Tusi Kou Battle Memorial Monument

Tusi Kou Battle Memorial Monument

The Tusi Kou Battle Memorial Monument is a classic red tourism attraction and a patriotic education base.

The Tusi Kou Battle Memorial Monument is situated on the west side of the rubber dam, 2 li (approximately 1 kilometer) east of the town government seat in Kou Town, Laiwu District, covering an area of 20.48 acres. Here, "the mountains are not tall but elegant, and the waters are not deep yet clear," with verdant pines and cypresses creating a pleasant scenery.

The monument was completed on October 1, 2002. Its design theme is "battle, victory, peace, and homeland." The central sculptural form is derived from a transformation and combination of rifles, representing the primary weapons used by the People's Liberation Army during the Liberation War. The four closely grouped rifles merged into one symbolize the spirit of unity and collective combat among revolutionary martyrs during the Tusi Kou Battle. The decorative patterns on the front and back consist of "doves of peace" and "musical staffs" symbolizing victory and peace, the date "2.23" representing the time of the Tusi Kou Battle victory, and the "five stars" from the national flag, signifying that the martyrs’ great achievements will forever endure on Chinese soil. Below, the rifle handles form the Chinese character "口" (kou), representing the town of Kou, resembling an arch of triumph that showcases the great victory of the Tusi Kou Battle. The monument stands 19.47 meters tall, representing the year 1947 when the Laiwu Tusi Kou Battle took place. The railings and steps surrounding the monument are circular, with a central circle diameter of 21 meters and 21 steps, symbolizing that in the new century, the people of Kou Town will unite in purpose and struggle together to carry on the legacy of the revolutionary martyrs of the Tusi Kou Battle, building Kou Town into a peaceful and happy homeland. Ascending the 21 steps, visitors are greeted by ten gilded Mao-style calligraphic characters on the front of the monument: "Laiwu Tusi Kou Battle Memorial Monument," elegant and meaningful. On the east side of the base, the words "Eternal Glory to the People's Heroes" are inscribed in bold black regular script, signifying that the spirits and legacy of the martyrs will be immortalized in history.

The north side (back) of the base bears an inscription that reads: "During the Liberation War, 'Tusi Kou,' known as the land of silk, was a major stronghold heavily fortified and strategically defended by the Kuomintang. On the evening of February 20, 1947, at 9:00 p.m., Wang Bicheng, commander of the 6th Column of the East China Field Army, and Jiang Weiqing, political commissar, following orders from the Central Military Commission, led their troops in a fierce assault against the Nationalist 36th Reorganized Division entrenched in Tusi Kou. With strong support from local militias and civilians, all soldiers fought bravely in a three-day and three-night battle. By 8:00 p.m. on February 23, the defending enemy forces were completely annihilated, and Tusi Kou was liberated. Subsequently, in coordination with the 1st and 8th Columns, the unit moved to Zhangjiawa to the south of the town and Qingshiqiao to the north, eliminating all enemy reinforcements approaching from both directions. This battle resulted in the annihilation of over 20,000 enemy troops and the downing of one aircraft. Li Xianzhou, deputy commander of the Kuomintang’s Pacification Headquarters Second Pacification Zone, was captured alive at Gangli River, leading to the complete victory of the Laiwu Campaign and playing a crucial role in turning the tide of the war in East China. To commemorate the great achievements of the revolutionary martyrs in the Tusi Kou Battle and inspire future generations to build a peaceful and happy homeland in Tusi Kou, the Kou Town Party Committee and government, heeding the wishes of the people, called on all sectors to donate funds and materials for the erection of this monument. The Kou Town Committee of the Communist Party of China and the People's Government of Kou Town, October 2002." The west side of the monument features a bold poem written by Chen Yi, the overall commander of the Laiwu Campaign: "The battlefields of Laiwu and Zibo ran red with blood; our army hunted anew in eastern Qilu. Countless brave souls captured wolves and tigers; the seventy-two peaks bore witness to our mighty deeds. Snow-cleared Mount Tai shone on our battle flags; Bohai waves surged with our mighty song. Laughable indeed—the haughty general bound himself, bowing his head to confess his sins and curse Chiang’s cruelty." Six meters east of the Tusi Kou Battle Memorial Monument lies a platform measuring 7 meters north-south and 6 meters east-west, where three groups of martyrs’ monuments stand. On November 1, 2002, the Kou Town Party Committee and government gathered these dispersed martyrs’ monuments from villages such as Zhaojia Village and Gucheng Village and relocated them here. The southernmost group is the "Loyal to the People, Heroic as Mountains and Rivers" Monument. This group consists of two monuments standing side by side, with a total height of 1.82 meters. The tops of the monuments resemble traditional tiled rooftops, standing 0.24 meters high, 1.66 meters long, and 0.43 meters wide at the base. The main bodies of the monuments are 1.48 meters tall, 1.27 meters long, and sit atop bases 0.1 meter high, 1.68 meters long, and 0.47 meters wide. The front of the main body bears nine large relief characters: "Loyal to the People, Heroic as Mountains and Rivers." Below are vertically inscribed the names and brief biographies of 51 martyrs, including Cao Yusheng, in 17 rows with up to four names per row. The text is in running script, carved in intaglio. Erected in 1949. The middle group is the Monument for Martyrs such as Xu Zhibin. This group consists of three monuments standing side by side, with a total height of 1.76 meters. The tops resemble traditional tiled rooftops, 0.21 meters high, 1.95 meters long, and 0.4 meters wide at the base. The main bodies are 1.33 meters tall, 1.62 meters wide, and 0.16 meters thick, sitting on bases 0.22 meters high, 1.95 meters long, and 0.4 meters wide.

