Zhang Side

Zhang Side (simplified Chinese: 张思德; traditional Chinese: 張思德; pinyin: Zhāng Sīdé) (April 19, 1915 – September 5, 1944) was a soldier of the People's Liberation Army.

He was born in Yilong County, Sichuan Province and served as a soldier of the People's Liberation Army of the Second United Front during the Second Sino-Japanese War. He joined the military in December 1933 serving in a variety of posts and taking part in Long March of 1935. During this time he was wounded in battle at least three times and repeatedly recognized for his dedication to the cause. Beginning in 1943, he served as one of Mao Zedong's body guards and held that position until he was killed when a charchoal-producing kiln suddenly collapsed. At Zhang's memorial service, Chairman Mao subsequently honored him in a speech entitled "Serve the People," saying that "To die for the people is weightier than Mount Tai, but to work for the fascists and die for the exploiters and oppressors is lighter than a feather. Comrade Zhang Side died for the people, and his death is indeed weightier than Mount Tai.". In others books was written that Mao Zedong said in his eulogy "Serve the people":

"All men must die, but death can vary in its significance. The ancient Chinese writer Szuma Chien (Sima Qian) said, "Though death befalls all men alike, it may be weightier than Mount Tai or lighter than a feather." From now on, when anyone in our ranks who has done some useful work dies, be he soldier or cook, we should have a funeral ceremony and a memorial meeting in his honor. This should become the rule. And it should be introduced among the people as well. When someone dies in a village, let a memorial meeting be held. In this way we express our mourning for the dead and unite all the people".
This speech later became the focal point of a propaganda campaign that in some forms is still actually in use.