Zhang Side

Zhang Side (; April 19, 1915 – September 5, 1944) was a Chinese Communist soldier and guard for Mao Zedong. Zhang was killed during the collapse of a charcoal kiln after rescuing two other workers. Mao attended Zhang's funeral and wrote his famous serve the people doctrine as Zhang's eulogy.

Life Zhang Side was born in a poor tenant-peasant family of Hanjiawan, Liuhechang, Yilong County, Sichuan Province on April 19 (the sixth day of third lunar month), 1915. Before he was one year old, his mother died. He was brought up by his aunt. When he was 12 years old, he began to feed the cattle and mow grasses for the landlord. In September 1933, the Red Army came to his hometown and established the revolutionary regime. He actively joined the Young Pioneers of China and was elected a team leader. He was conscientious in assisting the Red Army and militia in standing guard, then searching suspected people. He joined the Red Army in December 1933 and before long the Communist Youth League of China.

In October 1937, he joined the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

This speech later became the focal point of CCP propaganda that is still used to this day.