Chapter 41 The second chapter is the "criminal" who wears "crime" and makes meritorious service——Xiao Jinguang

General Xiao Jinguang is a legendary figure who has experienced twists and turns.As early as during the Northern Expedition, he had a great reputation; during the Red Army period, he worked hard to transform the Kuomintang troops of the Ningdu Uprising into the Red Fifth Army; Build military exploits.After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he served as the commander of the navy for 30 years, becoming the person who served as the commander of the military and arms for the longest time! However, such a military hero who was loyal to the party and grew up with the Chinese revolution almost became the victim of the "Wang Ming line" on the eve of the Long March!

In August 1933, Xiao Jinguang, then commander of the Fujian-Guangdong-Jiangxi Military Region, received an order to return to guard Lichuan.According to the enemy's offensive situation and the fact that the Red Army's defenses in the Lichuan area were empty, and in accordance with Mao Zedong's policy of luring the enemy to go deep, Xiao Jinguang suggested that the main force of the Red Army should gather in the northeast of Lichuan as soon as possible, and attack the enemy attacking Lichuan from the side, but his correct suggestion was rejected. up.When Xiao Jinguang returned to Lichuan, the enemy had overwhelmed the border, the Fujian and Jiangxi Provincial Party Committee and the provincial government had withdrawn from Lichuan City, and the guarding force was a teaching team of only more than 70 people.Facing the attack of the enemy's three divisions, it was expected that Li Chuan would fall.

In addition to "the fall of Li Chuan", Xiao Jinguang was also accused of "losing wounded soldiers", which is even more far-fetched.In the indictment for the trial of Xiao Jinguang, he was accused of not sending troops to escort the wounded after the battle at the Bajiao Pavilion in the northeast of Huwan, so that the enemy captured a group.The fact is that after this battle, Xiao Jinguang sent a battalion of Zhou Zikun's division to escort more than 300 wounded people through the enemy-occupied area to the rear base area. Under the cover, they reached the rear base safely.

The two trumped-up charges of "falling Lichuan" and "losing wounded soldiers" became the excuse for Xiao Jinguang's dismissal, and the fundamental reason was the need for the sectarian line struggle of the left-leaning putschist leaders at that time.On the night that Xiao Jinguang was dismissed and sent to the headquarters, a person in charge gave him a copy of "Iron Fist" magazine, which was "Anti-Xiao Jinguang Opportunism Special Issue". "Route", Xiao Jinguang felt annoyed when he saw that many statements were pure fabrications, so he defended himself.

"Although the facts are different, the party has decided to launch a struggle against the right opportunist line represented by you in the army to educate the whole party that you should obey the party's decision." The person in charge said coldly. "If you don't tell the facts, if you say this, what else can I say?" Xiao Jinguang was angry! In Ruijin, the "red capital", the "nature" of Xiao Jinguang's problem became more and more serious. Bogu even put forward slogans such as "Down with Xiao Jinguang, Chiang Kai-shek's lackey," and informed him: "The party has decided to put you on public trial!" After the initial trial, a public trial meeting was held.

At that time, some people advocated killing Xiao Jinguang, but it failed because of the firm opposition of Mao Zedong and Wang Jiaxiang.The verdict that sentenced him to death was sent to Wang Jiaxiang several times for his signature. Wang Jiaxiang always said to the secretary: "Return this verdict, I cannot sign it." As a result, he was finally announced to be expelled from the party and military, and sentenced to 5 years in prison without the right to appeal.After being detained for a month, Xiao Jinguang was released and worked as an ordinary teacher at the Red Army University.

Attacking Xiao Jinguang is actually attacking the correct line represented by Mao Zedong to suppress comrades in the party and army who support Mao Zedong and oppose Wang Ming's left-leaning putschism.Li De once said in "China Chronicle" that Xiao Jinguang was to be blamed for the fall of Li Chuan, "Bogu warned me not to discuss this issue in the Revolutionary Military Committee. Mao Zedong was very sensitive to this issue. Because fundamentally speaking, he was the same Luo Ming and Xiao Jinguang followed the same line." Therefore, it is not difficult to understand why Mao Zedong still said with emotion after the Zunyi meeting: "To hit Xiao Jinguang is to hit me, and to kill a chicken for monkeys to see!" After the failure of the fifth anti-"encirclement and suppression" campaign in the Central Soviet Area, the Central Red Army is preparing to implement a major strategic shift.At this time, the Red Army University has been ordered to be reorganized into a superior cadre team (referred to as the upper cadre team), and various preparations are in full swing.At this juncture, Xiao Jinguang was appointed as the captain of the Shanggan.

