My name is Li Zhiqiang and I am 65 years old this year. I was born and raised in a small remote mountain village in Yunnan Province called Yunxi Village. The population of the village is not large, only about three or four hundred households. I still remember when I was a child, the houses in the village were all made of adobe and earth, and there were very few of them. The people in the village live a self-sufficient life by farming the land.
My father's name is Li Tianlu, my mother's name is Ma Guixiang, and I have an older brother who is two years older than me, named Li Zhiming. Our family of four lives in a mud house at the south end of the village. The house is not big, only two rooms, but it was enough for us.
Zhiqiang, get up and get to work!"My mother would wake me up every morning.
It's coming, it's coming. I replied in a daze, rubbing my sleepy eyes and getting out of bed.
Hurry up, it's dawning, and the work in the field waits for no one!Mother urged.
I hurriedly washed up and went to work in the fields with my brother. Our family makes ends meet on a small plot of land, working until sunset every day before we can return home. My father's biggest concern was that we would not be able to fill our stomachs because of the bad harvest in which year.
Both of you have to work hard, and in the future, you will have to take over from your grandparents and take care of the family. "My father used to tell us.
Got it, Dad. My brother and I would nod obediently.
Despite the scarcity of life, the people of the village are united. I remember when I was six or seven years old, there was a great drought in the village one year, and everyone's crops withered. It was a very difficult year, but the neighbors helped each other to get through that time.
When I was in elementary school, I had to walk a long way to get to school. The children in the village will go together, chatting and playing all the way, but they don't feel hard. I studied well, and my teachers praised me for being smart and studious.
The year I graduated from junior high school, I was admitted to a high school in the prefecture. My father thought about the situation at home for a long time and decided to let me go to high school.
Zhiqiang, you must study hard, take the university entrance examination in the future, go out of our village, and see the outside world. My father said to me.
I nodded deeply: "Dad, I will definitely work hard." ”
Students, may I ask, which teaching building is the Department of Chinese in?I plucked up the courage to ask a bespectacled boy next to me.
Ah, on the east side of that school building, you see the sixth-story building with a sign of the Department of Chinese at the door. "He was eager to show me the way.
Thank you!"I give him a thumbs up.
You're welcome, freshman, right?My name is Wang Jun, and I am also from the Chinese department, let's go together. He laughs.
During the winter and summer vacations, I would go home to visit my parents. In the beginning, my father was still worried about my studies.
Zhiqiang, is it okay to study in school?Don't waste your studies just because it's fun outside. "My father admonished me earnestly.
Don't worry, Dad, I will definitely study hard. "I assured my father.
Later, every time I went home, I would show my report card to my parents, and they were relieved. My grades have always been at the top of my grade, much to my parents' relief.
In my junior year, Wang Jun talked to me: "Zhiqiang, I want to go back to my hometown to start a business after graduation, do you want to join me?"”
I hesitated, my family's situation didn't allow me to venture into my own business, and I finally decided to find a stable job first. Although Wang Jun regretted it, he still respected my choice.
Four years of college passed quickly, and I graduated and was assigned to a middle school in the county as a Chinese teacher. My parents are very proud of me.
Son, you are now a teacher, you have to teach your students well. "My mother told me.
Got it, Mom, I'm going to do my best. I replied with a smile.
**, I got a full score in the Chinese test, and you taught it well!A schoolgirl named Xiaohua told me excitedly.
Haha, it's all thanks to your own efforts. Keep it up. I laughed and complimented her.
In this way, with the praise of students and parents, I gradually became a little famous. The principal saw that I was young and promising, and promoted me to be the head of the Chinese group three years later.
Li Zhiqiang, young people should dare to take responsibility, I believe you can do a good job of this team leader. "The principal has high hopes for me.
Principal, I will certainly live up to your expectations. "I solemnly promised him.
I strive to improve the quality of teaching in my group through various means, and strive for resources to improve teaching conditions. These have been affirmed by the principal and parents.
Five years later, I was recommended to be the school's vice principal. For a young teacher born in a rural area, this position is an incomparably honorable position for me.
Son, I heard that you have become the vice principal, and my mother is happy for you!"My father called.
Thank you Dad!This is all the training that you and my mother have cultivated for me since I was a child. "I was thrilled.
During my tenure at the county education bureau, I proposed many reform measures, which were deeply appreciated by the leaders. Eight years later, I finally realized my dream of entering politics and was elected assistant to the county magistrate.
Comrades, thank you very much for your trust!I will definitely give my heart and soul to the cause of education. "At the inauguration, I was filled with emotion.
In this way, I walked out of a small mountain village, and through unremitting efforts, I finally climbed to the peak of life. I feel incredibly honored and proud.
As assistant to the county magistrate, I focused on the development of rural education. By actively seeking funding, I have led the construction of many new schools in the villages, so that children in remote mountainous areas can also enjoy high-quality educational resources. At the same time, I did not forget my hometown, and specially approved a special fund for the renovation of the school in my hometown.
