In March 1949, when the National Liberation War was about to be won, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held the Second Plenary Session of the Seventh Central Committee in Xibaipo. Peng Dehuai hurried to Xibaipo, and when he passed through Shijiazhuang, he unexpectedly met a familiar face - Li Minghao. This former teacher made Peng Dehuai stop. The two met in 1922 in the Hunan Army Officers' Lecture Hall, time flies, 27 years have passed, what kind of life changes have they experienced? Peng Dehuai noticed that Li Minghao's clothes were thin, and he did not hesitate to take off his coat and put it on him. This heart-warming move made Li Minghao full of emotion: "Mr. Peng is really a person who values feelings!" But what is the story behind this coat? What kind of teacher-student friendship does Peng Dehuai and Li Minghao have?
In 1897, Li Minghao was born in a wealthy family in Liling, Hunan. Coming from a wealthy family, he received a good education since he was a child, and studied in Liling Lujiang Middle School and Hebei Baoding Private Middle School. In 1919, due to his excellent academic performance, Li Minghao was sent to the Army Noncommissioned Officer School in Tokyo, Japan for further study. The study experience in a foreign country has broadened Li Minghao's horizons and given him a deeper understanding of the country's poverty and weakness.
Peng Dehuai's childhood was very different. Born in Xiangtan, Hunan Province in 1898, he was born in a poor family since childhood, his father died early, his mother remarried, and he dropped out of school to work as a farmer at the age of 10. However, a twist of fate came in 1916. 18-year-old Peng Dehuai entered the Hunan Army to serve, and with his outstanding military talent, he soon made a name for himself in the company.
In 1922, Li Minghao, who returned from Japan, was invited to serve as the deputy of the Hunan Army Lecture Martial Arts Major. In August of the same year, 24-year-old Peng Dehuai applied for the Hunan Army Officers' Lecture Hall. Peng Dehuai's move was not simply to study, but more to avoid trouble. It turned out that Peng Dehuai secretly organized the "Poverty Relief Association" during his time in the Hunan Army, and was wanted for sending members to kill a bully who was on the evil side. On the way to be escorted, Peng Dehuai escaped with wit, and in order to avoid pursuit, he changed his name and surname to enter the Hunan Jiangwutang.
In this way, the gears of fate began to turn, intertwining two very different life trajectories. In the Hunan Army Officers' Lecture Hall, Li Minghao met this special student for the first time - Peng Dehuai.
Although Peng Dehuai had only studied in the lecture hall for only ten months, he was deeply impressed by Li Minghao's teachings. Li Minghao not only imparted military knowledge, but also paid more attention to cultivating students' patriotic feelings and revolutionary ideas. He often discusses the current situation of the country with the students, shares his observations in Japan, and stimulates the patriotic enthusiasm of the students.
Although Peng Dehuai is one year older than Li Minghao, he has great respect for this young and promising teacher. Li Minghao's profound knowledge, open-mindedness and rigorous teaching attitude have deeply influenced Peng Dehuai. In class, Peng Dehuai was often one of the most serious students, and he not only assiduously studied military theory, but also often consulted Li Minghao on national affairs.
Lee Myung-ho also noticed this special student. Although Peng Dehuai was a little older, he was intellectually curious, quick in thinking, and excelled in tactical analysis and military planning. Li Minghao often encouraged Peng Dehuai to think more, ask more questions, and patiently answer his doubts.
In that turbulent era, although Li Minghao and Peng Dehuai had different identities, they both cherished the ideal of saving the country and the people. Although Li Minghao has not yet joined any political party, he has been trained in communist ideology and established ties with the Chinese Communist Party during his study in Japan. Peng Dehuai had already been concerned about social issues before he entered school, and the organization of the "Poverty Relief Association" was the embodiment of his early revolutionary activities.
In 1923, Li Minghao left Hunan and went to Guangzhou to serve as the chief of education of the Army Martial Arts School. Although the teacher and student did not get along for a long time, this experience laid the groundwork for the future revolutionary road of the two men. After graduating from Jiangwutang, Peng Dehuai returned to the Hunan Army and successively served as platoon commander, company commander, and battalion commander. He never forgot Li Minghao's teachings, and constantly improved his military quality and political consciousness during his military career.
In 1926, under the influence of Duan Dechang, a member of the Communist Party, Peng Dehuai joined the Communist Party of China. Li Minghao, on the other hand, was in Guangzhou to prepare for the imminent establishment of the Whampoa Military Academy and to train more talents for the Chinese revolution. Although the two parted ways temporarily, they both worked silently for the cause of China's revolution in their respective posts.
