Come to think of it, isn't it time for these old people to enjoy the blessings at home? On the contrary, they still have to wave the guide north on the battlefield, which is admirable.
However, there is a mystery here, why is it Xu Shiyou, and not Su Yuda, who will be in charge in the future? Su Yu is a year younger than Xu Shiyou, and he is also a well-known figure.
If you want to talk about military merits and qualifications, Su Yu is not lost to Xu Shiyou at all. The marshals and generals at that time could be described as star-studded. You say, is there something hidden in this that we don't know?
Okay, let's stop selling it, let's talk about the excellence of Xu Shiyou, a veteran. Xu Shiyou, he is famous for his anger, but don't think that he is a pure "fire hero".
He's not just brave, he's smart. From the Agrarian Revolutionary War to the War of Liberation, the credit he made was not covered. Don't look at him, he usually doesn't show much dew, but when it comes to the critical moment, he is a master who is as decisive as a god.
Our resume, during the Red Fourth Front Army, he sat in the position of army commander. On the Long March, he was as famous as Peng Dehuai and Lin Biao, and they were both army commanders.
During the Anti-Japanese War, he sharpened his skills in the Jiaodong Military Region for a while. During the East China Liberation War, he was the commander of the Corps, and he was the first person in the People's Liberation Army.
When it comes to fighting, Xu Shiyou really has a hand. The battles he commanded were numerous, and each time they were thunderous and brilliant.
You see, what about the age of such a general? Isn't this exactly what is needed to fight a punitive war with his rich experience and courage?
Let's talk about Su Yu again, as Xu Shiyou's old superior, Su Yu is also a character who can fight tough battles. However, in the political situation, Su Yu's influence may not be as great as Xu Shiyou's.
Times are changing, the military is also changing, and sometimes, the most senior veteran is not necessarily the most qualified.
Why did it end up being Xu Shiyou and not Su Yu? Xu Shiyou's military style suited the needs of this war.
His bold and resolute style of work exactly met the requirements of "a quick and quick solution" in the war against Vietnam. This, coupled with his political acumen, in many cases meant being able to better align with decisions at the top, which was essential for a war that was both politically and militarily important.
At that time, Deng Xiaoping's idea of reform and opening up had begun to take root in the hearts of the people, and what was needed was cadres who could implement the decisions made by the higher authorities.
Xu Shiyou's prestige in the army, coupled with his absolute loyalty to the party, naturally made him the most suitable candidate. His "just do what he says" energy is exactly in line with the spirit of that era.
And, don't forget, Xu Shiyou also has a good hand. His troops were well-trained and disciplined. His influence on his subordinates is also incomparable to other generals. These are all important reasons why he is able to take on this important responsibility.
Although Su Yu was also an excellent general, his style may have been more suited to traditional protracted warfare. The war against Vietnam, however, was a blitzkrieg, and what was needed was decisiveness and speed. It may have been this difference in strategy that led Deng Xiaoping to finally decide to use Xu Shiyou.
Of course, we outsiders can only guess about the political considerations in the middle. There may have been other factors, such as health and personal vendetta with Vietnam, that could have been the ultimate consideration for Mr. Deng.
The appointment of General Xu Shiyou is not accidental. His personal abilities, combined with the historical background of the time, made him the most suitable candidate. And behind this, perhaps only the decision-makers at the time knew best.
Interpreting history is always full of unsolved mysteries and possibilities. General Xu Shiyou was able to take command at the age of 73, which is not only a reflection of his personal ability, but also a portrayal of the spirit of the times.
He let us see the wisdom and courage of a general, and also reflected the historical choices of that era. The veterans went on the expedition, which was not only a punishment for Vietnam, but also a confrontation with history.