The Origins of the Good Work Style of Soviet Area Cadres and Its Contemporary Implications

“Soviet area cadres had a good work style: they brought their own dry rations to the office; by day they wore straw sandals to carry out the revolution, and by night they carried lanterns to visit the poor peasants.” This popular Xingguo folk song not only profoundly depicts the image of Party cadres during the Central Soviet Area period, but is also a vivid portrayal of the fine work style of Soviet area cadres. During the Central Soviet Area period, in the practice of creating, consolidating, and developing the base areas and exercising local governance, Soviet area cadres forged a fine work style characterized by “wholeheartedly serving the people, seeking truth from facts, working hard, being honest in performing official duties, and striving for first-class performance.” This fine work style was an important magic weapon for the Party to win popular support and rally strength. Summarizing the experience of Party style building during the Central Soviet Area period and exploring the reasons for the formation of the good work style of Soviet area cadres has important theoretical and practical significance for carrying forward the glorious tradition and strengthening and improving Party style building in the New Era.

“苏区干部好作风，自带干粮去办公；日着草鞋干革命，夜打灯笼访贫农。”这首脍炙人口的兴国山歌，不仅深刻描绘了中央苏区时期党的干部形象，更是苏区干部优良作风的生动写照。中央苏区时期，苏区干部在根据地的创建、巩固发展和局部执政的实践探索中，铸就了“一心为民、求真务实、艰苦奋斗、廉洁奉公、争创一流”的优良作风。这一优良作风是党赢得民心、凝聚力量的重要法宝。总结中央苏区时期党的作风建设经验，探究苏区干部好作风形成的原因，对新时代弘扬光荣传统，加强和改进党的作风建设有重要的理论和实践意义。

I. The Nature and Purpose of the Party Are the Inner Core of the Formation of the Good Work Style of Soviet Area Cadres

一、党的性质和宗旨是苏区干部好作风形成的内核

The nature and purpose of a political party are the internal decisive factors of its work style, and the work style of a political party is the most direct and vivid external manifestation of its nature and purpose. In this sense, the work style of a political party is “the relatively stable emotional cognition and comprehensive evaluation left by the overall quality, spiritual outlook, ability, ideas, and performance displayed to the public in the process of practicing its own propositions and values.” [1]1 The original Chinese text cites a source here but does not provide the specific reference; the translation retains the quoted passage as given. The Communist Party of China, armed with Marxism, is not only a political party with scientific theoretical guidance and firm ideals and convictions, but also a political party shouldering the mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. These essential attributes and mission tasks of the Party are the core factors and driving force for the formation of the good work style of Soviet area cadres.

政党的性质宗旨是政党作风的内在决定性因素，政党的作风是政党性质宗旨最直接、最生动的外在彰显。从这个意义上说，政党作风是政党在践行自我主张、价值过程中“展现出来的整体素质、精神风貌、能力、理念和绩效等给社会公众留下的相对稳定的情感认知和综合评价。”作为用马克思主义武装起来的中国共产党，不仅是一个有着科学理论指导、具有坚定理想信念的政党，而且是一个肩负为中国人民谋幸福、为中华民族谋复兴的政党。党的这些本质属性和使命任务是苏区干部好作风形成的核心因素和动力源泉。

(I) The Nature of the Vanguard of the Proletariat Is the Core Factor in the Formation of the Good Work Style of Soviet Area Cadres

（一）无产阶级先锋队的性质是苏区干部好作风形成的核心因素

The Communist Party of China is a political party representing the fundamental interests of the proletariat and the broad masses of the people. The Party’s First Program stipulated that “the revolutionary army must overthrow the capitalist class regime together with the proletariat” and that the state should be rebuilt by the laboring classes. This stipulation not only reflects the consistency of interests between the Party and the people, but also fundamentally stipulates that the Party must be the most faithful representative of the broad masses of working people. During the Central Soviet Area period, the “Constitutional Outline,” [2]2 The “Constitutional Outline” (宪法大纲) refers to the “Constitutional Outline of the Chinese Soviet Republic” (中华苏维埃共和国宪法大纲), adopted in November 1931 at the First National Congress of Soviets in Ruijin, Jiangxi. the “Detailed Rules for Elections of the Chinese Soviet Republic,” the “Detailed Rules for the Work of the Election Committee of the Chinese Soviet Republic,” the “Provisional Soviet Election Law,” and others were successively adopted. These not only legally established the class nature and democratic essence of the Soviet regime, but also legally guaranteed the political rights of the broad masses of the people, truly realizing “all power to the Soviets.” The “Constitutional Outline” solemnly declared: “The Chinese Soviet regime builds a democratic dictatorship of the workers and peasants. All power of the Soviets belongs to the workers, peasants, Red Army soldiers, and all toiling masses.” The democratic nature of the Soviet regime not only enhanced the sense of responsibility and mission of Soviet area Party members and cadres, but also stimulated the enthusiasm of the Soviet area masses to participate in and discuss politics. They actively elected cadres with a good work style and public recognition to work in Soviet government organs, laying the foundation for the formation of the good work style of Soviet area cadres.

中国共产党是一个代表无产阶级和广大人民群众根本利益的政党。党的一大纲领规定“革命军队必须与无产阶级一起推翻资本家阶级政权”，由劳动阶级重建国家。这一规定，既体现了党与人民在利益上的一致性，又从根本上规定了党必须是广大劳动群众的最忠实代表。中央苏区时期先后通过的《宪法大纲》《中华苏维埃共和国的选举细则》《中华苏维埃共和国选举委员会工作细则》《苏维埃暂行选举法》等，不仅从法律上确立了苏维埃政权的阶级属性、民主本质，而且从法律上保障了广大人民群众的政治权利，真正实现“一切权力归苏维埃”。《宪法大纲》庄严宣告：“中华苏维埃政权所建设的是工人和农民的民主专政国家。苏维埃全部政权是属于工人、农民、红军兵士及一切劳苦民众的。”苏维埃政权的民主属性，不仅增强了苏区党员干部的责任感和使命感，而且激发了苏区群众参政议政的积极性。他们积极推选作风优良、群众公认的干部到苏维埃政府机关工作，为苏区干部好作风的形成奠定了条件。

(II) Firm Ideals and Convictions Are the Inexhaustible Spiritual Driving Force for the Formation of the Good Work Style of Soviet Area Cadres

（二）坚定的理想信念是苏区干部好作风形成的不竭精神动力

Ideals and convictions are the spiritual pillar and foundation of the Chinese Communists’ existence, and also the inexhaustible spiritual driving force for Soviet area cadres to be strong-willed, prefer death to surrender, fear no hardships, and fight bravely. The “Declaration of the Central Soviet Area General League Against Imperialism and for Supporting the Soviet Union on Holding the Movement of ‘Opposing Imperialism, Armed Support for the Soviet Union, Developing the National Revolutionary War, and Smashing the Enemy’s Large-Scale Attack’” pointed out: “We firmly believe in victory, actively attack the enemy,” “Victory belongs to us!” In 1930, Mao Zedong, in his article “A Single Spark Can Start a Prairie Fire,” scientifically predicted that the Chinese revolution would surely form a “prairie fire” situation. Mao Zedong’s vivid expression of the revolutionary prospects not only laid the theoretical and ideological foundation for the Chinese revolution, but also strengthened the ideals and convictions of the Soviet area military and civilians. Behind touching stories such as Jiang Shanzhong’s blood-written oath “I will not defect even in death, I will protect the Communist Party for ten thousand years,” Li Meiqun’s “entrusting her child before mounting her horse,” [3]3 “Entrusting her child before mounting her horse” (马前托孤) refers to the story of Li Meiqun, a female Red Army commander who, during the fifth counter-encirclement campaign in 1934, handed her newborn daughter to a peasant family before rejoining the battle; she was later captured and executed. and He Shuheng’s [4]4 He Shuheng (何叔衡, 1876–1935) was a founding member of the Communist Party of China and a senior official in the Chinese Soviet Republic; he died in a battle with Kuomintang forces in February 1935. “shedding the last drop of blood for the Soviets,” all reflect the firm ideals and convictions of Soviet area cadres. This rock-solid conviction was the spiritual support and driving force for the tenacious will and fine work style of Soviet area cadres.

