Wang Zhen - in The People's Republic of China

In The People's Republic of China

After the communist revolution, Wang Zhen was one of only two Chinese commanders who were authorized to carry guns when visiting Mao Zedong. The other one was Xu Shiyou (许世友), but Xu never carried a gun when visiting Mao. Wang Zhen, on the other hand, wore his gun for his first visit. When stopped by Mao's bodyguards, Wang Zhen began to argue with them. Mao investigated the noise, and told his bodyguards that he trusted Wang fully, and unless Wang was carrying atomic bombs, Wang could carry anything he wanted when he visited Mao. After that incident, Wang never wore a weapon while visiting Mao.

In October 1952, Wang Zhen's younger brother, Wang Yumei (王馀美) asked him to provide money to build a mansion for their mother in their hometown, but Wang Zhen refused. When Wang Zhen visited his hometown several years later, it was discovered his younger brother Wang Yumei (王馀美) had kept ducks for their family but allowed them to feed on grain produced on public land, but because Wang Yumei (王馀美) was his younger brother, nobody dared to say or do anything. Wang Zhen personally held a public gathering denouncing his younger brother, and ordered lieutenant Hu Shizhong (胡世中), the commander of the local garrison, to confiscate all ducks owned by Wang Yumei's family. For good measure, he threatened to beat his younger brother in public if he dared to do any similar again. Wang Zhen's treatment of his younger brother earned him a good reputation and many top brass of the communist regime were impressed, feeling that it was good propaganda for the communists.