Chapter 628
In the late 1920s, the smoke of warlords' fighting had not yet completely dissipated, and the new government invited Dr. Ma, known as "Cai in the North and Ma in the South", to return to his hometown to lead the development of higher education.
This scholar, who cherished the ideal of saving the nation through education, invited a group of people with lofty ideals to take "rejuvenate China and develop Guangxi" as the torch and laid the foundation for the prototype of Xi'an University in the land of Guangxi.
Amidst the war, Xi’an University underwent several dismantlings and relocations, but it did not collapse under these hardships. Instead, it grew stronger.
Before the Anti-Japanese War, it had developed into a comprehensive university with more than 20 departments, strong faculty and teaching resources. In 1939, it was upgraded to a national university and became one of the most influential universities in the country at that time.
In the early days of the Anti-Japanese War, a large number of famous teachers and scholars gathered to teach at the school. Zhu Kezhen's meteorological observations, Li Siguang's geological hammering, Li Da's philosophical thinking, and Wang Li's textual research were intertwined here.
The war was raging, but Xi’an University became an important stronghold during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and an enduring benchmark for higher education!
After the founding of New China, all walks of life were in a state of disrepair. In order to concentrate resources on running higher education well, colleges and universities across the country carried out major adjustments based on the Soviet model.
In this adjustment, all departments of Xi’an University were split up and distributed to 19 universities in South China, Central South China and East China. Teachers, students, materials and equipment were all moved away. At this point, the old Xi’an University no longer existed.
Seeing her parents sigh deeply, Liang Manman said, "It's all demolished? Where has it been demolished yet?"
Mr. Liang replied: "The Department of Mechanical Engineering and part of the Department of Electrical Engineering, which were established the earliest and had the strongest faculty, were merged into Huazhong Institute of Technology (now Huazhong University of Science and Technology); another part of the Department of Electrical Engineering and the Department of Chemical Engineering were merged into South China Institute of Technology (now South China University of Technology);
The long-standing Civil Engineering Department was merged into the Central South Institute of Civil Engineering and Architecture (now Hunan University), the Mining and Metallurgy Department was merged into the Central South Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (now Central South University)... and there are many more, which I can't remember clearly. In short, many famous universities now have a little bit of the influence of the old Xi'an University.
You have to know that before the reform, many universities were flourishing. University A and University B did not have the status they have today, and Xi'an University was on par with them!
Wei Siya asked the key question: "What about the current Xida University? Was it rebuilt?"
"Yes, after the establishment of the autonomous region in 1958, Xida was rebuilt under the strong appeal of the people in the region and all parties. In the past few decades, its development can be considered rapid, but compared with the past, its glory is gone..." Liang's father sighed.
The three children listened quietly, feeling complicated and not knowing how to respond.
Suddenly, Mother Liang said in a brisk tone:
“Although our Guangxi region is still plagued by the counterattack, the development of education has always been the core of development.
In history, our Guangxi region was the first province to legislate compulsory primary education; the first province to include compulsory education for both genders in laws and regulations and use it as a measure for assessing rural officials; and the first province to popularize military education for all.
Oh right! Have you heard the Xi'an University anthem? The original lyrics were written by President Ma when the university was founded, and the music was composed by Professor Tang from the Chemistry Department at the time. President Ma made some revisions to the anthem based on current events, but the main idea remained unchanged.
Su Miao and Wei Siya shook their heads, indicating that they wanted to listen.
Father Liang and Mother Liang sang the song that was deeply in their hearts to the beat of their own beats:
To revive China and develop Guangxi is the original intention of our school.
Serving the country and working for the people is the purpose of our study.
...be diligent, honest, and knowledgeable, and strive for innovation, and fight for the motherland to the end!
Dusk gradually climbed up the window frame, and Liang's father and mother were still telling stories about the old banyan tree in the library, the open-air cinema, and the morning reading corner.
The three girls held their cheeks, as if they saw a group of young people in washed-out clothes running in the yellowed years, spilling the blood of youth on the road of seeking knowledge.
Those stories about ideals, struggle and persistence are now traveling through time and space, stirring ripples in their young hearts.
The happy annual vacation is very short, and it’s time to say goodbye again~
On the eighth day of the first lunar month, Su Ji resumed work across the board, and the employees were full of enthusiasm, holding bulging red envelopes.
The lunch period has passed and the employees in the store are all taking a break. Su Miao is basking in the sun at the door of the store.
Xiaoling came out and said to Su Miao, "Miaomiao, I want to ask you for a day off. My hometown is having the Paolong Festival on the 11th day of the lunar calendar, and I have to go back to celebrate the festival, so I need to swap my rest this week."
Su Miao nodded and said, "Okay, Brother Yu is usually in charge of the store's shift schedule, so you just need to report to him and apply for this."
"Yeah, I've already told him. I came to check in with you since you and the boss are here."
Aunt Li, who was peeling garlic and chatting with Su Miao at the door, twitched her ears:
"Paolong Festival? Xiaoling, are you from Yang County?"
Xiaoling replied, "Yes, my home is in Yang County. Paolong Festival is a very important festival for us. It's very lively."
Su Miao had heard of the Paolong Festival before, but had never had the chance to experience it, so he pulled Xiaoling aside to ask in detail about the celebrations for the Paolong Festival.
"There's a lantern and wine party and a firecracker dragon dance! The most exciting part is the firecracker dragon dance! Before daybreak, the dragon dance team goes to the temple to invite the gods. The master uses cinnabar to paint the dragon's eyes, and the dragon comes to life amid the sound of firecrackers.
Doesn't this sound any different from other dragon and lion dances? The only difference is that we set off firecrackers to burn the dancing dragon.
The dragon dance team is made up of the bravest men, dancing shirtless and dodging at the same time. The elders say that the more cannons are fired, the longer the dragon stays in front of your door, and the more auspicious the year will be.
Xiaoling's eyes lit up when she talked about the lively Paolong Festival.
Su Miao and Aunt Li were terrified when they heard this. Su Miao asked:
"Then the dragon dance team will throw firecrackers at the dragon as it moves. Will they get hurt?"
"It's okay. We all have skills. We're not aiming at people. Minor injuries are common. We're praying for the people. It's nothing for a dragon dancer! Last year, my cousin got a blister from a spark while dancing with the dragon. He smiled and said it was a 'lucky scar'!" Xiaoling's tone was full of pride.
Seeing that Su Miao was still puzzled, Xiaoling said, "Miao Miao, since you are on winter vacation now and have time, why don't you come to visit us in Yang County with Uncle Yuan?
The Paolong Festival is so lively! The whole street seems to be wrapped in flames. It's even more lively than the New Year pictures! I can't even describe it. Just follow me and you'll see! I guarantee you'll want to come every year!
Seeing Xiaoling's eager eyes, Su Miao's heart was silently moved.
She talked about this with her father in the evening. Su Yuanzheng was also very interested in the lively Paolong Festival.
"Sure! Then we'll follow Xiaoling to Yang County to watch the Paolong Festival."
"Okay! Come with me and tell Sister Xiaoling that I just heard her going to buy a ticket in advance. I'll tell her not to buy any and to take our car back later."
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