理想信念是中国共产党人的精神支柱和安身立命之本，也是苏区干部意志坚定、宁死不屈、不畏艰险、英勇奋斗的不竭精神动力。《中央苏区反帝拥苏总同盟为举行“反对帝国主义，武装拥护苏联，发展民族革命战争，粉碎敌人大举进攻运动”宣言》指出：“我们坚强胜利的信念，积极进攻敌人”，“胜利是属于我们的！”1930年毛泽东在《星星之火，可以燎原》一文中，科学预言中国革命一定会形成“燎原”之势。毛泽东对革命前途的形象表达，不仅为中国革命奠定了理论和思想基础，而且坚定了苏区军民的理想信念。江善忠血书“死到阴间不反水，保护共产党万万年”、李美群“马前托孤”、何叔衡“为苏维埃流尽最后一滴血”等动人故事的背后，无不体现出苏区干部坚定的理想信念。这种坚如磐石的信念，是苏区干部顽强意志、优良作风的精神支撑和动力源泉。

(III) A Strong Sense of Purpose Is the Value Orientation for the Formation of the Good Work Style of Soviet Area Cadres

（三）牢固的宗旨意识是苏区干部好作风形成的价值导向

“The proletarian movement is the independent movement of the immense majority, in the interests of the immense majority.” [5]5 This is a paraphrase of a well-known passage from *The Communist Manifesto* by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Since its founding, the Party has consciously shouldered the historical mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. The “Constitutional Outline of the Chinese Soviet Republic” adopted at the “First Congress of Soviets” in 1931 stipulated that the revolution and construction in the base areas aimed at “thoroughly improving the living conditions of the working class” and “eliminating the feudal system and thoroughly improving the living conditions of the peasants.” It was precisely based on this lofty mission that Soviet area cadres, amidst the vigorous revolution and base area construction, adhered to the people’s standpoint, rooted themselves among the people, strengthened investigation and research, “cared about the people’s sufferings and joys,” “sought benefits for the people wholeheartedly,” and did their utmost to solve the most urgent and realistic problems of the masses. This won the heartfelt support and endorsement of the Soviet area masses and established a Party-mass relationship, cadre-mass relationship, and army-mass relationship as close as fish and water.

“无产阶级的运动是绝大多数人的、为绝大多数人谋利益的独立的运动”。党自成立之日起，就自觉扛起为中国人民谋幸福、为中华民族谋复兴的历史使命。1931年“一苏大”通过的《中华苏维埃共和国宪法大纲》规定，根据地革命和建设“以彻底改善工人阶级的生活状况为目的”“以消灭封建制度及彻底的改善农民生活为目的”。正是基于这一崇高的使命担当，苏区干部在如火如荼的革命与根据地建设中，坚守人民立场，扎根人民之中，加强调查研究，“关心群众的痛痒”，“真心实意地为群众谋利益”，尽最大可能解决群众最迫切、最现实的问题，赢得了苏区群众的衷心拥护和支持，建立了鱼水情深的党群关系、干群关系、军群关系。

II. A Clean and Upright Political Ecosystem Is the External Environment for the Formation of the Good Work Style of Soviet Area Cadres

二、风清气正的政治生态是苏区干部好作风形成的外部环境

The political ecosystem and social atmosphere are important external factors influencing the formation of work style. To tighten intra-Party political life, create a good political ecosystem, and promote the formation of a fine work style, during the Central Soviet Area period, the Party continuously purified the intra-Party political ecosystem by improving the organizational life system, tightening intra-Party political life, and fostering a positive and progressive revolutionary culture, providing a good external environment for the formation of the good work style of Soviet area cadres.

政治生态、社会风气是影响作风形成的重要外部因素。为严肃党内生活，营造良好的政治生态，促进优良作风的形成，中央苏区时期，党通过健全组织生活制度、严肃党内生活、营造积极向上的革命文化等方式不断净化党内政治生态，为苏区干部好作风的形成提供了良好的外部环境。

(I) A Sound Organizational Life System Provides Organizational Guarantees for the Formation of the Good Work Style of Soviet Area Cadres

（一）健全的组织生活制度为苏区干部好作风的形成提供组织保证

A sound organizational life system is not only conducive to strengthening the Party’s overall leadership and promptly conveying the decisions and deployments of the Central Committee to local Party organizations at all levels, but also conducive to Party organizations at all levels understanding the thoughts and work status of Party members and cadres, thereby carrying out targeted education and management. With the universal establishment and gradual standardization of the Party’s organizational system in the Central Soviet Area, especially at the grassroots Party branch level, the base areas established a mechanism of “systematically educating comrades from the branch level upwards.” The establishment of this mechanism ensured that the Party’s political life could be carried out on a regular and institutionalized basis. In November 1931, the “Resolution on the Issue of Party Building” adopted by the First Congress of the Party in the Central Soviet Area, targeting the problem of some grassroots Party branches being divorced from the masses, sharply criticized the shortcomings and clearly stated: “The work of the branch must undergo a thorough transformation, so that the branch truly becomes the link between the Party and the masses.” It stipulated that “lower-level organizations must regularly submit oral or written work reports to higher-level organizations.” Institutionalized organizational life prompted Soviet area Party members and cadres to proactively report their thoughts and work to Party organizations and accept organizational supervision and guidance.

完善的组织生活制度，不仅有利于加强党的全面领导，及时把中央的决策部署传达到地方各级党组织，而且有利于党的各级组织了解党员干部的思想和工作状态，进而开展针对性的教育和管理。随着中央苏区党的组织体系，尤其是基层党支部的普遍建立和逐步规范化，根据地建立了“从支部起，经常的有系统的来教育同志”的机制。这一机制的建立，确保了党的政治生活能够常态化、制度化开展。1931年11月，中央苏区党的第一次代表大会通过的《党的建设问题决议案》，针对有些基层党支部脱离群众的问题，决议案痛陈弊端，明确提出：“支部工作必须有彻底的转变，要使支部真正成为党与群众的连环。”规定“下级党部对上级必须经常有口头的或书面的工作报告”。制度化的组织生活，促使苏区党员干部主动向党组织汇报思想和工作情况，接受组织的监督指导。

(II) The Sharp Weapon of Criticism and Self-Criticism Promptly Corrected the Bad Work Style of Soviet Area Cadres

