"For the world, pay attention to the public first, and the way to retreat from heaven after success. "In the winter of 1957, an astonishing piece of news quietly spread in military circlesFounding Major General Gan Zuchang took the initiative to apply for retirement from active duty and prepared to return to his hometown to farm!
In 1952, the Chinese people were full of pride, and for the first time officially conferred large-scale titles to commend a generation of revolutionary martyrs who contributed to the birth of New China. Among them, 47-year-old Gan Zuchang also received this honor and was awarded the rank of major general. But just five years later, he chose the incomprehensible choice of retiring to his hometown.
It was extremely unusual at that time for a major general who had achieved fame to give up his glorious position and return to the poor countryside in the prime of life. Gan Zuchang's choice made many people puzzled. The greater a person's rights, the heavier the responsibility. Could it be that he is unable to do this position?Or is there something hidden?
However, when we look back at the life of Gan Zuchang, we will understand that his choice was not made on a whim. In 1905, Gan Zuchang was born in an ordinary farming family in Lianhua County, Jiangxi. At the age of 17, he participated in the Northern Expedition and devoted himself to the revolution for more than 30 years. He went through the most arduous Long March and participated in the birth of New China.
Perhaps it was Gan Zuchang, who had experienced the revolutionary years, who understood better than anyone that a person's status did not mean anything. When he was discharged from the army, he said a sentence: ".Compared to those old comrades-in-arms who died in the revolutionary war, my contribution is too littleAnd the honor and status given to me in the organization is too high. ”
At that time, Gan Zuchang was 52 years old. Looking back on his life, he felt that he had done his best for the revolutionary cause, and that he could now step back and make way for Xian. And more importantly,Many of the villagers were still living in poverty, and Gan Zuchang decided to go back and lead them out of poverty and become rich.
The value of a person's life does not lie in what he gains, but in what he gives. Gan Zuchang's choice makes people think deeply. When everyone was competing for fame and fortune, he chose the path of retreat.
In the winter of 1957, Gan Zuchang left Xinjiang and returned to his hometown of Lianhua, Jiangxi. It was the same place as he remembered, with barren trees and grass, and barren everywhere. Many villagers are still living a miserable life of "having food but no money, and no medicine for illness".
Gan Zuchang was deeply heartbroken and determined to do something for his hometown. The next morning, he changed out of his military uniform, put on coarse cloth clothes, found a hoe and shovel, and went into the field. At first,The villagers were dumbfounded when they saw a founding general working in the fields.
"The general also farms?”Someone quipped. Gan Zuchang didn't think it was wrong, he sweated like rain and said to the people around him: "This land looks barren, but I believe that as long as we work hard to develop it, this place will definitely become fertile soil." ”
At that time, most of the land in Lianhua County was in a barren state. Gan Zuchang chose a barren mountain next to the jujube forest to start cultivating wasteland. The place is perennially waterlogged and overgrown with weedsThere are even snakes infested, and the villagers do not dare to approach easily.
But Gan Zuchang turned a blind eye and took the lead in cultivating wasteland. He and more than a dozen prime-aged farmers worked the barren mountains for more than 100 days, and finally created patches of green seedling fields on the barren mountains. The grain yield per mu of these lands is two or three times higher than the original, which proves that this is a treasure land.
Who would laugh at the "general's farming" today?Gan Zuchang's hard work in exchange for a bumper harvest finally made everyone understand his good intentions. The villagers asked to join the ranks of land reclamation, and Gan Zuchang gladly accepted. However, just as the fields were beginning to take shape, the problem of water shortages surfaced. This newly cultivated land needs a lot of water every day, and the old canals are far from enough, and the fields often dry up.
Gan Zuchang carefully surveyed and decided to bring water from a large river a few kilometers away. The project was arduous and required the excavation of several kilometers of diversion channels. But Gan Zuchang is full of confidence, and since he has set a goal, he will definitely put it into practice.
As a result, Gan Zuchang mobilized the masses and began a two-month-long excavation of the canal. In order to motivate morale, he worked hard with everyone every day and never stopped easily。Finally, in early 1959, the aqueduct was opened, and the clear water of the river flowed into the newly opened fields, and the villagers thundered with joy.
