But at this moment, the party's first generation of leaders is quietly undergoing a "generation change." The most important task of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee before the Tenth National Congress is to discuss who the party's chairman and vice-chairman will be.

On August 24, 1973, before the 10th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, 1,249 representatives from all over the country gathered in Beijing to look forward to the party's new instructions.

At this moment, the party's first generation of leaders has quietly undergone a "generation change." The most important task of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee before the 10th National Congress is to discuss who the party's chairman and vice-chairman will be.

The position of chairman must be held by Chairman Mao, who has the most credibility and ability. It is difficult for the Politburo of the Central Committee to decide who to hand as vice chairman.

In desperation, they approached Chairman Mao, hoping that the Chairman could come up with an idea. Unexpectedly, the Chairman also wanted to "leave the problem."

Chairman came up and asked: "Who should be the Chairman?" This sentence almost confused the comrades of the Politburo, but the Chairman's next words made them suddenly realize.

"I have discussed with Comrade Deng Xiaoping that some veteran cadres in the party are getting older and have minor health problems and want to retreat behind the scenes. I can not be the chairman and set up a Central Advisory Committee. I will be the advisory chairman of the committee. When the time comes, We must both "care" and "ask."

"Is Chairman Mao going to take a back seat?"

This is like a bolt from the blue to the comrades of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee! In the current situation, apart from Chairman Mao who can take charge of the overall situation, they can't think of the second best candidate!

The situation was deadlocked for two minutes. Chairman Mao took the lead to break the calm: "I am a consultant, but you may still find me annoying!"

Unexpectedly, some comrades almost cried when they heard this sentence: "I don't agree with your proposal. ! Now many hegemonic countries in the world are eyeing us, China and the Soviet Union are at odds, and China needs you, chairman." Before the chairman

said anything, the other comrades present were already thinking.

"Since everyone has such strong objections to me taking a back seat, I should continue to be my chairman and do my best for everyone!"

The smart comrade immediately regained the initiative and chatted with the chairman about the candidate for vice chairman.

As Chairman Mao's right-hand man, the Vice Chairman must be able to stand alone in his work, but he must also be "in tune" with Chairman Mao, so that when necessary, one can be a good person and the other a bad person.

Select Vice Chairman from the Army

Around the time of the top ten, China was experiencing "internal and external troubles". China, which was developing rapidly, was facing many difficulties. What the people were most worried about was war. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, they finally got their wish and lived a quiet and peaceful life. days.

Chairman Mao also understood that only when the people live and work in peace and contentment can the country enjoy long-term peace and stability. To give the people a sense of security, in addition to giving them something to do, the most important thing is to build a high military wall for them.

So Chairman Mao proposed: "The vice-chairman should be selected from the army."

This almost coincides with the suggestions of other comrades. Then the Chairman named several more suitable candidates in his mind, such as the well-known Zhou Enlai, who is loved by the people, Wang Hongwen, who came out of the army with swords and guns, and the slightly older Mr. Kang Sheng, and Ye Jianying...

When asked what everyone thought of these people, these young comrades did not hide it. , but told the chairman straightforwardly: "Wang Hongwen has some disputes, and the other people are quite suitable."

In everyone's opinion, although Wang Hongwen has military exploits, is a farmer, and has been a worker who relies on his strength to make a living, He is still too young.

At this point, Chairman Mao actually realized a serious problem. The people he nominated had an obvious characteristic: the age difference was huge!

Zhou Enlai, Kang Sheng, Ye Jianying and others can be regarded as veterans who followed Chairman Mao from scratch and helped New China earn a place in the world with every punch and kick. Although Wang Hongwen can be considered young and promising, after all, he is too old. Too immature.

If there is any flaw in this proposal, it is that from an overall perspective, there is a gap in the "age group" of the leadership. The middle-aged generation can withstand the test of strong winds and waves, and has certain practical experience, which is the most suitable The one who takes on big responsibilities.

Chairman Mao's idea gave everyone here new thoughts. Even Premier Zhou began to think about whether there is a more suitable middle-aged person who can take up the position of vice chairman.

After much thought, Premier Zhou put forward a very constructive suggestion: include Li Desheng as a candidate.

Although Li Desheng was 57 years old at the time, he was still considered the "founding general" and the mainstay of the army. All his officers and soldiers were loyal to him.

After listening to Premier Zhou's speech, Chairman Mao praised repeatedly: "I very much agree with Enlai's suggestion."

Li Desheng also attended the discussion. After listening to Premier Zhou's suggestion, he was first shocked and then grateful. As a cog in the country, Li Desheng believes that he has made no mistakes, but he does not feel that his merits are enough to take on the important task of vice chairman.

So his first reaction was to refuse: "Chairman Mao, Premier Zhou, I am not qualified yet, I still need experience... No matter in terms of qualifications, level or ability, we must strengthen."

After Li Desheng said these words, Chairman Mao After pondering for a long time without speaking, Li Desheng plucked up the courage and spoke again.