（二）批评与自我批评的锐利武器及时纠正苏区干部的不良作风

Earnest and serious criticism and self-criticism are important measures for overcoming undesirable tendencies, unifying thought, enhancing unity, and improving work. They help every Party member and cadre to promptly discover problems and shortcomings in their own thinking, work, and life, and to correct and rectify them. In July 1929, the *Party Member Training Outline* compiled by the Third Column of the Fourth Red Army devoted a special chapter to “How to Criticize Comrades,” providing relatively detailed stipulations on the purpose, method, scope of criticism, and the attitude of the criticized comrade. [6]6 The Fourth Red Army was one of the main forces of the Chinese Red Army during the late 1920s and early 1930s, founded by Zhu De and Mao Zedong. The Third Column was a subordinate unit. The *Resolution of the Ninth Congress of the Fourth Red Army of the Communist Party of China* [7]7 This resolution, adopted at the Gutian Congress in December 1929, is a foundational document of the CPC on Party building and army building, emphasizing the primacy of political work. emphasized that correctly carrying out inner-Party criticism and self-criticism is a “weapon to strengthen the Party’s organization and enhance the Party’s combat effectiveness,” elevating criticism and self-criticism to a strategic height concerning the Party’s vitality and combat effectiveness. In September 1933, Luo Mai (Li Weihan) [8]8 Luo Mai was the pseudonym used by Li Weihan (1896–1984), a senior CPC leader who held key organizational and united front posts. stressed in the article “Treat the Promotion of New Cadres as a Combat Task of the Organization” that leading organs at all levels “must develop self-criticism, not only to make the implementation of the Party’s line more correct and consistent, not only to better transform work methods, but also to enable new cadres to develop their abilities more quickly, and to allow actual opportunist elements and incompetent staff to be discovered in a timely manner, to be replaced by active and resolute forces.” Under the leadership of cadres at all levels, criticism and self-criticism not only played a positive role in the formation of the good work style of Soviet area cadres but also gradually became a prevailing practice in the inner-Party political life of the Central Soviet Area, subsequently developing into a fine tradition of the Party. The *Second Resolution on the Land Investigation Campaign* [9]9 The Land Investigation Campaign (查田运动) was a mass movement in the Central Soviet Area in 1933–1934 to verify land distribution and combat counterrevolutionaries, often criticized for its excesses. adopted in September 1933 truthfully pointed out the bureaucratism in work that was divorced from the actual conditions of the masses and proposed targeted rectification measures. The article “Smash Corruption, Embezzlement, and Bureaucratism — Comrade Fu Lu’s Self-Criticism” published in issue 92 of *Red China* [10]10 *Red China* (《红色中华》) was the official newspaper of the Chinese Soviet Republic, published from 1931 to 1937. on July 8, 1933, contained Fu Lu’s self-examination: “I privately used over four yuan of public money to buy a watch and food,” and “I was slack and irresponsible towards general work.” This kind of open, soul-searching self-criticism was extremely common during the Central Soviet Area period and effectively corrected the undesirable tendencies that emerged in work style construction.

严肃认真的批评与自我批评，是克服不良倾向、统一思想、增进团结、改进工作的重要措施，有利于每一位党员干部及时发现自身思想、工作和生活等方面的问题和不足，并加以纠正改进。1929年7月，红四军第三纵队编印的《党员训练大纲》专章介绍了“怎样批评同志”，对批评的目的、方法、范围及被批评者的态度作了比较详细的规定。《中国共产党红军第四军第九次代表大会决议案》强调，正确地开展党内批评与自我批评，是“坚强党的组织、增强党的战斗力的武器”，将批评与自我批评提升到关乎党的生命力和战斗力的战略高度。1933年9月，罗迈（李维汉）在《把提拔新的干部当作组织上的战斗任务》一文中强调，各级领导机关“必须发展自我批评，不只使党的路线的执行更加正确和一致，不只更加能够转变工作方法，同时就使新的干部更快地发展他的能力，并且使实际机会主义分子和不称职的工作人员能及时发现，而代之以积极坚决的力量。”在各级领导干部的带领下，批评与自我批评不仅在苏区干部好作风的形成过程中发挥了积极作用，而且日渐成为中央苏区党内政治生活的一种风气，进而发展成为党的优良传统。1933年9月通过的《关于查田运动的第二次决议》，如实指出工作中出现的脱离群众实际的官僚主义，并针对性提出整改措施。1933年7月8日第92期《红色中华》报刊载的《粉碎贪污腐化官僚主义——傅禄同志的自我批评》一文，傅禄自我检讨道：“私用了公家四块多钱，拿去买表及吃东西”，“消极怠工，对一般的工作不负责任。”这种公开的、触及灵魂的自我批评，在中央苏区时期极为常见，有力纠正了作风建设中出现的不良倾向。

(3) The positive and progressive revolutionary culture created a favorable atmosphere for the formation of the good work style of Soviet area cadres.

（三）积极向上的革命文化为苏区干部好作风的形成营造良好氛围

Culture and work style are closely linked, mutually reinforcing and promoting each other. During the Central Soviet Area period, the Party placed great emphasis on the mutually reinforcing and positive interactive relationship between cultural construction and work style construction, vigorously creating a revolutionary cultural atmosphere that revered models. Mao Zedong not only solemnly praised Changgang Township and Caixi Township as “truly model township governments” and “models of Soviet work,” but also proposed using “practical methods to improve our work, so that advanced places should advance further, and backward places should catch up with the advanced.” During this period, many important Soviet Area newspapers and periodicals, such as *Red China*, *Youth Truth*, and *Struggle*, [11]11 *Youth Truth* (《青年实话》) was the organ of the Young Communist League in the Soviet areas; *Struggle* (《斗争》) was a theoretical journal of the CPC Central Committee. set up columns like “Red Board” and “Red Plaque” to commend and publicize those Soviet area cadres who were active in work, honest and upright, and had a correct work style. For example, issue 141 of *Red China* on January 7, 1934, collectively commended the head of the Ruijin County General Shock Brigade, A Jin, and six district shock brigade heads: Tang Baokang of Yunji District, Lai Changzuo of Hedong District, Cai Zhufeng of Chengshi District, Zhang Hua of Xiaxiao District, Mao Zetan of Huangbai District, and Zhu Xueou of Aiqian District. [12]12 Mao Zetan (1905–1935) was Mao Zedong’s younger brother, a Red Army commander who died in battle. Furthermore, literary and artistic workers in the Central Soviet Area used various methods such as slogans, cartoons, songs, and plays to publicize the advanced deeds and fine work style of Soviet area cadres, creating a positive and progressive revolutionary cultural atmosphere in the Soviet Area and a favorable external environment for the formation of the good work style of Soviet area cadres. For instance, the March 4, 1934 issue of *Youth Truth* published six cartoons titled *Exchanging Seeds*, which vividly reflected the fine work style of agricultural technicians from the base areas going deep into the countryside to promote agricultural production techniques. These rich and varied cultural propaganda activities created a strong revolutionary cultural atmosphere of learning from models and pursuing progress, providing fertile cultural soil for the formation of the good work style of Soviet area cadres.

文化与作风紧密相连，二者相辅相成、相互促进。中央苏区时期，党高度重视文化建设与作风建设的相互促进、良性互动关系，大力营造崇尚模范的革命文化氛围。毛泽东不仅隆重地表扬长冈乡和才溪乡是“真正模范的乡政府”，是“苏维埃工作的模范”，而且提出要用“切实的办法来改善我们的工作，先进的地方应该更加前进，落后的地方应该赶上先进的地方”。这一时期，苏区许多重要报刊，如《红色中华》《青年实话》《斗争》等，开设“红板”“红匾”等专栏，用以表扬和宣传那些工作积极、廉洁奉公、作风正派的苏区干部。如1934年1月7日第141期《红色中华》，集中表扬了瑞金县总突击队队长阿金及云集区汤宝康、河东区赖昌作、城市区蔡祝丰、下肖区张华、黄柏区毛泽覃、隘前区朱学耦六位区突击队队长。此外，中央苏区的文艺工作者通过标语、漫画、歌谣、戏剧等多种方式，宣传苏区干部的先进事迹和优良作风，在苏区营造了积极向上的革命文化氛围，为苏区干部好作风的形成创造了良好的外部环境。如1934年3月4日出版的《青年实话》，刊登了6幅《种子互相交换》的漫画，形象地反映了根据地农技人员深入农村，推广农业生产技术的优良作风。这些丰富多彩的文化宣传，营造了浓厚的学习模范、追求进步的革命文化氛围，为苏区干部好作风的形成提供了文化沃土。

III. Leading cadres setting an example from above was the key link in the formation of the good work style of Soviet area cadres.

