In March 2003, the first session of the Tenth National People's Congress came to an end, and Premier Zhu Rongji stepped down.
During his five-year term of office, Zhu Rongji carried forward the party's spirit, worked diligently, and served the people.
As he himself put it, "When I was in my post, I could not say that I was the busiest person in the country, at least one of the busiest people." ”
Not only that, Zhu Rongji was even more known as an "iron fist," daring to step into the deep-water area of reform and severely punishing corrupt officials and corrupt officials, and was even called "economic czar" by a small number of disgruntled people!
However, it is precisely such a strict and diligent prime minister who, after retirement, actually "sentenced two people", not only "do not ask about political affairs", but also "no longer with an iron fist".
Why is that? What is Zhu Rongji's real retirement life like?
(Zhu Rongji)
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="4" >, closed doors, do not talk about work</h1>
Zhu Rongji was born in 1928 and is a native of Changsha, Hunan Province.
In 1947, he was admitted to Tsinghua University, studied electrical appliance manufacturing in the Department of Electrical Engineering, and joined the "New Democratic Youth Alliance".
Zhu Rongji's working career can be described as quite long, starting in December 1948, and after a year of work, Zhu Rongji officially joined the Communist Party of China.
Before becoming premier of the State Council, Zhu Rongji was an out-and-out "workaholic."
(Zhu Rongji's old photo)
In 1951, Zhu Rongji served as deputy director of the Production Planning Office of the Planning Department of the Northeast Ministry of Industry, and contributed to the country's industrialization process.
Subsequently, he worked in the Ministry of Petroleum Industry, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Combustion Bureau of the State Economic Commission, and also went to Shanghai, serving as the mayor of Shanghai and the secretary of the Municipal Party Committee.
(Zhu Rongji in Shanghai)
Until 1993, Zhu Rongji was elected vice premier of the State Council and concurrently served as president of the Chinese Bank.
Not only that, but five years later he opened up a new career: to devote himself to national science and technology education and cultivate talents for the future. In March of the same year, Zhu Rongji was appointed premier of the State Council.
Just a month later, he had a new "part-time job," that is, the director of the State Economic System Reform Commission.
In May of that year, Zhu Rongji turned his attention to the Three Gorges Project again.
It is no exaggeration to say that Zhu Rongji spent almost the first half of his life revolving around work.
He worked for half a century!
No wonder Zhu Rongji once commented on himself: "When I was at my post, I dare not say that I was the busiest person in the country, at least one of the busiest people. ”
However, after retirement, work became Zhu Rongji's "hot potato."
He made it clear that his biggest principle after retirement is not to talk about work.
(Zhu Rongji's work photo)
As soon as his term of office ended, Zhu Rongji decided not to live in Beijing permanently.
He traveled all over the great rivers and mountains of the motherland, went to Shanghai, returned to his hometown, and visited Guangdong.
Wherever he went, there were always local officials who wanted to visit. In this regard, Zhu Rongji always took the lead in taking a stand: He is not in his position, does not seek his own administration, and does not talk about work.
In fact, it is not that Zhu Rongji is reluctant to give guidance to young people, but he knows very well that if he wants the country to develop better, he must establish a "bottom line" for those who are in power.
At that time, Wen Jiabao had already taken over the work of premier of the State Council in an all-round way.
As the previous premier, if Zhu Rongji still talks about government work in his former capacity, it will inevitably bring trouble to the work of the new government.
Zhu Rongji knew very well how much of an impact his simple words would have. Once someone misinterprets his words and makes a big fuss, it will inevitably be detrimental to the country.
Therefore, Zhu Rongji's step backwards is not to abandon his past belief in work. Rather, it is another form of "work" – serving the people is the lifelong mission of the politician.
When Zhu Rongji was a "number one" in Shanghai, he once said such a sentence: "Empty talk misleads the country, and empty talk is probably still less, but there is a lot of talk, and the talk is also wrong for the country." ”
(Zhu Rongji in Shanghai)
So, what did Zhu Rongji, who did not talk about work, do?