"Comrade Li Xiannian has more revolutionary experience than me. I think he is more suitable for the position of vice chairman than me..."

Li Desheng and Li Xiannian are good brothers and have a very deep revolutionary friendship. But at this time, he made a big mistake. It was Li Xiannian who came first. Sensing something strange, he stopped Li Desheng from saying anything more outrageous.

"The chairman has spoken, please stop expressing your opinions!" Li Xiannian seemed to be reminding Li Desheng, but also seemed to be reminding everyone present.

Sure enough, on August 30, Li Desheng was elected vice chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China by a high vote at the First Plenary Session of the 10th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Why would Chairman Mao recommend him to be the vice chairman if he is the first person to question his ability when he gets the opportunity?

This also starts with Chairman Mao’s foresight.

Li Desheng met Chairman Mao for the first time

In October 1968, at the 12th Plenary Session of the Eighth Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Li Desheng got the opportunity to talk to the great leader Chairman Mao through the air for the first time.

At that time, Li Desheng was the representative spokesman of Anhui Province. As the director of the Revolutionary Committee, he was deeply involved with the masses, but it was the first time for him to participate in such a big event as the 12th Plenary Session of the Eighth Central Committee.

Li Desheng arrived at the meeting with longing and anxiety. He never expected that Chairman Mao would pay attention to him before the meeting started.

The 12th Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China is to discuss the guiding ideology proposed by the representatives of the Ninth National Congress, to review the draft of the Party Constitution and the international and domestic situation. Therefore, most of the participants are confidential officials from various provinces.

Before the meeting, Premier Zhou Enlai read out the list of participants according to the old calendar. Chairman Mao, who was meticulous, immediately discovered the unfamiliar name Li Desheng.

Chairman Mao immediately asked: Which one is Comrade Li Desheng?

After learning about Li Desheng's position, he chatted with him without any airs. Although Li Desheng had "looked up" to the chairman on other occasions, this was the first time he had such a daily conversation with the chairman.

heard the chairman ask him about his family's place of origin. He was a little nervous and kept talking about his hometown. The birthplace of .

Xu Shiyou was also present and added, "Comrade Li Desheng and we are from the same county." After chatting about his hometown, Chairman Mao asked about his age. Li Desheng replied in a decent manner: "I have just passed my thirties, and I am 52 years old."

Who would have thought that Chairman Mao could even remember such details clearly? When selecting the vice chairman, Chairman Mao actually had two criteria in mind: one was a military background, and the other was a middle-aged cadre.

After the greetings, Chairman Mao mentioned Anhui Province, where Li Desheng worked, and even named Wuhu, Anhui, the area where Li Desheng worked. He also enthusiastically invited Li Desheng as a representative to share with everyone how to manage the complex area of ​​Wuhu in an orderly manner.

Li Desheng was quite forthright. He blurted out four big words: "Making public opinion." After these words were spoken, Li Desheng also noticed the embarrassment at the venue, and it was Chairman Mao who came to his rescue.

Chairman Mao first quietly affirmed Li Desheng's speech and affirmed the words "big public opinion."

then added details, proposing how the Communist Party used public opinion to win over the children of workers and peasants during the decades of revolution. He made up for the shortcomings in Li Desheng's words, and then affirmed the correctness of the party, emphasizing that it is precisely because of the Communist Party of China: "Occupying the theoretical high ground can we achieve success when there is only one mass and no army."

This is Li Desheng The first time he met Chairman Mao, he unknowingly felt the Chairman's control over details and his steady direction in times of crisis.

Met the Chairman for the second time

In April 1969, Li Desheng, as an Anhui Provincial Party Representative, met the Chairman again at the First Plenary Session of the Ninth Central Committee for the second time.

This time Li Desheng learned the lesson from last time and planned to keep a low profile to avoid saying the wrong thing again. But what happened was that he happened to be an alternate member of the Politburo of that term.

After Chairman Mao heard Li Desheng's name, he paused and said that he wanted to see Comrade Li Desheng in person.

After hearing Chairman Mao's call, Li Desheng straightened his military hat while sitting upright, stood up and saluted the military salute in Chairman Mao's direction.

Premier Zhou noticed Li Desheng's nervousness and teased him to take off his military hat, saying that Chairman Mao wanted to see his face.

Li Desheng embarrassedly took off his military cap and faced the rostrum, showing his military character. Although he was 53 years old at this time, his capable short hair and neat military uniform still made him look like a young man.

Chairman Mao was already 76 years old at that time. Looking at the very young Li Desheng, he couldn't help but ask him his age again. After learning that he was only 53 years old, he couldn't help but admire him.

"At the age of 53, he can still fight for the country for decades!"

A private meeting with the chairman

One day in July 1969, Li Desheng's secretary quietly walked up to him and said: "Premier Zhou called him personally. ."

Li Desheng, who was doing his work, immediately stopped what he was doing, ran to the phone and heard Premier Zhou's unique voice. Premier Zhou's voice was very calm but also very kind, and he enthusiastically told him that he wanted to transfer him. Arrived in Beijing!

