Why is it so important for a person to guard an ancient bridge for his whole life? Wang Qixue, 65, has been working as a repairman for Luding Bridge for over 40 years. The bridge was built in 1705. It's composed of 13 thick iron chains and was once the only bridge connecting the two sides of the Dadu River.
The bridge is now most famous for the Red Army's capture of the bridge on May 29, 1935 during the Long March, the historic military maneuver in modern Chinese history. 22 soldiers climbed the iron chains of the bridge in the face of bullets from the Kuomintang troops. They captured the bridge, allowing major troops of the Red Army to move northward. It's one of the most crucial battles during the Long March and changed the course of the history.
Wang Qixue, inspired by the history and the bravery of the Red Army, says that he will guard the bridge for his whole life and will pass down the legacy of the Long March to the next generation.