In the early 1950s, the world political landscape was in turmoil, and the shadow of the Cold War hung over the world. In 1950, the conflict on the Korean Peninsula broke out, and the North Korean army crossed the 38th parallel and launched an attack on South Korea, triggering the famous Korean War in history. As a direct product of the Cold War, this war was not only a conflict on the Korean Peninsula, but also a contest of forces between the East and the West. At this critical juncture, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin supported North Korea, while the United States sided with South Korea. China, which had just ended its civil war and was supposed to be in the stage of resuming construction, was drawn into this war due to geopolitical needs. The Chinese government, under the leadership of Mao Zedong, decided to send volunteers to support North Korea to prevent further penetration by Western forces.
On a cold night in 1952, Peng Dehuai sat around several generals in a tent on the North Korean front. The lights in the tent were dim, and Peng Dehuai's face looked particularly grim in the candlelight. They were talking about an important meeting to come - a meeting with Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. This was Peng Dehuai's first face-to-face meeting with Stalin, and the importance of the meeting was self-evident.
Peng Dehuai knew very well that this meeting was not only about the immediate strategy of the battlefield, but also about the future military and political cooperation between China and the Soviet Union. In his view, this is not only a state-to-state exchange, but also a soldier-to-soldier dialogue. He knows very well that what he carries is not only personal honor, but also the hope and trust of hundreds of millions of Chinese.
One day in August 1952, Peng Dehuai arrived in Moscow and was personally greeted by Stalin at the train station. The first meeting between the two was surprisingly full of emotion. Stalin, the man known as the iron-blooded leader, was a little choked up when he saw Peng Dehuai. Peng Dehuai was dressed in a modest military uniform, which in Stalin's eyes was very different from the image of the high-minded commander of the East.
At the banquet that followed, Peng Dehuai's conversation with Stalin touched on many levels. From the smoke of gunpowder on the battlefield to the game of international politics, from the allocation of strategic resources to the vision of future peace, the two leaders have demonstrated extremely high political wisdom and profound strategic vision. Peng Dehuai candidly shared the difficult situation at the front and the indomitable strength of the Chinese people, while Stalin reaffirmed Soviet support for China.
As the talks deepened, Peng Dehuai made a special request — he hoped that Chen Geng could be transferred back to North Korea so that he could return to China to deal with other important matters. Chen Geng, the return of this old comrade-in-arms undoubtedly added peace of mind to Peng Dehuai on the battlefield. This decision not only reflects Peng Dehuai's trust in Chen Geng, but also reflects his thoughtful consideration of the overall situation of the war.
With the talks over, Peng Dehuai returned to North Korea with Stalin's promises and expectations for the future. He knew that although he might not return to the front line, the meeting deepened the relations between China and the Soviet Union and provided more solid international support for the volunteers' future operations.
Soon after Peng Dehuai returned to North Korea, he received an order to return to China. At the moment of saying goodbye to the front line, he said goodbye affectionately to Chen Geng, Hong Xuezhi and others. He said to Hong Xuezhi: "Comrade Xuezhi, you have worked hard during this time, and I know that the burden on the front line is not light, but I believe that with you and Chen Geng, the cause of the Volunteer Army will continue to advance." Peng Dehuai's eyes flashed with reluctance and determination, and he was full of hope for the future.
After Peng Dehuai returned to China, he was appointed executive vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and presided over the work of the Central Military Commission. This new role gave him greater influence on domestic and foreign policy. His military wisdom and rich experience have become a valuable asset for the defense and development of New China.
Peng Dehuai's life is a symphony of war and peace, and every choice he makes is a manifestation of his deep responsibility to the country and the people. In that era full of uncertainties, his meeting with Stalin was not only a collision of wisdom between the two military leaders, but also a strategic layout for the future.