Chairman Mao's two daughters, Li Min and Li Ne, although they have half-sibling backgrounds, their relationship has always been very close. Many years after Mao Zedong's death, although the two sisters have entered their twilight years, they still get together from time to time and care for each other. During these rare moments together, Li Ne would always talk with appreciation about her sister Li Min's talents, especially Li Min's outstanding performance in raising two children. So, what is unique about the two promising nephews that Li Ne said? How did they grow up under the words and deeds of their grandmother Li Min?
The sisterhood goes back a long way
Half-siblings Li Min and Li Ne, due to their very different living environments in childhood, their personalities are also very different. Soon after Li Min was born in northern Shaanxi, he was sent to the Soviet Union with his mother, He Zizhen, and was not reunited with his father Mao Zedong until 1947. Li Ne, on the other hand, grew up in Yan'an, and was often close to his father since he was a child, and was taught by Mao Zedong himself.
Although the two sisters had such different upbringings, they never had a disagreement with Mao Zedong's persuasion. Mao Zedong often said to the elder Li Min: "You are older than your sister, you have to take care of your sister more." He also instructed the young Li Ne: "You are a younger sister, you must humbly follow your sister's advice, and you must help each other." Under the guidance of their father, the two sisters got along well and did not have any problems with each other.
During the Yan'an period, once Li Min and Li Ne were discussing the identity of Chiang Kai-shek, they had a disagreement due to different views. Li Min believes that no matter what bad things Chiang Kai-shek has done, he is also Chinese after all; Li Ne, on the other hand, bluntly decided that Chiang Kai-shek was a bad man, not a Chinese. Faced with the differences between the two sisters, Mao Zedong skillfully resolved this contradiction, saying: "Chiang Kai-shek is Chinese, but very bad, now foreigners want him, I don't give it yet!" Mao Zedong's wise revelation brought the two sisters back to harmony.
In the 50s, the two sisters lived together with Mao Zedong in Zhongnanhai and lived together. Despite occasional verbal altercations, on the whole, they love each other and have a good relationship. Even in the days after Mao Zedong's death, the two sisters, whose health was deteriorating, still often reunited and reminisced, caring for each other.
What is remarkable is that this close sisterhood continues into their twilight years. When Li Min was unable to move in his later years, Li Ne would call her sister to express her condolences and visit her in person when she was free. It is precisely because of this long-standing sisterhood that Li Ne sincerely appreciates her sister Li Min's talent and character, especially her outstanding achievements in educating her children.
Li Min's granddaughter Kong Dongmei's outstanding
Li Min's process of cultivating her granddaughter Kong Dongmei can be described as well-intentioned. Kong Dongmei has been inextricably linked with her grandfather Mao Zedong since she was a child.
In 1949, shortly after Kong Dongmei was born, Li Min brought a photo of her daughter to Mao Zedong to see. Looking at this newborn baby, Mao Zedong couldn't help but think of his lifelong love for plum blossoms. So, he named this granddaughter "Dongmei", which has both the homonym of his own "Dong" character and the metaphor of plum blossoms. It can be seen that Mao Zedong appreciated this granddaughter.
When Kong Dongmei grew up, she had a striking resemblance to her grandfather Mao Zedong. She has a steely backbone, a long figure, and even a mole on her chin that is exactly the same as her grandfather's. Some people joke that this is clearly Mao Zedong's "reincarnation and rebirth".
As an adult, Kong Dongmei completed her undergraduate studies at Beihang University. Subsequently, instead of choosing a comfortable job like her peers, she joined the newly founded Taikang Life Insurance Company. There, Kong Dongmei started from the grassroots level of serving tea and pouring water, and stayed in almost every department, from morning to night, and experienced the hardships of hard work.
In 1999, Kong Dongmei went to the University of Pennsylvania to study for a master's degree. Studying and living abroad gave her a new understanding of the motherland, and also made her better understand and admire the greatness of her grandfather Mao Zedong. She said with deep feelings: "I finally understand why my grandfather wanted to launch a revolution and establish New China. ＂
In 2002, after getting a master's degree, Kong Dongmei returned to her homeland non-stop. As soon as she returned to China, she crossed the mountains and visited many places where her grandfather had fought and lived, and felt Chairman Mao's revolutionary spirit and perseverance more deeply.