"Xiao Jinguang has been appointed as the captain of the Shanggan!" The news quickly spread to every corner of the Red Army University like wings. The upper cadre team is an important force. The cadre regiment it is in is directly under the Military Commission column. It is the most combat-effective force in the Military Commission column. It is the glorious task of the head and leading organs, but also shoulders the important task of training and delivering leading cadres for the Red Army troops and local party organizations. So some are mystified by the appointment.Some time ago, the entire army was still using newspapers, comics, acting, and holding criticism meetings to ruthlessly criticize and fight against this representative of the "Luo Ming Line" in the army. How could this person be sentenced all of a sudden? How about a "criminal" who has been sentenced to five years in prison to hold such an important position?However, those who knew him were happy for him, and let him be the captain of the cadre, which showed that there was hope for solving his unjust case.

Although Xiao Jinguang was appointed as the captain of the Shanggan, he is still in a state of semi-imprisonment.In his own words, he was still a "prisoner" at that time, he had no party membership, and his actions were even monitored.The left-leaning leader asked him to wear a "crime" for meritorious service.As the captain of the upper cadre, Xiao Jinguang has no mounts and no guards. With a rifle on his shoulder, a backpack on his back, and his beloved military books, he embarked on a long march. In the upper cadres, apart from the captain Xiao Jinguang, there are some comrades who also carry heavy political burdens, such as Feng Dafei, Zhou Shidi and others.Some leaders do not trust and worry about cadres who have committed "mistakes" and "crimes" like them, and even arrange people to spy on them.Xiao Jinguang is open-minded and firmly believes that the correct leadership of the party will eventually win.He closely united the comrades in the team, resolutely carried out the battle orders of the superiors, and exemplarily maintained the party's prestige.From Ruijin to Zunyi, four thousand miles away, during the first stage of the Long March, when the Central Red Army suffered heavy losses, all the commanders and fighters of the upper cadre team were transferred away due to the needs of the main combat force, and none of them were left behind. It cannot but be said to be rare.

Good news, good news of victory spread its wings and flew all over the army... After crossing Chishui for the second time, the Red Army quickly marched eastward and occupied Tongzi City and Loushan Pass again.The enemy troops fled one after another, and the Red First Army and the Third Army launched a pursuit battle in the direction of Zunyi side by side. What exciting news this is!Xiao Jinguang walked in the beaming team, looking at the winter jasmine flowers that had just bloomed on the mountain road, he felt indescribably happy. The Shanggan team did not participate in the pursuit.After the column of the Central Military Commission followed the pursuing troops and marched towards Zunyi, the upper cadre team was ordered to stay in Tongzi to serve as a security mission, and return to Zunyi after the Ninth Army Corps came to change defenses.In the afternoon of the next day, Luo Binghui, head of the Ninth Red Army, entered the city with a radio station and a company of guards, but the main battle groups under him had not yet arrived.Xiao Jinguang reported the situation around Tongzi to Luo Binghui.After listening to the briefing, Luo Binghui said to Xiao Jinguang: "You go, we will guard here." So, Xiao Jinguang led the upper cadre team and went straight to Loushanguan.

