Everyone knows about the Long March in the course of the Chinese revolution, but have you ever heard of General Zhang Lixiong? Do you want to know about the extraordinary life of this legendary veteran? How did he go from an ordinary Fujian boy to the road of revolution and become an old Red Army that will be admired by future generations?
Although Zhang Lixiong's name is not as resounding as some leaders in the history of the Chinese revolution, his deeds are just as shocking. On November 21, 1913, Zhang Lixiong was born in an ordinary village in Shanghang County, Fujian Province. From 1931, he embarked on his own revolutionary road and joined the Communist Party of China, which has since formed an indissoluble bond with the Chinese revolution.
The Long March of 1934 was a baptism of blood and fire for many people. At the age of 21, he became a political commissar, not only because of his ability, but also because the responsibility of this team is much heavier than others, and only he can resist it. This division was called the "Desperate Guard Division" and was tasked with extremely difficult tasks during the Long March, protecting the safety of the main forces. As you can imagine, this experience was both an honor and a heavy burden for Zhang Lixiong. The Red 34th Division was almost completely wiped out in the Battle of Xiangjiang, and Zhang Lixiong's 45th Regiment also suffered heavy losses, but he miraculously survived.
War is brutal, but it also forges tension and a rock-solid will. During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the War of Liberation, he was on the verge of life and death many times. Whether it was the bloody battle in Funiu Mountain or the heroic killing of the enemy in the Huaihai Campaign, Zhang Lixiong showed extraordinary courage and military talent.
No matter how beautiful it is, no one will miss their hometown. After retiring, although he settled in Nanjing, he frequently gave back to his hometown by donating money to his education. In 2016 and 2019, he donated hundreds of thousands of yuan through his family in Shanghang County to support the development of education in his hometown.
Zhang Lixiong's life is a weathered revolutionary epic. Even at the age of 110, he still pays attention to the development of the country and the progress of society, and continues to contribute to the society in his own way. His life was not luxurious, and it could even be said to be quite modest. But such an old man, with his persistence and dedication, interpreted what is the unchanging revolutionary belief and the eternal red spirit.
In today's era of information explosion, General Zhang Lixiong may not be as sensational as an Internet celebrity, but it has a more far-reaching significance. His life is like a history textbook for future generations to read and draw strength and inspiration from. The trajectory of his life reflects the great transformation of China from the old society to the new China, and every footprint records the difficulties and greatness of the revolution.
Zhang Lixiong is not only a memory of the past, but also a kind of inheritance. Through his continuous donations and student assistance, he has demonstrated a sense of responsibility and investment in the future, believing that education can change destiny, and this belief has also inspired more people to devote themselves to social welfare causes. In his view, although the war is gone, we should devote ourselves to education and construction in the era of peace, which is the most direct contribution to the future.
Although General Zhang is over 100 years old, his indomitable spirit and deep love for the country are examples that each and every one of us should learn from.
General Zhang Lixiong's life is a living history and a high-pitched heroic hymn. General Zhang Lixiong told us with his practical actions: No matter how the times change, it is always everyone's responsibility to devote themselves to the construction of the country and society. Although he is very old, his spirit and dedication will always inspire us to move forward. Let us remember the name of this old hero and continue to pass on his spirit and values.