【China Story】
Author: Wang Mingqin (Director of the Propaganda Department of the Party Committee of Henan University, Director of the Research Center for Cultural Inheritance and Innovation of Henan University), Shi Zhoubin (Researcher of the Research Center for Cultural Inheritance and Innovation of Henan University)
At the History Museum of the Minglun Campus of Henan University in the ancient city of Kaifeng, a huge plaque is placed, and the four large golden characters of "Maintain Culture" shine against a black background. This plaque is a replica, the original is in Heigou Village, Shiliping Town, Shangnan County, Shaanxi Province. The spatial distance between the two plaques is 518 kilometers, and the time span is 67 years. They maintain the friendship between Henan University and Zhao Chuan Town in Shangnan County, traveling through time and space and lasting. Behind this is a touching story about cultural protection during the War of Resistance Against Japan...
A quest spanning 62 years
One day in 1983, a phone call from afar entered Henan University (then known as Henan Normal University), and the teacher who answered the phone heard a slightly urgent voice with a thick dialect. After a brief communication, I learned that the phone came from Zhao Chuan Town, Shangnan County, Shaanxi Province, and the call was a young man surnamed Hu, who said that he had heard that the president and professors of Henan University had lived in Zhao Chuan Town since he was a child, and he was very curious about this matter. The teacher said, "Henan University has not run a school in Shangnan. The young man said, "Here is a gold plaque engraved with the names of the president and professor of Henan University as evidence." "That's impossible." This distant call ended like this, but it laid the groundwork for a good story in history.
In July 2006, Henan University has been restored to its name for more than 20 years (in 1984, the name of Henan University was restored). Wang Xuechun, then deputy director of the library of Henan University, was selected as an expert tour of China's "Grassroots Library Training Volunteer Action". During his lecture tour in Shaanxi Province, Wang Xuechun happened to meet Lei Jiabing, director of the Cultural and Historical Committee of the CPPCC Shangnan County. When Lei Jiabing heard that Wang Xuechun was from Henan University, he was particularly excited and affectionate. He provided Wang Xuechun with a very valuable information: "Henan University and our Town of Zhao Chuan still have a touching story! In 1945, your president at that time, Zhang Guangyu, led more than fifty people, including deans, provosts, chief instructors, professors, and lecturers, to take refuge in Zhao Chuan Town, Shangnan County, which lasted for two months and was warmly received by the local villagers and received many kinds of care. Especially under the protection of Dang Feiwu, the township mayor at the time, he was able to be safe. You also presented the township mayor with a gold plaque with the inscription 'Safeguarding Culture' as a token of gratitude and commemoration. Wang Xuechun, who was familiar with the history of Henan University, was very surprised after hearing it and asked for details. Lei Jiabing: "This plaque is made of rare high-grade white fruit tree wood, using earth paint to push the light; the engraving on the top is red and gold, simple and elegant; the text on the plaque is written by the principal Zhang Guangyu, 'maintaining culture' four golden light characters, majestic and dignified, imposing; the small characters are more beautiful and round, comfortable and fluent." The plaque is now kept in the home of a cultural officer in Zhao Chuan Town. ”
It turned out that Lei Jiabing had heard about the plaque in April 1997 when he went to the countryside in Zhao Chuan Town, and also conducted a special investigation and saw the actual object. He emotionally told Wang Xuechun: "More than 60 years have passed since the vicissitudes of the times. This plaque records the criminal history of the Japanese imperialist invasion of China, and also writes down a little-known glorious history of Zhao Chuan, a deep mountainous and remote land- 'safeguarding culture'! Having protected a number of national pillars, this old revolutionary base area has added a magnificent aura! ”
After receiving this important clue, Wang Xuechun was excited. After the lecture tour, he contacted the plaque keepers in many ways. The cultural officer in Zhao Chuan Town has not been able to contact him, and after many searches, he learned that he has gone to Shanxi to do business and has not returned for a long time, and the cultural officer who took over his work has also been transferred to work elsewhere. Following this clue, he finally found the successor cultural officer, Hu Chuanlin, who was already the director of the Hydrological Office of Shiliping Town, Shangnan County. Coincidentally, Hu Chuanlin was the young man who called Henan University that year. Knowing that Henan University took the initiative to look for the plaque, he was naturally very excited and enthusiastic, and promised to implement the whereabouts of the plaque as soon as possible. While continuing to maintain contact with Shangnan County, Wang Xuechun reported the relevant situation to the school. The care and affection of the party secretary of Henan University at the time believed that this matter was of great significance: if the historical facts were true, not only would the history of the university be perfected, but it would also be a historical witness that Henan University had struggled to run the school, spread culture, and won the hearts of the people in the hardships of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and it was a vivid material for teachers and students to carry out patriotic honor and traditional cultural education. The school immediately assigned Wang Xuechun and Shi Yong (now deceased), who had been engaged in the study of school history for many years, to take a car to Shangnan County to conduct field investigations.
