Time flows like a fleeting horse, and decades have passed in the blink of an eye. As the flames of war raged across the land, what was once a battleground has transformed into a thriving metropolis, filled with towering buildings and bustling traffic. The heroes who once fought bravely for national independence and freedom, some have departed, while others have grayed at the temples and entered their twilight years. Lin Feng is one of these many heroes.
Now, Lin Feng has long bid farewell to his thrilling life as a spy and has embraced a quiet and peaceful existence. Every morning, he practices Tai Chi in his small courtyard, tending to his flowers and plants, grateful for the lush greenery that surrounds him. In the afternoons, basking in the warm sunlight, he often sits in a rocking chair with an ancient book in hand, immersing himself in the river of history, occasionally lost in memories of his glorious past.
An unexpected opportunity led Lin Feng to decide to pen down his long-buried experiences. It was during a community-organized lecture on the Anti-Japanese War that he found himself surrounded by eager young faces filled with curiosity and a thirst for knowledge about a history that felt distant to them. After the lecture, several young people gathered around him, grasping his hands eagerly, asking, "Grandpa Lin, what was the Anti-Japanese War really like? You experienced it firsthand; please tell us!" Seeing their innocent and passionate eyes stirred waves of emotion within Lin Feng, as memories long buried began to surge forth like a flood.
That night, back at home, Lin Feng sat at his desk, spread out sheets of paper, and picked up a fountain pen, though his hand trembled slightly. It had been so long since he had revisited those memories that he felt a pang of nostalgia. But taking a deep breath, he resolutely made the first stroke.
It was an era steeped in darkness; Shanghai lay under the iron heel of Japanese officers, with fear and despair permeating the streets. As an Underground Party member, I was entrusted with a critical mission to infiltrate Wang Wei's Secret Service Agency. As my pen glided across the paper, vivid scenes and heart-stopping experiences sprang to life.
He wrote about his cautious entry into Wang Wei's Intelligence Agency—every conversation with the enemy and every exchanged glance held hidden dangers; life and death hung by a thread. He recalled how he had to create false signals to protect the Underground Party's radio station by jamming equipment; when discovered by Japanese military experts, he swiftly triggered explosives to create chaos and successfully alerted the radio station to relocate during that perilous moment. He also recounted facing internal investigations within Wang Wei's organization regarding undercover threats; relying on his well-cultivated relationships and cautious demeanor allowed him to navigate crises time and again. In battles among agents where he nearly exposed his identity, he cleverly turned enemy conflicts to his advantage.
Lin Feng's writing was delicate yet truthful; he did not embellish his experiences but instead candidly shared every moment of fear and hesitation. He understood that heroes are not born fearless but conquer their fears supported by their beliefs. In describing those moments of difficult choices, he wrote: "When I witnessed the atrocities committed by Japanese officers and heard the anguished cries of the people, one thought consumed me: even if it meant being shattered into pieces, I must deliver intelligence for our nation's liberation." At that moment, all fear dissipated, replaced by boundless courage.
As he delved deeper into writing, Lin Feng increasingly felt that what he was documenting was not merely a personal memoir but a historical record carrying the memory of a nation. These words would unveil a corner of history long obscured by time for future generations to see the painful sacrifices made by their predecessors for today's peace.
Months later, Lin Feng completed his memoir. Upon learning this news, the community decided to print it as a book to distribute among residents—especially for young people to read. The book quickly caused a sensation within the community as people eagerly passed it around, deeply moved by its stories.
Young students read it with tears of excitement glistening in their eyes; they wrote in their reflections: "Grandpa Lin's experiences teach us that peace is hard-won through the blood and lives of countless heroes. We must cherish our happy lives today and study diligently so we can contribute our strength to our motherland's prosperity."
Veterans who had once served reflected on its pages with nostalgia: "These stories remind me of my comrades who fought alongside me." Lin Feng’s determination and courage were indeed reflective of our generation. Though time has passed, this spirit must never be lost!
Ordinary residents also discussed Lin Feng’s stories over tea and meals with newfound respect and gratitude for those heroes of the Anti-Japanese War. The community seized this momentum to organize numerous activities centered around passing on the spirit of the Anti-Japanese War, inviting Lin Feng and other veterans to share their experiences.
At one sharing session, Lin Feng stood on stage looking at rows of respectful eyes below him. With heartfelt sincerity, he said: "Children, when we fought bravely in battle, it was for national independence and people's freedom. Now this burden rests on your shoulders; I hope you remember history and carry forward our predecessors' spirit to safeguard this hard-won peace."
The applause thundered from below; at that moment, Lin Feng saw sparks of hope igniting in the hearts of the younger generation. People began integrating the spirit of Anti-Japanese War heroes into their daily lives in various ways. In schools, teachers used Lin Feng’s story as vivid teaching material to cultivate students' patriotism; enterprises organized red education activities to inspire employees’ dedication at work; artists created numerous outstanding works themed around the Anti-Japanese War so more people could understand that period of history.
Time may change appearances but the spirit of heroes remains eternal. Lin Feng felt gratified seeing that the history he experienced—the spirit it carried—was being passed down through generations in China’s soil where it took root and blossomed. He believed that as long as this spirit endures, the Chinese nation would face any storm unafraid on its journey ahead towards great rejuvenation while safeguarding this hard-won peace illuminated by countless lives sacrificed.
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