三、领导干部以上率下是苏区干部好作风形成的关键环节

During the Central Soviet Area period, Li Weihan once emphasized: “In government work, one should be a model of extreme incorruptibility, not using personal connections, doing more work, and taking less reward,” and at all times and places “one should subordinate personal interests to the interests of the nation and the people,” and “at all times and places be a model of revolutionary discipline and utter loyalty to the revolutionary cause.” During this period, veteran proletarian revolutionaries such as Mao Zedong, Zhu De, and Zhou Enlai led by example, setting an example from above, using practical actions to educate and guide the formation of the good work style of Soviet area cadres.

中央苏区时期，李维汉曾强调：“在政府工作中，应该是十分廉洁、不用私人、多做工作、少取报酬的模范”，何时何地都“应以个人利益服从于民族的和人民群众的利益”，“何时何地都是革命纪律和对革命事业彻底忠实的模范”。这一时期，毛泽东、朱德、周恩来等老一辈无产阶级革命家，以身作则、以上率下，用实际行动教育引领苏区干部好作风的形成。

(1) Guiding Soviet area cadres to continuously improve their theoretical level.

（一）引领苏区干部不断提升理论水平

First, taking the lead in studying theory. To systematically promote the study and research of Marxist theory among leading cadres, the Soviet central organs took the lead in establishing a Marxist Research Society, playing an important exemplary role in theoretical study. Leading cadres, primarily represented by Comrade Mao Zedong, regarded theoretical study as a political responsibility and spiritual pursuit, leading by example and taking the lead in delving into it. Despite being on the front line of struggle, with intense warfare and heavy administrative affairs, they squeezed out time to diligently study Marxist-Leninist works and closely followed the domestic and international situation. During this period, Mao Zedong applied the basic principles of Marxism to deeply analyze the reality of the Chinese revolution, writing important works such as *A Single Spark Can Start a Prairie Fire* and *Oppose Book Worship*. [13]13 *A Single Spark Can Start a Prairie Fire* (1930) argued for the viability of rural base areas; *Oppose Book Worship* (1930) criticized dogmatic reliance on texts, advocating investigation. Zhang Wentian wrote theoretical articles such as *On the New Way of Leadership* and *Oppose Petty-Bourgeois Ultra-Leftism*. [14]14 Zhang Wentian (1900–1976) was a senior CPC leader and theorist, later a key figure in the Rectification Movement. Second, taking the lead in lecturing on theory. Inner-Party theoretical cadres and leaders with rich practical experience, such as Mao Zedong, Zhang Wentian, Dong Biwu, and Liu Shaoqi, often went to the Marxist Research Society or the Marx-Communist School to give reports, providing in-depth and easy-to-understand explanations on core content such as the basic principles of Marxism, the international and domestic situation, and the Party’s line, principles, and policies. In April 1929, at the Land Revolution Cadre Training Class in Lijiang Academy, Xingguo County, Mao Zedong expounded on the Party’s political program, explained land revolution policies, and emphasized the Party’s mass discipline, work discipline, goals, and tasks. [15]15 Lijiang Academy was a historic school in Xingguo County, Jiangxi, used as a training site for land revolution cadres in 1929. Third, taking the lead in applying theory. Leaders such as Mao Zedong actively advocated the Marxist style of study that integrates theory with practice. During the Central Soviet Area period, Mao Zedong practiced what he preached, going deep into the grassroots, and successively conducted a series of famous investigations, including the Xunwu Investigation, the Xingguo Investigation, the Changgang Township Investigation, and the Caixi Township Investigation, providing an important basis for formulating land revolution lines and policies that conformed to reality. Driven by leading cadres at all levels, a strong atmosphere of theoretical study was formed in the Soviet Area. Party and government organs at all levels, Red Army units, and mass organizations generally established study groups, research societies, and reading classes, flexibly organizing study and discussions during work breaks, on the march, and in the fields. “Literacy boards” on walls, theoretical articles in the mimeographed *Red China* newspaper, and simple propaganda booklets all became important vehicles for disseminating theory. Through systematic, in-depth, and closely reality-linked theoretical study, the political awareness and theoretical literacy of the vast majority of Soviet area cadres, especially those of worker and peasant origin, were significantly enhanced.

一是带头学理论。为系统推进领导干部的马克思主义理论学习与研究，苏区中央机关率先成立马克思主义研究会，发挥理论学习的重要示范作用。以毛泽东同志为主要代表的领导干部，将理论学习视为一项政治责任和精神追求，以身作则、带头钻研。尽管身处斗争一线，战事紧张、政务繁忙，他们挤出时间刻苦研读马列著作，密切关注国内外形势。在此期间，毛泽东运用马克思主义基本原理深入分析中国革命实际，撰写《星星之火，可以燎原》《反对本本主义》等重要著作。张闻天撰写《关于新的领导方式》《反对小资产阶级的极左主义》等理论文章。二是带头讲理论。毛泽东、张闻天、董必武、刘少奇等党内理论骨干和具有丰富实践经验的领导人，经常前往马克思主义研究会或马克思共产主义学校作报告，围绕马克思主义基本原理、国际国内形势、党的路线方针政策等核心内容，进行深入浅出的讲解。1929年4月，毛泽东在兴国潋江书院的土地革命干部训练班上，宣讲党的政纲，讲解土地革命政策，强调党的群众纪律、工作纪律和目标任务。三是带头用理论。毛泽东等领导人积极倡导理论联系实际的马克思主义学风。中央苏区时期，毛泽东身体力行，深入基层，先后开展了寻乌调查、兴国调查、长冈乡调查、才溪乡调查等一系列著名调研，为制定符合实际的土地革命路线和政策提供了重要依据。在各级领导干部的带动下，苏区形成了浓厚的理论学习氛围。各级党政机关、红军部队和群众团体普遍建立学习小组、研究会和读书班，利用工作间隙、行军途中、田间地头，灵活组织学习讨论。墙壁上的“识字牌”、油印的《红色中华》报理论文章、简易宣传册等，都成为传播理论的重要载体。通过系统、深入且紧密联系实际的理论学习，苏区广大干部特别是工农出身的干部的政治觉悟和理论素养得到显著提升。

(2) Guiding Soviet area cadres to go deep into reality and seek truth from facts.

（二）引领苏区干部深入实际、求真务实

In December 1933, Mao Zedong emphasized in “The Soviet Work of Changgang Township, Xingguo County”: “The most effective method to oppose bureaucratism is to show them living examples.” Deng Yingchao pointed out in “Strive to Create a Million Iron Red Army” that the completion of various tasks in the base areas “depends most importantly on the strengthening of Party leadership, on each Party member and League member taking the lead in joining the Red Army and serving as models for the masses, thereby playing their enormous leading role.” During the Central Soviet Area period, the Party not only put forward the goals and tasks of revolution and construction and the principles, policies, and strategies for achieving them, but also promoted the completion of various tasks with a pragmatic work style and solid measures, “using facts to prove it to the vast majority of peasant masses within the Soviet Area and throughout all of China.” To grasp the actual situation in the base areas, Mao Zedong not only conducted the Xunwu Investigation, the Xingguo Investigation, the Changgang Township Investigation, and the Caixi Township Investigation, but also carried out the Dongtang Investigation and the Mukou Village Investigation in the intervals between battles, thereby initiating a new trend of investigation and research in the Soviet Area through concrete actions. To solve the worries of Red Army soldiers, leading cadres such as Zhou Enlai took the lead in participating in voluntary labor on Saturdays, helping the families of Red Army soldiers with harvesting, carrying water, chopping firewood, etc. To break the enemy’s economic blockade, leading cadres and their families took the lead in reclaiming wasteland and planting vegetables to overcome difficulties. To solve the masses’ difficulty in accessing drinking water, Mao Zedong led Red Army soldiers to personally dig wells for the Soviet Area masses, solving their problem of obtaining drinking water. “Learn military affairs, join the army and fight, carry out tasks, save grain, observe discipline, participate in labor, give preferential treatment to Red Army dependents, offer condolences and make donations, purchase public bonds, join supply and marketing cooperatives.” The ballad “The ‘Ten Leads’ of Soviet Area Cadres” truly and comprehensively reflects the glorious image of Soviet Area cadres as seeking truth from facts and setting an example by taking the lead.

