In Xiangtan County, Hunan, Chairman Mao's hometown, there is such a "special" family. His father, Li Song'an, was a late Qing Xiucai, and he and his wife gave birth to 8 male babies. Later, these children became independent and were known as "Li Shi Bajun" and "Eight Dragons and Eight Gui" by the townspeople.
Lao Jinxi, a famous linguist; Lao Er Jinhui, a famous musician; Lao San Jinyao, an expert in geology and mineral resources; Lao Si Jinyi, a civilian educator; Lao Wu Jinjiong, railway bridge expert; Lao Liu Jinming, a literary scholar; Lao Qijinguang, a musician; Lao Ba Jinyang, a Chinese-American writer.
Figure | Lai's Eight Juns
So many experts and scholars from one family are rare, and it is a miracle in the modern history of Hunan. Not only that, but the eight brothers were all influenced by the new ideas of the Restoration and the "May Fourth" new trend in their early years, and their ideological tendencies were progressive and sympathetic to the revolution, and their relations with Chairman Mao were deep or shallow. It is worth mentioning that the eldest was Chairman Mao's benefactor, while the seventh was Chairman Mao's student.
Shortly after the liberation of Peiping, Chairman Mao moved from the Shuangqing Villa in Xiangshan to the Juxiang Bookstore in Zhongnanhai. On this day, Chairman Mao saw a letter from Beijing Normal University on his desk in his bedroom. The letter was written by tang Zaozhen, a classmate of his childhood and then the acting principal of Beijing Normal University.
After Chairman Mao read the letter, he immediately called Tang Zaozhen and asked for warmth and nagged at home. Then, Chairman Mao asked, what old acquaintances are there in Beijing now?
Tang Zaozhen told Chairman Mao that there were Chinese painter Qi Baishi, Head of the Geography Department Huang Guozhang, and Beijing Normal University Dean li Jinxi.
Chairman Mao was very happy, he had not seen these old friends for a long time. Tang Zaozhen understood Chairman Mao's meaning, and he said busily: "Chairman, I will let them come to see you!" ”
Chairman Mao lian said, "No, no, I'll go see them." ”
Immediately afterward, Chairman Mao rode to the dormitory of Beijing Andingmen North Normal University, and Tang Zaozhen and Li Jinxi rushed from their homes to greet them after hearing the news. When Chairman Mao saw Li Jinxi, who was already a year old, he quickly stepped forward, shook hands, and greeted: "Hello, Teacher Li!" ”
Figure | Chairman Mao had a very pleasant conversation with Li Jinxi (second from right) and others
Li Jinxi smiled, shook his head modestly, and said, "Don't dare, don't dare." ”
Why did Chairman Mao call him a "teacher"? Although he is only 3 years older than the chairman, he is indeed a teacher whom the chairman respects. From 1913 to 1915, Li Jinxi served as a teacher of history and Chinese language at the Fourth and First Normal Schools of Hunan Province, and Chairman Mao was his student at this time. At that time, the teachers and students were more like close friends, and the two of them often talked about historical figures together, and their feelings were very deep.
According to Li Jinxi, when recalling Chairman Mao's appearance and demeanor while reading, he said:
Among the students at that time, Mao Zedong was not tall, appeared calm and elegant, listened to lectures in class very seriously, and had a pair of bright eyes burning with light. He was dressed frugally, and at first glance he knew he was from the countryside. During recess, I never fight with others and always meditate on everything.
After the conversation and laughter, it was already noon, and Tang Zaozhen asked her family to make some Hunan specialties - bacon to entertain Chairman Mao. Chairman Mao hurriedly said, "Don't bother you anymore, I'm having a treat today." At the end of the conversation, the chairman asked the accompanying staff to book two tables of banquets.
When the guests and hosts took their seats, Chairman Mao personally gave Li Jinxi a dish and poured wine. Chairman Mao interpreted the traditional Chinese virtue of "respecting the teacher and valuing the Tao" with practical actions.
In September 1949, Lai Kam Hee was elected as a member of the First National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and was appointed chairman of the School Council of Beijing Normal University. Since then, Chairman Mao has repeatedly received Li Jinxi to his home in Zhongnanhai for talks.