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="11" > second, "iron fist" is no more, tender as water</h1>
Before retirement, people rarely saw the other side of Zhu Rongji's work. In his work, he is a full "iron fist" prime minister.
At Zhu Rongji's first press conference, when he was just inaugurated as premier of the State Council, a reporter asked a question about how Zhu Rongji thought of some people calling him "economic czar."
The reason for this title comes from Zhu Rongji's vigorous and vigorous deeds in his past work.
Reform and opening up continued in 1993, but the financial order fell into some chaos.
At that time, underground money banks were developed, the interest rate of private funds continued to rise, and the "triangular debt chain" plagued the central and local governments for a long time.
(Iron Fist Zhu Rongji)
At that time, Zhu Rongji had just become vice premier and used thunderous means to severely punish all acts that disrupted financial order, but this problem was resolved in one year.
Not only that, but he can also be called the "living Yama King" who punishes corrupt officials.
During his time in power in Shanghai, he strictly enforced party style and party discipline and put forward the idea that "the management of Shanghai should be strengthened by the legal system and an iron fist."
Therefore, Zhu Rongji offended many vested interest groups, and in the face of reporters' questions, he bluntly said that he was not happy to be called this way. Subsequently, Zhu Rongji looked at the whole audience and affirmed his position word by word.
He said, "Whether it is a minefield or an abyss ahead, I will march forward courageously, without hesitation, bowing to the fullest, and dying." ”
(Zhu Rongji went deep into the front line)
It is such a person who has become exceptionally "soft" after retirement.
Zhu Rongji once said that his retirement life is quite rich, and if we use three phrases to summarize it, it is: love for his wife, love for singing, and love for his alma mater.
Talking about Zhu Rongji's retirement life, we will definitely talk about his wife, Lao An.
After Zhu Rongji retired, he had more time to spend with his wife.
He took the opportunity to make up for the debt he had owed to his family over the years.
In front of Lao An, Zhu Rongji has always had a "iron man tenderness" side.
Lao An's older brother Lautev was Zhu Rongji's middle school classmate, and later she was admitted to Tsinghua University with Zhu Rongji and became his direct sister, and her fate was quite deep.
While studying at Tsinghua University, their first child was born. After graduation, a second child was also born.
(Zhu Rongji and his wife Lao An)
Over the years, the two have been supporting each other, and as soon as they meet Lao'an, Zhu Rongji will show a smile.
During Zhu Rongji's visit to Japan, a famous host asked a question, which may be the best annotation of their relationship.
The host said: "I heard that Premier Zhu is not afraid of anything, except for Mrs. Lau An. What do you think is so scary about your wife? ”
As soon as Zhu Rongji heard the music, he immediately said, "I don't think she's scary at all, I think she's cute." ”
The host asked, "If your wife is not here, will you answer the same thing?" ”
Zhu Rongji playfully said: "Of course, the appearance is the same." ”
(Zhu Rongji went out to visit)
After retirement, the two had more time together.
Zhu Rongji once underwent a small operation to remove the tumor, and Lao An was worried about his body, and he could not sleep or eat until he confirmed that the tumor was a conscience.
In addition to being brothers and sisters in the same school, the two have another identity: Peking Opera fans.
(Zhu Rongji condolences to Peking Opera actors)
After Zhu Rongji retired, he became particularly "fond of singing."
He said: "My retirement life is very rich, my favorite is Chinese Peking Opera, I am not only singing opera now, but also pulling Jinghu. After diligent study and hard work and the guidance of famous teachers, my current level of playing the huqin has increased many times more than in the past. ”
And the story of Zhu Rongji and Peking Opera can be said to be endless.
When Zhu Rongji returned to his hometown in 2003, he specially invited Mr. Zhang Zaifeng, a violinist of the Hunan Peking Opera Troupe, to practice his skills.
What Zhang Zaifeng did not expect was that Zhu Rongji had done a good job!
That afternoon, the two of them sang together and played together for more than three hours, which was very lively.
What is even more interesting is that as soon as I heard about this miracle, the next afternoon, many artists of the Peking Opera Troupe also came to join in the fun.
Zhu Rongji was full of joy and reveled in the music selflessly.