This first acquaintance laid the foundation for Peng Dehuai and Li Minghao's future revolutionary careers. Although they have embarked on different paths, they all cherish the ideal of saving the country and the people, and contribute to China's future in their respective posts. This teacher-student friendship has also become a precious memory when they reunite in the future.
In 1923, Li Minghao left the Hunan Army Officers' Lecture Hall and went to Guangzhou to serve as the chief of education of the Army Martial Arts School. This transfer was not only a turning point in his personal career, but also an important step in China's revolutionary cause. In Guangzhou, Li Minghao threw himself into the preparatory work of the Whampoa Military Academy and contributed his strength to the cultivation of revolutionary military talents.
The establishment of the Whampoa Military Academy is a product of the cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, and it is also an important measure taken by Dr. Sun Yat-sen to realize his revolutionary ideals. Relying on the advanced military knowledge he studied in Japan and the teaching experience in the Hunan Lecture Martial Arts Hall, Li Minghao soon became one of the important instructors of the Whampoa Military Academy. He not only imparted military skills, but also paid attention to cultivating the revolutionary spirit and patriotic feelings of the cadets.
At the same time, after graduating from the Hunan Army Officers' Lecture Hall, Peng Dehuai returned to the Hunan Army and continued his military career. From platoon commander to company commander to battalion commander, Peng Dehuai's status in the army has gradually improved. However, he was not satisfied with this, but paid more attention to the fate of the country and the suffering of the people.
In June 1926, an important turning point occurred in Peng Dehuai's life. Duan Dechang, a member of the Communist Party, was admitted to the fourth phase of the Whampoa Military Academy and entered the Political Department of the First Division of the Eighth Army of the National Revolutionary Army. After Duan Dechang and Peng Dehuai became acquainted, the two often discussed national events and the future of the revolution. Under the influence of Duan Dechang, Peng Dehuai gradually embraced communist ideas and eventually joined the Chinese Communist Party.
This decision marked Peng Dehuai's official embarkation on the revolutionary road. He began to secretly carry out revolutionary activities in the army, propagating communist ideas and developing the party organization. Although Peng Dehuai's revolutionary work was hidden and difficult, he always persevered and contributed his strength to the party's cause.
In July 1926, the National Revolutionary Army pledged to join the Northern Expedition in Guangzhou. This war, aimed at overthrowing the rule of the Beiyang warlords and unifying China, became an important node on the revolutionary path of Li Minghao and Peng Dehuai.
As an important instructor of the Whampoa Military Academy, Li Minghao played an important role in the Northern Expedition. He not only participated in the development of military strategy, but also personally led cadets into battle. In the war-torn years, Li Minghao always adhered to his beliefs and fought for the cause of the national revolution.
Peng Dehuai came to prominence in the Northern Expedition. He led his troops to participate in many important battles, showing outstanding military talent and revolutionary enthusiasm. During the battle, Peng Dehuai did not forget to propagate the Communist Party's ideas and unite more progressive officers and soldiers.
However, with the advancement of the Northern Expedition, the contradictions of the cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party became increasingly apparent. In April 1927, Chiang Kai-shek staged the "April 12" coup d'état in Shanghai, marking the rupture of the first Kuomintang-Communist cooperation. This incident not only changed China's political landscape, but also profoundly affected the fate of Li Minghao and Peng Dehuai.
As a high-ranking general in the Kuomintang army, Li Minghao faced a grim choice. Although he sympathized with the ideas of the Communist Party, he had to remain in the Kuomintang army because of his status and duties. However, Lee has not forgotten his ideals and beliefs. To the best of his ability, he continued to contribute to the cause of progress, secretly protecting and helping the Communists.
Peng Dehuai, on the other hand, stood firmly on the side of the Communist Party in this political storm. He took an active part in organizing the workers' and peasants' revolutionary movement and supporting the underground work of the Party. In July 1928, Peng Dehuai led the famous Pingjiang Uprising in Pingjiang, which marked his radical transformation from an ordinary officer to a staunch communist fighter.
Although Li Minghao and Peng Dehuai chose different paths at this critical moment, the revolutionary ideals in their hearts did not change. Although Li Minghao was in the Kuomintang army, he always maintained progressive thinking, and secretly helped Communist Party members get out of danger many times at critical moments. Peng Dehuai grew up in the arduous revolutionary struggle and gradually became one of the important leaders of the Communist Party of China.
