He was the first person to promote the resumption of the college entrance examination, why did he resign as Minister of Education at the age of 62? What is the story of Liu Xiyao's life?
At the age of 18, he was admitted to Wuhan University
Trying to find clues to solve the problem
Liu Xiyao, a native of Changsha, Hunan Province, was born in 1916, but has deep roots in Chengdu, Sichuan. His birth, like that ancient city, is full of the precipitation of time and the weight of history.
In his childhood, Liu Xiyao's memory was that the streets and alleys of Chengdu were always filled with a leisurely and quiet atmosphere. However, with the change of family, he left the warm and familiar city with his parents and embarked on a journey to Suzhou.
However, as he grew older, Liu Xiyao's thirst for knowledge grew stronger, and he longed to study in a wider range of places. So, the family embarked on a journey north. From Suzhou to Beijing to Nanjing, Liu Xiyao's footprints have traveled all over the north and south of China. He was deeply impressed by the landscapes, culture, and cultural environment of these places.
During his middle school days in Nanjing, Liu Xiyao's days were filled with deep worries and endless thoughts about the country. For him, the world outside the campus is no longer a simple textbook and exam, but a real and heavy historical picture.
Whenever he walked through the bustling streets, he could see people in ragged clothes with yellow faces and thin muscles, their eyes full of helplessness and despair. These pictures are like a sharp knife, deeply stabbing Liu Xiyao's heart. He realized that these sufferings were not stories that were out of reach, but realities that were actually happening to his fellow citizens.
In class, the teacher told the history and current situation of the country, and Liu Xiyao was deeply shocked by those tragic historical events and cruel realities. He began to think about how he, as a Chinese, should face these hardships and how to contribute to the country.
He was often alone in the library, flipping through books and newspapers, trying to find answers. He reads stories about national heroes, and he admires those who fought valiantly for the good of the country and the nation. At the same time, he also reads analytical articles on national policies and the international situation, trying to find clues to solve the problem.
With the passage of time, Liu Xiyao's patriotic ideas gradually awakened. He realized that the fate of the country was closely related to him, and he could not sit idly by, let alone shirk responsibility. He was determined to use his knowledge and ability to contribute to the country and change those unjust and unreasonable phenomena.
So, he began to actively participate in various patriotic movements. Together with his classmates, he organized rallies, gave speeches, and held demonstrations, expressing his love for the country and his hopes for the future of the nation with his actions. With his voice, he called on more people to join the ranks and work together for the prosperity of the country and the happiness and well-being of the people.
In 1934, Liu Xiyao was successfully admitted to Wuhan University with his own efforts and talents. During his college years, he did not indulge in a calm academic atmosphere, but actively devoted himself to the cause of resisting Japan and saving the country. He joined a number of anti-Japanese organizations, and together with like-minded classmates, he explored how to save the country and people in deep trouble.
In 1954, many difficulties were overcome
Lay the foundation for the smooth construction of the factory
With the full-scale outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japan, Liu Xiyao deeply felt that his responsibilities were even greater. resolutely went to the front line of the Anti-Japanese War in Hubei and joined the New Fourth Army. In the New Fourth Army, Liu Xiyao has been engaged in propaganda and organizational work for a long time.
In the war-torn era, propaganda work can boost morale, and organizational work can ensure the cohesion and combat effectiveness of the ranks. Therefore, he shuttled between the battlefields during the day, and at night he wrote propaganda materials, using his pen to cheer up the soldiers and popularize anti-Japanese knowledge for the people.
Under extremely difficult circumstances, Liu Xiyao waged an indomitable struggle against the Japanese invaders. He has experienced countless hardships and dangers, and even faced life and death trials, but he has never flinched. He firmly believed that as long as the Chinese people were united, they would certainly be able to defeat the Japanese invaders.
During the Liberation War, he received a new task and needed to go south to reach Hubei. This shift is not a simple geographical migration, but a strategic adjustment and work need. In Hubei, he faced a more complex and volatile environment, but with his firm belief and excellent work ability, he quickly integrated into the local people and began a new round of fighting.
During his time in Hubei, Liu Xiyao was active at the grassroots level for a long time, devoting himself to the establishment and restoration of grassroots organizations. He knew that only by closely uniting the broad masses of the people could we better strike at the enemy and defend our homeland. Therefore, he went from village to village to gain an in-depth understanding of the people's needs and woes, actively propagated the party's principles and policies, and worked hard to mobilize and organize the masses.
At the same time, he also took on the heavy responsibility of supporting the front line. Despite the tension of the war on the front line, he has always maintained high morale and high enthusiasm for work. He raised materials and transmitted intelligence through various means, providing strong support and support for the soldiers on the front line
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Liu Xiyao chose to stay in Hubei and continue to contribute to the cause of the country and the people. In 1954, with the acceleration of the country's industrialization process, Liu Xiyao was entrusted with important tasks and began to set foot in the industrial field.
