At the Yukeke frontier post in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region stands a monument for an ox; and an ode to the ox has become a pet song on the frontier.

　　About ten years ago, there was no highway linking the barracks of the company with the frontier sentry. So the company had to use an ox to deliver materials and provisions to the sentry instead of vehicle. Because the ox's skin was black, soldiers called the ox amiably "A Hei". "A Hei" was able to carry out its duty independently. When soldiers finished loading, with only a pat on its back, "A Hei" would go alone to the sentry at a place more than 10 kilometers away and over 2,500 meters above sea level. Year by year,　"A Hei" trampled out a narrow path connecting the company and the frontier sentry. It served in the frontier company for 17 years, during which it went to and fro between the company and the frontier sentry traveling a total of 35,000 kilometers with a load of materials and provisions usually adding up to more than 270 tons.

　　One day ten years ago, after fulfilling its last mission, "A Hei" died quietly with its head towards the direction of the frontier sentry. Ten years have passed, servicemen of the Yukeke frontier defense company still remember "A Hei", their mute friend. On Sept. 25, 2003, a statue of "A Hei" donated by the Boertala Military Sub-Command was erected at the side of the highway leading the company to the frontier sentry.

　　By Xie Xu

　　(Oct. 24, PLA Daily)