At 5:29 am on March 8, 1966, a magnitude 6.8-magnitude earthquake occurred in Longyao County, Xingtai District, Hebei. This series of earthquakes affected more than 100 counties and cities in North China. It was the first major earthquake that caused serious damage and casualties

At 5:29 am on March 8, 1966, a magnitude 6.8-magnitude earthquake occurred in Longyao County, Xingtai District, Hebei. In the past 20 days, multiple earthquakes of magnitude 6 or above occurred in Xingtai areas. This series of earthquakes affected more than 100 counties and cities in North China. It was the first major earthquake in that caused serious damage and casualties in densely populated areas of my country after the founding of New China, which had a great impact on the local area.

Xingtai earthquake

Just the second day after this strong earthquake, Premier Zhou Enlai rushed to the epicenter of Longyao County and organized a series of unprecedented earthquake relief operations. Not only that, he also went deep into the disaster area to care and condolences to the victims, leaving behind many heroic memories...

went to the earthquake area in person to organize disaster relief

At 5:29 am on March 8, 1966, many local people in Xingtai area, Hebei were still in their dreams. They would not have thought that a huge disaster was coming silently...

The earth suddenly shaking violently, waking many people out of bed. The loud noise sometimes sounded like a beast roaring, and sometimes like a huge tide sweeping over... Soon, people realized that an earthquake had occurred!

The villagers shouted loudly and hurriedly ran outside the house. There was only a "crash" sound, and many houses were shaken to collapse. At the same time, there was a strange black wind blew in the sky, and the thunder rumbling, and the scene was like the end of the world. Some of the people who ran outside were lying on the ground, and some hugged the trees tightly, and everything was so unexpected...

, and Zhongnanhai , located in Beijing, was also affected by this strong tremor. Premier Zhou Enlai, who was working all night at the time, learned about the Xingtai earthquake as soon as possible. Soon, he issued instructions to the relevant departments, requiring the rapid implementation of emergency rescue work. Not only that, Premier Zhou also asked the Air Force to prepare two helicopters immediately.

On the evening of March 9 the next day, Zhou Enlai and Zheng Weishan, then deputy commander of the Beijing Military Region, went to Xingtai. At around 9 o'clock that night, the local area picked them up from Fengcun Railway Station to Longyao County and held a report meeting in the county party secretary's office.

Zhou Enlai

On the same day, Premier Zhou was wearing a black woolen suit. He sat on the sofa and listened to the report of the local person in charge, with a very focused expression.

Suddenly, aftershocks came. The house began to shake, the doors and windows kept creaking, and the walls had cracked and fell off...

Faced with this scene, everyone became alert. Everyone quickly persuaded Premier Zhou, hoping that he would go out to hide...

But to their surprise, Zhou Enlai said this: "Everyone keep calm. This office building is very new and there will be no problem. If this building collapses, the people's houses will not be kept. Let's continue to talk."

Hearing the Prime Minister say this, everyone had to continue reporting. Then, Zhou Enlai and everyone analyzed the disaster situation and deployed earthquake relief.

Premier Zhou determined the general policy of earthquake relief on the spot: self-reliance, work hard, develop production, and rebuild your home. He said affectionately: "The people are suffering from disaster. We must stand among the people and help the people overcome difficulties and overcome difficulties."

Not only that, Zhou Enlai also made a decision to go to Baijiazhai Commune, the most severely affected by the earthquake, to inspect the Baijiazhai Commune at noon the next day. That night, the meeting lasted until 11:15 in the evening. Afterwards, Premier Zhou returned to Shijiazhuang.

At noon on March 10 the next day, Baijiazhai Village was crowded with people, and everyone was waiting for Premier Zhou's arrival. At 2:30 pm, three helicopters suddenly appeared and landed not far from the threshing ground. As soon as one of the silver ones stopped, the dust brought by the propeller was still flying, the aircraft cabin door opened...

The one who appeared in the cabin door was the people looking forward to Premier Zhou. He was wearing a blue tweed suit, which looked a little thin in the cold wind.

Zhou Enlai, with gray hair, strode towards the crowd at the scene, and people also came to meet him.

At 5:29 am on March 8, 1966, a magnitude 6.8-magnitude earthquake occurred in Longyao County, Xingtai District, Hebei. In the past 20 days, multiple earthquakes of magnitude 6 or above occurred in Xingtai areas. This series of earthquakes affected more than 100 counties and cities in North China. It was the first major earthquake in that caused serious damage and casualties in densely populated areas of my country after the founding of New China, which had a great impact on the local area.