It is more than 30 miles from Tongzi to Loushanguan. Since the main force in front has defeated the enemy, it is safe along the way.Just as Xiao Jinguang was thinking about how to speed up and rush to Zunyi to return to the team as soon as possible, there were intensive gunshots and shouts of killing from behind them.Xiao Jinguang paused in his heart, and then shouted professionally: "Two roads left and right, leave the avenue, occupy favorable terrain, and prepare to fight!" Then he hid behind a boulder calmly and observed in the direction of Tongzi.Luo Binghui, the head of the Ninth Red Army Corps, came panting with a radio station and a company of guards.Luo Binghui is fatter, and his shoes don't follow his feet well, which makes it very inconvenient for him to walk.The pursuers at the back had seen that there were big cadres in this small army, so they uttered obscene language while chasing, shouting loudly: "There will be rewards for those who catch the officials!" Xiao Jinguang quickly conveyed the password: "Let the Red Nine Comrades of the Legion, strike hard at the pursuers!" When the members of the Ninth Red Army ran over, the upper cadres suddenly opened fire, knocking the pursuers into a dizzy state, and the arrogance of the enemy disappeared suddenly, and one after another They scattered to both sides of the road, not daring to lift their heads easily. Isn't Luo Binghui guarding Tongzi?Why did it appear here again?It turned out that not long after Luo Binghui arrived in Tongzi, he got the news that several main teams under his leadership had already bypassed Loushanguan and moved towards Zunyi. He was also notified to withdraw from Tongzi and rush to Zunyi.So not long after the Shanggan team set off, they also set off.Unexpectedly, when they were about to reach Loushan Pass, the instructor of the Sichuan Army Liu Xiang stabbed in obliquely, biting them and chasing them closely. The Sichuan army began to squirm again under the strange screams of the officers, and the situation was very critical.There are only 140 to 50 people in the upper cadre team, dozens of guns, plus a guard company brought by Luo Binghui, there are only more than 200 people in total, but they are facing the instructor of the Sichuan warlord Liu Xiang.Xiao Jin was not afraid of danger, he immediately organized the comrades with guns in the top cadre team, and asked the company led by Luo Binghui to come over, quickly deployed on the front line, made full use of the favorable terrain, and continued to block the menacing enemy.Those without guns also found stones and sticks, opened their postures, and prepared to fight with the enemy once the enemy rushed over. Although there are few guns in the upper cadres, most of them are battalion and regiment cadres who have experienced many actual combat tests in the front-line combat troops, so their marksmanship is very good, killing and wounding many enemy troops.At this time, night fell. Under the cover of night, the enemy fired a burst of guns indiscriminately and stopped their pursuit. What should we do now?Should we continue to execute the order and rush to Zunyi to return to the army, or should we make an independent decision to stick to Loushan Pass based on the changed enemy situation? "It's better to go together." Luo Binghui said. "Inappropriate. Loushan Pass is the northern gate of Zunyi, and its geographical location is very important. If the enemy takes over, wouldn't it be a serious threat to the safety of the head of the Military Commission, the leadership and tens of thousands of troops who have already arrived in Zunyi?" Xiao Jinguang frowned. brow. Luo Binghui nodded in agreement, but he also felt that the number of troops was too small, and he was worried that the top cadres would be outnumbered.A few people in the top cadre team also felt that they had few men and guns, and it was difficult for them to undertake such a heavy task of guarding the gate.But now the enemy army has reached the foot of the mountain, and there are no other troops nearby, so we can only rely on these people! Xiao Jinguang calmly said to Luo Binghui: "How about this, leave your company to me, we must guard Loushan Pass, you can leave first at ease!" After Luo Binghui left with the radio station and a few entourages, Xiao Jinguang ordered The troops quickly occupied the main hill of Loushan Pass.But I saw the darkness of night all around, steep peaks, deep grass and dense forests, strange rocks and strange rocks. The Sichuan-Guizhou Highway winds its way through this pass. "It's really 'One man is in charge, ten thousand men can't open'!" Xiao Jinguang sighed.Seeing such a favorable terrain that is easy to defend and difficult to attack, everyone's confidence was greatly increased, and they were quickly ready for battle. Along the way, Xiao Jinguang and the others took in some soldiers who had fallen behind from the vanguard. Most of them had guns, and two soldiers carried machine guns.So they mobilized them to stay and guard the customs together.Those who are in a hurry to rush to the team should also leave their guns behind.In this way, everyone's confidence will be more sufficient.The only worry now is whether the enemy will detour up from the sides.But there are only so many troops, and they can no longer be used scattered. "If the enemy separates us from the main force, we will have to fight guerrillas in northern Guizhou." Xiao Jinguang thought to himself. The enemy found that the Red Army had already defended against danger, and it was night, so they didn't know the truth. They just fought vigorously at the foot of the mountain, but they didn't dare to attack rashly.Xiao Jinguang made up his mind: "If you don't come to the front, I won't fire!" The enemy soldiers were like shaved heads, and they fought very lively there. There was no movement at all here, and some Red Army soldiers even accompanied them With the intense gunshots, he fell asleep safely.Finally, the enemy was discouraged, and the surroundings were silent, only the cold wind was blowing.This continued until dawn, until a battalion of the Fifth Red Army came to change defenses, and the Shanggan team continued to march towards Zunyi. In the evening of the same day, the Shanggan team arrived in Zunyi.Hearing that the Shanggan team had returned safely, Zhou Enlai immediately came to the Shanggan team's station.He held Xiao Jinguang's hand tightly and said: "You have fought well in this battle. You have defended Zunyi and the Party Central Committee." in conclusion. "The meeting decided that your question was wrong in the past, canceled your punishment, decided to restore your party and military membership, and the central government also considered rescheduling your work." Zhou Enlai said sincerely. Xiao Jinguang finally got rid of the political burden on his body and the hat of "criminal" on his head. He was so excited that he almost shed tears. One night a few days later, under Zhou Enlai's order, Xiao Jinguang led the upper cadre team, an engineering company, and an infantry company, quietly left Zunyi and went straight to Renhuai.Their task is: first conquer Renhuai County occupied by the enemy, and then go to Maotai, erect a pontoon bridge on the Chishui River, and prepare in advance for the Red Army to cross Chishui three times. Carrying siege ladders and some necessary bridging equipment, the troops walked through the mountains and deep valleys along a narrow path, braving the wind and rain.In order not to be discovered by the enemy, the troops could not light torches and could only move forward by groping. Many comrades fell down, broke their legs, and sprained their feet.After a whole night of trekking, we finally arrived at Renhuai at dawn. Xiao Jinguang personally led the sharp knife squad to run at the forefront of the army.When approaching the edge of the city, Xiao Jinguang ordered everyone to choose a favorable terrain and launched a fierce attack on the city.The enemy army guarding Renhuai had only one company, and it was a local army with weak combat effectiveness. After being attacked suddenly, they panicked and abandoned the city one after another. Xiao Jinguang ordered the infantry company to guard Renhuai County, and then led the upper cadre team and engineer company to Maotai, 30 miles away.Under the cover of the upper cadres, the engineering company quickly erected the pontoon bridge. The Shanggan team was stationed in Moutai for 3 days.Xiao Jinguang risked being bombed and strafed by enemy planes during the day, commanding the troops to fight in the air, reorganizing the troops at night, patrolling and strengthening the pontoon bridges, and did not complete the task until the Red Army brigade crossed Chishui three times. Moutai town is very small, but Moutai liquor is well-known both at home and abroad.During the tense battle, Xiao Jinguang and everyone tasted the Moutai wine with rich aroma, mellow wine quality, delicate taste and refreshing.He jokingly said to his comrades: "Thanks to Chiang Kai-shek, otherwise how could we have enjoyed it like this!" He has a good capacity for alcohol, and political commissar Mo Wenhua of the upper cadre team joked that he "drank vodka after all". That evening, Xiao Jinguang and Mo Wenhua sat by the bonfire, one holding a marching tank and the other a thick tea bowl, facing the hazy light moon, tasting Maotai wine.The wine was hot, and Xiao Jinguang suddenly got excited and sang the songs of the Soviet Red Army.The majestic march brought back his memories of staying in the Soviet Union for the second time... The first time he stayed in the Soviet Union was in 1921, and in 1924 he returned to China after completing his studies. What impressed him most during this period was that he, as a representative of the Eastern nation, listened to the speeches of the revolutionary mentor Lenin and kept a vigil for Lenin after his death. The most embarrassing thing for him during this period was that he was reprimanded by Chen Duxiu when he was studying military affairs at the Red Army School, and he scolded him back to Dongfang University.When Xiao Jinguang first arrived in the Soviet Union, he was studying at the Eastern University.One year later, he was sent to the Soviet Red Army School to study military affairs according to his personal wishes.When Chen Duxiu visited the Soviet Union, he learned that they were studying military affairs. He scolded them and said: "There is no direct proletarian revolution in China now. Why do you study military affairs? You want to be a warlord!" Three years of transformation from a youth yearning for revolution to a staunch communist.The study at Eastern University