Even when the plan for the third day changed and he had to cancel the rehearsal temporarily, he regretted it.
He left his hometown like a most ordinary old ticket holder who had loved Peking Opera for many years.
Before leaving, he also said to the teachers of the Peking Opera Troupe: "Next time I will sing." ”
Such a slightly childish and cute appointment makes it hard to imagine that this was once an iron-fisted prime minister.
Not only that, but a few years later Zhu Rongji went to Fuzhou again and visited a local Peking Opera House that had been open for sixty years.
He not only listens to the actors singing, but also gives comments, and the commenters are convinced.
Zhu Rongji said seriously: "This is not a criticism, but a sincere point out of deficiencies, and I hope that you will improve." ”
In just a few words, you can see his sincere love for Peking Opera.
In addition to his wife and Peking Opera, Zhu Rongji's favorite is probably his alma mater, Tsinghua University.
Zhu Rongji and Qinghua have an indissoluble and profound love affair.
This is both to teach him knowledge and cultivate his alma mater, and to the place where he has struggled and worked for seventeen years.
(Zhu Rongji returns to Tsinghua)
Zhu Rongji was serving as deputy director of the State Economic Commission in 1984.
At the same time, he was invited to serve as the dean of the School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua University.
At that time, he probably would not have thought that this would have been a for nearly twenty years.
Zhu Rongji takes into account the work of the state and the duties of the dean, and will preside over the dean's meeting to discuss major issues in the development work of the college, and will also personally guide doctoral students.
Later, as his work became busier and busier, Zhu Rongji had more than enough heart and insufficient strength, so he could only reduce the time to go to the college.
However, even after he was transferred to Shanghai, he also tried his best to provide students with opportunities for practice and exercise.
For example, his doctoral student Yang Hongru once came to Shanghai to investigate the industrial situation in Shanghai.
Zhu Rongji once thought that he would go to Tsinghua to teach after retirement, but due to various reasons, he was unable to fulfill this wish.
He was reluctant to implement the truth, fearing that it would not only affect the development of government work, but also damage Tsinghua's reputation.
(Zhu Rongji at Tsinghua)
But in so many years, he and Tsinghua already have an inseparable friendship.
Zhu Rongji delivered a farewell speech at Tsinghua University in 2001, and what everyone did not expect was that he first began a self-reflection.
He said: "Over the years, I have not done anything for the School of Economics and Management, and even the students want to see me. I asked myself, am I really too busy with the government to have a chance to meet my classmates? Ask yourself, feel ashamed. ”
After saying a word, Zhu Rongji had already choked up. Offstage, many students also cried silently.
Even if he did not become a teacher at Tsinghua after retirement, Zhu Rongji and Tsinghua still had a warm agreement.
He told his classmates that he would return to his alma mater every four years.
Over the years, Zhu Rongji has never lost his contract.
Zhu Rongji, who had been retired for several years, returned to Tsinghua in 2011 and once again stood on his familiar podium.
Looking at the group of energetic young people in the audience, the eighty-year-old man once again sincerely conveyed his life creed.
- "Tell the truth, tell the truth." ”
This is not only a piece of advice to the students of Tsinghua Garden, but also a motto for his family.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="22" > third, unwilling to establish a legacy, to correct the family style</h1>
After he retired, he had more time to spend with his family and more admonitions to his children.
To sum it up, there are no more than two words: low-key.
Zhu Rongji had two children, the eldest daughter was named Zhu Yanlai, and the younger son was named Zhu Yunlai.
The Zhu family and brothers both graduated from prestigious universities and have successively entered the field of economic work.
Both of them remember their father's teachings, do things in a down-to-earth manner, and keep a low profile.
Zhu Yanlai participated in the two sessions of the National People's Congress in 2014, and a reporter specially went to interview her and was deeply impressed by her.
The reporter said that Zhu Yanlai was polite and polite, did not speak much, and was not willing to take pictures, but he would not deliberately avoid reporters.
This is obviously influenced by the Zhu family style, which is in line with the attitude that Zhu Rongji upheld after retirement.
