In 1955, the Chinese People's Liberation Army decided to implement a military rank system. On this day, Yang Chengwu, commander of the Beijing Military Region, presided over a meeting to solicit opinions on the awarding of general and lieutenant general ranks.
The theme of the meeting was the evaluation of those who could be awarded generals and lieutenant generals in the army. Many people in the meeting expressed satisfaction with their military ranks, but there was one exception. He was the uprising general: Dong Qiwu.
After learning that he was going to be awarded the title of general, he went to Yang Chengwu after the meeting and said bluntly:
"Before the uprising, I had the rank of lieutenant general. I would be very grateful if I could maintain my original military rank after the uprising. Please don’t promote me to the military rank.”
Dong Qiwu also gave Yang Chengwu a letter, hoping that he could pass it on to Chairman Mao. In the letter, Dong Qiwu also stated: His military rank. Too high to feel at ease.
Yang Chengwu did not want to send the letter because he felt that Chairman Mao would not agree to Dong Qiwu's request, but he could not resist his constant request.
Sure enough, after Chairman Mao read the letter, he firmly disagreed with Dong Qiwu's request to be demoted to lieutenant general.
And Chairman Mao also asked Yang Chengwu to tell Dong Qiwu:
"You tell him that he is a famous uprising general. Based on his merits, contributions and seniority, he should be awarded the rank of general. No one who has any opinions can lower his rank. This is the party's policy."
Admiral Dong Qiwu
Suiyuan UprisingProtection of Peace
In the winter of 1948, the Pingjin Battle, one of the three decisive battles, broke out. As the last battle to eliminate the reactionaries, all parts of the country were paying attention to the final direction of this battle.
What no one expected was that on January 21 of the following year, Fu Zuoyi announced the peaceful liberation of Peiping . The whole country was in an uproar. Peking was peacefully liberated. This was undoubtedly the best outcome, as it avoided casualties and avoided retaliation. Destruction of ancient buildings.
Dong Qiwu, who was the chairman and security commander of Suiyuan Province at the time, was surprised and happy after learning the news. He was happy that Peiping was liberated peacefully, but he was surprised as to why Fu Zuoyi did not tell his old subordinates in advance before announcing the peaceful liberation.
Yes, Dong Qiwu, who served as the northwest military and political commander of the Kuomintang, was actually deeply disappointed with the Kuomintang. He also wanted to follow the footsteps of the times and declare an uprising to follow the Communist Party.
So Dong Qiwu quickly went to Peiping to contact Fu Zuoyi. At Jurentang in Zhongnanhai, Fu Zuoyi met with Dong Qiwu and told him:
"We must keep up with the trend of history, follow the principles of peace, and follow the path of the people."
Dong His martial arts immediately showed Said:
"Even if I risk three or four deaths, I will follow you on the road of peace."
Dong Qiwu's photo
After some conversation, the destination of Suiyuan has been determined, but how to peacefully liberate Suiyuan? Far away is a big problem.
When Peiping was peacefully liberated, it was the Battle of Peking and Tianjin. Chiang Kai-shek and a group of spies had no time to take care of it. Now that Peiping has learned from the past, Chiang Kai-shek will naturally pay attention to Suiyuan.
Once Dong Qiwu forcibly declares an uprising, although he is the chairman of Suiyuan Province, it is inevitable that the Kuomintang diehards will obstruct and sabotage it. There will definitely be an influx of a large number of spies. Such a situation will definitely not be conducive to peaceful liberation.
So Dong Qiwu decided to take his time. After he returned to Suiyuan, he first went to cadres above the brigade commander to tell the contents of his conversation with Fu Zuoyi, and then so on, forming a top-down propaganda.
Although Dong Qiwu was very cautious and careful, as soon as he revealed the idea of an uprising, he was immediately opposed by the Kuomintang die-hards. First, The Nanjing National Government stopped distributing military and political funds and all supplies to Suiyuan.
subsequently sent a large number of spies to carry out sabotage in Suiyuan, organized thugs to demonstrate on the streets, and disrupted railway transportation. The entire uprising process was complex and sharp.
