Former Residence of Martyr Kuang Jixun

The former residence of Kuang Jixun, situated on Anhua Street in Sinan County, Guizhou Province, is a cultural tourism attraction and a classic red tourism site. Covering an area of 500 square meters, it includes two wooden buildings with three pillars and two spans, featuring three main rooms, four exhibition rooms, three reception rooms, one stable, one kitchen, two toilets, one marble bust, a stone gate, a memorial archway, and surrounding walls. Existing relics of the martyr include a pair of ivory chopsticks from the Qing Dynasty, one wooden bed, one medicine bottle from the Republican era, one Republican-era bellyband, one wallet, one seal, one wine cup, one cotton vest, as well as armbands, seals, a field kettle, vases, and more. Additionally, there are dozens of photos depicting various periods of Kuang Jixun’s revolutionary life, along with plaques inscribed with dedications from central, provincial, and regional leaders.

Kuang Jixun (1895–1933), from Sinan, Guizhou. Also known as Kuang Jixun, with the courtesy name Jicheng. He joined the Communist Party of China in 1926. A revolutionary martyr, he once served as commander of the 6th Red Army and the 25th Red Army.

Born in 1895 to a farming family living in poverty, Kuang Jixun witnessed the fall of the feudal dynasty shortly after his birth and the rise of a nationalist government symbolizing “democracy, freedom, and equality,” with the prevalence of the Three Principles of the People. Influenced by these ideals, he decided to join the military and serve his country.

In 1916, Kuang Jixun enlisted in the army of the warlord Lai Xinhui under the Kuomintang. Due to his sharp wit and fearless, brave combat style, he quickly gained the admiration of his superiors and was rapidly promoted to the rank of battalion commander.

While leading troops in battle, Kuang Jixun seized every opportunity to instill revolutionary ideas in his soldiers, thereby raising their political consciousness. Those who interacted with him not only admired his combat skills but were also deeply impressed by his personal charisma, leading more and more people to join his ranks and accept his leadership.

In 1925, unable to tolerate the greed, cruelty, and selfishness of the Kuomintang army any longer, Kuang Jixun decided to leave the KMT and join the Communist Party. He secretly sought out the underground Communist organization. After establishing contact, he led his troops to join the revolutionary forces led by the Communists, making tremendous contributions.

II. Protecting Communists from Massacre During the “White Terror”

On April 12, 1927, the reactionary faction of the Kuomintang led by Chiang Kai-shek launched a massacre against Communists. Overnight, countless Communists were arrested and killed. This terrifying campaign instilled immense fear in former KMT soldiers who had joined the Communists, causing many to waver. The vast majority chose to leave the Communist ranks and draw a clear line.

Viewed as a thorn in their side by the Kuomintang army, Kuang Jixun was fiercely pursued in attempts to crush his forces. However, he

III. Employing Tunnel Blasting Method to Connect the Eyuwan Base Area

In 1930, Kuang Jixun was appointed by the Party organization as the commander of the Fourth Red Army and sent to the Eyuwan Revolutionary Base Area to carry out work. Henan’s Xin County had long been occupied by the enemy, preventing the connection between the Eyu and Western Anhui regions, which was not conducive to the Communist Party establishing a complete and solid revolutionary base. Kuang Jixun’s primary objective was to capture Xin County and unify the Eyuwan Base Area.

Kuang Jixun led the Fourth Red Army to completely surround Xin County, then dug tunnels beneath the city walls and planted a large amount of explosives to blast open a breach. He successfully led the Fourth Red Army into the city, capturing a thousand enemy troops and seizing a large quantity of weapons and equipment. This action successfully connected the Eyuwan Base Area into one cohesive unit and established an impregnable revolutionary base.

IV. Resisting “Left” Opportunism Policies and Being Persecuted to Death

As the army commander, Kuang Jixun worked alongside the mild-mannered Xu Xiangqian, who served as division commander. Together, they led the Fourth Red Army in successful campaigns within the Eyuwan Revolutionary Base Area. In 1931, the “Left” opportunist faction led by Wang Ming took control of the Party Central Committee. In order to gain full control over the various revolutionary bases, the Left faction dispatched Zhang Guotao to Eyuwan to provide military guidance.

Zhang Guotao had no combat experience. To build up his own military record, he ordered the Fourth Red Army to attack major cities. Kuang Jixun, with extensive combat experience and a straightforward personality, outright disregarded Zhang Guotao’s orders. Zhang Guotao bore a grudge over this and ordered Kuang Jixun’s removal as army commander, assigning him to be division commander of the 13th Red Division, while promoting Xu Xiangqian to army commander.

Kuang Jixun harbored no resentment over this demotion. He devoted all his energy to battle, hoping for an early victory in the war of resistance. As for rank or status, Kuang Jixun paid them no mind. Always prioritizing the bigger picture, he led his troops to many victories, establishing immortal military achievements that propelled the war of resistance toward triumph.

In 1932, Zhang Guotao, who had long harbored resentment against Kuang Jixun, falsely accused him of colluding with the Kuomintang. Letters that Kuang Jixun wrote to colleagues and friends—originally intended to persuade them to actively support the Red Army and remain neutral in internal struggles—were distorted by Zhang Guotao into evidence of guilt.