Taihang-Taiyue Martyrs' Cemetery

　　The Taihang-Taiyue Martyrs' Cemetery is situated on Meihui Slope in Changzhi City. It was built in accordance with the resolution passed at the Second Session of the First Council of the Shanxi-Hebei-Henan-Shandong Border Region in March 1946 to commemorate the heroic sons and daughters of the Chinese nation who sacrificed their lives in the War of Resistance against Japan in the Taihang and Taiyue regions. The cemetery was completed in 1951 and covers a total area of 94.6 million square meters. It has two entrances, south and east, with the south gate serving as the main entrance. The walls on either side of the gate bear a couplet handwritten by Comrade Rong Zihe: "The heroes’ merits bring happiness to the nation; the martyrs’ blood and sweat lay the foundation—"

　　Upon entering the cemetery, one is greeted by lush pines and blooming flowers, creating a solemn and respectful atmosphere. At the center of the cemetery stands the Taihang-Taiyue Martyrs' Monument, which is 23 meters tall and the most prominent structure in the cemetery. The body of the monument is made entirely of bluestone, with its surface covered by 5-centimeter-thick white marble. The pure white monument symbolizes the noble and pure character of the martyrs. The front of the monument features nine bright red characters, "Taihang-Taiyue Martyrs' Monument," inscribed by Comrade Cheng Zihua, Chairman of the People's Government of the Shanxi-Hebei-Henan-Shandong Border Region. The back bears an inscription by [Comrade]: "The people will forever remember you." On the four sides at the base of the monument are inscriptions by national leaders such as [Comrade], [Comrade], Yang Xiufeng, Li Da, Rong Zihe, Pei Lisheng, Wang Xinting, and Wang Hefeng, as well as an epitaph written by [Comrade]. These inscriptions and the epitaph shine brilliantly under the surrounding lighting.

　　Directly north of the monument, at the very center, is a grand three-part "品"-shaped Martyrs' Memorial Hall. In the middle of the hall hangs large portraits of Mao Zedong and other national leaders. Surrounding them are portraits of 33 martyrs, and their urns are enshrined here. Among them are five generals, including the famous senior commander of the Eighth Route Army and Deputy Chief of Staff, Zuo Quan, as well as martyr Zhou Ping—one of the 18 brave soldiers who bravely crossed the Dadu River during the Long March—and Zhao Hengde, the Taihang First-Class Enemy-Killing Hero who captured Major General Suzuki Kawashima, the overall Japanese military advisor stationed in Shanxi. On the east and west sides of the memorial hall are exhibition rooms for martyrs, displaying over 120 revolutionary heroes. They came from all over the country to the anti-Japanese revolutionary base areas of Taihang and Taiyue to fight the Japanese invaders and defend the motherland. They fought bravely and fearlessly in battle, sacrificing their last drop of blood and giving up their precious lives. Behind the memorial hall lies the martyrs' communal cemetery.

　　The remains of Martyr Wu Shimin, commander of the 98th Army of the National Revolutionary Army, are also buried here. Wu Shimin was born in 1892 in Chaigoubao Town, Huai’an County, Hebei Province. He joined the Tongmenghui in his early years and later served in the National Army. At the beginning of the War of Resistance, he actively advocated for and participated in the fight against Japan. In September 1941, over 20,000 Japanese troops surrounded and "swept" the 98th Army's garrison in Dongyu and Xiyu, Qinshui County. During the fierce battle, he fought bravely with unwavering determination until his ammunition and supplies were exhausted, ultimately sacrificing his life heroically. At the time, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Eighth Route Army, General Zuo Quan, upon hearing of his death, wrote a heartfelt elegiac couplet: "Loyal to the nation and the country, striving for unity and progress, a remarkable talent, a man like you who stood firm; holding out in the enemy’s rear, fighting bravely unto death, a moving strategist, a deep friendship forged over the years." To commemorate this patriotic general, the People’s Government of Shanxi Province held a grand burial ceremony for him here in November 1984. Every year during the Qingming Festival, people come to pay their respects at the graves of these heroes, laying flowers to express their deep remembrance and mourning. Their glorious deeds will last for generations, and their heroic names will be remembered forever. The martyrs who gave their lives bravely to defend the motherland will live forever in the hearts of the people of Taihang.