not only taught him the basic theory of communism, but also taught him the ability to engage in revolutionary activities. The second time he went to study in the Soviet Union was in 1927 after the failure of the Great Revolution. This time, he entered the Tolmachev Military and Political Academy located on the outskirts of Leningrad.The blood has taught the Chinese Communists that if they don't take up arms, they can only be slaughtered.Military work has become the focus of the party's work, and the party has placed high expectations on them. Here, he was directly educated by many senior Soviet generals such as Marshal Budyonny and Marshal Tukhachevsky; here, he became alumni with many famous Soviet generals such as Timoshenko and Zhukov; Here, he and Chiang Ching-kuo were classmates, and he was also the secretary of the party branch of Chiang Ching-kuo; here, he also became a father for the first time. Unfortunately, his daughter, who was placed in a nursery on the outskirts of Moscow, died during World War II. Lost. In the summer of 1930, Xiao Jinguang finished his studies.After three years of formal training, Xiao Jinguang has grown from a young party member who has just mastered the military to a commander full of military theory.The party ordered him to return home to participate in the military struggle. "Comrade Jinguang," Mo Wenhua pulled Xiao Jinguang, who was in a state of memory, back to reality, "The Zunyi meeting has re-concluded your question, what do you think?" Xiao Jinguang replied deeply: " Our party has never paid much attention to armed struggle to armed struggle, and has shifted from right to left. It is inevitable that we will make some mistakes in the process of maturity. What happened to me is just a footnote for the maturity of the party. Isn’t that the case?” On October 19, 1935, a ragged army with a disheveled face entered Wuqi Town in northern Shaanxi, which aroused a lot of discussion among the local people: "What kind of team is this? Why are they dressed in tatters and colorful clothes?" "It's the Red Army!" "It's not like, why are the Red Army dressed so poorly? They are guerrillas at most. The main Red Army probably hasn't arrived yet." Look at how thin they are, and straw sandals, they all seem to be from the south, how far they have come!" Xiao Jinguang, who had already served as the chief of staff of the Red Army (now called the second column of the Shaanxi-Gansu Detachment), Walking in the marching ranks, listening to the half-understood discussions of the common people, I was filled with emotion.The long journey has left the Red Army soldiers without decent clothes.Some were wearing tattered gray military uniforms, some were wearing shorts, some were wearing yellow military uniforms captured by the Kuomintang to keep out the cold, and some were wearing various flowered clothes bought along the way or from local tyrants.In addition, after going through all kinds of hardships, the soldiers were all sallow, emaciated, and physically weak, and many comrades were leaning on sticks.Some people joke that they look like a beggar, which is really not too much. If you let go of the gun, how can this look like an army! However, the fighting power of this army is unparalleled.They have iron-like will and lofty beliefs, and they have defeated hundreds of thousands of Kuomintang troops. They are the elites and backbones of the nation.No, as soon as he came to the northern Shaanxi base, Mao Zedong personally deployed the "tail-cutting battle". If it weren't for the two cavalry divisions of "Two Horses" running fast, they would have made dumplings for him.After the battle, everyone felt a little regretful, and felt that it was not enough to knock out one regiment of him! The people in Wuqi town warmly welcomed the arrival of the Central Red Army. The town is full of people delivering food and clothing, which is very touching.The soldiers of the Red Army rested here for a few days, and felt very warm as if they had returned home.In order to solve the cold winter clothes of the troops as soon as possible, in addition to the active help of the masses, the troops were also mobilized to do it themselves. Xiao Jinguang took a piece of wool felt cloth from local tyrants, thinking about how to turn it into clothes and wear it on his body.Gestures come and go, I don't know how to cut it properly.Asked the guard, he didn't know either, just shook his head in embarrassment. "Look at me!" Xiao Jinguang gritted his teeth, and cut the wool felt into three pieces, one big, two small, and three pieces. The big piece was rolled into a big tube for the body, and the two small pieces were rolled into two small tubes for sleeves. The tubes were sewn together to become a "clothes" made of dungaree fabric, which finally solved the problem of keeping out the cold; I also put on a pair of felt shoes for local tyrants on my feet, which felt very good, so I wore this outfit Dangling in the campsite, looking from a distance, it looks like a clay sculpture moving. When Peng Dehuai saw his outfit, he was taken aback for a moment, then stood aside and secretly smiled.Xiao Jinguang asked him why he was laughing, but Peng refused to say.Xiao asked again, and Peng blurted out: "Han people are not like Han people, and barbarians are not like barbarians!" So the two laughed heartily.