Since then, Kong Dongmei has always cherished her love for the motherland and the people and devoted herself to the cause of carrying forward the revolutionary spirit. She worked in the Propaganda Department of the CPC Central Committee and participated in the planning of a number of activities to publicize the history of the revolution to the masses. Later, he was transferred to the Central Party School and engaged in theoretical research. All along, she has been inheriting and carrying forward the legacy of her grandfather Mao Zedong in her own way.
For her grandmother Li Min, it is a great relief to see Kong Dongmei so outstanding. Li Min's words and deeds taught him, and he subtly influenced Kong Dongmei with his own conduct in the world, rooted the revolutionary spirit in her heart, and Kong Dongmei also used his outstanding achievements to truly interpret the connotation of this spirit.
An anecdote of interaction between the two sisters
Although Li Min and Li Ne have lived together since childhood, due to the difference in age gap and growth environment, there are naturally some differences in their personalities and opinions. However, on the basis of mutual tolerance and understanding, the sisters can still live in harmony.
On one occasion, when Li Min and Li Ne were discussing Chiang Kai-shek's identity, they had a disagreement due to disagreement. Li Min believes that no matter what bad things Chiang Kai-shek has done, he is also Chinese after all; Li Ne, on the other hand, bluntly decided that Chiang Kai-shek was a bad man, not a Chinese. Faced with the contradiction between the two sisters, his father Mao Zedong wisely resolved this difference, saying: "Chiang Kai-shek is Chinese, but very bad, and now foreigners want him, I won't give it yet!" Mao Zedong's views made the two sisters reach a consensus again.
Another anecdote occurred under the auspices of Ye Jianying. Ye Jianying has witnessed Chairman Mao's overwork many times, so he arranged for Li Min and Li Ne to accompany Chairman Mao for some leisure activities. Once, Ye Jianying pretended to be serious and said to the two sisters: "If the chairman doesn't dance, he will get fatter and fatter." If you have a big belly, you can't walk! If you really care about the chairman, you have to take practical action to get him to dance and move his body. At 8 o'clock, it's up to you! ＂
Under the patient guidance of the two sisters, Chairman Mao was finally persuaded to dance with them. This scene shows Li Min and Li Ne's filial piety to their father, and it also reflects the tacit understanding and unity between the two sisters.
And one more little thing that happened in 1949. At that time, not long after Li Min gave birth to her daughter Kong Dongmei, she showed her daughter's photo to Chairman Mao to see. Looking at this newborn baby, Chairman Mao remembered his lifelong love for plum blossoms, so he named this granddaughter "Dongmei". The name "Dongmei" not only has the homonym of Chairman Mao's own "East" word, but also has the metaphor of plum blossoms, which shows that he has high hopes for this granddaughter.
Although Li Min and Li Ne lived in different environments when they were children, under the guidance of Mao Zedong, the relationship between the two sisters became more and more intimate. After entering the 50s, they lived together with their father in Zhongnanhai. Although there are occasional quarrels, overall, the two have a harmonious relationship and love each other. This sisterhood continued until they entered their twilight years, and even if their health deteriorated, they would still get together from time to time to catch up and care for each other.
Li Min cultivated his grandson Kong Jining into a talent
In addition to Kong Dongmei's education, Li Min is also worried about the growth of his grandson Kong Jining.
Kong Jining has had the dream of becoming a soldier since he was a child. He loves the image of a brave and fearless soldier, and looks forward to the day when he can wear a military uniform and gallop on the battlefield. Kong Jining once said to Li Min: "I must be a soldier in the future, defend my family and the country, and contribute my own strength to the peace of the motherland." ＂
After learning about Kong Jining's ambition, Li Min did not directly veto it, but gave appropriate guidance and support. She encouraged Kong Jining to study hard so that he could realize his ideals in the future. In this way, under Li Min's words and deeds, Kong Jining gradually grew into a good student with excellent character and learning.
