Red Army slogans and ballads in Datang Town

Red Army slogans and ballads in Datang Town

The Red Army slogans and ballads in Datang Town are a classic red tourism attraction.

Red Army slogans and ballads in Datang Town

(I): Preserved on the wall of the former residence of Zeng Zhaorui in Zhongdong Village, Datang Town, Nanxiong. The first slogan is 75 cm high and 60 cm wide, among which the phrase “Down with Japanese imperialism” is written in larger characters, with handwriting and signature style consistent. The rest are in smaller font. The second slogan is 1 meter high and 1.10 meters wide, with characters approximately 57 cm square. Zhongdong Village is the hometown of Zeng Biao, a key leader of the Youshan guerrilla unit. The Red Army and guerrillas stayed here multiple times, lodging at the homes of Zeng Zhaorui and Zeng Wumei. Nearly 100 Red Army slogans were originally preserved on the walls of the brothers’ old residence, varying in size, with some overlapping, some clear and intact, and others faded and hard to discern. The Red Army stayed here on several occasions.

The content reads:

Soldiers of the White Army, kill your officers, elect new leaders, and form a Red Army

Long live the government of the proletariat

Down with Japanese imperialism

Soldiers of the White Army come from workers and peasants—do not shoot at your fellow workers and peasants

1st Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 1st Company, 4th Platoon

Implement progressive taxation

Abolish all exorbitant taxes and levies imposed by the Kuomintang government

Demand the cancellation of the tobacco production tax

(II): Preserved on the second-floor wall of the residence of Peng Xiancai in Jiahekou Village, Datang Town, Nanxiong County. Measures 80 cm in length and 65 cm in width. Written in the early 1930s.

The content reads:

Buy and sell fairly

The poor do not fight the poor

Soldiers do not fight soldiers

Red Star 丙 Room (or Chamber)

(III): Preserved on the door wall of the upper new house in Shangshuo Village, Datang Town, Nanxiong. Measures 96 cm in length and 46 cm in width, with characters approximately 16×18 cm square.

The content reads:

Peasants, rise up in revolt and overthrow the local tyrants

Propagated by the Red Army 埃革 (3)

In the early period of the Second Revolutionary Civil War, Shangshuo Village was the center of armed activity in Nanxiong County. In 1928, the Soviet government established after the first armed uprising in Nanxiong was located in this village. The Nanxiong guerrilla unit, formed in 1928, quickly grew into three guerrilla regiments through struggle. This slogan was written by the Third Regiment of the Nanxiong Guerrillas.

(IV): Preserved on the right wall of the main entrance of the Xu Family Ancestral Hall in Shangshuo Village, Datang Town, Nanxiong. Measures 1.5 meters in height and 1.4 meters in width. Written in the early 1930s.

The content reads:

Song of Joining the Red Army (lyrics)

If you’re going to join the army, join the Red Army—workers and peasants welcome you everywhere

Officers and soldiers are all the same—no one oppresses the people.

If you join the army, join the Red Army, help workers and peasants fight the enemy,

Kill the compradors, gentry, and landlords without mercy.

If you join the army, join the Red Army, you won’t worry about poverty when you leave,

Those who can work will have jobs, those who can farm will have land to till.

If you join the army, join the Red Army, charge into battle and kill the enemy,

Wipe out the warlords and landlords, and complete the national revolution soon.

During the Second Revolutionary Civil War period, the revolutionary masses of Shangshuo Village made outstanding contributions. For example, during the “Shuikou Battle,” the revolutionary masses of Shangshuo Village, mobilized by the local Party organization, sent out a team of over 100 people to support the front lines, helping the Red Army transport grain, ammunition, and wounded soldiers. The Red Army entered Shangshuo Village many times, but the exact date this song was transcribed is unknown.

In 1982, it was designated as a cultural relics protection unit by the People’s Government of Nanxiong County.