Ren Bishi

2.1. Childhood and Schooling

Ren Bishi was born on April 30, 1904, in rural Hunan province, into a teacher's family. His early education began in his home province. In 1915, he enrolled at Hunan First Normal University, a significant institution known for fostering revolutionary thought. During his time there, in 1920, he collaborated with Mao Zedong to establish the Russian Research Center at the school, indicating his early interest in socialist ideologies and international communist movements. In the same year, he joined the youth wing of the nascent Chinese Communist Party in Shanghai.

2.2. Studies in Moscow and Early Activities

In May 1921, Ren Bishi, along with five other individuals including Liu Shaoqi and Xiao Jinguang, embarked on a chartered journey to the Soviet Union. Their route took them around Nagasaki, Vladivostok, and through the blockade imposed by the White movement. Upon their arrival in August 1921, the group enrolled in the Communist University of the Toilers of the East in Moscow, a key institution for training revolutionaries from colonial and semi-colonial countries.

Ren Bishi officially joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1922 while still studying in Moscow. He took over from Qu Qiubai as the translator for the history of Western revolutionary movements, further deepening his understanding of communist theory and practice. After completing his studies on July 23, 1924, he returned to Shanghai in August 1924, traveling via train through Siberia and then by a chartered boat from Vladivostok. Upon his return, the Party assigned him as a lecturer of the Russian language at Shanghai University. In 1924, he was also appointed to the Zhejiang and Anhui District Committee, where he was responsible for various publications, including China Youth, Mission Journal, and Friends of Civilians.

In January 1925, Ren Bishi attended the Third National People's Congress of the Socialist Youth League of China as a member of the praesidium. During this congress, the organization's name was officially changed from "Socialist Youth League" to the "Communist Youth League of China". In May 1925, following Zhang Tailei's reassignment, Ren Bishi was appointed as the First Secretary of the Communist Youth League, taking charge of leading the May Thirtieth Movement. Although the movement did not achieve all its objectives, Ren Bishi successfully consolidated and utilized the Youth League to significantly expand its membership shortly thereafter. In early April 1926, he married Chen Congying in Shanghai. In October of the same year, he traveled to Moscow to attend the Sixth Plenum of the Communist Youth International Executive Committee, remaining in the Soviet Union until March of the following year. Following the White Terror in 1927, Ren Bishi was elected as a member of the Central Committee while retaining his secretariat position in the Communist Youth League. In August 1927, with the dissolution of the First United Front, Ren Bishi sided with Mao Zedong against Chen Duxiu, advocating for a peasant-based revolution in China. Soon after, he gained temporary membership in the Politburo.

3.1. Activities during the First Chinese Civil War

Ren Bishi's involvement in the First Chinese Civil War was extensive, characterized by his strategic leadership and resilience in the face of intense conflict. On October 15, 1928, he was arrested by a local warlord in Nanling County, Anhui Province, while attempting to attend a meeting of the Communist Youth League. Although he was released by the end of 1928, his son tragically died of pneumonia during this period.

In January 1929, Ren Bishi was appointed Minister of the CCP Central Committee and head of propaganda in the Jiangxi-Fujian Soviet. On August 13, he was made the temporary secretary of the Jiangxi Soviet, tasked with establishing publications such as Today News, Education Week, and Shanghai Daily. He was detained again on November 17 while attending a municipal meeting organized by the CCP. Despite enduring electrocution and torture, Ren Bishi refused to provide any confession to the police. In response to his detention, Zhou Enlai acted as a negotiator, successfully securing a prison term for Ren Bishi and even managing to reduce the sentence to ensure his release by December 25, 1929. In April and September of the same year, he was appointed as the party secretary in Hubei and Wuhan. He was later recalled to Shanghai following the failure of the uprising initiated by Li Lisan in Nanjing.

Ren Bishi was re-elected as a Politburo member on January 7, 1931, during the extended Fourth Plenary Session of the CCP. On November 7, during the First Session, he was elected a member of the Central Executive of the Chinese Soviet Republic. Following the shift of communist influence from Shanghai to the Jiangxi region, Ren Bishi played a crucial role in protecting many party members, such as Zhang Aiping, who were implicated during the "Anti-Bolshevik League incident".

During the Fourth Encirclement Campaign against Jiangxi Soviet, Ren Bishi advocated for direct assault and was highly critical of Mao Zedong's guerrilla strategy. At the Ningdu Conference in October, Mao was replaced by Zhou Enlai as the West Army Commander, and Ren Bishi criticized Mao during this period. However, in the 7th Plenary Session of the CCP, Ren Bishi acknowledged that his actions were mistaken and resulted from a "moment of sectarian activity."