1933年12月，毛泽东在《兴国长冈乡的苏维埃工作》中强调：“反对官僚主义的最有效方法，就是拿活的榜样给他们看。”邓颖超在《为创造一百万铁的红军而斗争》中指出，根据地各项工作任务的完成“最主要的还要依靠于党的领导的加强，依靠于每个党员团员的英勇带头当红军作群众的模范，以起其巨大的领导作用。”中央苏区时期，党不仅提出了革命和建设的目标任务及完成这些目标的方针路线策略，而且以务实的作风、扎实的举措推动完成各项工作，“拿事实证明给苏区内以至全中国最大多数农民群众看”。为掌握根据地实际情况，毛泽东不仅开展了寻乌调查、兴国调查、长冈乡调查、才溪乡调查，而且在战争空隙开展了东塘调查、木口村调查，以实际行动开创了苏区调查研究的一代新风。为解决红军战士后顾之忧，周恩来等领导干部带头参加星期六义务劳动，帮助红军家属割禾、挑水、砍柴等；为打破敌人经济封锁，领导干部及家属带头开荒种菜、克服困难；为解决群众饮水困难，毛泽东带领红军战士亲自为苏区群众开挖水井，解决群众喝水难的问题。“学习军事、参军作战、执行任务、节约粮食、遵守纪律、参加劳动、优待红属、慰劳捐献、购买公债、供销入股。”歌谣《苏区干部“十带头”》，真实全面反映了苏区干部求真务实、以上率下的光辉形象。

(3) Leading Soviet Area Cadres to Be Frugal, Economical, and Hardworking

（三）引领苏区干部勤俭节约、艰苦奋斗

During the Central Soviet Area period, material resources in the base areas were scarce. To break the enemy’s economic blockade and support the front lines, Mao Zedong and other leaders were strict with themselves, enduring hardships first and enjoying comforts last. To save oil, Mao Zedong insisted on using a single lamp wick when working at night. To save grain to support the front lines, Liu Shaoxi led all the staff of the organs to eat “bagged rice” together.[16]16 “Bagged rice” (包包饭) refers to a method during the Central Soviet Area period where individuals would put their allotted grain ration into a small cloth bag and cook it in a communal pot, ensuring strict personal rationing to save food for the front lines. Under the leadership of the Soviet Area leaders, a work style of “being even more hardworking and even more frugal” was formed throughout the Soviet Area. During the Land Investigation Movement,[17]17 The Land Investigation Movement (查田运动) was a campaign launched in the Central Soviet Area in 1933 to verify and correct errors in earlier land distributions, ensuring that land was properly allocated to poor peasants and farm laborers. Soviet Area cadres voluntarily ceded benefits to the people: “Government staff should best not ask for a share of the goods, so as to set an example.” During the Economy Campaign, leading cadres such as Lu Dingyi, Deng Yingchao, Chen Yun, Mao Zetan, Luo Mai, and Pan Hannian, as well as all staff of the Central Finance Department, the Central Education Department, and the Central Worker-Peasant Inspection Committee, each saved two liang[18]18 A *liang* (两) is a traditional Chinese unit of weight, approximately 50 grams. of grain per day.

中央苏区时期，根据地物资匮乏，为打破敌人的经济封锁，支援前线，毛泽东等领导人严于律己，吃苦在前、享受在后。为节约用油，毛泽东晚上办公坚持用一根灯芯；为节约粮食支援前线，刘少奇带领机关全体人员一起吃“包包饭”。在苏区领导人的带领下，苏区上下形成“更加刻苦更加节省”的工作作风。在查田运动中，苏区干部主动让利于民，“政府工作人员最好不要求分东西，以作模范”。在节省运动中，陆定一、邓颖超、陈云、毛泽覃、罗迈、潘汉年等领导干部及中央财政部、中央教育部、中央工农检察委员会的全体工作人员，每日每人节省二两米。

IV. The Cadre Education, Supervision, and Constraint Mechanisms Were an Important Guarantee for the Formation of the Good Work Style of Soviet Area Cadres

四、干部教育、监督和约束机制是苏区干部好作风形成的重要保证

The formation of a work style is a systematic project, related not only to the thoughts and habits of each Party member and cadre but also to the external environment and institutional constraints. To cultivate the good work style of Soviet Area cadres, the Central Soviet Area continuously improved the cadre education, supervision, and constraint mechanisms, providing a solid institutional guarantee for the formation of the good work style of Soviet Area cadres.

作风的形成是个系统工程，既与每个党员干部的思想、习惯有关，也与外部的环境和制度约束有关。为培育苏区干部的良好作风，中央苏区不断完善干部教育、监督和约束机制，为苏区干部好作风的形成提供了坚实的制度保障。

(1) Strengthening Cadre Education and Training, Consolidating the Ideological Foundation for the Formation of the Good Work Style of Soviet Area Cadres

（一）加强干部教育培训，夯实苏区干部好作风形成的思想基础

Ideological education is the foundational work of work style construction. During the Central Soviet Area period, the Party placed cadre education and training in a very important position. According to statistics, from November 1931 to the end of 1933, out of the 39 standing committee meetings of the Soviet Central People’s Committee, 20 were devoted entirely or had an agenda item to the study of educational work, which fully demonstrates the importance the Central Soviet Area attached to cadre education. To systematically and purposefully improve the political-theoretical level of Soviet Area cadres, the Party established many cadre education and training institutions and various Party and League training classes, conducting education for Soviet Area cadres on basic Party theory, education on the sense of purpose, education on the situation and tasks, education on cultural knowledge, and education on organizational discipline, work discipline, and mass discipline. This not only raised the theoretical level and revolutionary consciousness of Soviet Area cadres but also enhanced their deep class feelings for the workers and peasants, laying a solid ideological foundation for the formation of the good work style of Soviet Area cadres.

思想教育是作风建设的基础性工作。中央苏区时期，党把干部教育培训摆在十分重要的地位，据统计，自1931年11月至1933年底，苏维埃中央人民委员会39次常委会中，有20次专门或作为一项议程研究教育工作，足见中央苏区对干部教育的重视程度。为有计划有目的地提高苏区干部的政治理论水平，党成立了许多干部教育培训机构和各种党团训练班，对苏区干部开展党的基本理论教育、宗旨意识教育、形势任务教育、文化知识教育及组织纪律、工作纪律、群众纪律教育，不仅提高了苏区干部的理论水平、革命觉悟，而且增强了他们深厚的工农阶级感情，为苏区干部好作风的形成奠定了坚实的思想基础。

(2) Strengthening Daily Supervision, Building a Constraint Mechanism for the Formation of the Good Work Style of Soviet Area Cadres

（二）加强日常监督，构筑苏区干部好作风形成的约束机制

With the consolidation and development of the base areas, the Central Soviet Area successively promulgated the “Organizational Regulations of the Worker-Peasant Inspection Department,” the “Resolution on the Problems of the Worker-Peasant Inspection Office,” the “Organizational Outline of the Complaint Bureau of the Worker-Peasant Inspection Department,” and the “Resolution on the Establishment of the Central Party Affairs Committee and the Provincial and County Supervision Committees of the Central Soviet Area,” gradually establishing a supervision system with mutual cooperation and coordinated operation between intra-Party and extra-Party, administrative supervision and judicial supervision, continuously standardizing the exercise of power by Soviet Area cadres. Important newspapers and periodicals such as *Struggle* and *Red China*[19]19 *Struggle* (《斗争》) and *Red China* (《红色中华》) were official newspapers of the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese Soviet Republic, respectively, during the Central Soviet Area period. specially opened columns such as “Shock Brigade,” “Iron Hammer,” “Blackboard,” and “Criticism” to criticize and expose the bad work styles and illegal and disciplinary violations of Soviet Area cadres. Issue 113 of *Red China* on September 27, 1933, severely criticized the “apportionment and forced sale of economic construction bonds in Luofang District, Yudu County, which even led to an incident of a middle peasant hanging himself,” and called for merciless attacks on bureaucratism and “stepping up political mobilization work.”

