He was once the "cattle herding baby" in Chairman Mao's mouth, and the red imp in the Red Army, who was famous.
When he crossed the river in the south, he was the best among the political commissars, and after the founding of New China, he was the only secretary of the provincial party committee of the five provinces.
At the time of reform and opening up, he became a benchmark for the replacement of the old and the new, and served as the secretary of the provincial party committee six times, and he won the support of the people.
Herding cattle and babies embarked on the road of revolution
Jiangxi Yongxin, Tan Qilong's hometown, the cradle of the revolution. In 1927, it witnessed the Autumn Harvest Uprising led by Chairman Mao, which opened a chapter of armed struggle.
In 1968, at the 12th Plenary Session of the Eighth Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Chairman Mao's words focused on Tan Qilong. He went from herding cattle to the revolutionary road, Chairman Mao had already known him and was always concerned.
In the summer of 1933, Tan Qilong, who was then the head of the Young Pioneers of Hunan and Jiangxi Province, came to the Central Soviet Region and was entrusted with the important task of inspector and sent to the Marxist-Leninist Institute for further study.
At the time when Chairman Mao presided over the meeting in Ruijin, Tan, as a representative of Yongxin, was also present.
Chairman Mao's report on "How to Analyze the Rural Class" was profound and thorough, and Tan Qilong was engrossed in it and was impressed by its wisdom and charm.
Chairman Mao's remarks were both profound and popular, which made him admire him, and the window of thought suddenly opened.
During the meeting, Tan Qilong had the honor to have a close exchange with Chairman Mao. The place was a simple farmhouse, and Chairman Mao was already sitting on a small square bench, greeting him with a smile on his face. Chairman Mao's easy-going broke Tan Qilong's nervousness.
After Chairman Mao learned that Tan was from Yongxin, he affectionately laughed and called them half a fellow countryman. Tan Qilong suddenly relaxed, realizing that this was because Chairman Mao's lover, He Zizhen, was also a Yongxin person.
Chairman Mao's words asked him softly: "Where are you from Yongxin, what are you doing at home?"
Tan Qilong was born in 1914 in a poor family in Xiangxing Township, Yongxin County. His childhood was synonymous with barrenness and hardship: his family was so poor that he didn't even have a roof or an inch of land.
His father was the breadwinner of the family, barely making ends meet by doing odd jobs in other people's homes.
However, fate was not merciful to the family. When Tan Qilong was six years old, his father died due to long-term fatigue and illness, and finally died because he had no money for treatment, leaving him and his mother to rely on each other.
Tan Qilong's mother is a strong woman who gritted her teeth and took on the burden of the family. In those difficult times, she relied on her own hands to run around and work diligently for a living.
However, four years later, on a snowy day, fate once again brought a devastating blow to the family.
While selling some peanuts and fried beans in the town in exchange for a meager living expenses, my mother unfortunately had an argument with the gentry's tuanding, and was mercilessly wounded and drenched in blood.
With deep resentment and unwillingness, my mother died with hatred shortly after returning home.
Since then, Tan Qilong has become a real orphan. At the age of ten, facing the cruel world, he had to go to herd cattle for the landlord's family.
At that age, he should have enjoyed a carefree childhood, but reality forced him to endure beatings, scolding, cold and hunger.
Tears and sweat were his only companions during those four years of hardship.
In 1927, Chairman Mao lit the revolutionary fire in Jinggang Mountain, illuminating Yongxin County and Tan Qilong's life. The flame of the Soviet movement not only burned on the earth, but also ignited hopes and dreams in his heart.
In 1928, Tan Qilong, who was only 14 years old, resolutely threw himself into the torrent of revolution with a bitter hatred for the landlords and gentry.
He not only became the head of the local township children's regiment, but also quickly rose to prominence with his firm revolutionary conviction and strong sense of struggle.
In October 1931, with the establishment of Hunan and Jiangxi provinces, Tan Qilong's responsibilities were further increased, and he was appointed deputy secretary of the Hunan and Jiangxi Provincial Committee of the Young Communist Party and the chief of the Hunan and Jiangxi Young Pioneers.
