Chapter 17 Liu Zhidan's heroic sacrifice

On December 18, 1935, the Northwest Revolutionary Military Committee formed the North Route Army with the 78th Division of the 15th Army Corps and the Cavalry Regiment. Liu Zhidan was appointed as the commander-in-chief. Consolidate and expand the northern line positions in the Shaanxi-Gansu base area. When Liu Zhidan met Xi Zhongxun when he led the army to the north, he told him: "You send a message to the comrades who have been punished, so that the comrades should not be emotional, and don't worry about the past. They must obey the central distribution, work actively, and use facts. Prove us right."

In the book "Memories and Research", Li Weihan said this about the issue of suppressing counter-revolutionaries in northern Shaanxi: "Because the 'Left' line has not been liquidated, the local cadres and military cadres in the Shaanxi-Gansu Soviet Area still wear the hat of right opportunism, Therefore, the distribution of work to them, especially to some senior cadres, is generally unfair. At that time, the central government decided to distribute the work of released cadres: local cadres were in charge of the Northern Shaanxi Provincial Party Committee, and military cadres were in charge of the Military Commission.

At the end of 1935, the central government decided to reorganize the independent troops and guerrillas in the Hengshan, Suide, Mizhi, and Jingbian areas into the 28th Red Army, appointing Liu Zhidan as the army commander, Song Renqiong as the political commissar, and Yang Sen as the deputy army commander and chief of staff ( Later, he became the chief of staff of the Thirty Red Army, and died in early May 1936 while blocking the enemy in the south of Sanjiao Town, at the age of 29.) He had 3 regiments with a total of more than 1,200 people.The central government also sent Pei Zhouyu as the special commissioner of the Red 28th Army.

In late February 1936, the Red Twenty-eighth Army was ordered by the central government to attack Shenmu and Fugu from Wubao to the north, open up the connection between the Northern Shaanxi Soviet Area and the Shenfu Soviet Area, and consolidate and expand the Shenfu Revolutionary Base. And rapidly develop the party organization in the Soviet area and strengthen the local armed forces, consolidate the anti-Japanese rear, contain the enemy army, and coordinate the main Red Army's eastern expedition.In just over a month, the Red Twenty-Eighth Army attacked the enemy forcefully in more than ten important towns, including Qingjian, Suide, Wubao, and Mizhi, and successfully entered the Shenfu Soviet Area.During the march on March 20, the masses reported that a battalion of the 86th Division of the enemy was looting food at Yangjiata in front.After Liu Zhidan learned about the enemy's strength, equipment, and terrain from the masses, he made a decisive decision and assigned the three regiments the combat missions of attacking from the front, cutting the enemy's retreat, and ambush and destroying the defeated enemy.After the battle started, the enemy camp was in chaos, there was no way out in the breakout, and when they fled, they were stopped by the ambushing Red Army. In just over an hour, the enemy was completely wiped out.The battle was so majestic that the nearby enemies were terrified. When they heard that the 28th Red Army led by Liu Zhidan was coming, they did not dare to fight and fled overnight.

After the Red Twenty-Eighth Army troops entered Renshenfu, the weather was still cold. The local people saw that many officers and soldiers were still wearing open-toed shoes. The local government mobilized every household to give Red Twenty-Eight The army made more than 2,000 pairs of shoes.Many ordinary people came from far away, brought local specialties, wanted to see Liu Zhidan with their own eyes, and sincerely supported the leader of the people in northern Shaanxi. Pei Zhouyu, who accompanied the army, recalled: ...and was warmly welcomed by the masses along the way.People heard that Liu Zhidan was coming with the Red Army, and some people came to see it from dozens of miles away.I remember that the army camped in a small village in Shenmu County. That day, I saw Commander Liu Zhidan in a poor man's cave dwelling.He sat cross-legged on the top of the kang, surrounded by several layers of men, women and children.The villagers called him "Old Liu" one by one.He smiled and answered everyone's questions, told everyone about the revolutionary situation after the Party Central Committee arrived in northern Shaanxi, and told everyone about the news that the Red Army continued to win battles under the leadership of Chairman Mao.

At this time, during the Spring Festival, some villagers brought red dates steamed buns to "Old Liu"; some brought egg noodles to "Old Liu"; Liu" gave a gift.Liu Zhidan couldn't stop thanking the villagers for their condolences.While talking, a trembling woman's voice suddenly came out from the crowd and said: "Get out of the way, let me see Lao Liu too." It turned out that the person who squeezed into the room was a gray-haired old lady, who looked already There are more than 70 years old, blind and old.Everyone laughed and asked the old lady: "Blind lady, you have no eyes, how do you see Lao Liu?"

