Everyone knows Premier Zhou's famous saying: "Read for the rise of China." ”
It was in 1911, when Premier Zhou was only 13 years old and was studying at the Dongguan Model School in Shenyang.
One day, the principal asked everyone what they were reading for? Everyone's answers were varied, some said that they read for dinner, some said that they read for the sake of becoming officials, and some said that they read for the glory of the ancestors.
When it was Zhou Enlai's turn, he stood up and uttered the deafening words: "Read for the rise of China!" ”
When the headmaster heard this, he was very excited and said to everyone, "Wow! Read for the rise of China! Those who have lofty ideals should follow Zhou Sheng's example! ”
So, why did Zhou Enlai say this at that time, or why did he have this idea?
The most direct cause is a traffic accident.
Zhou Enlai was originally from Huai'an, Jiangsu Province, but because of family changes, he went to the northeast at the age of 12, joined his fourth uncle Zhou Yigeng, and studied at the Dongguan Model School in Shenyang.
Zhou Enlai later said in an interview with an American reporter: "When I was twelve years old, I left home to go to the northeast, which was the key to my life and ideological transformation, without this time of leaving home, my life must have been accomplished nothing, and like the brothers who stayed at home, I was going to a tragic end." ”
At that time, the northeast was more open than Huai'an, Jiangsu Province, and there were more foreigners, and there were still many concessions for foreigners in Shenyang, and it was forbidden for Chinese to enter, so when Zhou Enlai arrived in Shenyang on the first day, he was greatly impacted by ideas.
At that time, Zhou Enlai was very shocked by the prosperity of Shenyang, so he walked east and looked west, but his uncle Zhou Yigeng pulled him aside, pointed to some places, and said: "Those places cannot go, they are places for foreigners, and Chinese have to go around." ”
Zhou Enlai did not understand, so he asked: "Isn't this the place where we are in China?" Why can't Chinese go yet? ”
The uncle sighed and said, "China is not vibrant! It was a concession for foreigners. ”
Zhou Enlai asked again, "What is the concession?" Isn't it right in China? Why can foreigners go, but Chinese can't? ”
The uncle looked at him and shook his head and said, "You are still young, you will understand when you grow up, in short, don't go to those places in the future." ”
It was from this time that Zhou Enlai planted a seed in his heart, just waiting for it to sprout and grow.
After enrolling in the Dongguan Model School in Shenyang, Zhou Enlai met many classmates and often played together, and one weekend, Zhou Enlai suddenly asked a friend: "I heard that the concession of foreigners is very fun, have you been there?" ”
This classmate said: "I have been there, it is very fun, but you have to be careful when you go, in case you provoke foreigners, you will be in trouble!" ”
After the two went to the concession, Zhou Enlai was immediately attracted by a variety of fresh things, looking east and west, very envious.
Suddenly, a cry interrupted Zhou Enlai's interest, and Zhou Enlai ran over to his classmates to see what was happening.
It turned out that a Chinese couple was walking on the road and was hit by a car driven by a foreigner, and the husband died on the spot, and the wife grabbed the foreigner driver and cried for his life.
At this time, a Chinese patrolman came over and asked what was going on, and instead of arresting the foreigner, he accused the Chinese couple of obstructing traffic and fined them.
This unjust punishment immediately aroused everyone's dissatisfaction and there was a lot of discussion, but under the deterrence of the patrol police, no one dared to come forward.
At this time, Zhou Enlai stood up, pointed at the patrolman, and said loudly: "The matter is already very clear, why are you shielding that foreign driver!" ”
When the patrol officer saw that he was just a schoolboy, he did not say angrily: "What does a child know?" This is the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the Concession! ”
Zhou Enlai became even angrier and continued, "You are also Chinese, why don't you help Chinese speak, but instead help foreigners bully Chinese!" ”
Annoyed and angry, the patrol officer pointed his stick at Zhou En, saying, "This is the concession!" If you dare to talk nonsense again, I will arrest you!" After saying that, he turned and left.
Zhou Enlai still wanted to continue to go up and theorize with him, but his classmates quickly grabbed him and said, "Forget it!" This is the concession, Chinese is inferior in front of foreigners, there is no reason to talk about it! ”
Zhou Enlai had mixed feelings, suddenly remembered what his uncle had said that day, and couldn't help but sigh and say: "It seems that China is really not vibrant!" ”
The classmates also said with emotion: "Yes, if you can really cheer up Zhonghua, then it will be good!" ”
Zhou Enlai looked firmly and said, "Surely!" ”
It was because of this incident that Zhou Enlai was greatly impacted by his thinking, and since then he has set his mind: We must let China cheer up!
Therefore, when the principal asked everyone why they were reading, Zhou Enlai blurted out: "Reading for the rise of China!" ”
Inspired by this great volunteer, Zhou Enlai studied even harder, read progressive books extensively, consulted famous teachers in many ways, actively participated in revolutionary activities, and by the time he entered Nankai University, he had become a well-known figure.
Later history has proved that Zhou Enlai did not live up to the grand vision he had made in those years, and finally together with the vast number of revolutionary volunteers, he established a brand-new China and truly realized the "rise of China"!
(References: "Childhood Zhou Enlai", "My Uncle Zhou Enlai", "Charming Eloquence Zhou Enlai")