Former Site of the Red Fourth Army Headquarters

　　   The former site of the Red Fourth Army Headquarters is situated in the ancestral hall of the Lai family in Hongjialong, Qiuxi Village, Hengjiang Town, Shicheng County, Jiangxi Province. Constructed in 1908, it features a wooden and earthen structure with a traditional layout of one hall and two courtyards. In September 1931, following the victorious conclusion of the Red Army’s third counter-encirclement campaign, the Central Revolutionary Base expanded to cover 50,000 square kilometers, with a total population of around 2.5 million. At that time, remnants of reactionary armed forces—such as local despots and gentry—fled to fortified earthen strongholds and strategically located mountain villages in an attempt to preserve their strength, await opportunities, undermine the revolutionary government, and obstruct the consolidation and development of the base area. In early October, the First Front Red Army deployed its main forces to eliminate scattered White strongholds within the Central Soviet Area and eradicate the reactionary armed elements. In early October, the 10th, 11th, and 12th Divisions of the Red Fourth Army were ordered to march on Shicheng from Ningdu and Ruijin along three separate routes, establishing their headquarters at this location.

　　   In September 1931, the Red Army achieved victory in the third counter-“encirclement” campaign, leading to the expansion of the Central Revolutionary Base to 50,000 square kilometers, with a total population of approximately 2.5 million. At that time, the remaining reactionary armed forces retreated to fortified earthen strongholds and strategically defensible mountain villages, hoping to preserve their strength, bide their time, sabotage the revolutionary government, and hinder the consolidation and growth of the base areas. In October, the First Front Red Army planned for its main forces to eliminate White strongholds scattered throughout the Central Soviet Area and wipe out the reactionary armed groups. In early October, the 10th, 11th, and 12th Divisions of the Red Fourth Army were ordered to advance on Shicheng from Ningdu and Ruijin via three different routes, setting up their headquarters here under the command of the army commander and Political Commissar Nie Rongzhen. After the Red Fourth Army Headquarters was stationed here, Chairman Mao Zedong, [name missing], and Zuo Quan traveled specially from Ruijin to Hongjialong to preside over a military meeting. The meeting analyzed the then-current political situation and pressing tasks, and also discussed the reorganization of the troops from the Ningdu Uprising.

　　   The Red Fourth Army’s efforts to eliminate White strongholds were concentrated in the southern part of Shicheng. Major battles included the siege of Yangdi Sankengzhai, the victory at Pingshan, the capture of the Hengjiang Yanfang earthen stronghold and the battle at Hongshi Fort. The Red Fourth Army’s campaign against the White strongholds in southern Shicheng began in early October 1931 and ended on January 1, 1932, lasting over two months. During this period, they killed or wounded more than 200 enemy soldiers, captured nearly 3,000, and seized a large quantity of weapons and ammunition. The elimination of these White strongholds in southern Shicheng eradicated local reactionary forces in the region, removed a major threat to the heart of the Central Revolutionary Base, and helped consolidate and defend the revolutionary government. It also connected the revolutionary bases in southern Jiangxi and western Fujian, forming the largest contiguous revolutionary base area in the country. Furthermore, the victories strengthened the revolutionary resolve of the people of Shicheng and inspired greater enthusiasm for joining the revolutionary cause. Subsequently, various local revolutionary armed forces were established.

　　   The site is currently inhabited by local farmers, with poor sanitation conditions. The walls have not been maintained for many years and are quite dilapidated.