Even if I die, I want to watch the people of Lankao heal the sand dunes! 58 years have passed, why do people still miss him?

(Image source: CCTV.com screenshot)

These two photos were taken at

Only ten years apart

But the person in the photo is more than thirty years older

He is Jiao Yulu

Known as "a role model for county party secretaries"

May 14, 1964

Jiao Yulu died

The last moment of life

His only request to the organization was tearful:

Transporting his body back to Lankao

Buried in the dunes

"I didn't heal the dunes while I was alive,

Even if I die, I will watch the people of Lankao heal the sand dunes."

today

Let's pay tribute to Jiao Yulu

Bitter and resentful, eager to turn over

August 1922

Jiao Yulu was born in Zibo, Shandong

A poor peasant family

Suffered a lot of hardships in my youth

Started school at the age of 7 and studied hard

Always among the top in exams

In 1932, my hometown suffered from famine.

Very poor family

11-year-old Jiao Yulu was forced to drop out of school

Following the poor villagers, pushing wheelbarrows, transporting and selling coal

In that dark old society

Jiao Yulu's family is just like the majority of working people.

Suffering from the cruel oppression and exploitation of the emperor, officials and feudal lords

Lived a miserable life

When Jiao Yulu was a teenager

The Japanese invaded Boshan, Shandong

For the life of a family

He was forced to work as a laborer in the coal mines of Heishan

Doing heavy work for more than ten hours every day

All I got was a little acorn flour

Don't even mention supporting the family.

Even my own stomach can't be filled

Jiao Yulu's father had no money to repay his debts.

Being forced to death by the landlord

Tears Have Not Dryen

Jiao Yulu was again

Caught and forced to work in a coal mine in Fushun

Under the threat of bayonets from the Japanese devils and traitors

He worked hard in the coal mine for more than fifteen hours a day.

Among the 23 people who lived in the same shed with Comrade Jiao Yulu

In two or three months, seventeen people were tortured to death.

Whenever a co-worker dies,

Jiao Yulu's heart was more painful than a needle prick

He could not endure the inhuman torture of the Japanese invaders

Together with fellow workers, we waged an unyielding struggle against the enemy

Risking his life to escape from the tiger's mouth

Jiao Yulu escaped from the tiger's mouth

Fell into the wolf's den again

He fled to Suqian County, Jiangsu Province to beg for food

I had to work as a farmhand for a landlord named Hu.

Jiao Yulu was further tortured

Even when he was sick

The landlord forced him to work

This class hatred and national hatred

In Jiao Yulu's young mind

Left a deep mark

Three applications for joining the party

August 1945

The New Fourth Army liberates Suqian

Frequently organize meetings for the working people

Publicize the party's policies and propositions

Jiao Yulu realized that the Communist Party is the one that truly serves the people

In the autumn of the same year, Jiao Yulu returned to his hometown

To participate in the liberation of my hometown

He took the initiative to join the village militia

Because Jiao Yulu strictly enforced the local

The policies and disciplines of the Party organization and the government

And he has high prestige in the village

Later he became captain

He actively participated in the village's struggle against tyrants and perverts.

Participate in production and struggle meetings during the day

Patrolling and checking for enemy forces at night

During the militia

Through the practice of participating in revolutionary struggles

and listen to the Party’s teachings

Coupled with the difficult survival experience in the early years

Jiao Yulu grew up quickly

I gradually developed the desire to join the party organization.

Jiao Yulu talked to the local party group leader, Comrade Jiao Fangkai

Request to join the party

But he didn't know

There is a series of organizational procedures for joining the party

Jiao Fangkai asked him:

“Have you ever written an application to join the party?

Because the Communist Party is the vanguard of the proletariat

To join the party, one must meet certain conditions

It can’t be as simple as joining the militia.”

Jiao Yulu thought he

Born into a poor family, he joined the militia

Already met the requirements for joining the party

But I heard the team leader teach

Party members are not only judged by their background but also by their ideological awareness.

