Zheng Guofang (age 93 years old, party history 77 years)
Message: I hope that the red gene will be passed on from generation to generation
Character: Transcript
Photography: Wu Xingjian
Camera: Yang Zhanwei, Yang Yang
Video production: Ni Peng
Producer: China Military Net, Shanghai New Fourth Army History Research Association
On the day of the interview, Zheng Guofang wore a military uniform full of military medals, and his figure gradually caught the reporter's eyes from the tree-lined path.
The 93-year-old Zheng Guofang is in good spirits, carrying old photos and albums in his shoulder bag, insisting not to be supported by anyone, and came to the interview site from home.
Zheng Guofang, who was born in Shanghai, told reporters about his childhood memories.
Looking out the window of his house at that time, not far away was the Japanese military police headquarters. Japanese military vehicles often sounded sirens in the streets and ran rampantly. Japanese soldiers were even more aggressive, beating and beating Chinese people at will.
Whenever she saw these, her mother Zeng Ying clenched her fists in anger and said to the children: "Japanese devils are too damn, and they are going to be driven out of China."
Left: Zheng Dafang, the son of Zheng's parents.
From the left in the front row: Zheng Guofang (ranking 4), Zheng Zhongfang (ranking 2), and from the left in the back row: Zheng Guoying (ranking 6), Zheng Ci (ranking 3), Zheng Zhongying (ranking 5), Zheng Xueying (ranking 7).
(Photo courtesy of the interviewee)
Zheng Guofang's brothers have already secretly put into practice the mother's wish.
On the days when Shanghai fell into an "isolated island", Zheng Dafang and Zheng Zhongfang joined the Shanghai Student Circle Salvation Association under the leadership of the Shanghai Underground Party of the Communist Party of China. They used their home as a secret contact point, held meetings, prepared flyers, and sent information.
Zheng Guofang recalled that her mother was very pleased to know about it. Whenever members of the Shanghai Student Circle Salvation Association held a meeting at home, her mother would pick up vegetables or dry clothes outside the house and watch for them.
During the Anti-Japanese War, a number of secret institutions of the Chinese Communist Party were hidden in private houses, providing intelligence to the front lines, purchasing materials for the base areas, and guiding passionate youths to the frontline of the Anti-Japanese War...On the special bridge between the "isolated island" of Shanghai and the Anti-Japanese base area, It not only carried the heart of Shanghai citizens to serve the country, but also became a hidden supply line for base areas behind enemy lines.
At the beginning of 1941, the underground trafficmen of the CCP escorted 15-year-old sister Zheng Ci and 13-year-old Zheng Guofang to the South Jiangsu Anti-Japanese Base to join the New Fourth Army.
After entering the army, Zheng Guofang was spotted by Tao Yong, then commander of the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Division and Commander of the 4th Army Division of the Central Soviet Military Region, and became a guard under Tao Yong.
At that time, the Japanese and puppet troops continued to "clean up the countryside, sweep up, and encircle the iron wall" in an vain attempt to wipe out the anti-Japanese troops with the "three lights" policy.
Tao Yong's troops persisted in the War of Resistance in the Qidong and Haimen areas. Zheng Guofang followed Tao Yong from the front line to behind the enemy line, exerting his light and heat.
Zheng Guofang talked about his brothers and sisters. All seven of them participated in the War of Resistance.
Photo by Wu Xingjian, a reporter from China Military Network
Zheng Guofang used to work as an undercover agent in the tax office of Fengli Town, a large base in Rudong County, Jiangsu Province. He was small and clever and knew well with the staff of the pseudo tax office. He used the tax collector of the tax office as a cover to observe the days in the base. The number of the puppet army, the deployment of weapons, the movements of the personnel, etc., and tried to pass the information to the traffic station and sent it to Tao Yong.
Later, he returned to the army and became a correspondent.
Once, after the New Fourth Army surrounded the enemy, Tao Yong ordered the troops to charge, but the Charge did not sound.
It turned out that the two buglers who had gone through the Long March suffered from emphysema all the year round and could not sound the charge after running violently.
After seeing this, Zheng Guofang braved the fierce artillery fire, bends and ran to the bugle's position, rolled to the edge of the enemy's ditch to get water, let the bugler drink the water and go smoothly, and then "dududu..." The Charge horn suddenly sounded, and the New Fourth Army soldiers' voices of "charge, kill" resounded through the sky, and the enemy soon collapsed.
Zheng Guofang was interviewed.
Photo by Wu Xingjian, a reporter from China Military Network
In 1944, Zheng Guofang was transferred to the Investigation and Research Office of the Hu Lijiao Department of the New Fourth Army as an intelligence officer.
In the 1950s, he followed the army to engage in intelligence work on the front lines of Fujian, completing various tasks of providing military intelligence.
In the intelligence department, Zheng Guofang worked for several decades until he retired.
Speaking of intelligence work, Zheng Guofang said that in this place, we are just unsung heroes. We don’t count our names for profit, we cannot publish in newspapers, we can’t talk about achievements, and at most we are praised by superiors.
After so many years, people asked us what we achieved in our work. I said that we don't care about this. Looking back now, working hard and conscientiously in this unit has a very important influence on the cultivation and shaping of a person.
Zheng Guofang talked about joining the New Fourth Army.
Photo by Wu Xingjian, a reporter from China Military Network
"I grew up with the education of the party, the people, and the education of my mother. Now I am celebrating the centenary of the party. I really have endless emotions and words! I can't say it! I can't say it!" Zheng Guofang sighed three times. "I hope that the red gene will be passed on from generation to generation. I must participate in any publicity activities of the Shanghai New Fourth Army History Research Association. I hope to take this opportunity to communicate with young people."
[Character profile] Zheng Guofang, born in Shanghai in 1928, joined the New Fourth Army in 1941 and joined the Party in 1944. As an unsung hero on the hidden front, he has been engaged in intelligence work for many years, regardless of fame or gain.
Retired in September 1989 and now lives in Shanghai.