The Yinuorui Party Branch organized an activity titled “Remembering the Martyrs, Never Forgetting Our Original Aspirations.”

On the morning of August 2, 2019, the Party branch of our Yinuorui Company organized party members and prospective party members to visit the Huangma Uprising and Eyuwan-Su Memorial Park for an activity themed “Remembering the Martyrs and Never Forgetting Our Original Aspirations.”

All participants first gathered before the Monument to Revolutionary Martyrs, gazing upward at the bold and powerful characters inscribed on the monument: “Monument to the Martyrs of the Huangma Uprising and the Eyuwan Soviet Region.” Against the backdrop of the lush, verdant pines and cypresses surrounding it, the inscription stood out strikingly. Facing the tombstones of the revolutionary heroes, the comrades felt deeply moved and were filled with a myriad of thoughts. Standing solemnly beneath the monument, Comrade Yan Jiaxue, secretary of the Party branch, presented a wreath on behalf of our organization, paying tribute and expressing our heartfelt remembrance for the heroic martyrs. Afterwards, everyone collectively paid their respects at the Monument to Revolutionary Martyrs, solemnly raising their right hands before the monument and renewing their oath of joining the Party.

Comrade Yan Jiaxue, Secretary of the Party Branch, introduced: “After the Red Army left Eyuwan, Macheng was engulfed in white terror. The two former Soviet areas—Chengma and Shunhe—once had a population of 180,000. By 1935, when the Kuomintang government conducted its census, the population had dwindled to just over 50,000. Thirteen thousand people either died or were displaced during the war; many women and children were sold to other regions. Over 6,000 revolutionary martyrs are officially recorded. The people of Macheng made tremendous sacrifices for the revolution.” No matter how bright the future may be, we must never forget the past we’ve walked through, nor can we ever forget why we set out in the first place. Today, more than 80 years later, as members of the Yinuo Rui Party Branch stand on this red land, retracing the footsteps of the Red Army and carrying forward the spirit of the Long March, we’re still deeply moved by the revolutionary spirit of our forefathers.

After visiting the Dong Biwu Memorial Hall, I came across a saddlebag belonging to Dong Biwu—one of the “Four Elders of the Army” from the Long March. This sturdy canvas saddlebag bore witness to the arduous and grueling journey undertaken by this elder, who was already nearing fifty at the time. He had a peculiar habit: besides his favorite books, he would often tuck into this thick canvas bag some scraps of torn cloth and palm fibers he’d picked up along the way, using them to craft specially made straw sandals. “Just tie the palm fibers together with a strip of cloth,” he’d say, “and you’re ready to keep marching.” To evade enemy air raids, the troops had to travel at night without lighting torches. And on rainy days, when the roads became slick, it was nearly impossible to move even an inch while carrying stretchers on their shoulders. Along the way, Dong Biwu frequently ran from the front of the column all the way to the rear, offering encouragement to everyone—covering several times more distance than anyone else. Sometimes, when he’d relieve others of their burdens, he’d become so exhausted that he’d fall right into a muddy pit—but even then, he’d still manage to crack a joke or two about being “Dong the Mudman,” instantly bringing laughter and cheer to the whole group. From that moment on, with Biwu by our side, we knew we’d surely prevail. Traveling eight hundred li at night, we carried a guiding light; dreaming of ten thousand li by day, we laughed as we looked forward to the road ahead.

On the sweltering August 3rd, members of our Yinuorui Party branch set out for the Dabie Mountains to carry forward the red spirit. We learned to sing a revolutionary song, retraced a segment of the revolutionary journey, and revisited the spirit of the revolution. The majestic Dabie Mountains served as the base of the Eyuwan Revolutionary Base Area. It was here that the Fourth Red Army was born, the Twenty-Fifth Red Army was reconstituted, and the Twenty-Eighth Red Army was reorganized. Of the four Red Army units that took part in the Long March, two originated from this very region. This land is truly a fertile cradle of the red cause. From the establishment of Party organizations in the winter of 1923 to the founding of New China in 1949, over a span of 26 years, Party organizations in the Dabie Mountains remained steadfast, armed struggles continued unabated, and the revolutionary red flag never fell. Hundreds of thousands of sons and daughters of the Dabie Mountains followed one another in their heroic struggle, making tremendous sacrifices and contributions to the victory of the Chinese Revolution.

After the event concluded, everyone deeply realized that today’s happy life has been hard-won—achieved through the sacrifices and bloodshed of countless revolutionary martyrs led by the Party. Moving forward, we must learn from these martyrs through concrete actions: not fearing difficulties or setbacks, bravely taking on responsibilities, and selflessly dedicating ourselves to others. We must carry forward and uphold the glorious traditions of our revolutionary forebears, firmly holding onto our convictions and following the Party’s lead. We should thoroughly and comprehensively study Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. In our future work, we must stay true to our posts, boldly shoulder responsibilities, take the initiative, and play a leading role as exemplary Party members. Let us remain true to our original aspirations and keep our mission firmly in mind.