In 1947, Mao Zedong crossed the Yellow River eastward and took a jeep to Xibaipo. While traveling, he saw a sick girl and tearful women by the roadside. A tremor ran through his body and he got out of the car in a hurry -- here is the original text as recalled by Mao's guards:

Mao walked to the woman and the child with great strides and touched the child's hand and forehead, "What's wrong with the child?"

"Sick!" The woman burst into tears.

"What sickness?"

"I asked a gentleman to look at it, and he said that it was a cold and wind, and that the qi fire was rising. But the medicine does not matter, burning to speak nonsense, this time only a breath ...... left," the woman whimpered out.

Hearing this, Mao Zedong's eyes reddened, fiercely twisted back toward the car to see. It was looking for the doctor accompanying the army.

"I'm here." Dr. Zhu said from Mao's side.

"Quickly show the boy."

Dr. Zhu listened with his stethoscope and took his temperature, then asked the woman how the child had developed ......

"Is there help?" Mao's voice trembled, lifting a heart.

"There is help."

"Good, she must be saved!" Mao released his voice at once.

"But this medicine ......"

"No medicine?" Mao showed nervous worry again.

"There is ...... only one left."

"What medicine?"

"Penicillin."

"Then use it quickly."

"It's an imported drug, you can't buy it, I didn't even bother to use it when you were sick, it's not a last resort ......"

"It's a last resort now, please give the child the injection right away! "

Dr. Zhu used the penicillin, which he hadn't used for a long time, on the sick child. At that time, antibiotics were not as ubiquitous as they are now, so they were very effective. Dr. Zhu had a shot and used a water bottle to feed the child water. Not much work, the child suddenly lifted his eyelids, lightly called out: "Mother ......"

The woman stayed open wide-eyed, tears like a small river flowing down. Suddenly she fell to her knees with a thud and cried out, "O Bodhisattva, the Bodhisattva who saves lives!"

Mao Zedong, his eyes misty with tears, turned and instructed Dr. Zhu, "You use the car behind to send this mother and daughter home. Observe for a bit longer, and you can come back when the child is fine."

Later, whenever he talked about the child and the tearful mother, Mao Zedong's eyes would always turn red: "I don't know how the child is doing now. Bring her to the treatment of a period of time on the good ...... "He repeatedly lamented:" the farmers lack of medical care, a disease run dozens of miles can not see the doctor, to think of a way to let the doctor to the countryside. Eat the farmers grow food should be for the farmers to cure it!"

This kind of thing, has absolutely no need for us to make more comments. The hearts of the people's leaders and the masses are so close and so tight that everyone can understand at a glance.

Second, the fish can not be separated from the water

Mao Zedong is the first leader in Chinese history to shout "long live the people". The people, in the heart of Mao Zedong is supreme, but also his unswerving faith.

He regarded serving the people as the highest state and pursuit of the Chinese ****animalists. He wrote the five words "serve the people", permanently engraved in the Xinhua Gate, known as the first national gate.

Mao Zedong looked so happy to be among the people, like a fish in water. When talking about the relationship with the people, Mao Zedong often used this analogy: "There can be no fish in the water, but the fish can never be separated from the water." What is the relationship between fish and water? There can be no fish in the water, but the fish must not leave the water, so this is used as a metaphor for the relationship between the people and him, and for the relationship between the Party and the masses. The rulers of all times, when describing their relationship with the people, it is the relationship between the water and the boat, the boat is on the water, the water is carrying the boat, the boat is still floating on the water, that is to say, the feudal rule, it may still be on top of the people. And the President compares himself to a fish, and says I can never be separated from you, but you can live without me, and I think this is very, very profound.

Born into a family of peasants, Mao Zedong always had a deep affection for them. From Yan'an to Beijing, Mao Zedong maintained some hard and simple living habits. He could not throw away the clothes he had worn for years, but always mended them and wore them again. He was not too particular about his eating habits, and he shed tears when he heard that the peasants were suffering.

June 3, 1942, it was raining heavily. The government of the Shanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region held a joint meeting of county governors, the venue was suddenly struck by lightning, Yanchuan County, the acting governor was killed by lightning. Afterward, a peasant said: God does not open his eyes, why not kill Mao Zedong? The security authorities were extremely shocked when they heard about it and wanted to pursue the matter as a counter-revolutionary incident.

Mao Zedong, when he found out about it, hastened to stop it, saying, "You should instead investigate why the people are cursing us." The result of the investigation was that discontent had arisen among the masses because there were too many military and government personnel in the border areas, and too many communal rations were levied, overburdening the people.

