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More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

author:Wisdom and History

In 1935, during the Red Army's Long March, a mysterious grassland swallowed countless lives.

The fighters called it a "death trap", and the locals avoided it.

Now, more than 80 years later, is this grassland still as dangerous as it was then?

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

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The grassland through which the Long March passed - Songpan Grassland

The grassland where the Red Army passed was called Songpan Grassland, which was located in Sichuan. The altitude of the region is high and the climate is bitterly cold.

However, it was this seemingly calm grassland that hid more than 300,000 hectares of deadly swamps, which became the most difficult section of the Red Army's Long March.

When the Red Army soldiers first set foot on the Songpan steppe, they were overjoyed by the endless green in front of them.

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

However, this joy was soon shattered by the harsh reality.

The hidden swamps under the steppe are like invisible nets, ready to devour the lives that trample on them.

In response to this deadly threat, the Red Army sought advice from local herders on how to identify swamps.

They learned to observe the color and density of grass and even tell if there is a swamp underground by smell.

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

As they passed through the swamps, the warriors held hands and stood shoulder to shoulder, using the strength of unity to resist the test of nature.

However, the swamp was only one of the many difficulties faced by the Red Army. Food shortages have become another huge challenge. When the food ran out, the warriors had to eat grass roots to feed their hunger.

An old Red Army soldier who came to the end once said: "At that time, when we saw a piece of grass, it was like seeing a life-saving straw. We chewed up the grass roots and swallowed them just to hold on a little longer. "

The weather in the Songpan grassland is very unpredictable, sometimes the sun is like fire, sometimes the rain is like a pour, and sometimes the fog is filled. Such harsh weather conditions made a lot of fighters sick.

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

With no medicine and no shelter, the sick warrior had to fight against death with stubborn willpower.

Cold, is another ruthless enemy. At night, the temperature on the grassland plummets, and the biting cold wind cuts through everyone's body like a knife.

There was a serious shortage of heating supplies, and the fighters could barely withstand the cold with limited things. Some fighters really couldn't bear it, so they huddled together to keep warm, and warmed each other with their body temperature.

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

The logistical support of the Red Army faced unprecedented difficulties. Food is desperately scarce, and everyone is semi-starving. The long journey left the soldiers severely overstretched, and many collapsed as they walked.

To make matters worse, most of the warriors wore only rudimentary straw sandals, and the soles of their feet were bloodied by the gravel and sharp vegetation of the steppe.

It was under such difficult conditions that the Red Army persisted in advancing. With their tenacious willpower, they conquered this no-man's land, known as the "Death Trap".

In the first seven days of entering the meadow, about 20,000 soldiers were killed, which is a staggering figure. But the surviving fighters gritted their teeth and persevered.

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

An old Red Army once described their mood this way:

"Every step can be the last step in life, but we know that as long as we have one breath left, we have to move forward. Because we carry the hope of revolution on our shoulders, and behind us is the future of the whole country. "

It was with this perseverance that the Red Army finally conquered the Songpan grassland and completed this difficult long march. This is not only a geographical leap, but also a great victory of human willpower.

The conquest of the Songpan grassland has become one of the most heroic chapters in the history of the Chinese revolution, and it will forever be engraved on the monument of history.

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

The golden hook

Do you remember the story of the "Golden Fishhook"?

In such a difficult environment at that time, a cooking squad leader who was nearly forty years old received a special task - to take care of three sick young soldiers.

This soldier, affectionately known as the "old squad leader" by everyone, has a weather-beaten face, and his temples have turned white.

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

In order to take care of these three sick little soldiers, the old squad leader tried his best. He went around foraging for wild vegetables, digging up grass roots, and cooking for them with the only barley flour left.

However, the food was quickly depleted. Looking at the thin figures of the young soldiers, the old squad leader was anxious.

One day, while the old squad leader was washing clothes by the river, he suddenly saw a fish jumping out of the water. The sight inspired him.

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

He immediately ran back to the camp, took out a sewing needle, burned it red, and bent it into a rudimentary fishhook. From that day on, the three sick little warriors were able to drink a bowl of hot fish soup every day.

However, the old squad leader himself has never tasted a bite of fish. Every time he distributed food, he would pretend that he had eaten it, but in fact he had left all the food for his younger comrades.

Once, a warrior named Xiao Liang discovered the secret, and the old squad leader begged him not to tell anyone else. He said, "The instructor has left you in my care, and I must take you out of the meadow safely." "

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

In order to catch fish, the old squad leader often stayed at the water's edge all night. His eyes were blurred from malnutrition and he could only make out wild plants by touch.

Despite this, he insisted on preparing food for the young warriors every day, and kept himself alive by chewing grass roots and fish bones.

By the time he approached the edge of the meadow, the old squad leader's body was extremely weak. On the day they were about to walk out of the meadow, the old squad leader fell.

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

The young fighters tried to cook him soup with the freshly caught fish, but the old squad leader no longer had the strength to drink it. With his last strength, he told the warriors to get out of the meadow, and then closed his eyes forever.

