Xu Shiyou was an outstanding general in the Red Fourth Front Army, he participated in the Long March during the Agrarian Revolution, and during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the War of Liberation, he was active in Shandong and made indelible contributions to the founding of New China.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he was awarded the rank of general and became the founding general. He loved his mother dearly, but due to the needs of the revolution, he was away all the year round and could not be by her side, which made him feel deeply guilty.
In order to allow his mother to enjoy his old age in peace, he decided to let his son Xu Guang return to his hometown and take care of his mother instead of him. So, what is the touching story of Xu Guang?
Xu Guang, born in 1929, is a native of Xujiawa, Chengmagang Township, Macheng County, Hubei Province (now Xinxian County, Henan), and is the eldest son of the founding general Xu Shiyou. Because his father participated in the anti-"encirclement and suppression" battle in the Hubei-Henan-Anhui base area, he lived a life of exile since he was a child, and after the Red Army left, his mother took him around wandering and begging.
Xu Guang lived a long life of begging during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the War of Liberation, and it was not until 1948 that his grandmother managed to send him to Shandong, where he was able to meet his father, Xu Shiyou.
Due to his long period of exile, Xu Guang had no education and could barely read a word. Xu Shiyou felt very distressed about what happened to his son, and he knew that he owed his son too much, so he decided to send Xu Guang to the Fifth Air Force School, and then to the Dalian Sea Boat Academy, so that he could receive an education.
Xu Guang was one of the first batch of naval officers with a bachelor's degree trained by the People's Republic of China, and graduated from Dalian Navy Academy in 1958. With his excellent higher education background and the influence of a military family, he showed excellent political qualities, and after graduation, he was assigned to the North Sea Fleet and became a heroic soldier.
He gradually rose to prominence in the troops, and was promoted to captain of the North Sea Fleet with outstanding performance.
Xu Guang originally had a bright future, but in order to take care of his grandmother for his father Xu Shiyou, he gave up his future and returned to his hometown and became a grassroots cadre.
Xu Guang gave up his future and returned to his hometown, serving as a staff officer, military section chief, and deputy minister of the People's Armed Forces Department of Xinxian County, Henan Province.
Xu Guang has dedicated 48 years in his hometown, always keeping close contact with the people, always putting the needs of the people first, and his deeds are admirable. What is even more admirable is that in a flood rescue in his hometown, he stuck to the front line, unfortunately was seriously injured, and was in a coma for three days and three nights.
Xu Guang, a person who is willing to live in poverty all his life and adheres to the principle of "three noes". He did not drink, smoke, or eat meat, lived a simple life, and always adhered to the style of hard work.
However, he was unequivocal about charity, once donated more than 100,000 yuan to the old Red Army, and donated 200,000 yuan to charity in his hometown before his death, a total donation of more than 300,000 yuan, and dedicated his life savings to charity.
Xu Guang's life, although it was hard, his spirit was extremely noble. His "three noes" principle is respect for life and a challenge to difficulties. His philanthropic act is a contribution to society and a love for people.
In 2013, Xu Guang died of illness at the age of 84. But his spirit and acts of charity will forever remain in people's hearts and serve as an example for us to follow.