Zhao, S. . (2010). Photo by Zhang Guixin
■ Reading prompts
At 16:25 on April 22, "General Hope" Zhao Weizhong passed away at the age of 92.
He is a general who has been fighting all his life, an old man who brings hope to others, and a father who has left a valuable spiritual wealth to his family. After he left, he left people with endless nostalgia.
In the past two days, the reporter approached his daughter, the student he had helped before his death, and fondly recalled the story of getting along with the "General of Hope" Zhao Weizhong.
Zhao Buzhou:
My father was frugal during his lifetime, and he didn't leave a penny after his death
Zhao Buzhou, the second daughter of General Zhao Weizhong, has been immersed in grief for the past two days.
On April 16, he was notified that he was seriously ill, on April 21, he was notified that he was critically ill, and on the afternoon of April 22, his 92-year-old father passed away.
As soon as his father left, 60-year-old Zhao Buzhou was very sad. But in order to organize her father's funeral, she cheered up.
"I've been so busy these two days. Faced with the reporter's interview request, her voice on the other end of the phone was very tired, "Friday is my father's farewell ceremony, and there are still many things to prepare at home." ”
Since 2020, there have been successive changes in her family, and she has experienced the death of her relatives again and again. In 2020, her sister Zhao Buyun passed away. In 2021, his mother Bu Wenjing passed away.
In addition, my father is old and in poor health, so he often needs to be hospitalized. Zhao Buzhou felt powerless.
Receiving a call from Shijiazhuang, Zhao Buzhou was not surprised. My father went to work in the Hebei Provincial Military Region in 1990 and did not leave Shijiazhuang after retiring in 1992.
My father was born in a poor peasant family in Dongyang County, Zhejiang Province, and lost both parents when he was a child. Due to his poor family, he dropped out of school four times, and only with the help of his fellow villagers did he complete his studies from primary school to teacher. The pain of dropping out of school and the difficulty of studying when he was a child left a deep imprint on his soul.
Before retiring, his father and mother Bu Wenjing reached a consensus that after retirement, they would dedicate all their spare heat to the Hope Project.
The first thing my father did after retiring was to come to the Provincial Youth Development Foundation, donate 3,000 yuan to the Hope Project, and sign up to join the ranks of the Hope Project volunteers. He said to the comrades of the foundation: "I don't want to be famous or profit-seeking, I just want to do something for those poor and out-of-school children!" Since then, he has taken the Hope Project as his career after retirement, and has been diligently pursuing it with perseverance.
When he first retired, his father often told stories about out-of-school children in the Taihang Mountains, his bitter childhood education experience, and his plans to engage in the Hope Project...... said that the whole family was moved. My mother decided to move her family from Beijing to Shijiazhuang, and took out the 6,000 yuan she was going to buy fitness equipment to support poor students. The family members of the two daughters signed up for the "Project Hope 1+1" activity.
Since then, whenever the family gets together, the topic of conversation has always been Project Hope. There is also an unwritten rule in their family: any member of the family who has made a friend of the Hope Project can bring it to their home, and they can eat and live for free.
"I have lived in Shijiazhuang for more than 20 years, and I left very suddenly. Zhao Buzhou said that in August 2018, his mother suddenly became seriously ill and was taken directly to a hospital in Beijing by ambulance. Since then, his father has been far away from Shijiazhuang, "and he has been back several times since then, and he has been invited to participate in public welfare activities." ”
All along, because of her father's beloved career, her family, relatives and friends, and every corner of her father's figure have been deeply branded with the Hope Project.
Over the years, my father has donated all his pension and family savings to the Hope Project, and the family has also formed the "Family Hope Love Club", which has donated more than 1 million yuan in the past 20 years to support poor students.
The father generously helped the children who were out of school, but he lived a very frugal and sometimes sad life.
At the end of 2004, my sister had a sudden diabetes complicated by uremia, and she had to undergo hemodialysis every week, and the medical expenses for a year cost more than 100,000 yuan. Every time I went to Beijing to visit my sister, my parents, who were in their 70s at the time, were reluctant to take a taxi and squeezed the bus instead.