The old man retorted confidently: "I can't touch it if I can't see it!" After speaking, Liu Zhidan got up and stood in front of the old lady.As if grabbing some treasure, the old man touched from the top of the head to the bottom of the foot, and from the bottom to the top of the head, and said excitedly: "I finally see you, you are really the benefactor of our people!" The revelation moved many people around to the point of tears. After Zhang Xiushan, the former secretary of the Shaanxi-Gansu Border Special Committee, was released from prison, he went to the Shenfu to appoint the head of the organization, and met Liu Zhidan who was on the way to the east.The reunion of two old comrades-in-arms is very cordial.Zhang Xiushan wrote in "My Eighty-Five Years":

That night, Zhidan and I slept on a kang and talked late at night.When it comes to the mistaken "elimination of counter-revolutionaries" in northern Shaanxi, we are still very angry.Because up to this time, Liu Zhidan and those of us still bear the charges of "rightist" and "rightist opportunism".Zhidan said: "Whether we are the 'right' counter-revolutionaries (the 'left' elements are still spreading this kind of talk), let them see on the battlefield! The Party Central Committee and Chairman Mao will figure out these things one day . At this time, Mao Zedong led the 1st Red Army and the 15th Red Army to cross the Yellow River and approach the Tongpu Railway.The Central Committee ordered the Red Twenty-eighth Army to cross the Yellow River from Jiaxian County to the north, wedge into the western Shanxi area, cooperate with the Red Front Army, and quickly open up the road to the anti-Japanese front line.

To cross the Yellow River, you must have a boat! In order to cross the Yellow River, Liu Zhidan worked non-stop around the clock, and often went to the village to find people to study the river water and shipbuilding conditions.In a windy and sandy weather, Liu Zhidan had a knee-to-knee conversation with an old man in his 60s by the Yellow River. The old man said seriously: "The Yellow River has three failures: spring floods, summer floods, and ice floods. Now the spring floods are coming soon. As soon as the upper river loop thaws, piles of ice the size of houses will flow down the river. When the boat enters the water, there will be floods." Risk of being crushed."

Liu Zhidan asked: "Old man, is your boat still there?" "I was snatched away by Yan Bandit long ago! And my son was also taken away for several months! Lao Liu, you are an upright official, you have to get my son and the boat back!" He broke down in tears as he spoke. Liu Zhidan listened to the old man's narration, and comforted him: "Your son will be safe and sound. We crossed the Yellow River to deal with Yan Bandits!" The old worker wiped away his tears, and took Liu Zhidan's hand: "Old Liu, even if I work hard, I will build the boat for you. I will personally send the Red Army across the Yellow River!"

