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90 ZHU DE

When, after the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japan on
July 7, 1937, the Red Army was redesignated the Eighth Route Army
of the National Revolutionary Army, Comrade Zuo Quan was ap-
pointed its Deputy Chief of Staff. In that capacity, he fought the
enemy in place after place in north China until he laid down his life
in battle.
Ever diligent and hardworking, Comrade Zuo Quan dedicated all
his energies and his very life to the cause of the liberation of the Chi-
nese nation and the Chinese people, rendering meritorious service to
it. He served for a long time as chief of staff of a large army group,
and participated in the planning and direction of many important
battles and in the building of our army. Particularly since the out-
break of the anti-Japanese war, he worked indefatigably for the nation
and the people in extremely grim circumstances behind enemy lines.
Partly thanks to his contribution, the Eighth Route Army has grown
into a formidable force several hundred thousand strong and north
China has become an indestructible bulwark against the Japanese in-
vaders as well as a protective screen for the rear areas. A rare talent
in China’s military circles, he made brilliant contributions to military
theory, strategy and tactics, army building, and staff and logistic work.
The meritorious services of Comrade Zuo Quan are indelible. A
model soldier, he will be held in esteem throughout the ages by the
Chinese nation and the Chinese people, by China’s military circles.
We shall never forget Comrade Zuo Quan’s boundless loyalty to
the nation, the people and the revolution. He led a hard life and never
sought personal gain. He ate the same food and wore the same clothes
as common soldiers. He remained unmarried until he was 34. Since
the outbreak of the anti-Japanese war, he had drawn only a five-yuan
allowance each month. He had no private savings, no property of any
kind. He worked tirelessly day and night for the liberation of the
nation and the Chinese people. No matter how difficult and com-
plicated the task and how dangerous the circumstances, he never
sought an excuse to avoid taking part and never hung back. In
grappling with the enemy of the nation and the people, he had the
strength of steel and the bravery of a lion.
We shall never forget Comrade Zuo Quan’s strong sense of
responsibility, his enthusiasm, patience and care towards his work.
He was a man of few words. For more than a decade he poured all
his energy into his work. Even in fighting battles that continued day
and night, and in times of excessive fatigue when he had not slept for