Miscellaneous Poem · Ode to the Eighth Company [I]
(August 1, 1963)

The Good Eighth Company, known across the land.
Why? Their will is firm.
Serving the people for decades.
Resisting corrosion, never touching contamination.
Thus they are called the Good Eighth Company.
The Liberation Army should learn from them.
All soldiers and civilians must stand on their own.
Fear no pressure, fear no oppression.
Fear no knife, fear no blade.
Fear no ghost, fear no demon.
Fear no imperialist, fear no thief.
Remarkable sons and daughters, like pines and cypresses.
Reaching up to heaven, proud of frost and snow.
Discipline excellent, like a solid rampart.
Chuan
This miscellaneous poem was written by Mao Zedong for the Eighth Company of a certain unit of the People's Liberation Army on the 36th anniversary of the founding of the PLA.
In May 1949, this company was stationed on Nanjing Road in Shanghai. Living amidst the bustling city, they remained spotless, practiced diligence and frugality, worked selflessly for the public good, loved the people, and took pleasure in helping others.
On April 25, 1963, the Ministry of National Defense approved the awarding of the glorious title "Good Eighth Company on Nanjing Road" to this unit.
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Military skill excellent, like a thunderbolt.
Political work excellent, ranked first.
Ideological work excellent, able to analyze.
Analysis excellent, of great benefit.
Where lies the benefit? In the strength of unity.
When army and people are united as one,
Let us see who in the world can be our enemy.

Reference photo
On August 1, 1963, Mao Zedong met with the actors after watching the play "Lei Feng" performed by the Shenyang Military Region's Anti-Enemy Drama Troupe.
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Complete Works of Mao Zedong, Volume 45
On August 1, 1963, Mao Zedong met with the actors after watching the play "Lei Feng".
464

Reference photo
On August 1, 1963, Mao Zedong posed for a group photo with the cast of "Lei Feng" from the Shenyang Military Region's Anti-Enemy Drama Troupe.
465

Complete Works of Mao Zedong, Volume 45
On August 1, 1963, Mao Zedong posed for a group photo with the cast of "Lei Feng" from the Shenyang Military Region's Anti-Enemy Drama Troupe.
466

Reference photo
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On August 1, 1963, Mao Zedong posed for a group photo with the cast of "Lei Feng" from the Shenyang Military Region's Anti-Enemy Drama Troupe.
467