On March 27, 2007, Wang Xuechun and Shi Yong met Hu Chuanlin, who had been on the phone many times and had never met, in Zhao Chuan Town, Shangnan County. According to Hu Chuanlin, when he was a child, he often listened to the old people: "Don't look at our poor mountains and remote areas here, there were many professors from the National Henan University during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression." At that time, few people wore glasses, and there were dozens of learned people who wore glasses that year, but people were rare, and later they used a large plaque to engrave their names! Time passed year by year, "the president and professors of Henan University lived in Zhao Chuan for a long time" This matter was always haunting Hu Chuanlin's mind, and finally one day in 1983 he couldn't help but run to the town post and telecommunications office and used the hand-cranked telephone at that time to receive Henan University through one switchboard after another. So there is a scene at the beginning of the article.
In order to welcome guests from Henan University, Hu Chuanlin has been waiting for two days in Zhao Chuan. He said that the plaque is now stored in Heigou Village, more than twenty miles from Zhao Chuan, and due to a previous heavy rainstorm, the road to Heigou was washed out. The four men were covered by the scorching sun, climbing over the mountains, and finally arrived at the black ditch at about 4 p.m. that day. Although they were tired and hungry, Wang Xuechun, Shi Yong and the driver Zuo Shifu and their party were in high spirits and excited, because they stepped on this hot land after 62 years of separation on behalf of the "River Lords", because they finally saw this plaque engraved with the names of the leaders and teachers of the middle school during the War of Resistance. The four people struggled to remove the huge plaque from the house of a villager, feeling the thickness of the history of Henan University. Looking up, the smoke of the beacon fire of that year seems to have not dissipated, and the old principals and professors appeared in front of everyone's eyes one by one...
In 1939, Henan University was forced to move to Tantou Town, Luoyang, where the school headquarters was originally located.
The plaque's core is 1.05 meters high and 2.28 meters wide, and the carved frame nearly one foot wide around it was smashed and burned during the Cultural Revolution. The four words "maintain culture" in red on a black background are eye-catching, each 48 centimeters high and 34 centimeters wide. The inscription on the right side of the plaque reads: "Zhongchun, Zhao Chuan, the head of Lai Feiwu Township, who is anxious to be just and righteous, and who is safe, hereby presents the plaque and commemorates it forever." "Left-handed drop: Zhang Guangyou, president of National Henan University. The Republic of China 34 April auspicious Hitachi. In the middle of the plaque is inscribed "National Henan University Provost Hao Xiangwu, Training Chief Zhao Xinwu, Dean of Literature Zhang Xiaoqing, Faculty of Science Sun Xiangzheng, Dean of The College of Agriculture Wang Zhiqing, Lecturer Xu Zhengzhai, Professor Song Yuwu, Li Yanting, Li Yaoqi, Ji Wenfu, Tian Shumin, Wang Mingqi, Duan Lingchen, Wang Muhan, Ma Fucen, Chen Zhenduo, Li Zichun, Zhang Shaosan, Kang Shipin, Huang Qizhan, Ren Qiuwan, Zhu Fangpu, Yang Zhenhua, Guo Cuixuan, Zhang Xiangqing, Zhang Keqin, Lecturers Bao Xiruo, Zhang Jihua, Zhang Naihui, Zhang Yuanlong, Ma Xingwu, Li Fansheng, Zhao Tianwei, Guo Tiandai, Yuan Huimin, Ruan Dianyuan, instructor Wang Ziheng, acting general affairs chief Wang Shaofu, clerical director Bai Yinong, cashier director Liu Xipeng, accounting director Wang Shouheng, registration director Kou Zuoze, trainer Liu Baomin, trainer Yang Ziguo, Shu affairs team member Jia Mingxin, zongdi professor and secretary Yu Feng Tong jing gifted "small characters in letters."
