[Explanation] 66-year-old Zhang Heshan is a villager in Chengziyu Village, Haigang District, Qinhuangdao City. Some people call him a "Great Wall Expert", and some call him a "Living Map of the Great Wall" and a "Great Wall Sweeper".

Zhang Heshan patrols a section of the Great Wall that is more than 7 kilometers long every day, and wears a pair of shoes for an average of 2 months.

In 43 years, he has worn nearly 300 pairs of shoes.

He also spent more than ten years sorting out more than 200,000 words of Great Wall survey notes and stories, and assembled them into a book.

A few days ago, the reporter followed Zhang Heshan out of the house and conducted daily patrols on the Ming Great Wall near Chengziyu Village.

  [Concurrent] Zhang Heshan

  I patrol the Great Wall every day, and the most important thing is to bring a sickle. This sickle has become my partner, and I call it an old man all day long.

Look, this sickle is okay now, clean up the weeds.

  [Explanation] Zhang Heshan said that at first he guarded the Great Wall because of his father's entrustment when he died in 1968. Later, he witnessed the destruction of the Great Wall with his own eyes, and spontaneously embarked on the road of protecting the Great Wall in his hometown.

In 43 years, Zhang Heshan went back and forth nearly 20 kilometers every day, and it took 7 hours to get off.

  [Concurrent] Zhang Heshan

  Since then, I have kept my father's words in my heart, and kept guarding the Great Wall in our area, so that no one can destroy it. It has been kept until now.

  [Commentary] The Chengziyu Great Wall visited by Zhang Heshan is a section of the "Wild Great Wall".

One hundred meters from his house, you can reach the nearest enemy building of the Great Wall. The 7-kilometer section of the Great Wall has 23 enemy buildings. This is the scope of Zhang Heshan's protection.

"Stop any man-made sabotage", this is the most basic "protection duty" he set for himself.

  [Concurrent] Zhang Heshan

  Walking on the Great Wall, the first thing I have to do is to endure loneliness, sometimes especially cold in winter.

(Now) It's very hot and sweaty at this time.

Find a sunny place in winter, (now) find a cool place at this time, what do you do when you are tired, and relieve your fatigue with two sips of wine.

  [Explanation] Later, the local area established a "Great Wall Protector" mechanism, dividing the Great Wall into 18 sections and patrolling by 18 farmers. Zhang Heshan became one of the Great Wall protectors. This method effectively protected the ancient Great Wall.

The Great Wall was developed into a scenic spot under the premise of being protected, and it gradually became lively. The villagers relied on their popularity to open farmhouses and sell local products.

  [Concurrent] Zhang Heshan

  The protection of the Great Wall drives Great Wall tourism, and Great Wall tourism drives farmstays. The common people have tangible benefits. This allows him to become a volunteer (protecting the Great Wall) from the original saboteur.

  [Explanation] Nowadays, Zhang Heshan is not only a protector of the Great Wall, but also a promoter of the Great Wall story.

Zhang Heshan said that as long as he can move, he will continue to guard the Great Wall. His wish is to allow future generations to see the ancient Great Wall entity.

  [Concurrent] Zhang Heshan

  (Lyrics) Every day, every year, rush forward in a hurry, crying and tired, don't be embarrassed.

It is a road, it is inevitable, there are ditches and hurdles, it depends on you, how to break through, how to break through each level.

  Xing Lu and Ai Guangde report from Qinhuangdao, Hebei

Editor in charge: [Li Yuxin]