Today we are going to talk about a special topic, you may have heard of Hua Guofeng, but do you know who his successor is? He is Mao Zhiyong, an ordinary peasant who came out of a small village in Hunan and eventually became the secretary of the provincial party committee, and his life is full of legends. After retiring, Mao Zhiyong chose to return to the countryside, let go of the burden of power, and lived a life of growing vegetables and raising chickens. How much do you know about the story behind this? Why did a former high-ranking official choose such a life? What remarkable achievements did he make during his reign? Let's uncover the mystery of this old leader!
Mao Zhiyong was born in an ordinary farming family, and his early life did not have many turbulence. In 1951, at the age of 22, he was still working hard in the fields of his hometown of Yueyang County. At that time, although he only had a primary school education, he was already a learned person in the local area. It was this culture that made him favored by the party secretary of the township in the 1950s, when the land reform movement was in full swing, and since then he has embarked on an unusual road.
At first, Mao Zhiyong didn't want to give up a few acres of land at home, but the township secretary came several times and finally persuaded him that he began his political career. At first, he was just a small secretary, but after half a year, because of his excellent work, he was promoted to the district, and soon after he joined the Chinese Communist Party. It was a turning point in his life, and his life trajectory was different from then on.
Between 1953 and 1962, Mao's political career was in full swing. He served as the secretary of the Yueyang County Party Committee, during which he has always been concerned about the farmers, and often went to the fields with the farmers to plant seedlings, which won the hearts of the people. Someone asked him: "Secretary Mao, can you also plant seedlings?" He always laughed and responded: "Of course, when I was in the county, I also won awards for planting seedlings!" Such an answer undoubtedly made his prestige and affinity among the people skyrocket.
In the winter of 1962, Hua Guofeng, then secretary of the Hunan Provincial Party Committee, came to Yueyang to inspect and spoke highly of Mao Zhiyong's talent and efforts. Subsequently, Mao Zhiyong's name was also mentioned to a higher platform - when Chairman Mao passed by Yueyang in 1963, Hua Guofeng specially reported to Chairman Mao Zhiyong's performance in Maotian Town. The success of Maotian Town has also spread Mao's reputation throughout the country.
In 1970, Mao Zhiyong was transferred to the deputy secretary of the Mayang County Party Committee in Hunan. That year, in the face of the emergency of the closure of the Huangtuxi Reservoir, he resolutely advocated that the reservoir should not store water before the year, and successfully protected the crops of local farmers. This decision once again proves his deep feelings for the people and decisive leadership.
In 1977, he succeeded Hua Guofeng as party secretary of Hunan Province, the pinnacle of his political career. Despite his high position, he never forgot his peasant roots. During his tenure, he promoted a number of agricultural reforms, and worked hard to improve the living standards and production efficiency of farmers, so that Hunan's agriculture has developed by leaps and bounds. His policies and decisions are deeply loved and respected by the local people.
As time passed, Mao Zhiyong's enthusiasm for politics was gradually smoothed out by the years. He began to think about life after retirement, and wanted to return to that simple world – the countryside. Eventually, in the early 1980s, he decided to retire and return to his beloved hometown in Hunan.
After retirement, Mao Zhiyong chose a calm and simple lifestyle. His home is three simple huts, and there is no one else in his life except his wife. He began to grow vegetables and chickens, living a real peasant life. In his hall, there is a painting of him and his wife happily raising chickens in the courtyard. The inscription on this painting describes his retirement life in humorous language: "There are three huts, I also sit and sleep, and I have a wife, she is on the left and she is on the right." ”
However, even if he retires and retires, his old subordinate Ye Xueling still visits occasionally, and he has "quite an opinion" on Mao Zhiyong's chickens. Ye Xueling believes that Mao Zhiyong, as a former high-ranking official, should no longer engage in such ordinary work, and he even persuaded Mao Zhiyong: "Old leader, don't raise chickens." Mao Zhiyong just smiled and didn't say anything. After all, in his opinion, this kind of life back to nature is the peace he really yearns for.
The story of Mao Zhiyong is a complete reincarnation from the land to the high position, and then from the high position to the land. Throughout his life, he has not only contributed to the country and the people, but also adhered to his personal lifestyle. Perhaps, many people will think that his choice is a bit incredible - why would a provincial party secretary who can stand tall choose to return to the original starting point and live a simple peasant life?
Mao Zhiyong's story reminds us that no matter how far we go, the love for the land and the yearning for a simple life in our hearts have never changed. His choice may seem to many people to be a regression, but in his own eyes, it is the most authentic self-return. This kind of life may be the most worthy of respect and learning. What do you think? Will you choose to be like Mao Zhiyong and eventually return to a simple and pure life?