Zeng Kelin entered the northeast and was asked by the Soviet army: What kind of unit are you? Who called you here?
Late one night in August 1945, a mysterious Chinese army suddenly appeared outside the city of Shenyang. They marched in a hurry, with a resolute expression, as if they had an important mission on their shoulders. However, when they were about to enter the city, they were stopped by the Soviet troops who had already been stationed. With a little vigilance and curiosity, the commander of the Soviet army, Kafton, asked: "What kind of unit are you?" Where did it come from? Who called you here? ＂
In the face of this sudden cross-examination, the commander of this army did not panic. He held his head high, his eyes were like torches, and he replied calmly: "We are the Chinese army who came to carry out the order of Commander-in-Chief Zhu De, and my name is Zeng Kelin. ＂
This brief conversation unveiled a little-known history. Who is Zeng Kelin? Why are they here? At a critical moment when Japan has just surrendered and all forces are eyeing Northeast China, what does the appearance of this army mean? What is even more curious is how they broke through the obstacles and became the first Chinese army to advance into the northeast?
As these questions emerge, a thrilling story about China's fate unfolds. In this special period of rapid change, how will Zeng Kelin and his troops survive in the cracks, and how will they change the direction of history?
Surprise attack on Shanhaiguan: Zeng Kelin's wise move
On August 15, 1945, Japan announced its unconditional surrender, but the Japanese troops stationed at Shanhaiguan refused to surrender. As the choke point into the Northeast, Shanhaiguan's strategic position is self-evident. Zeng Kelin knows that if he wants to advance into the Northeast, he must first win this difficult hard bone.
However, since ancient times, Shanhaiguan has the reputation of "one husband is the pass, and ten thousand people are not open". With tall walls, treacherous terrain, and stubbornly resisting Japanese troops, a frontal assault is tantamount to hitting a stone with an egg. Zeng Kelin stood at the foot of the mountain, looking at the majestic Guancheng, and fell into deep thought.
Just when everyone was racking their brains to find a way to storm Shanhaiguan, Zeng Kelin came up with an unexpected plan: avoid Shanhaiguan and make a detour from the Nine Gates. The decision came as a surprise to many, with some questioning whether it would delay the fighter, but Zeng was confident.
On August 26, Zeng Kelin led his troops to quietly bypass the Shanhaiguan Pass and go straight to the Nine Gates. Along the way, they carefully avoided the eyes and ears of the Japanese troops, and walked behind enemy lines like a ghost army.
In the process of advancing, Zeng Kelin's troops also took advantage of the situation to occupy important sites such as Liujiang and Shimenzhai coal mines. This move not only provided material support for the follow-up operation, but also cut off the fuel supply line of the Japanese army at Shanhaiguan, creating favorable conditions for the next operation.
However, Zeng Kelin was not satisfied. He knows that if he wants to really open the door to the Northeast, he still has to take Shanhaiguan. At this moment, a Soviet unit came into contact with Zen Kelin's team. At first, the two sides came close to clash due to language barriers. Fortunately, a translator stepped forward in time to resolve the misunderstanding.
Zeng Kelin had an idea and decided to use the strength of the Soviet army to attack Shanhaiguan. He made a proposal to the commander of the Soviet army for joint operations. At first, the Soviet commanders were somewhat hesitant, believing that Shanhaiguan was difficult to overcome. But Zeng Kelin argued with reason, pointing out that Shanhaiguan was the key to entering the northeast, and if they didn't take it, how could they cooperate with the Soviet army to fight in the northeast?
In the end, under the skillful persuasion of Zeng Kelin, the Soviet army agreed to the plan of joint operations and elected Zeng Kelin as commander-in-chief. This decision made Zeng Kelin feel both excited and deeply responsible.
On August 28, the Chinese and Soviet armies began negotiations with the Japanese troops at Shanhaiguan. In the name of the Chinese and Soviet armies, Zeng Kelin demanded that the Japanese army surrender immediately. However, the Japanese still stubbornly resisted and refused to surrender.
Faced with this situation, Zeng Kelin immediately made a decision and issued an order for a general attack. He adopted a two-pronged strategy, one front pinning down, the other attacking from the flanks. The warriors of the Chinese army constantly threw grenades at the enemy positions, while the 4 guns of the Soviet army concentrated their fire on the city gates.
After 4 hours of fierce fighting, a breach was finally blown open in the city gate. Zeng Kelin personally led the assault team into the city and engaged in street battles with the Japanese army. The Japanese army was defeated and retreated, and finally fled in a hurry to the direction of Qinhuangdao.
