In 1940, China was in a critical period of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. As the war deepened, the cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party became more and more complicated, and the strategic intentions and political calculations of the two sides in cooperating to resist Japan were constantly colliding. Especially in northern Jiangsu, which is not only geographically important, but also economically developed, it is a key passage connecting Central China and Shandong. At this time, northern Jiangsu not only faced the threat of the Japanese army, but also was often rubbed and attacked by the Kuomintang army. Against this background, the top leadership of the Communist Party decided to send Huang Kecheng's troops south to join forces with the New Fourth Army led by Chen Yi to jointly consolidate and expand the anti-Japanese base areas in northern Jiangsu.
In the autumn wind of 1940, Huang Kecheng received an order to lead the 5th Column of the Eighth Route Army south to northern Jiangsu and join the New Fourth Army. This is not the first time Huang Kecheng has cooperated with Chen Yi, but this cooperation is carried out under tense and complicated circumstances.
After a long journey, Huang Kecheng's troops finally joined the main force of the New Fourth Army in the Huangqiao area. At this time, Huangqiao was already raging with war, and the New Fourth Army, under the command of Chen Yi and Su Yu, had just achieved a major victory over the Kuomintang army. On the first day of the meeting, Huang Kecheng and Chen Yi met at the field command post.
"Lao Chen, you guys played well this time!" Huang Kecheng patted Chen Yi on the shoulder, his tone full of appreciation.
Chen Yi nodded, his face serious, "Yes, but the road ahead is still difficult, and the Kuomintang's counteroffensive is still continuing." Your troops came at the right time. ”
As the war progressed, cracks began to appear in the cooperation between the two old comrades. At a campaign planning meeting, Chen Yi proposed an offensive plan, but Huang Kecheng had a different opinion.
"This plan is too risky, we should first consolidate the existing positions." Huang Kecheng was blunt.
Chen Yi frowned and retorted unhappily, "Kecheng, this is a good opportunity for us to expand our results, we can't always keep it." ”
"But according to your plan, our flanks are too exposed and vulnerable to counterattacks." Huang Kecheng insisted on his opinion, and his tone was heavier.
The argument between the two intensified, and finally Huang Kecheng slapped the table, and his voice raised a few points, "Chen Yi, you don't know how to command!" ”
Chen Yi responded coldly, "It's because you're too conservative to see the overall situation." ”
Despite the constant disputes, in the face of a common enemy, the two chose to put aside their differences for the time being and continue to fight together. In the following battles, although Huang Kecheng and Chen Yi cooperated and frictional, they still achieved a series of victories and gradually stabilized the anti-Japanese base in northern Jiangsu.
The smoke of the war gradually dissipated, and the contradictions between Huang Kecheng and Chen Yi gradually subsided. Although the two had fierce arguments on strategy and tactics, they always maintained the same view of the overall situation of the anti-Japanese resistance. In the later battles, Huang Kecheng showed extremely high command art and a keen grasp of the situation, while Chen Yi, with his generosity and firmness, further consolidated the influence of the New Fourth Army in northern Jiangsu.
With the passage of time, the joint efforts of the two generals made the anti-Japanese base area in northern Jiangsu continue to expand and become an important fortress in the War of Resistance against Japan. Han Deqin's Kuomintang was gradually weakened, and eventually had to retreat to more remote areas. Although the cooperation between Huang Kecheng and Chen Yi was full of friction at first, it eventually proved the power of unity and cooperation, and contributed indelible achievements to China's war effort.
In the war years, the story of Huang Kecheng and Chen Yi is not only a legend on the battlefield, but also a profound historical enlightenment. Their disputes and reconciliation reflect the possibility of finding consensus and cooperation for the greater purpose of the crisis, even if there is a disagreement. Their experiences teach us that no matter how difficult the circumstances, unity and wisdom can always forge a path to victory. Today, such a history is not only thought-provoking, but also reminds us that we should have the same sense of the big picture and responsibility in the face of difficulties and differences. As the poet said, "the beacon fire lasts for three months, and the family letter is worth ten thousand gold", when the country and the nation need it most, the lofty quality of the individual and the collective unity are a solid fortress to resist all winds and waves.