Although over eight centuries have passed since Song Dynasty General Yue Fei defended China against foreign invaders, his spirit of loyalty to the nation remains a powerful inspiration to many. This spirit has lived on through General Li Minyi. In the 20th century, during the Second Sino-Japanese War and later the Chinese Civil War, another story of courage unfolded in Yue Fei’s hometown of Tangyin, Henan Province — this time starring General Li Minyi, a man who would rather die than submit to communism.
Li Minyi was born in 1897 in Yingcheng, Hubei Province. After earning a degree in law, he gave up a civilian path to join the Nationalist Army. Leveraging his legal training, he served in multiple roles — from secretary and inspector to county magistrate and director of the information department under the newly formed 2nd Division.
During the war against Japan, Li Minyi’s unit suffered repeated attacks not only from Japanese forces, but also from Communist troops. In a fierce battle in Shanxi in early 1940, he lost sight in his left eye. He was later reassigned as a political officer under General Hu Zongnan.
A story of resistance in the hometown of a hero
After Japan’s surrender in 1945, the Nationalist Army shifted its focus to countering the growing Communist insurgency. General Hu Zongnan recalled Li Minyi from semi-retirement in 1946, appointing him to lead political education within the 3rd Provisional Column stationed in Tangyin. There, Li sought to rebuild morale by drawing on local traditions — and Tangyin had no shortage of patriotic legacy.
Just two years earlier, during a Japanese offensive, Tangyin had fallen under occupation. In an attempt to appease the people, Japanese puppet authorities sought to install Mr. Yue Zuochen, a direct descendant of Yue Fei, as county magistrate. Though Yue had fled to the mountains, they found him and offered high pay and protection in exchange for his cooperation.
Yue Zuochen refused. He tore up their letter, rejecting the offer outright. Furious, the puppet authorities kidnapped his family and threatened to destroy the family’s ancestral shrine. Under pressure, Yue agreed to two ceremonial conditions: a formal worship ceremony at the shrine and an inauguration at the local hall.
At the ceremony, Yue shocked the crowd. He raised his left palm and wrote the character “岳” (Yue) on it. When the officers asked what it meant, he declared: “Our ancestors taught us that we can bleed, even die — but we must never betray our country.” He announced he would not take office. Stunned, the puppet officers stood down. A Japanese officer’s report concluded: “Chinese culture cannot be destroyed — it cannot be conquered by force.”
A final stand against impossible odds
Inspired by this story, General Li Minyi had the Yue Fei Temple restored. He then led his troops in a grand ceremony to honor Yue Fei’s legacy, reminding them of their duty to the nation. Villagers and soldiers alike were deeply moved.
In April 1947, Communist generals Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping led tens of thousands of troops in an attack on Tangyin. Despite being vastly outnumbered, the Nationalist defenders fought fiercely. Civilians supported the war effort by forming supply teams. For over a month, they held the line. But by the end of May, with ammunition and food exhausted, Tangyin fell. Li Minyi was gravely wounded and taken captive.
The Communist forces demanded he write a confession and a political statement renouncing the Nationalists. He refused, insisting he had done nothing wrong. For four years, he endured torture in prison, but never betrayed his cause. In the end, the Communists executed him on February 6, 1951. He was 51 years old.
Honoring a loyal soul at last
Nearly 70 years after his death, Li Minyi’s name was finally honored. On August 28, 2019, his spirit tablet was enshrined at the National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine in Taipei, alongside other heroes who gave their lives for the Republic of China. The ceremony was led by General Chen Baoyu, then commander of the Army.
General Li Minyi’s legacy stands as a powerful reminder of the moral courage required to oppose communism. While others chose compromise or survival, he chose principle — resisting a system that has destroyed countless lives, suppressed freedom, and brought ruin wherever it has taken hold. His sacrifice continues to inspire all who value truth, dignity, and the hope for a free China.
Translated by Chua BC
Follow us on X, Facebook, or Pinterest