He served as the director of the preparatory department of the second automobile factory, responsible for the preparation of this milestone plant for the development of the mainland automobile industry. In the process of preparation, he conducted in-depth research and careful planning, overcame many difficulties, and laid a solid foundation for the smooth construction of the factory.
Since then, Liu Xiyao's position has been continuously promoted, and he has successively served as deputy director of the State Technology Commission, deputy director of the State Science and Technology Commission, deputy director of the National Defense Science and Technology Commission, and vice minister and minister of the Second Ministry of Machinery Industry. In these positions, he has always maintained loyalty to the party and the people, enthusiasm and dedication to work.
During his tenure as deputy director of the National Defense Science and Technology Commission and minister of the Second Ministry of Machinery Industry, Liu Xiyao participated in leading the test of the mainland's first atomic bomb. It was an extremely challenging and dangerous task, but he did not back down, but led by example and was personally involved in all aspects of the trial.
He went deep into the front line, fought side by side with scientific researchers and worker comrades, and jointly overcame one technical difficulty after another. Under his leadership, the mainland successfully conducted the first atomic bomb test, and made great contributions to the development of the mainland's national defense undertakings.
At the age of 61, he is still full of responsibility
"I think it's too late to resume the college entrance examination"
In 1977, China was at a new historical juncture. This year, Liu Xiyao was transferred to the Ministry of Education and shouldered the heavy responsibility of Minister of Education. Although he is 61 years old, he is full of passion and responsibility for education.
At this time, China was in the early stage of reform and opening up, and the cause of education urgently needed to be restored and developed. The resumption of the college entrance examination has become an important issue during this period. At this year's forum on science and education, Liu Xiyao's speech attracted widespread attention.
In the conference room, the atmosphere was tense and solemn. Liu Xiyao stood in front of the podium, his eyes firm and profound. He expressed his views clearly and forcefully: "I think it was too late to resume the college entrance examination. His voice was loud and powerful, full of confidence and determination.
The delegates present expressed their approval and support one after another. Liu Xiyao continued: "The delegates also said that it was too late! His words were loud and loud, so that everyone present felt his firm belief and determination to resume the college entrance examination.
Listening to Liu Xiyao's speech, a look of approval appeared on his face. He is well aware of the importance of the resumption of the college entrance examination for the country's development, and also understands the key role of Liu Xiyao's firm attitude in promoting this work. So, he immediately made a decision to resume the college entrance examination that year.
Under Liu Xiyao's leadership, the Ministry of Education moved quickly and made a lot of preparations for the resumption of the college entrance examination. In the winter of 1977, the college entrance examination was held as scheduled, and countless young people who were eager for knowledge walked into the examination room, writing their own future with their talents and sweat.
However, shortly after the resumption of the college entrance examination, Liu Xiyao made a surprising decision. He voluntarily resigned as Minister of Education. It turned out that he thought that he could no longer keep up with the development of the situation on the education front, and for the long-term development of the mainland's educational cause, he chose to abdicate and give way to the virtuous.
This decision attracted widespread attention and discussion at the time. People praised Liu Xiyao's mind and responsibility, and were also moved by his selfless dedication and noble spirit.
After his resignation, Liu Xiyao did not stop serving the people. He knows that keeping pace with the times and constantly learning is the basic requirement of being a party member and cadre. So, he entered the party school and began a new learning journey. During his days in the party school, he was humble in his studies, deeply studied the party's latest theories and policies, and worked hard to improve his political literacy and professional ability.
In 1979, Liu Xiyao embarked on a new journey again at the age of 63. He went to Sichuan and served as the secretary of the Sichuan Provincial Party Committee (there was a first secretary at that time).
In this familiar land, he once again exerted his leadership skills and rich work experience to contribute to the reform and opening up of Sichuan Province. He went down to the grassroots level to understand the people's feelings and opinions, and promoted the implementation of a series of reform measures, which injected new vitality into the economic and social development of Sichuan Province.
During his tenure as vice governor of Sichuan Province, Liu Xiyao continued to play the role of a veteran cadre, and he practiced the purpose of "serving the people" with his own practical actions. He showed concern for the weal and woe of the masses and actively resolved problems that the masses strongly resented, thus winning wide acclaim from the masses. At the same time, he also actively participates in various social welfare activities, and uses his influence to promote social progress and development.
In his later years, Liu Xiyao lived mainly in Wuhan. In this historic city, he enjoyed a quiet and serene life in his old age. He often recalls his past struggles and achievements, and his heart is full of pride and satisfaction.
However, he never forgot his original aspiration and mission as a member of the Communist Party. He has always been concerned about the fate of the country and the people, and silently prayed and blessed the prosperity of the country and the happiness and well-being of the people. In 2013, Liu Xiyao died of illness at the age of 97.