–Mao Zedong, 1935
High hills, long roads, deep ravines lie;
Our mighty army surges far and nigh.
Who dares stand sword in hand, steed astride?
None but our General Peng, with fearless pride!
Note
Composed in October 1935, right after the Battle of Wuqi Town (the “Cutting the Tail” battle) during the Long March. This was the Red Army’s first major victory upon arriving in northern Shaanxi, ending the enemy’s long pursuit.
Six-Character Poem
A classical Chinese poetic form with six characters per line, known for its brevity, force, and rhythmic punch. Rare in Mao’s works, it suits the heroic, decisive tone of praising a military leader.
Peng Dehuai
The “General Peng” in the poem. A founding marshal of the People’s Republic of China, he was the commander of the Shaan-Gan detachment of the Red Army. Mao highly praised Peng for his bravery, tactical brilliance, and decisive leadership in defeating the pursuing cavalry of warlords Ma Hongkui and Ma Hongbin. Upon receiving the poem, Peng humbly changed the last line to “None but our heroic Red Army” to credit all soldiers.
Battle of Wuqi Town
Fought on October 21, 1935, at Wuqi, the gateway to the Shaanxi-Gansu revolutionary base. Peng Dehuai’s forces annihilated one enemy cavalry regiment and routed two others, eliminating the threat to the newly established base. This victory secured the Red Army’s foothold in northern Shaanxi.
Military Hero Worship
The poem reflects the reverence for outstanding military commanders in Chinese revolutionary culture. It elevates Peng to the archetype of the fearless, decisive general – a timeless ideal in Chinese literature.
High hills, long roads, deep ravines
Describes the rugged, treacherous terrain of northern Shaanxi. Borrowed from a military telegram Peng sent to Mao. Symbolizes hardship and obstacles on the revolutionary path.
Mighty army surges far and nigh
“mighty army” refers to the Red Army. “surges far and nigh” depicts unstoppable momentum, dominance, and mobility in battle.
Stand sword in hand, steed astride
A classic heroic pose from Chinese historical romances (e.g., Romance of the Three Kingdoms). Conjures an image of a calm, formidable commander dominating the battlefield.
None but our General Peng
A bold, definitive declaration. “none but” expresses absolute trust and supreme praise from Mao, cementing Peng’s legacy as a legendary military leader.
六言诗-给彭德怀同志
毛泽东, 一九三五年十月
山高路远坑深，
大军纵横驰奔。
谁敢横刀立马？
唯我彭大将军！
Leave a Reply