Figure | Lai Kam-hee (first row, first from left)
Once, Li Jinxi and his wife Huang Heshou were invited to Zhongnanhai for a banquet. Chairman Mao carefully prepared a table of pure hometown dishes for them. Later, Huang Heshou recalled: I remember that meal very deeply! There are dried garlic stir-fried meat, winter bamboo shoot bacon, pork blood tofu soup... During the banquet, Chairman Mao kept toasting and toasting the old man and me, and everyone chatted very happily together. When I returned, the old man was very emotional and said to me with great emotion: "We must bear in mind Chairman Mao's concern!" ”
When the banquet was over, Chairman Mao alone called Li Jinxi to the front to talk. Chairman Mao asked him about "simplifying the writing."
As early as August 25, Wu Yuzhang, president of North China University, wrote to Chairman Mao on issues such as simplifying Chinese characters and advocating script reform, and Chairman Mao deeply approved of it and immediately replied. In particular, the letter mentioned that Mr. Lai Kam-hee and others should be invited to "read it".
Comrade Yuzhang: The letter has been informed. When Mr. Fu Guo Moruo, Mao Dun, and Ma Sulun deliberated and put forward their opinions. The reply has been received, specially paid, please consider and please answer your opinions on their opinions in favor of, against, or amended. If you agree, please pay Fan Wenlan, Cheng Fangwu, and Lai Jinxi to read it, or have a discussion once, hoping to see the collective opinion! This salute! Mao Zedong August 29
Figure | Wu Yuzhang
After some time, Chairman Mao personally designated Li Jinxi, Wu Yuzhang, Fan Wenlan, Cheng Fangwu, Guo Moruo, Mao Dun, and Ma Sulun to establish a "Chinese Character Reform Association," and Li Jinxi served as vice chairman of the board of directors of the Character Reform Association.
In this way, when Chairman Mao mentioned "writing reform," Li Jinxi's box was suddenly opened. Next, the two of them talked happily...
On May 17, 1950, Li Jinxi wrote a letter to Chairman Mao. In his letter, he put forward some opinions on the compilation of the Great Dictionary of China, which were endorsed by Chairman Mao. Immediately afterward, Chairman Mao informed his secretary Hu Qiaomu and, on May 22, wrote a reply. The letter says:
Mr. Shao Xi: On May 17, Hui shu was informed. The points raised in the Dictionary are agreeable. And talked to Comrade Hu Qiaomu, and he agreed. Please contact Comrade Hu by phone. Good luck. Mao Zedong May 22, 1950
Figure | Hu Qiaomu and Chairman Mao
On January 1, 1954, Lai Kam-hee wrote another letter to Chairman Mao, mentioning the opinion of the "Zhuyin alphabet". Chairman Mao wrote back: "I agree with your opinion on promoting the Zhuyin alphabet, and please discuss the specific solution with the Text Research Association." ”
Chairman Mao greatly appreciated Li Jinxi's opinions and contributions to education and language and writing research. In order to show respect, Chairman Mao personally gave him a big gift. Later, Li Jinxi recalled: "That great gift was sent by the General Office of the Central People's Government, and in fact it was presented by all fraternal nationalities to Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou. They gave me the gift again. A pack of ginseng fruit, four pieces of ejiao, a box of red ginseng, two sticks of musk, a bag of shellfish, etc., are all precious medicinal baits. ”
Since then, under the care of Chairman Mao, Li Jinxi has rejuvenated his spirit, devoted himself to academic research, and made important contributions to the motherland's writing reform work and education...
Figure | Lai Kam Hee
On September 9, 1976, the bad news of Chairman Mao's death came, and Li Jinxi was deeply saddened and wept bitterly. On the first anniversary of Chairman Mao's death, in order to mourn the chairman, Li Jinxi wrote an article entitled "The Great Revolutionary Practice in the Zhengrong Years -- Recalling Some of Chairman Mao's Revolutionary Activities in Beijing on the Eve of the Founding of the Party", which contains the following sentence: "Whenever we look back at chairman Mao's early years, our hearts always arouse infinite admiration and nostalgia. ”
The second eldest, Li Jinhui, after liberation, has been working in the opera film industry for a long time. One day in 1956, he met with Chairman Mao, who talked to him like a relative. Chairman Mao mentioned to him that Comrade Chen Yi once filled in the lyrics of the song "Many Beauties on the Peach Blossom River" that he composed during the period of Jinggangshan and the Central Soviet Region.
