At that time, there were many top leaders in the eight military regions who had worked in one place for several years or even decades. Their long-term garrison made it easy for many phenomena such as negative corruption and cliques to breed within the army.
Chairman Mao saw this very clearly, so when he talked to Wang Dongxing on the eve of the "Cultural Revolution", he said: "Our army is not so pure, and there are factions in the army... I wonder if you believe it? You don't believe me?" Letter. There have been troubles in our army for decades."
Based on the huge revelation and blow brought to Chairman Mao by the "September 13 Incident", as well as the actual need for internal rectification of the army, facing the eight military regions that had not been mobilized for a long time, Chairman Mao raised such a question mark: The party can make guns, but guns can’t make the party?
This is an extremely sensitive and acute issue. Since this issue exists, it cannot be avoided. To face this issue head on, we must first seek the opinions of important leading cadres within the party.
At that time, Chairman Mao finally decided to implement the strategy of swapping the eight armies after discussing with Zhou Enlai, Ye Jianying, Zhu De and others. The idea has been finalized, but to truly implement it, we need an old comrade with good prestige in the army.
As a battle-hardened veteran, Deng Xiaoping undoubtedly came into Chairman Mao’s field of vision. On March 10, 1973, with the help of Premier Zhou, Comrade Deng Xiaoping officially made a comeback. After Deng Xiaoping came back, Chairman Mao posed the problem that the commanders of the major military regions had not been transferred for a long time to him and asked him what to do?
Deng Xiaoping quickly heard the implication. After thinking for a moment, he switched the positions of his teacup and the chairman's teacup. Seeing this action, Chairman Mao couldn't help but smile knowingly and said: "This is really a hero. We see the same thing!"
With the support of Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping, Ye Jianying and others, in December 1973, the Central Committee held a meeting of the Political Bureau. The main purposes of the meeting were, first, to strengthen the party's leadership over the military, and second, to announce the transfer of the eight military regions.
Therefore, at the beginning of the meeting, Chairman Mao said: "The Politburo must discuss politics. The Military Commission must discuss the military, not only the military, but also politics. The Politburo does not discuss politics, and the Military Commission does not discuss the military. Let's change this in the future. You guys If I don’t change, I will hold a meeting and come here. I have no choice but to start a government. At the governance meeting, let me brag to you and tell you face to face. "
These words may seem simple and ordinary, but in fact they are intended to solemnly warn the participants: the whole party and the whole country must surround the Politburo and the party. , the army is no exception and must obey the command of the Military Commission and the Party Central Committee at all times.
There was a sudden silence in the venue, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense. Mao Zedong softened his tone and changed the topic. He said: "I have thought about it for a long time, and the commander of the military region should adjust it." Eight Points of Attention to Great Discipline ".
"Three Major Disciplines and Eight Points of Attention" is a party mass line song formed during the Liberation War. Chairman Mao proposed that everyone sing this song to warn everyone that communists should not forget their original aspirations and always listen to the party's command. Put it first.
After singing this song, Chairman Mao went on to say: "It is not good for a person to stay in one place for a long time. It is easy to get oily for a long time. Once oily, the political commissar's words will not work. It all depends on the commander's decision. This will not work." OK. Don’t worry, the commander will be transferred mainly, not the political commissar. "
Now that the tone is set, all that remains is execution. On December 22, 1973, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China officially announced the transfer order for the commanders of the eight military regions, namely Beijing and Shenyang, Nanjing and Guangzhou, Jinan and Wuhan, Fuzhou and Lanzhou. In less than 10 days, all military region commanders were successfully transferred. At this point, a military personnel transfer that was designed to prevent the slightest change came to a successful conclusion, setting a far-reaching example for future generations.
