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Yuanshuai was a Chinese military rank that corresponds to a marshal in other nations. It was given to distinguished generals during China's dynastic and republican periods. A higher level rank of dayuanshuai, which corresponds to generalissimo was awarded to Chiang Kai Shek of the Republic of China. It was also proposed for Mao Zedong on the mainland, but he ultimately never accepted it.
| Yue Fei | 28 January 1142 † |
| Puxian Wannu | ? | ? |
| Lu Rongting | September 1917 | July 1918 | 10 months | ||
| Tang Jiyao | 1917 | 23 May 1927 † | 10 years | ||
| Chiang Kai-shek | 5 June 1926 | 5 April 1975 † | 48 years and 10 months |
In addition, Chairman Mao, upon refusing the rank of Dayuanshuai, decreed that cadres who no longer serve in the PLA should lose eligibility for military ranks. Thus, Deng Xiaoping, Liu Shaoqi and Zhou Enlai declined the rank upon offer. Chen Yi also initially refused the rank in accordance to Mao's decree since he now primarily worked in government rather than the PLA. However, Zhou Enlai insisted that he take it, noting that because all of the other nine Marshals came from the Eighth Route Army, if he didn't take the rank, there would be no Marshal to represent the legacy of the New Fourth Army, and also noting the case of Nikolai Bulganin, who held the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union whilst working primarily in government, as a precedent. Thus, he was given an exception and was awarded the rank. As a result, the recipients of the rank were:
| + !Name !Image !Career Highlights !Birthplace !Ref | ||||
| Zhu De (1886–1976) | Founding leader of the Chinese Red Army and played a key role in the Long March and major battles in the Chinese Civil War. Zhu commanded the Eighth Route Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War and held high-ranking government and military positions after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. | Yilong County, Sichuan | Wortzel. Page 307. | |
| Peng Dehuai (1898–1974) | A commander in the Chinese Red Army during the early period of the Chinese Communist Revolution, Peng played a leading role in battles during the Chinese Civil War and the Long March. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, he served as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Eighth Route Army, overseeing campaigns in North China. In the Civil War, he commanded the Northwest Field Army. Post-1949, Peng became the Minister of National Defense and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, playing a pivotal role in modernizing China's military. He also commanded People's Volunteer Army during the Korean War. In 1959, he was dismissed from his positions after criticizing the Great Leap Forward at the Lushan Conference in 1959. During the Cultural Revolution, he was persecuted and imprisoned, resulting in his death in 1974. | Xiangtan County, Hunan | Wortzel. Page 201. | |
| Lin Biao (1907–1971) | Key military leader in the Chinese Red Army, Lin was noted for his role in the Long March and his victories during the Civil War, particularly in the Liaoshen, Huaihai Campaign, and Pingjin Campaign campaigns that ensured Communist control of Northern China. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, he commanded the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army, achieving a major victory at the Battle of Pingxingguan. After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Lin served as Minister of National Defense, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and played a significant role in the early stages of the Cultural Revolution. His career ended controversially with his alleged coup attempt against Mao Zedong and subsequent death in plane crash in Mongolia while escaping, in 1971. | Huanggang, Hubei | Wortzel. Pages 147-148. | |
| Liu Bocheng (1892–1986) | Known as the "Genius Commander," Liu was a strategist in the Chinese Red Army and played a pivotal role in major campaigns during the Chinese Civil War, including the Huaihai Campaign. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, he commanded the 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army, creating a strong guerrilla base in Shanxi. After the Communist victory in 1949, Liu became a key military educator as and a prominent strategist in modernizing China's armed forces, later serving as Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission. | Kaixian, Sichuan (present-day in Chongqing) | Wortzel. Pages 148-149. | |
| He Long (1896–1969) | Only Marshal belonging to an ethnic minority group (Tujia people), He began his revolutionary career by organizing peasant uprisings and leading troops during the 1927 Nanchang Uprising. In the Chinese Red Army, he commanded several key campaigns and contributed to the establishment of revolutionary bases. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, he served as the commander of the 120th Division of the Eighth Route Army. Post-1949, He held important leadership positions, including Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Director of the State Physical Culture and Sports Commission and Vice Premier of China. During the Cultural Revolution, he lost all of his official positions, and was arrested and persecuted, resulting in his death in 1969. | Sangzhi County, Hunan | Wortzel. Page 110.Song. Page 114. | |
