At that time, the country called on the youth to "go to the most challenging places of the revolution, go to the greatest places of the motherland." Inspired by the Yimeng Old Area, 17-year-old Li Zhenhua answered the call, leaving Nanjing Normal School to support the remote and poor Yimeng Old Area.
On the way to Yiyuan, there was a twist. Because he was from the city and young in age, the authorities were concerned about Li Zhenhua's ability to adapt to the harsh conditions, so they assigned him to Weifang. However, "being young and fearless," Li Zhenhua pointed at the map, chose the place with the most mountains and difficulties, and decided to work at Hanwang Primary School in Yiyuan Mountain. Li Zhenhua told reporters:
"When I actually arrived in Hanwang Village, I found the place extraordinarily poor. You couldn't even find a tile, not to mention an inch of smooth ground."