With tears in her eyes, Xiao Liang carefully put away the humble fishhook.

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

Years later, the red rusty hook was treasured in the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution.

Although it is small and ordinary, it shines with golden light, telling the great spirit of unity, friendship and self-sacrifice of the Red Army soldiers in those arduous years.

This small fishhook has become a vivid symbol of the spirit of the Long March, inspiring generations of Chinese.

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

What happened to that meadow?

Today's Songpan Grassland has a better name - Ruoergai Grassland, which was once a terrifying "forbidden area of life", and now has a new vitality.

Looking back, this was the most difficult part of the Red Army's Long March, full of swamps and devouring countless lives. However, as time passed, the land underwent drastic changes.

In the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Ruoergai grassland still maintained its primitive style, with more than 300 large and small lakes dotted around.

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

However, with the advancement of industrialization, this grassland began to suffer unprecedented challenges. Lake that was once rippling with turquoise waters dried up one after another, leaving only cracked beds and flying dust.

By the beginning of the 21st century, the claws of desertification had extended to 1.58 million acres of grassland, accounting for 13% of the total area.

What was once a lush meadow has turned into a barren sandy field, and when the wind blows, the yellow sand fills the sky, like a scene of the end of the world.

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

This ecological deterioration directly threatens the livelihoods of local residents. Some villages are surrounded by sand and dust, and farmers and herders have to face increasingly harsh living conditions.

An old herder recalled: "In the past, when grazing, the sheep walked in the grass with only half of their bodies exposed, but now they can't even cover their hooves. "

The reasons for all this are manifold. Overgrazing is undoubtedly one of the main culprits. In 2006, the number of livestock on the grasslands reached 3.4 million, far exceeding the carrying capacity of the land.

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

In addition, a large number of wetlands in the grasslands have been drained, turning areas that were once abundant with aquatic grasses into dry land.

In the face of the growing ecological crisis, the national and local governments have begun to take a series of measures. The first is the establishment of a national wetland reserve, which strictly restricts the development of the remaining wetlands.

At the same time, a large-scale experiment of sand control was launched, and researchers explored in the desert day after day, and finally found a set of effective sand control methods.

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

After years of efforts, remarkable results have been achieved in ecological restoration. The once sandy land is back covered in green, and wildlife is gradually returning.

Today's Ruoergai grassland is moving towards a new stage of balanced ecological and economic development.

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

It is not only an important ecological barrier, but also a famous tourist destination.

Tourists can ride horses on the vast grassland and feel the magnificence of nature; You can also visit the Red Army's Long March Monument and Monument Park to reminisce about that period of arduous history.

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

From a "forbidden area of life" to an ecological paradise, the transformation of the Zoige grassland is a microcosm of China's ecological civilization construction.

It shows us that with perseverance, even the most barren land can be revitalized. It is believed that in the future, this grassland will be more beautiful and vibrant, and become a model of harmonious coexistence between man and nature.

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

The spirit of the Long March will always shine

The transformation of the Zoige grassland is not only a miracle of ecological restoration, but also a continuation and development of the spirit of the Long March in the new era.

In those years, the soldiers of the Red Army trekked this grassland, and forged the indomitable and indomitable spirit of the Long March with their flesh and blood.

Today, this swamp that once swallowed countless lives is being revitalized by the efforts of a new generation of Chinese.

From combating desertification to restoring ecosystems, from developing sustainable agriculture and animal husbandry to promoting eco-tourism, every step embodies the wisdom and sweat of the people of contemporary mainland China.

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

With perseverance and perseverance, they overcame one difficulty after another, which is the modern interpretation of the spirit of the Long March.

Nowadays, when tourists stand on the lush grassland and look back at those eventful years, they can better appreciate the great dedication of their ancestors. The Red Army's Long March Monument is not only a commemoration of history, but also a spiritual beacon that inspires future generations to continue to move forward.

It reminds us that no matter what the odds may be, as long as we stick together and never give up, we can work miracles.

The changes in the Ruoergai grassland tell us that the spirit of the Long March is not a dusty history, but a spiritual gene flowing in the blood of the Chinese people.

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

Let us always remember the dedication of our ancestors, inherit their spirit, and continue to strive for the construction of a beautiful China and the realization of the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

I believe that in the days to come, we will create more miracles, so that the pearl of the Zoige grassland will shine forever, and the spirit of the Long March will shine more dazzlingly in the new era.

Resources

1. Centennial Party History|The Red Army's life-saving dish "Yellow Flower Grass" - The Paper, released on May 21, 2021

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

2. The Red Army crosses the meadow Why is it called a "death trap"? —Xinhua News Agency, September 2, 2016

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

3. Where is the grassland where the Red Army first walked, do you know it?—— China Military Network, released on October 29, 2018

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?

4. Songpan County, Sichuan Province: Building "Five Songpans" to Create a Green Development Highland – Sichuan Daily, October 11, 2023

More than 80 years later, is the "man-eating" grassland that the Red Army walked through during the Long March still dangerous?