Music carries heroic spirit of Red Outpost

In July last year, Tang formally established the unit's band, which now has 13 members, aged between 19 and 36, including riflemen and a cook.

Drawing experience from their own lives, the band produces a range of music, from morale-boosting rock songs to tender ballads about family. They also incorporate traditional Chinese instruments like the suona horn and drums.

Liu Junfeng, 19, is the band's youngest member and rapper. When he joined the unit last year, a visit to its exhibition room left a lasting impression. "The Red spirit passed down by our predecessors deeply moved me," Liu said. Inspired, he began writing and performing rap verses alongside Tang.

One of Liu's unforgettable stories is that of Mei Kaichun, a company martyr who was killed in 1992 after refusing a bribe from criminals. Liu's favorite line captures the unit's ethos, "Whether faced with the gleam of swords and knives or the allure of wealth and excess, the company's soldiers must maintain their integrity, resisting corruption and never being swayed."

"Being a part of this unit fills me with pride," Liu said. "I've learned to face challenges together with my team."

Another young rapper in the band, 22-year-old Wu Yi, echoed similar sentiments. Wu often jots down lyrics that come to him during training. "The unit is incredibly inclusive," Wu said. "Living and training with senior soldiers, I felt the spirit passed along every day."

The enthusiasm and creativity of younger soldiers have bolstered Tang's confidence. "We hope our songs can inspire more young people to connect with military music," he said.

Tang's work, including Red Outpost, has already won multiple awards — a testament to how deeply the spirit of the Red Outpost Company lives on, through both word and melody.

Liao Binhua contributed to this story.

lishangyi@chinadaily.com.cn