Do you know Guo Tianmin, an angry man in North China? This tiger-like general in the North China Military Region in those years was affectionately called "Guo Blacksmith" by the soldiers because of his fiery temper and straightforward style. He is a legend within a legend. On that battlefield filled with gunpowder, a general actually slapped the table and argued with his superiors because he insisted on his principles. Follow me and explore the legendary life of this angry man in North China!
Guo Tianmin's name may not be as well-known as some generals in modern Chinese history, but his deeds are definitely enough to make people talk about it. As early as during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the War of Liberation, Guo Tianmin was already a well-known figure. His Zhang Fei-style personality makes him fearless on the battlefield, and it also makes him often collide with people in daily life.
During the Jinggangshan period, Guo Tianmin had already shown his unique side. His outspokenness, and sometimes even the use of his hands, made his reputation in the army somewhat polarizing. It is said that Chairman Mao once reminded him to pay attention to ways and means, which deeply touched Guo Tianmin, and began to change his management style and strive to become a good father to a real people's soldiers.
But to be honest, the country is easy to change, and the nature is difficult to change. During his tenure in the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region, Guo Tianmin's straightforward personality once again pushed him to the forefront. In particular, on the issue of demobilization and streamlining of the army in 1946, he had a fierce conflict with Marshal Nie Rongzhen. At that time, the Kuomintang claimed that it wanted to reduce the army on a large scale to show its sincerity for peace, and Nie Rongzhen decided to carry out a drastic demobilization and reorganization in response to the central policy.
This decision caused an uproar in the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region. Many generals could not understand why such a large-scale disarmament was carried out when the enemy was strong and we were weak. Guo Tianmin especially can't accept this, he thinks it's cutting himself off. He once found Nie Rongzhen with Yang Chengwu and expressed his opinion bluntly, but the result was naturally unhappy.
Guo Tianmin's bluntness has not been tempered by this controversy. On the contrary, he adopted a strategy of implicit disobedience in the actual operation of the military district. He only demobilized some of the old, weak, sick and disabled, and a large number of combat-ready veterans were left behind by him, which was undoubtedly a great adventure at that time.
In the battle to defend Zhangjiakou in 1946, Guo Tianmin once again showed his iron-blooded nature. When the Kuomintang army pressed the border, the troops under his command were at an absolute disadvantage in numbers, but he insisted on using guerrilla tactics and finally succeeded in blocking the enemy army and defending Zhangjiakou. This battle not only consolidated the defense line of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region, but also brought Guo Tianmin's prestige to a new peak.
One person's power is limited after all, and in the face of increasingly complex military and political situations, Guo Tianmin's straightforwardness and violent temper gradually became an obstacle to his career. After the turmoil of the demobilization and reorganization of the army, Guo Tianmin was transferred to the Second Field Army and placed under the command of Chen Geng. Chen Geng and Guo Tianmin have very different personalities, he is known for his calmness and shrewdness, and Chen Geng has his own unique set of methods for how to deal with "fierce people" like Guo Tianmin.
Chen Geng did not directly confront Guo Tianmin's fiery temper, but gradually channeled Guo Tianmin's enthusiasm and energy into the battle against the enemy through a series of military operations and tactical arrangements. He knew very well that only by letting a general like Guo Tianmin give full play to his advantages on the battlefield could he make the most of his advantages, and at the same time avoid his character flaws from causing internal friction to the army.
Under Chen Geng's skillful training, Guo Tianmin participated in many important battles, and each time won the battle with his unique tactical vision and brave combat. Through the baptism of actual combat, Guo Tianmin also gradually realized that brute force and straightforwardness alone cannot completely solve the problem, and a real general still needs to have strategy and patience.
Guo Tianmin is a microcosm of that turbulent era. His character and behavior are not only a true portrayal of the hot-blooded men of that era, but also a reflection of the complexity and multifaceted nature of human nature in an extreme environment. His experience tells us that even the hottest temper can be transformed into a powerful driving force to move history forward under the right guidance and circumstances.
Guo Tianmin, the angry man of North China, his life was full of wars and controversies, but it is undeniable that in his own way, he profoundly influenced the people around him and the entire course of history. He is not only a legend about personality and temperament, but also a historical witness of how to integrate the strength of the individual into the collective and strive for greater goals and ideals. When looking back on Guo Tianmin's life, we can't help but ask: In today's era, can we still find angry men like Guo Tianmin, who dare to speak out and take responsibility?