Chen Yi is both civilized and military, and has a very high prestige among the Huaye soldiers. Even after he left the army, his old subordinates still respected him very much. As for Chen Yi, he has extremely strict requirements on these old subordinates, and sometimes it's like finding fault with an egg. Not only were the old subordinates not annoyed, but they were delighted after hearing it.
html In the 1950s, Chen Yi's old subordinate Major General Chen Maohui served as political commissar in the 23rd Army of the Volunteer Army. However, in the difficult combat environment, he suffered from hemiplegia. In 1957, he returned to China and was admitted to Beijing Hospital. It happened that Chen Yi and Xiao Hua, director of the General Political Department of the Military Commission, were also staying in the hospital.
html One day in December, Chen Maohui went to visit the old chief Chen Yi.
Xiao Hua, director of the General Political Department of , was also there. When Xiao Hua saw Chen Maohui, he asked about the situation of the 23rd Army in North Korea. Chen Maohui happily reported to him that where the 23rd Army was guarding, the masses treated them well and the relationship was very good. The troops had some shortcomings, but overall, they were pretty good. During his speech, he unintentionally raised some issues about the brother troops.
After a while, Xiao Hua left because he had to attend a meeting. After Xiao Hua left, Chen Maohui said to Chen Yi:
"I'm about to be discharged from the hospital. Chief, what are your instructions?"
Chen Yi sat on the sofa and took out a cigarette. He was tapping on the small coffee table while staring at Chen Maohui, looking again and again, and then said: "Comrade Xiao Hua was here just now, I didn't interrupt."
"Ah, what happened?" Chen Maohui screamed inwardly.
Then, Chen Yi said: "Instructions? I want to criticize you first!"
"The old leader criticized me, so he should!" Chen Maohui said with a smile. He has been Chen Yi's old subordinate since he was in the Red Army.
"Okay, I will criticize you for being arrogant and complacent!" Chen Yi said.
Chen Maohui shouted at this time: "Old leader, I... how can I be proud and complacent!"
"Then, why did you not carefully examine the shortcomings of your own army in front of Director Xiao, but you went to talk about the problems of your brother's army?" Chen Yi looked at him and asked seriously.
Chen Maohui finally understood what was going on. He felt anxious, as if he had pebbles in his mouth, and said: "We and our brother troops... belong to the same corps command!"
"There is still a lack of understanding." Chen Yi put out the cigarette butt and said a little excitedly:
"I He is the Minister of Foreign Affairs, but he is also the Vice Chairman of the Military Commission. I have heard reports on your situation in North Korea at the Military Commission. Generally speaking, the performance is good, but the cadres are a bit arrogant and complacent. I heard you speak to Director Xiao just now, and there was indeed a sense of pride and complacency."
Chen Yi's criticism was straightforward. After hearing this, Chen Maohui was speechless and lowered his head, right? Director Xiao just asked about the situation of his own army in general, why not talk about the problems of his brother's army appropriately? So he stood up and said:
"I was wrong! Old chief."
"Okay." Chen Yi said, "When you return to the military headquarters, you must conduct a study against pride and complacency. Leading cadres must strictly demand themselves. You must take the lead in reviewing yourself and find out the gaps compared with your brother troops."
Then, Chen Yi said: "I have read your summary. You think your army's ideological culture has improved, but I think it is not enough. For example, your summary talks about being 'good at assault'. I ask you, why do you use this word?"
Chen Hong didn't know how to answer.
Chen Yi said: "Work always requires careful planning and practical steps, so why do you always carry out surprise attacks? Maybe this is not a misnomer, but you mistakenly regard shortcomings as advantages!"
Chen Yi continued: "In the past, your army made many creations during the long-term domestic revolutionary war, to be honest, but there was no good summary.In this aspect, we are not as good as our brother troops, so we should learn with humility! "
Chen Maohui finally understood Chen Yi's painstaking efforts and said: "I will definitely follow the chief's instructions! "
" Of course I can't blame you entirely. I also directly led you in the past. You didn't sum up your experience well. I am also responsible. It’s not enough if we don’t catch you seriously and help you. I hope you will sum up your experience well in the future and continue to make discoveries, improve and make progress! "Chen Yi said.
This is how Chen Yi treated the troops and cadres he led, as well as his attitude towards the strengths and weaknesses of the troops. Decades later, Chen Maohui still remembered this incident. When talking about it, he said:
"I was so touched by Comrade Chen Yi's sincere criticism and education! Especially memorable for me. He is our good commander! "Ten Marshals: The Little-Known History of the Ten Commanders of the People's Liberation Army" published by the Communist Party History Publishing House describes the combat style and personal legends of Chen Yi and other marshals. The book is the publisher's annual bestseller and once ranked first on the Chinese military bestseller list.
