Shazhou Village in Rucheng County, Chenzhou City, Hunan Province, a small village where the Red Army passed by on the Long March, is well known for a story of "Half A Quilt", which attracts many tourists to visit every day.

The Special Exhibition Hall of "Half A Quilt" is located beside the riverside of Chushui River with its lucid water quietly flowing through Shazhou Village. It is crowded with tourists on the occasion of CPC’s centenary.

In response to the potential tourist peak on July 1, Liu Zhong, a firefighter, together with his team members from Fire Brigade of Rucheng County, started to patrol the village and handle emergency early in the morning.

Liu Zhong, who has been a CPC member for 10 years, began to explain the story of "Half A Quilt" to the visitors after finishing his guard duty. He joined in the Hunan Fire Brigade in 2010 and then was assigned to Rucheng, where he has stayed for 12 years.

"It is the spirit of Half a Quilt that changes me. On this red land, I feel a deep emotional connection between the Party members and the masses," Liu said, explaining why he has stayed in this remote county for so many years.

Liu Zhong and the Party vanguard of the fire brigade successfully rescued five people trapped by floods in 2012. When they left, the villagers spontaneously brought fruits and peanuts to see them off. It was the first time for him to witness Party members to take the lead in effectively coping with dangers and understand the emotional connection of the military and the people. 

Looking at the lovely villagers who showed their sincere support and love, he raised his right hand to salute them. “At that time, what I want to do is to become a CPC member beloved by the masses, and to contribute my loyalty and dedication to this land,” said Liu Zhong. Liu performed well in work and life, and finally achieved his goal that he became a Party member in 2012.

With the influence of red culture and stories of Party history, Liu Zhong gradually grew into an outstanding Party worker. “By studying Party history, I understand the original aspiration and founding mission of the CPC, which makes me more determined to my belief,” said Liu.

While studying the Party history, Liu Zhong realized that it was necessary to tell the stories of the Party well and carry forward Party spirit so as to make it known by more people. Therefore, he gradually became a narrator of Party history to the masses. In his work and life, he often led the team members to learn and tell the Party history.

In order to safeguard the red village, Liu Zhong and his team members often perform guard duty in the village. In his spare time, Liu Zhong becomes a volunteer narrator to tell visitors the stories of the Party history and carries forward the red culture.