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The “White Yan Gou Robber Battle” of 1988

Since the founding of New China in 1949, local bandits and thugs who once ruled over mountains and villages had mostly been eradicated. However, surprisingly, in 1988, two armed soldiers from the Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) killed their commanding officer, stole two submachine guns and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition, and embarked on a spree of robbery and murder.

In late November 1988, Chinese Central Television aired an urgent broadcast, which, unusually, lasted for 10 minutes. The report covered the intense manhunt in Sichuan, titled “Sichuan Military and Civilian Forces Unite to Surround Armed Fugitive,” also known as the \"White Yan Gou Robber Battle.\"

The broadcast showed numerous soldiers and police surrounding a cave, with some firing at the cave while others threw grenades and Molotov cocktails inside. Around the cave, a crowd of onlookers had gathered, seemingly unaware of the gravity of the situation. Although the visuals may have appeared calm, the reality of the situation was far more terrifying.

One of the combatants who participated in the siege recalled an event during an interview: “I remember a police officer from Leshan, who was smoking nearby and failed to take cover. He was shot and severely wounded—keep in mind, the distance between us and the criminals was nearly 1,000 meters.” As the soldier mentioned, the two criminals were not ordinary offenders. One of them, Shao Jiangbin, had previously participated in a martial arts competition in Hubei, where he performed admirably. This is one of the reasons why the military sent an elite reconnaissance team, experienced in combat during the Vietnam War, to tackle the situation.

The onlookers, mostly local villagers, seemed to carry the sentiment of “ignorance is bliss,” not fully realizing the dangers they were witnessing. How did the situation spiral out of control to this extent? Who were these two ruthless criminals? Let's dive into this story and explore how these \"demons\" emerged.

The Two Criminals: Shao Jiangbin and Geng Xuejie

The first criminal, Shao Jiangbin, had a dark history. He had previously served time in prison for rape, spending three years behind bars. After his release, he struggled to find legitimate work. During this time, the military was plagued by issues in its recruitment process, with insufficient scrutiny of applicants. Many viewed the military not as an institution dedicated to \"defending the nation,\" but rather as a last resort for those who had nowhere else to go. Shao Jiangbin's father, fearing his son would fall back into a life of crime, used connections to have him enlisted in a local military unit in Hubei. His father hoped that the army could reform his son and offer him a respectable future. However, within the military, Shao Jiangbin continued his reckless behavior, forming cliques and using his position to intimidate others.

In contrast, Geng Xuejie was from a poor background and initially entered the military in search of a better life. Unable to find work elsewhere, he joined the army with the hope of \"changing his destiny.\" He was an obedient soldier, always following orders and striving to gain favor with his superiors. However, due to his unremarkable performance, he was assigned to the kitchen and tasked with menial chores, such as tending to pigs. The disappointment and frustration from this demotion festered within him, sowing the seeds of resentment.

Although these two men came from vastly different backgrounds, they shared a mutual disdain for their current situations. After meeting by chance, they found common ground in their dissatisfaction with their lives and began meeting privately. Drunk and angry, they would openly curse their superiors.

This mutual bitterness eventually led to the planning of their crimes.

The Murder of the Squad Leader

On the night of November 8, 1988, Shao Jiangbin and Geng Xuejie carried out their first act of violence. They broke into their squad leader’s room, murdering him with a pre-prepared knife. Afterward, they took the key to the armory, accessed the weapons store, and armed themselves with folding submachine guns and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition. They fled on bicycles, disappearing into the night.

The next morning, the squad leader's body was discovered, and after an investigation, it was found that Shao and Geng were missing. They were soon identified as prime suspects. The two men, now heavily armed, claimed they were on a mission and requisitioned several vehicles, eventually making their way to Sichuan.

With their military uniforms and weapons, they easily deceived the public, who mistook them for law enforcement officers. As they stole cars and raided small businesses, they left a trail of destruction, robbing and killing anyone who stood in their way. Despite their brutal actions, they eluded the police for some time.

The White Yan Gou Siege

After receiving reports from local residents, the police traced the criminals' movements and eventually cornered them in White Yan Gou. Over 2,000 soldiers and police officers surrounded the area, and a fierce gunfight ensued. The terrain of the region, characterized by steep hills and caves, gave the criminals the upper hand, and after days of intense fighting, they were still not apprehended.

During the battle, several soldiers and police officers were killed, including militia leader Li Xueyun. The situation became so dire that the military had to resort to using heavy artillery, including water cannons, smoke, and powerful 82mm mortars. Despite these measures, the criminals remained elusive.

After exhausting all other options, the military resorted to setting the cave on fire. Local villagers provided over 800 kilograms of gasoline, and the military set up fuel lines to flood the cave with the flammable liquid. At dawn, the soldiers ignited the gasoline, and the flames quickly engulfed the cave. The ensuing fire caused rocks to explode, and when the soldiers finally entered the cave, they found the two criminals' charred bodies intertwined.

An autopsy later revealed that both Shao Jiangbin and Geng Xuejie had been severely injured before their deaths. Shao had been shot twice, and Geng had been hit by multiple shrapnel pieces. Despite their grave injuries, they held out for three days and two nights, showing remarkable resilience and determination in their final hours.

This tragic event left a lasting impression on the region, and the saga of Shao Jiangbin and Geng Xuejie remains a chilling reminder of how desperate individuals, fueled by resentment and armed with deadly force, can wreak havoc on society.