In 1961, one day, Deng Hua, the former Vice Chief of the General Staff and Commander of the Shenyang Military Region, who had been sent to Sichuan as Vice Governor, arrived in the western Sichuan Plateau for an inspection.
On that morning, as Deng Hua's car was traveling down the road, he noticed a military vehicle parked at an intersection with several soldiers standing beside it, waving at his car. Deng Hua asked his driver to stop, opened the door, and stepped out. At that moment, a tall soldier jogged toward him. Deng Hua felt he had seen him before but couldn't quite place where.
The tall soldier reached Deng Hua, saluted him with a crisp military salute, and introduced himself. He was Dong Zhanlin, the commander of the 130th Division stationed in the area. Deng Hua was taken aback, not expecting a unit to be waiting to greet him. Dong Zhanlin, visibly excited, grasped Deng Hua's hands with both of his and continued, “During the Liberation War in Northeast China, you were the commander of the 7th Column, and I was a regiment commander in the 8th Column. Although we never fought under your direct command, we met several times during meetings in the Northeast.”
That’s when Deng Hua's memory clicked. He smiled and admitted, \"You do look familiar, but I couldn't remember where from.\"
Dong Zhanlin also told him that the 130th Division, now under his command, had once been the 19th Division of the 7th Column of the Northeast Field Army, a unit that Deng Hua had personally helped establish.
Deng Hua, although he had left the military and donned civilian clothes years ago, still had the military in his heart, and the thought of this division, which he had helped form, made his emotions swell. He was deeply moved, even to the point of being at a loss for words.
At that point, Dong Zhanlin informed Deng Hua that he had been waiting for him for a long time and wanted to invite him to visit the 130th Division and meet the troops.
Deng Hua, initially pleased by the invitation, quickly composed himself and said with a more serious expression, \"You must ensure the troops are well-trained and capable of fighting. I can't go.\"
He went on to explain that his current position made such a visit inappropriate. Having long since shed his military uniform, his identity was now sensitive, and such an appearance could raise suspicion, possibly even bringing trouble to Dong Zhanlin. Therefore, he respectfully declined the invitation.
However, Dong Zhanlin immediately responded, “Comrade Deng, the 130th Division is your creation. You may no longer wear a uniform, but as a former soldier, there’s nothing wrong with visiting the troops. Besides, your visit would boost morale, remind them of the glorious traditions, and motivate them. If anything goes wrong, I’ll take full responsibility.”
Dong Zhanlin's words moved Deng Hua deeply. He had not expected such loyalty and respect from the division commander, and the warmth in his heart made him reconsider.
As he saw the eager faces of the soldiers waiting to greet him, Deng Hua realized there was no longer any reason to refuse.
He followed Dong Zhanlin to the 130th Division’s headquarters. It was clear that Dong Zhanlin had prepared thoroughly for his visit, as the troops were already lined up when Deng Hua arrived.
When Deng Hua saw the soldiers of the unit he had once led, fighting in the bloody battles of the revolutionary war, he could no longer hold back his tears. The echoes of the soldiers' enthusiastic greetings of \"Good morning, sir!\" sent him back to the days of the revolution.
Though he was no longer in uniform, Deng Hua returned the salute and greeted the soldiers. He even addressed the troops, telling them how proud he was of them and how pleased he was to see them continuing the legacy of the heroic unit he had once commanded.
That day left an indelible mark on Deng Hua’s heart, and he would never forget it. He also kept Dong Zhanlin in his memory.
Dong Zhanlin, while not as seasoned as some of the founding generals of the People's Army, was also a veteran soldier with an impressive record. He had enlisted during the Anti-Japanese War and, though not as senior as some, his later achievements were remarkable.
Not long after their meeting, Dong Zhanlin led the 130th Division in the Sino-Indian border conflict, commanding the successful Battle of Walong, where the 130th Division destroyed the Indian 11th Brigade, showcasing China's military strength. This victory earned them recognition from the Central Military Commission.
Dong Zhanlin later rose through the ranks to become the Deputy Commander of the 54th Army, the Commander of the 11th Army, and eventually the Deputy Commander of the Lanzhou Military Region.
In 1988, he was promoted to the rank of Major General. Interestingly, Dong Zhanlin is still alive today, celebrating his 100th birthday – a true gift from the passage of time.
