Note 1： Zhu Heping, in Everlasting Memories: Love Amidst the Flames of War, recalls this poem: In 1939, on the occasion of his grandfather’s fifty-third birthday, which he spent on the Taihang Front, the soldiers and villagers of Wangjiayu Village in Wuxiang County, Shanxi Province—where the Eighth Route Army Headquarters was located—came together to offer their congratulations. The writer Yang Shuo composed a poem in high praise of Zhu De. As a gesture of gratitude, Zhu De responded with this poem written in the same rhyme scheme as Yang Shuo’s. Yang Shuo’s original poem as follows:

In Celebration of General Zhu De:

“Mounted on the Taihang, banners blaze red,
Snow clouds sweep vast, fierce winds fill the sky.
The general’s arms are forged of iron,
Turning back raging tides, a hero for all ages.”

Note 2: "The Song of the Great Wind" (Da Feng Ge) was composed by Liu Bang, founding emperor of the Han dynasty, in 195 BCE. After pacifying the rebellion led by Ying Bu, Liu returned to his hometown of Pei County. At a celebratory banquet with fellow villagers, stirred by wine and emotion, he struck up a zhu (a plucked string instrument) and sang. Thus the "Song of the Great Wind" came into being. Named after its opening words, the poem is bold and majestic, and has been passed down for millennia. Its lyrics read:

“A great wind rises, clouds soar aloft,
My might dominates the land, yet I return to my homeland.
Oh, if only I could find heroes strong,
To guard the four quarters of my realm!”

Note 3: Background of the poem "Leaving the Taihang Mountains":

This Journey Can Console Our Comrads

—【Memoir Excerpt】Remembering Commander-in-Chief Zhu Leaving Taihang Mountains

By Mu Yuxuan

In the spring of 1940, the tendency toward surrender within the Kuomintang (KMT) was growing increasingly severe. The Party Central Committee, doing everything possible to persuade Chiang Kai-shek’s faction to continue resisting Japan, decided that Commander-in-Chief Zhu [Zhu De] would personally travel to Luoyang to negotiate with Wei Lihuang, the commander of the KMT’s First War Zone, on halting the conflicts between the CCP and KMT and uniting to resist Japan. Zhu’s personal journey to Luoyang was to further implement our Party’s policy of the Anti-Japanese National United Front—striving to win over those in the KMT army still willing to resist Japan, or at least not bent on anti-Communist friction.

However, Luoyang was filled with KMT secret agents. veteran anti-Communist Hu Zongnan was stationed there, and Zhu Huaibing, commander of the KMT’s 97th Army and notorious “friction expert,” was recuperating there. Everyone worried about Zhu’s safety. But Zhu said to his comrades:

“As long as the Kuomintang does not openly surrender to Japan, we must continue implementing the policy of the Anti-Japanese National United Front. The nation is in peril; survival of the people is at stake. We must give priority to the united front and the salvation of the country. My personal safety is of no importance.”

Before departure, central leaders repeatedly stressed that under no circumstances—whether breaking through Japanese blockades or traveling through KMT-controlled areas—could Zhu’s safety be compromised. Escorting Zhu out of the Taihang Mountains was the Red Third Company of the 769th Regiment under Zuo Quan’s command, led by company commander Li Changlin. All the Communist Party members swore that even if they fought to the last man, they would never allow harm to come to Commander Zhu.

On the morning of April 20, when the Third Company arrived at Zhu’s residence in Wuxiang, he was already prepared. Smiling, he greeted them: “Good, you’re here. Let’s set out.”

Accompanied by Kang Keqing, director of the Political Department of Headquarters’ guard unit, and Wang Baozhen, a KMT Central Executive Committee member and senior staff officer, as well as Xu Xiaobing and Wu Benli of the Yan’an Film Team, Zhu led a group of more than 400 people from Wangjiayu Headquarters. A guard company of 150 veterans marched in front; behind came Deputy Minister Zhou Wenlong of the Eighth Route Army’s Forward Headquarters Supply Department, with his staff and two transport companies, plus ten sturdy mules.

