Monument to Revolutionary Martyrs at Hero Bridge

　　Hero Bridge, anciently known as General Bridge and also called Weihe Bridge, was built in the 30th year of the Kangxi reign (1691). It is located within the giant salamander (also known as the Chinese giant salamander, a Class II nationally protected rare animal) nature reserve in Dingxin Township, Qianxi County, spanning Longdong Gully. It is a major bridge on the road connecting Qianxi County to Jinsha County. In 1936 and 1950, both the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army and the Chinese People's Liberation Army engaged in fierce battles near the bridge against enemy forces, with a number of officers and soldiers sacrificing their lives here—hence the name Hero Bridge. The area features deep valleys, and nearby lies the “Wei Bin Fish Cave,” one of the ancient eight scenic spots of Qianxi. A small hydropower station and living service facilities have been built here, making it an historic tourist attraction in Qianxi. In 1981, the Qianxi County People’s Government designated the bridge as a county-level cultural relics protection unit, and in 1985, a martyrs’ monument was erected. The monument is made of poured cement with white mosaic facing, standing 8.6 meters tall to symbolize the sum of the years 36 and 50. The central panel is inlaid with chicken-blood marble carved with eight large characters: “Eternal Glory to Revolutionary Martyrs.” Atop the monument are sculpted figures representing heroes of the Red Army and the Liberation Army. In front of the monument, two platforms are built on the left and right, each with a four-cornered pavilion housing a stele commemorating the heroic deeds and sacrifices of the Red Army and Liberation Army members who fought and died here.

　　Inscription on the Red Army Martyrs’ Stele: The Second and Sixth Corps of the Red Army established a revolutionary base in northwestern Guizhou. On February 9, 1936, during a brave battle to resist reactionary troops in the Weihe area, He Chonglu, Chief of Staff of the 18th Regiment of the 6th Division of the Second Red Army Corps, along with a group of Red Army soldiers, sacrificed gloriously. Most of these comrades were from Hubei, having joined He Long in the struggle at Honghu Lake and making remarkable contributions to the revolution. … The Wei River flows on, and the martyrs live forever.

　　Inscription on the Liberation Army Martyrs’ Stele: On March 22, 1950, a platoon from the 4th Company of the 2nd Battalion of the 140th Regiment of the 47th Division of the 16th Army of the People’s Liberation Army was ambushed by bandits while passing through Longdong Gully on a mission. Due to unfamiliar terrain and being outnumbered, after half a day of fierce fighting, 26 comrades made the ultimate sacrifice. … The Wei River flows on, and the martyrs live forever.