During this period, although Li Minghao and Peng Dehuai each embarked on different paths, their fates were still intertwined in the torrent of revolution. Their choices and actions not only reflected their personal ideals and beliefs, but also reflected the plight and choices of the intellectuals and revolutionaries of that era. Although they have different positions, they are all striving for their own ideals and contributing their own strength to China's future.
On July 7, 1937, the Lugou Bridge Incident broke out, and the full-scale War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression officially began. This great battle for the survival of the nation once again intertwined the fates of Li Minghao and Peng Dehuai.
Peng Dehuai had become one of the key leaders of the Chinese Communist Party during this period. In 1935, he succeeded Zhang Guotao as the commander-in-chief of the Red Army during the Long March, and led the troops to northern Shaanxi. After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, Peng Dehuai was appointed as the commander of the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army and led his troops to the anti-Japanese front in North China.
Li Minghao continued to serve in the Kuomintang army. In the early days of the Anti-Japanese War, he served as the deputy commander of the Ninth Theater of Operations, responsible for directing the anti-Japanese operations in the Hunan-Hubei-Jiangxi border region. Despite being in different camps, in the face of the iron heel of the Japan invaders, Li Minghao and Peng Dehuai both threw themselves into the battle to defend the country without hesitation.
In September 1937, Peng Dehuai led the main force of the Eighth Route Army to Shanxi and began the famous "Battle of the Hundred Regiments". This war against Japan, which was unprecedented in scale, not only dealt a heavy blow to the Japanese army, but also greatly encouraged the confidence of the people of the whole country in the War of Resistance Against Japan. Peng Dehuai showed outstanding military command skills in the battle and became a hero in the War of Resistance Against Japan.
At the same time, Li Minghao also organized anti-Japanese guerrilla warfare in the Hunan-Hubei-Jiangxi border region. He made full use of the military knowledge he had learned in Japan and many years of combat experience to flexibly use guerrilla tactics to deal a heavy blow to the Japanese army. Li Minghao's anti-Japanese actions not only effectively supported the frontal battlefield, but also won a precious respite for the people in the rear.
In October 1938, Wuhan fell and the Nationalist government was forced to move to Chongqing. Li Minghao moved to Sichuan with the army and continued to organize the anti-Japanese struggle. In the process, he made many secret contacts with the underground organization of the Communist Party and provided support for the cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party to resist Japan.
In August 1940, the "Southern Anhui Incident" broke out that shocked China and the rest of the world. The Kuomintang diehards violated the policy of the anti-Japanese national united front and brazenly launched a surprise attack on the New Fourth Army. This incident not only seriously damaged the cooperation between the KMT and the CCP, but also put many patriotic generals in a dilemma.
Although Li Minghao was in the Kuomintang army, he was deeply saddened by this behavior of splitting the anti-Japanese forces. He secretly used his position to provide shelter to some communists and progressives to help them out of danger. Although this kind of risky behavior may endanger his own safety, Li Minghao believes that it is the duty of a Chinese soldier.
In January 1941, under the instructions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Peng Dehuai led the main force of the Eighth Route Army to advance to the northwest of Shanxi Province and opened up the famous "Anti-Japanese Base Area Behind Enemy Lines". On this arduous battlefield, Peng Dehuai not only had to fight the Japanese army, but also deal with the encirclement of the Kuomintang army. He skillfully used the tactics of combining "guerrilla warfare" and "movement warfare" to not only successfully preserve the revolutionary forces, but also establish a safe zone for the local people.
During this period, although Li Minghao and Peng Dehuai did not have direct contact, their actions invisibly echoed each other. Li Minghao secretly supported the Communist Party's anti-Japanese actions in the Kuomintang army, while Peng Dehuai provided intelligence support to the Kuomintang army in the base areas behind enemy lines and jointly fought against the Japan invaders.
In 1942, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China issued a call for the "Rectification Movement". Peng Dehuai responded positively and carried out criticism and self-criticism among the troops to enhance the army's ideological consciousness and combat effectiveness. This movement not only consolidated the leading position of the Communist Party in the army, but also laid the ideological foundation for later victories.
At the same time, Li Minghao was also silently carrying out his own "rectification" in the Kuomintang army. He worked hard to correct the unhealthy tendencies in the troops, severely punished corruption, and improved military discipline. These actions, although opposed by some diehards, won the support of ordinary soldiers.
In 1944, the Japanese army launched "Operation No. 1" with the intention of opening up the mainland line of communication. In the face of this grim situation, the KMT and the CPC once again joined hands to deal with it. The Eighth Route Army led by Peng Dehuai worked closely with the Kuomintang army and dealt heavy blows to the Japanese army in Henan, Hubei and other places. Li Minghao also actively organized resistance in his own defense area, and the tacit cooperation between the two sides effectively thwarted the Japanese army's plot.
The victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was not only a victory for the Chinese nation, but also the result of the joint efforts of patriotic generals like Li Minghao and Peng Dehuai. Although they were in different camps, they all contributed in their own way to the independence of the country and the liberation of the nation at a critical juncture for the survival of the nation. This experience of fighting the enemy together also laid the groundwork for their reunion in the future.
In August 1945, Japan announced its unconditional surrender, and the Chinese people finally ushered in the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan. However, the dawn of peace did not come as expected. The differences between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party over the struggle for political power in post-war China have deepened, and the dark clouds of civil war have once again loomed over the land of China.
At this crossroads of history, Li Minghao and Peng Dehuai once again faced a major choice. As an important military leader of the Communist Party of China, Peng Dehuai threw himself into the torrent of the Liberation War without hesitation. And Li Minghao fell into deep confusion.
In June 1946, the Kuomintang army launched a full-scale attack on the CCP-controlled area, and the civil war broke out. At this time, Peng Dehuai served as the commander and political commissar of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Field Army, and led his troops to fiercely compete with the Kuomintang army in North China. With his rich experience in warfare and flexible tactics, he repeatedly defeated the elite troops of the Kuomintang.
In March 1947, the troops commanded by Peng Dehuai annihilated the 74th Division of the Kuomintang Ace Army in one fell swoop in the famous Battle of Menglianggu and killed the Kuomintang Lieutenant General and Division Commander Zhang Lingfu. This battle not only broke the offensive momentum of the Kuomintang army, but also greatly boosted the morale of the PLA.
At the same time, Li Minghao's situation in the Kuomintang army was becoming increasingly difficult. As a soldier with a conscience, he was deeply disappointed by the corruption and inaction that prevailed in the Kuomintang army. He repeatedly reported to his superiors the problems existing in the troops, but all of them were in vain.
In September 1948, the Liaoshen Campaign broke out. The battle was seen as a pivotal battle that would determine the fate of China. At this time, Peng Dehuai had been transferred to the post of commander and political commissar of the North China Field Army, and he led his troops to participate in this unprecedented battle. In the battle, Peng Dehuai showed outstanding military talent, commanded the troops to break through the Kuomintang defense line continuously, and made an important contribution to the final victory.
Li Minghao was stationed in Central China at this time. With the People's Liberation Army (PLA) on the offensive, his unit is in danger of being completely surrounded. At this critical juncture, Li Minghao made an astonishing decision.
In April 1949, just as the People's Liberation Army's river-crossing operation was about to begin, Li Minghao secretly contacted the local Communist underground organization. He expressed his willingness to lead his troops to revolt and defect to the People's Liberation Army. The decision stemmed not only from his frustration with the corrupt rule of the Kuomintang, but also out of thoughtful consideration for China's future.
Li Minghao's uprising played an important role in coordinating the PLA's river-crossing operations. He not only provided a large amount of military intelligence, but also led the troops to take the initiative to open the defensive line, creating favorable conditions for the offensive of the PLA. This action greatly accelerated the process of the PLA's occupation of Central China.
On October 1, 1949, the People's Republic of China was founded. At the founding ceremony, Peng Dehuai, as a representative of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, stood on the tower of Tiananmen Gate and witnessed this historic moment. As a general of the uprising, Li Minghao participated in the military parade in Tiananmen Square.
In the reorganization of the armed forces after the founding of New China, Peng Dehuai was appointed deputy commander-in-chief of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and continued to contribute to the country's military construction. Li Minghao was assigned to teach in military academies and schools, imparting his many years of military experience to a new generation of military talents.
In June 1950, the Korean War broke out. Peng Dehuai was again appointed commander and political commissar of the Chinese People's Volunteers, leading the army across the Yalu River to fight side by side with the Korean people. In this war, which was related to the security of New China, Peng Dehuai once again displayed outstanding military talent and commanded the Volunteers to achieve a series of major victories.
Although Lee Myung-ho did not directly participate in the Korean War, he actively carried out relevant research in military academies and universities, providing valuable theoretical support for the formulation of combat strategies. He also organized the trainees to study and sum up the combat experience of the Chinese People's Volunteers, and made important contributions to the training of a new generation of military talents.
The victory of the Liberation War and the founding of New China not only changed the fate of China, but also completely changed the life trajectory of Li Minghao and Peng Dehuai. They have changed from former opponents to comrades-in-arms in the joint construction of New China, and have contributed their own strength to the development of the country in their respective posts. However, the wheels of history have not stopped turning, and greater challenges and tests await them.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Li Minghao and Peng Dehuai continued to contribute to national construction in their respective positions. However, as time went on, the fates of the two men were once again dramatically intertwined.