Zhao Buzhou understands the difficulties at home, and he also knows that life is not easy. In the past few years, my father, mother and sister have been sick, and the medical expenses are very high, and there is not much money left.
"My father was frugal during his lifetime, and he didn't leave a penny after his death. Zhao Buzhou said frankly, but what his father left to his family is a valuable spiritual wealth - his deeds are well-known, and he has won many honors, certificates and trophies.
On July 10, 2012, my father's 80th birthday, many "hope friends" rushed to Shijiazhuang from all over the country to celebrate his birthday.
"My heart is still red, my blood is still hot, and my bones are hard. At the memorial meeting, he told everyone in a slightly hoarse voice, "20 years have passed, and I want to accompany you for another 20 years!"
Zhao Buzhou said that his father broke his promise this time.
On September 29, 2013, in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, more than a dozen children of migrant workers from Shizhuang Road Primary School in Shijiazhuang City, led by Zhao Weizhong, the "General of Hope", watched the flag-raising ceremony and climbed the Tiananmen Tower. Photo by Hebei Daily reporter Zhao Wei
Zhang Shengli:
Without General Zhao's help, I wouldn't be where I am today
On the afternoon of April 23, Zhang Shengli and his colleagues went to the countryside. On that day, they were going to visit two schools, one of which was the Central Primary School in Dongtuanbao Township, Laiyuan County, where he used to work.
Hearing the news of General Zhao Weizhong's death, Zhang Shengli was still on the way, "a little bit unbelievable".
"In my impression, the old general is still the tall old man who wears a little red riding hood, and is in good spirits. Zhang Shengli often recalled General Zhao Weizhong's voice and smile, "He has selflessly helped me countless times." Without General Zhao's help, I wouldn't be where I am today. ”
Zhang Shengli, who was a child who dropped out of school due to poverty in Taomu Pimple Village, Dongtuanbao Township, Laiyuan County, wrote a letter to Che Zhizhong, then vice chairman of the county CPPCC, in order to go to school, which opened the prelude to China's Hope Project.
As the "first person to receive assistance from the Hope Project", in 1995, Zhang Shengli, who graduated from junior high school and substitute taught in a village primary school, was admitted to Shanghai No. 1 Normal School.
After graduating in 1997, Zhang Shengli decided to return to the impoverished small mountain village of Peachwood Pimple. Hearing the news, General Zhao Weizhong and Che Zhizhong were very happy and rushed to Shanghai together to take me back to Laiyuan. Thinking of that time, Zhang Shengli was still a little excited.
In the Hope Project Exhibition Hall of the Central Primary School of Dongtuanbao Township, Laiyuan County, a group photo of that time is still preserved.
General Zhao Weizhong paid special attention to the children in the mountains, and he devoted all his efforts to the education in the mountains.
On August 14, 1997, Zhang Shengli returned to his alma mater, Taomu Pimple Primary School. "In the first class, I talked to the students about how Project Hope has helped me to encourage them to work hard. Zhang Shengli said, but the current situation of the school is cruel, many children in the village have dropped out of school because of poverty, and there are only five students in the whole school, "and then two more dropouts, and there are only three students left." ”
He started his own public welfare project, visiting village by village deep in the mountains, "I told everyone to help the children go to school, and they didn't have to pay for their books. I don't have the financial means myself, so I can run social sponsorship to fund them. With Zhang's help, many children were able to return to school.
But at that time, as a substitute teacher, Zhang Shengli's monthly salary was only 150 yuan. "In the first few years, even my own life was sustained by the help of well-wishers such as 'General Hope' Zhao Weizhong. ”
Not only that, under the attention of "General Hope" Zhao Weizhong and others, Zhang Shengli changed from a substitute teacher to a regular teacher in 2004.
