Looking for "piety": piety

The story begins with a photo called "Dedicator" taken by 1968. This is a photo that has a very high newspaper rate in China and even in the world. In the photo, a PLA soldier holds quotations from Chairman Mao with an excited expression. The most special thing is that more than 100 Chairman Mao's badges are hung on his military uniform and cap. This photo was widely spread as a symbol of the unique elements of that era.

Out of strong interest in this photo, the author has the impulse to find the hero of the photo. Where is the once young soldier now? What are you doing?

With these questions, the author found Li Zhensheng, a photojournalist of Heilongjiang Daily, through the network Weibo. According to Teacher Li's prompt, the author found the Qiqihar Urban Planning and Design Institute where Wang Guoxiang, a soldier in the photo, worked before leaving the army. There, I got the contact information of Wang Guoxiang.

A warm voice came from the other end of the phone. After some pleasantries, we agreed to meet in Qiqihar. On a warm afternoon, the author met the hero of the photo as he wished. This is a talkative old man. Although it has been carved over the years, it is still possible to vaguely distinguish the juvenile style in the photo. Our topic naturally starts from that piece called history? Ruins? Let's start with photos of ... Through face-to-face communication with Wang Guoxiang, combined with the previous teacher Li Zhensheng's remarks, a period of history reappeared before our eyes.

The photo was taken on1April 6, 968. At that time, after the activists' congress was held in Heilongjiang Province, all the delegates attending the congress were sent as heroes to factories, mines and rural areas to learn and use Chairman Mao's works for local workers and publicize their experiences. Wang Guoxiang, the squad leader of a PLA unit from Treasure Island, was one of the heroic representatives attending the meeting.

That night, at the gate of the lecture, there was a burst of warm applause, and people were welcoming Wang Guoxiang, a PLA soldier who had just returned from the lecture. Through the dense crowd, you can see the dazzling light shining on the young soldiers. See his chest, back, arms, military cap, everywhere is shining chairman MAO's badge with sb on it. Facing the enthusiastic crowd, Wang Guoxiang tearfully described the origin of more than 70 badges/kloc-0.

On that day, Wang Guoxiang was invited by the poor middle peasants to give a speech at Li Qun and Xinfa Commune in Harbin. Wang Guoxiang described how he studied Chairman Mao's works hard and how he used them to change his world outlook. The members and staff present were very excited and thought that Wang Guoxiang had spoken his mind and really got inspiration and progress from him.

When Wang Guoxiang's speech ended, men, women and children rushed to the stage, took off Chairman Mao's badge with sb on them and put it on Wang Guoxiang's chest. A militiaman even took the badge of Chairman Mao from his underwear and put it on Wang Guoxiang's chest. Soon, the young soldiers were covered with all kinds of Chairman Mao's badges, even on their backs and sleeves. At this moment, I don't know who shouted:? You can also wear it on your hat! ? Wang Guoxiang's military cap immediately put on dozens of badges.

Facing the high-spirited crowd, Wang Guoxiang himself was very excited, and his badge made him feel very different from the past. Li Zhensheng, who is participating in the interview, thinks that the little soldier in front of him is particularly tall at this time, and he decides to record this historical moment with his own camera.

So Li Zhensheng immediately picked up his 120 camera, only to find that only the last two negatives were left. In order to capture this rare scene, he quickly connected the flash, chose the right position and captured two photos in time.

After returning to the newspaper, Li Zhensheng couldn't wait to develop two photos. He felt from the bottom of his heart that these two photos must be of great significance. The pictures in the two photos are completely different: the first one is Wang Guoxiang holding a quotation and telling it with a smile; The second photo shows Wang Guoxiang covering his heart with his left hand, with a pious and excited face, expressing his deep feelings for Chairman Mao.

From the professional photographer's point of view, Li Zhensheng chose the last submission. At that time, he felt that this photo could better express a pious emotion. However, he washed away and was hit by a blow. A female captain of the newspaper propaganda team took this photo, and it looked passable. She faltered. I think the soldier's expression in this photo is a bit that? Li Zhensheng at a loss, don't know what the female captain said? That? What do you mean, but in short, after her evaluation, this photo will definitely not be published. Later, it was explained to Li Zhensheng that the female captain felt that since she was loyal to Chairman Mao, she should be happy. The soldier's expression made her feel indescribable.