The team leader encouraged him to work actively and fight bravely against the enemy in the future

When conditions are ripe, you can apply to join the party

From then on, Jiao Yulu not only understood his own shortcomings

And understand the direction of your efforts

After this conversation

Jiao Yulu wrote three applications to join the party

Finally joined the party organization

The first application to join the party

Jiao Yulu wrote about his life as a laborer and dropping out of school.

The experience of imprisonment and famine

He expressed his determination to join the party

Defeat the landlord to avenge his relatives

However, when Jiao Yulu submitted his application to join the party

The party organization just happened to hold a study session

At this meeting, the party group leader criticized some comrades

The narrow-minded thinking of seeking personal revenge:

“Some comrades are not yet at a high level of ideological awareness.

A Communist Party member should think

The common people of China and the suffering people of the world

Everyone has hatred, injustice, and resentment...

Eliminate the exploiting class and overthrow the old society

To realize communism and achieve world peace

This is the major goal and overall goal of our party.

If you join the Communist Party

Just for personal revenge

I don’t even meet the requirements to be a Communist Party member…”

After listening to this party class, Jiao Yulu

I feel that I do not meet the requirements for joining the party.

The written application was not submitted.

Second application for joining the party

Jiao Yulu specially invited an old party member to give him advice

Focus on writing about your motivation for joining the party, your understanding of the party, and your determination

No submission this time

Because he violated the prisoner policy.

The militia captured one

The captive who had done all the evil had his arm chopped off.

Therefore, Jiao Yulu was criticized by the party organization.

After being criticized

Jiao Yulu conducted a profound reflection

If a person cannot implement the party's policies

How can one meet the standards of a Party member?

So he put away the application he had written.

After two ideological tests

Jiao Yulu demanded more of himself

He studied the party's theory seriously.

Model implementation of the Party’s policies and disciplines

And started writing the third application to join the party

After several revisions

He solemnly handed the application to Jiao Fangkai

He wrote in his application to join the party:

"The Communist Party is the savior of the people.

No Communist Party

The revolution cannot win

The poor cannot turn over

I want to listen to Chairman Mao

Follow the Communist Party

To overthrow the old society and establish a new China

Strive to achieve communism!"

January 1946

Jiao Fangkai solemnly told Jiao Yulu

The higher-level Party committee has studied and approved his

Become a Communist Party member

Hearing the news

Jiao Yulu was extremely excited

With tears in his eyes:

“My conditions are not enough

He has not made any contribution to the revolution.

Compared with the oath, I am still far away...

I will work hard for the Party..."

This year, he was 24 years old

Little-known military career

July 1947

To help the people in the newly liberated areas to rise up and seek liberation

Jiao Yulu was transferred to the Bohai Sea area southward work team

After the training, he was assigned to the first squadron of the Huaihe Brigade as a squad leader.

On the way south

He often replaces other players

Carrying backpacks and dry food bags

At most, he carried four people's backpacks by himself.

February 13, 1948

The Southbound Working Group Arrived in Henan

Comrade Jiao Yulu was assigned to Pengdian District, Weishi County

Mobilize the masses to establish base areas

He insisted on relying on poor peasants

Mobilize the masses extensively

Often carried out political propaganda at the Pengdian Ancient Fair

Under the leadership of the Pengdian District Committee

The crowd quickly mobilized

Then the farmers' association and militia were established.

Confiscated the landlord's wealth

Divided the landlord's land

Few people know

Jiao Yulu participated in the Anti-Japanese War and the War of Liberation

Winter 1948

The Huaihai Campaign began

The rumbling sound of cannons rang out

The death knell of the Kuomintang’s reactionary rule

On the front line, PLA soldiers heroically kill the enemy

Under the fire line, the people are working hard to support

According to the instructions of his superiors, Jiao Yulu

Organized a stretcher team of 1,000 people

Support the Huaihai Campaign

He actively takes the lead and works hard

Influence others through exemplary actions

The transportation work was completed ahead of schedule

At the end of the Huaihai Campaign

The Henan-Anhui-Suzhou Fifth District Award was given to this brigade

A banner with the words "Model of Supporting the Front"

In the storm of revolution

Jiao Yulu went from a poor peasant who suffered a lot to a

Growing into a young cadre

He is an artistic young man

Jiao Yulu's family was poor in his early years

But it did not affect his love for life.