During this period, he not only led the young Young Pioneers, but also assumed more important political and organizational roles.
After listening to Tan Qilong's life experience, Chairman Mao looked solemn and commented seriously: "Herding cattle is a hired farmer, and a hired farmer is the proletariat in the countryside." You, a cowherd baby, drop the bullwhip to join the revolution, you want it. ”
Then, he earnestly encouraged Tan Qilong, asking him not only to do a good job, but also to study hard to Xi, become a literate revolutionary, and assume heavier responsibilities for the revolution.
In Ruijin, Tan Qilong and Chairman Mao met several times. Whenever Chairman Mao saw him, he always affectionately called him "herding cow baby", which became a special bond between them, and also an affirmation and reminder of Tan Qilong's original revolutionary intention.
In May 1934, Tan Qilong was ordered to leave the Central Soviet Region and move to the Hunan-Hubei-Jiangxi Soviet Region. During this period, he actively participated in guerrilla warfare and persisted in the arduous struggle of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the War of Liberation.
He went through the baptism of war in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and Shandong, and failed to meet Chairman Mao again for decades.
Transformed and burdened
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Tan Qilong ushered in a new chapter in his life and was appointed as the first secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China.
In the spring of 1952, the scenery of the south of the Yangtze River was picturesque, and everything was recovering, which was the time when the spring flowers were blooming. It was in this vibrant season that Chairman Mao visited Zhejiang and gave Tan Qilong the opportunity to reunite with him.
Nearly twenty years have passed since that meeting in Ruijin, and the two have finally met again.
When Chairman Mao met Tan Qilong again, a familiar smile bloomed on his face, and he said cordially: "Herding cow baby, do you remember when we met in Ruijin? At that time, you were still a young red ghost, and now you have become the secretary of the provincial party committee!"
Tan Qilong was both surprised and full of respect for Chairman Mao's profound memory.
Chairman Mao's words aroused mixed emotions in his heart, both uneasy and excited. He recalls Chairman Mao's teachings when he was in Ruijin, and these words have always inspired him to move forward.
He sincerely expressed his gratitude to Chairman Mao: "Chairman, I have always kept in mind your teachings back then, and it is these words that guide me to make continuous progress. ”
Chairman Mao was very happy with Tan Qilong's progress, and at the same time reminded him: "It is not easy for the cow herd baby to become the secretary of the provincial party committee, and the burden on his shoulders is not light!"
During his inspection tour in Zhejiang, Tan Qilong concisely and concisely reported to Chairman Mao on his struggle since he left the Central Soviet Region and on the work in Zhejiang. During this period, the two visited Lu Xun's former residence together.
Chairman Mao asked Tan Qilong if he had ever been here, and learned that he had fought here during the Anti-Japanese War, so he quoted Lu Xun's poem "Hengmei coldly pointed at a thousand people, bowed his head and was willing to be a son of a cow" to convey the attitude of resolutely fighting against the enemy and being diligent and conscientious towards the people.
These two lines of poetry had a profound impact on Tan Qilong, and he later specially purchased a photocopy of Lu Xun's handwritten couplet and hung it in his bedroom as his motto.
At the East Lake Farm in Shaoxing, when Chairman Mao discussed "Dream of Red Mansions" with his entourage, he asked Tan Qilong if he had read the book.
Although Tan Qilong has read it, Chairman Mao pointed out that it is not enough to read it once, and it is necessary to read it at least five times to deeply understand that this book is not only a literary masterpiece, but also a vivid history of class struggle.
Tan Qilong took this to heart, and later reread "Dream of Red Mansions" many times, and each time he had a new understanding.
Of course, the exchange between Chairman Mao and Tan Qilong was not limited to cultural education, but more about the discussion of work.
Chairman Mao stressed that it is not easy to do a good job in the work of a province, especially emphasized the importance of investigation and research, and put forward "discovering problems, analyzing problems, dissecting problems, and formulating policies" as a scientific method for solving major problems.
