Li Lisan's Red Legend (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: Li Sishen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-12-01
Features: Revealing Historical Truths, Unveiling a Life Torn by Storms
On November 18, 1899, Li Lisan was born in Yang San Shi Yu Yuan Fu, a rural area outside the city of Liling, Hunan Province. His father, Li Changgui (styled Jingrong), was a local scholar and teacher. Li Changgui named his son "Feng Sheng" (meaning "Phoenix Born") because on the day of Li Lisan's birth, a large white flower bloomed on a phoenix grass in their backyard. The phoenix grass, also known as the iron tree, typically does not bloom.
From a young age, Li Changgui pursued truth and worked tirelessly to find a path to save his country. He bravely broke free from social constraints and, despite family opposition, boldly left for France to study while working (a common practice for students seeking education abroad). Upon returning to China, he actively engaged in the revolution. In his twenties, he led the Anyuan Uprising, initiated the nationwide "May Thirtieth Movement," and directed the seizure of the British concession in Hankou, becoming a renowned leader of the workers' movement and one of the early leaders of the Communist Party of China.
Throughout his life, Li Lisan experienced both exhilarating moments of glory and periods of pain and depression. He tasted the joy of success and felt the regret of his mistakes. His journey was full of hardships, marked by three rises and three falls, truly making him a "red legend."
— Li Yingnan