At school, he participated in the "Gala Band"

His skills in playing instruments such as erhu and trumpet

It was all the "childhood skills" of that time.

After joining the revolution

To work better

Jiao Yulu learned again

Performing opera, composing allegro, and ballroom dancing

Is a proper "literary youth"

1947

To mobilize the masses, educate the masses, and boost morale

The Party’s Revolutionary Propaganda Team choreographed the modern opera “Blood and Tears”

The 25-year-old Jiao Yulu played the leading male role in the play

No rehearsal time

Jiao Yulu recited his lines while marching

Rest and camping

He took the time to concentrate on rehearsing

I am often so busy that I don't even have time to eat.

More than 20 days later

The first performance of "Blood and Tears" in Yanggu County

That night, people from a dozen miles around

The crowds of people came to watch, bringing their elders and children with them.

Jiao Yulu's passionate and indignant singing

Serious and realistic performance

Deeply touched the audience

The stage is crying, the audience is shedding tears

The whole place was filled with cries and shouts of anger at the Kuomintang reactionaries.

The crowd shouted in unison

"Fight to Nanjing and liberate all of China!"

After the show

Many young people signed up to join the army on the spot

1949

27-year-old Jiao Yulu

Served as deputy district chief in Daying District, Weishi County

To ensure the smooth progress of land reform

He often carries a stool

Play the erhu in places where people gather

It always attracts a lot of people to watch

He took the opportunity to explain the party's policies to everyone.

Playing the erhu not only helped Jiao Yulu promote his work

And won him love

In 1950, Jiao Yulu was appointed

Deputy Secretary of the Youth League Weishi County Working Committee

One day

Xu Junya was attracted by the sound of the erhu coming from Jiao Yulu's dormitory

Pushing the door open, the two began to chat

And discuss to cooperate with the suppression of bandits and land reform

The two performed together in a play called "Xiao Erhei Gets Married"

Two young hearts in harmony

Getting closer

November 1950

Jiao Yulu and Xu Junya got married

Comrades who fought against bandits and tyrants together and shared life and death

Became a life partner with the same ideals and destiny

1955

The 33-year-old Jiao Yulu was assigned to

Internship in the machining workshop of Dalian Crane Factory

Jiao Yulu learned Russian and dance

Facilitate communication with Soviet experts in the factory

Soviet experts all expressed admiration for this.

Think "a 'pulling the cow's tail'

It’s amazing that you can dance so well.”

Supporting industrial construction

To support industrial construction

June 1953

Jiao Yulu, who was then the second secretary of the Zhengzhou Prefectural Committee of the Youth League,

Go to Luoyang Mining Machinery Factory to participate in the construction

This year Jiao Yulu was 31 years old

period

He also went to Dalian Crane Factory and Harbin Institute of Technology.

Study and further education in the machining workshop of Dalian Crane Factory

Spring 1958

Luoyang Mining Machinery Factory took on a big task:

Manufactured China's first 2.5m double-drum winch

Requires successful trial production by the end of April

Tight time and heavy tasks

At this time, Jiao Yulu's health was in trouble.

Stomach pain, neurosis

The liver also hurts from time to time

In order not to delay the progress

He always has soda tablets in his pocket

I have stomach problems.

Just put a few soda tablets in

Sometimes the pain is so severe that I can't even straighten my back

Just use chopsticks to hold your stomach

I endured more than ten nights like this.