In 1955, Kong Jining was admitted to the Military Economics Academy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army with excellent results. Since then, he has embarked on his long-cherished military career. After graduation, Kong Jining worked as an assistant military attache at the Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia, contributing to the country's foreign military affairs.
Until the eighties and nineties of the last century, Kong Jining retired and returned to China to devote himself to the cause of serving the people wholeheartedly. He held important positions in the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and the Chinese Society of Socialism, giving full play to his expertise and making his modest contribution to the country's peaceful construction.
This process reflects the whole process of Li Min's well-intentioned cultivation of his grandson. Li Min was extremely pleased to cultivate his ideals and ambitions since he was a child, to pave the way for his future later, and finally to see him truly become a useful talent for the country.
Li Min's wisdom lies in the fact that she has never violated Kong Jining's heart and pursuit, but let him recognize his direction in a good way. She was kind and patient, and finally Kong Jining was able to achieve today's achievements, which shows that she is not using it.
It is not difficult to imagine that when Li Ne praised her sister Li Min for "both children have a future", in addition to seeing Kong Dongmei's outstanding side, she must also have seen Kong Jining's spirit and deeds of fighting for the country and the people. The sisterhood's love is as deep as the sea, and it must also be a heartfelt appreciation for each other's children's achievements.
As the so-called teacher is famous, Li Min is thoughtful about the education of his children, focusing on the feelings of family and country and the persistent pursuit of ideals. With such a family style and tutor, Kong Dongmei and Kong Jining can shine on their own roads and become admirable outstanding talents.
Heirloom - revolutionary family style
From Li Min's practice of educating her children, it is not difficult to see that she has inherited Chairman Mao's family style and family education, so that the precious heritage of the revolutionary spirit will be passed on from generation to generation.
In Li Min, we can see several characteristics of Chairman Mao's family style: attaching importance to establishing morality and cultivating people's feelings for the family and country; Teach students according to their aptitude; Lead by example. It is precisely with these heirlooms-like fine family style that Kong Dongmei and Kong Jining can grow into outstanding talents who are beneficial to the country and the people.
Attaching importance to cultivating morality and cultivating children's feelings for the family and country is the core concept of Chairman Mao's family education. As early as the Yan'an period, Chairman Mao advocated cultivating revolutionary successors from an early age. "People make their own history, but the conditions under which they create history are not at their own whims, but by the conditions given by the existing circumstances in which they were formed in history. This passage fully reflects Chairman Mao's concept of attaching importance to establishing morality and cultivating people.
Li Min also adheres to this concept when educating her children. She used practical actions to cast the revolutionary family style in the hearts of her children, so that they could cherish the feelings of family and country since they were young and be determined to serve the motherland. For example, the support and guidance for Kong Jining allowed him to find his own direction to serve the country; Another example is to let Kong Dongmei go deep into the roots of the revolution after returning to China, so that she can deepen her understanding of the party. All of this is to enable the children to contribute to the country in the future.
In addition, Li Min is also good at teaching students according to their aptitude. She never imposed her will on her children, but respected their ideals. Regarding Kong Jining's dream of becoming a soldier, Li Min did not obstruct him, but let him find his own direction in his studies step by step. For Kong Dongmei, Li Min also gave targeted guidance according to her characteristics.
In the end, Li Min set an example, taught by word and deed, and imprinted his persistent pursuit of the revolutionary cause in the hearts of his children. Whether it is Kong Dongmei's later work in the Party School and the Propaganda Department, or Kong Jining's contribution to the country's military affairs, it is not only the result of Li Min's words and deeds, but also the inevitable result of her integrating her understanding of the revolutionary spirit into her children's education.
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As Li Ne said, "Both children have a future". The reason why Kong Dongmei and Kong Jining can become outstanding talents is due to their family, Li Min. She passed on the heirloom of revolutionary family style from generation to generation, and finally made her children worthy of their ancestors' teachings and made due contributions to the country and the people.