Through this incident, Mao Zedong began to reflect on the party's policy and decided to implement "streamlining". Mao also wrote the inscription "Do it yourself, get enough food". So began a vigorous campaign of mass production.

The first time I took a picture for the chairman

In November 1937, Xu Xiaobing, who had just joined the revolution, was a photography officer in the propaganda section of the rear political department of the Eighth Route Army. One day, the organization said to Xu Xiaobing, there is an important event needs to be photographed, the specifics to the airport will know. When Xu Xiaobing arrived at the airport, there were still very few people there. After waiting for a while, Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Zhu De, Bogu, Xiao Jingguang and other important leaders in Yan'an came to the airport, the plane arrived, Xu Xiaobing did not react, the plane came down a lot of people. It turned out to be the Soviet Union sent a special plane to send Wang Ming, Kang Sheng from Moscow back to Yan'an, Chen Yun also from Xinjiang on this plane, in addition to some of the entourage. At that time Xu Xiaobing to Yan'an not long, many people he is not familiar with, had to find ways to let the President of the camera a little more. When he saw Xu Xiaobing gesticulating with his camera, the President said, "Let's take a picture together." Then they naturally stood together (see Mao Zedong's Pictorial Biography, p. 132, photo by Xu Xiaobing). At that time Xu Xiaobing was using a small, old-fashioned camera with no automatic device and no wide-angle lens. He had to move farther away and take pictures with the Chairman in the center. Because he was unfamiliar with the camera, he almost left Wang Ming, who was standing on the side, out of the picture. Just after taking a picture, a foreigner suddenly pulled Xu Xiaobing to the side and asked, "Where are you from?" Xu Xiaobing said, "I'm the propaganda officer of the rear political section, and the organization informed me to take this photo." But the man was half-believing, and it so happened that someone who knew Xu Xiaobing proved to him that Xu Xiaobing's identity. Later, Xu Xiaobing realized that this man was called Ma Haider, a doctor, who came to Yan'an together with the famous American writer Snow. However, he was so disturbed that he missed the opportunity to take pictures. When Xu Xiaobing became familiar with Ma Haider, he always joked with him: "Doctor Ma, I was taking pictures at the airport at that time, and you suspected me, is this something you should care about?" Ma Haider himself felt funny.

The most satisfying photo

The organization sent Xu Xiaobing to the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University to study, and in 1938 Mao Zedong gave a lecture on "On the Long War" to the four major teams of the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University. Xu Xiaobing brought his camera with him, ready to take a few more pictures of the chairman, but there were so many people listening to the lecture that the venue was crowded, so he couldn't get in at all, and he couldn't see the chairman at all. Xu Xiaobing circled around the house, looking for several angles, hoping to capture both the President and the audience. Holding the camera to choose and choose, in the end, he had to stand to the side, photographed the side of the President, but also the audience into the lens. This photo is the first one that Xu Xiaobing took of the President at a relatively close distance after he arrived in Yan'an. The photo was first published in 1968, and people in the photography industry thought that photographing the leader dared to take the scene from the side, and also brought the audience's counterpoint, the image of the Chairman almost filled the picture, the moment was well captured, and the performance of the action was very vivid, so this photo was issued again and again (see Mao Zedong biography of Mao Tse-tung, p. 159, photographed by Xu Xiaobing).

The Story of the KMT Cap Badge

There are countless photos taken by Xu Xiaobing that have historical and artistic value, and one of them has a special experience. This photo is during the 7th Party Congress, Xu snatched a photo of Chairman Mao and General Zhu. At that time, Mr. Zhu was also the Commander-in-Chief of the Eighth Route Army, and was wearing a Kuomintang military cap. Careful people will realize that there was a period when it was modified at the time of publication. Compared with Xu Xiaobing's original photo, we will see that the Kuomintang cap insignia on General Zhu's hat was trimmed off. There are still two versions of this photo in circulation. During the editing process of Mao Zedong's biography, Xu Xiaobing repeatedly emphasized the need to publish the photo in its original historical form, and in 1988, Japan invited Mr. and Mrs. Xu Xiaobing to hold an exhibition of their photos in Japan, where the original photo was displayed. The Asahi Shimbun published an article on the subject, praising the CPC for respecting history as it is. Xu Xiaobing said that photos record history and we should respect history. History is history and no one can change it.

