pic丨Wang Chenghan
Preface
In August 1985, 68-year-old Major General Wang Chenghan officially submitted his retirement report to the organization and was approved by the Party Central Committee.
Although he had sufficient ideas and preparations for retirement, General Wang Chenghan was still a little uncomfortable after he got out of his busy work state. However, when Wang Chenghan saw that the newly promoted comrades are young and strong and very motivated to work, he gradually calmed down and gradually stepped on the track of retirement life.
However, this retirement life did not last for a few months, General Wang Chenghan received an organizational notice: "After discussing with Comrade Deng Xiaoping and comrades from the Military Commission and General Political Department, he decided to let you come back and arrange for you to serve as a political commissar in the Academy of Military Sciences!"
At the beginning, Wang Chenghan said that he had already started his retirement life, and he would rather select other young and strong comrades to work at the Academy of Military Sciences. However, Comrade Deng Xiaoping still thought that Wang Chenghan was the most suitable. For this reason, Wang Chenghan couldn't reiterate his personal opinions, obey the organization's arrangements, and work again!
Deng Xiaoping: Wang Chenghan dared to give his opinions
On May 20, 1985, the commanders and political commissars of all military branches and military regions of the entire army, followed by the chief officers of the military units above the army, were summoned to the Beijing West Hotel in the capital in two batches to hold an enlarged meeting of the Military Commission.
The main purpose of the Central Military Commission convened an enlarged meeting was to study and discuss the strategic decisions of implementing the military reform system, streamlining and reorganizing, and reducing posts by 1 million, and to make arrangements for the specific measures and steps for implementing this major decision.
Wang Chenghan, as the commander of Chengdu Military Region , naturally attended the enlarged meeting of the Military Commission. The streamlined reorganization plan announced at the beginning of the meeting was to merge the original 11 major military regions into 7 military regions, among which the Chengdu Military Region and the Kunming Military Region were merged, and the leadership of the new military region was designated as Kunming, called Kunming Military Region.
The news that the Chengdu Military Region and the Kunming Military Region will be merged into the Kunming Military Region reached Chengdu as early as March and caused heated discussions among everyone. Wang Chenghan and other leaders deeply realized that this streamlining and reorganization was a severe test for the troops. In order to firmly obey the decisions of the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission and complete the disarmament task, Wang Chenghan held many meetings to discuss the matter.
pic丨Wang Chenghan
After many discussions, Wang Chenghan decided to face this disarmament task from four aspects: First, carry out an education on the entire district to correctly treat streamlining and reorganization and take the overall situation into consideration; second, prevent the use of streamlining and reorganization to conduct surprise promotion, and stop the work of to improve ; third, strictly manage weapons, equipment, materials, and funds, and strictly prevent violations of discipline; fourth, strengthen the management of the troops and ensure the normal progress of all work.
While Wang Chenghan conscientiously implementing the relevant instructions of the Military Commission and the headquarters and doing a good job in various mergers, he has also been thinking about a question: where is the designated location of the military region organs more conducive to the combat command, logistics support and long-term construction of the war zone in the entire southwest war zone!
Wang Chenghan judged based on his own experience that it was a bit inappropriate for him to target the new military region to Kunming. For this reason, Wang Chenghan also talked to other comrades about his own ideas, but some comrades believed that since the Military Commission had made a decision, it might be difficult to change, so we just need to obey the order.
However, Wang Chenghan did not think so. He admitted: "The merger of the military region is not about children playing house. We must be cautious, cautious, and cautious. If we have any ideas and opinions, we must promptly report to the Central Military Commission to provide more basis for the leaders of the Party Central Committee to make decisions."
On the eve of the enlarged meeting of the Military Commission, on the night when Wang Chenghan arrived at the Beijing Jingxi Hotel from Chengdu, he found Comrade Hong Xuezhi, deputy secretary-general of the Military Commission and director of the General Logistics Department, and asked him if he could give any further comments on the designated issues of the merger of Chengdu and Kunming districts.
pic丨Hong Xuezhi
Hong Xuezhi said happily after hearing his words: "If you have any ideas and suggestions, please boldly say it for reference by the Military Commission. If you are not right, you can change it!" Then, Wang Chenghan visited other old comrades and told them his ideas, and they were unanimously recognized.
Wang Chenghan repeatedly thought about the reasons for the suggestions from several aspects such as how to better facilitate the command of the Southwest War Zone, how to better facilitate the logistics support of the war zone and the long-term construction of the war zone, and organized the cadres of the organs to draft a letter of suggestions on the designated issues after the merger of Kunming and Chengdu Military Regions.
, Wang Chenghan, with the consent of Political Commissar Wan Haifeng, gave this letter to Vice Chairman Yang Shangkun of the Military Commission and Deputy Secretary-General Yang Dezhi, Yu Qiuli, Zhang Aiping and Hong Xuezhi in the name of them. The letter of suggestion
was analyzed from the political, economic and military geographical location of Sichuan and Chengdu in the southwest . It fully stated the superiority of changing the designated location of the military region from Kunming to Chengdu. It clearly suggested that the Military Commission change the designated location of Kunming to Chengdu. It also stated that we will resolutely implement the final decision of the Military Commission.
