Yongzhu Spring

　　In Weining Yi, Hui and Miao Autonomous County, there is an ancient well called Yongzhu Spring. Built during the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, the well has a history of nearly three hundred years and is a key cultural relic under protection. The Weining County Squadron of the People’s Armed Police is located adjacent to the well. For many years, the squadron has taken it as their bounden duty to protect the well, guarding it as carefully as they would their own eyes. They are hailed by local residents as the “Guardians of the Ancient Well.”

　　The railings around the well feature exquisitely carved reliefs depicting vivid and elegant scenes such as “Emperor Shun Plowing the Fields,” “Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles,” and “Waiting for the Moon in the Courtyard.” One night, a sentry noticed two shadowy figures sneaking up to the well. “Who’s there, and what are you doing?” the sentry shouted. The moment he spoke, the shadows dropped what they were holding and fled. The next day, the soldiers found a steel pry bar and a hoe by the well. Fortunately, the well remained undamaged.

　　The water in the well is crystal clear and pristine. Locals use it for brewing liquor, making sugar, and producing beverages. For a time, beverage factories and workshops in the town all drew water from the well, leading to a “supply shortage.” Some mischievous children, taking advantage of the low water level, even tried to fish by lowering nets into the well. The squadron immediately dispatched soldiers to the site to enforce limited water collection and stop the children from fishing and damaging aquatic plants. At the same time, the soldiers also educated the public about the Cultural Relics Protection Law, distributed informational materials, and continuously raised awareness of cultural heritage preservation among residents.

　　With the continuous development of local tourism, many visitors come specifically to admire the elegance of the ancient well. Some tourists, after seeing the well, wish to carve their names into it. The soldiers actively persuade and explain to visitors, and they have also brought uniquely shaped stones from nearby mountains to place around the well, providing a designated area for visitors to carve their names.