Assistant County Magistrate Li is really a good official, he helped our village build a new school building, and the children's learning environment is much better. "That's how the people in the village complimented me.
Haha, that's what I should do, the people in the village are very kind. I said modestly.
During this time, my parents were also very proud of me. My father smiled and said to me, "Son, you are now a great official, but you can't forget your fellow villagers." ”
Dad, don't worry, I will never forget my roots. "I solemnly promise my father.
During my tenure in the county, I met Li Xiaofang, the daughter of local businessman Li Wei, and fell in love with her. Although Li Wei's family is wealthy, he also values me very much.
Zhiqiang, I see that you are an honest and good young man, so I handed over my daughter to you. Li Wei said to me with a smile.
Uncle Wei, I will definitely be good to Xiaofang!I shook his hand excitedly.
In this way, under the witness of my parents and Li Wei, Xiaofang and I tied the knot. After I got married, Xiaofang often encouraged me to continue to work hard.
Husband, you have to come on, there is still a long way to go. Xiaofang said to me gently.
With her support, I threw myself into my work and finally became the prefectural governor at the age of 38. This is the most glorious moment of my political career.
Comrades, I feel that my work is a heavy responsibility, and I will continue to work hard for the development of the county!"I solemnly swore an oath at the inauguration.
During my tenure as county magistrate, under the correct leadership of my superiors, I put forward many measures to promote economic development and improve people's livelihood, which were deeply supported by the people of the county. The villagers said that since I became the county magistrate, my hometown has become a better place.
After becoming the county magistrate, my power became more and more powerful, and many people treated me with respect. I also gradually became complacent, feeling that I had achieved fame and reached the pinnacle of life.
County magistrate, you are really decisive and tough!"Many of my subordinates cheered me on like that.
Haha, you have to be resolute at the critical moment, that's my style!I laughed.
My family was also deeply influenced by me. My wife Xiaofang is obedient to me, and my children adore me.
Daddy is the best!"My son always praises me like that.
I felt very honored, but I also gradually developed a sense of pride and arrogance. I think the development of the county is all up to me, and everyone else has to listen to me.
This mentality also led to problems at work. For the sake of political performance, I forcibly promoted some controversial projects. There are also some projects that have obvious benefit transfer problems in order to take care of relatives and friends.
County magistrate, this project may be a bit problematic, do you need to think about it again?"My secretary, Xiao Li, once advised me.
What's the problem, I'll have the final say!I impatiently dismissed his opinion.
These actions of mine have aroused the dissatisfaction of many county cadres, but they dare not raise them in person. I have so much power that they can only talk in secret.
In this way, I gradually lost myself and immersed myself in the vanity that power and money bring. I have forgotten the hard struggles of the past, and I do not see the harm of abuse of power. This eventually led to a turning point in my tragic life.
One day, the superiors suddenly sent someone to investigate. It turned out that there were reports of serious violations of the law during my tenure. Before I could do anything about the aftermath, I was immediately banned from the party and removed from office.
Comrade, you have to reflect on your own problems, which you owe to the people. "The representative of the higher authorities admonished me solemnly.
After being removed, I was plunged into unprecedented pain and self-blame.
As a result of the investigation, many of the problems during my tenure were revealed. For the sake of political achievements and personal gains, I have forcibly carried out many projects that harm the interests of the masses, and I have also used my power to seek personal benefits for myself and my relatives and friends in construction and purchases. The evidence is conclusive, and I cannot refute it.
Comrade, you must recognize your mistakes and accept the punishment of the organization and the law. The investigation team said to me solemnly.
I was expelled from the party and removed from all my positions. I was also transferred to the procuratorate for investigation on suspicion and was eventually sentenced to 5 years in prison.
It was a huge blow to me and my family. The wife moved out with the children and filed for divorce.
You've disappointed me so much that I can't trust you anymore. The wife said coldly.
Xiaofang, give me a chance, I'll fix it!I begged her.
It's too late. She left without looking back.
I was sent to prison, alone in a cold cell to reflect on my mistakes. I think of many mistakes I made in the past, and my heart is filled with remorse.
When my fellow inmates saw that I was depressed, they all persuaded me: "Brother, let the past pass, reflect on it, and reform is the most important thing." ”
These five years in prison were great torture for me. I deeply reflected on what I had done, and finally realized that power corroded human nature. I vow to be honest with others and never repeat the mistakes of the past.
Five years later, I was released from prison. Stepping out the door, I took a deep breath of air and felt that my life had finally made a new beginning.
When I returned to my hometown, I found that everything was unrecognizable. The people in the village avoided me, and my family had already moved away. I live alone in a dilapidated old house and make a living by farming.
Hey, I finally understood that the most precious thing in life is not power and money, but inner peace. "I looked at the sunset and sighed.