When it comes to the Xi'an Incident, the first thing that comes to everyone's mind may be the political and military turmoil that shocked China and the rest of the world, but do you know who forced Chiang Kai-shek to sit on the ground and had to submit in that cold winter night? On December 12, 1936, a general of the Northeast Army named Sun Mingjiu led his troops to capture Chiang Kai-shek alive halfway up Lishan Mountain. What twists and turns did this little-known hero go through after that?
Sun Mingjiu, a name that may not be as well-known as Chiang Kai-shek or Zhang Xueliang, is an indispensable character in modern Chinese history. Sun Mingjiu, who was born in Xinmin County, Shenyang, showed extraordinary courage and wisdom when he was a teenager. He formed a deep friendship with Zhang Xueliang's younger brother Zhang Xueming on the campus of Shenyang No. 3 Middle School, and this fate led him to step into the military palace.
Having said that, Sun Mingjiu's military career began in Japan. At that time, China was in a stormy situation and needed a lot of effort to save the crisis. Sun Mingjiu and Zhang Xueming honed together at the Japanese Army Infantry School, and the two not only learned advanced military technology, but more importantly, their thinking and vision were greatly expanded. After graduating and returning to China, Sun Mingjiu joined the Northeast Army, and this joining is a lifetime.
In 1928, the Northeast changed banners, and Zhang Xueliang changed from a local warlord to a national political and military figure, and Sun Mingjiu's fate also changed. He was sent to Tianjin, where his life was not only about fine clothes and food, but more about severe training and constant combat preparations. At that time, Sun Mingjiu had already begun to show his prominence, and his military talent and keen political sense impressed Zhang Xueliang.
The time came to the "918" incident in 1931, which almost became a nightmare for the Northeast Army. Chiang Kai-shek's policy of non-resistance put Zhang Xueliang and his Northeast Army in an unprecedented predicament. In this context, Sun Mingjiu showed his loyalty and courage. He not only performed well on the battlefield, but also provided Zhang Xueliang with a lot of strategies and advice behind the scenes. All this laid the groundwork for the later Xi'an Incident.
The Xi'an Incident, a turning point in history, Sun Mingjiu played a key role. In December 1936, when Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng decided to persuade Chiang Kai-shek by force, Sun Mingjiu was one of the main figures in carrying out this plan. In the cold wind, Sun Mingjiu led his troops to bring Chiang Kai-shek out of the cold night of Lishan, a scene that became a classic moment in modern Chinese history. Chiang Kai-shek's sentence "I am fighting for China's reunification, not for personal power" was uttered in front of Sun Mingjiu, which undoubtedly added a bit of drama. But Sun Mingjiu did not buy it, and he firmly carried out Zhang Xueliang's order, which not only reflected his military talent, but also reflected his understanding and determination of the overall situation of resistance against Japan.
After the Xi'an Incident, Sun Mingjiu's fate also changed dramatically. With Zhang Xueliang's house arrest, although Sun Mingjiu lost his direct support, he was not depressed. During the War of Liberation, Sun Mingjiu participated in many important battles, and his military talent and loyalty to New China were fully reflected. In 1949, the founding of the People's Republic of China, Sun Mingjiu's life opened a new chapter. He not only made a difference in the military, but also played an important role in politics. His life is a life of growing up with New China, and his story is a microcosm of New China's military and political changes.
Sun Mingjiu's story is not a simple heroic epic. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Sun Mingjiu faced many new challenges and difficulties. Political struggle, economic construction, cultural change...... All this tested the old general. How he adjusted his role in the new political environment, how he viewed his military career, and how he faced the sense of responsibility for his family and country are all questions worthy of our deep consideration.
Sun Mingjiu's later years are said to be plain and ordinary. He did not appear in the public eye as often as some generals, nor did he have too many political twists and turns. He spends more time reminiscing about the past and evaluating history. This veteran general, who fought for the country and the people all his life, finally ended his legendary life in peace.
Sun Mingjiu, a figure who played an important role at a critical moment in Chinese history, lived a life full of war and political changes. From an ordinary Northeast teenager to an important general of the country, from a key figure in the Xi'an Incident to the builder of New China, his story is not only a witness to history, but also a legend.