Li Hanhun (1894-1987), known as one of the eight renowned anti-Japanese generals of Guangdong’s Yue Army, led a remarkable life defined by bravery and foresight. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, he commanded the “Anti-Japanese Bronze Army,” the 64th Guangdong Army, earning numerous victories against formidable enemies. After the war, Li traveled to Europe and America, publishing two books documenting his observations.
Following the establishment of the Republic of China under the Nationalist government, Li served as the Minister of the Interior and was promoted to general. However, his most striking decision came after the Chinese Civil War. As the Chinese Communist Party rose to power, Li chose neither to remain in mainland China nor to join the Nationalists in Taiwan. Instead, he resigned from his positions, moved to the United States, and started anew. With extraordinary resolve, he opened a restaurant to support himself and focused on educating his descendants about Chinese history and culture. His efforts bore fruit: 14 family members eventually earned doctorate degrees.
Military achievements that shaped history
Born in Wuchuan, Guangdong, Li graduated from the Baoding Military Academy in 1919 and briefly served in Shanxi before returning home due to illness. Initially a teacher, he soon left the classroom for the battlefield. By 1926, during the Northern Expedition, he was the chief of staff of the 36th Regiment of the 12th Division in the 4th Army. His leadership contributed to the army’s string of victories, earning it the nickname “Iron Army.”
Li’s resolve and tactical ingenuity were evident during the 1935 tensions in Chaoshan. Facing advancing Japanese forces, he led a daring maneuver, boarding a Japanese torpedo boat with his guards and forcing them to withdraw. By 1937, as commander of the 64th Army, he volunteered to head north to resist the Japanese invasion. His troops gained fame for their heroic performance in the Battle of Lanfeng, where they reclaimed strategic areas after three days and nights of relentless fighting.
In the same year, during the Battle of Wanjialing, Li demonstrated his strategic acumen by encircling and defeating over 10,000 Japanese troops, cementing his army’s reputation as the “Anti-Japanese Bronze Army.”
Political leadership and personal sacrifices
After his military successes, Li became chairman of the Guangdong provincial government. He worked tirelessly, often getting by on two meals of porridge a day. During his tenure, Li mobilized resources to fortify Shaoguan against the Japanese, making it the only part of Guangdong to remain unoccupied. His wife, Wu Jufang, also played a pivotal role by caring for thousands of displaced children and war orphans, earning her the title “Mother of Ten Thousand Children.”
Following the war, Li served as deputy commander of the Third Theater Command and later traveled abroad to study governance, writing European Notes and Latin American Travels. In 1949, he returned to China briefly to serve in senior government positions before making the life-altering decision to leave the political and military arenas.
A fresh start in America
Before the Communist takeover, Li moved to Hong Kong and then the United States, where he opened a noodle shop. While some ridiculed his fall from power, Li responded calmly: “There is no shame in earning an honest living.”
Li and his wife devoted themselves to passing down Chinese traditions to their children. They emphasized the importance of learning classical Chinese texts and history. Through their guidance and the income from their modest restaurant, they supported their family’s education, resulting in an astonishing 14 descendants earning doctorate degrees. This achievement earned the family the affectionate nickname “The Doctor’s Battalion.”
The virtues behind a prosperous legacy
Why did so many of Li’s descendants achieve such academic success? Traditional Chinese wisdom offers a clue: Those who accumulate virtue reap blessings. Li’s life exemplifies this principle. His courage, intelligence, and moral integrity allowed him to triumph in war, rebuild in adversity, and leave behind a legacy of prosperity and excellence.
Translated by Audrey Wang
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