Martyrs' Tomb of Revolutionary Zhang Shicong

Martyrs' Tomb of Revolutionary Zhang Shicong

The Martyrs' Tomb of Revolutionary Zhang Shicong is a cultural relic protection unit of Pubei County and a classic red tourism site.

Martyrs' Tomb of Revolutionary Zhang Shicong (Zhanghuang Martyrs' Cemetery)

Located 20 meters west of the Zhanghuang River Highway Bridge in Zhanghuang Town, the Martyrs' Tomb of Zhang Shicong was first built in 1954. From autumn 1984 to spring 1985, it was expanded into a martyrs' cemetery, and the remains of Zhang Guangnan, Zhang Shibai, Zhang Tikuan, Zhu Juqing, Huang Jiazo, Fang Shangzhi, Hong Rong, Liang Biao, and other martyrs were added here. This is a cemetery commemorating the martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the armed struggle in the Baishishui area from 1940 to 1945. The cemetery consists of a memorial path, a platform, and the tombs, surrounded by lush pines and cypresses. In front of the tombs is a semi-circular pond with an arched bridge in the middle leading to the platform. The tombs are built of cement with a round top and include an altar. The cemetery faces southeast and is situated northwest, with a monument inscribed “Eternal Glory to the Revolutionary Martyrs.” The inscription on the monument, engraved in marble, measures 6 meters in height and 1.5 meters in width. Separate monuments commemorate the life of Martyr Zhang Shicong and the eight other martyrs including Zhang Guangnan. Each monument is inscribed with “Communist Party Committee of Pubei County, People’s Government of Pubei County, Established January 1985.” The cemetery covers an area of approximately 4 mu.

Zhang Shicong (1909–1945), childhood name Yunsheng, courtesy name Xueming, was born on the 11th day of the seventh lunar month in 1909 into a well-off family in Goudaoshui Village, Baishishui (now Dacheng, Pubei), Hepu County, Guangdong Province (now Dagcheng, Pubei, Guangxi). His family had been farmers for generations, and his father also engaged in business, which afforded the family a slightly more comfortable life. Later, due to banditry, his father was kidnapped and killed when the family could not pay the ransom. The young Zhang Shicong, who lost his father at a young age, was the second of three brothers. The family relied on his mother and gradually fell into hardship. He began studying at a private school at age 8, where he was diligent and excelled academically. In July 1928, he was admitted to the Guangdong Provincial… More details about Zhang Shicong++

Zhang Shibai (1920–1940), from Goudaoshui Village, Dacheng Township, was the younger brother of Martyr Zhang Shicong. He graduated from the higher primary grades at Dongguan Primary School and was admitted to Lianzhou Middle School in autumn 1934. Later, due to family financial difficulties, he dropped out in spring 1938 and returned home to join the revolution. In spring 1939, he joined the Heping Anti-Japanese Self-Defense Armed Unit of Hepu under the Communist Party, and in summer of the same year, he joined the Communist Party. He participated in struggles against profiteers shipping rice to the enemy, distributing revolutionary leaflets, and raising firearms and ammunition.

In spring 1940, he participated in armed training and persuaded his family to sell land to buy weapons in preparation for the armed struggle. On June 8… More details about Zhang Shibai++

Zhang Tikuan (1911–1945), from Xiadiba Village, Dacheng Township, had the opportunity to study only after Zhang Shicong and others returned to the Baishishui area in 1938 to promote anti-Japanese resistance and establish night schools for literacy among the people. He joined the Communist Party in November 1939. He was a soldier in the Guangdong Southern Route Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Unit, participated in struggles against profiteers shipping rice to the enemy, mobilized public support for the resistance, distributed the Eighth Route Army’s proclamation “A Message to the People of the Nation,” and took part in anti-encirclement campaigns. He also fought in the defense of Goudaoshui Village.

In autumn 1941, he was successively transferred to Duoqiao Township and Huinan’s Huitou… More details about Zhang Tikuan++

Zhu Juqing (1923–1945), from Beicun Village, Dacheng Township, was nicknamed Aba by fellow villagers. He studied initially at Dongguan Primary School before graduating from higher primary at Zhanghuang Central Primary School. He was intelligent, studious, performed excellently academically, and loved the arts.

During the summer vacation of 1937, he and his elder brother Zhu Lanqing opened a literacy class at Dongguan Primary School and promoted the Communist Party’s anti-Japanese salvation ideals. In autumn 1938, he was admitted to Lianzhou Middle School but, in pursuit of a brighter cause, resolutely gave up his studies to engage in revolutionary activities back home. He first worked as a substitute teacher for teachers (underground party members) who were out in the field at Ganzigen Primary School… More details about Zhu Juqing++

Huang Jiazo (1911–1945), from Sanjiaotang Village, Dacheng Township, came from a farming background and was among the first group of party members developed by the Chinese Communist Party in the Baishishui District.

In spring 1940, he supported Zhang Shicong in organizing the masses in the form of “militia training” to establish an anti-Japanese national salvation armed force, becoming Zhang Shicong’s capable assistant. Together, they led the masses in repelling the first “encirclement” personally led by over 1,000 troops under Li Benqing, then Magistrate of Hepu County, Kuomintang. Subsequently, the county and district Party committees officially established the Baishishui Armed Brigade, where he served as captain of the First (Regular) Squadron.

After the third anti-“encirclement” campaign… More details about Huang Jiazo++

Hong Rong (1916–1945), from Taiping District, Zhanjiang City, Guangdong, was admitted to Suixi County No. 4 Primary School in autumn 1931. In autumn 1933, he attended the Provincial No. 10 Middle School (predecessor of Zhanjiang Normal University). In 1938, after completing military training in Guangzhou, he returned to teach at Pingheng Primary School in Taiping District. He joined the Communist Party in 1939.

From 1940 to 1942, he was responsible for work in the southern part of Suixi. In 1943, he assisted Huang Qiwei and others in forming a guerrilla squadron in Bucao Mountain. In autumn 1944, he became captain of the Second Squadron of the Southern Route Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Unit, leading… More details about Hong Rong++

Liang Biao (1915–1945), originally named Xie Jinquan, was from Hainan. Coming from a wealthy family, he studied at an English college in Hong Kong in his early years. He worked as a clerk in foreign firms and as a laborer in foreign-related jobs. He joined the Communist Party in November 1938. In June 1940, he was assigned to the Southern Route to teach under the guise of education while conducting underground work and editing the party journal “Southern Route Youth.” After participating in the Wuchuan Armed Uprising in December 1944, he served as head of the Propaganda Department of the Political Department of the People’s Liberation Army of the Southern Route. In 1945, he entered the Baishishui area of Hepu County with the Second Detachment of the People’s Liberation Army of the Southern Route, Guangdong. In May… More details about Liang Biao++