"I've been helped by others, so I want to help more people through myself. For a long time, every Saturday and Sunday, Zhang Shengli either went door-to-door according to the "roster of poor students" in the local area, or ran around for sponsorship, "Sometimes I feel a lot of pressure, but when I think of the people who care about and help me, I can only grit my teeth and persevere." ”
Zhang Shengli regarded General Zhao Weizhong as a role model in his heart. Every time he went to Shijiazhuang, he would go to his home to see the old general and Bu Wenjing's grandmother, "It's kind, just like family." ”
Over the years, he has enjoyed the spotlight and care, as well as frustration and confusion, but he has not changed his original intention.
More than 30 years have passed, Zhang Shengli has served as the vice principal of the Dongtuanbao Central Primary School from his alma mater, Taomu Pimple Primary School, to the nearby Siyuangou Primary School, and now he is working in the Laiyuan County Education and Sports Bureau, and has never left his education work.
"The old general is old, and I don't want to disturb him anymore and cause him trouble. Since General Zhao Weizhong returned to Beijing, although Zhang Shengli has less contact with him, he has buried his concern deeply in his heart.
On January 27, 2014, the home of "General Hope" Zhao Weizhong was full of laughter. Students from Shizhuang Road Primary School in Shijiazhuang City brought a group photo in front of Tiananmen Square and a homemade greeting card full of blessings to send the most sincere New Year wishes to the "General Grandpa". (This newspaper information film) Hebei Daily reporter Zhao Wei photo
Guo Hui:
He was like a father, loving and encouraging me
"What? General Zhao has died, I don't know yet! How can this be?" Guo Hui said in shock when the news came.
Guo Hui is the self-improvement girl who went to Peking University in a wheelchair. When she was 11 years old, she suffered from an accident that resulted in high paraplegia in her lower limbs. However, with her unimaginable perseverance and fighting spirit, she completed all the courses of elementary school, junior high school, high school, college junior college and undergraduate by self-study. In 2003, she was admitted to the School of Foreign Languages of Peking University as a doctoral student with excellent results, becoming the first female doctoral student with a disability in the history of Peking University.
After graduating with a Ph.D., she became an English teacher at Hebei University of Engineering. In 2012, she was recognized by a professor at Harvard University for her research and received an invitation to study at Harvard University.
Talking about his acquaintance with General Zhao, Guo Hui remembers that in June 2006, "the book "Rocking a Wheelchair to Peking University" written by Mr. Li Chunlei was published, and I was fortunate to get acquainted with General Zhao at the reading meeting held by Hebei Children's Publishing House. ”
"General Zhao is about the same age as my father, just like my father, who cares and encourages me. Guo Hui recalled the bits and pieces of General Zhao Weizhong, and couldn't help but burst into tears.
"When I was studying at Peking University, General Zhao once visited me in the dormitory of the school, knew that my family was in difficulty, and brought me a scholarship of 10,000 yuan so that I could go to school with peace of mind. ”
"When my doctoral dissertation was published, General Zhao funded my publication and helped me start my teaching career. ”
"When I went to work after graduating, he came to visit me in Handan and encouraged me to work hard. ”
"Before I went to study at Harvard University, he asked me to pick me up in a car and take me to Shijiazhuang to help me. ”
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"I feel greatly encouraged by the help I have received again and again. Guo Hui kept everything in mind, "The old general has great love in his heart, and he will definitely help others when they are in trouble." ”
The grace of a drop of water should be reciprocated with a gushing spring.
Guo Hui recalled that in 2009, she and her mother visited General Zhao's home, "The deepest impression is that the furnishings at home are very frugal, and it is not at all obvious that it is a general's home." Aunt Bu Wenjing was not in good health and cooked dumplings for us to eat. ”
"When I was studying at Harvard University, the old general also sponsored me, and I felt that it was not easy for me and that I should be more comfortable. After returning to China, Guo Hui often remembered the scene of his family and decided to send the money back to General Zhao, "I have a salary at work and can support myself, and I hope he will use the money where he needs it more." ”
A few years ago, during the New Year's holidays, Guo Hui would call General Zhao Weizhong to say hello and report on his work and life. Although there is not much contact, I can always know the situation of the old general.
