Remembering the History of the War of Resistance and Promoting the National Spirit—The Qingjie Party Branch Visits and Studies the Former Site of the Headquarters of the Eighth Route Army’s Independent Anti-Japanese Detachment in Western Henan.

发布时间：2022年03月14日 17:02

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, on June 30, the Qingjie Party Branch organized all party members of the company to revisit their oath of joining the Party and watch a study session on Party history. In the afternoon, the Party Branch led all party members to the former site of the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army’s Independent Anti-Japanese Brigade in Yangjiao Village, Fudian Town, Yanshi, where they commemorated the revolutionary martyrs, underwent a baptism of Party spirit, and reflected on their original aspirations and mission. The main purpose of this activity was to revisit the arduous and extraordinary years of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, carry forward the spirit of dedication demonstrated by the revolutionary martyrs, inspire patriotic enthusiasm among party members, strengthen the cohesion of the Party branch, and promote public awareness of this important event. The main purpose of this activity was to revisit the arduous and extraordinary years of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, carry forward the spirit of dedication demonstrated by the revolutionary martyrs, inspire patriotic enthusiasm among party members, and strengthen the cohesion of the Party branch.

　　This event primarily aims to revisit the arduous and extraordinary years of the War of Resistance Against Japan, carry forward the spirit of dedication demonstrated by revolutionary martyrs, inspire patriotic enthusiasm among Party members, strengthen the cohesion of Party branches, and promote the glorious traditions and fine conduct of the People’s Army—thus motivating and guiding all employees to uphold these fine traditions, rally their collective strength, and firmly believe in our development. The glorious traditions and fine conduct of the People’s Army—thus motivating and guiding all employees to uphold these fine traditions, rally their collective strength, and firmly believe in our development.

　　The Fuguang Mountain area in the southern part of Yanshi City is surrounded by mountains on all sides and boasts a strategically advantageous terrain. Seventy-six years ago, after the Eighth Route Army’s Independent Anti-Japanese Brigade in Western Henan advanced into western Henan, they established their first anti-Japanese base here. Today, the former headquarters site of the Eighth Route Army’s Independent Anti-Japanese Brigade in Western Henan, located in Yangyao Village within the Fuguang Mountain area, has become an important base for patriotic education in our city. As you push open the courtyard gate, you’ll find exhibition halls on either side, converted from the “Communications Platoon” and the “Guard Company.” The walls of these halls are adorned with display panels that recount the heroic deeds of the Eighth Route Army’s Independent Anti-Japanese Brigade in Western Henan. Among the exhibits are items from those days, such as kerosene lamps, artillery shells, and long swords. At the very back of the courtyard lies a three-step platform, atop which sits an old cave dwelling—the site of the famed “Yangyao Conference.” Though the cave entrance isn’t large, the interior is surprisingly spacious, furnished with tables, chairs, a telephone, and a kerosene lamp. On the walls hang portraits of Mao Zedong and Zhu De from their younger days, along with two maps. Inside the main cave dwelling there’s a smaller cave nestled within it; at its entrance is a sign that reads, “Resting Place of Commander Pi and Xu.” Seeing this scene, one can almost hear the song echoing in their ears: “In March, when the peach blossoms bloom, Commander Pi leads his troops here, to wipe out the Japanese devils and traitors, and rid us of all harm.” This song was composed by local residents in memory of the Eighth Route Army’s Independent Anti-Japanese Brigade in Western Henan.

　　The “Pi-Xu Detachment” stationed in Yangyao Village three times. In April 1944, the Japanese invaders launched the Henan-Hunan-Guangxi Campaign, launching a large-scale offensive against Chinese troops stationed in central and western Henan. On May 13, Yanshi fell; on May 25, Luoyang fell. In July, guided by Mao Zedong’s instruction to “open up an anti-Japanese base area in western Henan” and the general strategic principle of “advance wherever the enemy advances,” the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made the decision to “march into Henan.” In September, the Eighth Route Army’s Western Henan Anti-Japanese Advance Detachment—commanded by Pi Dingjun and with Xu Zirong as political commissar—was established in Guojiayuan, Lin County, Henan Province, and immediately set off for the front lines of the resistance against Japan. On September 24, Pi Dingjun and Xu Zirong led a portion of the Third Regiment and a working team of the Eighth Route Army’s Western Henan Anti-Japanese Advance Detachment across mountains and ridges from Dengfeng to Yangyao Village. At that time, Pi and Xu recognized that the Fuguang Mountain Area, where Yangyao Village was located, had rugged terrain that was easy to defend and difficult to attack, and that the local people possessed a strong sense of national consciousness. Thus, they decided to establish an anti-Japanese base area here and began extensively propagating our Party’s anti-Japanese and national salvation policies in the surrounding regions. During this period, Pi and Xu led their troops to Yangyao Village for the second time to mobilize the masses for the resistance. In early November, Pi and Xu led their troops to Yangyao Village for the third time, where they joined forces with various armed working teams and convened an important strategic decision-making meeting—the Yangyao Conference. The conference decided to establish the Fuguang Anti-Japanese Base Area centered on Yangyao Village and renamed the unit the Eighth Route Army’s Independent Western Henan Anti-Japanese Detachment. From then on, the Fuguang Mountain Area became a vital hub for the resistance movement in Yanshi, Dengfeng, Gongxian (now Gongyi City in Zhengzhou), Yichuan, and other areas.

　　Party members visited and studied the historical photographs displayed in each exhibition room of the memorial hall, listened to stories of the revolution, and gained a profound understanding of the glorious achievements of the Eighth Route Army in establishing an anti-Japanese base area and launching the resistance against Japan here. They also deeply felt the lofty revolutionary ideals, firm revolutionary will, and fearless revolutionary spirit of the revolutionary forerunners.