Zhu wore a new gray khaki uniform, with a wide leather belt engraved “Ruijin Memorial.” Mounted on a tall horse, he radiated vigor, embodying the authority of the Eighth Route Army’s Commander-in-Chief.

On April 23, the group reached Pingshun; on the 24th, the 129th Division arranged for the New 1st Brigade to send a company of infantry and a platoon of cavalry to Longzhen to greet Zhu. Brigade commander Wei Jie, commissar Tang Tianji, chief of staff Feng Jinhua, and political department director He Zhucheng went ahead to meet him. When Wei saw Zhu still strong and full of energy, he was overwhelmed with joy and rushed to welcome him. Zhu recognized Wei instantly, dismounted from afar, called out his name warmly, and shook hands with all who had come. Together, they proceeded to the brigade’s station at Guojiatuo village, Huguan County.

The brigade comrades wanted to prepare special food for Zhu. Yet because the base area was frequently harassed by Japanese troops, resources were scarce. After some effort, they only managed to buy a few pounds of chives and some eggs, making vegetarian dumplings. The logistics comrades felt it insufficient, but Zhu ate with a smile, saying:

“These dumplings are excellent. Next time, don’t even bother making dumplings—just eat together with everyone.”

That very night, despite travel fatigue, Zhu met with brigade leaders, listened to reports, and gave many important instructions. He analyzed the national war situation, stressing the need to prepare for protracted resistance:

• Mobilize the masses deeply.

• Build consolidated anti-Japanese base areas.

• Expand armed forces.

• Overcome difficulties through self-reliance.

At the time, nearby KMT troops were not only failing to resist Japan but also provoking friction with the Eighth Route Army. Zhu instructed:

• Widely publicize the Party’s united front policy: unity, joint resistance, and shared contribution (“money from those with money, labor from those with strength, grain from those with grain”).

• Struggle should be “justified, advantageous, and measured.”

• Follow the principle: “If others do not offend me, I will not offend them; if they offend me, I must retaliate.”

• Focus strikes on diehard factions.

His sincerity in seeking unity for the sake of resisting Japan moved even patriotic KMT officers. Wang Baozhen, witnessing Zhu’s genuine commitment, became deeply convinced and later contributed much to the cause of resistance and national liberation.

Shortly before Zhu’s arrival, Japanese troops and collaborators had raided nearby villages. The KMT’s 27th Army, terrified, fled without firing a shot. The New 1st Brigade, however, ambushed the raiders, killing over ten Japanese soldiers and capturing three horses, swords, coats, blankets, and canned goods. Wei Jie reported this victory to Zhu, offering the captured horses and sword. Zhu, delighted, said:

“Well fought! Now the KMT doesn’t fight the Japanese, yet claims we don’t fight them. I will show them these trophies—let them see who actually resists Japan! We will use facts to expose their lies and deal blows to the diehards.”

When Wei added that, after the Japanese retreated, the 27th Army rushed in to seize territory, Zhu slapped the table angrily:

“If they grab territory, we strike back. The united front must be conducted with reason, advantage, and restraint. If we struggle for unity, unity survives; if we yield for unity, unity perishes.”

His words armed the brigade leadership with sharper clarity, broadened their vision, and bolstered their confidence in victory.

On April 25, the brigade and villagers of Guojiatuo held a rally in the temple courtyard. Zhu spoke about the situation since the Xi’an Incident, the tasks ahead, and Party policies. He concluded:

“Although the KMT army still clashes with us, we must consider the larger picture. Through consultation and negotiation, we should resolve differences, maintain cooperation, unite friendly forces, and resist Japan together. This is the policy of our Party and army, and also the wish of progressive people nationwide.”