At the enlarged meeting of the Military Commission held later, Wang Chenghan and Wan Haifeng made joint speeches according to the content of the suggestion letter. Their speeches were clear and meaningful, which caused a strong response at the meeting. The leaders of some large units also recognized their opinions during group discussions.
Picture丨Deng Xiaoping
Wang Chenghan and Wan Haifeng's opinions have attracted the attention of the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission. Deng Xiaoping and other leaders of the Military Commission adopted their opinions based on extensive listening to opinions, and later made a decision to change the original designated Kunming to Chengdu at the meeting. Afterwards, when talking about Wang Chenghan, Deng Xiaoping praised: "Comrade Wang Chenghan dares to give suggestions, has his own ideas and can work down-to-earth, which is great!"
After the enlarged meeting of the Military Commission, the entire army immediately took action and resolutely implemented the central government's strategic decisions. In order to do a good job in streamlining and reorganization, the Central Military Commission decided to send a coordination group to the merged military regions: the
coordination group was entrusted by the Military Commission to assist the leaders of the military region to implement the instructions and decisions of the Military Commission on reforming the system, streamlining and reorganization, and to implement the tasks assigned by the Military Commission.
Former Kunming Military Region Political Commissar Xie Zhenhua serves as the head of the Chengdu Military Region Coordination Group, Wang Chenghan and former Kunming Military Region Political Commissar Xie Zhenhua serves as deputy heads, and together assist the new leadership team of the Chengdu Military Region in streamlining and reorganizing work. After more than two months of hard work, given that the new military region organs have been established and the handover between the new and old military regions has been smooth, the mission of the coordination group has been completed.
pic丨Wang Chenghan's old photos
Wang Chenghan, as an old comrade, has worked in the army for decades. He is happy from the bottom of his heart when he sees a large number of young and strong comrades taking up leadership positions and seeing that there are successors in the military's career.
Wang Chenghan came out again
In August 1985, the work tasks of the streamlining and reorganizing coordination team were basically completed.
68-year-old Major General Wang Chenghan also formally submitted his retirement report to the organization and was approved by the Party Central Committee. However, his retirement life did not last for a few months, and Deng Xiaoping will return to work:
You have a new task! After discussion at the organization, it was decided to arrange for you to work at the Academy of Military Sciences and serve as the Political Commissar of the Academy of Military Sciences and the Party Secretary of the Academy of Military Sciences.
Wang Chenghan was very excited after receiving the order from the Military Commission. On the one hand, he could continue to do some facts for the country and the people, and on the other hand, the trust of the Party Central Committee leaders in him.
You should know that the Academy of Military Sciences was approved by the Party Central Committee and Chairman Mao in 1958 and is the highest military scientific research institution in the entire army. For a long time, a group of famous senior generals and military theory experts have gathered here, such as Ye Jianying, Su Yu , Wang Shusheng, Song Shilun , etc.
Picture丨Wang Chenghan (fourth from left)
However, while excited, Wang Chenghan also knew that the responsibility he shouldered was heavy. In the past, the main leaders of the Academy of Military Sciences were all held by respected old leaders and comrades. Now the Party Central Committee has handed over this burden to itself, and he must never let down the trust and trust of the Party Central Committee. After taking office, Wang Chenghan was warmly welcomed by President Song Shilun, Political Commissar Liang Biye and all comrades in the court. Not long after, the Academy of Military Sciences held a leadership team handover meeting. Song Shilun and Liang Biye delivered speeches, summarizing the work of the Academy of Military Sciences over the past 20 years, and putting forward high hopes for how to continue to create a new situation for the Academy of Military Sciences in the future.
At that time, the Academy of Military Sciences was facing a new historical development period, which objectively required the scientific research of the Academy of Military Sciences to closely follow and adapt to the new situation and the requirements of the strategic transformation of military construction. In order to achieve this goal, a comrade with strong organizational capabilities and a strong overall view is needed to lead the work of the Academy of Military Sciences.
In Deng Xiaoping's eyes, General Wang Chenghan is very suitable. Whether in the war years or , his abilities have been tested in actual combat. He is a trustworthy comrade.
pic丨Wang Chenghan
Wang Chenghan took office and focused on political and ideological work, and also worked with other members of the Party Committee to carry out academic research work. In order to fully mobilize the enthusiasm of research units and researchers, and promote more results and more talents, Wang Chenghan and other leaders decided to carry out a series of reforms in scientific research management after discussion:
First, the compilation was partially adjusted, some research departments were merged and added, and some relationships were initially straightened out; second, the scientific research management system was reformed in accordance with the principle of Hongguang control and micro-activation; third, the editor-in-chief system was implemented and the role of academic backbone was fully played; fourth, the academic finished product review method has been reformed... The implementation of these methods has greatly increased the enthusiasm of scientific researchers and is more conducive to the "birth" of scientific research results.