With access to water, the land in this area is more productive than ever before. By 1960, Gan Zuchang led the villagers to create nearly 3,000 acres of fertile land on this barren mountainGrain production is several times higher than in the past. Years of bumper harvests have allowed the people to live a good life, and they finally realized Gan Zuchang's foresight.
Cultivating land was only one of Gan Zuchang's first projects after returning to his hometown, and he also organized people to build infrastructure such as reservoirs and hydropower stations. Driven by his advocacy,The hometown has gradually transformed from a poor land of mountains and rivers into a rich and developed model village.
Gan Zuchang's life after returning to his hometown is not as easy and peaceful as it seems on the surface. As a retired major general, he still has a lot of responsibilities on his shoulders. It is far from enough to merely open up wasteland for farming, and how to further develop the rural economy and improve the living standards of the masses is a major issue facing Gan Zuchang. In 1960,On the basis of ensuring grain production, he decided to develop livestock breeding and increase peasant incomes.
In order to get the breeding industry off to a rapid start, Gan Zuchang brought back six York pigs, 15 incoming chickens and 15 pairs of Angora rabbits from Xinjiang. This is an excellent variety that has never been seen in the locality. At the same time, he also took a large amount of money from his own savingsSupport villagers to build farms and purchase necessary equipment such as feed.
At first, many villagers were not interested in the farming industry and found it too troublesome. But Gan Zuchang patiently explained the benefits of good varieties and said that he would provide all-round support, and finally moved them. With the help of Gan Zuchang, the first batch of villagers' breeding experiments were successful, and good news came out one after another.
Gradually, more and more people are involved in farming. Gan Zuchang also invited breeding experts from the provincial capital to provide free training for the villagers on a regular basisMake sure they master scientific farming methods. After several years of development, the aquaculture industry has been firmly established in the local area, and the farmers have a stable sideline income.
At the same time, Gan Zuchang is also committed to improving local infrastructure. He presided over the construction of the first road, which directly connected the county town with his hometown, and the bridge made the villagers no longer troubled by flooding. The construction of the power system brings lighting to every household and makes production and life more convenient.
With these progresses, Lianhua County has gradually embarked on the road of moderate prosperity from a backward and poor village. Under the leadership of Gan Zuchang, the common people lived a happy life in the land of fish and rice. Even after solving the problem of food and clothing, Gan Zuchang never stopped, and he continued to guide the villagers to develop handicrafts and knitting industries, and open up more employment opportunities and economic **.
27 years is not a long time, but Gan Zuchang, as a "general farmer", has truly transformed his hometown into a model of a wealthy countryside with his unique courage. What he gave was not only material help, but also a kind of spiritual strengthBring infinite hope and courage to the poor villagers to open up a better new life.
Gan Zuchang used his life to write a legend. He joined the army at the age of 17 to serve the country, and has been fighting at the forefront of the revolution for more than 30 years. has developed a tenacious character, and retains the innocence of a child's heart. With sweat and blood, he watered the hope of new China.
In 1952, he was awarded the title of Major General, which was an affirmation of his contributions. But Gan Zuchang did not indulge in glory, and chose to retire to the countryside and live a self-supporting small peasant life. He understands that achievement does not mean anything, only selfless dedication is the foundation of life.
Gan Zuchang used the simple style of pleasing all living beings to influence the people. He doesn't care about his status, he just wants to do his best to make his fellow villagers live a good life. In the past 27 years, he has diverted water to build roads, developed the economy, and changed the appearance of his hometownAnd lead by example, educate the villagers to be diligent and content.
Someone asked Gan Zuchang, why did you have to work hard to return to your hometown to work as a farmer when you could have enjoyed honor without worrying about food and clothing?He replied: "I have received so much from the revolutionary cause, and it is time to give back the blessings to my fellow villagers." I am a child of this land, she gave birth to me, and I should repay it with action. ”
With a grateful heart, Gan Zuchang wrote a chapter of life. In today's society, many successful people forget their kindness and indulge in fame and fortune, but Gan Zuchang takes retreat as advance and has the world in mind. He chose not to get rich and be content, but he gained the true meaning of life.
Gan Zuchang's life is enough to illuminate the way forward for future generations. When we are in the field of fame and arrogance, we might as well think about him;When we are proud of a little bit of luxury, look at him too. Because truly great people are always content and happy, and do what they can.