The Huaihai Campaign, one of the most crucial battles during the Chinese Liberation War, took place from the end of 1948 to the beginning of 1949. This battle not only decided the fate of the Kuomintang and the Communist Party militarily, but also left a deep mark on Chinese history. During the battle, many Red Army soldiers died bravely, and their deeds and spirit have been praised by future generations. Wang Chengde is one of the countless martyrs who died in this huge battle, and although his life story and heroic deeds were drowned by time, he was finally known to the world again through an unexpected TV series.
In Wang Qingmei's life, the biggest regret is that she never really understood her father Wang Chengde. He was a high-ranking officer of the Communist Army who died heroically in the Huaihai Campaign, leaving only an almost empty memory in Wang Qingmei's young heart. She only knew that her father was a hero, a hero who dedicated his life to the founding of New China.
Wang Qingmei's mother said to her on her deathbed: "I hope you can find your father's remains and make a home for him." This sentence hit Wang Qingmei's heart like a hammer and became her mission for the rest of her life.
On a spring day in 2009, Wang Qingmei happened to see a historical drama called "Defending Yan'an" on TV. The image of a PLA general named Wang Chengde in the play who fought bravely in the war shook her heart. Intuitively, she felt that the general on television had some kind of mysterious connection to her father.
She then embarked on a journey to find her father's remains. She went to the Martyrs' Cemetery in Zhaibuchang Village, Jiaozuo, Henan Province, where many relics of the Anti-Japanese War period are preserved. Although Zhai Buchang's visit did not give her hope, she did not give up.
Wang Qingmei later contacted a veteran, Du Ping, who was a member of the 27th Brigade and the 79th Regiment. Despite Mr. Du Ping's advanced age and vague memory, he could not provide much useful information, but Wang Qingmei's determination did not weaken. She posted a missing person notice through the Jiaozuo Daily and described her father's heroic deeds in detail.
Time passed, and Wang Qingmei's efforts always seemed in vain. Until 2018, by chance, she saw an article on Toutiao about finding the relatives of Wang Chengde, a martyr of the Huaihai Campaign. The excitement that welled up in her heart was indescribable, and she immediately contacted the publisher of the article.
After a series of verifications and efforts, Wang Qingmei finally found her father's name in the Shuangduiji Martyrs Cemetery in Anhui. Standing in front of Wang Chengde's tomb, she knelt on the ground and wept bitterly, calling out one after another: "Father, I have finally found you! Your daughter has not forgotten you, we have been looking for you!"
Just as Wang Qingmei was crying, the crowd of onlookers was also deeply touched by this scene. Her cry is not only a call to her father, but also an echo of that tragic era. Facing her father's tombstone, she said, "Father, although you have left us for 70 years, your spirit and sacrifice have taught us how to live for the country and the people. We will never forget. ”
Later, Wang Qingmei began to visit the cemetery more frequently, and together with other families of the martyrs, she organized many commemorative events, telling their stories and spreading their spirits. She also set up an unofficial historical research group dedicated to collecting and researching the heroic deeds of the Huaihai Campaign, so that more people can understand this history.
With Wang Qingmei's unremitting efforts, she not only found her father's remains and re-established his place in history, but through her actions, more people began to pay attention to those heroes who made significant contributions to Chinese history but were less known. Her story has inspired countless people, especially those who share the same desire to find their roots.
Wang Qingmei's story is not only a journey of search and remembrance, but also a spiritual inheritance. Her actions prove that history is not just a memory of the past, but also a guide for the present and the future. By remembering and honoring those who sacrificed their ultimate lives for our country, we not only pay tribute to history, but also inject a sense of perseverance and responsibility into modern society. As the poet said, "The blood of a hero never withers." "In this rapidly changing world, let us not forget our original intention, continue to move forward, and learn from history.