The Color of Sacrifice 牺牲的颜色 – Chapter 17
The story of a young Chinese peasant’s search for a better life and the Long March … 中国青年农民寻找更好的生活与长征的故事 by 作者: Ramses Rashidi 华蓝星
Chapter 17 The Long March & the Tragedy
Ping was in a lot of pain. He could hardly move his left leg. The bullets had ripped through the muscles.
The last two days of the battle of Xiang River were the most difficult and the casualties were the heaviest. Thar’s when Ping was hit with a barrage of bullets. During the battle more than half of the Red Army perished or deserted the battlefield.
The original plan was for the communist forces to go North to join the second division but a decision was made to change the plans by comrade Zhou and Comrade Mao to go towards Guizhou province where there were fewer government forces based on information received by the Red Army intelligence unit. With about 36,000 soldiers the journey began.
Ping was placed in a motorized unit as he could hardly walk. He had to take painkillers constantly. It was a difficult time. Ping was not able to do much in terms of work. He could get around a little with the help of crutches. Libo was trying to treat his wounds by changing the bandage and using of antibiotics till they could get to a hospital.
The Red Army had to move slowly through the countryside to avoid being intercepted by government forces. The journey was arduous and the soldiers were tired after the difficult battle by the river. Ping and a number of soldiers who were injured were being taken care of by the few medics accompanying the Red Army.
Eventually after about a month the communist forces reached Zunyi – a small town in the north of Guizhou province where the Red Army was able to capture the town without much resistance from the local government.
Ping’s leg was badly infected by now. He was taken to a small hospital. Libo and Lei Feng went to see him right away. After examination, one of the doctors at hospital talked to Libo. “His left leg is badly infected. I think we need to amputate that leg. Otherwise the infection will spread. I have already told him about the need for amputation.” The doctor explained as Lei Feng also listened.
Libo and Lei Feng went to Ping’s bedside. But before they could say anything, Ping smiled as tears rolled down his face. Libo tried to comfort him as Lei Feng also could not control his emotions. “Thank you for coming to see me. I am very lucky to have friends like you.” Ping expressed his gratitude while trying to deal with the reality of losing one of his legs. “Ping, we will all help you recover. Don’t worry about anything. We are like family.” Libo reassured him.
The day after the amputation, Libo and Lei Feng went back to the hospital with some flowers and cookies. Lei Feng had made some pork dumplings and Libo had brought a small booklet of Baha’i Prayers and Writings which made Ping very happy.
Later that day, Comrade Lin also paid Ping a visit at the hospital. “Ping, you are an example for all of us. You have suffered so much during this struggle but you have been so patient and strong. I am sorry about your leg. We will do everything we can to make sure that you recover from this terrible injury.” Ping was touched by Comrade Lin’s visit. “Comrade Lin, thank you so much for coming here. Seeing you gives me hope and makes me feel better. Now I have a bigger challenge in life. so I will have to be stronger.” Comrade Ling shook Ping’s hands and left to attend a meeting in progress.
While Ping was recovering from his amputation in the hospital, a Conference was being held in Zunyi where the communist central committee leadership were meeting to discuss the defeat at Xiang River. There were some changes in the leadership where comrade Zhou took a position of leadership with comrade Mao as his deputy. It was decided that the Red Army would go to Yunnan province and eventually towards the north of China.
Ping was told by the doctors that he needed at least 3 months to recover. So he was placed in the home of a school teacher in Zunyi to recover and join the Red Army at a later time.
Ten Days before Chinese New Year, Ping was brought to the home of teacher Liang and his wife teacher Li.
“Teacher Liang, I am sorry to trouble you. Thank you for having me in your home.” Ping expressed his gratitude.
“We are very happy to have you in our home. We have heard much about you. You are a great hero and we are very proud of you.” Teacher Liang shook Ping’s hands warmly.
“Welcome. Feel right at home. You are now part of our family.” Teacher liang’s wife, teacher Li welcomed Ping as she was holding her baby girl.
“what’s the baby’s name.” Ping asked as he waved at the baby. “Her name is Jun. she will be one year old next month.”
The parents of teacher Liang also came in the room. “Comrade Ping, This is my mom and dad. We all live together.”
Ping tried to sit up to greet the elderly but he felt tremendous pain and had to lie down. Teacher Liang took Ping’s hand. “Please don’t try to get up. We are here to help you get better. But it will take time. The doctor said at least three months.”
Meanwhile the Red Army went south towards Yunnan province where comrade Mao’s wife gave birth to a girl. The baby had to be left behind with a local family as the communist forces made their way to Sichuan Province. During the long march and wherever they were, The communist forces were very respectful of peasants and would try to help them by purchasing supplies which gained the support and admiration of the peasants. Many peasants would join the Red Army along the way.
Ping was starting to feel better. The Liang family was feeding him well and Teacher Liang would have some interesting conversations with Ping who was improving his reading and writing skills.
One night when Ping was reading some prayers, teacher Liang came in the room to say good night. Ping stopped in the middle of the prayer as he was in bed. “Please continue reading. This afternoon I saw your booklet of the Baha’i Writings.” teacher Liang told Ping.
“Yes… one of my friends in the Red Army shared with me. I really like reading these prayers and writings. It makes me feel better.” Ping responded as he handed the booklet to teacher Liang.
“I had heard about Baha’i from a classmate of mine who attended some lectures at a center run by an American Missionary called Li Jia Bai in Shanghai and Beijing. I have collected some materials as well. It’s very interesting. It talks about the unity of mankind. I also like to read the Writings. It’s very close to some of Chinese cultural values.” Teacher Liang shared his knowledge of the Baha’i Writings.
The Chinese New Year was just days away. The year of the Dog was about to end. A very eventful year with tremendous challenges. Hopefully the upcoming year – the year of the Pig – would bring happiness, peace and prosperity. At least for now while Ping was in this home life was peaceful.
Teacher Liang and his wife, both school teachers- were on their new year holidays. So they could spend time with family and Ping. Teacher Liang would share all kinds of literature with Ping including Dao Dejing, The Analects of Confucius, Romance of the Three kingdoms, Chinese history and the communist manifesto by Karl Marx.
“Ping, my parents used to be farmers and I grew up on a farm. So I know what it’s like to live on the farm. It’s not an easy life. In China the life of a peasant is anything but easy.” Teacher Liang shared with Ping.
“Well, I also come from a farmers family in Jiangxi. I know exactly what you’re talking about. I went to primary school for a few years. But my family needed me at the farm. So I could not continue going to school. Now studying and learning from you is such a great joy. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Ping talked some more about his upbringing and the joy of learning.
The Family was getting ready for the Chinese New Year and Ping was helping to make some paper lanterns. Teacher Liang’s parents were constantly taking care of Ping who would call them Ma and Ba. This was a wonderful experience and made life very pleasant for Ping who the loss of a leg was a tragedy that he was trying to adjust to. At times he wished that he could go back in time and change the scenario.
© 2021 Ramses Rashidi
A fascinating path of thought and choices of beliefs.