Hu Zhengxian (age 104, party age 83 years)
Message: I hope that young people will build our country better, richer and stronger
Text: Cai Yonglian, Tang Wei
Photo: Zhao Dujun
Camera: Jiang Xianyu
Video Producer: Zhang Zhicheng
Producer: China Military Network, Lu'an City, Anhui Province, Double Support Work Leading Group
Growing up in the misery of the Long March and practicing in the midst of war, as an excellent communication worker in the early days of our army, Hu Zhengxian, the old Red Army, was a red "listener" who had experienced hundreds of battles and promised the country by example.
Hu Zhengxian, who is 104 years old, has a strong spirit and a clear mind, and clearly remembers his participation in the revolution.
"I joined the revolution when I was 12 years old, first joined the Communist Youth League, sentry for the Red Army, and followed the Red Army troops wherever they went." Later, because he was familiar with the officers and men of the special service company of the Dushan County Protection Bureau stationed nearby, he found the company commander and proposed that he wanted to join the Red Army. The company commander gladly agreed to his request, and Hu Zhengxian, fearing that the company commander would repent, pulled a hook with him, "The Red Army is my home, and I will follow the Red Army." Following the Red Army and following the Party has also become his lifelong pursuit.
Hu Zhengxian took a group photo with his second daughter (photo provided by the interviewee).
Due to his young age, Hu Zhengxian was assigned to the detention center in the rear to watch over the prisoners. During the Kuomintang's 4th "encirclement and suppression", Hu Zhengxian was sent to the hospital as a hygienist, where he was responsible for caring for the wounded. When surrounded by the Kuomintang troops, Hu Zhengxian was scalded by boiling hot water on his feet, and considering that Hu Zhengxian was young and injured, the troops decided to let him stay. The stubborn Hu Zhengxian resolutely refused: "I will never stay here, if you don't let me follow the troops, I will crawl." It was this sincerity and persistence that Hu Zheng first impressed the head of the unit, and finally he continued to follow the Red Army forward to participate in the Long March as he wished, and crossed the snowy mountains and meadows three times.
Later, Hu Zhengxian was arranged to study radio at the Tongjiang headquarters. In the spring of 1938, he came to Yan'an, was transferred to the Central Military Commission as a newspaper operator, and reported to Peizhuang Village, only 5 kilometers from Yangjialing, where Chairman Mao lived. Conditions are harsh, with only a few generators fueled by water and coal, but the task is very important. The leader said to him, "You are going to hold a memorial service in this organ, and you are going to work here for the rest of your life." This is not only determined by the nature of the work of "listening to the wind", but also reflects the firm belief of newspaper workers who have been willing to be loyal sentinels of the party all their lives.
Hu Zhengxian swimming (photo courtesy of the interviewee).
This year, Hu Zhengxian just turned 20 years old. On the invisible battlefield, Hu Zhengxian realized that only by practicing hard could he excel in his skills and defeat the enemy. He and his comrades-in-arms monitored the enemy station day and night, mastering the wavelength, time, sound, and method of enemy communication, and even if the enemy changed the wavelength, Hu Zhengxian could quickly know which newspaper operator they sent.
On the eve of the liberation of Tianjin, Hu Zhengxian, while on duty, overheard an enemy radio station saying: "The communist headquarters is stationed in Yang Liuqing, and a mirror has been placed on the roof, and it will be bombed early tomorrow morning." He and his comrades-in-arms analyzed and studied the station and confirmed that it was a lurking station of the enemy, which was usually hidden and only communicated under special circumstances. He immediately reported to his superiors that the former command had withdrawn from the garrison that night. The next day, enemy planes blew the small village to smithereens, and none of the headquarters suffered casualties.
Hu Zhengxian participated in famous battles such as Liaoshen, Pingjin, and the liberation of Hainan Island, was responsible for information collection, and was able to provide comprehensive, timely, and accurate information for the decision-making and command of the former commander in a very short period of time, and was highly praised by the leaders of the party and the army on many occasions.
Hu Zhengxian took a group photo with his family (photo courtesy of the interviewee).
After the founding of New China, Hu Zhengxian's revolutionary task on the invisible battlefield was not over. Due to the special nature of his work, he has always neglected to take care of his family. When his father died, Hu Zhengxian still insisted on his post and failed to return home. At this point, his heart was full of guilt and regret.
Hu Zhengxian had two convictions in his life: one was to be the Red Army and follow the Red Army; the other was to do his part for the country.
After retiring in 1984, Hu Zhengxian never gave up the idea of studying, insisted on reading books and newspapers, listening to the voice of the party in time, and reading notes and newspaper clippings added up to more than a dozen books. In recent years, Hu Zhengxian has used his leisure time to often go to the army and schools to explain revolutionary traditions to young officers and soldiers and students, teach young people to cherish today's happy life, and make contributions to the prosperity and strength of the country and the rejuvenation of the nation.
Hu Zheng first read the newspaper to study (photo provided by the interviewee).
"The charger uses gasoline, there is no gasoline to use diesel, there is no diesel, we use lard on the Long March Road..." This year, Hu Zhengxian gave the first lesson of the mingde primary school in Shibanchong Township, Yu'an District, and he told the combat experience during the Long March from the perspective of an old Red Army. After listening, the school teacher said affectionately: "Along the way, no matter what kind of difficulties are encountered, it will be difficult for Elder Hu and his comrades-in-arms." On the Long March, all difficulties will be trampled under the feet of faith. "The eye sockets of many students at the scene were moist.
The Young Pioneers tied a red scarf for Hu Zhengxian. Photo by Zhang Jun
When talking about the construction and development of his hometown of Lu'an City, Hu Zhengxian said excitedly: "The changes in his hometown have been earth-shaking, and people's living conditions have greatly improved. Hu Zhengxian put forward his hopes for the young people in his hometown, he said: "I hope that young people will strive to do more for the country and build our country better, richer and stronger." ”
Hu Zhengxian (center) poses with staff of the Veterans Affairs Bureau of Yu'an District, Lu'an City, Anhui Province. Photo by Zhao Dujun
【Profile】Hu Zhengxian, a native of Yu'an District, Lu'an City, Anhui Province, was born in September 1918. In December 1930, he joined the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, personally experienced the Long March, and joined the Communist Party of China in June 1938. He once served as the director of the office of the Central and Southern Bureau of a certain department of the Central Military Commission, the deputy director and adviser of the commander of a certain department of the General Staff Department, and participated in the famous battles such as the Liaoshen Campaign, the Pingjin Campaign, and the Liberation of Hainan Island, and was successively awarded the Order of August 1 of the Third Class, the Order of Independence and Freedom of the Third Class, the Liberation Medal of the Second Class, and the Medal of Merit of the Red Star of the Second Class. He retired in 1984 and now lives in Lu'an City, Anhui Province.
Source: China Military Network Author: Cai Yonglian Tang Wei Zhang Zhicheng
Editor-in-Charge: Sun Zhiying