Peaceful Liberation of Peiping
Under such circumstances, Dong Qiwu persisted in his idea of peaceful liberation under tremendous pressure, and finally announced the Suiyuan Peaceful Uprising on September 19, 1949. Suiyuan's 100,000 troops also participated to the National Liberation War.
Looking at the people in the city cheering for the peaceful liberation and taking to the streets to celebrate, Dong Qiwu composed a poem on the spot to express his inner excitement:
Against all odds to welcome the spring breeze, the flag of righteousness was finally planted on the top of the green mountain.
Abandoned the dark side and turned to the bright side to show the way, and came back to life to win the day.
is determined to reform diligently from now on, and make achievements in the future to redeem his past mistakes.
No matter how difficult the task is, I am glad to see all the people overcome their difficulties.
Resisting U.S. Aggression and Aiding Korea Made Great Contributions
On June 25, 1950, The Korean War broke out. Faced with whether to join the Korean War, everyone had different opinions. As a general of the uprising force, Dong Qiwu firmly advocated resisting U.S. aggression and aiding Korea.
After this period of time, the original Suiyuan uprising troops have undergone earth-shaking changes. They have written letters of invitation, letters of determination, and blood letters, requesting to enter the DPRK to participate in the war.
Their mood is understandable. They have been in a state of training since the uprising. Now foreign enemies are ready to move. They want to perform meritorious service for the people and become a true people's army.
Dong Qiwu was also very pleased to see that all the soldiers at the top and bottom were actively fighting. He quickly submitted a request to Chairman Mao, applying to enter North Korea to fight and dedicate his value to the people.
After obtaining the agreement, on December 1, the Suiyuan Uprising Force was changed to the 23rd Corps of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, with Dong Qiwu as the commander.
On January 20 of the following year, the 23rd Corps of the Chinese People's Liberation Army was renamed the 23rd Corps of the Volunteer Army. This will mean that they, as a reserve force, will enter North Korea to fight at any time.
In September of the same year, Dong Qiwu finally received the order to leave for North Korea. However, his superiors did not let them go to the front line immediately. Instead, they were given a more serious task: to build three airports in North Korea in a short period of time!
Why is this task so difficult? Because at that time, US military aircraft were a major threat on the battlefield, and once our army built the airport, their advantage would be gone.
Faced with such a situation, the U.S. military would not let Dong Qiwu build it smoothly. This was indeed the case. During the construction process, the U.S. military sent fighter jets to bomb many times.
After learning about the movements of our army, the American reconnaissance aircraft took the lead in dispatching 27 bombers , dropping hundreds of tons of heavy bombs over the unfinished airport.
Such situations are not uncommon. In just 10 days, the US military carried out three chemical bombings, dropping a total of 6,850 bombs. Not only was the airport destroyed, but a large number of officers and soldiers died as a result.
Faced with this difficult situation, Dong Qiwu personally came to the front line to build with the soldiers. Since the enemy explodes quickly, we must build faster!
After three months of hard work, the 23rd Corps of the Volunteer Army, under the command of Dong Qiwu, successfully completed the tasks assigned by superiors and built three airports in Nanshi, Taichuan and Yuanli before the scheduled schedule.
The Corps has built a total of 3 main take-off runways with a length of 2,000 meters and a width of 60 meters, 8 aircraft aprons with a length of 1,500 meters and a width of 30 meters, a total of 9,437 meters of taxiways and connecting roads, an 8,754-meter push path, and aircraft shelters. 193 projects and more than 30 various ancillary projects, completing the task brilliantly.
After learning the news, Chairman Mao personally issued a congratulatory message:
"The 23rd Corps entered North Korea to carry out construction tasks. Although it was obstructed by continuous bombing by enemy planes, it finally completed the task beyond plan. "The service is very good."
The North Korean government awarded Dong Qiwu the Second Class Medal of Freedom and Independence, and was awarded for the meritorious service of the entire 23rd Corps. They wrote in their letter of thanks:
In the struggle to resist U.S. aggression and aid Korea and fight against the invaders, they established a great Meritorious service.This feat will never be forgotten by the Korean people; peace-loving people all over the world will also express their high respect...
