Entering from the Dongguan community, after the neatly arranged buildings, a small courtyard in the opposite side is semi-open, the courtyard is planted with some green plants, and the "Glorious Home" sign hanging at the door shows the temperament of the family. This is Zhang Yugao's home, with a little warmth, simple and simple, just like his personality.
Whether before or after being crowned with the titles of "Good Man of Zhejiang", "Good Man of Hangzhou" and "The Most Beautiful Retired Soldier", Zhang Yugao always felt that he was just an ordinary person, just "doing what ordinary people should do". The word "should" is Zhang Yugao's ordinary heart for righteousness and bravery, and it is the best proof that the Zhang family internalizes righteousness and kindness in their hearts and shows them in their actions, but we still can't underestimate the thrilling thrilling of the 76-year-old man who jumped into the river to save people.
Lend a helping hand
On the afternoon of June 30, 2023, Zhang Yugao and his fishing friends came to the small river near his home to fish as usual. This is the tunnel section of Binwen River near Binwen West Garden, which rarely passes by on weekdays, not to mention that in the summer afternoon, Zhang Yugao and others have been fishing here for a long time, and they have not met a few passers-by. The harvest was not much, and Zhang Yugao didn't care much about it, but the change happened at this time.
The sound of the argument came from the shore not far away, and with an exclamation, a young man and a woman fell into the water one after another. The situation was critical, so shocked that Zhang Yugao immediately threw away the fishing rod in his hand, and without thinking too much, he pounced on the young man closest to him, and tried his best to pull the corner of his clothes and pull him to the shore. Before he could catch his breath, Zhang Yugao turned around and swam to the young lady who also fell into the water, at this time the young lady had begun to sink, and he could only see his hands raised. Zhang Yugao didn't have time to worry about his own safety at the moment, only staring at a life in front of him, he swam to her side with all his might, grabbed her clothes from behind, and wanted to lift her to the river, but for a 76-year-old man, he didn't even have the strength to save the two of them, but he was still more than half a meter high from the riverbank, he gritted his teeth and lifted the woman ashore many times, but he was unsuccessful. At the critical moment, fortunately, a neighbor passed by and helped the old man, who was physically exhausted, to pull the woman to the shore.
Zhang Yugao (first from left) and resident Ma Luan.
I didn't catch a fish, but I caught two people! After a few simple words of persuasion of the young man who fell into the water, the old man who was soaked in water actually returned home like this, and under the shocked concern of the family, Zhang Yugao used a sentence to dilute the courage to save people. The daughter couldn't help but reddened her eyes after listening to what happened, and Zhang Yugao's wife couldn't help worrying: "76 years old, such a deep section of the river, I jumped without thinking about it, if someone didn't pass by, we couldn't think about the consequences!" ”
When asked about his feelings at the time, Zhang Yugao seemed free and easy: "You don't need to think about anything, I think whoever sees it will be the first to rescue!" Zhang Yugao's true kindness has shaped Zhang Yugao's pure vision of things, and he doesn't think it's something to boast about, but it was only in a casual conversation between his wife and the residents that the community learned the origin of all this.
As an outstanding party member of the first grid branch of the Dongguan community, Zhang Yugao's deeds first spread among the grid members. The first time in the group was to like, full of thumbs on the screen, and everyone was amazed by Mr. Zhang's righteousness and bravery. The relevant person in charge of the Dongguan community showed us a screenshot of the chat records in the grid member group, "The community carried out a study meeting and issued a proposal for the first time, which is the precious spiritual inheritance of old party members!" ”
Walking with us in the laneways of the Dongguan community, the residents passing by always greeted each other warmly, and occasionally stopped to greet each other. Friendly neighbors and harmonious families, Zhang Yugao's personal character comes partly from the simple nostalgia, and it is also inseparable from the family style. Zhang Yugao's father also successfully rescued a child who fell into the water in the past, and learned that kindness was originally the words and deeds of his father, "In the days when Zhang Yugao's father was still there, the rescued child's home also visited from time to time, and now the two families still have frequent contacts."
From enlisting in 1971 to retiring from the army in 1976, Zhang Yugao's 5-year military career sharpened a tenacious heart, during which he became a member of the Communist Party in May 1974, and by 2024, it happens to be the 50th anniversary of Zhang Yugao's joining the party. Walking to the river, he just congratulated us that he had heard the movement of the falling water at that moment, and had managed to grab the corners of the clothes of the two young men. In Zhang Yugao's eyes, righteousness and courage are by no means looking down on life and death, but cherishing life extraordinarily, so instinctively, he chose to lend a helping hand.
Because of love, so care
It was learned from the community that Zhang Yugao has always actively played the vanguard and exemplary role of party members, and although he is old, he still takes the initiative to participate in community activities, cooperate with the work of supporting the community, and play a role in it.
According to the relevant person in charge of the community, when the environmental improvement work of Dongguan community was carried out, due to the repair and finishing of some residents' houses, it was not very smooth at the beginning of the work, and some residents still had doubts.
After Zhang Yugao learned about it, he took the initiative to stand up and express his support: "This is a good thing for the benefit of all of our lives, what reason is there not to respond?" "In the process of upgrading and transforming the community, Zhang Yugao has given considerable support and cooperation, and the environmental improvement work of Dongguan community has made outstanding achievements, with clean streets and smooth traffic.
Zhang Yugao and his family.
It is a very happy thing to live here, to live in Binjiang. As a native of Binjiang, 76-year-old Zhang Yugao has witnessed the rapid changes here. In his impression, the road in front of his house was not as smooth as it is now, tricycles crowded the roadside, and it was also difficult for residents to travel. "It's hard to imagine what it is today. Zhang Yugao said with a smile that the 2023 Asian Games will be carried out around him, and people all over the country and even the world have seen the changes and development of Binjiang, and Zhang Yugao still feels honored to be able to participate in it, even if it is just a member.
The past year has been special and ordinary for Zhang Yugao. Just because goodwill always exists in the heart, Fang Jue is a good day every day.
Text: Chen Huimin.
Edited by Wang Jue.
First instance Shi Shen.
Second instance Liu Ziyin.
Final review Ji Binkai.