Peng Dehuai (24 October 1898 - 29 November 1974) was a prominent Chinese Communist military leader, who served as China's Defense Minister from 1954 to 1959. Peng became critical of Mao's leadership. The rivalry between Peng and Mao culminated in an open confrontation between the two at the 1959 Lushan Conference. Mao won this confrontation, labeled Peng as a leader of an "anti-Party clique", and purged Peng from all influential positions for the rest of his life.