He also stressed the importance of going deep into the grassroots and humbly listening to the voices of the masses, and briefed Tan Qilong on several ways he can understand the situation at the grassroots level.
In 1954, after Tan Qilong served as the first secretary of the Shandong Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, he deeply understood and faithfully implemented Chairman Mao's teachings, especially in paying attention to investigation and research.
He not only went deep into the grassroots to understand the actual situation, but also was good at discovering typical cases from these investigations, so as to promote the all-round development of his work.
His way of working has not only improved local agricultural production, but also become a model for the whole province and even the whole country.
In October 1957, when Chairman Mao visited Shandong Province for inspection, Tan Qilong reported to him a striking case.
He recounted how Lijiazhai Township, Yingnan County, relied on collective strength and showed the spirit of "Yugong moving mountains", and improved production conditions through large-scale farmland and water conservancy construction under difficult natural conditions, so that agriculture could be harvested year after year.
This case not only demonstrates the perseverance and self-reliance of the local people, but also highlights Tan Qilong's keen observation and promotion ability in grassroots investigations.
Chairman Mao expressed great interest and satisfaction with this report, and he asked to see the specific materials of Lijiazhai. After reading the relevant materials, Chairman Mao personally instructed: "Yugong moves mountains and transforms China, Lijiazhai is a good example!"
Since then, during Chairman Mao's many inspections in Shandong, Tan Qilong has accompanied him throughout the whole process and listened carefully to Chairman Mao's instructions and suggestions.
These valuable exchange opportunities have enabled Tan Qilong to have a deeper understanding of how to combine the spirit of the central government with local realities to promote work more effectively.
At the same time, Tan Qilong also often went to Beijing for meetings, and met with Chairman Mao many times, from which he learned a lot of valuable leadership experience and political wisdom.
These experiences not only had a great impact on his personal growth, but also had a profound impact on the development of Shandong Province and even the whole country.
As the years go by, the chairman cares
In October 1971, the Central Committee held an important work conference. At this meeting, Tan Qilong, as an alternate member of the Central Committee, also attended in Beijing. In the middle of the meeting, an unexpected and exciting moment occurred. Chairman Mao specially assigned Premier Zhou Enlai to summon Tan Qilong to enter the lounge.
For this sudden summons, Tan Qilong's heart was filled with an inexplicable excitement and nervousness.
Walking into the lounge, Tan Qilong saw Chairman Mao sitting on the sofa.
When Chairman Mao saw him come in, he smiled and nodded, and asked kindly, "Are you okay with the cow herding baby?"
Tan Qilong hurriedly replied, expressing his gratitude to Chairman Mao for his care.
Chairman Mao continued to inquire about Tan Qilong's work arrangements. Tan Qilong truthfully replied that he did not have a specific work arrangement at present, and was conducting investigation and research at the Xinhua Printing Plant.
After Chairman Mao heard this, he turned to Zhou Enlai, who was sitting on his right, and proposed to arrange a job for Tan Qilong. Premier Zhou Enlai nodded in agreement and took note of this "supreme directive".
Soon after, Tan Qilong was appointed deputy secretary of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China. Soon after his work in Fujian, in May 1972, he was transferred to the first secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China.
In this position, Tan Qilong was faced with the arduous task of stabilizing the situation in Zhejiang, while at the same time maintaining basic industrial and agricultural production. This was undoubtedly a challenging role under the complex historical conditions of the time.
Despite the difficulties, Tan Qilong relied on his perseverance and wisdom to work hard to try to achieve economic stability and social harmony in Zhejiang Province.
In February 1977, Tan Qilong was called by the Party Central Committee to go to Qinghai Province to serve as the first secretary of the Qinghai Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, and began his new journey on this mysterious plateau.
Shouldering heavy responsibilities, he quickly launched a series of forward-looking work in the face of the unique natural environment and economic conditions of Qinghai Province.
After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the development of Qinghai Province ushered in an important historical opportunity. Tan Qilong was well aware of the time, and he was keenly aware that in order for Qinghai to recover and develop rapidly, it was necessary to shift the focus of work to production and construction.