| Chen Yi (1901–1972) | One of the earliest Chinese Red Army leaders, Chen participated in the Nanchang and Xiangnan Uprisings and became a senior commander in the Red Army. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, he served as the commander of the New Fourth Army, leading campaigns in East China. In the Civil War, Chen oversaw major victories in East China. Post-1949, Chen served as the mayor of Shanghai and then transitioned to diplomacy, serving as the Foreign Minister and Vice Premier. | Lezhi County, Sichuan | Wortzel. Page 44. | |
| Luo Ronghuan (1902–1963) | Luo served served as a political commissar in the Chinese Red Army during the Long March and the Civil War. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, he served as political commissar of the 115th Division in Shandong. During the Civil War, he made substantial contribution in the Communist victories in Northeast China and the rest of China. After 1949, he became instrumental in building and organizing the People's Liberation Army, holding positions such as Director of the General Political Department and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission. | Hengshan County, Hunan | Song. Page 224. | |
| Xu Xiangqian (1901–1990) | Xu began his military career by taking part in Chiang Kai-shek's Northern Expedition to recover East China from several warlords. After the end of the Nationalist-Communist alliance, he led the failed Guangzhou Uprising before rising to command roles in the Chinese Red Army, including as the General Commander of the Fourth Front Army. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, he served as the deputy commander of the 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army, later taking on leadership roles in the Yan'an Soviet’s military forces. During the Civil War, Xu participated in several battles in North China. After 1949, Xu held prominent positions such as Chief of General Staff and Vice Chairman of the PRC Military Committees. His later career included serving as a Vice Premier, member of the Politburo and as Minister of National Defense. | Wutai County, Shanxi | Song. Pages 355-356. | |
| Nie Rongzhen (1899–1992) | A key figure in the Nanchang and Guangzhou Uprisings, Nie become a prominent leader in the Chinese Red Army and served as political commissar of the First Army Group during the Long March. He played a vital role during the Second Sino-Japanese War as the commander and political commissar of the Jin-Cha-Ji Border Region, establishing a strong communist military base in North China. In the Civil War, he contributed to major victories in North China campaigns. After the founding of the People's Republic, Nie served as Vice Chief of General Staff and was instrumental in advancing China's military science and space programs. He later became a Vice Premier and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission. He was the last living Marshal. | Jiangjin, Sichuan (present-day in Chongqing) | Wortzel. Pages 188-189. | |
| Ye Jianying (1897–1986) | Only Marshal of Cantonese people origin, Ye participated in the Nanchang and Guangzhou Uprisings, later serving as Chief of Staff for the Fourth Army of the National Revolutionary Army and in senior roles in the Chinese Red Army. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, he became the Chief of Staff of the Eighth Route Army and worked on maintaining the relations between Kuomintang and Communists. In the Civil War, he played a significant role in reorganizing military strategies of the Communist force. Post-1949, Ye served as the Mayor of Guangzhou and Chairman of Guangdong, contributing to the consolidation of Communist authority in South China. He later became Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Minister of National Defense and held leadership roles in the National People's Congress and the State Council, including briefly acting as the de facto head of state. | Mei, Guangdong (now Meixian District) | Lee. Pages 78-84. |
Su Yu was left out but he became the most senior of the ten Da Jiang. Many were surprised at this decision but he did not meet the first and second criterion. Seven of the ten Marshals took part in the Nanchang Uprising in various capacities with Zhou Enlai. Of the other three, Peng Dehuai led the Pingjiang Uprising. Xu Xiangqian missed out on Nanchang but participated in the subsequent Guangzhou Uprising with Ye Jianying. The other was Luo Ronghuan, who instead assisted Mao in the Autumn Harvest Uprising. Lin Biao was the youngest and Zhu De was the oldest of the ten Marshals aged 48 and 69 respectively at time of conferment. Luo Ronghuan was the first to die at age 61 in 1963 and Nie Rongzhen was the last to die aged 93 in 1992. Three of the ten Marshals were addressed by their honorific of 老总 (Lao Zong, or "Old Chief") by Chairman Mao himself due to their seniority and long service. These were Zhu De, Peng Dehuai and He Long. Chen Yi and Nie Rongzhen was sometimes also addressed as Lao Zong but not by Chairman Mao personally. One, Lin Biao, was simply addressed as 总 Zong due to his battle honours. He was not addressed as Lao Zong due to his youth and lesser seniority. He was also the only Marshal not to have died in Beijing.
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