Imagine being on the run, trapped between a rugged mountain range and an army closing in. That was exactly the vibe for the Central Red Army in late May 1935 when they reached Mianning County in southwestern Sichuan. 🏔️
The mission was clear: get north to survive. The problem? To do it, they had to cross the ancestral lands of the Yi people. At the time, the Yi were deeply hostile toward outsiders due to years of oppression by the Nationalist government. They held the secrets to the only safe hidden trails, but trust was in short supply. 🛑
Enter Liu Bocheng, the Red Army's Chief of Staff, and Xiao Yedan, the Yi Chief. On May 22, the two met at Yihai Lake for a high-stakes encounter. But instead of making demands or using force, Liu did something totally different—he embraced the local culture. 🤝
Following a sacred Yi custom, the two leaders killed a chicken, mixed its blood with water, and drank it together, officially becoming "sworn brothers." This powerful ritual created the Yihai Alliance, turning potential enemies into lifelong allies. 🐔🩸
This move was a total game-changer. For the next seven days, Yi guides led the Red Army safely through the treacherous mountains, clearing the path toward the Dadu River. This critical support eventually allowed the army to capture the legendary Luding Bridge and cross to safety—all without a single shot being fired in Yi territory. ✨
It's a wild piece of history that reminds us that sometimes the best way to overcome a massive obstacle isn't through strength, but through respect and understanding. 🌍💬
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
