Liu Bochen Chinese Marshal Date of Birth: 04.12.1892 Country: China

1. Liu Bocheng: A Biography
2. Early Life and Military Career
3. A Heroic Character
4. Indomitable Spirit
5. A Scholar-Warrior
6. A Life of Sacrifice

Liu Bocheng: A Biography

Liu Bocheng, a Chinese marshal, was in need of an urgent operation, which would typically be done under anesthesia. Worried that the anesthesia would negatively affect his brain function, he firmly refused its use. During the operation, Liu Bocheng clenched his teeth tightly to endure the excruciating pain. He didn't even flinch, only sweat poured down his face, revealing his extraordinary tension. After the operation, the doctor asked him if it had been very painful. Liu Bocheng smiled and replied, "You made only 74 incisions with the scalpel. It's nothing!" Surprised, the German doctor asked how he knew. Liu Bocheng answered, "I just counted each incision in my mind. That's the secret!"

Early Life and Military Career

Liu Bocheng was born in 1892 in the Kaisyan district of Sichuan province. Throughout his life, he held various leadership positions in the military. He served as the Chief of the General Staff of the Red Army of China, commander of the 129th Division of the 8th Army, commander of the Second Field Army, member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China, deputy chairman of the Military Council of the Communist Party of China, and deputy chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. In 1955, he was conferred the rank of marshal. With his outstanding military leadership abilities, he played a significant role in the liberation of the Chinese people and the formation of the People's Republic of China. He also made invaluable contributions to the development of military science in our country, authoring numerous works on military theory.

A Heroic Character

Liu Bocheng's heroic character helped him overcome death on multiple occasions. Legends circulated about his courage and resilience. One incident exemplifies his extraordinary strength of spirit. During a fierce battle, which occurred frequently in Liu Bocheng's military career, he rushed to aid a wounded soldier. An enemy bullet struck him in the head and exited through his right eye. Losing consciousness from the intense pain, he regained it only in the hospital. A German doctor, an excellent specialist but somewhat disdainful towards Chinese, treated him. Liu Bocheng urgently needed surgery, which was typically done under anesthesia. Worried about the anesthesia's adverse effects on his brain function, he resolutely refused its use. During the operation, Liu Bocheng clenched his teeth tightly to endure the excruciating pain. He didn't even flinch, only sweat poured down his face, revealing his extraordinary tension. After the operation, the doctor asked him if it had been very painful. Liu Bocheng smiled and replied, "You made only 74 incisions with the scalpel. It's nothing!" The German doctor, deeply impressed by Liu Bocheng's action and having heard about his military exploits, raised his thumb and exclaimed with admiration, "What a hero! You're a true Chinese! You're simply a hero!"

Indomitable Spirit

A few years later, after experiencing many battles, Liu Bocheng sustained another injury, this time to his right leg. An artery was severed, and he regained consciousness only after the French doctor administered dozens of injections. The situation was life-threatening, and the doctor believed amputation was necessary. However, Liu Bocheng couldn't bear the thought. He thought to himself, as a soldier, he must fight on the battlefield and serve his motherland in this way. How could he work if he didn't have a leg? Shaking his head in disagreement with the doctor's suggestion, he underwent another operation without anesthesia. The wound healed, but his injured leg became crooked. Upon returning to the military camp, he persisted in daily exercises, but his right heel couldn't touch the ground. He ordered a guard to sit on his injured leg, enduring tremendous pain. Liu Bocheng lost consciousness due to the intense pain but didn't stop. He commanded the guard to continue sitting on his injured leg. After half a month, the leg finally straightened. When the French doctor learned about this, he was deeply moved by Liu Bocheng's indomitable will and approvingly said, "Before my eyes, the Chinese were weak. I never expected to encounter someone like Mr. Liu, so brave and steadfast. I will speak to foreigners and tell them to see the Chinese in a new light."

A Scholar-Warrior

People often call those who can both fight on the battlefield and possess extensive knowledge "scholar-warriors." Liu Bocheng was a typical scholar-warrior. He loved reading throughout his life, even finding time to read during breaks on the frontlines. He read meticulously and seriously. Once, two friends sought his audience, but he ordered that he not be disturbed during his reading. The guests waited for him for two hours. When Liu Bocheng received an injury to his right eye, he had to read with his left eye. Due to fatigue, his left eye swelled. He was advised to read less, but he said, "Reading with one eye is undoubtedly difficult, but if I don't read, I will go blind with both eyes!" As they say, knowledge is considered insufficient when it is needed. A courageous but unintelligent commander is bound to be defeated in battles.

Constant and extensive reading greatly aided him. He became erudite, capable, and an invincible commander, an outstanding military figure, theorist, and translator of military works. Throughout his life, he successfully commanded countless military operations. In addition, he wrote millions of Chinese characters in military works, making a remarkable contribution to the study and development of military theory. In January 1951, the Military Academy of the People's Liberation Army was established in Nanjing. Liu Bocheng served as its rector and political commissar. Under his leadership, the institution developed an excellent work style, strictness in academic education and management, and produced a whole array of top military specialists. Liu Bocheng was one of the worthy founders of China's military modernization.

A Life of Sacrifice

His long life spent in wars severely damaged his health. He suffered from nine injuries. The loss of vision in his right eye had a detrimental effect on his left eye. In his old age, although he suffered from prolonged illness, he still devoted great attention to the affairs of the party and the state, living in harmony with the people. In 1986, he passed away at the age of 90.