He stressed that party committees at all levels throughout the province must not hesitate to immediately shift their main energies to this field.
Tan Qilong not only stopped at calling for and giving instructions, but also boldly put forward a series of specific policies and measures for restoring and developing production in agricultural and pastoral areas in light of Qinghai's specific conditions.
The implementation of these policies and measures not only meets Qinghai's actual needs, but also reflects his resoluteness and decision-making ability.
As a result, Qinghai's economic difficulties were quickly reversed, laying a solid foundation for subsequent development.
With the initial reversal of Qinghai's difficult economic situation, Tan Qilong did not stop. He continued to go deep into reality, conduct investigations and studies, and constantly deepen his understanding of Qinghai.
On the basis of in-depth research, he successively put forward strategic ideas for the development and construction of Haixi and Qaidam. These ideas are not only far-sighted, but also have been affirmed and supported by the central authorities.
Under Tan Qilong's leadership, Qinghai Province has not only recovered and developed economically, but also achieved rapid development in various social undertakings under his promotion.
The blueprint he drew for Qinghai Province is not only a development plan for Qinghai's current development, but also a hopeful future for this plateau. Before he left Qinghai, this once difficult and difficult land had already shown a new look and vitality.
Multi-provincial leadership, revolutionary inheritance
In December 1979, Tan Qilong left Qinghai due to work adjustments and went to Sichuan to serve as the second secretary of the Sichuan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, and was soon promoted to the first secretary of the provincial party committee in March 1980.
Yang Rudai commented on him: "He is full of black hair, vigorous steps, energetic, kind and peaceful, and is a respected old 'squad leader' in the provincial party committee."
During his three years in Sichuan, under the leadership of Tan Qilong, Sichuan's work has not only maintained a good momentum, but also achieved major progress and breakthroughs.
He continued to seek truth from facts, actively eliminated the influence of the "leftist" policy, promoted rural reform, and invigorated the rural economy. By the spring of 1982, the household contract system was widely implemented throughout the province.
Tan Qilong paid special attention to the reform of the county-level economic system.
At the beginning of 1980, Xiangyang Commune in Guanghan County innovatively implemented corporatized management, which was essentially a major reform of the People's Commune.
This attempt in Guanghan County received strong support from Tan Qilong, and Xiangyang Township became the first place in the country to remove the "People's Commune" brand. Subsequently, 35 counties and cities in Sichuan Province followed up and achieved remarkable results.
Tan Qilong is also very concerned about improving the living standards in poor areas. In 1982, he personally visited 21 counties and cities in northern Sichuan to gain an in-depth understanding of the local situation.
He proposed that the economy in mountainous areas should be revitalized through rational readjustment of the industrial structure, the development of forestry, grassland, animal husbandry, and diversified management.
At his initiative, the Sichuan Provincial Party Committee decided to develop a diversified economy in the mountainous area, which effectively protected the ecological balance of the mountainous area.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Tan Qilong served as party and government leaders in many provinces, including Zhejiang, Shandong, Qinghai, Sichuan, and the provincial party secretary in Fujian. Such an experience is relatively rare in the history of the party.
Tan Qilong pays attention to in-depth investigation and research, which he learned from Chairman Mao.
No matter what province he works in, he goes deep into the grassroots to understand the actual situation and is deeply loved by the people.
Tan Qilong and the revolutionaries of the older generation walked out of the war and struggle, and spent a lifetime drawing a blueprint for the development of the new era for future generations.
When the country enters a new historical period and faces new tasks, we should always keep in mind the revolutionary convictions of Tan Qilong and the revolutionaries of the older generation and Xi learn from their excellent qualities.
As Tan Qilong learned from Chairman Mao, this is the inheritance of the national spirit.
Resources:
Chairman Mao and the cattle herding baby" Tan Qilong Yin Weibin
From a red imp to a feudal official", Tan Qilong's new water battalion
Take Tan Qilong as an example and contribute to the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation