On the Korean battlefield, there was a Chinese volunteer soldier who did something that made the US military mad and helpless. This person is Yao Xianru, who is known as the "minesweeping hero". What did he do to make the enemy so annoyed? How did he grow into an outstanding soldier and dedicate his youth and blood to the motherland in his own way? Let us walk into Yao Xianru's legendary life and uncover the mystery of this "thunder thief."
Poor background, rough teenage years
Yao Xianru was born in Dizhuang Village, Lingtai County, Gansu Province, which is a poor and backward mountain village. Yao Xianru has experienced the hardships of life since he was a child. His parents were ordinary farmers, and his family was very poor, relying on only a few acres of thin land to make a living, and often did not have enough food and clothing.
In order to help the family, Yao Xianru followed his mother out to beg for food since he was a child. At that time, he was only five or six years old, and his thin body could not carry the bamboo basket for begging, so he could only go from house to house in the village to beg for scraps. The day when you get food is lucky, and if you can't get it, you can only starve. Yao Xianru vividly remembers that once he and his mother begged for food outside the village for a day, but found nothing, and was so hungry that his chest was close to his back, and it was difficult to walk.
When he was eight or nine years old, Yao Xianru began to herd sheep for people, and he was exposed to the sun and rain in the mountains every day, but at least he could eat enough. When he was a teenager, he went to work as a long-term laborer in the landlord's house, doing heavy farm work, and was often tired and had back pain. Even so, the landlord's family did not give enough rations, and Yao Xianru was still often hungry.
Once, the mother felt sorry for her son's hunger and turned pale, so she secretly pulled some alfalfa grass from the landlord's family to feed the livestock, so that Yao Xianru could satisfy his hunger. Who knew that this matter was discovered by the landlord, and the angry landlord actually released a vicious dog and bit Yao Xianru's mother all over the body. Pity the hearts of parents in the world, the mother would rather be bitten by herself than have her son have a full meal.
The New Year is approaching, the landlord's family banquet guests, naturally indispensable to the service of the long-term workers. Yao Xianru handed tea and water, accidentally broke a cup, and was immediately beaten by the landlord, beating him to the point that his head was bleeding. And his sister was sent to be a child daughter-in-law at a young age, just in exchange for a bite to eat. Recalling these years of suffering, Yao Xianru burst into tears.
When he was twenty years old, Yao Xianru was deceived by the chief of security to become a strong man of the Kuomintang. The so-called "strong men" are just coolies who are cannon fodder, and they have no dignity at all. Yao Xianru's father traveled thousands of miles to the barracks just to see his son, but was rudely turned away by the sentinels. Separated by barbed wire, the father and son could only cry silently, unable to even say a word.
This is Yao Xianru's early experience, full of poverty, bullying and humiliation. He hated the Kuomintang army and vowed to break out of this cage one day and live a new life of fairness and justice.
The twist of fate finally came in 1949. The Chinese People's Liberation Army conquered Yao Xianru's Kuomintang barracks, and Yao Xianru and his comrades-in-arms joyfully accepted the reorganization and became a member of the PLA. Although Yao Xianru was still suspicious of being a soldier at first, the charisma of the Communist Party leadership soon influenced him.
Yao Xianru's father came to visit the army again, and this time, he was warmly and friendly. The instructors and soldiers treated the old man as their own family, served tea and food, and used their savings as the old man's travel expenses. Yao Xianru was deeply moved, and secretly determined: Follow the Communist Party, defend New China, and never let the people live the hard life of the past!
In this way, Yao Xianru embarked on the road of a revolutionary soldier with sincere faith. He worked hard to learn military skills, worked hard to improve his physical fitness, stood out in the army, and became an excellent soldier. When the Korean War broke out and US imperialism extended its claws of aggression to the Chinese border, Yao Xianru did not hesitate to sign up for the war, vowing to defend the dignity of the motherland with his blood and life.
Entered the war in Korea and became a "minesweeper hero"
On January 14, 1951, Yao Xianru crossed the Yalu River and officially set foot on Korean soil. He was assigned to the 7th Company and 3rd Platoon of the 2nd Battalion of the 46th Regiment of the 136th Division of the 16th Army of the Volunteer Army as an artillery commander. The troops were immediately thrown into a fierce battle.
At that time, in order to stop the offensive of the volunteers, the US army laid a large number of mines in front of the position. These mines caused great distress to the actions of the volunteers. If you are not careful, you will trigger an explosion, and the fighters will suffer heavy casualties.
Yao Xianru's company received the task of clearing the minefield ahead. This is undoubtedly a dangerous errand. Under intensive enemy fire, the fighters could only crawl forward, carefully removing mines.
Once, when Yao Xianru was reconnoitring a minefield, he accidentally touched a lead. He knew that with a slight movement, the mine would detonate immediately. In desperation, he decisively bit off the lead and resolved the crisis.
With his wit and courage, Yao Xianru soon became a minesweeper in the company. He always rushed to the front, dismantling the mines one by one with his own hands. Sometimes it was too late to dismantle, so he directly pressed the mine with his body and let his comrades pass through him.
One night, Yao Xianru led several soldiers to infiltrate the enemy's minefield to reconnoitre. Suddenly, there was a loud bang, and one of the fighters was killed by a thunderbolt. The enemy discovered their whereabouts and immediately opened fire.
Yao Xianru commanded the soldiers to hide on the one hand, and braved the rain of bullets and bullets on the other hand, and quickly walked through the minefield. He expertly defused one mine after another, quickly sweeping a passage. The fighters followed and managed to break through.
In this battle, Yao Xianru and his comrades-in-arms dismantled more than 50 enemy mines. His heroic deeds soon spread throughout the army and he was hailed as a "minesweeper hero".
Yao Xianru creatively summed up a set of mine-sweeping tactics. He first carefully analyzed the terrain and judged the pattern of the enemy's mine-laying, and then led the soldiers to quickly clear the minefield.
Sometimes, they also "feed" captured mines to the enemy, planting them on the roads that the enemy must pass. When the enemy stepped on the mines they had planted, the volunteer soldiers observed with binoculars from a distance, and they all clapped their hands.
In this way, under the leadership of Yao Xianru, the Volunteer Army set off a huge "landmine moving movement". They raised enemy mines and planted them at the enemy's feet, causing the enemy to be dizzy and suffering heavy casualties.
In 1952, Yao Xianru was awarded the title of "Minesweeping Hero" for second-class meritorious service. He successively led the soldiers to dismantle more than 1,000 mines of various types, clearing the way for the troops to advance and making great achievements.
Yao Xianru brushed shoulders with death countless times on the Korean battlefield, and almost fought with a revolutionary enthusiasm and belief in victory. He often said: "In order to defend the motherland, we are not afraid of sacrifice." As long as I can defeat the enemy, I will not hesitate to blow up my legs!"
Korean battlefield, incarnate as a "minesweeper hero"
In 1952, Yao Xianru once again set foot on the Korean battlefield. This time, he was assigned to the 7th Company and 3rd Platoon of the 2nd Battalion of the 46th Regiment of the 136th Division of the 16th Army of the Volunteer Army as an artillery commander. The troops were immediately thrown into a fierce battle.
At that time, in order to stop the offensive of the volunteers, the US army laid a large number of mines in front of the position. These mines caused great distress to the actions of the volunteers. If you are not careful, you will trigger an explosion, and the fighters will suffer heavy casualties.
Yao Xianru's company received the task of clearing the minefield ahead. This is undoubtedly a dangerous errand. Under intensive enemy fire, the fighters could only crawl forward, carefully removing mines.
Once, when Yao Xianru was reconnoitring a minefield, he accidentally touched a lead. He knew that with a slight movement, the mine would detonate immediately. In desperation, he decisively bit off the lead and resolved the crisis.
With his wit and courage, Yao Xianru soon became a minesweeper in the company. He always rushed to the front, dismantling the mines one by one with his own hands. Sometimes it was too late to dismantle, so he directly pressed the mine with his body and let his comrades pass through him.
One night, Yao Xianru led several soldiers to infiltrate the enemy's minefield to reconnoitre. Suddenly, there was a loud bang, and one of the fighters was killed by a thunderbolt. The enemy discovered their whereabouts and immediately opened fire.
