The death of Mr. Zong Qinghou marked the end of an era, and netizens across the country were immersed in deep grief. Some people choose to use the delivery rider to convey their condolences to the elders, and send their nostalgia for the deceased by ordering flowers; Others silently reminisced about the elders' outstanding contributions on online platforms with virtual candles.
At 10 a.m. on February 28, 2024, a solemn memorial service for Zong Qinghou was held as scheduled in the group's industrial base in Xiasha. The sky in Hangzhou that day was gloomy, and the rain was gently sprinkled, as if the heavens and the earth were also sad for the fall of this giant of national enterprises, and it seemed that even the heavens were regretting his departure.
Even though it was raining, it could not stop many citizens from expressing their last respect for the patriarch. They held umbrellas and lined up in long lines on the damp streets, just to accompany the elder through the last journey of his life.
The people's grief has specially opened an online mourning platform, and so far more than 300,000 netizens have offered their condolences through the Internet.
At the well-prepared memorial service site, the corridor outside the hall was quickly covered with a mountain of flowers, and the roads on both sides were also decorated with wreaths from all walks of life solemnly and solemnly. Directly above the hall, the short but affectionate nine words -- "deeply cherish the memory of Comrade Zong Qinghou" -- hung there conspicuously and solemnly.
Many = old employees burst into tears at the memorial service, crying bitterly, unable to suppress their endless thoughts and admiration for the founder of the company.
At the scene of Mr. Zong Qinghou's memorial service, an old employee who had served for seven years stood in front of the building, tears blurred his vision, he respectfully called Zong Qinghou Zong Changwen, while wiping tears while recalling the factory director's old days, from his red and moist eyes, it is enough to glimpse his deep feelings for the old factory director.
Similarly, an old man in his nineties also insisted on rushing to pay his last respects to Zong Qinghou, mentioning that in the past, Mr. Zong would care for the old employees every Spring Festival, send people to send condolences, and always care about his health. This situation and this scene can be described as an empty alley of 10,000 people, and the grand occasion is unprecedented, and it is not an exaggeration to describe it as "ten miles long street to send Zongzong". In the face of questions about why the death of an entrepreneur is so solemnly commemorated, the answer is unequivocal: Zong Qinghou is very different from other entrepreneurs, he once publicly said, "I am an entrepreneur, not a capitalist." ”
Mr. Zong Qinghou's efforts and care for his employees confirm his noble character as an entrepreneur. He did not focus solely on the capitalists who exploited labor, but always put the interests of his employees first. After the news of Zong Qinghou's death broke, many old employees spontaneously came to Wahaha's headquarters with flowers to express their condolences. One of the 73-year-old employees held flowers in his hand to remember the former leader and was interviewed by reporters.
This veteran employee who used to work in a canneyard also became a member of Wahaha in 1991 after the canning factory was merged by Wahaha. In his second year on the job, he was given a 60-square-meter house, which was a significant improvement from the previous 17-square-meter dormitory. After working for 10 years, he was given a 140-square-meter duplex house, and he has lived a worry-free life since then. The old employee said to the reporter with great emotion: "How can there be such a company to build housing for employees in the bustling city center? "The benefits of the Wahaha factory at that time were enviable, which not only allowed employees to have a house to live in, but also solved their worries and enabled employees to devote themselves to their work.
In addition, an old teacher in Shangcheng District walked five kilometers to mourn Zong Qinghou. Zong Qinghou did not forget to give back to the society while developing the enterprise, and donated money to improve the treatment of teachers in the education system of Shangcheng District, and part of the pension subsidies for many retired teachers were also generously funded by Wahaha. Therefore, the old teacher came to see off the sect elder for the last time with gratitude.
A humane rule of Zong Qinghou is also deeply rooted in the hearts of the people: the company will never arbitrarily fire employees over the age of 45. In his view, each employee's ability has its own level, should not be eliminated because of the bottom of the ranking, every employee behind the responsibility of a small family, unless the law and regulations, otherwise will not be dismissed. This policy is in stark contrast to the current practice of many Internet companies that only use employees for the most important period and then ruthlessly lay off employees. Not only does Zong Qinghou give his employees a salary increase every year, but his driver is also a gray-haired elderly man over 60 years old.
When the driver asked why Zong Qinghou had a huge fortune but still worked longer hours a day than ordinary employees, Zong Qinghou replied: "This is for you workers to live a better life!" If someone else said such a thing, it might be considered hypocrisy, but Zong Qinghou's words were full of sincerity and sincerity. Although he has long reached retirement age, he has chosen to continue to devote himself to heavy work, and even while in the hospital, the paperwork at his bedside is still piled up.
Zong Qinghou once said that his life's work is in Wahaha, hoping to leave an excellent enterprise to the society and make more contributions to the society. It wasn't until after his death that many netizens really understood who he was, and regretted that ** didn't report his deeds earlier. Zong Qinghou showed the "people-oriented" management concept with practical actions, regarded employees as individuals with emotions and needs, and gave them substantial benefits, not to say empty words, such a boss is really rare. He has been frugal all his life, wearing 30 yuan cloth shoes, and dressed plainly when attending events, and even some netizens said that he would not wear such old clothes as an ordinary person.
Zong Qinghou has always adhered to and practiced the principle of "getting rich first and getting rich later", and the slogans in the mouths of others have become tangible actions in his place and have benefited countless people. Therefore, it is natural that the people will deeply miss such a person, and it is well deserved to call him immortal. Zong Qing's big regret before his death may be that he failed to witness his daughter Zong Fuli enter the marriage hall. Today, Zong Fuli is the only heir. She once said that her father was like a god in her heart, and now that Zong Qinghou, who loved her father like a mountain, passed away, she shouldered the heavy responsibility of taking charge of the company alone.
Zong Qinghou's spiritual outlook has infected a generation and become a role model for many entrepreneurs. He may not be proficient in emerging things such as the Internet and big data, but his down-to-earth style and pragmatic spirit have deeply influenced our values, telling us that even in the era of rapid development, we must be down-to-earth and never forget our original intention. Let's remember this great entrepreneur together.