Later, the family suffered one after another. At the beginning of 2017, Guo Hui's mother was diagnosed with leukemia and unfortunately passed away at the end of the year. After that, she and her father depended on each other, and her father also passed away in 2022. His parents passed away one after another, and Guo Hui was sad.
During that time, Guo Hui also contacted General Zhao Weizhong, "No one answered the phone call at home, and he didn't answer his mobile phone, so he cut off contact." ”
Unexpectedly, she got the news of General Zhao Weizhong again, but he passed away, "I heard that the farewell ceremony was held on April 26, I especially want to go to Beijing, see the old general again, and finally give him a ride." ”
Zhang Guixin:
In the eyes of grandpa, doing public welfare is a very pure thing
On the night of April 22, it was difficult for Zhang Guixin. Picking up the unfinished work and putting it down, sitting on the chair and standing up again, Zhang Guixin, who was in his 40s, cried.
Just a few hours ago, Zhang Guixin received a call from his second aunt, Zhao Buzhou, and learned of the death of General Zhao Weizhong.
"Although I thought that this day would come sooner or later, I still couldn't accept it when I heard my second aunt say that my grandfather had left. Zhang Guixin said.
After knowing each other for 25 years, Zhang Guixin has long regarded General Zhao Weizhong's family as relatives.
Zhang Guixin is a Lingshou person, and the three brothers are all raised by their mother, and their family is poor. In 1997, he was admitted to Hebei Normal University with excellent results. Although his family gritted their teeth and insisted on working part-time, after entering his sophomore year, he could no longer pay his tuition.
In 1999, General Zhao Weizhong came to Hebei Normal University in the first year of the "Hope Project on the University Campus".
"At that time, I was worried about the tuition fees, and I was ready to drop out. One day, the counselor teacher said that there was a 'mysterious' caring person who wanted to sponsor me. But when I got to the conference room, I couldn't tell at first glance who was going to sponsor it, because everyone was dressed too ordinarily. Zhang Guixin recalled.
It wasn't until an old man wearing a little red riding hood and an old gray coat solemnly handed over the envelope containing the subsidy to him that Zhang Guixin confirmed that General Zhao Weizhong in front of him was his sponsor.
Zhang Guixin recalled: "His eyes were very bright, and he smiled and told me to study hard, and he saluted after handing me the envelope. I noticed that his cuffs were almost worn out. Later, when the counselor teacher introduced him as a major general, I couldn't even believe it. ”
What shocked Zhang Guixin even more was the first time he went to Zhao Weizhong's house: the floor was paved with cement, the blue cloth sofa had turned white, a wooden bed didn't even look new as the bed in the university dormitory, and the bedding on the bed was even older than that in his hometown.
The only thing that can tell the identity of General Zhao Weizhong is that the whole house is very tidy. Sorting out internal affairs is a habit he has cultivated over the years in the army.
On those old cabinets and tables, there are many certificates and plaques. That is the testimony of Zhao Weizhong's many years of dedication to public welfare. He also received a lot of letters from sponsored children, and he knew the story behind each letter with great care. Zhang Guixin said.
When it came to the meal, a few meat dishes were brought to the table, and Zhao Weizhong persuaded Zhang Guixin to eat quickly and eat more, saying, "The young man is still growing up."
Hearing such thoughtful words, looking at the somewhat "simple" room, thinking that a general is so frugal and willing to help himself, Zhang Guixin's heart can't say what it feels like, and he is determined to do something.
Subsequently, Zhang Guixin would visit General Zhao Weizhong's family whenever he had time, even if it was just to sweep the floor, choose vegetables, and chat. Gradually, Zhang Guixin and Zhao Weizhong's family became relatives who were not related by blood.
In his senior year, Zhang Guixin received the grant as scheduled. On the night he received the money, Zhang Guixin came to General Zhao Weizhong's house again. He's going to get the money back.
"I told my grandfather that I was already able to support myself part-time, and that the money should be given to people who needed it more. Zhang Guixin said that Zhao Weizhong was first surprised when he heard his words, and then laughed, and said a few "yes" in a row.