In 1954, Peng Dehuai was appointed Minister of National Defense and became one of the top leaders of the military forces of New China. In this position, he actively promoted the modernization of the armed forces and worked hard to improve the combat capability of the Chinese armed forces. Peng Dehuai also vigorously promoted the regularization of the armed forces and formulated a series of rules and regulations, laying the foundation for the long-term development of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
In the same year, Li Minghao was transferred to the National Defense Science and Technology Commission, where he was responsible for the planning and management of military scientific research projects. As a military expert who studied in Japan, Li Minghao played a unique advantage in this position. He actively introduced and digested advanced foreign technology, and promoted the rapid development of China's national defense science and technology.
In 1955, China began to implement a military rank system. Peng Dehuai was awarded the rank of marshal and became one of the ten marshals of New China. This is an affirmation of the tremendous contributions he has made to the revolutionary cause over the years. Lee Ming-ho was awarded the rank of major general and continued to play a role in the field of national defense science and technology.
In 1956, the Eighth National Congress of the Communist Party of China was held. At the meeting, Peng Dehuai was elected as a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and entered the highest decision-making level of the party. At the meeting, he delivered an important speech on strengthening national defense construction, stressing the need to constantly adapt to the needs of the new situation while adhering to the established principles. The congress marked a further enhancement of Peng Dehuai's status in the party.
However, the good times were short-lived. In 1958, the "Great Leap Forward" movement was in full swing. As a pragmatic military strategist, Peng Dehuai questioned some of the practices in the movement. He believes that overemphasizing steel production and neglecting agriculture could affect the country's long-term development.
In July 1959, at the Lushan Conference, Peng Dehuai wrote to Mao Zedong, pointing out the problems existing in the "Great Leap Forward". The letter sparked a fierce political struggle, which eventually led to Peng Dehuai's removal as defense minister and political criticism.
At the same time, Li Minghao is also facing a severe test. As a former Kuomintang officer, although he chose to revolt at the end of the Liberation War, his situation became increasingly difficult in the increasingly tense political atmosphere. Some people began to question his political stance, and even suspected that he was "in touch with foreign countries".
In 1960, Li Minghao was transferred from the National Defense Science and Technology Commission and reappointed as a consultant at a military academy. This is actually a kind of derogation in disguise. In his new position, although Li Minghao lost the opportunity to directly participate in national defense scientific research, he still insisted on passing on his knowledge and experience to the younger generation.
In 1962, the Sino-Indian border conflict broke out. Despite losing real power, Peng Dehuai still keeps a close eye on the country's military movements. He took the initiative to make a proposal to the central authorities, believing that a strategy of active defense should be adopted to avoid a full-scale war with India. Although these recommendations were not formally adopted, they influenced the final decision to a certain extent.
Lee Myung-ho played an unexpected role in the conflict. Since he had studied mountain warfare in Japan, he had a unique perspective on mountain warfare. The military specially invited him to participate in the formulation of the combat plan, and some of the tactical suggestions he put forward achieved good results in actual combat.
In 1966, the "Cultural Revolution" broke out. Peng Dehuai was once again the target of criticism and was branded as a "counterrevolutionary revisionist". He was held for interrogation and subjected to inhumane treatment. Even in such a difficult situation, Peng Dehuai still maintained the dignity and integrity of a soldier.
Lee Myung-ho was also not spared. He was labeled a "Kuomintang spy" and was criticized and imprisoned. During the interrogation, Lee remained silent and did not succumb to pressure and frame others.
In 1974, Peng Dehuai died of illness in Beijing. Until the last moment of his life, he did not give up his efforts to defend the party and the state. He left behind a large number of letters and notes, detailing his political views and views on the development of the country. These manuscripts later became important sources for the study of this period of history.
Li Minghao was rehabilitated after the end of the "Cultural Revolution". He returned to the military academy and continued to teach and research. In his later years, Li Minghao devoted a lot of energy to the study of military history and made important contributions to restoring the historical truth.
The fate of Peng Dehuai and Li Minghao is like a mirror, reflecting the changes in the past 30 years since the founding of New China. Their experience is not only a personal joys and sorrows, but also a microcosm of an era. Although the two have walked different paths and experienced different setbacks, their loyalty to the country and dedication to the cause are the same. This spirit will continue to influence future generations and become an indelible mark in China's modern history.