Lin Biao (left) standing with Nie Rongzhen, before an enemy plane seized in the Battle of Zhangzhou 1934. Lin Biao (1907 - 1971). Lin became instrumental in creating the foundations for Mao Zedong's cult of personality, and was rewarded in the Cultural Revolution by being named Mao's designated successor. Lin died on September 13, 1971. Nie Rongzhen (1899 - 1992) was a prominent Chinese Communist military leader, and one of ten Marshals in the People's Liberation Army of China.