The Battle of Luding Bridge in the Red Army's Long March was a heroic feat of the Red Army to seize the bridge. There is an unknown secret behind this - Liu Wenhui did not blow up the Luding Bridge according to Chiang Kai-shek's orders. If this bridge is destroyed, the Red Army may be completely annihilated, Liu Wenhui let the Red Army go, is it just a temporary soft-heartedness?
In 1935, it was the white-hot stage of the civil war between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party. At that time, the Red Army faced many difficulties during the Long March, and every step was on the verge of life and death. The battle of Luding Bridge was a great test of the Red Army's will. Luding Bridge, a suspension bridge across the turbulent Dadu River, became a battleground for the Red Army. Imagine that without this bridge, it would have been an almost impossible task for the Red Army to cross the Dadu River.
However, at this critical moment, Liu Wenhui, who was supposed to blow up the bridge to stop the advance of the Red Army, unexpectedly did not carry out the order. Liu Wenhui, whose name may not have been well known to the public at the time, was just one of many warlords, but his decision may have changed the course of Chinese history. Liu Wenhui was in charge of Xikang Province at the time and was known as the "King of Xikang", and his political status was not insignificant.
Why did Liu Wenhui make such a decision? We need to understand Liu Wenhui's background. Liu Wenhui was originally Liu Xiang's cousin, and both were powerful warlords in Sichuan. But Mr. Liu's ambitions don't stop there, he has bigger political ambitions. In the power struggle with his cousin Liu Xiang, Liu Wenhui experienced several ups and downs, and was finally "exiled" to Xikang. This experience made him more cautious and sophisticated in the struggle for power.
Under the pressure of the Kuomintang, although Liu Wenhui ostensibly obeyed Chiang Kai-shek's orders, his inner calculations were more complicated. He needs to maintain his rule in Xikang and find space to survive in the midst of many forces. Although blowing up the Luding Bridge could temporarily satisfy Chiang Kai-shek's demands, in the long run, it could lose more political capital. Liu Wenhui is unwilling to ruin his future because of the momentary speed.
The geographical location and military value of the Luding Bridge make the bridge a coveted object for many parties. The determination and courage of the Red Army to cross the Dadu River also made Liu Wenhui respect this army. Perhaps on an unknown night, Liu Wenhui looked at the Luding Bridge and pondered, thinking not only about what to do with the bridge, but also about weighing the relationship between his future and the Red Army. Liu Wenhui may have thought that keeping the Luding Bridge intact could be used as a bargaining chip for future negotiations with the Red Army, and perhaps at some point in the future, this tolerance could be exchanged for the Red Army's return.
With this, Liu Wenhui's decision was also influenced by his own personality. He was not a blood-loving warlord, and his strategic vision and political wisdom made him more inclined to take a more moderate approach to conflict. This personality trait occupies an important place in his decision-making. He may have thought that keeping the Luding Bridge and allowing the Red Army to cross the bridge would reduce unnecessary loss of life, and also show his tolerance and generosity as a military leader.
No decision is isolated, and Liu Wenhui's decision has also attracted a lot of criticism and consequences. Although he avoided direct conflict with the Red Army for a short time, this decision also greatly diminished his trust in the eyes of Chiang Kai-shek. This lack of trust has caused a lot of trouble in the future of his political career. The complexity of politics is vividly manifested in Liu Wenhui, who has to maneuver between many forces in order to have a chance to survive.
Returning to the Luding Bridge itself, the bridge has witnessed an important moment in the history of the Chinese Revolution. The Red Army's capture of the Luding Bridge was not only a military victory, but also a spiritual encouragement. The bravery and perseverance of the Red Army soldiers became a good story praised by later generations. And the traces of gunshots left by the Luding Bridge seem to tell the bloody years.
The victory in the Battle of Luding Bridge also gave the Red Army and the entire Chinese revolution tremendous confidence and motivation. This battle was not only a military operation, but also a contest of will and faith. With this action, the Red Army demonstrated its tenacity and revolutionary determination to the whole country and the world.
The battle of Luding Bridge is not just an ordinary military conflict, it contains profound political and human considerations. Liu Wenhui did not blow up the Luding Bridge, a decision that seemed like a kind of abandonment at the time, but in fact it was a deeper strategic thinking. The wheels of history roll forward, and every choice may rewrite the course of history. The scene on the Luding Bridge was undoubtedly an important turning point in the history of the Chinese revolution, which not only changed the situation of the war, but also changed the fate of countless people.