Due to Bo Gu and others adopting Wang Ming's left-leaning stance on party ideology, Ren Bishi was transferred from his post in the Soviet Central Bureau of the Organization Department to become the party secretary in the Hunan-Jiangxi Soviet. Upon his appointment, he faced critical challenges, including the Fifth Encirclement Campaign against Jiangxi Soviet and the need to rebuild party elements following counter-insurgency plans. He successfully halted counter-revolutionary plans and facilitated the release of key figures like Wang Shoudao and Zhang Qilong to expand the Red Sixth Army into the Sixth Army Group. In December, he replaced Cai Huiwen and was appointed as the Political Commissar of the Hunan-Jiangxi Soviet.

In August 1934, accompanying Red Sixth Army commanders Xiao Ke and Wang Zhen, Ren Bishi organized a successful westward march to retreat from the increasingly unsuccessful defense in the Hunan-Jiangxi Soviet. On October 24, 1934, Ren Bishi met with the Red Third Army in Yinjiang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, Guizhou, and together they formed the Red Second Army Group under the command of He Long. Although this army group managed to retain control over parts of Hunan and Hubei, Chiang Kai-shek's National Revolutionary Army adopted a multi-pronged conventional assault, forcing the retreat of Communist forces. By November, Ren Bishi, He Long, and Guan Xiangying successfully broke out of the military blockade established by Chiang's army in Sangzhi County, Hunan, through a joint command of the Second and Sixth armies, and proceeded with the Long March.

On July 2, 1936, Ren Bishi's Second and Sixth Army Groups converged with the Red Fourth Army, led by Zhang Guotao and Xu Xiangqian, in Garzê County, Sichuan. Ren Bishi served as the political commissar of the Red Second Army at this time. With the conclusion of the Long March in October, Ren Bishi and Peng Dehuai were appointed as the Political Commissars for the Front Command of the CCP, tasked with resisting Hu Zongnan's forces in Shaanxi. By December, he was a member of both the Revolutionary Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee and the Presidium.

3.2. Role during the Second Sino-Japanese War

During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Ren Bishi played a crucial role in coordinating military efforts and strengthening the party's central leadership. In January 1931, Peng Dehuai and Ren Bishi, alongside Yang Hucheng, traveled to Xi'an to plan the front-line defense against Japanese forces by mobilizing the Seventh Route Army and the Northeastern Army. In August, he became a member of the Central Military Commission, which oversaw the renaming of Communist forces to the Eighth Route Army. By October 16, Ren Bishi was appointed head of the Political Department of the Eighth Route Army and the CPC Central Military Commission.

In 1938, he attended the meeting of the CPC Central Military Commission North Branch. In March, the CCP Central Committee dispatched him to negotiate with the Comintern in Moscow. In July, he officially replaced Wang Jiaxiang as the CCP's representative at the Comintern. Ren Bishi returned to Yan'an on March 26, 1940, where he served in the Secretariat and the Organizational Department of the CCP. In April 1942, he led the Yan'an Rectification Movement in the Shaan-Gan-Ning border region. Ren Bishi, alongside Mao Zedong and Liu Shaoqi, as members of the Organizational Department of the CCP, became responsible for the northwest regions of Gansu-Ningxia and Shaanxi. In the same month, he was tasked with organizing the 8th Route Army, which was based in Xi'an. Ren Bishi was also part of a team that concluded the leadership problems between the Fourth Plenary Session and the Zunyi Conference in the "Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of the CCP" report, a significant document in the party's historical self-assessment.

3.3. Land Reform and Political Stances

Ren Bishi's post-war activities included significant involvement in land reform and continued leadership within the party, even as his health began to decline. During the Seventh National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party in March 1945, Ren Bishi was elected as a Politburo member of the CPC Central Committee and the party's Central Secretary-General. As part of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, he was one of the top five leaders, preceded only by Mao Zedong, Liu Shaoqi, Zhou Enlai, and Zhu De. These five leaders were collectively known as the "Five Great Secretaries" (五大书记_{Wǔdà Shūjì}^Chinese), signifying their paramount importance in the party's leadership.

In late November 1945, Ren Bishi was diagnosed with a serious illness by a doctor sent under the orders of Joseph Stalin, which subsequently reduced his participation in daily party politics. Despite his declining health, he continued to contribute. On August 26, 1946, Ren Bishi began drafting his proposal for establishing the Communist Youth League.

In 1947, he was appointed to lead various land and economic reforms, specifically the land reform, in Shanbei. However, he was gradually relieved of these duties due to his high blood pressure. When violence against landlords surged as part of the land reform movement in early 1948, Ren Bishi was among the party leaders who criticized the excesses of the movement. In January 1948, he announced a crucial policy shift, guaranteeing that targets of the movement would still be allowed to retain a share of their property. This policy change contributed to a shift away from purely economic struggle towards a more politically nuanced approach. The Party subsequently instructed that fewer landlords should be targeted and that work teams should refrain from beating or torturing their targets, reflecting Ren Bishi's influence in moderating the movement's radical tendencies.