随着根据地的巩固和发展，中央苏区先后颁布了《工农检察部的组织条例》《工农检查处问题的决议案》《工农检察部控告局的组织纲要》《关于成立中央党务委员会及中央苏区省县监察委员会的决议》等制度，逐步建立了党内与党外、行政监督与司法相互配合、协同运作的监督体系，不断规范苏区干部用权。《斗争》《红色中华》等重要报刊，专门开辟“突击队”“铁锤”“黑板”“批评”等栏目，对苏区干部的不良作风和违法违纪行为进行批评和揭露。1933年9月27日第113期《红色中华》，严肃批评了于都县罗坊区“摊派强迫推销经济建设公债，以至发生中农吊颈死事件”，号召对官僚主义给予无情打击，“加紧政治动员工作”。

(3) Strengthening Institutional Construction, Perfecting the Guarantee Mechanism for the Formation of the Good Work Style of Soviet Area Cadres

（三）加强制度建设，完善苏区干部好作风形成的保障机制

During the Central Soviet Area period, not only was the army-building principle of the Party commanding the gun established, the “Three Main Rules of Discipline and Six Points for Attention”[20]20 The “Three Main Rules of Discipline and Six Points for Attention” were the early military discipline code of the Red Army, later expanded into the “Three Main Rules of Discipline and Eight Points for Attention.” were perfected, and many principled requirements such as “strictly enforce democratic life under centralized guidance,” “the minority is subordinate to the majority in the Party,” and “once a resolution is made, it must be resolutely implemented” were put forward, but also many disciplinary systems related to work style construction were formulated, such as the “Regulations on the Punishment of Government Staff,” the “Interim Financial Regulations of the Chinese Soviet Republic,” the “Interim Regulations on the State Treasury,” the “Unified Accounting System,” the “Instruction on Punishing Corruption and Waste,” and the “Audit Regulations of the Executive Committee of the Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic.” It was emphasized that “any Party member whose actions violate Soviet law and harm the revolution must be subjected to stricter revolutionary disciplinary sanctions than non-Party workers and peasants.” It was necessary to “maintain the iron discipline of the proletarian Party with the Bolshevik spirit.” Strict Party, government, and military discipline played a rigid constraining role in the formation of the good work style of Soviet Area cadres.

中央苏区时期，不仅确立了党指挥枪的建军原则，完善了“三大纪律、六项注意”，提出了“厉行集中指导下的民主生活”“党少数服从多数”“一成决议，就须坚决执行”等许多原则性要求，而且制订了许多与作风建设相关的纪律制度，如《政府工作人员惩办条例》《中华苏维埃共和国暂行财政条例》《国库暂行条例》《统一会计制度》《关于惩治贪污浪费行为的训令》《中华苏维埃共和国中央政府执行委员会审计条例》等。强调“一切违反苏维埃法律对于革命有损害行为的党员，必须比非党员工农分子受更严厉的革命纪律制裁。”要以“布尔什维克的精神，维持无产阶级政党的铁的纪律”。严明的党纪政纪军纪，对苏区干部好作风的形成发挥了制度的刚性约束作用。

At the same time, inspection tours were strengthened to promptly correct unhealthy tendencies in work style construction. The song “The Inspection Tour System Is Good” sings: “Cadres often come to our township, / Inspecting our township and chatting about daily life; / They ask about everything from oil, salt, firewood, to rice, / Sending warmth right into our hearts.” This ballad truly reflects the fine work style of Soviet Area inspection cadres in going deep among the grassroots and caring for the masses. The inspection work during the Central Soviet Area period not only had the function of guiding and helping local areas to restore and rebuild Party organizations, unify Party leadership, and ensure the implementation of the Central political line, but also had the responsibility of inspecting the discipline construction and work style of Party organizations and Party members and cadres at all levels, and combating formalism and bureaucratism. Inspectors at all levels “must make their lives down-to-earth, economize financially, and set an example for comrades in general.”

同时，加强巡视，及时纠偏作风建设中的不良倾向。《巡视制度好》中唱道：“干部常来我们乡，巡视我乡谈家常；油盐柴米样样问，温暖送到心窝上。”歌谣真实反映了苏区巡视干部深入基层、关心群众的优良作风。中央苏区时期的巡视工作，不仅负有指导、帮助地方恢复和重建党组织，统一党的领导，确保中央政治路线贯彻落实到位的职能，而且有对各级党组织、党员干部的纪律建设和作风情况进行检查，打击形式主义和官僚主义之责，各级巡视员“生活必须下层化，经济必须节省，做一般同志的模范”。

V. Unique Historical and Cultural Resources Were the Nourishing Soil for the Formation of the Good Work Style of Soviet Area Cadres

五、独特的历史文化资源是苏区干部好作风形成的营养沃土

The formation and development of the good work style of Soviet Area cadres was deeply influenced by the Party’s work style construction during the Jinggangshan struggle period, and also absorbed the rich essence of fine traditional Chinese culture and the unique regional cultural resources of southern Jiangxi and western Fujian.

苏区干部好作风的形成与发展，既深受井冈山斗争时期党的作风建设的影响，也汲取了中华优秀传统文化与赣南、闽西等地独特的地域文化资源的丰厚精华。

(1) The Exploration of Work Style Construction During the Jinggangshan Struggle Period Provided Preliminary Theoretical Preparation and Practical Reference for the Formation of the Good Work Style of Soviet Area Cadres

（一）井冈山斗争时期作风建设的探索为苏区干部好作风的形成提供了初步的理论准备与实践借鉴

During the Jinggangshan struggle period, veteran revolutionaries such as Mao Zedong and Zhu De not only extracted a series of important political principles and behavioral norms from the real-life difficulties, but also initially cultivated a series of fine work styles centered on seeking truth from facts, maintaining close ties with the masses, working hard and persevering, leading by example, and democracy and equality. These fine work styles were deeply integrated into the blood of the Party and the people’s army, becoming the Party’s distinctive characteristics and political character. By the Central Soviet Area period, the work style concepts and practical experience nurtured during the Jinggangshan struggle period were not only fully inherited and systematically developed, but also guaranteed and strengthened from the institutional level.

