Inscription for Li Zhi[1]

(1936)

Li Zhi must not die!

Mao Zedong

[1] Li Zhi (1899–1989), original name Li Shengzhi, also known as Li Shoujing, was a native of Yongxin County, Jiangxi Province. He joined the Communist Party of China in 1931. In 1955 he was awarded the rank of major general. He served as head of the Health Department of the Military Academy of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and deputy head of the Academic Affairs Department of the Higher Military Academy. During the Long March, he once treated Zhou Enlai and He Zizhen. After the victory of the Long March, Li Zhi fell gravely ill and lay unconscious. Mao Zedong, in addition to sending excellent doctors to treat him, also entrusted He Zizhen to visit him and gave her a note written in his own hand to deliver to him: “Li Zhi must not die! Mao Zedong.”