Following the chairman back to Shaoshan

In June 1959, Chairman Mao Zedong returned to his hometown of Shaoshanchong, Xiangtan City, Hunan Province, after an absence of 32 years. This was the first time he returned to his hometown after joining the revolution. Because of his return, Shaoshanchong boiled over. It was already dark when Mao arrived at Shaoshan. At five o'clock the next morning, he walked out of his lodgings. Hou Bo did not know where the Chairman was going, so she followed him without moving an inch with her camera on her back. Upon reaching the top of a small hill, the Chairman came to his parents' grave and bowed in homage (see Mao Zedong's Pictorial Biography, p. 238, photographed by Hou Bo). Unprepared, the people accompanying him hurriedly broke off a branch from a nearby cypress tree and offered it at the graves of the Chairman's parents. After a moment of silence, the chairman made a wish to his parents: I will come back to visit you when I have the chance in the future.

On the way down the mountain, there was already a crowd in front of the President's former residence. He went to his old neighbor's house first. He handed the old neighbor a cigarette and chatted with the townspeople in his native accent, which he hadn't changed for years.

Hou Bo stood outside the door and captured the happy moment.

This photo truly reflects the deep friendship between Mao and the townspeople. This made Hou Bo realize that taking photos of leaders should not only show their great temperament, but also their true feelings. Such photos are real, credible and touching (see Mao Zedong's Biography, page 428, taken by Hou Bo).

"Come on, let's take a group photo together"

In 1949, Mao Zedong rested and worked at the Shuangqing Villa in Beijing's Fragrant Hills, where he received guests from home and abroad. one day in May, Hou Bo received a mission from his organization to go to Fragrant Hills to assist Xu Xiaobing in completing the photography of the chairman's reception of foreign guests. At that time, Hou Bo's work unit is still in the Beiping Film Studio, the central things to come to the phone to inform, and sometimes come to the car to pick up. At the end of the meeting, after the guests left, Hou Bo packed up their machinery and prepared to leave. At this time, the President turned back to greet them to sit down. He knew Xu Xiaobing from Yan'an, but had never met Hou Bo. Xu Xiaobing introduced Hou Bo to the President, "This is my lover." The President then asked Hou Bo where his hometown was, and Hou Bo replied, "Xia County, Shanxi Province." The President said, "Oh! It's Guan Yunchang's hometown! Chen Geng fought in your hometown and won several big battles! When did you come to Yan'an?" Hou Bo answered 1939. The President said, "You grew up eating millet in northern Shaanxi, so you should serve the people well."

The President's witty remarks made Hou Bo's somewhat nervous mind relax, she did not expect the President to be so approachable, and speak so humorously. Thinking that they could not take up too much of the chairman's time, Hou Bo they got up to say goodbye to the chairman, but in Hou Bo's heart, she always wanted to take a picture with the chairman. Unexpectedly, the chairman but stood up, said: "Come on, let's take a group photo together." Chen Zhengqing, a reporter from Xinhua News Agency who came with Hou Bo, held up his camera and asked Hou Bo and his wife to take a picture with the President. Hou Bo and Xu Xiaobing stood on both sides of the President, when the President shook his head and said, "No, female comrades are half of the sky, they should stand in the center." Without being told, the President stood to the left of Hou Bo. Chen Zhengqing pressed the shutter, and this precious photo was born.

For a long time, Hou Bo treasured this photo and did not take it out. It was not publicized until later. Many people saw the photo and asked Hou Bo curiously, "The chairman should stand in the center?" Every time, Hou Bo had to introduce the situation at that time. This was also the first time Hou Bo met the President. She did not realize that she was later transferred to Zhongnanhai. Later, the President's activities more, the Central General Office took into account should be used to record the activities of the President and the central leaders of the photo, Zhongnanhai need to have a full-time photography staff, the organization will Hou Bo transferred to Zhongnanhai. Transferred, Hou Bo is the Beiping Film Studio, head of the photographic section, to Zhongnanhai, is still the head of the photographic section, in fact, she is the only one. Later, after a long time, the President asked: "How do you call a 'Hou section chief'? Do not be that 'long'." Until now, the people around the President has always called her "Hou section chief".

"The liberation of Nanjing" is suspected to be a "pose"

In April 1949, Xu Xiaobing was staying at Xiangshan Mountain with the president's staff. One morning, the President came out of his room, the secretary came to hand him an extra from the People's Daily, saying, "President, the news of the liberation of Nanjing is out!" Chairman Mao took the newspaper and read it as he walked. At this time, Xu Xiaobing was holding a camera, but could not take a picture of the front of the President, but could only wait patiently. After reading for a while, the President saw a stool on the side, and sat down, holding the newspaper in his hand to continue to read. Afraid of affecting the President to read the newspaper, Xu Xiaobing quietly followed the President, when the President saw the front of the newspaper, "the liberation of Nanjing," the title in large letters clearly visible. Xu Xiaobing pressed the shutter, leaving an eternal moment in history.

Chairman Mao's "People's Liberation Army Occupation of Nanjing" was completed at this time:

The wind and rain of Zhongshan rose up, and a million men crossed the Yangtze River.