在井冈山斗争时期，毛泽东、朱德等老一辈革命家不仅从现实困境中提炼出一系列重要的政治原则与行为规范，而且初步培育了实事求是、密切联系群众、艰苦奋斗、百折不挠、以上率下、民主平等为核心的一系列优良作风。这些优良作风，深深融入了党和人民军队的血液之中，成为党鲜明的特质与政治品格。到了中央苏区时期，井冈山斗争时期孕育的作风理念、实践经验不仅得到了全面继承和系统性发展，而且从制度层面给予了保障与强化。

(2) Fine Traditional Chinese Culture Provided Cultural Nourishment for the Formation of the Good Work Style of Soviet Area Cadres

（二）中华优秀传统文化为苏区干部好作风的形成提供了文化滋养

The Party is not only a faithful inheritor and promoter of fine traditional Chinese culture, but is also deeply nourished by fine traditional Chinese culture, such as the sense of mission that “everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the world,” the innovative spirit that “though Zhou was an ancient state, its mandate was renewed,” and the spirit of dedication that “to sacrifice one’s life to achieve benevolence, to give up one’s life for righteousness.” Under the guidance of Marxism, the Party has creatively transformed and elevated fine traditional Chinese culture, making it an important spiritual sustenance for the spiritual life of Soviet area cadres, internalizing it into their ideological concepts, externalizing it into their words and deeds, and strengthening their habitual work style. For example, the traditional concept of “seeking truth from facts” was transformed into a fine work style of being pragmatic and truth-seeking; the concept of “people-centeredness” was transformed into a fine work style of wholeheartedly serving the people; the tenacious will of “hardship and adversity forge success” was transformed into a fine work style of hard struggle; the value orientation of “valuing integrity” was transformed into a fine work style of clean governance and self-discipline; and the fighting spirit of “unceasing self-improvement” and “reform and innovation” was transformed into a fine work style of striving for first-class performance.

党不仅是中华优秀传统文化的忠实传承者和弘扬者，而且深受天下兴亡、匹夫有责的使命担当，周虽旧邦、其命维新的创新精神，杀身成仁、舍生取义的奉献精神等中华优秀传统文化的滋养。在马克思主义的指导下，党对中华优秀传统文化进行了创造性转化与升华，使其成为苏区干部精神生活的重要食粮，内化为苏区干部的思想观念，外化为苏区干部的言行举止，强化苏区干部的习惯作风。如把传统文化中“实事求是”思想转化为求真务实的优良作风，把“以民为本”的思想转化为一心为民的优良作风，把“艰难困苦、玉汝于成”的顽强意志转化为艰苦奋斗的优良作风，把“以廉为贵”的价值取向转化为廉洁自律的优良作风，把“自强不息”“革新求变”的拼搏精神转化为争创一流的优良作风。

(III) The Profound Local Culture Imbued the Formation of the Good Work Style of Soviet Area Cadres with Distinct Regional Characteristics

（三）厚重的本土文化为苏区干部好作风的形成赋予了鲜明的地域特质

The revolutionary culture nurtured in the Central Soviet Area superimposed a uniquely charming local culture on fine traditional Chinese culture—the indomitable Hakka culture and the culture of Jinling [21]21 Jinling culture refers to the traditional culture of the Ji’an area in Jiangxi Province, historically known as Jinling, characterized by its emphasis on education, literature, loyalty, and propriety. that values education and literature. The interweaving influence of multiple cultures left a deep regional imprint on the good work style of Soviet area cadres, exhibiting a high degree of coupling with the connotation of that work style. The cultural connotation of “enduring hardship, hard struggle, and daring to pioneer” formed by the Hakka ancestors through millennia of migration is highly consistent with the Soviet area cadres’ style of fearing no danger and enduring hardship. The cultural connotation of Jinling culture, which includes “valuing education and literature, loyalty and patriotism, upholding virtue and propriety, and unity and struggle,” is highly consistent with the Soviet area cadres’ style of being honest, upright, and selfless in dedication. These profound local cultures were the fertile cultural soil for the formation of the good work style of Soviet area cadres.

中央苏区孕育的革命文化，在中华优秀传统文化上叠加了独具魅力的地方文化——百折不挠的客家文化与崇文重教的庐陵文化。多种文化的交织影响，为苏区干部好作风打上了深刻的地域烙印，与苏区干部好作风的内涵具有高度耦合性。客家先民历经千年迁徙形成的“吃苦耐劳、艰苦奋斗、勇于开拓”的文化内涵与苏区干部不畏艰险、吃苦耐劳的作风具有高度一致性，庐陵文化中的“崇文重教、忠义报国、尚德重礼、团结拼搏”的文化内涵与苏区干部清正廉洁、无私奉献的作风具有高度一致性。这些厚重的本土文化，是苏区干部好作风形成的文化沃土。

VI. Contemporary Implications of the Formation of the Good Work Style of Soviet Area Cadres

六、苏区干部好作风形成的时代启示

The good work style of Soviet area cadres is an external manifestation of the Party’s nature and purpose. It originated not only from the revolutionary forebears’ firm ideals and convictions, profound feelings for the people, and pragmatic spirit of taking responsibility and action, but is also inseparable from the Party’s institutional development, cultural construction, the leading role of cadres at all levels, and the mechanisms of education, supervision, and restraint. Summarizing the experience of work style construction during the Central Soviet Area period provides an important historical mirror for implementing the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulations and advancing the construction of the Party’s work style in the New Era in depth.

苏区干部好作风是党的性质宗旨的外在体现，既源于革命先辈们坚定的理想信念、深厚的为民情怀、担当作为的实干精神，又与党的制度建设、文化建设和领导干部以上率下及教育监督约束机制密不可分。总结中央苏区时期作风建设的经验，对贯彻中央八项规定精神，纵深推进新时代党的作风建设具有重要历史镜鉴作用。

(I) Deepen Theoretical Arming, Consolidate the Ideological Foundation of Work Style Construction

（一）深化理论武装，夯实作风建设思想基础

Theoretical construction is the ideological foundation and action guide for work style construction. To strengthen work style construction in the New Era, theoretical arming must be treated as a foundational project. We must unswervingly use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to consolidate the soul, deeply understand the important discourses and requirements of General Secretary Xi Jinping on Party building and work style construction, and use them as a powerful ideological weapon to transform the subjective and objective worlds. We must adhere to the integration of learning, thinking, and application, and the unity of knowledge and action, combining theoretical study with practical work, and consciously using the Party’s innovative theories to arm the mind and guide practice. We must continuously improve the normalization mechanism for theoretical study, create a strong atmosphere for theoretical study, promote the internalization of theoretical study in the mind and its externalization in action, and provide an inexhaustible spiritual driving force for work style construction.

理论建设是作风建设的思想根基和行动指南。新时代加强作风建设，必须把理论武装作为基础性工程，坚持不懈用习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想凝心铸魂，深刻领会习近平总书记关于党的建设、作风建设的重要论述和要求，将其作为改造主观世界和客观世界的强大思想武器。坚持学思用贯通、知信行统一，将理论学习与实际工作相结合，自觉用党的创新理论武装头脑、指导实践。不断健全理论学习常态化机制，营造浓厚理论学习氛围，推动理论学习内化于心、外化于行，为作风建设提供不竭精神动力。

(II) Strengthen the Awareness of Purpose, Build the Value Foundation of Work Style Construction

（二）强化宗旨意识，筑牢作风建设价值根基

“Wholeheartedly serving the people” is the most distinctive spiritual hallmark and the deepest value foundation of the good work style of Soviet area cadres. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “To strengthen work style construction, we must closely focus on maintaining the Party’s flesh-and-blood ties with the masses, enhance the concept of the masses and feelings for the masses, and continuously consolidate the Party’s mass base for governance.” Close ties with the masses are the soul and value foundation of work style construction. To strengthen work style construction in the New Era, this value stance must be transformed into solid and effective work style practices, serving as the ultimate “touchstone” for testing the effectiveness of work style construction. We must always take solving the urgent, difficult, and anxious problems of the masses as the starting point and goal of work style construction, “must focus on solving prominent issues strongly reflected by the masses, and use new achievements in work style construction to gather positive energy for promoting reform and development,” and continuously realize the people’s aspirations for a better life. We must improve institutional mechanisms, continuously perfect the long-term mechanism for Party members and cadres to directly contact and serve the masses, implement the requirements for normalizing and sustaining work style construction in the specific practice of serving the people, and transform them into actual results in solving the masses’ practical problems. We must vigorously advocate a pragmatic, truth-seeking, and down-to-earth work style, and resolutely oppose all forms of formalism and bureaucracy that alienate the masses and harm their interests.

