In April 1956, a national advanced producer commendation conference was held in Beijing gymnasium . Not only were model laborers from all over the country, but also leaders such as Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou.
The atmosphere on the scene was very lively. Among the crowd, an old man was wearing Zhongshan outfit , with a vicissitudes of life, but a happy smile on his lips, looking very honest and a little inconspicuous.
However, when Chairman Mao saw this old man, he shouted excitedly: "Old squad leader!"
So, who is the old man who Chairman Mao called the "Old squad leader"?
In fact, the "old squad leader" is not an important figure, but an ordinary old Red Army soldier named Li Kaiwen.
Li Kaiwen was born in 1898 and is from Huaishuwan Township, Jinzhai County, Anhui Province. Because his family was poor since childhood, he joined the Red Army when he grew up and became a glorious Communist Party member.
During a transfer, Li Kaiwen was injured due to enemy aircraft bombing and had to transfer to kitchen squad and become the squad leader of the kitchen squad.
The Red Army started The Long March 2, due to the harsh environment and food shortage, it was not possible to make fires every day to cook. When cooking, the wet weather made the firewood and grass cloudy and it was difficult to ignite.
In order to solve this problem, Li Kaiwen put firewood on his body when he was marching and used his body temperature to dry the firewood. Therefore, when it comes to cooking, his stove fire is always the first to ignite.
At first, everyone didn't know the reason, and they asked him how he did it, but Li Kaiwen didn't tell them because it was very uncomfortable to put the wet firewood on his body. He didn't want his comrades to suffer, so he came to him if he needed dry firewood. He had a solution.
After a long time, everyone still knew his "secret". They were moved by Li Kaiwen's selfless spirit and called him "old squad leader".
After a while, even Chairman Mao knew about Li Kaiwen's deeds and followed everyone to call him "old squad leader".
After the end of the Long March, Li Kaiwen was appointed as the squad leader of the Central Special Stove Team, responsible for the meals of Chairman Mao and other leaders.
At that time, both leaders and soldiers had a very simple meal. Li Kaiwen was worried that Chairman Mao and others would not be able to keep up with the nutrition of their own, so he took out his own money to buy pork and made braised pork to add nutrition to Chairman Mao and others.
The braised pork made by Li Kaiwen is very delicious, and Chairman Mao praised it and specially named it "Old Squad Leader Braised Pork".
However, after eating it a few times, Chairman Mao still told him not to make it in the future, because the conditions of the Red Army are still very difficult now. When the soldiers can eat braised pork, they will make it for themselves.
Chairman Mao’s honest style deeply touched Li Kaiwen. He worked harder in his future work, not only to ensure the nutrition of Chairman Mao and others, but also to save every penny as much as possible.
Chairman Mao was also very grateful to this conscientious and responsible "old squad leader". After the establishment of the Central Organ Cadre School in 1949, Chairman Mao recommended Li Kaiwen to study and further study.
After graduating from the cadre school, the organization originally planned to arrange for Li Kaiwen to be the director of Tianjin Sugar Factory, but Li Kaiwen knew that he did not have the ability, so he politely refused, saying that he hoped to return to his hometown to reunite with his wife and children and support rural construction.
Before leaving, Li Kaiwen went to say goodbye to Chairman Mao. Chairman Mao was reluctant to leave and told him to write letters to him frequently to report his safety.
After returning to his hometown, the local government knew his identity and wanted to arrange important positions for him, but Li Kaiwen once again declined, and instead took the initiative to ask to be the webmaster of Xiangshan Temple Grain Station.
When guarding the grain station, Li Kaiwen often told everyone about his past revolutionary experiences and educated everyone to remember Chairman Mao’s teachings and serve the people wholeheartedly.
In his spare time, Li Kaiwen can also make braised pork, so that everyone can taste the delicious food that even Chairman Mao praised.
In 1956, a national commendation meeting for advanced workers was held. Li Kaiwen was also invited because of his outstanding work performance. He was recognized by Chairman Mao at the conference and invited him to visit his home.
At Chairman Mao’s house, Li Kaiwen made braised pork for Chairman Mao again, fulfilling his dream for many years.
Before leaving, Chairman Mao also gave Li Kaiwen a coat he had worn. Li Kaiwen was reluctant to wear it and often took it out to take a look.
On February 29, 1992, Li Kaiwen died in his hometown at the age of 94.
#Telebrity Creation Challenge#
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