In 1944, Liu Shaoqi proposed that the army be renamed the "People's Liberation Army", but the central government did not allow it. This is a time-honored historical detail, containing countless twists and turns and wisdom. At that time, Liu Shaoqi was full of pride and put forward an exciting proposal, but the central government unexpectedly rejected it. What's going on? Why was this decided? Did Mao really see through the future, or was it just a temporary stopgap measure?
Proposal to change the name to "PLA".
In January 1944, the cadres and soldiers of Yan'an were concentrating on the decisive stage of the War of Resistance against Japan. However, at this juncture, Liu Shaoqi unexpectedly put forward an unprecedented proposal - to unify the armed forces under the leadership of the CCP and change their names to the "People's Liberation Army".
This suggestion has a long history, dating back to the Southern Anhui Incident in 1941. At that time, the Kuomintang army openly launched an attack on the New Fourth Army, removing it from the regular army number. Spurred on by this bitter lesson, the CCP's top brass gradually had the idea of renaming it, hoping to use an independent name to reflect the legitimacy of its own army.
At the Seventh Plenary Session of the Sixth Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in January 1944, Liu Shaoqi took the opportunity to formally propose the naming scheme of the "People's Liberation Army". At the meeting, Mao Zedong and other leaders of the older generation agreed with this proposal. Indeed, a new name can not only highlight the fundamental difference between the anti-Japanese armed forces led by the Communist Party of China and the Kuomintang army, but also symbolize the people's firm aspiration for self-liberation, which is extremely appealing.
Liu Shaoqi's proposal was widely supported by the participants, and the atmosphere was warm and high. Just when everyone thought that this new military name was about to be officially launched, what people did not expect was that Mao Zedong temporarily vetoed this proposal. There was silence at the scene, and then there was an uproar......
2. The central government's strategy to delay the army
Mao Zedong's rejection of the "People's Liberation Army" proposal was indeed puzzling to many people at the time. However, this is not a temporary stopgap measure, but a more far-reaching strategic consideration.
First, Mao Zedong was well aware that although the change of name to the "People's Liberation Army" was full of a sense of justice and mobilization, it would inevitably be regarded by Chiang Kai-shek as an act of splitting the country, thus further aggravating the contradictions between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party. And at the critical stage of the War of Resistance Against Japan, any dance that shakes the united front could pay a heavy price.
Second, even if the Japanese invaders are bound to fail in the end, it is difficult to predict when they will be completely driven out of Chinese mainland. Under such circumstances, the CCP army is too eager to reform the name, which may not only give the Kuomintang an excuse to divide the anti-Japanese forces, but more importantly, if it is attacked by the Kuomintang in a sudden attack that goes back on its word and exposes an abrupt name change move, it will inevitably make the CCP pay a huge price.
Third, it is also unknown how the domestic political situation will develop after the victory of the Anti-Japanese War. Whether the Kuomintang, which is no different from Japan's number one enemy, will change its past wrongs and unite remains to be tested by time. If the name is changed hastily, it will be tantamount to self-destruction of the Great Wall for both sides, and it will be difficult for the CCP itself to embark on a new journey in New China.
Based on the above considerations, Mao Zedong believed that although the independence of the CCP army and the people's character have become irreversible trends, it is expedient to maintain the original name for the time being. Only by fighting steadily and steadily, defusing the stubborn diseases of the Kuomintang with the greatest wisdom and restraint, and striving to thoroughly reform the army on the basis of the liberation of the whole country.
This seemingly sluggish decision was later proved by history to be a deep calculation that the central authorities had to make. It was precisely this delaying tactic that finally allowed the CCP to win the precious initiative at a critical juncture, prevented the contradictions between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party from being deliberately detonated, and laid the foundation for the future direct attack on Huanglong.
3. Mao Zedong's foresight
Mao Zedong's plan to delay the army was of course based on immediate expediency, but it was more out of a subtle grasp of the overall situation. He examined the process of the destruction of the Japanese invaders and the direction of the domestic political situation from a strategic perspective.
Through the synthesis of intelligence from all sides, Mao Zedong keenly judged that although the Japanese army was defeated in the Pacific theater, it would take time to completely expel the Japanese invaders from Chinese mainland. He estimated that it would take about a year and a half, and this judgment was completely consistent with the reality of August 15, 1945. This forward-looking analysis of the war situation avoids the CCP from making overly hasty decisions.
At the same time, Mao Zedong soberly realized that the final victory of the War of Resistance did not mean the automatic resolution of domestic contradictions. Chiang Kai-shek and his Kuomintang regime had lost popular support, but their violent nature had not changed. Once the KMT-CCP negotiations reach an impasse, they will inevitably make a comeback and brutally suppress the Chinese Communist Party and the people's armed forces under its leadership.
Based on the above judgment, Mao Zedong believed that although the name change to the "People's Liberation Army" was in line with morality and the general trend, the time had not yet come. Not only could Chiang Kai-shek use it to drive a wedge between the united front, but more importantly, once the Chinese communist army changed its name, it could easily be regarded as the "vanguard of the civil war" and suffer a devastating blow in the case of a serious imbalance in strength.
