In 1956, chairman Mao said at a symposium: "These few industrial circles in China must never forget Zhang Zhidong, who is engaged in heavy industry, Fan Xudong, who is engaged in chemical industry, Lu Zuofu, who is engaged in transportation, and Zhang Xiao, who is engaged in textile industry." ”
Why can't these people forget? Because they are all people who have made great contributions to the development of our national industry.
Today, let's introduce lu Zuofu, the "king of ships".
Lu Zuofu is known as the "king of ships" in modern times, not without basis, Lu Zuofu founded the Minsheng Company in 1925, by 1939, his company had 46 transport ships, a total tonnage of more than 10,000, there are nearly 5,000 employees, the upper and lower reaches of the Yangtze River 11 companies are all incorporated into the banner, this scale, at that time the world's shipping industry is in the forefront.
It is precisely because of such super transportation strength that Lu Zuofu also did something that amazed the world during the War of Resistance Against Japan: directed the Chinese version of the "Dunkirk Evacuation".
First, let's briefly introduce what is called the "Dunkirk Evacuation".
In 1940, with an anglo-French army of about 400,000 men surrounded by Germans in the narrow strip of northern France, Dunkirk became the only way out for the 400,000 men to retreat, and the only sea port.
However, this is only a small port, and the surrounding residents are only 10,000 people, so how to evacuate these 400,000 officers and soldiers has become a big problem.
The British, led by the British Navy, requisitioned a number of merchant ships, with the goal of retreating 30,000 men. However, no one expected that under the leadership of the British Navy, they braved the daily intensive bombardment of German aircraft to rescue a total of 340,000 officers and soldiers!
The Dunkirk evacuation instantly became famous and shocked the world, which became britain's proud classic rescue.
So, what is the situation with Lu Zuofu's Chinese version of the "Dunkirk Evacuation"?
In June 1938, Wuhan fell, and departments at all levels had to retreat, but because it was a hasty retreat, a lot of preparatory work was not done well, resulting in a large number of relocation materials piled up in Yichang, coupled with the outbreak of the Battle of Songhu, a part of the machinery and equipment was snatched out of Shanghai, accumulating more than 1 million tons in Yichang, and nearly 30,000 public officials, students, and teachers waiting for the retreat, the situation was very critical, and Chiang Kai-shek was almost about to give up.
At this time, Lu Zuofu stepped forward, braved the crazy bombing of Japanese and Kou planes, personally commanded the front line, studied the plan with the staff, and finally, all the materials and personnel stranded in Yichang were transported to Chongqing!
However, Lu Zuofu's Minsheng Company also suffered huge losses, according to the statistics afterwards, a total of 16 ships were sunk, 117 employees died heroically, 76 employees were disabled...
So, what are the materials that the Minsheng Company rushed out? It is still necessary to list a bunch of data: a total of all the equipment and materials of 34 universities, such as Fudan University, Central University, and the Central Army School, were rushed to transport equipment and materials from hundreds of factories such as the 22nd, 23rd, 24th, Nanchang Aircraft Factory, and Wuhan Quilt Factory of the Ordnance Industry Bureau.
Someone once made an image survey, saying that these arsenals that Lu Zuofu rushed to transport could build 300,000 grenades, 70,000 mortar shells, and 6,000 aircraft bombs every month, so Lu Zuofu saved the whole great cause of resisting Japan and saving the dead!
Chiang Kai-shek was also very grateful to him, calling him a "national hero" and successively awarding him the Medal of Jade Picking, the Order of Qingyun, and the Medal of Victory.
After the liberation war began, Lu Zuofu, as a patriotic entrepreneur, maintained contacts with our party, and Zhou Enlai also called him a rare talent, and recommended him to be responsible for the work of the Ministry of Communications after the founding of the People's Republic of China.
Later, Lu Zuofu adopted the method of public-private partnership and dedicated the Minsheng Company to the state, and its high style and bright festival were admirable!
Unfortunately, in the "Five Antis," this patriotic entrepreneur who has made great contributions to the country and the nation has been criticized by some people as an "illegal capitalist."
On February 8, 1952, Lu Zuofu was humiliated and committed suicide by taking medicine at the age of 59.
In his will to his wife, Lu Zuofu wrote: "First, borrow the furniture of the Minsheng Company and return it to the Minsheng Company; second, the shares of the Minsheng Company will be handed over to the state; third, rely on the children for future life; and fourth, the certificate of the Southwest Military and Political Committee will be returned to the Military and Political Committee." ”
History Inn Author: Desert Sand