In the long course of history, there are many moving stories that have been buried in dusty memories, and when these precious memories are rediscovered, they always resonate strongly. In 1993, an elderly woman walked into a newspaper office carrying a worn-out camphor box, not just to hand in an object, but to fulfill a deep promise to give an account to history and a person named "Mama He." Who is this old woman, and why is she handing over these relics?
Yin Lan, this name may not be known to most people in the long river of history, but her actions have left a strong mark on history on a certain spring day. She was He Zizhen's orderly, and He Zizhen, who is known as "Mother He", has an indelible mark on the history of the Chinese revolution.
He Zizhen, formerly known as He Guiyuan, was born in a squire family in Jiangxi. The trajectory of her life took a dramatic turn at the age of sixteen, when she joined the Chinese Communist Youth League and began her revolutionary career. At the age of eighteen, He Zizhen was already carrying out confidential and propaganda work in the border areas of Hunan and Jiangxi, and her intelligence and ability made her quickly rise to prominence in the organization. And all this is just the beginning of her legendary life.
In the autumn of 1927, although the Autumn Harvest Uprising failed, the flame of revolution was not extinguished. Mao Zedong led the remnants to Jinggang Mountain, and He Zizhen was also sent here, beginning her deep intersection with Chairman Mao. In Jinggangshan, the feelings of the two gradually germinated, and they soon got married. Although their wedding was not complicated by ceremony, it was full of the simplicity and sincerity of revolutionaries.
The good times did not last long, and the environment facing the Red Army was extremely difficult. In 1934, the Red Army began that legendary long march. He Zizhen unfortunately gave birth to her daughter during the Long March, and in view of the severe war situation and living conditions, she had to make a painful decision to foster her newborn daughter in the people. This farewell is full of the mother's deep reluctance and love for her child.
On the Long March, He Zizhen embodied the strength and selflessness of revolutionary women. Despite her physical weakness, she gave up her limited food to her comrades and struggled with the harsh environment herself. At this time, Chairman Mao felt sorry for He Zizhen and specially prepared supplements for her, but she insisted on sharing weal and woe with the soldiers and refused special treatment.
In 1935, the Red Army arrived in northern Shaanxi, and a long march finally came to an end. The shadow of war has not completely dissipated. He Zizhen persisted in revolutionary work under difficult circumstances until his unfortunate death due to illness. He Zizhen's departure made Chairman Mao deeply saddened, but the pace of revolution could not stop, and Chairman Mao could only bury this emotion in his heart.
After He Zizhen's death, some of her personal belongings, including some precious manuscripts and letters, were carefully kept by Yin Lan. Over the years, Yin Lan has been He Zizhen's loyal orderly, and she has deep respect and loyalty to He Zizhen. Yin Lan knew the importance of these relics, and also understood He Zizhen's wish before his death, which was to have these historical witnesses finally belong to the state for future generations to study and remember.
Until 1993, when Yin Lan was old, she decided to fulfill this wish. With full memories and heavy steps, Yin Lan came to the newspaper office and handed over the camphor wooden box full of historical weight to the country. This moment is not only the handover of objects, but also the inheritance of a piece of history, a farewell to the past years, and a contribution to future historians.
Yin Lan's behavior is not only loyal to He Zizhen, but also a responsibility to history. Through her own personal experience, she once again presented that magnificent history to the world. This story teaches us that history is not just a cold written record, it is a vivid scroll woven through the lives, choices and sacrifices of each participant, witness.