Gonglue Pavilion

Gonglue Pavilion

Gonglue Pavilion was built by the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic in memory of martyr Huang Gonglue. "A corner of red beyond the Gan River, where flank forces leaned on Huang Gonglue" — this was a poetic tribute by Mao Zedong during his military campaign in the summer of 1930, warmly praising Huang Gonglue. Huang Gonglue was born in 1898 in Xiangxiang, Hunan. After graduating from the Whampoa Military Academy, he participated in the Northern Expedition. In 1927, he joined the Communist Party of China. In 1928, he co-led the Pingjiang Uprising with Peng Dehuai. He later served as the captain of the Second Column of the Fifth Red Army, Secretary of the Military Commission, and Deputy Commander; Commander of the Fifth Red Army; member of the General Front Committee of the First Front Red Army; and Commander of the Third Red Army. In October 1931, after the victory in the third counter-"encirclement and suppression" campaign, Huang Gonglue was leading the Third Red Army on a transfer mission when the unit came under enemy air attack in Donggu, Ji’an. He was unfortunately shot and killed at the age of 33. Upon hearing of Huang Gonglue’s death, Mao Zedong was deeply grieved. The next day, he presided over Huang's memorial service in Liantang, Xingguo, where he spoke highly of Huang’s life and composed a couplet for the memorial platform: “Survived the Guangzhou Uprising, survived the Pingjiang Uprising, yet now has fallen — a great misfortune sent from the heavens. A hero of the revolutionary wars, a hero of the guerrilla campaigns, your courage throughout life inspires future generations to follow in your footsteps.” To commemorate Huang Gonglue, the Provisional Central Government established Gonglue County at the site of his death. In 1933, the government decided to build Gonglue Pavilion in Yeping Square. The pavilion was supervised by the Preparatory Committee for the Second National Congress of the Chinese Soviet Republic, designed by Qian Zhuangfei, and the engineering guidance was overseen by Liang Botai. Construction began on August 1, 1933, and was completed in January 1934. The three-cornered design of the pavilion symbolizes that Huang Gonglue died during the third counter-"encirclement and suppression" campaign. Inside the pavilion stands a triangular stone stele inscribed with a biography of Huang Gonglue.

In October 1934, after the main forces of the Red Army embarked on the Long March, the pavilion was demolished by the reactionary Kuomintang. It was restored to its original appearance in 1955, with Peng Dehuai personally inscribing the name “Gonglue Pavilion” in commemoration. These characters are still preserved in the memorial hall. The current “Gonglue Pavilion” inscription is modeled after the font used on the Monument to the Martyrs of the Red Army. On March 4, 1961, the pavilion was designated as a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level by the State Council.

Huang Gonglue

(1898–1931)

Military strategist, revolutionary martyr.

From Xiangxiang County (now Xiangxiang City), Hunan Province. Born on January 24, 1898, into a family of a private tutor in Xingrang Township, Xiangxiang County. As a child, he was well-read in classical texts, especially military treatises, and admired the Western Han military strategist Zhang Liang and his teacher, Huang Shigong. Inspired by them, he changed his original name “Hanhu” to “Gonglue.” In 1915, he enlisted in the Sixth Regiment of the Third Brigade of the Second Division of the Hunan Army, where he became comrades and friends with Peng Dehuai and Li Can. In 1922, he enrolled in... More details about Huang Gonglue++