He realized that this was after his promotion, and humbly expressed his wish to stay in the place with the Prime Minister.

Unexpectedly, Premier Zhou expressed his wish to transfer to Beijing very firmly: "The Central Committee has decided...before you come to Beijing, the General Office of the Central Committee will arrange the interview, and we will wait for you in Beijing."

It only took just half a month from the time the official document was delivered to Anhui until Li Desheng left Anhui on July 28 and boarded a plane to Beijing.

As soon as he arrived in Beijing and had lunch, Li Desheng received a call from the staff, reminding him that he would meet with Premier Zhou at Zhongnanhai Huairen Hall at 3 p.m.

After Premier Zhou met Li Desheng, he asked him about his willingness to work after coming to the central government. Whether he would like to work in the Military Commission or would he prefer the State Council.

Li Desheng saw that the end was a done deal and decided to choose his old profession - the Military Commission. Who knew that Premier Zhou's two words would hit Li Desheng's heart.

"The country is now very stable externally and cannot fight a war in ten years!"

Li Desheng "took the bait" and decided to transfer to the State Council and asked Premier Zhou which part of the State Council he would be responsible for.

After hearing that the Prime Minister said that he would be responsible for the activities of the Politburo, State Council Business Group and Military Commission Working Group, he felt that the daily work of the State Council was more challenging, and finally decided to stay in the State Council.

After chatting about official matters, the Prime Minister talked about Li Desheng's personal life matters. When he learned that all the arrangements for his hasty move during this trip had not been settled properly, he immediately gave him a month's leave with a wave of his hand and asked him to return to Anhui to deal with the aftermath.

The vacation was over, and Li Desheng, who had not yet adapted to the rhythm of work, suddenly received a call from Premier Zhou. This time it was Chairman Mao who wanted to see him!

One-to-one chat with the chairman? Li Desheng could not imagine what kind of scene it would be.

Unexpectedly, when he actually met Chairman Mao, he found that Chairman Mao was almost the same as the friendly person in his impression. When

entered the place where the chairman lived, the chairman was sitting on the edge of the bed concentrating on reading. Premier Zhou took the lead in breaking the calm and reported to the chairman the news that Li Desheng had arrived.

Chairman Mao said word for word: "Li (Desheng) is the dialect pronunciation of Li Desheng" and it was also his former name. This sentence immediately narrowed the distance between the two.

After Li Desheng sat down cautiously, Chairman Mao noticed his nervousness and jokingly picked up the reading glasses beside the bed and handed them to him.

"You are 53 years old, do you also need to wear reading glasses?" Li Desheng, who was originally very nervous, was moved by the chairman. He did not expect that the questions the chairman asked a few months ago still remembered him. At this moment, he was completely moved. The chairman opened his heart and talked with the teacher about his glasses and past events in the military region.

Chairman Mao even knew Li Desheng's Nanjing Military Region very well, as if he had done his homework in advance. In the end, he even chatted with the Chairman about the scenery of Anhui and Henan.

At the end of the conversation, Li Desheng even started chatting with the chairman about his "teacher-student relationship" with Chen Duxiu! Although the topic got further and further away, Chairman Mao noticed that although Li Desheng would remain silent when he couldn't answer, he would not deliberately exaggerate.

After the greetings, the chairman and Li Desheng chatted about the situation in Anhui and Li Desheng's governance experience in Anhui.

When talking about Anhui, Li Desheng opened up the conversation and talked about the governance experience in changing backward areas. When he mentioned "if you want to get rich, build roads first", he introduced the factory's industrial product exports in a spirited manner.

After listening to this, Chairman Mao raised a difficult question to Li Desheng and asked him what to do if the masses want to rebel?

Unexpectedly, Li Desheng was really thinking about countermeasures. Chairman Mao simply changed his mind and told him to read books other than military theory that he was good at, such as books on politics, literature, etc. He also enthusiastically introduced books such as "A Dream of Red Mansions" and "The Theory of Heavenly Evolution" to him...

Li Desheng also realized his shortcomings and took the initiative to hand over his posts in Anhui Province and Nanjing Military Region.

Unexpectedly, Chairman Mao suggested that he divide his time into three parts: one to work in Beijing, one to study, and one to return to the grassroots.

The meeting lasted for an hour, and Li Desheng benefited a lot. In his heart, the inherent impression of leadership was broken. He no longer felt that leadership was just a cold official document, but a kind teacher who was both a teacher and a friend.

He gradually understood that being a leader does not necessarily mean being perfect, but at least being down-to-earth. When you understand where you have shortcomings, you should sublimate and enrich yourself.

Facts have proved that Chairman Mao has a unique vision. Li Desheng, a down-to-earth person, has indeed slowly mastered the principles of work and become better and better.

On May 8, 2011, 96-year-old Li Desheng passed away in Beijing. Almost all central leaders attended his memorial service!

, the vice chairman who was personally promoted by the chairman, showed everyone his unlimited potential with practical actions!