It has been nearly 70 years since the Founding Great Investiture Ceremony was held in Zhongnanhai Huairen Hall in 1955. The founding fathers who were active in people's memories in the past are now deceased.
Today, in 2023, there are only three surviving founding major generals left, and all the generals above the lieutenant general have been put to rest. So, who are the last three founding major generals who carried the cornerstone of New China?How many little-known stories are hidden in their lives?The first to bear the brunt was the artillery general.
Formerly known as Liu Shutang, he was born in Hebei Province and was an outstanding son with a wealthy family background and a merchant family, and his father was a well-known local businessman, which made him grow up in a very favorable environment.
However, the Japanese invaded Chinese territory like a beast and occupied three provinces in the northeast, and the commerce of the Wen family was severely damaged as a result, and the entire north was in deep suffering.
At this critical moment, General Wen chose to join the Chinese Communist Party, and with his superb skills in artillery, he joined the artillery company of the Eighth Route Army.
In the War of Resistance Against Japan, his mortars came like divine soldiers, lingering and scattered, making it difficult for the Japanese army to move an inch, and even in a storm, he destroyed the opponent's command room with one shot. Subsequently, he distinguished himself in the creation of the independent artillery battalion of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region and was directly promoted to the rank of political commissar of the battalion.
Although his identity is still that of a political commissar, his position is varied, like a pawn in a chess game, transferred and changed many times. After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, the newly established artillery school brigade emerged in Yan'an, and he still served as a political commissar, but his position was very different from the past.
Subsequently, this school moved to the Northeast with 1,000 cadets and was renamed the Northeast Autonomous Army Artillery School. In 1950, on the battlefield of resisting US aggression and aiding Korea, the heroic deeds of General Wen Zheng were deeply engraved in people's hearts.
In the fierce first battle, in the face of the sharp ** of the American army, General Wen Zhen did not flinch, and in the Battle of Yunshan, he only used an old cannon to bombard the opponent's field camp. After the end of the war, General Wen Zheng returned to China and served as the director and vice president of the training department of the PLA Artillery Academy.
In 1980, he was promoted to deputy commander and chief of staff of the PLA artillery, with the responsibility of training young artillery cadres. Wang Fuzhi was seriously injured in artillery training for a long time, especially in his later years, when he was almost completely unable to hear, and could only communicate with people with the help of hearing aids.
In 1935, 12-year-old Wang Fuzhi witnessed the heroic performance of the Red Army on the battlefield and had the idea of joining the Red Army to fight for the liberation of the nation and the people. However, the Red Army dissuaded him as a young man, and he had to put aside his enthusiasm for the time being.
However, by 1936, he could no longer contain the blood in his heart. He resolutely told a white lie to the Red Army, claiming that he was over 17 years old. When the Red Army cadres saw that he was in good health, they believed him, and the lucky Wang Fuzhi finally got his wish and joined the Red Army.
After the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Wang Fuzhi still moved forward bravely, serving as the head of the surveying and mapping unit of the 687th Regiment of the 344th Brigade of the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army, and the communications staff officer of the 22nd Regiment of the 8th Brigade of the Third Division of the New Fourth Army.
In the War of Resistance Against Japan, he relied on both wisdom and courage to win battles repeatedly, leaving the Japanese army helpless.
Wang Fuzhi participated in many major battles, including the Battle of Siping, the Battle of Sanxia Jiangnan, the Battle of Liaoshen, the Battle of Pingjin, the Battle of Hengbao and the Battle of Guangxi, showing a fearless fighting spirit and winning brilliant achievements.
In 1950, when the Korean War broke out, Wang Fuzhi did not hesitate to respond to the call of the country and plunge into the battlefield to resist US aggression and aid Korea. During a fierce battle, a mountain collapsed and he was buried underneath and could not move.
His life was in great danger, and he almost lost consciousness in the lack of oxygen many times, but he insisted: "Even if I die, I will die on the battlefield." This belief fueled his desire to survive.
After Mr. Peng learned of the situation, he ordered the reinforcements to dig out Wang Fuzhi and others, see people alive, see corpses when they die, and send the bodies home even if they are not there!This determination and deep remembrance provided a strong impetus for the rescue.
In the darkness crushed by the stones, Wang Fuzhi persevered for more than 30 hours until the rescue team appeared. Although the incident caused him illness, it also allowed him to escape the threat of death. Wang Fuzhi was promoted to major general in 1964.
When looking back on the years of youth dedicated to the motherland, he always said with a proud smile: "Dedicating my youth to the motherland is the proudest thing in my life!"”。Zhang Lixiong, a man born in Fujian in 1913, is the oldest of the three.
He had a miserable childhood of poverty, a large family, and suffered from poverty all year round. However, in 1932, Zhang Lixiong joined the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army and officially embarked on a military career.
With the Red Army, he experienced the microcosm of history, participated in large and small battles, won the praise of the superior leaders for his outstanding performance, and was promoted to political commissar. However, the situation was tense, and in 1934 the Red Army failed in its fifth anti-"encirclement and suppression" campaign and had to retreat strategically.
Zhang Lixiong embarked on the famous Long March with the Red Fifth Army. In this difficult process, they trekked through mountains and rivers and endured many hardships. Along the way, I crossed snow-capped mountains and meadows, crossed countless rivers, and endured many difficulties. In an atmosphere of oppressive pessimism, Zhang Lixiong's tenacity and steadfastness spread among the soldiers.
They pass on the teachings by word of mouth to boost morale and lead the way. General Zhang Lixiong was willing to sacrifice himself, and even gave away all his food and precious cowhide belts to let his comrades-in-arms taste the taste of "meat" to maintain morale and physical strength.
In 1937, the "Battle of Gaotai" took place, which was the battle that Zhang Lixiong remembered the most. At that time, the enemy's strength was like a bamboo, and the Red Fifth Army did not leave the slightest retreat. In the face of adversity, the Red Fifth Army had to temporarily retreat to the Gaotai stronghold and actively raise militia to prepare for a counterattack.
Unexpectedly, the militia suddenly mutinied, which greatly damaged the vitality of the Red Army and paid a heavy price, and Zhang Lixiong was also seriously injured. After several difficult escapes, he returned to the headquarters and vowed to avenge the sacrifice of his comrades.
In the years that followed, Zhang Lixiong was fortunate to meet and become a comrade-in-arms Pi Dingjun, and their close cooperation played a key role in the war, achieving many victories.
In 1955, Zhang Lixiong was promoted to colonel when he was awarded the rank of all-army army, which marked the recognition of his unremitting efforts in the army and his significant contribution to the development and construction of the army. Six years later, he was promoted again, to the rank of major general.
Today, at the age of 110, he is still healthy and in good spirits. ** Awarded him the title of "Healthy Old Man of the Whole Army", hoping that he will live a long and healthy life, so that his heroic deeds can be passed on, and his name and deeds will always be remembered in the hearts of the people.
These three highly respected veteran generals have experienced a rich and colorful life, from choosing to dedicate their lives to the military without hesitation, to wholeheartedly devoting themselves to the construction of the glory of the motherland.
With their indomitable will and enthusiasm, they defended the dignity of the whole people, and they were witnesses of history and witnessed the growth of the motherland's cohesion. Their spirit is like a diamond that will inspire new generations and remember their image of selfless dedication and unwavering heroism.
They were the glory of the motherland and the pride of the people, and their light will illuminate the path of future generations.