A cultural guardian of the past
"The grace of dripping water, when the spring repaid, but at that time Henan University really could not come up with any valuables to express gratitude, everyone thought of giving a plaque"
On July 7, 1937, Japanese imperialism launched the "July 7 Incident", the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression broke out in full swing, and in December of the same year, northern Henan and eastern Henan fell one after another, and Henan University was forced to move south, beginning the eight-year road of anti-japanese war. The school successively migrated to Jigongshan in Xinyang, Zhenping in Nanyang, Luanchuan in Luoyang, and Song County, of which the school was run in Tantou, SongXian (now Tantou Town, Luanchuan County) for 5 years. In May 1944, the Japanese invaded Tantou and created the "Tantou Blood Case". At Henan University, 16 teachers, students and their families were killed and 25 were missing. Classrooms and laboratories were looted, houses were burned, and books and books were burned to the ground. The deep mountain academy, which had been built after five years of painstaking efforts, was destroyed under the fire of the Japanese invaders. The school was forced to move again to Jingziguan in Nanyang, Hanzhong in Shaanxi, Baoji and other places, and did not return to Kaifeng until the victory of the Anti-Japanese War.
The teacher of Henan University who received Hu Chuanlin's call was not irresponsible, because the books on the history of Henan University at that time did not have any records of the temporary residence of River masters and students in Zhao Chuan Town during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and no one had ever heard of a plaque engraved with the names of the principal and professor. Even in the latest edition of the History of Henan University (published by Henan University Press in August 2012), the words "Shangnan" appear only once:
In March 1945, the Japanese Kou launched the Battle of Southern Henan and Northern Hubei, and Henan University was difficult to survive at Jingziguan, and decided to move west to Shaanxi. The school learned the lessons of the Tantou disaster, first sent people to Shaanxi to negotiate the school site, and packaged the books, instruments and other items that still existed in the school and transported them to the Xi'an Henan Guild Hall for temporary storage. Subsequently, teachers, students, and their dependents traveled 800 miles through the Qinling Mountains and lantian to reach Xi'an in mid-April and live in the Northwest Middle School, which was built with donations from Zhang Xiao, a former adviser to Henan University, then president of the Henan Hometown Association and president of the Military Senate. ”
However, in the "Two Relocations of Henan University in the Late Period of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression" (Henan Literature and History Materials, Vol. 57, March 1996), written by Professor Li Bingde of Henan University, there are two records about the temporary residence of river masters and students in Zhao Chuan Town:
Less than a year after settling at Jingziguan, the Japanese army made a major attack on the southwestern Henan and northern Hubei regions. This time, Heda accepted the lesson of Tantou and carried out an early and organized evacuation. Single teachers and students quickly took the road to Xiping Town and ran along the road to Xi'an; those with their families did not dare to take this road, because the old and weak moved too slowly, afraid of encountering the enemy. The school decided that the teachers and staff with their families would all go to Zhao Chuan in the southwest of Shaanxi to be on standby, and the secretary Dang Yufeng would go to Zhao Chuan to make arrangements for each family. In fact, there is only one large household living in Zhao Chuan village, and the head of the household is also surnamed Dang. Although the party secretary originally had nothing to do with the head of the household, he was very close to the head of the household by virtue of this relationship with the same surname, as if they were really a family. The head of the household was also generous and welcomed to the families. When he heard that Heda was looking for a new school site, he told the party secretary that he welcomed Heda's move to Zhao Chuan. The party secretary politely declined.