Figure | Lai Kam-hui
Among them, "there are tens of millions of peach blossoms, not as many as beautiful people", changed to "tens of millions of red flowers, given to the Brother of the Red Army." After Chairman Mao finished talking about this, he asked with a smile: "Does this count as stealing the fruits of the original author's labor?" Li Jinhui also smiled and replied: "No, I think General Chen Yi's adaptation is particularly good." When the words fell, the two looked at each other and smiled.
In fact, during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, inspired by the patriotic enthusiasm of the people of the whole country, Li Jinhui composed many popular anti-Japanese songs like "Attack Forward". It is worth mentioning that Li Jinhui is also the teacher of Nie Er, the composer of the "March of the Volunteer Army".
Figure | Fresnel
In 1930, he became the editor-in-chief of the Chinese Journal of Mineralogy and the head of the China Mining Society. He was an outstanding mining and metallurgist in the early days of China, during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, he returned to his hometown of Xiangtan County, and spent a lot of his family property to mine salt mines and coal mines in his hometown in order to develop the mining industry in his hometown. After liberation, Chairman Mao learned of Li Jinyao's contribution to his hometown and praised him.
The fourth elder, Li Jinshu, joined the progressive youth organization to go to Europe for work-study before the Revolution, and was in the same group as Zhu De. At that time, he and Judd rented a rental house in Berlin together, and the two took care of each other and had a deep affection. Later, Lai received a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Berlin. After returning to China, he served as the Nanjing Chinese Civilian Education Promotion Association.
Figure | Jude
In 1949, on the eve of the liberation of Nanjing, a letter personally written by Zhu Laozong was sent to Liu Bocheng, commander of the Second Field Army of the People's Liberation Army, asking him to go to Nanjing to find his close friend Li Jinyu and protect him. After the founding of New China, President Zhu recommended Li Jinshu to Chairman Mao to work in the Central Committee, and the chairman agreed.
Chairman Mao learned that Li Jinshu was knowledgeable and had overseas study experience, and was ready to entrust him with a heavy responsibility. Unfortunately, Mr. Lai Kam-yeol was unable to fulfill his wish due to stomach cancer.
Old Wu li Jinjiong, graduated from Tangshan Jiaotong University in 1927, is an expert in railway bridges and the chief designer of the Luanhe Great Iron Bridge. After liberation, he served as director of the Design Bureau of the Ministry of Railways. Chairman Mao openly praised him to the outside world: "Li Jinjiong is an authority on railway bridge technology within the party and has made outstanding contributions to China's railway bridge project. Chairman Mao's praise made Lao Wu feel as if warmth had flowed into his heart, and he was particularly moved.
Figure | Lai Kam Jiong
The old Liu Li Jinming, who loved literature since childhood, was admitted to Beijing Normal University in 1925. He has written 4 novellas, 11 short stories and 5 plays. Among them, the novel "Dust Shadow" was praised by Mr. Lu Xun: Li Jinming's works were "full of the sensitivity and enthusiasm of the Chu people".
Chairman Mao also loved Lai Kam Ming's novels. In 1954, the elder Li Jinxi was elected as a deputy to the National People's Congress and a member of the Standing Committee and Presidium of the National People's Congress. On This year's National Day, he participated in the National Day ceremony of the Tiananmen Tower and met with Chairman Mao, and the two of them were cordial and chatty. During the conversation, Chairman Mao asked, "Is Mr. Six okay?" ”
Figure | Selected novels by Lai Kam Ming
"Mr. Six" refers to the old Six Li Jinming. "I've seen Mr. Six's novella's Dust Shadow." Chairman Mao said with great interest: "It was written after the 'April 12' coup d'état in 1927. Using the Haifeng peasant struggle as the background, he more realistically described the magnificent peasant movement in the southern corner of our country during the period of the Great Revolution. ”
The elder Li Jinxi listened quietly, and Chairman Mao continued: "What is valuable is that Mr. Six shows in the novel the reasons for the failure of the Great Revolution, and does not have his own armed forces with our Party. It's really to the point..."
Figure | Lai Kam Ming (first from right)
Afterwards, Li Jinxi relayed Chairman Mao's evaluation of the 'Mr. Six' novel to Li Jinming. The sixth elder burst into tears with excitement at that time, and with Chairman Mao's encouragement, he further aroused his enthusiasm for creation, and later, he wrote many novels and plays about reflecting rural life.
Lao Ba Li Jinyang, born in 1915, is a famous Chinese-American writer. During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, he graduated from Southwest United University, and later studied abroad at public expense, studying at Yale University in the United States. During his lifetime, he wrote more than 10 novels, such as "Heaven's Gate", "Chinese Tales" and so on. In particular, his famous work "Flower Drum Song" was made into a movie in the United States, which was quite influential.
Figure | Lai Kam Yang
In 1976, Li Jinyang wrote a letter to the eldest boss, Li Jinxi, and the intention in the letter was to return to China for sightseeing, hoping that the eldest brother would make a request to "return to China to visit" with Chairman Mao in person.
However, at that time, not long after Premier Zhou's death, Chairman Mao's mood was not good, and Li Jinxi did not mention this matter to Chairman Mao. It was not until five years after Chairman Mao's death that Li Jinyang returned to the embrace of the motherland in 1981.
In July 1921, Li Jinguang attended a cram school at the Hunan First Normal School. In September of the same year, Chairman Mao was appointed as a teacher of Chinese language in a division and the class teacher of the cram school.
When Chairman Mao was in class, in addition to some knowledge in textbooks, he would also give lectures to the students on the theory of propagating democracy and revolution, which was warmly welcomed by the students. However, there were also a few mischievous students in the class, especially one named Tang Shengming.
Tang Sheng loves to whistle and is not easy to detect. Whenever the teachers heard it, they asked, "Who's whistling?" Tang Shengming, like everyone else, pretended to look for the whistle-blower, looking left and right, making the teachers and monks confused. The teachers could not take the whistle, but Chairman Mao had a way to make it appear.
Once, when Chairman Mao was lecturing, Tang Shengming was still whistling. Chairman Mao asked many times: "Who is whistling?" No blowing during class! Tang Shengming was worried that things would be exposed, so he stopped. After class, Chairman Mao returned to his room. At this time, the class representative Li Jinguang went to the chairman's room to deliver the homework book, and the chairman already knew that he was the seventh brother of the boss Li Jinxi.
Then, Chairman Mao and Li Jinguang talked about his teacher-student relationship with Jinxi, hoping that he would abide by the discipline of the classroom, study hard, and not follow the example of a clumsy child. Then, Chairman Mao quietly asked Li Jinguang who was whistling during the class.
When Chairman Mao saw Li Jinguang hesitating and hesitating, he comforted him: "Don't worry, tell me." In this way, Chairman Mao knew that the whistleblower was Tang Shengming.
The next day, when Chairman Mao was in class, Tang Shengming repeated the same technique. When he was blowing triumphantly, Chairman Mao turned his head and shouted, "Tang Shengming! Tang Shengming was shocked and replied with an open mouth: "Arrived." Chairman Mao sharply criticized: "Why didn't you whistle?" Tang Shengming immediately bowed his head in shame.
After this incident, Chairman Mao privately praised Li Jinguang's behavior, and it was precisely because of his righteous words that he guaranteed a good learning atmosphere in the class.
Figure | Lai Kam Kwong
Later, Li Jinguang embarked on the road of music. During the Great Revolution, he attended the third phase of the Whampoa Military Academy and served as the conductor of the Ming Yue Song and Dance Troupe. In fact, he is a diligent and prolific musician who has composed more than 1,000 songs and operas. People are familiar with "Take Lei Feng's Gun" and "Send You a Rose" and so on.
After liberation, whenever he recalled the good days of attending a cram school at the Hunan First Normal School, he would say something like this: "The chairman is a good teacher. I have learned a lot of revolutionary principles from him, which have benefited me for life. ”
The "Eight Juns of the Li Clan" were born into an old family of intellectuals, but because they accepted new ideas and immersed themselves in research and learning, they made achievements in various fields such as science and technology, culture and education, literature and art, and did many things that were beneficial to the people and the country. It is a matter of pride that they all have deep or shallow ties with the national leader Chairman Mao, especially the eldest and the seventh, one is the chairman's teacher, and the other is the chairman's student.
Chairman Mao had a wide range of personal relations throughout his life, especially respecting teachers and respecting democrats. His association with the "Eight Horses of the Lai Clan" and his care for them are commendable.