“一心为民”是苏区干部好作风最鲜明的精神标识和最厚重的价值底色。习近平总书记强调：“加强作风建设，必须紧紧围绕保持党同人民群众的血肉联系，增强群众观念和群众感情，不断厚植党执政的群众基础。”密切联系群众是作风建设的灵魂所在和价值根基。新时代加强作风建设，必须将这一价值立场转化为扎实有效的作风实践，作为检验作风建设成效的最终“试金石”。要始终把解决群众急难愁盼问题作为作风建设的出发点和落脚点，“必须聚焦解决群众反映强烈的突出问题，以作风建设新成效汇聚起推动改革发展的正能量”，不断实现人民对美好生活的向往。要健全制度机制，不断完善党员干部直接联系服务群众的长效机制，把作风建设常态化、长效化要求落实到为民服务的具体实践中，转化为解决群众实际问题的实际成效。要大力倡导求真务实、真抓实干的作风，坚决反对一切脱离群众、损害群众利益的形式主义、官僚主义。

(III) Seize the “Key Minority,” Leverage the “Leading Goose Effect” in Work Style Construction

（三）抓住“关键少数”，发挥作风建设中的“头雁效应”

The work style of leading cadres is the “weather vane” of the Party’s and government’s conduct. During the Central Soviet Area period, the older generation of revolutionaries led by example and set a precedent. With their firm ideals and convictions, noble moral sentiments, and pragmatic work style, they effectively drove the formation of a fine work style. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, “Leading cadres must take the lead in transforming their work style, lead by example, and set an example from above, forming a ‘leading goose effect.’” To strengthen work style construction in the New Era, the exemplary and leading role of leading cadres must be highlighted. In theoretical study, they must take the lead in deeply studying and thoroughly understanding Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, effectively improving their ability to use the Party’s innovative theories to guide practice and promote work. In serving the masses, they must take the lead in going deep into the grassroots and the masses, listening to their voices, and effectively solving hot and difficult issues strongly reflected by the masses. In taking responsibility and acting, they must dare to tackle difficulties, take the lead in implementing various reform tasks, and promote the implementation of all work. In observing rules and discipline, they must take the lead in resolutely opposing formalism, bureaucracy, hedonism, and extravagance; they must always maintain a clear mind, adhere to the bottom line, and not cross the red line; they must strengthen their own moral cultivation, cultivate healthy life interests, and consciously accept supervision from the organization and the masses. With a posture of “look at me,” they must actively take responsibility and act, forming a good atmosphere of “one level sets an example for the next, one level leads the next in doing things,” promoting the requirements of work style construction to be transmitted layer by layer and take root.

领导干部作风是党风政风的“风向标”。中央苏区时期，老一辈革命家身体力行、率先垂范，他们以坚定的理想信念、高尚的道德情操和务实的工作作风，有力带动了优良作风的形成。习近平总书记指出，“领导干部要带头转变作风，身体力行，以上率下，形成‘头雁效应’”。新时代加强作风建设，必须突出领导干部的示范引领作用。在理论学习上，要带头学深悟透习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，切实提高运用党的创新理论指导实践、推动工作的能力。在服务群众方面，要带头深入基层、深入群众，倾听群众呼声，切实解决群众反映强烈的热点难点问题。在担当作为方面，要敢于攻坚克难，带头落实各项改革任务，推动各项工作落地落实。在遵规守纪方面，要带头坚决反对形式主义、官僚主义、享乐主义和奢靡之风；要时刻保持清醒头脑，坚守底线、不碰红线；要加强自身道德修养，培养健康生活情趣，自觉接受组织和群众监督。要以“向我看齐”的姿态，主动担当作为，形成“一级做给一级看、一级带着一级干”的良好氛围，推动作风建设要求层层传导、落地生根。

(IV) Improve Systems and Mechanisms, Highlight Rigid Constraints in Work Style Construction

（四）健全体制机制，彰显作风建设中的刚性约束

The work style construction mechanism of “education—constraint—supervision—punishment” provided a solid guarantee for the formation of the good work style of Soviet area cadres. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the need to “adhere to governing the Party with institutions and regulations.” In the New Era, while strengthening ideological education, work style construction must further improve and perfect systems and mechanisms to highlight rigid constraints. On the one hand, it is necessary to improve the relevant systems and regulations for work style construction, refine the implementation of the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulations and their implementation rules, and formulate specific norms for the hidden and mutated problems of the “Four Forms of Decadence” [22]22 The “Four Forms of Decadence” (四风) refers to formalism, bureaucracy, hedonism, and extravagance, which are targets of the Party’s work style rectification campaigns.. On the other hand, it is necessary to build a comprehensive, three-dimensional supervision system, integrate various supervision forces, use modern technology to enhance supervision efficiency, and form a strong supervision synergy. At the same time, it is necessary to give full play to the specialized supervision role of discipline inspection and supervision organs, strengthen the enforcement of institutions, adhere to “zero tolerance” for violations of work style construction regulations, investigate and deal with each case as it is discovered, form a strong deterrent, and ensure that ironclad rules take effect and prohibitions are enforced.

“教育—约束—监督—惩戒”的作风建设机制，为苏区干部好作风的形成提供了坚实保障。习近平总书记强调，要“坚持制度治党、依规治党”。新时代的作风建设，在强化思想教育的同时，必须进一步健全完善体制机制，彰显刚性约束力。一方面，要完善作风建设相关制度规定，细化落实中央八项规定及其实施细则精神，针对“四风”隐形变异问题制定具体规范；另一方面，要构建全方位、立体化监督体系，整合各类监督力量，运用现代科技提升监督效能，形成强大监督合力。同时，要充分发挥纪检监察机关的专责监督作用，强化制度执行力，对违反作风建设规定的行为坚持“零容忍”，发现一起、查处一起，形成强大震慑，确保铁规发力、禁令生威。

(V) Strengthen Cultural Guidance, Create a Good Atmosphere for Work Style Construction

（五）加强文化引领，营造作风建设的良好氛围

Culture influences work style, and work style reflects culture. The cultural construction during the Central Soviet Area period not only reshaped the spiritual world of the Soviet area military and civilians, but also promoted the formation of the good work style of Soviet area cadres. To strengthen work style construction in the New Era, we must attach great importance to the nurturing and infiltrating role of culture. We must be adept at drawing nourishment from fine traditional Chinese culture, deeply excavate the fine work style connotations within revolutionary culture, especially the Soviet Area Spirit and the Long March Spirit, vigorously promote the Soviet area cadres’ fighting spirit of “creating first-class work,” and use firm cultural confidence to guide conscious good work style. We must vigorously advocate for refreshing and clean relationships among comrades and standardized relationships between superiors and subordinates, carry forward the fighting spirit, consciously resist unhealthy tendencies, continuously purify the political ecosystem within the Party, and provide a clean and upright environment for work style construction.

文化影响作风，作风反映文化。中央苏区时期的文化建设，不仅重塑了苏区军民的精神世界，而且促进了苏区干部好作风的形成。新时代加强作风建设，必须高度重视文化的浸润涵养作用。要善于从中华优秀传统文化中汲取营养，深入挖掘革命文化特别是苏区精神、长征精神中的优良作风内涵，大力弘扬苏区干部“创第一等的工作”的奋斗精神，以坚定文化自信引领良好作风自觉；要大力倡导清清爽爽的同志关系、规规矩矩的上下级关系，发扬斗争精神，自觉抵制歪风邪气，持续净化党内政治生态，为作风建设提供风清气正的良好环境。

Author’s Biography: Xiao Xiaohua, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the Discipline Inspection Commission of the China Executive Leadership Academy Jinggangshan, Professor.

作者简介：肖小华中国井冈山干部学院机关纪委书记，教授。