Immediately afterwards, Zhang Guixin took out a few hundred yuan and asked General Zhao Weizhong to help find a child from a poor family, and he wanted to use the money from his part-time job to fund it. This time, Zhao Weizhong smiled even more happily and patted Zhang Guixin on the shoulder.
Zhao Weizhong once said that when he was a child, because of his poor family, he relied on the help of well-wishers to complete his studies, "I have the ability and time, and I should 'repay the favor' and help those children in need." ”
Zhang Guixin felt that on that night, the baton was passed to him.
After graduating from university, Zhang Guixin went to work at Hebei Radio and Television Station and became a reporter. Zhang Guixin also sponsored a number of children from disadvantaged families to complete their education, and followed General Zhao Weizhong to many remote rural primary schools.
"Although my grandfather is old, he does everything himself, whether it is visiting the families of children in need, or donating money and materials, and he leaves when he finishes his work, hardly eats, let alone stays overnight. Zhang Guixin said that in the eyes of his grandfather, doing public welfare is a very pure thing, and this purity has also affected his life. (Hebei Daily reporter Xue Huijuan, Huo Xiangbo)
■ Relevant
Zhao Weizhong two or three things
"I just drink gruel, and I have to build some decent classrooms for the children"
In the winter of 1995, in Zhaojiajing Village, Laiyuan County, Zhao Weizhong was worried when he saw that two of the four classrooms in the primary school had collapsed and two had become dilapidated houses. The village cadres said helplessly: "To renovate the school building, it will cost 8,000 yuan to say the least, and the village really has no money!" Zhao Weizhong immediately said: "I just drink gruel, and I have to spend 10,000 yuan to build a few decent classrooms for the children." ”
After coming back, with a monthly salary of only about 1,000 yuan at that time, he took out the 10,000 yuan saved by "picking his teeth", plus the 10,000 yuan donated by "Hope Friend" Song Xiushan, and a total of more than 40,000 yuan raised by various parties, and built 9 spacious and bright school buildings for Zhaojiajing Village. At the inauguration ceremony of the new primary school, the villagers said that General Zhao made the greatest contribution, and the school was called "General Zhao Hope Primary School". He said that it should be called "Bayi Hope Primary School", and everyone should remember the PLA.
"I am very touched and touched that I can get so much love"
Zhao Weizhong's eldest daughter, Zhao Buyun, has suffered from diabetes for many years. In 2004, her daughter's condition suddenly deteriorated, and she was diagnosed with diabetes complicated by uremia, and her life was always in danger, and she had to rely on hemodialysis every two days to prolong her life, and the medical expenses for a year were more than 100,000 yuan. This put Zhao Weizhong, who was not financially well-off and donated the rest of the money to the Hope Project, into a predicament.
Zhao Weizhong's plight was known to the children he had donated.
On November 16, 2005, Zhao Weizhong received the first donation of 32,489 yuan from more than 40,000 students from 219 hope primary schools in Zhangjiakou City. The money was collected by the children in a few dimes, and the staff ordered the change donated by the Chongli children for more than an hour.
Zhao Weizhong's difficulties were known to more people.
Liu Jian, an 86-year-old retired cadre from the No. 5 Cadres Rest House of the Shijiazhuang Garrison District, sent 1,000 yuan; Wang Shengguo, principal of the No. 9 Middle School of Shijiazhuang City, sent a donation of 20,074 yuan from all the teachers and students of the school; the Shijiazhuang Municipal Committee of the Communist Youth League donated 1,800 yuan; the Jingcheng County Committee of the Communist Youth League donated 300 yuan; and Huang Jianting, president of the Shijiazhuang South Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce, led seven representatives of the Chamber of Commerce to send a donation of 29,700 yuan to the home of General Zhao Weizhong......
Talking about these donations, Zhao Weizhong felt the warmth of being cared for by the society: "We dedicate love to the society, the society has not forgotten us, and the love has been passed on to us." Children grow up in hope, and they become the hope of society. This is the takeaway of Project Hope. I was very touched and touched that I could receive so much love. This kind of affection can't be exchanged for gold and silver!" (Finishing/Hebei Daily reporter Huo Xiangbo)
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