In this way, under the command of Zeng Kelin, the Chinese and Soviet troops captured this solid defense line known as "the first pass in the world" in just a few hours. This battle not only opened the door to the northeast, but also demonstrated Zeng's outstanding talent and strategic vision as a commander.
The victory in the Battle of Shanhaiguan laid a solid foundation for Zeng Kelin's troops to further advance into the northeast. It was not only a military victory, but also a major strategic breakthrough. Through this operation, Zeng Kelin's troops successfully seized the opportunity and won valuable time and strategic initiative for the subsequent Northeast Campaign.
However, this is just the beginning. Next, Zeng Kelin will lead his troops on a more difficult journey, facing more challenges and difficulties. But at this moment, when he stood at the head of Shanhaiguan City and looked at the northeast land, I believe that his heart must be full of expectations and confidence for the future.
Advance to the Northeast: Overcoming obstacles along the way
After capturing Shanhaiguan, the troops led by Zeng Kelin did not stop. They are like an arrow off the string, pointing straight at the hinterland of the northeast. However, the road has not been smooth sailing, but it has been fraught with challenges and difficulties.
The first to face is Suizhong County. This small city in the western part of Liaoning Province is small in size, but its geographical location is very important. Zeng Kelin knew that in order to advance smoothly, he must first take this stronghold. On September 1, the troops arrived outside Suizhong County. Unexpectedly, the Japanese had withdrawn, but a small force of the Kuomintang occupied the county seat.
Zeng did not want to clash head-on with the KMT, which could lead to even greater trouble. He decided to outwit the way. Zeng Kelin sent a negotiating team to negotiate with the Kuomintang army in the name of "joint resistance against Japan." After several hours of difficult negotiations, the Kuomintang army finally agreed to withdraw from the county seat and hand over control to Zeng Kelin's troops.
After taking over Suizhong, Zeng Kelin immediately set about restoring order in the area. He organized the army to help the people rebuild their homes, and at the same time set up a provisional government to solve the problems of people's livelihood. These measures quickly won the support of the local people and laid a good mass foundation for follow-up actions.
Following Suizhong, Zeng Kelin's eyes turned to Xingcheng. This ancient city was once the capital of the Liao Dynasty, with a long history and an important strategic position. On September 3, the troops came to the city of Xingcheng. Unlike Suizhong, the Japanese troops in Xingcheng have not yet completely withdrawn, and the situation in the city is complicated.
Zeng Kelin adopted a strategy of besieging but not attacking. He sent a small force to sneak into the city and contact the local anti-Japanese forces. At the same time, he sent people to negotiate with the representatives of the Japanese army in the city to persuade them to surrender. This combination of internal and external practices has finally paid off. With the cooperation of the local anti-Japanese forces, the Japanese army soon surrendered, and Xingcheng was successfully liberated.
However, the real challenge is yet to come. On September 4, Zeng's troops arrived outside the city of Jinzhou. As an important town in western Liaoning, Jinzhou's importance is self-evident. There were a considerable number of Japanese troops stationed in the city, and they had been prepared for a long time. Just as Zeng Kelin was struggling with how to attack the city, a Soviet army unit also came to Jinzhou.
Now the situation becomes even more complicated. According to the previous agreement, the Soviet army was supposed to cooperate with the Chinese army. However, the Soviet commander offered to take over Jinzhou independently. The request put Mr. Zeng in a dilemma.
After some careful consideration, Zeng Kelin decided to take the initiative. He personally went to visit the commander of the Soviet army and made a bold proposal: the Chinese and Soviet armies would act together to take over Jinzhou. As a sign of sincerity, Zeng even agreed to give the Soviets a dominant position in the reception ceremony.
This proposal impressed the Soviet commanders. On September 5, with the joint efforts of the Chinese and Soviet armies, the Japanese army in Jinzhou finally surrendered. At the reception ceremony, although the Soviets took the lead role, in fact, Zen Klin's troops had quietly taken control of the main departments and vital parts of the city.
In this way, Zeng Kelin used wisdom and decisiveness to solve one problem after another, and led the troops to advance step by step to the hinterland of the northeast. However, when they came to the outside of Shenyang with confidence, they encountered unprecedented difficulties.
