The Long March revisited: Red Army and Yi leader became sworn brothers - CGTN

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More than 90 years ago, Yihai Lake in Mianning County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, became the setting for a historic encounter.

In May 1935, the Red Army was making its way through areas inhabited by the Yi ethnic group during the Long March, but deep mistrust between the two sides threatened to hinder its passage. Rather than resorting to force, the Red Army sought to build trust and win the support of local Yi communities.

At Yihai Lake, Red Army commander Liu Bocheng met Xiaoyedan, a local Yi leader. The two reached an alliance and became sworn brothers, helping pave the way for the Red Army to continue its journey north.

Today, the historic sites where the ceremony took place remain, preserving the memory of that remarkable encounter and its enduring legacy for generations to come.

A sculpture commemorates the 1935 Yihai Alliance between Red Army commander Liu Bocheng and Yi leader Xiaoyedan. The two became sworn brothers at Yihai Lake in Mianning County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, helping build trust between the Red Army and local Yi communities./CGTN

A sculpture commemorates the 1935 Yihai Alliance between Red Army commander Liu Bocheng and Yi leader Xiaoyedan. The two became sworn brothers at Yihai Lake in Mianning County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, helping build trust between the Red Army and local Yi communities./CGTN

A sculpture commemorates the 1935 Yihai Alliance between Red Army commander Liu Bocheng and Yi leader Xiaoyedan. The two became sworn brothers at Yihai Lake in Mianning County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, helping build trust between the Red Army and local Yi communities./CGTN

A sculpture recreates the 1935 Yihai Alliance, showing Red Army commander Liu Bocheng and Yi leader Xiaoyedan pledging brotherhood. Following Yi tradition, they used water from Yihai Lake in place of wine during the ceremony./CGTN

A sculpture recreates the 1935 Yihai Alliance, showing Red Army commander Liu Bocheng and Yi leader Xiaoyedan pledging brotherhood. Following Yi tradition, they used water from Yihai Lake in place of wine during the ceremony./CGTN

A sculpture recreates the 1935 Yihai Alliance, showing Red Army commander Liu Bocheng and Yi leader Xiaoyedan pledging brotherhood. Following Yi tradition, they used water from Yihai Lake in place of wine during the ceremony./CGTN

The three stones where the alliance ceremony took place are preserved as witness to that historic moment. The Red Army commander Liu Bocheng sat on the slightly higher stone while Yi leader Xiaoyedan sat opposite him, with their mediator seated on the stone between them./CGTN

The three stones where the alliance ceremony took place are preserved as witness to that historic moment. The Red Army commander Liu Bocheng sat on the slightly higher stone while Yi leader Xiaoyedan sat opposite him, with their mediator seated on the stone between them./CGTN

The three stones where the alliance ceremony took place are preserved as witness to that historic moment. The Red Army commander Liu Bocheng sat on the slightly higher stone while Yi leader Xiaoyedan sat opposite him, with their mediator seated on the stone between them./CGTN

The spot where water from Yihai Lake was drawn and used in place of wine during the 1935 alliance ceremony between Red Army commander Liu Bocheng and Yi leader Xiaoyedan. The two became sworn brothers, forging a bond of unity during the Long March./CGTN

The spot where water from Yihai Lake was drawn and used in place of wine during the 1935 alliance ceremony between Red Army commander Liu Bocheng and Yi leader Xiaoyedan. The two became sworn brothers, forging a bond of unity during the Long March./CGTN

The spot where water from Yihai Lake was drawn and used in place of wine during the 1935 alliance ceremony between Red Army commander Liu Bocheng and Yi leader Xiaoyedan. The two became sworn brothers, forging a bond of unity during the Long March./CGTN

Xiaoyedan's wife and family pose with the Red Army flag presented to him after the 1935 Yihai Alliance. After his death, his wife concealed the flag inside her pleated skirt to protect it. She later handed it over to the authorities, and it was preserved as a reminder of the historic alliance./CGTN

Xiaoyedan's wife and family pose with the Red Army flag presented to him after the 1935 Yihai Alliance. After his death, his wife concealed the flag inside her pleated skirt to protect it. She later handed it over to the authorities, and it was preserved as a reminder of the historic alliance./CGTN

Xiaoyedan's wife and family pose with the Red Army flag presented to him after the 1935 Yihai Alliance. After his death, his wife concealed the flag inside her pleated skirt to protect it. She later handed it over to the authorities, and it was preserved as a reminder of the historic alliance./CGTN

Xiaoyedan's granddaughter shares the story of the historic Yihai Alliance with a CGTN reporter through old family photographs./CGTN

Xiaoyedan's granddaughter shares the story of the historic Yihai Alliance with a CGTN reporter through old family photographs./CGTN

Xiaoyedan's granddaughter shares the story of the historic Yihai Alliance with a CGTN reporter through old family photographs./CGTN

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