Yao Xianru commanded the soldiers to hide on the one hand, and braved the rain of bullets and bullets on the other hand, and quickly walked through the minefield. He expertly defused one mine after another, quickly sweeping a passage. The fighters followed and managed to break through.
In this battle, Yao Xianru and his comrades-in-arms dismantled more than 50 enemy mines. His heroic deeds soon spread throughout the army and he was hailed as a "minesweeper hero".
Yao Xianru creatively summed up a set of mine-sweeping tactics. He first carefully analyzed the terrain and judged the pattern of the enemy's mine-laying, and then led the soldiers to quickly clear the minefield.
Sometimes, they also "feed" captured mines to the enemy, planting them on the roads that the enemy must pass. When the enemy stepped on the mines they had planted, the volunteer soldiers observed with binoculars from a distance, and they all clapped their hands.
In this way, under the leadership of Yao Xianru, the Volunteer Army set off a huge "landmine moving movement". They raised enemy mines and planted them at the enemy's feet, causing the enemy to be dizzy and suffering heavy casualties.
In 1952, Yao Xianru was awarded the title of "Minesweeping Hero" for second-class meritorious service. He successively led the soldiers to dismantle more than 1,000 mines of various types, clearing the way for the troops to advance and making great achievements.
Yao Xianru brushed shoulders with death countless times on the Korean battlefield, and almost fought with a revolutionary enthusiasm and belief in victory. He often said: "In order to defend the motherland, we are not afraid of sacrifice." As long as I can defeat the enemy, I will not hesitate to blow up my legs!"
This ordinary farmer's child grew up to be a heroic warrior in the rain of bullets. He used his wisdom and courage to compose a heroic hymn that can be sung and cried. Yao Xianru is worthy of the title of "mine-sweeping hero" and is an excellent representative of the thousands of soldiers of the Volunteers to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea.
In the fifth battle, Yao Xianru was wounded. A female North Korean nurse braved enemy fire and dragged him to safety. While recuperating from his injuries, Yao Xianru became acquainted with an old North Korean woman who took care of him.
The old woman's youngest daughter was burned to death by napalm thrown by the U.S. military. The grief-stricken old woman begs Yao Xianru to avenge her daughter. Yao Xianru tearfully agreed.
After recovering from his injuries, Yao Xianru asked Ying to go to the front again. This time, he specially selected the most dense areas of the enemy's minefield, and vowed to use more "battle results" to comfort the dead.
One day, Yao Xianru discovered that the enemy had newly laid a chain of thunder arrays. He made a quick decision, led his comrades to infiltrate the thunder array, and began a thrilling "mine stealing" operation.
They skillfully used the shells and grenades left behind by the enemy to create a "safe passage" in a chain of thunderstorms. Then, they carefully dismantled the mines one by one and transported them to a distant place to detonate them.
Throughout the night, Yao Xianru and his comrades-in-arms went back and forth in the thunderstorm, risking being killed at any time to dismantle more than 100 mines. Eventually, they succeeded in breaking up the enemy's lightning chain.
Yao Xianru also creatively designed the "decoy thunder array". They used wooden stakes and barbed wire to build a seemingly weak "fortification" in front of their own positions to lure the enemy to come and lay mines.
After the enemy army was deployed, Yao Xianru led the soldiers to launch a sudden attack, using machine gun fire, and beating a large number of enemy troops on their backs, and flesh and blood flew everywhere.
In this way, Yao Xianru and his comrades-in-arms started one "mine array offensive and defensive battle" after another. They use their own spears, attack their own shields, fight with wits and bravery, and perform many miraculous feats.
Under the leadership of Yao Xianru, the "Minesweeping Hero Company" became famous on the Korean battlefield. In just one month, they dismantled more than 3,000 enemy mines, killed and wounded hundreds of enemy soldiers, and captured a large amount of weapons and ammunition.
In 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed. Yao Xianru was honorably wounded and left the battlefield. Before leaving, he went to visit the old North Korean woman.