On the evening of September 5, Zeng's troops finally arrived outside Shenyang. However, what awaited them was not the joy of victory, but a series of questions and doubts. It turned out that Shenyang had long been occupied by Soviet troops, and according to the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Alliance, only the Kuomintang troops had the right to take Shenyang.
In the face of this sudden change, Zeng Kelin fell into a dilemma. He led his troops on a journey of thousands of miles, and finally came here, did he have to return empty-handed like this? However, if it is forced into the city, it may lead to a conflict with the Soviet army, and even affect the larger situation.
At this critical juncture, Zeng Kelin showed great diplomatic wisdom. Instead of choosing a tough confrontation, he took the initiative to contact the Soviet command and ask for talks. During the talks, Zeng Kelin explained in detail his origin and identity, and expressed his willingness to cooperate with the Soviet army.
Although there was no breakthrough in the first talks, Zeng did not give up. He decided to try again, and this time he came to the Soviet command with much better preparation. In the coming days, Zeng will face even greater challenges, but his wisdom and courage will open up a new path for him.
Zeng Kelin's diplomatic wisdom
In the stalemate outside Shenyang, Zeng Kelin showed extraordinary diplomatic skills. He is well aware that in this complicated international situation, force alone cannot solve the problem. So, he decided to make another attempt to negotiate with the commander of the Soviet troops, Kaftong.
In the early morning of September 6, Zeng Kelin arrived at the Soviet headquarters with several retinues. This time, he brought with him a detailed plan with not only the route of their march, but also a detailed record of their takeover in various places. Zeng Kelin hopes to use these facts to justify them.
However, Kafton remained indifferent. He once again stressed that according to the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Alliance, only the Kuomintang troops had the right to take over Shenyang. In the face of this seemingly insurmountable obstacle, Zeng Kelin did not flinch. He made a bold suggestion: "We can work together to take over Shenyang." ＂
The proposal came as a surprise to Krafton. Zeng Kelin went on to explain: "Together, we can maintain order in the city and keep civilians safe. When the Kuomintang troops arrived, we would hand over power. This proposal took into account both the position of the Soviet Union and the place for the Chinese army.
Kafton hesitated. He said he needed to report to his superiors. At this moment, Zeng Kelin threw out another surprising proposal: "If you are worried about our identity, we can change the name to the 'Northeast People's Autonomous Army'." This would not violate the treaty and provide legitimacy for the takeover of Shenyang. ＂
This proposal was like a lightning bolt that illuminated the darkness of the stalemate. Krafton's eyes lit up. He realized that this solution would not only solve the current dilemma, but also open the door for future cooperation.
After several hours of heated discussions, Kafton finally agreed to Zeng's proposal. On September 7, the "Northeast People's Autonomous Army" was formally established, and Zeng Kelin was appointed commander of the Shenyang garrison. This clever name change not only defuses the identity crisis, but also provides legitimacy for the next action.
However, it didn't end there. When the news reached the international community, it immediately caused an uproar. The United States and United Kingdom governments put pressure on the Soviet Union, accusing them of violating the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Alliance. The Chiang Kai-shek government was even more furious, believing that this was a serious violation of their rights and interests.
Faced with an embattled situation, Zeng Kelin once again showed superb diplomatic wisdom. He offered to meet with Kravchenko, the top military representative of the Soviet Union. During the talks, Zeng Kelin frankly expressed the deep feelings of the Chinese people for Northeast China and their desire for the fruits of victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan.
Kravchenko was struck by Zenklin's sincerity. He proposed a compromise plan: allow the Northeast People's Autonomous Army to remain in Shenyang for the time being, but be primarily responsible for maintaining law and order and protecting civilians. At the same time, they also had to prepare for the upcoming handover of the Kuomintang army.
Although this plan did not fully meet Zeng Kelin's expectations, it also bought them valuable time and space. Zeng Kelin gladly accepted the suggestion. In the days that followed, the "Northeast People's Autonomous Army" actively participated in the management of Shenyang and won the widespread support of the local people.
However, the good times were short-lived. As international pressure mounted, the Soviet government finally decided to withdraw Zeng's troops from Shenyang. Faced with this difficult decision, Zeng did not show frustration or anger. On the contrary, he showed a high degree of political wisdom.
Zeng Kelin proposed to the Soviet side that he hoped to send a representative to Yan'an to report to the CPC Central Committee on the situation in Northeast China. This request was agreed to by the Soviet side. In this way, before leaving Shenyang, Zeng Kelin sent a team with detailed reports and maps to Yan'an secretly.
