When it comes to military giants in China's history, there are countless of them, but if you mention the 1955 award ceremony, many people may know that it was an important historical moment. In that year, as many as 1,048 generals were awarded different ranks on the territory of the old dragon in Beijing. In particular, the "Top Ten Marshals" are even more well-known and have become heroes in the hearts of countless people. But you know what, there were supposed to be 11 marshals! Who almost failed to become a marshal, and what caused them to almost lose their name? Today, let's unveil history and explore the untold stories behind it.
1955 was a milestone year for China. In this year, the military rank system after the founding of the People's Republic of China was formally established, and the establishment of this system also marked a major change in the military system. In that grand award ceremony, generals at all levels, from major generals to generals to marshals, were canonized this time.
Let's start with the story behind those halos. It is said that there were not ten marshals in the original list, but eleven people. One of the people who almost failed to make the list was Chen Yi. The later vice premier of the State Council was originally excluded because he was no longer serving in the army. However, you may not know that it is precisely because of Premier Zhou's persistence and operation that Chen Yi was able to be added to the ranks of marshals. Premier Zhou believes that although Chen Yi has switched to diplomacy, he is still indispensable, especially in foreign relations, and Chen Yi's position and influence are very crucial.
And who was the one who was supposed to be the eleventh marshal? He is Deng Xiaoping. Deng Xiaoping, the chief architect of the later reform and opening up, was already the secretary general of the Communist Party at the time, and also did not serve in the army. However, Chairman Mao and other leaders believed that Deng Xiaoping's contributions and qualifications fully met the criteria of a marshal. In the end, Deng Xiaoping himself chose to give up this honor, and his humility and low profile are also well known.
This award is not only a military act, but also an affirmation of the tremendous contributions made by these leaders before and after the founding of New China. For example, Zhu De, Peng Dehuai, Liu Bocheng, etc., their performance in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the War of Liberation is obvious to all. The deeds of these heroes have long become a legendary story of thousands of households.
However, you may not know that there are many lesser-known stories behind this. For example, Chairman Mao himself was originally nominated for the rank of generalissimo, but he firmly declined the honor. His reason was simple: "You don't frame me with the generalissimo, it's so inconvenient for me to wear this dress." This kind of indifferent attitude towards fame and fortune also makes people have to admire.
Back to Chen Yi, although he was finally awarded the rank of marshal, before that, the fate of his rank can be described as twists and turns. The international situation and the complexity of diplomatic relations at that time made his military rank not only a matter of honor, but also a matter of national diplomatic strategy. As Premier Zhou commented, Chen Yi's performance in international occasions can be said to be a business card of the country. This is also why Chen Yi was finally able to restore his military rank of marshal under the strong recommendation of Premier Zhou.
In those days, marshals not only represented the highest military honor, but also an affirmation of one's historical status. Behind every marshal, there is a rich story and a profound historical accumulation. Their military prowess, political wisdom, and decision-making in specific historical periods have had a profound impact on the course of Chinese history.
This award ceremony is also an important symbol of the modernization of the Chinese armed forces. Since then, the overall structure and command system of the Chinese armed forces have been significantly improved and improved. This not only strengthened the combat effectiveness of the armed forces, but also laid the foundation for subsequent national defense and military reforms.
History is always thought-provoking, and the military careers of these leaders who were awarded the rank of marshal, their role in the Chinese revolution, and their personal qualities are all topics worth tracing and studying. Their deeds not only belong to them personally, but also to the whole country and the whole nation.
Behind these heroes, there are countless soldiers who have also made great efforts for the liberation and construction of the country. While many of them were not awarded such high ranks, their contributions are equally not negligible. Every soldier who fought bloodily on the battlefield, every worker and peasant who silently supported the fight in the rear, was an indispensable force for the country.
This award ceremony is not only a commendation for senior generals, but also a tribute to all those who have made efforts for the founding of New China. It reminds us of those turbulent years, those heroes who shed their blood for ideals and beliefs. Their names may have gone down in history, but their spirit and values will forever inspire every generation to come.
Through this in-depth review and discussion, we are not only remembering the great achievements of those heroes, but also thinking about the significance of their spirit still shining today. Whether it's Chen Yi, Deng Xiaoping, or other marshals, their stories remind us that history is written by those who dare to fight for their ideals.