(Zhu Yanlai)
Not only that, Zhu Rongji has publicly stated that after he retires, he will not write a biography or an inscription.
He loved to read, but never read other people's biographies of him.
However, Zhu Rongji himself did not have the heart to establish a transmission, which does not mean that there were no people around him.
At that time, his cousin Zhu Tianchi wrote a "Biography of Zhu Rongji" and deliberately took it to Shanghai to show Zhu Rongji after he retired.
As a result, Zhu Rongji did not want to see him at all.
Compared with his biography, Zhu Rongji hopes to reflect on the major decisions he has made in politics, so as to inspire future generations.
The People's Publishing House has published three books along this line of thinking.
These books do not contain any subjective praise or praise, but from the most objective point of view, they truly record Zhu Rongji's many interviews and speeches by media reporters.
Compared with the self-aggrandizement and retrospective biography of his own glory years, this book is more like a historical material for future generations.
Zhu Rongji also attached great importance to this, and he himself verified the contents of the book word by word.
But even so, he did not write any prefaces to the books, or any other type of text.
To this day, Zhu Rongji has always adhered to the rules he made in those years: Once he retires, he will not comment publicly in any form.
This is not only the silent guardianship of the republic by the former prime minister, but also the great man's great cherishing of his late life and reputation.
It was these books that, in 2014, brought Zhu Rongji to the public again in an unexpected way.
That year, the Hurun Charity List was released, and only three of the hundred people on the list were not entrepreneurs.
And the sixtieth of them is particularly conspicuous, and people never imagined that it would be Zhu Rongji, a former premier who has been retired for many years!
Looking more closely, it was even more shocking that Zhu Rongji had donated a total of 23.98 million yuan in donations at that time.
It turned out that the money was the royalties of those books.
Zhu Rongji did not move a single point, and as early as before the publication, he made it clear that he did not handle this money, and the publishing house directly transferred it to the Foundation for Practical Assistance.
And this foundation for practical assistance was also founded by Zhu Rongji.
It is a foundation dedicated to helping children in poor areas. In 2014, the Foundation came to Fujian and provided targeted assistance to five rural compulsory education schools with a total of 800 students.
In Zhu Rongji's view, this is not a major event worth bragging about; on the contrary, his wish is very simple.
He said: "I hope that children in poor areas can eat an egg and a glass of milk every day. ”
It is an ordinary sentence that seeks practical things for the common people and accompanies this man throughout his life.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" data-track="27" >4</h1>
After his retirement, Zhu Rongji's every appearance will attract people's attention.
The 19th National Congress was held in 2017, and the camera flashed by, and many people saw Zhu Rongji sitting in the position of the presidium.
Although the video is short, it has set off a wave.
People were surprised to find that this "iron-fisted" prime minister, who had once been fierce, was also old.
But despite this, he still straightened his waist, as before, like the backbone of the republic.
Zhu Rongji will always be indifferent to these concerns.
In the eyes of people, he is the back of an era, but in his view, he is just a "grass people".
No matter how many years have passed, Zhu Rongji's loud declaration still echoes in people's ears, saying: "I am an orphan, I grew up without parents, and I am not afraid of offending people." ”
In fact, whether before or after retirement, Zhu Rongji has never changed.
Standing in front of the stage is for the people, and retreating behind the scenes is also for the people.
Whether it is an iron-fisted tough guy or a kind old man, all of them are his most authentic appearance.
Zhu Rongji's "two sides" eventually became one, becoming a towering tree that supported a blue sky of the republic.
Resources:
1. Li Lulu. Zhu Rongji: The Back of an Era[J].Education for the Elderly (Home for the Elderly), 2019, (No. 2).
2. Editorial Department of the Journal. Zhu Rongji's family[J].Leader Wencui, 2016, (No. 9).
3. Li Jingtao,Zhu Dongjun,Xu Chenjing. Zhu Rongji's Family Style[J].Newspaper Collection, 2015, (No. 5).
4. Anon. Zhu Rongji: Retirement life is "very rich"[J].Human Resources Development, 2011, (No. 11).
Edit: Ice cream
Editor-in-Charge: Thalia