This decision may seem simple, but it is actually significant. It not only provided the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China with first-hand intelligence on Northeast China, but also laid the foundation for subsequent strategic deployment. This series of diplomatic moves by Zeng Kelin demonstrates his all-round ability as a military commander and politician.
In this complicated diplomatic game, Zeng Kelin, with his extraordinary wisdom and courage, won a foothold for the Chinese army in the cracks. Although he was not able to stay in Shenyang for a long time, his efforts planted important seeds for the subsequent Northeast Campaign. Next, Zeng will face an even bigger challenge: how to report this tortuous experience to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and how to provide advice for future Northeast strategy.
Yan'an Report: Affirmation of Strategic Foresight
In early October 1945, a Soviet military plane quietly landed at Yan'an Airport. The one who stepped down from the plane was the dusty Zeng Kelin. His arrival added an unusual touch of color to the autumn in Yan'an.
The purpose of Zeng's visit was clear: to report to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on the situation in Northeast China and to provide suggestions for future strategies in Northeast China. However, this is not an easy task. The situation in Northeast China is complex and international relations are complex, and how to accurately convey this information in a short period of time is a huge challenge.
On the morning of October 3, in a modest conference room in Yangjialing, Yan'an, Mao Zedong, Zhu De and other senior CCP leaders gathered together to wait for Zeng Kelin's report. When Zeng Kelin walked into the room, all eyes were on him.
Zeng Kelin first gave a brief account of their entry into the Northeast. He described in detail how to skillfully avoid Shanhaiguan and make a detour from the Nine Gates. The cleverness of this decision has aroused the praise of the leaders present. He then recounted the process of taking over Suizhong, Xingcheng and Jinzhou, as well as the cooperation and friction with the Soviet army.
When talking about the experience in Shenyang, Zeng's tone became serious. He candidly acknowledged the difficulties he encountered in Shenyang and the results of his eventual forced evacuation. But he also stressed that although he was not able to stay in Shenyang for long, the experience provided us with valuable information and experience.
"Although we have left Shenyang temporarily, our roots have taken root. "In just a few days, we have won the support of the local people. This is more powerful than any weapon. ＂
Then, Zeng Kelin took out a detailed map showing the military deployments, resource distribution, and general situation of the people in the northeast. This map was collected little by little by him and his comrades, risking their lives. It provided the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China with first-hand intelligence on the Northeast, and its value was immeasurable.
Mao Zedong carefully examined the map, asking questions of detail from time to time. Zeng Kelin replied fluently, showing an in-depth understanding of the situation in the northeast.
Halfway through the debriefing, Zhu De suddenly asked a sharp question: "How do you think we should deal with the situation in the Northeast now?" ＂
Zeng Kelin did not answer immediately. He pondered for a moment, and then said solemnly: "I think we should seize this opportunity and send more troops and cadres to the northeast as soon as possible. Although the Kuomintang troops had begun to move into the northeast, they were not yet fully in control. If we can move quickly, it will be possible to gain a foothold in key areas. ＂
This suggestion aroused a heated discussion among the leaders present. Some feared that doing so might trigger a direct conflict with the Kuomintang, while others believed that the time would never come again.
Just when the discussion reached an impasse, Mao Zedong spoke. He said: "Comrade Zeng's suggestion is very insightful. The Northeast is a strategic location, and whoever controls the Northeast will have the initiative in future wars. We must seize this opportunity. ＂
Mao Zedong's statement set the tone for the discussion. Next, the discussion began on how to implement the plan. Zeng Kelin also put forward several suggestions: First, it is necessary to make full use of the underground organizations and mass bases that have been established; secondly, to enlist the support of the Soviet army as much as possible, or at least to remain neutral; Finally, it is necessary to rapidly train and select cadres who are familiar with the situation in the northeast.
These suggestions were unanimously endorsed by the leaders attending the meeting. Zhu De patted Zeng Kelin on the shoulder and said, "Comrade Zeng, your actions are fast and your development is rapid, which is worthy of praise. You have laid the foundation for our work in the Northeast, and this credit is indelible. ＂
The debriefing lasted until late at night. When Zeng Kelin walked out of the conference room, it was already full of stars. He looked at the sky and seemed to see the future of Tohoku.
Just a few days after Zeng Kelin's report, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made a major decision: immediately send more than 100,000 troops and 20,000 cadres to the northeast. The significance of this decision may not have been fully realized at the time. But history has proven that this is a key choice that will change China's fate.
