History is always worth recalling, especially those war-torn years. Think of the heroes who rose to prominence in the smoke of gunfire, whose stories always inspire us to reverie. What I want to talk about today is a story about Xu Shiyou, a leader in military circles. Xu Shiyou, a general who was already famous during the Red Army, why did he change from a high-ranking army commander to a deputy brigade commander in a major army reorganization?
Let's start with a bit of background. Xu Shiyou was originally a military commander with infinite scenery, commanding thousands of troops, and he was majestic. With the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in 1937 and the cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, the Red Army had to face a large-scale reorganization. In this reorganization, Chiang Kai-shek, the leader of the Kuomintang, imposed harsh conditions, apparently in an attempt to weaken the military power of the Communist Party. Under the pressure of this general environment, the Red Army, which originally had 70,000 men, could only be reduced to a few divisions, and Xu Shiyou's fate also took a turn.
At this time, Xu Shiyou was appointed deputy brigade commander. You must know that among his colleagues, some still retain the position of brigade commander or even higher, which is undoubtedly a huge blow to Xu Shiyou, who has always been confident. His self-esteem was challenged like never before, and the unyielding energy in his heart made him refuse to take office for a while. But all this changed after learning the identity of his new boss.
Who made Xu Shiyou change his attitude and take office obediently? That's right, it's General Chen Geng. Chen Geng is not only Xu Shiyou's old superior, but also has extremely high seniority and prestige in the party. During the Red Army period, Chen Geng won widespread respect for his outstanding military talents and firm political stance. Xu Shiyou was full of admiration for Chen Geng, knowing that under the leadership of this veteran general, although he was his deputy, he could still exert his residual heat on the battlefield of resistance against Japan and complete his mission.
In the following historical years, Xu Shiyou and Chen Geng experienced countless difficult battles together. Despite the change of position, Xu Shiyou always maintained his enthusiasm for fighting and loyalty to the cause of the Communist Party. Their units made many miraculous achievements in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and made indelible contributions to the victory of the country. And Xu Shiyou has gradually proved his worth in this process, from a deputy brigade commander with complex emotions to an indispensable pillar of the country.
We also have to mention the political complexities of that era. Although Chiang Kai-shek paid lip service to the anti-Japanese resistance, he actually suppressed the Communist Party internally, trying to eliminate the red forces while resisting the Japanese. This dual strategy has kept the KMT-CCP cooperation in a constant state of tension. Against this backdrop, Xu Shiyou and his colleagues not only have to fight against foreign enemies, but also have to be vigilant against internal political turmoil, which undoubtedly increases their psychological burden.
Let's dive into some details. In the process of reorganization, Xu Shiyou's unit originally had the opportunity to be organized into a complete division, but in the end it could only accept the fate of being reduced to a few brigades. This change from peak to trough is a great test for any soldier. Xu Shiyou shows not only personal tenacity and adaptability, but also adherence to faith and responsibility.
In the vast history of the War of Resistance Against Japan, the story of Xu Shiyou and his troops is only a part of many heroic epics, but their sacrifice and dedication are something that every Chinese should not forget. They used their lives and blood and sweat to hold up a piece of the sky in those years of suffering, and laid a solid foundation for the later victory.
Now, when we sit in a quiet room and look back on this history, can we truly understand the heroes who stood up in the storm? Are their choices and sacrifices motivated by hope for the future, or are they helpless about their current situation? In any case, the wheels of history have rolled forward, but those true stories will always be engraved in the memory of history, reminding us never to forget those heroes who bravely stood up for the country and the people.
Overall, the story of Xu Shiyou is a history full of twists and turns. From a high-ranking military commander to being forced to accept the position of deputy brigade commander, and finally fighting against Japan with his old boss Chen Geng, his life is full of dramatic changes. Through this story, we can not only see the growth and transformation of a person, but also get a glimpse of the hardships and greatness of Chinese soldiers in that era.