(单词翻译:单击)
Along the Yongding River in southwest Beijing, there relies a picturesque Lugou Bridge, also better known as the Marco Polo Bridge.
在北京西南部的永定河上，架有一座风景如画的卢沟桥，该桥也被称为马可波罗桥。
Today, this marvelous structure with hundreds of unique stone lions from different eras lining in attracts tourists from all over the country.
卢沟桥上排列着数百只来自不同时代的独特石狮子，今天，这座神奇的建筑吸引了来自全国各地的游客。
However, the bridge is much more than just a scenic spot.
不过，这座桥不仅仅是旅游景区。
It is the space where history comes alive.
它还让往昔岁月历历在目。
On the evening of July the 7th, 1937,
1937年7月7日晚，
the Japanese military has sent a message to the Chinese army asking to cross the Lugou Bridge to enter a small town named Wanping to search for a missing soldier.
日本军队向中国军队诡称，要越过卢沟桥进入宛平县城搜查一名失踪的士兵。
However, the Chinese military refused to give them permission, denied passage,
中国军队严词拒绝给予日方通行许可，
a unit of the Japanese infantry sought to breach the Chinese defenses at Wanping, but as met with strong resistance.
随后，一支日本步兵部队试图突破宛平县城的防御工事，但遭到了中国军队的强烈回击。
Early the next morning, the Japanese army began to attack the bridge, which was the only passage to the town.
第二天一早，日军开始进攻卢沟桥，这里是通往宛平县城的唯一通道。
The Chinese army was forced to fight back and with the help of reinforcements, it was able to hold the bridge.
中国军队被迫予以还击，并在增援部队的帮助下终于守住了卢沟桥。
However, that encounter marked the beginning of what was to be a long and brutal battle along the eastern battlefield of the World War II.
这次交火，也标志着第二次世界大战东方战场上漫长而残酷的战争的开始。