Zeng Kelin's trip to Yan'an was not only a simple report, but also a collision and condensation of strategic foresight. The information and suggestions he brought with him provided an important reference for the CCP in formulating its Northeast Strategy. The affirmation and support of the central leadership also made Zeng Kelin and his comrades-in-arms feel that their efforts were worth it.
A Turning Point in History: Zeng's Contribution and Influence
By the time Zeng Kelin returned to Northeast China from Yan'an in October 1945, the situation had changed dramatically. According to the decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, a large number of troops and cadres began to march to the northeast. Many of the people in this group were setting foot on Tohoku soil for the first time and had no idea about the local conditions.
It was at this critical juncture that Zeng's experience and wisdom played an important role. He organized a series of training sessions to introduce the geography, people's conditions, and political situation in Northeast China to the new comrades. During the training, Zeng Kelin emphasized the importance of building good relations with the local people. He said: "We were able to gain a firm foothold in a short period of time because of the support of the masses. ＂
These efforts of Zeng Kelin laid the foundation for the rapid development of our army in the northeast. Over the next few months, the strength of our army in the northeast sprung up. By the spring of 1946, our army had taken control of most of the rural areas of the Northeast.
However, the real test is yet to come. In June 1946, the Kuomintang launched a full-scale offensive. In the face of the well-armed Kuomintang army, our army was at a disadvantage. But it was at this time that Zeng Kelin made a bold proposal: to use the vast rural areas of the northeast to carry out guerrilla warfare.
This suggestion was endorsed by Commander Lin Biao. In the ensuing battle, our army adopted the strategy of "you advance and I retreat, you retreat and I advance", and successfully depleted the enemy's strength. The success of this tactic was largely due to the local knowledge and mass base that Zeng Kelin had accumulated in his early years.
In the summer of 1947, the tide began to turn. Our army launched a large-scale counteroffensive in the northeast. In this battle, Zeng Kelin once again played an important role. He used his familiarity with Shenyang to make a detailed plan for the siege. In November 1948, Shenyang was finally liberated. When Zeng Kelin stepped into the city again, he couldn't help but think back to that experience three years ago.
The liberation of Shenyang marked the victorious end of the Northeast Campaign. This victory not only captured a large amount of weapons and equipment for our army, but also laid a solid foundation for the subsequent national liberation war. It can be said that without the victory of the Northeast, there would have been no birth of New China.
In this historic victory, Zeng Kelin's contribution is indelible. He was not only the first commander to lead his troops into the Northeast, but also an important participant and witness of the Northeast Liberation War. His experience, to a certain extent, reflects the tortuous course of the entire Northeast Campaign.
However, Zeng's contributions don't stop there. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he continued to display his talents in the military field. In 1950, the Korean War broke out. Zeng Kelin was appointed commander of a division of the Air Force, responsible for the formation of China's first jet fighter unit. It was an unprecedented challenge, but Zeng Kelin did an excellent job with the resilience and innovative spirit he cultivated during the Northeast Campaign.
In 1955, Zeng Kelin was transferred to the naval aviation unit. He formed China's first naval aviation division and made an important contribution to the modernization of the Chinese Navy. From the army to the air force and then to the navy, Zeng Kelin has become a rare "amphibious general" in China's military history.
In 1965, Zeng Kelin, who was already over the age of six, made another amazing move. In order to test the results of the training of the airborne troops he had formed, he personally boarded the plane and made a parachute jump. This move not only boosted morale, but also demonstrated his innovative and hands-on style.
Looking back at Zeng Kelin's life, we can see that every step of his life is closely linked to important nodes in China's modern military history. From the difficult development of the northeast to the construction and development of the three major services, Zeng Kelin's experience has witnessed the process of the Chinese army from weak to strong.
In 2007, Zeng Kelin died in Beijing at the age of 93. At his memorial service, a couplet commented on his life:
"The Long March has meritorious, the Anti-Japanese War has meritorious, the liberation has meritorious, the advance to the Northeast has made the first contribution, and Yan'an has reported to build miraculous feats;
The army has you, the air force has you, the navy has you, the construction of the navy has you, and the sea and air remember you. ＂
This elegiac couplet is not only a personal praise for Zeng Kelin, but also a review of that magnificent era. Zeng Kelin's story is the epitome of countless revolutionary ancestors. With wisdom and courage, they made the right choice at a critical moment in history and opened up a new path for China's destiny.