In November 1931, General Ma Zhanshan's troops fired the very first shot of armed resistance against Japanese aggression in Jiangqiao, Tailai County, in the Chinese mainland's Heilongjiang Province. That single moment shattered the myth of the "invincible" Kwantung Army and lit a flicker of defiance that spread across the region. 🔥
Today, decades later, local villager Zhang Shuming is on a mission: he's collecting every relic from that clash—extra newspaper editions, bits of battlefield fragments, soldiers' personal items—hoping these silent witnesses will keep the memory alive. Each artifact holds a story of sacrifice and valor that resonates with our generation's spirit of standing up for dignity.
"I want future generations to know what was fought for," Zhang says. "These pieces remind us that resistance starts with a single shot." His dedication is a vibrant reminder that history isn't just in the books—it's in the objects we preserve and the stories we share. ✨
For young people today, Zhang's collection is more than a snapshot of the past—it's an invitation to stay aware, speak out, and honor the struggles that shaped our world. Let's salute the bravery at Jiangqiao and remember: every act of defiance, big or small, can spark change. 🌏✊
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
