[4] Later that year, a clash between the CCP and the Kuomintang (KMT) resulted in the deaths of several revolutionaries and Li's name being put on a wanted list.

[5] In the summer of 1933, purges in the Hunan-Jiangxi Soviet intensified in a process now referred to by the CCP as the Wang Ming Leftist Line.

[3] In addition to the deaths of many revolutionary cadres, Wang Shoudao was removed from his position as secretary of the Hunan-Jiangxi Soviet CCP provincial committee for, 'severe rightist leanings.

Not only did Zhang refuse to acknowledge his 'mistakes', but he also spoke in defence of the disgraced chairman of the Provincial Soviet Government, Yuan Desheng (killed whilst incarcerated).

It is debated whether their divorce was initiated by fellow party members or Zhang himself to protect Li from the consequences of his fall.

[3][5] In August 1934, the Red Army prepared to abandon the Hunan-Jiangxi base area and it was suggested to Li by one of her superiors that she remain behind, as, 'fighting was so hard for women.

[5] During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Li served as president of a school for female officers operated by the Eighth Route Army.

After Japan's defeat and the resumption of the Chinese Civil War, Li served as secretary of the People's Liberation Army's Jin-Sui and Northwest military districts.

Mao Zedong presented Li with an 1st Class Order of Liberation and Zhou Enlai granted her the rank of Major General.

[5] Although this was considered a major step for gender equality in China, Li's promotion coincided with a restructuring of the People's Liberation Army that saw approximately 100,000 female soldiers decommissioned and returned to civilian lives, with the remaining 10,000 referred to as 'female staff members' in official documentation.