The disciplined veteran took on the mission without hesitation. Over the years, he walked the sections twice a day through wind, rain and snow, each patrol lasting around two hours. The vast, empty landscape was his companion, and the sound of his footsteps echoed against ancient stones.

Besides nature, the wall had been severely threatened by human activities, such as sand and stone mining. People nearby have even taken its bricks to use in buildings.

"In the past, people had a poor sense of protection, leading to human damage, such as illegal digging and the theft of sand and soil to build houses," Wang says.

One of his most vivid memories is the day he confronted a group of sand thieves. They had come to dig in a moat near the wall, a destructive act that threatened the wall's stability. Wang climbed onto their truck and refused to let them leave.

"I told them either they return the sand and fix the moat or they would have to drive over me," Wang says. In the end, they restored the moat as he demanded.

Things began to change after Great Wall Protection Regulations came into effect in 2006 as more people, both government and grassroots, began to participate in preservation.

"Natural environmental erosion is the biggest challenge. The earthen walls are very vulnerable to erosion by rain and snow, and with constant strong winds, the issue of weathering is severe. However, the good news is that with increased publicity, people's awareness has risen, and human damage has significantly decreased," Wang says.

In recent years, Tianzhu has invested 13.28 million yuan in protection, including the restoration of 4,700 meters of wall, and the installation of advanced monitoring systems, according to the county's cultural and tourism bureau.

Zhang says that along fragile sections, 11,540 meters of steel protective fencing have been erected to prevent human damage. In 2023, a 2.68 million yuan digital security project was launched to equip 14 sections in the county (21,675 meters) with infrared surveillance and crack monitoring sensors.

Modern technology like drones and remote sensing technology have also been used to monitor the wall.

Even with all these efforts, protection is still not easy for the 39 villagers on Wen's team, who patrol the most remote and treacherous sections of the wall. To combat the altitude and difficult terrain, they rely on their motorcycles and worn-out boots to navigate rugged paths. Every week, they inspect the wall, documenting any changes or damage, ensuring that signs and barriers remain intact.

Despite these hardships, they are not only guardians but also educators, spreading awareness of the importance of cultural heritage among local communities.

"This place should receive better protection. There are many visitors from Beijing and other provinces, and everyone says that such a precious historical site should be an official scenic area. This would encourage more people to learn about the Great Wall, while also ensuring it is better protected," Wang says.

For the guardians in Tianzhu, the section they patrol is more than a relic of the past — it is a living, breathing part of their lives.

"As long as we are here, we will guard this wall. It is our duty, our pride and our legacy," Wang often tells his family.