"These historical relics are irrefutable evidence of the Japanese invasion of China. Only by placing them in a memorial hall can more people remember that period of humiliation."

On December 5th, Yu Ningpeng, a high school freshman from Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, visited the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, and donated two precious historical relics and documents to the institution. This 15-year-old has been collecting ironclad evidence of the Japanese invasion of China, taking concrete actions to counter the historical distortions propagated by Japanese right-wing forces.

Donating Relics to Preserve Historical Memory

The two items donated by Yu serve as witnesses to the Japanese invasion of China and hold significant historical value.

One is a battlefield letter sent on December 18, 1937, by Japanese Lieutenant Yamano Yoshihito to Yamano Tokutaro in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. The front of the envelope bears a clear postmark reading "Commemorating the Fall of Nanjing."

The letter reeks of the arrogance of the Japanese military: "...Our destination, the capital Nanjing, was finally captured by us on the 13th. A grand entrance ceremony for the army commander was held on the 17th, and we underwent the inspection..."

"From these relics, I truly feel the weight of history," Yu said. The very letter made the historical facts, previously confined to textbooks, vivid but desperately painful. According to experts from the Memorial Hall, two other Japanese soldiers from the same battalion have been confirmed as participants in the Nanjing Massacre.

The other item is a photo album of the Japanese "Hanami Unit," containing 44 rare photos. It mainly documents the establishment and operation of a field hospital in Tianjin by a unit of the Japanese North China Area Army. The photos clearly showcase the layout of the hospital laboratory, the supply room, wards, as well as Japanese medical activities and hospital staff.

This album made Yu realize the systemic nature of the Japanese invasion. "Medical services were also part of Japanese aggression against China. Those hospital layouts and records of infectious disease zones are all evidence of the Japanese military's invasion," he said.

"Patriotism is never just a slogan; it must be put into concrete action. History resides within old objects; we must approach and understand them," Yu stated. Collecting and donating these relics is his practical action to safeguard historical truth.

From Curiosity to Responsibility: the Journey of a Collector

Yu's journey into collecting old objects began at the age of six. Influenced by his uncle, an avid collector, he frequented museums and antique markets with him since childhood, listening to the historical stories behind the items. This planted a seed of curiosity about history and culture. However, what truly transformed this curiosity into a sense of duty was his multiple visits to the Memorial Hall.

"My uncle is an associate professor with a doctorate in art studies from Nanjing Agricultural University. I often visit Nanjing," Yu explained. "When I come to the Memorial Hall, standing before the remains of the victims and seeing the photographic evidence of Japanese atrocities, I am deeply shaken. It made me acutely aware that protecting historical relics means protecting our national memory."

Over the past decade, he has spent his spare time collecting old objects, visiting antique markets in Xuzhou, Nanjing, and other places, while also utilizing online second-hand channels for selection. His personal collection now exceeds a hundred items, turning his home into a veritable "small museum."

"At first, I used my money from Chinese New Year’s red envelopes. Later, I adopted a 'collecting-to-support-collecting' approach, using proceeds from some items to buy others I wanted, gradually building up the collection," he said. The two pieces of invasion crime evidence donated this time were acquired through online second-hand trading platforms, costing over 20,000 yuan in total.

"I would never sell or keep privately such evidence of invasion that carries the trauma of our nation," Yu asserted. After obtaining the items, he proactively contacted the Memorial Hall. "They are witnesses to the nation's blood and tears. Only by entrusting them to the Memorial Hall to be made public can more people see the truth of history. Only then can these objects realize their true value."

Learning from History to Nurture Patriotism

Yu learned about the historical facts of the Nanjing Massacre from textbooks and extracurricular materials. Collecting relics firsthand has given him a deeper understanding of this history. "The Japanese invasion of China is an eternal wound for the Chinese nation. The Nanjing Massacre is a crime proven with ironclad evidence. It is part of our national memory and must never be forgotten."

Yu pays close attention to current affairs. He stated that attempts by Japanese right-wing forces to distort and erase the history of the invasion have strengthened his resolve to safeguard the truth. "These relics are irrefutable evidence against historical nihilism. We must use more physical evidence to prove that humiliating period of history truly happened," he said. Remembering history is not about perpetuating hatred, but about drawing lessons from it. "As a middle school student, I hope for more exchanges between Chinese and Japanese youth. But such exchanges must be based on respect for historical truth. We cannot obscure history for the sake of friendship."

Now, applying for a major in archaeology and becoming someone useful to the country have become clear goals for Yu. "We must hold our country in our hearts, study hard to gain skills, and make our nation stronger. Only then can we prevent the tragedies of history from repeating themselves," he said. This young man is, through his perseverance, ensuring that more history is seen and remembered, thus allowing patriotism to take deep root in the hearts of the younger generation.

英文翻译：黄思婷

翻译审校：欧阳凤

作者：黄思婷 欧阳凤

责编：黄思婷

一审：黄思婷

二审：田梦瑶

三审：秦慧英

来源：湖南日报·新湖南客户端