He Long vs Mikael of Wollo

He Long led the Nanchang Uprising, the first major armed conflict between the Chinese Communist Party and the Nationalists. Although the uprising failed, it is celebrated as the founding moment of the People's Liberation Army.

He Long commanded the 120th Division of the Eighth Route Army, operating in the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei border region. He led guerrilla campaigns against Japanese forces and expanded Communist-controlled territory.

He Long was appointed as one of the ten marshals of the People's Liberation Army. This honor recognized his contributions to the Communist victory and his role in the Nanchang Uprising.

He Long was purged by Mao Zedong during the Cultural Revolution, accused of being a 'counter-revolutionary.' He was imprisoned and died in custody in 1969, later being posthumously rehabilitated in 1982.

Mikael, originally an Oromo Muslim noble named Mohammed Ali, converted to Christianity and adopted the name Mikael. He allied with Emperor Yohannes IV, who appointed him Ras of Wollo, making him a key regional power broker.

Ras Mikael commanded a large contingent of Oromo cavalry at the Battle of Adwa, where Ethiopian forces decisively defeated the Italian army. His troops played a crucial role in the victory, which secured Ethiopian independence.

Mikael supported his grandson, Lij Iyasu, as heir to Emperor Menelik II. After Menelik's death, Mikael became a powerful regent, but Iyasu's controversial policies led to his deposition in 1916, weakening Mikael's position.