Endure the pain

Jiao Yulu looked through more than 600 drawings

Using the method of dissecting a sparrow

and technicians and veteran workers

The thousands of parts of the whole machine

From drawings to process specifications

Then prepare tools and materials

Consider each item

Even a small screw is not spared

Jiao Yulu seldom went home

Eat and live in the workshop

Usually a glass of boiled water

A dry bun is enough for a meal

When you feel sleepy, wrap yourself in your military coat.

Lying on a big bench in the workshop

This hard bench

He slept for more than fifty days.

After two months of hard work

China's first new 2.5-meter double-drum winch was born

After this struggle

Jiao Yulu became an outstanding industrial management talent

But due to overwork

His liver disease is getting worse.

I often sweat profusely in pain in the workshop

Even fainted in the workshop

Spring 1962

Jiao Yulu was transferred to Zhengzhou Hospital for recuperation

More than 400 days and nights in Lankao

Autumn 1962

Lankao hit by sudden flooding

More than 300,000 acres of crops were drowned

100,000 mu of seedlings died in saline-alkali land

The county's grain output has dropped to a historic low.

Among the 360,000 people in the county

There are 193,000 disaster victims

Lankao, a county town with a long history

It's a place full of disasters.

Historical records

Lankao County was relocated six times

Every time, the county was flooded by floods.

The Yellow River changed its course and flooded many times

The 11 old Yellow River courses formed old dikes

Therefore, the dikes surround the sand dunes and form hundreds of wind vents.

This left a large area of ​​sandy wasteland and saline-alkali beach in the county.

Sandstorms, waterlogging and salinity

These have become the eternal "three evils" in Lankao's history.

To find a suitable leader

Leading the masses through difficult times

June 1962

Henan Provincial Committee and Kaifeng Prefectural Committee mobilized Jiao Yulu

Went to Lankao County, Henan Province to serve as the county party secretary

Liu Junsheng, then the press officer of Lankao County CPC Committee: What was the situation in Lankao like at that time? Famine was overwhelming, population was leaving, and officials were worried!

Zhang Shen, then secretary of the Kaifeng Prefectural Party Committee

Tell Jiao Yulu clearly

Lankao is the entire region

The most difficult, poorest and most difficult county

Jiao Yulu, who suffered from chronic hepatitis

Did not disclose the fact that he was ill

He made it clear

He goes

Accept the organization's assignment

December 6, 1962

Jiao Yulu reports to Lankao

Served as the Second Secretary of Lankao County Party Committee

At this time, Jiao Yulu was 40 years old.

With the ambition to change the face of Lankao

The second day in Lankao

Jiao Yulu took the cadres from the county party committee office

Visiting the countryside

He took the masses as his teachers

Learn from the masses with an open mind

Comprehensive understanding of the disaster and its causes

Seeking disaster relief

In the first half month after arriving in Lankao

Jiao Yulu visited more than ten villages

He earnestly sought advice from his fellow villagers.

And summarized two methods to control sandstorms

"Plastering" and "Acupuncture"

The so-called "plaster"

It is to turn up the silt to press down the sand dunes.

The so-called "needle piercing"

Large-scale planting of Paulownia

This tree can grow in sandy soil.

Grows fast

It will grow into a big tree in five or six years.

It can block wind and suppress sand

And Paulownia takes root and sprouts new seedlings every year.

Can be transplanted gradually

No need to invest more

After the forest

Can release moisture in dry days

It can absorb water in flooded days

Intercropping of forest and grain can be used to protect grain

No matter how busy

Jiao Yulu always insisted on working with the masses

Together we tilled the soil, sealed the sand dunes, and planted paulownia trees...

In order to completely eradicate the "three evils"

Jiao Yulu transferred cadres and technicians from all over the county

More than 120 experienced farmers

Formed a "three evils" investigation team

The stronger the wind, the more we run into it.

