Title: "Chen Cheng: The Anti-Japanese War Generals Who Overcame Difficulties, the Power Disputes Behind the Scenes".
Chiang Kai-shek was a controversial figure in China's modern history, and his cadre Chen Cheng was a little-known but legendary figure. Chen Cheng experienced ups and downs in his life and became one of the important generals of the Kuomintang, but in the power struggle, he also faced life and death choices and internal and external contradictions. This article will dig deep into Chen Cheng's life and unravel the intricate relationship between him and Chiang Kai-shek.
Chen Cheng's fate with Chiang Kai-shek began as early as the Whampoa Military Academy. The Whampoa Military Academy was the cradle of the Kuomintang's military talents, and it was here that Chen Cheng became acquainted with Chiang Kai-shek and was closely linked to his destiny ever since. Whampoa-born generals have always been highly regarded in the Kuomintang army, and it is through this identity that Chen Cheng embarked on the road to prominence.
At the same time, Chen Cheng was from Zhejiang, which also became a trump card for him in the Kuomintang system. His geographical ties allowed him to build a wide network within the party, laying the foundation for his future promotions.
Chen Cheng showed extraordinary military talent during the Anti-Japanese War. In the Battle of Songhu and the Battle of Wuhan, with his outstanding command talent, he successfully inflicted heavy losses on the Japanese army and bought valuable time for the squadron. Not only that, Chen Cheng also served as the commander of the Chinese Expeditionary Force and made great achievements for the victory of the Anti-Japanese War.
However, after the outbreak of the Liberation War, Chen Cheng experienced an unprecedented defeat. Under the blow of the people's army, he threw away his armor and fell into a huge predicament. The Kuomintang top brass demanded legal measures against him, but Chiang Kai-shek defused Chen Cheng's crisis on the grounds that the war was ongoing, showing his special care for Chen Cheng.
Chiang Kai-shek has always been known for "protecting calves", and his preference for his eldest son, Chiang Ching-kuo, is even more well-known. When Chiang Ching-kuo and Chen Cheng came into conflict, Chiang Kai-shek unexpectedly adopted a muddy attitude. He warned the two men to unite in Taiwan's predicament, rather than fighting openly and covertly. This unusual approach showed Chiang Kai-shek's mastery in power schemes.
However, Chen Cheng made an unexpected decision on his deathbed. In his last words, he clearly mentioned his father's frequent words of "people's livelihood first, people first" and "to be a soldier must have the soul of a soldier", and expressed his contribution to the war. But surprisingly, he did not mention words such as "**", which shows the change in his mood and attitude in his later years.
During his time in Taiwan, although Chen Cheng held important positions, he lacked real power. At the same time, Chiang Ching-kuo, despite his lower position, was the man who actually held power. Chen Cheng's rise caused dissatisfaction with Chiang Ching-kuo and even led to his purge of Chen Cheng. The power struggles of this period were full of twists and turns and undercurrents.
Chen Cheng's life in his later years was full of ups and downs and hardships. He didn't smoke originally, but in the face of repression, he used tobacco to relieve his depression in his later years. This also reflects his helplessness and pressure in the struggle for power. At the same time, his relationship with Chiang Kai-shek became increasingly delicate, especially on the issue of "** mainland".
In the last moments of his life, Chen Cheng left an affectionate last word. He expressed hope for his comrades and called for unity in their efforts to fight for the future of the country. However, he did not mention important topics such as "**, which shows his complex state of mind on this issue."
Chen Cheng's last words became the end of a power dispute. The Taiwan authorities tried to revise the last words to conform to the "propaganda plan," but Tan Xiang's insistence and Chiang Kai-shek's final decision caused the last words to be published in their original form. This incident not only reflected Chen Cheng's persistence and sense of responsibility to his family, but also demonstrated Chiang Kai-shek's authority in power schemes.
Chen Cheng's life is full of legends, and his heroic performance in the Anti-Japanese War and the decisions he made in his later years have become part of history. In the midst of the power struggle, he faced a difficult choice and finally left a deep last word. This history not only shows the changes in the period of the civil war between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, but also reflects the complexity and helplessness of human nature in the struggle for power. Perhaps, in this story, we can see more of the brilliance and vicissitudes of human nature.