Therefore, Mao Zedong decided to adopt a strategy of forbearance but losing no time. He called for the status quo to be maintained for the time being, nominally, to avoid unnecessary conflict; In essence, however, it will lay a solid foundation for the future in terms of comprehensive military expansion, reorganization, and strengthening of leadership, and will not change its name until it has sufficient strength, and pay attention to reality.
Mao Zedong had previously met with several important cloth cloth people in the caves of Yan'an, and listened to a large number of reliable sources from within the Kuomintang. He gradually realized that Chiang Kai-shek was cunning and secretly carried out the conspiracy to split the united front. As long as the CCP takes the slightest reform move, he will certainly step up military action and completely stifle the power of the Chinese Communists.
In order to avoid falling into the situation of being passively beaten, Mao Zedong decisively decided to postpone the name change, implement a reasonable and restrained delay in the army, and lead Chiang Kai-shek to temporarily "relax his vigilance". At the same time, he paid closer attention to and seized every loophole within the Kuomintang, creating a golden opportunity to turn the tide of the war in the future.
This series of sophisticated strategic layouts and deployments is an outstanding embodiment of Mao Zedong's wisdom. He not only saw through Chiang Kai-shek's imaginary conspiracy, but also laid a solid foundation for the final strategic counterattack.
Lessons from history
The delay in 1944 was a key part of the Chinese Communist Party's steady and steady efforts to accumulate strength in the final stage of the War of Resistance Against Japan. It was precisely this prudent and wise policy decision that won precious time for the party and the people's army, and finally won the great victory of the new democratic revolution in 1949.
Furthermore, this major decision has drawn a grand picture of our history today and given us a new enlightening significance.
First of all, at the critical moment, Mao Zedong relied on his foresight and sagacity from a commanding height, accurately grasped the complex factors in all aspects, and sought the greatest interests for the party and the people. This kind of strategic vision of being prepared for danger in times of peace and taking precautions is precisely the source of the fundamental strength on which our party relies to continuously advance from victory to victory. In the face of all the changes on the way forward, we should uphold this wise strategic awareness.
Second, Mao Zedong temporarily gave up a good but not vital position in the short term, but in exchange for more significant odds and opportunities. This has inspired us to judge the hour and size up the situation, grasp the key points, and not be confused by momentary temptations, but with a longer-term strategic vision, we must bravely scale new heights without fear of difficulties. Only by always grasping the initiative and strategic initiative can we make correct decisions in response to the development of the situation at any time.
Moreover, although Mao Zedong's plan to delay the army was prudent, it was not passive and cowardly. On the contrary, he further mobilized and mobilized the enthusiasm of the broad masses and cadres and fighters, and won the support and strength of the broad masses in the future. This is precisely where the mass line that our party has consistently pursued and the fundamental purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly lies. Only by closely relying on the masses of the people and representing the fundamental interests of the broadest masses of the people can our cause never lose its direction and eventually rise like a spring tide and become unstoppable.
In the end, Mao Zedong showed remarkable leadership wisdom and decisiveness at this critical moment. He is far-sighted, calm, and has a unique insight and grasp of the times. The demeanor of this epic giant is an outstanding embodiment of the Chinese nation's unremitting spirit of self-improvement, and it is worthy of being remembered and learned from all generations.
5. Conclusion: The wise man transcends the times and understands the essence of it
The great leader Mao Zedong's decision to postpone the change of name to the PLA in 1944 was not a temporary measure, but out of a profound insight into the overall strategic situation. In the face of many fogs, he took a far-sighted view and made comprehensive arrangements for the final victory of the cause of the party and the people.
At that time, the Japanese army was losing ground in the Pacific theater, but the forces contained in Chinese mainland remained stubborn. Although Chiang Kai-shek has completely lost the support of the people, he has not changed his ways. On the contrary, he secretly plotted to split the united front and waited for an opportunity to brutally suppress the Chinese Communist Party and the armed forces under its leadership.
Against this background, Mao Zedong wisely realized that if the CCP army blindly and rashly reformed the number, not only could it not deter the arrogance of the Japanese puppet army, but it might be regarded by Chiang Kai-shek as the "vanguard of the civil war" and thus suffer a fatal blow. To this end, he made arrangements to temporarily maintain the status quo and accumulate strength, leading Chiang Kai-shek to temporarily "relax his vigilance."
This seemingly sluggish strategy of delaying the army actually contains wisdom that transcends the times. Mao Zedong examined the overall situation from a strategic height, defused the resistance of the Kuomintang in a reasonable and restrained manner, and won the initiative in the final battle of liberation. It was this foresight that finally led to the complete restructuring of the CCP army into the People's Liberation Army in 1949 and the establishment of the legitimate armed forces of New China.
A generation of great men is like this, at the critical moment like a clear eye, clear-cut; At the turning point, be cautious and lose no time, be bold and wise. Mao Zedong's decision on this specific issue is not only a true portrayal of the wisdom of Marxism, but also a full embodiment of the wisdom of China's excellent traditional culture.
As the saying goes, "the wise man transcends the times before he can see the truth". The many miraculous achievements of our party in the course of a century of struggle also stem to a large extent from this outstanding ability to understand and apply wisdom. Throughout history, only by adhering to the truth, grasping the general trend, and adapting to the times can we achieve extraordinary achievements and win immortal glory. Let us move forward hand in hand, always keep our original intention, continue to move forward, and contribute new wisdom to the great cause of national rejuvenation.