The masses heard that they were building ships for the Red Army, so they were very enthusiastic and went all out.There was not enough wood, so some people took down the door panels of their own homes, and some even donated the wood for making coffins.Time was running out, and the boatmen worked day and night, and finally built five ferries within seven days. After Liu Zhidan's careful observation and analysis of the enemy's situation on the other side, the location of the forced crossing of the Yellow River was placed near Shanpo Village in Hejiachuan, Shenmu County.Although the cliffs here are steep, the river surface is narrow, and the water flow is fast, the enemy's defense is not strict. In addition, this place is the confluence of the Kuye River and the Yellow River, so it is not easy for the enemy to detect. When the vanguard of the Red 28th Army crossed the river unexpectedly, they were discovered by the enemy and were violently blocked by machine gun fire.In an instant, bullets rushed over, sparks flew from the rocks, and water jets jumped wildly on the river.Standing on the riverside, Liu Zhidan ordered heavy firepower to shoot at the enemy, and at the same time commanded the troops to forcibly cross.In the dense rain of bullets, the boatmen rowed hard, and the Red Army rushed to the opposite bank and pulled out the two central bunkers.All three regiments of the Red 28th Army crossed the Yellow River before dawn.Sweeping from Heiyukou, Xingxian Town, and Kangning Town, they won one after another.Entered Baiwen Town, Linxian County, and joined forces with the 15th Red Army.Liu Zhidan repeatedly discussed the military and political situation with Xu Haidong, Cheng Zihua, etc., and studied the strategy against the enemy.At this time, Liu Zhidan only had an old overcoat, which he wore during the day and covered at night.In the past, he got an old quilt from local tyrants, but the breeder lost it when he crossed the Yellow River. The comrades wanted to get him a quilt, but Liu Zhidan stopped him, saying: The sky is getting warmer, I don’t need it anymore.Supply is in short supply now, if you can get quilts, let the soldiers use them. Then, the Central Military Commission sent an urgent message: order the 28th Army to attack the area along the Yellow River to the south, and capture Sanjiao Town, Zhongyang County, Shanxi Province, to contain and mobilize the enemy. On April 13, the 28th Red Army arrived near Sanjiao Town. Sanjiao Town faces Qingjian County and Suide County in Shaanxi Province across the river, and borders Shilou County in Shanxi Province.It is an important crossing on the Yellow River in Zhongyang County, Shanxi Province. It is surrounded by mountains in the north and south, and faces water in the west. The terrain is dangerous and difficult to attack.The town is heavily guarded and there are strong fortifications along the river. After Liu Zhidan personally observed the terrain, he and his comrades in the military department studied the method of attacking Sanjiao Town, and said: "The further south you go, the closer you are to the central headquarters. We must fight the battle of Sanjiao Town well. We must not Underestimate the enemy. This battle is related to the safety of the entire Red Army in Hedong. There are white areas around, and any negligence is not allowed." In the early morning of April 14, 1936, the battle to attack Sanjiao Town began.Most of the positions around Sanjiao Town have been occupied by the 28th Red Army, while the enemies on the main hills are still stubbornly holding on.Liu Zhidan was very anxious. He went to the Aozegeda Mountain in the front line to observe the battle situation. Unfortunately, he was shot and died at the age of 33. When the comrades cleaned out Liu Zhidan's pockets, they had nothing but a few party documents and six cigarettes.Everyone couldn't help crying bitterly.He did not leave a penny for himself, but shed the last drop of blood for the revolution. That night, the 28th Red Army sent a platoon to transport Liu Zhidan's body across the Yellow River. Around April 20, they were escorted to Heishanliang, north of Wayaobao.Zhou Enlai wept when he heard the news of Liu Zhidan's sacrifice, and said sadly: "Comrade Zhidan is a very good comrade, and his sacrifice is a great loss to the Red Army. We must commemorate him forever!" Then he instructed, "Liu Zhidan My sister-in-law is seriously ill and is currently in the hospital, and the memorial service will be held after she recovers in a few days." On April 23, Liu Zhidan's body was transported to Wayaobao City, where the Party Central Committee is located. On the 24th, 2,000 to 3,000 people from various organizations and Red Army troops held a grand memorial service in front of the stage in the city.Zhou Enlai and Bogu (Qin Bangxian), director of the Northwest Office of the Chinese Soviet Central Government, delivered eulogies and speeches successively.They spoke highly of Liu Zhidan's great achievements in his life.After the meeting, Zhou Enlai and other leading comrades personally helped the spirit, and buried Liu Zhidan on the hillside two or three miles away from the south gate of Wayaobao City. In June, to commemorate Liu Zhidan, the Party Central Committee decided to change the name of his hometown Baoan County (Chi'an County) to Zhidan County. This is the first time that the CPC Central Committee named a county after a person. In 1940, the Party Central Committee instructed the Northwest Bureau and the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region Government to build the Liu Zhidan Martyrs Cemetery in Zhidan County. The cemetery was completed in April 1943, and Liu Zhidan's coffin left Zichang on April 20.When passing through Yan'an, the government of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region held a public memorial meeting for thousands of people, and Commander-in-Chief Zhu De delivered a speech on behalf of the Party Central Committee and the Eighth Route Army.Afterwards, the coffin was escorted by Gao Gang, Lin Boqu, Liu Jingfan, Zhang Xiushan, Wu Daifeng, Kang Tianmin, Ma Xiwu, Cao Liru, Liu Yuesan and others to Zhidan County. A grand public funeral ceremony was held on May 2, and the martyr Liu Zhidan was buried in the cemetery.Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Zhu De and many other leaders of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Central Military Commission wrote inscriptions for martyr Liu Zhidan to commemorate him. Mao Zedong wrote down the following words with grief: "I only met Comrade Liu Zhidan once in northern Shaanxi, and I knew that he was a very good Communist Party member. His heroic sacrifice was accidental, but his loyalty to the party was The spirit of the country will always remain among the party and the people, and will never fade away." He also wrote eight characters in his own handwriting for Liu Zhidan: "People's leader, national hero". In August 1943, at a cadre meeting in Yan'an, Mao Zedong said with earnestness: When a person dies and holds a memorial service, how well the masses respond is a criterion for measuring.Some people are high on the top, have great official positions, and call them chiefs. It seems that the common people support him. In fact, this does not explain the problem. It depends on the final conclusion and whether the common people shed tears on the day of the memorial service. ... For a true leader of the masses, on the day of the memorial service, the common people will feel that it is a pity that he died, at least they will not feel that it is good to die, so that Xiaomi can be saved.After the death of Comrade Liu Zhidan, the people in northern Shaanxi were very sad, which shows that he is a real leader of the masses. Zhou Enlai wrote an inscription: "For five thousand years, there are thousands of heroes; the hero of the people is Liu Zhidan." Later Zhou Enlai said with emotion at a meeting: "Liu Zhidan is loyal to the party, very humble, and he is the most disciplined. A party member with true communist character." Zhu De's inscription is: "Comrade Zhidan is an excellent Communist Party member, a loyal and heroic leader of the Red Army. The creator of the Shaanxi-Gansu Soviet Area"; "Model of the Red Army". There are also many central leaders who wrote elegiac words to the martyr Liu Zhidan. Liu Zhidan's wife Tong Guirong said in the article "Parting Time": "When I was in Yan'an, some old comrades said to Li Zhen, 'Your father is good at everything, but he is too annoying, and even his own life is involved. You don’t need to learn this.’ I said: ‘Zhidan moved the world and made a career because of this.’ He is a person who takes care of the overall situation and puts the interests of the revolution and the party’s cause first. Only such people can make historical contributions, can do good things for the people, and are people with noble morals.” The life of General Liu Zhidan was a life of revolution, a life of heroic fighting, and a life of glory. In 1996, he was approved by the Central Military Commission as one of the 36 strategists of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. In 1993, Comrade Jiang Zemin, then General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, personally wrote an inscription: "Learn from Comrade Liu Zhidan's revolutionary spirit and build socialism with Chinese characteristics."