He then glanced at Wang Baozhen and added:

“Mr. Wang and I have agreed to set the Dajing area as a boundary: our troops north, theirs south, no troops stationed in between, and no crossing the line. This eliminates friction and ensures joint resistance.”

Wang nodded in agreement, and Zhu’s speech was met with prolonged applause.

On April 26, Zhu set out early with Wang and others, stopping on a hill near Dajing. He told Wang:

“Cooperation between the CCP and KMT is good, but you often create friction. This greatly harms the resistance. Now that we’ve set boundaries, the key is that both sides must honor the promise and abide by it conscientiously.”

This agreement became historically known as the “Dajing Demarcation.” It exposed the diehards, strengthened unity, and laid the groundwork for Zhu’s second trip to Luoyang, where he later reached an accord with Wei Lihuang, resulting in the historic “Southern Taihang Withdrawal” of the Eighth Route Army. This withdrawal united friendly forces, struck the enemy, and consolidated cooperation—writing a shining page in the history of the united front.

In April, the Taihang Mountains were warm, wheat sprouted in the fields, and breezes carried fresh fragrance. Zhu, riding southward, often turned to wave goodbye to the New 1st Brigade comrades. From Huguan, he continued toward Lingchuan and Jincheng.

One dawn in early May, Zhu reached Wangwu Mountain in Jiyuan, Henan. Looking over the surging Yellow River, hearing the rumble of Japanese artillery, and gazing at the ravaged land, he was stirred with emotion. Seizing his pen, he wrote his famous poem “Out of the Taihang”:

“At the head of Taihang, peaks tower steep;
The mighty Yellow River falls within sight.
Red flames of war blaze along both sides of the waters,
This journey consoles our comrades and friends.”

Introdction to the poet:

Zhu De (December 1, 1886 – July 6, 1976), originally named Zhu Daizhen, also known by the courtesy name Yujie and at one time by the name Jiande, was a native of Yilong, Sichuan. He was a prominent political figure of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), a former national-level leader, and one of the principal founders of both the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the PRC. Zhu De is recognized in modern Chinese history as an important revolutionary and military leader, and was ranked first among the ten Marshals of the PRC.

Zhu De graduated in his early years from the Yunnan Military Academy. He took part in the Xinhai Revolution (1911), the National Protection War (1915–16), and the Constitutional Protection Movement (1917–18), eventually rising to the post of Director of the Yunnan Provincial Police Department. During the Beiyang Government period, he was awarded the Order of the Golden Grain (Third Class) and held the rank of Lieutenant General in the Army. During the War of Resistance Against Japan (1937–45), he was conferred the rank of General in the National Revolutionary Army by the Nationalist Government, and after the war was awarded the Victory Medal of the War of Resistance Against Japan.

In 1922, while studying in Germany, Zhu De joined the Chinese Communist Party; afterwards he studied at Sun Yat-sen University in Moscow. On August 1, 1927, he participated in the Nanchang Uprising, and subsequently led his troops to the Jinggang Mountains, where he joined forces with Mao Zedong. He successively served as Commander of the Fourth Red Army, Chief Commander of the First Red Army Corps, Commander-in-Chief of the First Red Army Front, Commander-in-Chief of the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army, and Chairman of the Chinese Soviet Military Commission, also taking part in the Long March. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, he served as Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, Commander of the Eighteenth Group Army, and Deputy Commander of the Second War Zone. In the Chinese Civil War, he was Commander-in-Chief of the People’s Liberation Army, jointly directing the Communist forces with Mao Zedong.

After the founding of the PRC in 1949, Zhu De was awarded the rank of Marshal of the PRC in 1955 and received the First Class August 1 Medal, the First Class Medal of Independence and Freedom, and the First Class Liberation Medal. He later held a number of leading positions, including Vice Chairman of the Central People’s Government, Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, Vice President of the PRC, and Vice Chairman of the CCP Central Committee. In 1959, he was elected Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.During the Cultural Revolution, Zhu De was subjected to political attacks. He passed away in Beijing on July 6, 1976.