After the end of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, the 23rd Corps of the Volunteer Army was reorganized into the 69th Corps of the People's Liberation Army Army, with Dong Qiwu serving as Army commander.
The military rank is too high and I feel uneasy. Chairman Mao: No matter who has an opinion, it cannot be lowered.
After the end of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, Dong Qiwu led the 69th Army to participate in the construction of New China and contributed to the development of the country.
The eyes of the masses are sharp. Although Dong Qiwu was an uprising general, he never fell behind in the implementation of various policies, so the central government decided to grant him the rank of general.
In the spring of 1955, after the awarding plan was issued, Dong Qiwu found out that he had been awarded the rank of general. He felt a little uneasy about this result.
He believed that he was an uprising general, and he had only served as a lieutenant general in the Kuomintang before. Now he was not only awarded a title, but also promoted to a military rank, which made him very uneasy.
So Dong Qiwu found Yang Chengwu, the commander of the Beijing Military Region, hoping that he could hand over the letter he wrote to Chairman Mao and demote his military rank.
After learning the reason, Yang Chengwu asserted that his request would not succeed. He told Dong Qiwu:
"You participated in the Anti-Japanese War for 12 years, and we only participated in 8 years. Your Suiyuan Uprising We cannot compare your contribution to the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, and you have contributed a lot to it!"
Photo of General Yang Chengwu
But despite this, Dong Qiwu still insisted on writing a letter to Chairman Mao, hoping that I hope the Chairman can seriously consider the reduction in rank he mentioned. He wrote in the letter:
... As far as I am concerned, before the uprising, I was only a lieutenant general. After the uprising, I can maintain my original rank. I am already very grateful to the party and Chairman Mao. There is no reason to promote me anymore. Military ranks... Moreover, many veteran generals and famous generals who participated in the revolution in the early days of the founding of the party and the army were only awarded to lieutenant generals and major generals...
In his heart, Dong Qi's reasons for becoming a military general and his own thoughts were very clear. , he is very grateful for the recognition of the party and the people, but the rank of lieutenant general is enough.
But after Chairman Mao read the letter, he directly asked Yang Chengwu to tell Dong Qiwu:
He is a famous uprising general. Based on merit, contribution and seniority, he should be awarded the rank of general. No one can lower it if he has any opinions. This is the party's policy. . But you, Yang Chengwu, are different. As a member of the Communist Party, you can be awarded the rank of general or not, but Dong Qiwu cannot but be awarded the rank of general!
Photos of Chairman Mao
After Yang Chengwu finished conveying his message, Dong Qiwu had tears in his eyes. The chairman’s words expressed a high degree of recognition for him. It was not because he was a general of the uprising and was biased. This made him more determined to peacefully liberate him. Suiyuan's move was not wrong.
If he refuses now, it will appear that he, Dong Qiwu, is being hypocritical, so the military rank incident has come to an end.
In September 1955, in the auditorium of the State Council, Premier Zhou Enlai awarded Dong Qiwu the rank of general. In Huairen Hall , Chairman Mao personally awarded Dong Qiwu the First-Class Liberation Medal.
What is little known is that Dong Qiwu was not a member of the Communist Party when he was awarded the rank of general. It was not until 1982 that Dong Qiwu successfully became a member of the Communist Party. As a founding general, why did this happen?
Chairman Mao awarded the title
applied to join the party four times and became a member of the Communist Party at the age of 83
applied to join the party for the first time
On April 27, 1950, Chairman Mao met Dong Qiwu in Fengze Garden. During the conversation, Chairman Mao suddenly asked:
You Are you not a member of the Communist Party yet?
This sentence was like an enlightenment. Yes, Dong Qiwu discovered that he was not yet a member of the Communist Party. Chairman Mao's words also gave him the goal of striving for the rest of his life, which is to join the Communist Party of China.
In July of the same year, Dong Qiwu found Yang Chengwu and said:
"I wonder if an insurgent like me can still join the Communist Party?"
This was the first time Dong Qiwu applied to join the party. He was very worried because of his past. Due to their status, they cannot join the Communist Party of China.
The next words of Yang Chengwu gave him reassurance. Yang Chengwu said:
"The door of the Communist Party is open. Chairman Mao's words are that he hopes you can become a Communist in the future." Party member."
