Translated by Claude, edited by Sinocism.com

The Loess Plateau stretches vast and boundless. The lamplight in the cave dwellings of Yangjialing, crossing the long river of years, still shines as bright as ever.

黄土高原广袤苍茂，杨家岭的窑洞灯火，穿越岁月长河，依然闪亮如初。

More than 80 years ago, it was on this red soil of northern Shaanxi that the vigorous Yan'an Rectification Movement was carried out. Through this thought-tempering that turned the blade inward and cleansed the soul, the Party and the people's army it created and leads grew stronger ideologically, politically, and organizationally.

80多年前，正是在陕北这片红色热土上，开展了一场轰轰烈烈的延安整风运动。经历这场刀口向内、淄荡灵魂的思想淹火，党及其缔造领导的人民军队在思想上政治上组织上更加坚强。

Gazing upon the lamplight of those cave dwellings, the spiritual spark of the Yan'an Rectification has always illuminated the long road of history. At the opening ceremony of the training class for the military's senior officers, Chairman Xi stressed: "Carry out the rectification of thought, deepen political rectification and training, strengthen the revolutionary forging of our military's officer corps, always maintain the purity and glory of the people's army, and greet the centenary of the founding of the army with a brand-new political outlook."

瞩望窑洞灯火，延安整风的精神火种始终照亮历史长路。在全军高级干部培训班开班式上，习主席强调："开展思想整风，深化政治整训，加强我军干部队伍革命性锻造，始终保持人民军队纯洁光荣，以崭新政治面貌迎接建军一百周年。"

Standing at the critical juncture of the final push in this tough battle, the officers and soldiers bear heavy responsibilities and mountainous missions. Only by setting things right at the source and strengthening the foundation ideologically — frequently brushing off the "dust of thought," repeatedly reflecting on the "harm of greed," and constantly defeating the "thief within the heart" — can they build a firm foundation of faith, replenish the calcium of the spirit, and hold steady the rudder of thought, gathering the strength to forge ahead through fine work styles and achieving the goal of the army's centenary on schedule.

站在攻坚冲刺的关键当口，广大官兵重任在肩、使命如山，唯有从思想上正本清源、固本培元，勤掸"思想尘"、多思"贪欲害"、常破"心中贼"，方能筑牢信仰之基、补足精神之钙、把稳思想之舵，以优良作风凝聚奂进力量，如期实现建军一百年奂斗目标。

I

一

A victorious army that has passed the test of blood and fire — how should it be built in peacetime?

经历血火考验的胜利之师，和平时期应该怎样建设？

On June 15, 1950, the first Dragon Boat Festival after the founding of New China was approaching, and all of Beijing was immersed in a festive atmosphere.

1950年6月15日，新中国成立后的第一个端午节即将到来，整个北京沉浸在节日将至的喜庆氛围中。

Across the land of China, reports of victory kept arriving: Xichang liberated, Hainan Island liberated, the Zhoushan Archipelago liberated. In the capital, Beijing, the Second Session of the First National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference was being held.

中国大地，捷报不断传来：西昌解放，海南岛解放，舟山群岛解放……首都北京，中国人民政治协商会议第一届全国委员会第二次会议正在召开。

A China where everything waited to be revived was also a thriving, flourishing China. On this day, Comrade Mao Zedong specially set aside time to review and revise the draft of the military report that Comrade Nie Rongzhen was preparing to deliver to the CPPCC conference.

百废待兴的中国，也是欣欣向荣的中国。这一天，毛泽东同志特意抽出时间，审阅修改聂荣臻同志准备向全国政协会议作的军事报告稿。

Recalling the past and reflecting on the road traveled, profound contemplation flowed from his pen. In the revised draft, Mao Zedong specially added a passage: "After this year's demobilization work is done well, the whole army should, beginning this winter, carry out a top-to-bottom rectification movement to overcome all undesirable phenomena. We must teach the commanders and fighters of the People's Liberation Army not to be arrogant and complacent, not to presume upon their merits…"