1/ My thoughts on rumors that Xi Jinping has been arrested in a secret military coup. Yes, it sounds ridiculous (although history is often stranger than fiction), and personally as yet I do not believe them. But it does raise the interesting question of civil-military relations

Chiang Kai-shek (right, Superintendent) and Zhou Enlai (left, Chief of Political Bureau). These two giants of 20th century history would later become nemeses, but here they are pictured together in portrait of Whampoa Military Academy, in 1st Nationalist-Communist Collaboration.

Lin Biao’s shocking coup attempt against Mao Zedong in 1971 psychologically crushed Mao in twilight years of his life. Was Mao more disappointed by this betrayal by his designated successor, or because he lost another follower that he could otherwise later purge in his own hands?

107) Chen Geng (1903-61), commander in Central Plains (2nd) Field Army system, who played critical role in encirclement and destruction of Nationalist 12th Mechanized Corps in 2nd phase of Huaihai Campaign. Post-war, served in Korean War and in military technological development.

167) He Long (1896-1969), storied figure from early Red Army days, who later served in western theaters of operations in Civil War of 1946-50. His de facto murder by medical staff of No. 301 Army General Hospital in Peking in 1969 was a serious incident in Cultural Revolution.

96) Zhu De, titular commander-in-chief of communist forces. Largely a figurehead by 2nd Civil War in 1946-50, Zhu De nevertheless had an instrumental role in genesis and early days of communist Red Army, as teacher of harsh reality of guerrilla operations to a bookish Mao Zedong.

Gu Shunzhang, who with Zhou Enlai built the Special Tasks Section, the Party’s intelligence apparatus in its early days, whose legacy exerted monumental impact on the Civil War. The fate that befell his family, and then himself, after his defection, is too much to describe here.

43) Li Xiannian, wily communist field commander who orchestrated Central Plains Breakout in 1946 from encirclement by overwhelming Nationalist Army forces, against all odds. Post-war, was notorious as ultra-hardline communist politician who supported 1989 Tian'anmen crackdowns.

Red China state TV has released new short documentary series on so-called "North Shaanxi Three Battles—Three Victories" campaign of 1947. Intriguingly, compared to previous such documentaries, it places increased emphasis on Xi Jinping's father, Xi Zhongxun, and his alleged role.

Xu Shiyou, Mao Zedong’s favorite general, remains the most important forgotten figure of 20th communist China’s history. In preceding Civil War, he was notable for takedown of Nationalist bastion of Jinan. Later, he was in overall command of Battle of Yijiangshan Islands that /1

102) Wei Guoqing (1913-89), commander in Eastern Chinese (3rd) Field Army system. Later oversaw communist Chinese military aid to Viet Minh including direct participation at Dien Bien Phu. Under him, Cultural Revolution in Guangxi took a particularly heinous, cannibalistic turn.

Qin Jiwei (as commander of Beijing Military District and parade commander) and Deng Xiaoping at National Day Parade in Beijing, October 1, 1984. Even in 1980s, Red China forces were still controlled by old veterans of Civil War of 1927-50, serving well past Western retirement age

168) Hong Xuezhi (1913-2006), field commander in Northeastern (4th) Field Army system, and a key commander in Korean War. He was Red China’s only “6-star general”, having been appointed General in 1955 rank system (left), and then again made General in 1988 rank system (right).