Check the vents and explore the quicksand

The heavier the rain, the more we dive into the rain

Go chase the flood and see where it flows

Half a year later

He led the team

Starting from the Yellow River

Out of Lankao, out of Henan

Chasing until the yellow sand fell to the ground and the flood flowed into the river

Find out the causes and consequences of the "three evils"

Thoroughly investigate 84 wind outlets of all sizes in the county

More than 1,600 sand dunes of various sizes

62 locations where 9 rivers were blocked

He personally organized relevant personnel to draft

"Preliminary Ideas on Sand Control, Alkali Control and Water Control in the Next Three to Five Years"

This plan is effective in controlling the sandstorms, salinization, and waterlogging in Lankao.

Proposed specific and feasible solutions

Spring 1964

When the people of Lankao were fighting the "three evils" in full swing

Jiao Yulu's liver disease is getting worse

During meetings and presentations

He often puts his right knee against his liver.

Press the painful area with your left hand

Sometimes use a hard object

One head against the chair

One head against the liver

It's been a long time

The rattan chair he sat on

A big hole was pushed out

The organization advised him to receive treatment

He always makes excuses because he is busy

Keep running around

Constantly exploring and thinking

He knows

Once you stop

Maybe I'll never be able to get up again.

Until March 1964

Jiao Yulu's liver disease

It's so serious that I can't even hold the pen.

Only then did I agree to go abroad for treatment

The doctor issued the final diagnosis:

Late stage liver cancer, subcutaneous spread

The last moment of life

Jiao Yulu requested that his body be transported back to Lankao

Buried in the dunes

He said:

"I didn't cure the dunes while I was alive

Even if I die, I will watch the people of Lankao heal the sand dunes."

May 14, 1964

Jiao Yulu died of liver cancer in Zhengzhou

Died at the age of 42

Early morning of February 7, 1966

Long-form character newsletter

"Jiao Yulu, a Model County Party Secretary"

It was broadcast to thousands of households

Jiao Yulu's deeds became known throughout the country

February 26, 1966

Jiao Yulu's coffin returned to Lankao from Zhengzhou

That Day

Thousands of villagers from all over the country came

They gathered in a dark mass under a sand dune in the northern suburbs of the county.

Everyone wears a white flower on their chest

Tears in my eyes

The "County Party Secretary" "greeted" them in the cold wind

People follow Jiao Yulu's last wish

His remains were buried in Lankao

On the dunes where he had worked

(File photo of Jiao Yulu. Source: Xinhua News Agency)

"Jiao Yulu spirit" will never fade

Under Jiao Yulu's pillow

There are Selected Works of Mao Zedong and

Two books on "On the Cultivation of Communist Party Members"

On a notebook

Jiao Yulu wrote the following:

"I think, as a revolutionary fighter,

Just like pine and cypress

Whether in the scorching summer

In the severe winter of ice and snow

Never fade, never change color"

Baptized by the "Jiao Yulu Spirit"

Generations of Communists have fought in Lankao

Not only did it fulfill Jiao Yulu's last wish to control sand dunes,

Lankao has become the first impoverished county in Henan Province to be lifted out of poverty.

Lankao today

High-rise buildings and lush paulownia trees

Lankao people use paulownia wood to make guqin, guzheng and other

More than 20 kinds of traditional ethnic musical instruments are sold at home and abroad

Becoming one of the local iconic industries

A young tung tree planted by Jiao Yulu himself in 1963

Now it has grown into a towering tree

The spring breeze blows, and the city is filled with the fragrance of tung flowers

This "Jiaotong" tree is straight and affectionate.

Watching over Lankao's land and water

Watching over the people he cares about

The Yellow River (drone photo) taken at the Yellow River Bay Scenic Area in Lankao County, Henan Province on June 18, 2021. Image source: Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Li Jinlei)

More than 50 years have passed

Lankao has undergone tremendous changes

However, Secretary Jiao Yulu and the people on that land

Everything that happened

Forever engraved in people's hearts

Love the people, work hard, and be scientific and realistic

The "Jiao Yulu Spirit" of facing challenges head-on and selfless dedication

Never goes out of style

Source: Communist Youth League Central Committee