Many of the leaders of the new China had a deep understanding and practice of frugality, and this was particularly evident in their personal experiences. I have worn the same pajamas for 20 years with 73 patches on them, and there are many stories about thrift. However, among the founding fathers, the most frugal was the founding lieutenant general Wang Bicheng. General Wang Bicheng has used a blanket for 49 years, which is not an ordinary object, but a relic of his old comrades-in-arms. This blanket originated in September 1940, when Xu Xukui, the commander of the 9th Regiment of the Second Column in Northern Jiangsu, died in battle, and Wang Bicheng was an old comrade-in-arms with him.
On his deathbed, Xu Xukui left this blanket to Wang Bicheng, and since then, General Wang Bicheng has used this blanket until his death. This is enough to show Wang Bicheng's frugality, but his thrift is not only manifested in this one thing. He is also very frugal in his diet, always with a bowl of dry rice and two small dishes, and has maintained a daily eating habit for decades. In addition to strict requirements for himself, Wang Bicheng is also strict with his children. He taught his children that it was strictly forbidden to "open a small stove", and he did not allow his children to call him by his name outside. In 1979, when the counterattack against Vietnam began, General Wang Bicheng, who was unable to go to the battlefield in person due to physical reasons, resolutely decided to send his son and daughter to the battlefield.
Later, even the pregnant daughter-in-law wanted to go to the battlefield, and the old general agreed. This upright style made him a thorn in the side and a thorn in the flesh of the Gang of Four, and they specially engaged in a "100 counts of Wang Bicheng" in an attempt to frame Wang Bicheng. ** Personally instructed: "Just make Comrade Wang Bicheng's question clear." These stories show General Wang's frugality and integrity, and his life and work reflect his adherence to his ideals and beliefs. Later, when the Gang of Four mentioned this matter for the second time, ** gave instructions again: "Comrade Wang Bicheng has already explained the problem, so it's okay."
Subsequently, General Wang Bicheng served as the commander of the Kunming Military Region until his death due to illness on March 13, 1989, at the age of 77. Before his death, he had been fighting tirelessly for the cause of the country and the army. It is worth mentioning that General Wang Bicheng's contribution and talent will always be remembered in people's hearts.