Li Zhensheng is a photographer with strong professional ethics and sense of responsibility. He didn't think of another expression when he saw that the photo he had selected was pressed? Are you happy? Yes, in his own words? I don't want to cater to the women workers to announce the captain. I would rather not publish the manuscript than send that one? Smile? Photos of. ? In this way, these two photos have been pressed under Li Zhensheng's box for 20 years.

However, this photo with a specific sense of historical times is doomed not to be destroyed by historical changes.

From 65438 to 0982, Li Zhensheng was transferred to Beijing to work. When he moved, he found a thick film at the bottom of the heavy filing cabinet of the newspaper. Colleagues wanted to help him throw it away, so he grabbed it back and tasted his work under the light. When he saw two photos of Wang Guoxiang, he pointed to the negative and said to his colleagues:? Do you see it? This is history. At that time, the expression of this character covered with badges was very special and wonderful! I want to keep this negative forever. It will definitely be useful in the future. ?

Words, really let Li Zhensheng said. The largest photo exhibition in March since the founding of the People's Republic of China 1988? Hard journey? 20 photos of Li Zhensheng in the national photo contest? **? When did the works of that period win the highest prize? Series news photography award? . General Zhang Aiping said to Li Zhensheng after seeing Li Zhensheng's photo entitled "Devotee" at the opening ceremony. You have recorded history for the people and made contributions to the country and society, and the people will thank you. ? Several colleagues in those days joked: Throw away your old negatives, and you will miss a big prize today! ? Li Zhensheng is also very emotional. At the same time, his heart suddenly rises to the concern about where the photo hero Wang Guoxiang is now. What should he look like now?

From 65438 to 0998, an article by Li Zhensheng entitled "Wang Guoxiang, Where Are You" was published in Southern Weekend. Less than a month later, the editor of Southern Weekend called him and told him that Wang Guoxiang had been found and was now in Qiqihar in the northeast, and gave him the contact information of Wang Guoxiang.

Picking up the phone, Li Zhensheng was a little nervous. After all, they only met once, not to mention because of an interview 30 years ago. Warm greetings came from the other end of the phone. In an instant, the image of the pious and simple little soldier returned to Li Zhensheng's mind. Just listening to the voice, Li Zhensheng knew that this was the Wang Guoxiang he was looking for.

Two old friends talked for a long time on the phone. Li Zhensheng learned that after returning to the army from lectures, Wang Guoxiang was quickly promoted to company instructor, and later participated in the self-defense counterattack of Zhenbao Island. He led his company to participate in military operations and was rated as a hero group. He personally won the third class merit. Later, Wang Guoxiang was transferred to Qiqihar Urban Planning and Design Institute and served as the party secretary of the institute. He has been adhering to the practical and studious character of that year, devoted himself to sociological research and published relevant books. Li Zhensheng commented on him:? He is a person who is willing to learn and make contributions. He always does something good for the society. ?

Finally, the two met in Qiqihar. Because it's only a once-in-a-lifetime encounter, now their faces are getting bigger and it's hard to recognize them. So, they agreed to hold a huge photo of the "friar" to recognize each other.

Soon, at Qiqihar Railway Station, Wang Guoxiang anxiously waited for the arrival of Li Zhensheng. Waiting with him are a large number of media reporters who are concerned about this matter. When I saw Li Zhensheng trotting from the podium with a photo in his hand, Wang Guoxiang was very excited, waving a photo to meet him, and they hugged each other tightly. This hug spanning 30 years has too many unspeakable thoughts and concerns, as well as too many endless feelings and helplessness. Media reporters desperately press the camera shutter? Click? Voice, let Li Zhensheng trance as if returned to 30 years ago.

Since then, Li Zhensheng and Wang Guoxiang have met twice. On one occasion, CCTV invited Wang Guoxiang to Beijing when it was making the 55th anniversary program of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and they met in Tiananmen Square. They face the camera together, telling the past and present with enlarged photos of devout people; Another time, in May 2006, Japanese NHK TV station followed Li Zhensheng to interview all over China? **? The protagonists in the old photos include Wang Guoxiang.

Wang Guoxiang said that he is currently writing his memoir, having finished the first half of 300,000 words, and the second half is being conceived. For him, there is really too much to say and too many memories to touch.

At the end of the interview, the author asked Wang Guoxiang what he thought of the old photos of that era. On reflection, he looked up and said. For such an era, it was a special state of mind and I don't regret it. Every history has a mark, and I am fortunate to be a mark of that history. ?