After staying in Zhao Chuan for more than ten days, the school sent a letter saying that Heda had selected a new school site in Baoji, Shaanxi Province, and asked everyone to leave Zhao Chuan and go to Baoji. After careful arrangements by the party secretary and the head of the household, the family brigade of Heda University, led by the party secretary, left Zhao Chuan under the escort of several family members sent by the head of the household with guns, and arrived at Longju Zhai (present-day Danfeng County) five days later. The road has been taken here, the task of the party secretary has been completed, and each family can solve the problem of traveling on its own. The journey from Jingziguan to Longju Village was not possible for a day by bicycle, but at that time, our family brigade crossed the mountains and mountains, detoured through Zhao Chuan, and walked for almost a month. ”
In the book "Henan University in the Flames of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression" (published by Henan University Press in September 2015) by Professor Chen Ningning of Henan University, this period of history is also recorded, and the reason for the "gift plaque" is mentioned:
"The grace of the dripping water, when the spring repaid, but at that time, the river university really could not take out any valuables to express gratitude, and everyone thought of giving a plaque. The party secretary asked the mayor of Feiwu To help make a large plaque with a height of 1.05 meters and a width of 2.28 meters out of ginkgo biloba wood, on which were engraved four big characters of 'safeguarding culture', each word was 48 centimeters high and 34 centimeters wide, with red characters on a black background, solemn and elegant, and profound meaning. ”
Although the information provided by Hu Chuanlin and Lei Jiabing was not particularly accurate, the teachers and family members of Heda University took refuge in Zhao Chuan for more than ten days, and were warmly received by the local villagers, and the historical facts of the "Safeguarding Culture" plaque were presented to thank zhizhi, and a good story of cultural protection began to be widely praised among the alumni of Heda University.
"Maintaining culture" shines with spiritual light
Teachers and students of anti-war colleges and universities have been fully supported and protected by local fathers and villagers, and The most simple people in China have done their best to protect the lifeblood of Chinese education and culture
After the outbreak of the "July 7 Incident," Japan launched a long-planned all-out war of aggression against China, and the Chinese nation was at a critical juncture of life and death. Japan's goal is to destroy China, so its aggression against China is not limited to military occupation and economic plunder, but also devotes great efforts to conquering China's culture, in a vain attempt to fundamentally cut off the roots of Chinese culture and eliminate the cultural life of the Chinese nation.
With the fall of Ping, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Ningbo one after another, North And East China fell into the hands of the enemy, most colleges and universities were destroyed by the Japanese, and China's higher education was seriously hit in the flames of the War of Resistance. In order to preserve the cultural bloodline of the country and the nation, a large number of colleges and universities were forced to carry out an unprecedented and protracted migration, from Shaanxi and Gansu in the northwest, to Yunnan and Guizhou in the southwest, and from central to Sichuan. The inconvenience of transportation on the way, coupled with the enemy's crazy sweeping and indiscriminate bombardment, many colleges and universities have moved again and again, displaced and gone through hardships.
The picture of this version of Henan University comes from the official website of Henan University
In such a context, the four big characters of "safeguarding culture" shine with the unceasing spiritual light of the Chinese nation.
Although the situation was difficult during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the conditions for running schools were harsh, Chinese colleges and universities persisted in running schools in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, which ultimately enabled the continuation and preservation of the lifeblood of China's education culture and enabled China's educational undertakings to pass on the torch.