The first monument is the Xu Zhibin Martyr Monument. The front center vertically displays nine running-script characters: "Loyal to the People, Heroic as Mountains and Rivers." On the right is inscribed: "In memory of Comrade Xu Zhibin, a member of the Communist Party of China and commander of the 1st Battalion, 47th Regiment, 16th Brigade, 6th Column of the East China Field Army, who sacrificed heroically on February 23, 1947, in the patriotic self-defense battle of Tusi Kou, Laiwu, central Shandong." Running script. On the left: "Respectfully offered on December 29, 1963, by Wang Xuehui on behalf of all officers and soldiers of the battalion. First victory in the central Shandong campaign marked the resolve to erect this. Renovated by the Committee of the People’s Commune of Kou Town, Communist Party of China, and the Committee of Kou Town People’s Commune, Laiwu County." The second monument is the Tombstone of Martyr Gu Jiajun. The front center vertically bears seven intaglio characters: "Tomb of Martyr Gu Jiajun." On the right: "Sacrificed heroically in the self-defense battle of Laiwu, central Shandong; from Taicang, Jiangsu; political instructor of the 48th Regiment, New Fourth Army." On the left: "Erected respectfully by all officers and soldiers of the New Fourth Army, March 14, 1947." Regular script, carved in intaglio. The third monument is the Tombstone of Martyr Yu Zhihai. The front center vertically displays seven characters: "Tomb of Martyr Yu Zhihai." On the right: "Sacrificed heroically in the self-defense battle of Laiwu, central Shandong; from Jiangdu, Jiangsu; political instructor of the 48th Regiment, New Fourth Army." On the left: "Erected respectfully by all officers and soldiers of the New Fourth Army, March 10, 1947." Regular script, carved in intaglio.

The northernmost monument is the Kou Town Martyrs’ Monument. It stands 2.8 meters tall. The top, 0.82 meters high, 0.73 meters wide, and 0.24 meters thick, features bas-relief carvings of two dragons playing with a pearl, below which are three running-script characters: "Martyrs’ Monument." The base is a rectangular prism, 0.23 meters high, 1.03 meters long, and 0.49 meters wide. The main body of the monument is 1.75 meters tall, 0.7 meters wide, and 0.18 meters thick. The top of the main body bears four intaglio running-script characters: "Eternal Glory." The center of the main body vertically displays four regular-script characters: "Loyal to the People, Heroic as Mountains and Rivers." On the right are inscribed the names of 12 martyrs from Dongjie Village, including Liu Hong; 13 from Xijie Village, including Yang Xigeng; 4 from Nanjie Village, including Zheng Xili; 5 from Beijie Village, including Han Yubin; 3 from Yezhuang Village, including Peng Weijun; 2 from Linmazhuang Village, including Lü Huiyong; and 2 from Huashuiquan Village, including Li Denghao. On the left are inscribed the names of 4 martyrs from Xiashuihe Village, including Yu Yunzhi; 2 from Guanshuhe Village, including Han Hongzeng; Martyr Tao Xingrui from Taojiazhuang Village; 2 from Sanshan Village, including Li Yuting; and 3 from Taipingzhuang Village, including Zhang Yongmao. Respectfully erected by all residents of Kou Township, 1949 (38th year of the Republic of China), regular script, carved in intaglio.

The Tusi Kou Battle Memorial Monument and the martyrs’ monuments are organically integrated, complementing each other and becoming a major highlight of Kou Town. Gazing at the monuments, one seems to be transported back to the smoke-filled battlefield. Decades have passed, and the ruins of war have long vanished. The ancient town of Tusi Kou has transformed into a modern industrial town. As part of the northern industrial park of Laiwu District, Kou Town boasts an elegant natural environment, convenient transportation, and unique historical and cultural characteristics. Kou Town has become a popular destination for visitors and a fertile ground for investment.