As Wang Chenghan worked in the Academy of Military Sciences longer, he was also moved by the spirit of the vast number of scientific researchers to be content with poverty and devote himself to scientific research. However, at the same time, he also heard many comrades reflect that the Academy of Military Sciences is too poor, and most cadres cannot live in a standard housing. It is very common for several cadres to share a housing unit...
Wang Chenghan realized that to fully mobilize the enthusiasm of the entire hospital staff, to prosper and develop military scientific research, we must put ourselves in our shoes and care about everyone's sufferings and work hard to improve the work of the hospital's security. After a period of work, Wang Chenghan deeply realized that there are three core tasks of the main person in charge of the military department: : First, the construction of the scientific research team, the second is to produce more academic achievements, and the third is to provide good logistics scientific research guarantees.
Picture丨Wang Chenghan welcomes Deng Xiaoping at Chengdu Shuangliu Airport
In Wang Chenghan's view, the last point is an important basis for the first two points. If the last point is not done well, the first two points will be greatly affected. In order to solve everyone's backing and conduct scientific research with peace of mind, Wang Chenghan actively reported to the Military Commission and the head of the headquarters the actual difficulties of the Military Science Academy, and requested the superior authorities to provide funding and material support. On the other hand, in accordance with the policy regulations at the time, increase revenue and reduce expenditure to make up for the serious shortage of funds.
In a short period of time, under the leadership of the Standing Committee of the Hospital and through the efforts of the Ministry of the Case and other relevant departments, we have done some practical things that are heart-willing and heart-warming in improving the living conditions and scientific research and office conditions of the entire hospital. For example, by raising funds from multiple sources, eight new dormitory buildings have been built, which has improved the housing tension of cadres and employees to a certain extent.
It can be said that during the four years of General Wang Chenghan's work in the Academy of Military Sciences, he put forward many practical suggestions and put them into action. The results were obvious and praised by the leaders of the Party Central Committee.
September 14, 1988 was one of the most memorable days in General Wang Chenghan's life. On this day, he was awarded the rank of general. This is undoubtedly the recognition of his work ability by the Party Central Committee and his recognition of his achievements.
On April 20, 1990, with the approval of the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, the leadership team of the Academy of Military Sciences made adjustments, and Wang Chenghan also withdrew from the leadership position. At this time, Wang Chenghan was nearly 73 years old and had been working in the People's Army for 60 years. After thinking about how he worked for the Party and the people for a few more years, he laughed happily. He had long been mentally prepared for retreating.
Picture丨Wang Chenghan and Zhang Aiping took a photo
Wang Chenghan After retirement, he liked to go to various parts of the motherland to inspect, see the development situation in various places, and learn about their successful economic construction experience.
For this reason, every time Wang Chenghan returns to his hometown, Hong'an , or when the villagers in Hong'an come to Beijing to visit him, Wang Chenghan will always introduce his advanced experience in economic construction in other places to his hometown, and combine it with the actual situation in Hong'an to talk about some views on learning from foreign experience, playing to his strengths and avoiding weaknesses, and guiding farmers to become rich.
General Wang Chenghan’s idea is very simple:
The villagers can live a good life, and we surviving old soldiers will feel at ease. Otherwise, we would be in a state of ease and sleep.
Wang Chenghan’s retirement life
General Wang Chenghan still insisted on learning after retirement. He regarded the motto of Premier Zhou’s advocacy of “living until old, learning until old, and transforming until old”.
Usually, Wang Chenghan will try his best to participate in meetings, reports, symposiums, etc. of the Academy of Military Sciences that convey superior documents whenever Wang Chenghan receives the notice. In normal times, Wang Chenghan would learn to read the party’s documents, and read the documents sent by the secretary and international and domestic reference materials one by one. The key content would be marked out in a pen or excerpted, and read and think about it repeatedly.
Picture丨General Wang Chenghan's later years
If General Wang Chenghan has any hobbies after retirement, it is calligraphy and driving. As long as he has free time, Wang Chenghan will stay in the study and practice calligraphy alone. He enjoys the feeling of peace of mind when writing. As for driving, according to General Wang Chenghan’s recollection:
When I was young, I liked driving very much. I remember that when I was , the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, as a division commander, once I drove my jeep over. I tidied up my military uniform and got into the cab. I told the people who were traveling with me that if I were afraid of the car being overturned again, I would walk. If I were not afraid, come with me! I continued driving forward, but since that time, I have never had any traffic accidents again. But now I am older and have disciplines, so I will no longer drive myself.
General Wang Chenghan’s retirement life can be said to be fulfilling and happy. On November 20, 2009, General Wang Chenghan died in Beijing due to ineffective treatment. He was 92 years old.