During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, colleges and universities made every effort to transfer and protect important educational resources during the migration process, preserved the main body and basic strength of China's higher education, reserved cultural talents, and preserved the bloodline for Chinese education. According to the statistical table of schools at or above the junior college level in previous years contained in the Second China Education Yearbook, before 1936, there were 108 colleges and universities in China, including 78 universities and independent colleges, 30 junior colleges, 41,922 students and 9,154 graduates. By 1937, it had been reduced to 91, including 67 universities and independent colleges, 24 junior colleges, 31,188 students and 5,137 graduates. By 1945, there were 141 institutions of higher learning, including 89 universities and independent colleges, 52 junior colleges, 83,498 students and 14,463 graduates. After eight years of arduous anti-Japanese war, China's higher education not only did not decay, but on the contrary, it developed greatly, creating a miracle in the history of education in an extremely cruel war environment.
Chinese colleges and universities persisted in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and sowed the seeds of Chinese culture everywhere they went, inheriting and carrying forward the spirit of Chinese culture, so that Chinese civilization was not interrupted by war, preserving the cultural bloodline, and condensing the national spirit.
In a difficult and difficult environment, with the full support of local fathers and fellow villagers, teachers and students of colleges and universities in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression persisted in setting up education, establishing medical institutions, disseminating cultural knowledge, and composing a magnificent epic poem of education to save the country and the cultural War of Resistance with their lives and blood, sowing the seeds of democracy and science in the local area. For example, Henan University founded kindergartens, primary schools, middle schools, and teachers during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Tantou Town, Luoyang, of which Qiqi Middle School is the most famous. Qiyi Middle School has now been renamed as Tantou Affiliated Middle School of Henan University. The school's monument records the following passage: "Qiqi Middle School was founded in 1939 and opened on September 18 of that year. "The special school name and the special opening date are reminders for teachers and students not to forget the national shame."
Wherever teachers and students of anti-war colleges and universities went, they were fully supported and protected by local fathers and fellow villagers. China's most simple people have spared their lives to protect the lifeblood of Chinese education and culture, which is deeply moving.
In the most arduous stage of the War of Resistance Against Japan, Henan University ran a school in Tantou for 5 years; in the context of "the size of North China, there is no room for a quiet desk", the people of Tantou arranged a "quiet desk" for more than 1,000 teachers and students of Henan University. In Tantou, The River Masters and Students were warmly received by the local people. The School of Medicine of Henan University was placed in the county seat of Song County, where the sanitary conditions were slightly better. The three colleges of literature, science and agriculture are scattered in more than a dozen villages centered on Tantou Village. Tantou Primary School vacated 50 houses, Tantou Town put all the surrounding temples, such as the Great King Temple, the Sanguan Temple, the Upper Temple, etc., the squire vacated all the larger courtyards as classrooms; also vacated more than 40 houses as data rooms, instrument rooms, laboratories, biological specimen rooms. The people of Tantou have also set aside dozens of acres of land as test fields, vegetable fields, and forest farms for the Heda Agricultural College. Some fathers and villagers have also vacated the yard and house as dormitories for teachers and students. The local geothermal water is abundant and the water level is shallow, and the villagers have also developed a hot spring bathing pool for teachers and students. The villagers sent tables, chairs, production and living utensils, rice, noodles, eggs, vegetables, fruits, firewood, etc. to the teachers and students of the river, showing the understanding of the people of Tantou for the difficulties of the country and their support for education.
"Safeguarding culture" not only represents the gratitude of the masters and students of He to the people of Zhao Chuan, but also represents the highest respect of Chinese universities for Chinese people during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and represents the reverence and inheritance of the descendants of Yanhuang for the 5,000-year civilization of the Chinese nation.
In September 2012, on the occasion of the centenary of the founding of Henan University, all alumni of the 1979 class of history donated a replica plaque of "Maintaining Culture" to their alma mater. The replica plaque was placed in the History Museum of Henan University, so that more teachers, students, alumni and people from all walks of life in the community can hear the historical past of this cultural protection.
Guangming Daily (2019.08.30. 13th edition)