The First Military Regulations Square

Shatian Stage

Shatian Longevity Palace

In the morning of April 3, 1928, the three rules of discipline and 6 points of attention issued by Mao Zedong in Shantian town, Guidong county were as follow: follow the instruction, no take of the masses’ products, and take local tyrants’ stuffs into public procession; install door plank, bundle turfing, be soft-spoken, operate fair exchange, return the borrowing things on time, and compensate broken things.

Mao Zedong issued the “three rules of discipline and 6 points of attention” solemnly and decidedly in Guidong county. Guidong county was proud to be the issuing place of the first military regulations. In a sense, there were no strict disciplines and no further expansion and development of Jianggangshan revolutionary base if it was without Guidong county; and there was no new China which was mastered by people if there was no first military regulations.

Now the former site of the issuing place of “three rules of discipline and 6 points of attention” becomes the national patriotism education base and was awarded as “people’s top 100 favorite Hunan sceneries” and the key red tourism landscape of Hunan province. Eight red scenic spots as Shantian Longevity Palace, Shatian Stage, Tang’s dwellings, former site of sixth Red Army Group’s pledging for western expedition, and etc. were enrolled into the list of Hunan provincial culture relic protection sites and patriotism education bases.

In the 80th anniversary of the issuing of first military regulations, Guidong County Party Committee and Guidong Government build the First Military Regulations Square in Shantianxu, Shatian town. The monument of three rules of discipline and 6 points of attention is the landmark of the square. This monument consists of two parts as monument body and base. Its body is 19.28meters high which implies the meaning of “1928”-year of issuing and is engraved with General Xiao Ke’s autograph of “毛泽东同志颁布三大纪律•八项注意纪念碑”( monument for Comrade Mao Zedong’s issuing of three rules of discipline and 6 points of attention”. The height of the base is 4.3meters which implies April 3- the date of the issuing. There are four huge embossments set in the four sides of the monument, which truly reappear the historic event of Mao Zedong’s issuing of three rules of discipline and 6 points of attention and the cultural sceneries of Shantianxu. 11 columns bear the monument body, 3 of which in the middle imply “three rules of discipline” and 8 of which in front and rear imply “eight notices of attention”. There is a marble memorial archway set in front of the parking lot. All the buildings built in the sides of the square are followed the ancient Shatianxu style which look antique flavor, simple and natural.

On September 7, 2008, some leaders and guests from central government, Hunan provincial government, Chenzhou municipal government and some counties near Guidong county celebrated the 80th anniversary of issuing of three rules of discipline and 6 points of attention with Guidong people. All the attendees reviewed the strict disciplines of the revolutionary army, cherished the memories of the revolutionary martyrs’ great achievements, and advocated people to carry forward the spirit of the first military regulations, cherish the good life and construct harmonious motherland. During the commemorative activity, the premiere of the film “First Military Regulations” was held as well. Guidong people were happy to celebrate the anniversary.