The tiger and the dragon are more powerful than ever before, and the sky is turned upside down at the expense of the earth.

It is better to pursue the enemy than to learn from the king.

If there is love in the sky, the sky is old.

Till today, Xu Xiaobing recalls the past, still full of affection: "I took some photos for Chairman Mao in Xiangshan, in which he felt the most meaningful is that he carefully read the Nanjing liberation outside this historical lens." But the funny thing is that many photographers think that this photo is "posed", and is taken as a typical example of posing. Xu Xiaobing laughed: "We are in the news, and we are taking photos for the leaders, how dare we pose!"

Chairman swims in the Yangtze River

There is a swimming pool in Zhongnanhai, but the chairman is not interested in swimming pools, compared to him, he preferred to go to the rivers and lakes to swim, and he has a special affection for China's rivers.

May 1956, the chairman of the Guangzhou-Changsha through Wuhan, want to go to the Yangtze River to swim. Hubei Provincial Party Secretary Wang Renzhong was very worried, the river water eddies more, and schistosomiasis ...... However, all kinds of reasons failed to persuade the President. As long as he makes up his mind, no one can persuade him. Wang Renzhong had to organize a few people first went to the Yangtze River to try to swim, feel the eddies are not strong, you can swim, only to rest assured.

That afternoon, Chairman Mao, accompanied by Yang Shangkun, Wang Renzhong and others to the foot of Snake Mountain, right at the piers of the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge into the water. People in the factory all came out, the chairman of the water, people followed on the shore running, afraid of accidents. But the President is particularly confident, he swims in a variety of positions, butterfly, breaststroke, backstroke, and can even stand in the water. Hou Bo had long been ready to get her camera and film ready, but she didn't dare to go into the water and could only shoot from the boat. When she was changing the film, the boat shook and the cardboard box containing the film fell into the water. At that moment, the President swam over, grabbed the box, stood in the water, opened the cardboard box, and read the English instructions on it while looking at it. Unfortunately, Hou Bo was loading the film at the time and didn't capture the scene on film.

The President swam to the vicinity of Hankou's Danshui Pond before coming ashore, *** swimming more than 30 kilometers, more than two hours. Later, he wrote the famous song "Song of Water - Swimming" to recount the swim:

Just drink the water of Changsha,

and eat Wuchang fish.

The Yangtze River was crossed by 10,000 miles,

and the sky of Chutian is so beautiful.

No matter what the winds and waves do,

It is better than walking leisurely,

Today I have a lot of money.

The son on the river said:

The dead are like the living.

......

Talking about the stories behind the President's photos, the two old men spoke eloquently, their minds so clear that the moments with the President were still fresh in their minds. Many people marvel at the fact that the photos Xu Xiaobing and Hou Bo took of the President can show the great man's open-mindedness and natural demeanor in a subtle way. In fact, years of experience taking photos of the President have taught them that the President doesn't like to take photos, and that the President's personal photos are taken when the President isn't paying attention. The President said more than once, "Don't point the camera only at me, but point it more at the masses. In contact with the President, their greatest feeling was that the President was particularly fond of getting close to the masses. In a year, he spends nearly half of his time on expeditions around the country. During his visits, he often went into farmhouses and asked them how their lives were, how their crops were, and he talked to the masses and really cared about their plight.......

The sunlight slanted in the west, and the house gradually darkened. more than three hours passed, and the old man was still in a good mood to talk. The 110th anniversary of the birth of the President, various activities frequently invited two elderly people to attend, these days, they are very hard, but they are still full of spirit one by one patiently face. As staff members who used to live beside the President, this kind of moment, they, as well as the camera in their hands, are witnesses of history.

August 1942, a day under heavy rain, the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region Government small auditorium is holding a meeting on grain collection. Suddenly a thunderclap, a wooden pillar of the auditorium was split, attended the meeting of Yanchuan County Commissioner Comrade Li Caiyun unfortunately electrocuted and died. After this incident, some people said: why did the thunder did not split Chairman Mao? These words reached Chairman Mao's ears, Chairman Mao did not ask people to track down the person who scolded him, not to mention to catch what "counter-revolutionary", but to the cadres to understand the "scolding" reason. It turned out that the border government issued a heavy task of grain collection, the masses have opinions, they borrowed the thunder to vent their dissatisfaction. After Chairman Mao knew the reason, he instructed the relevant departments to reduce the task of collecting grain from 200,000 quintals (300 pounds per quintal) to 160,000 quintals. The handling of this matter, so that the relationship between the party and the masses closer, Chairman Mao's prestige in the masses more increased.