The old woman hugged Yao Xianru tightly and couldn't cry. She said that although her daughter died, Yao Xianru, a Chinese son, had avenged her with blood. The old woman wished Yao Xianru a safe return and an early reunion with his family.
With tears in his eyes, Yao Xianru said goodbye to the old woman. He vowed that in the future, we must build a new China well, so that millions of ordinary people can live a happy and happy life.
Retired from the army and changed jobs, helpful in old age
In 1958, Yao Xianru was honorably discharged from the army and returned to his hometown of Gansu. He first worked in the Lingtai County Public Security Bureau, and later transferred to the county party committee and became the director of the county party committee office.
Although he left the battlefield, Yao Xianru still maintained his true character as a soldier. He always kept in mind Chairman Mao's teachings and served the people wholeheartedly.
In 1970, during a grenade experiment, an accident occurred. In order to protect his comrades-in-arms, Yao Xianru held the grenade in his arms. At the moment of the explosion, three fingers of his right hand were blown away.
The blood was dripping and the pain was unbearable, but Yao Xianru didn't cry out in pain. He smiled and said to his comrades-in-arms: "It's okay, these three fingers are the price of the revolution, and I am willing!"
Yao Xianru overcame the pain with tenacious will and soon returned to work. He used to say, "A few fingers are out of the way." The Communist Party has cultivated me, the people need me, and I have to work hard!"
In 1972, Yao Xianru, as a national model worker, honorably participated in the National Planning Work Conference held in Beijing. At the meeting, he met with the beloved Premier Zhou.
Premier Zhou cordially shook Yao Xianru's mutilated hand and asked him about his injuries with concern. Yao Xianru said excitedly: "Premier, I'm fine! I can still make more contributions to the party and the people!"
Premier Zhou said emotionally: "Comrade Xiaoyao, you are a good fighter for the party and the people and an example for us to learn. I hope you will take good care of your health and make greater contributions to socialist construction!"
In 1976, Yao Xianru participated in the Fifth Plenary Session of the 10th CPC Central Committee held in Beijing as an outstanding member of the Communist Party of China. During the meeting, he met the beloved Chairman Mao.
Chairman Mao cordially walked up to Yao Xianru, held his hand tightly, and praised: "You are a mine-sweeping hero and an example for the people of the whole country to learn." You have made great contributions to the party and the people, and the party and the people will never forget you!"
Yao Xianru was so excited that he burst into tears, and said again and again: "Chairman, I am cultivated by the party, and I will always be loyal to the party and the people, and fight for the cause of communism for life!"
After retiring, Yao Xianru did not sit idle. He often went to the grassroots level to visit the needy people and help them solve their problems.
Once, Yao Xianru learned that an old man in the village was not with his children, and he lived alone, and even eating was a problem. Yao Xianru didn't say a word, immediately Zhang Luo, sent rice and flour oil to the elderly, and told everyone to care more about the elderly.
Another time, there was a fire in the county town, and the fire was so fierce that it was about to spread to residential areas. After Yao Xianru learned about it, he immediately rushed to the fire scene, organized the masses to put out the fire, and personally rushed into the sea of fire to grab a few trapped people, extinguishing the fire in time and saving people's lives and property.
In this way, after his retirement, Yao Xianru participated in fighting fires more than 20 times, arrested more than 40 criminals, mediated more than 100 disputes of various kinds, and helped more than 120 families in need. His deeds have touched countless people.
Yao Xianru's greatest joy in his later years was to tell revolutionary stories to younger generations and spread positive energy. He often said to young people: "In our generation, we defeated the Japanese devils and drove away the Yankees, so that we can have a happy life today." Your generation must cherish this hard-won happiness and continue to struggle for the prosperity and strength of the motherland!"
In August 2013, Yao Xianru died of illness in Lanzhou at the age of 91. His life was the life of a revolutionary soldier, a life of a Communist Party member, and a life of serving the people wholeheartedly.
end
The title of "Minesweeping Hero" was earned by Yao Xianru with his life and blood. His deeds will forever be engraved in the annals of the Chinese nation, inspiring generation after generation of Chinese to make unremitting efforts to realize the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation!