In the long course of history, there are some heroes who are known but not known, and their fates are full of twists and turns and injustices. In the 1940s, China was marked by an unprecedented reorganization that brought many Corps commanders to the fore. Why are some people who are also commanders of the corps eventually honored as founding generals, while others have not even been able to get a military rank? Today, we will talk about a secret about the hero and the times, Cheng Zihua, a general who made great contributions in the war.
Looking back at that era when the smoke of gunpowder was filled, there were thrilling wars on the land of China. Around 1948, the Chinese Communist Party's army formed a number of corps in several major theaters, and these corps played a pivotal role on different fronts. Behind every corps stood a rock-solid commander, who may not be well known to ordinary people, but who were famous in the army.
Su Yu and Chen Shiyu in the East China Theater, Xu Xiangqian and Yang Dezhi in North China, and Xiao Jinguang and Cheng Zihua in the Northeast were all well-known at that time. The troops under their command have overcome obstacles in various theaters of operations and won victory after victory. In particular, Cheng Zihua, the corps under his command has made many outstanding achievements in the Northeast Battlefield. Despite his great achievements, Cheng Zihua's military career was extremely bumpy.
Cheng Zihua, the proud son of the Northeast Field Army, turned the tide of the war at a critical moment and made great contributions to the founding of New China. In 1947, the Eastern Column formed a new combat team on the Bac Ninh Line, and Cheng Zihua was appointed commander of the forward command post, and the troops under his command won a series of battles. is such a general with outstanding military achievements, but when he came to the great reorganization after the end of the Liberation War, he unexpectedly failed to obtain the corresponding military rank.
In fact, Cheng Zihua's military talent and command skills were not inferior to any of the corps commanders at that time. At the beginning of 1949, the whole army was reorganized, and almost all the commanders of the nineteen corps received the rank of general, except for Cheng Zihua, who was omitted. Is this just a simple oversight, or is there a more complex reason behind it?
It is understood that Cheng Zihua's personality is extremely controversial, and his straightforwardness sometimes even seems to be rigid and self-serving, which may not be the best style in handling interpersonal relationships in the military. In many battles, although the record is brilliant, there has also been friction with superiors because of style problems. Coupled with the post-war political struggle, Cheng Zihua may not be able to fully stand on the cusp of the times.
However, there is also a view that Cheng Zihua's neglect may be related to some of his decisions at critical moments. History always likes to joke at key junctures, and a small mistake in decision-making can affect a person's life. In some key battles, Cheng Zihua's decisions were bold but controversial, which may have affected his evaluation at the top.
On the other hand, we have to mention that the awarding of military ranks is often not only a reflection of military merits, but also the comprehensive result of the background of the times, political needs and personal networks. In that era of change, whoever can stand out in the double test of politics and military will be able to obtain the ultimate glory. Cheng Zihua is undoubtedly successful militarily, but in a complex political environment, he may be a little inadequate.
Despite this, Cheng Zihua's military prowess and contribution to the country are unquestionable. On the battlefield in the northeast, he once commanded the post headquarters to break through the encirclement and create a world. His military career is full of legends, and behind every battle is a deep understanding of tactics and a value for the lives of soldiers.
The long river of history will eventually bring everything to silence, and Cheng Zihua has gradually become a footnote to that era. The military rank he didn't get may seem a pity to some people, but in the hearts of more enthusiastic young people, Cheng Zihua's image is still that of the battlefield hero who commands calmly and fearlessly in the midst of the flames.
Through the review of Cheng Zihua's career, it is not difficult for us to find that the evaluation of history is often complex and multi-dimensional. A person may have a very different fate due to the influence of decision-making, personality traits, or the background of the era at a certain time. Although Cheng Zihua did not receive a military rank, his bravery and wisdom, his contributions and sacrifices to the war have been engraved on the stone tablets of history and have become our unforgettable memories. When evaluating a historical figure, we should consider it more in terms of his contributions and influence, rather than just the honors and titles he has received. After all, true heroes often don't need a crown to shine.