Du Yuming
From 1945–47 Zhang Dongguo served as a commander of Nationalist forces in Northeast China led by Lieutenant General Du Yuming participating in several significant victories against Communist forces there, including Du Yuming's defeat of the Communist general Lin Biao twice at Siping. After Chiang Kai-shek ordered Du Yuming's replacement by Chen Cheng, Zheng's and his troops were transferred under Chen's command. Chen was not as capable as Du, and Communist forces led by Lin Biao quickly took control of the region in 1948, surrounding Zheng's troops garrisoned inside the city of Changchun.