Also in 1948, Ren Bishi attended the Xibaipo Conference with Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi, and Zhu De, a critical meeting that strategized the final stages of the Chinese Civil War. Despite his illness, Ren Bishi assisted in the army command during the pivotal Liaoshen Campaign, Huaihai Campaign, and Pingjin Campaign.

In February 1949, he was appointed head of the Preparatory Committee for the Communist Youth League of China. On April 12, during his recuperation at Jade Spring Hill, he was made the honorary president of the Central Committee. However, Ren Bishi's condition worsened, necessitating his transfer to Moscow for further medical treatment. Following the outbreak of the Korean War, Ren Bishi returned to China on May 28, 1950. He attended the first anniversary celebrations of the People's Republic of China held at Tiananmen on October 1, 1950, just a month before his death. Afterwards, Ren Bishi was actively engaged in studying the situation of the Korean War but suffered a stroke due to fatigue.

4.1. Member of the Politburo Standing Committee

Ren Bishi was a member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, one of the highest decision-making bodies within the CCP. Before his death, he was considered the fifth most senior party member of the 7th Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party. This position underscored his significant influence and responsibilities in shaping the party's overall direction and policies. Along with Mao Zedong, Liu Shaoqi, Zhou Enlai, and Zhu De, he was recognized as one of the "Five Great Secretaries," a testament to his indispensable role in the party's leadership during a critical period.

4.2. Secretary-General of the Central Committee

From June 19, 1945, until his death on October 27, 1950, Ren Bishi served as the Secretary-General of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party (also referred to as the Central Secretary-General or Party Central Committee Secretary). In this capacity, he functioned as the chief administrator and organizer of the CCP Central Committee, overseeing the day-to-day operations and ensuring the smooth functioning of party affairs. This role was vital for coordinating the party's activities, especially during the intense periods of the Second Chinese Civil War and the early years of the People's Republic of China.

4.3. Head of the Organization Department

Ren Bishi briefly served as the Head of the Organization Department of the Chinese Communist Party from January to March 1933. In this role, he was responsible for managing the party's personnel and organizational structure, a critical function for maintaining party discipline and expanding its influence. Although his tenure in this specific position was short, it highlights his involvement in the foundational aspects of party building.

4.4. First Secretary of the Communist Youth League

Ren Bishi played a pivotal role in the Communist Youth League of China. He was appointed as the First Secretary of the Communist Youth League in May 1925, a position he held until June 1928. In this capacity, he was in charge of leading significant youth movements, including the May Thirtieth Movement. Despite the challenges faced by the movement, Ren Bishi was successful in consolidating and expanding the Youth League's membership. After the 1927 White Terror, he retained his secretariat in the Communist Youth League while being elected to the Central Committee. His leadership was crucial in organizing and guiding the youth wing of the Communist Party, fostering a new generation of revolutionaries.

5.1. Ideological Development and Influences

Ren Bishi's political thought was significantly shaped by his early education and his studies in Moscow. His collaboration with Mao Zedong in establishing the Russian Research Center in 1920 demonstrates his early embrace of communist ideals. His time at the Communist University of the Toilers of the East provided him with a strong theoretical foundation in Marxism-Leninism. A key moment in his ideological development was in August 1927, following the end of the First United Front. At this juncture, Ren Bishi sided with Mao Zedong against Chen Duxiu, advocating for the initiation of a peasant-based revolution in China. This alignment underscored his belief in the unique path of the Chinese revolution, prioritizing the mobilization of the rural populace, a stance that would become central to Mao's strategy. This early support for Mao's peasant-based revolutionary ideas highlights his pragmatic approach to applying communist theory to the specific conditions of China.

5.2. Key Political Beliefs and Strategies

Ren Bishi's political beliefs were characterized by a strong commitment to party unity and discipline, coupled with a pragmatic approach to revolutionary strategy. While he initially criticized Mao Zedong's guerrilla strategy during the Fourth Encirclement Campaign against the Jiangxi Soviet, later acknowledging it as a "moment of sectarian activity," this incident demonstrates his willingness to engage in internal party debate while ultimately aligning with the party's evolving consensus. His role in moderating the excesses of the land reform movement in 1948, by advocating for property retention for targeted landlords and prohibiting torture, showcases his strategic approach to maintaining social stability and ensuring the long-term success of party policies. This pragmatic stance helped shift the movement from purely economic struggle to a more politically nuanced one, reflecting his belief in balanced and sustainable revolutionary change. His consistent leadership in various high-level party positions, including the Politburo Standing Committee and as Secretary-General, further illustrates his strategic importance in guiding the CCP's development and implementing its core policies.

