by Xinhua writers Huang Yuzhang, Bai Lin and Zhang Weihua

SHIJIAZHUANG, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Eighteen years ago, British scholar William Lindesay was struck by the stories shared by a Chinese farmer he met on a pleasant summer evening during his five-week road trip along the Great Wall.

Through his talks with Zhang Heshan, who hosted him in a small village in north China's Hebei Province, Lindesay was impressed with the man's lasting efforts to collect folk tales about the historical site.

The expert decided to contribute to the cause. With his help, a book titled "Great Wall Folktales," containing 25 stories Zhang once collected, was published in a bilingual Chinese-English edition two years later, enabling readers to feel the charm behind the time-weathered walls.

Described by Lindesay as "a wonderful storyteller," Zhang, now 70, has woven his own life story through decades of dedication to protecting the Great Wall.

Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Great Wall served as China's ancient defensive system, with some sections dating back over 2,000 years.

As a descendant of the Great Wall defenders centuries past, Zhang has a deep affection for the structure. "I spent the happiest days of childhood with my friends playing in the watchtowers of the Great Wall," he recalled.

Having developed a deep appreciation for its cultural significance during his youth, Zhang voluntarily began his lifelong mission to protect the engineering marvel in 1978.

At that time, his main challenge was to dissuade villagers from damaging the Great Wall. "They didn't understand my behavior and thought it was none of my business," Zhang said.

Fortunately, many people have changed their minds over time, as the country has intensified its efforts to preserve the great wonder. Zhang was pleased to receive increasing public support for his hard work.

In 2003, the city of Qinhuangdao became the first in China to employ full-time guards to protect the Great Wall, and Zhang was among the inaugural group of 18 officially appointed protectors.

Now, patrolling a 6-kilometer section of the Great Wall remains a routine for the elderly. From checking the stability of bricks and stones to picking up the litter left by visitors, Zhang tends to the Great Wall with the undiminished patience and passion he has held throughout the decades.

In recent years, the open-minded guardian has been exploring new ways to raise public awareness. He posts poems about his love for the Great Wall on social media and showcases its beauty through live streaming.

"Age may slow my steps someday, but the Great Wall and its spirit will never grow old," said Zhang. "We should carry forward the cultural heritage and enable our children to keep it alive."

Inspired by Zhang's story, the younger generation has already embarked on their journey to safeguard the Great Wall, and Zhang Peng, 38, is one of them.

Growing up near the Shanhaiguan Pass on the easternmost end of the Great Wall, Zhang Peng is fond of climbing the ancient fortification. In 2017, he was recruited as a guard of the Great Wall and began to breathe new life into its protection.

The tech-savvy protector's job involves using drones to patrol the walls, especially those that are less accessible to human inspectors. With the new tool, Zhang Peng can collect real-time information from the site more safely and efficiently.

Additionally, Zhang Peng and his fellow guards utilize field inspection software equipped with satellite-based location services to track their routes and coordinate with relevant authorities.

"We are often called 'Guard 2.0' of the Great Wall, because we bring more technologies and expertise to our work as a new force," Zhang Peng told Xinhua.

While leveraging the role of technologies, Zhang Peng never forgets to equip himself with more knowledge about the Great Wall and publicize its cultural value. Currently, he has become the first volunteer guide at the Shanhaiguan Museum of the Great Wall, a first-tier national museum that opened to the public earlier this month.

On the opening day of the new museum, Zhang Heshan was also invited to witness a landmark event for Great Wall protection, where he met Zhang Peng.

"We talked with each other, and I'm glad to know what he's doing," the older Zhang beamed when speaking of the encounter.

For the younger Zhang, the meeting between them is a reminder of his responsibility. "I will keep telling the stories of the Great Wall to a wider public," he said. "I hope 'Guard 3.0' will come soon." ■