After receiving Yang Chengwu's affirmation, Dong Qiwu secretly worked hard to study Marxism-Leninism and Chairman Mao's works whenever he had time, and measure himself by the standards of a Communist Party member in order to successfully become a Party member.
Dong Qiwu took a photo with the guard
Applying to join the party for the second time
In 1956, Dong Qiwu found Pei Zhouyu, the political commissar of the 69th Army. He solemnly said to Pei Zhouyu:
I want to apply to the military party committee for membership. Before formally submitting the application for party membership, I would like to ask for your personal opinion first.
Pei Zhouyu was very happy about Dong Qiwu's request, but he also pointed out that joining the party was not a trivial matter, especially for an insurrectionary general like him, who would have to undergo a period of inspection.
Dong Qiwu also knew about this issue in advance. He told Pei Zhouyu:
"I am mentally prepared for this."
Subsequently, Dong Qiwu submitted his application for joining the party. He wrote on it:
After decades of experience, I Through profound observation, we realized that only the Communist Party of China truly strives for the happiness of the people, the reunification of the country, and the liberation of all mankind. I have always dreamed of the reunification of China and the rejuvenation of the nation, but I could not find a way. After joining the revolutionary ranks, I gradually came to believe that only under the leadership of the Communist Party of China can China be unified and the Chinese nation revitalized. I am determined to work hard for the party's lofty and current cause until I dedicate all my years and even my life.
But later, due to various reasons, Dong Qiwu's party membership was not approved.
Applying to join the Party for the third time
At the beginning of 1980, the 81-year-old Assistant to the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference applied to the party organization for the third time to join the Party. The Military Region Party Committee soon studied his application for Party membership.
For this reason, a person in charge of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee came to Dong Qiwu and told him:
Although you did not complete the party membership procedures in the past, you are already a qualified Communist Party member. The reason for postponing the formalities for you to join the Party is because of your social status and influence, and because I believe that your temporary stay outside the Party will be more beneficial to the Party's work than coming inside the Party, and that you will be more effective in the Party's united front work.
After understanding the whole story, Dong Qiwu finally solved his knot. It turned out that it was not that the party organization did not want him, but that he wanted to play a greater role, and everyone had already regarded him as a member of the Communist Party.
Dong Qiwu was very moved by this. He immediately said:
I follow the arrangements of the Party Central Committee and obey the interests of the Party and the needs of the Party's work.
Applying to join the party for the fourth time
In 1982, 83-year-old Dong Qiwu felt that he was getting old and his physical condition was getting worse day by day. He wanted to join the party and wanted to find a place to belong. The idea became stronger and stronger.
So this year, Dong Qiwu submitted his application to join the party for the fourth time. This time, Dong Qiwu's application to join the party was approved.
On December 13, 1982, Qin Jiwei made a special trip to find Dong Qiwu and told him:
"Chairman Deng Xiaoping personally approved you to join the Communist Party of China!"
This year, Dong Qiwu was 83 years old, but he burst into tears after learning the news. With eyes filled with tears, he said excitedly:
"I finally have a glorious destination!"
On December 23, the 83-year-old founding general faced the flag of the Communist Party of China and swore an oath:
I volunteer to join the Communist Party of China... .
He wrote a poem "Reflections on Joining the Party" for this purpose ：
I am happy to see prosperity and peace, and I am willing to dedicate my life to the common people.
Let’s see China enjoy a well-off life and hope that the world will become more harmonious.
On December 23, 1982, the 83-year-old Dong Qiwu was approved to join the Communist Party of China
On March 3, 1989, Dong Qiwu died of illness at the age of 90. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Central Military Commission spoke highly of Dong Qiwu's life:
Dong Qiwu He is a great patriot, a loyal soldier of the Communist Party of China, and a senior general of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
If you feel that you are getting older, there is no room for progress in this life;
If you feel that you have no pursuit in this life, just live one day at a time;
You may wish to think about a veteran who was over eighty years old and still insisted on joining the party. Dream!
Salute to General Dong Qiwu!
The pictures accompanying the article are from the Internet. If there is any infringement, please contact us to delete it.
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