6.1. Marriage and Family

In early April 1926, Ren Bishi married Chen Congying in Shanghai. Their marriage was a personal anchor amidst the turbulent revolutionary period. However, his dedication to the communist cause also brought personal tragedy. In late 1928, during a period of his detention, his young son contracted pneumonia and died, a profound loss that underscored the personal sacrifices demanded by his revolutionary activities.

7.1. Death and Funeral

Ren Bishi's health significantly deteriorated in his later years, exacerbated by his tireless work. In late November 1945, he was diagnosed with a serious illness. Despite this, he continued to be actively involved in party affairs. His condition worsened, leading to his transfer to Moscow for further medical treatment in 1949. Following the outbreak of the Korean War, he returned to China on May 28, 1950, eager to contribute to the national effort. He attended the first anniversary celebrations of the People's Republic of China at Tiananmen on October 1, 1950. Afterwards, he remained active in studying the situation of the Korean War, but the fatigue proved too much. He suffered a stroke and, despite unsuccessful treatment, died in Beijing at 12:00 on October 27, 1950, at the age of 46.

His memorial service was held at the Imperial Ancestral Temple on October 30, 1950. Prominent leaders, including Mao Zedong, Liu Shaoqi, Zhou Enlai, Peng Zhen, and Zhu De, served as pall-bearers, signifying his high standing within the party. Due to regulations against cremation at the time, Ren Bishi was buried with a funeral service on July 18, 1951, at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in Beijing, a prestigious burial ground for revolutionary heroes.

8.1. Positive Assessment

Ren Bishi is highly regarded within the Chinese Communist Party for his unwavering dedication and tireless work. Marshal Ye Jianying famously praised him as the "party camel" (党的骆驼_{Dǎng de Luòtuo}^Chinese), a moniker that encapsulated his spirit of working long and hard without rest, never seeking personal enjoyment, and never bearing grudges against anyone. Ye Jianying further lauded him as "our model and best party member, an outstanding revolutionary." This assessment highlights his selflessness, resilience, and exemplary conduct as a communist leader. His contributions to the party's organizational strength, his role in the Long March, and his leadership in various key departments are consistently cited as evidence of his positive impact on the CCP's development.

8.2. Criticism and Controversies

While generally praised, Ren Bishi's career was not without its moments of internal party criticism or controversial aspects, particularly concerning the early phases of the land reform movement. In early 1948, as violence against landlords surged during the land reform, Ren Bishi was one of the party leaders who criticized the excesses of the movement. This indicates a recognition of the potential for overreach and brutality within revolutionary campaigns. His subsequent policy shift in January 1948, which guaranteed that targets of the movement would still be allowed to keep a share of property and instructed work teams not to beat or torture their targets, suggests a corrective measure to mitigate the harshness of the initial phases. This intervention, while aimed at moderating the movement, implicitly acknowledges the existence of problematic practices that required rectification.

9.1. Influence on the CCP's Development

Ren Bishi's influence on the CCP's development was multifaceted and significant. As a member of the Politburo Standing Committee and the Secretary-General of the Central Committee, he was at the very core of the party's decision-making and administrative apparatus. His organizational skills were crucial in streamlining party operations and ensuring effective implementation of policies during the challenging periods of civil war and national reconstruction. His role in the "Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of the CCP" report, which addressed leadership problems and historical issues within the party, demonstrates his intellectual contribution to shaping the party's self-understanding and ideological coherence. His efforts to moderate the land reform movement also illustrate his pragmatic influence on the party's strategic approaches, ensuring that revolutionary goals were pursued with a degree of balance and consideration for broader social stability. His consistent presence in high-level leadership positions, from the early days of the party to the founding of the People's Republic of China, underscores his enduring impact on the growth and direction of the Chinese Communist Party.

9.2. Influence on Youth Movements

Ren Bishi's impact on youth movements in China was particularly profound, primarily through his leadership of the Communist Youth League of China. As the First Secretary of the Youth League, he was instrumental in organizing and guiding the party's youth wing. He successfully expanded the league's membership and mobilized young people for various revolutionary activities, including the May Thirtieth Movement. His dedication to fostering young revolutionaries ensured a continuous stream of committed cadres for the CCP. Even in his later years, in 1946, he was still actively drafting proposals for the establishment of the Communist Youth League, demonstrating his lifelong commitment to youth mobilization and their role in the revolutionary cause. His work laid a strong foundation for the organization and ideological training of Chinese youth, shaping their participation in the communist movement.