Xingtai earthquake

Just the second day after this strong earthquake, Premier Zhou Enlai rushed to the epicenter of Longyao County and organized a series of unprecedented earthquake relief operations. Not only that, he also went deep into the disaster area to care and condolences to the victims, leaving behind many heroic memories...

went to the earthquake area in person to organize disaster relief

At 5:29 am on March 8, 1966, many local people in Xingtai area, Hebei were still in their dreams. They would not have thought that a huge disaster was coming silently...

The earth suddenly shaking violently, waking many people out of bed. The loud noise sometimes sounded like a beast roaring, and sometimes like a huge tide sweeping over... Soon, people realized that an earthquake had occurred!

The villagers shouted loudly and hurriedly ran outside the house. There was only a "crash" sound, and many houses were shaken to collapse. At the same time, there was a strange black wind blew in the sky, and the thunder rumbling, and the scene was like the end of the world. Some of the people who ran outside were lying on the ground, and some hugged the trees tightly, and everything was so unexpected...

, and Zhongnanhai , located in Beijing, was also affected by this strong tremor. Premier Zhou Enlai, who was working all night at the time, learned about the Xingtai earthquake as soon as possible. Soon, he issued instructions to the relevant departments, requiring the rapid implementation of emergency rescue work. Not only that, Premier Zhou also asked the Air Force to prepare two helicopters immediately.

On the evening of March 9 the next day, Zhou Enlai and Zheng Weishan, then deputy commander of the Beijing Military Region, went to Xingtai. At around 9 o'clock that night, the local area picked them up from Fengcun Railway Station to Longyao County and held a report meeting in the county party secretary's office.

Zhou Enlai

On the same day, Premier Zhou was wearing a black woolen suit. He sat on the sofa and listened to the report of the local person in charge, with a very focused expression.

Suddenly, aftershocks came. The house began to shake, the doors and windows kept creaking, and the walls had cracked and fell off...

Faced with this scene, everyone became alert. Everyone quickly persuaded Premier Zhou, hoping that he would go out to hide...

But to their surprise, Zhou Enlai said this: "Everyone keep calm. This office building is very new and there will be no problem. If this building collapses, the people's houses will not be kept. Let's continue to talk."

Hearing the Prime Minister say this, everyone had to continue reporting. Then, Zhou Enlai and everyone analyzed the disaster situation and deployed earthquake relief.

Premier Zhou determined the general policy of earthquake relief on the spot: self-reliance, work hard, develop production, and rebuild your home. He said affectionately: "The people are suffering from disaster. We must stand among the people and help the people overcome difficulties and overcome difficulties."

Not only that, Zhou Enlai also made a decision to go to Baijiazhai Commune, the most severely affected by the earthquake, to inspect the Baijiazhai Commune at noon the next day. That night, the meeting lasted until 11:15 in the evening. Afterwards, Premier Zhou returned to Shijiazhuang.

At noon on March 10 the next day, Baijiazhai Village was crowded with people, and everyone was waiting for Premier Zhou's arrival. At 2:30 pm, three helicopters suddenly appeared and landed not far from the threshing ground. As soon as one of the silver ones stopped, the dust brought by the propeller was still flying, the aircraft cabin door opened...

The one who appeared in the cabin door was the people looking forward to Premier Zhou. He was wearing a blue tweed suit, which looked a little thin in the cold wind.

Zhou Enlai, with gray hair, strode towards the crowd at the scene, and people also came to meet him.Premier Zhou held their hands tightly, and more and more people rushed over...

Seeing this scene, Zhou Enlai first used gestures to make the people in front squat down, and then he stood in front of the crowd, tiptoed to look, and found that he could not see some people outside...

Premier Zhou asked the people around him if he could find something to stand on top. Soon, a comrade in the army ran to the nearby tent and brought in two empty boxes for transporting disaster relief supplies.

So, Zhou Enlai stood on the empty box, looked at the people at the scene, ready to speak to everyone.

Zhou Enlai's speech

Suddenly, the delicate-minded Premier Zhou found that the villagers were sitting in the wind and immediately asked to change their seats. Soon, the villagers became seated on the leeward, while he himself faced the northwest and spoke in the wind:

"Comrades, villagers, you were frightened, suffered disasters, and suffered great losses. The Party Central Committee and Chairman Mao asked me to visit everyone, I'm late..."

Seeing that there were broken walls everywhere, the cracks opened on the ground were sprayed out from time to time, and some people were still crying on the ruins, Zhou Enlai couldn't help but burst into tears...

Then, Premier Zhou talked about the superiority of the socialist system of , and talked about the situation that had already had more than 20,000 People's Liberation Army, more than 10,000 local work teams and medical teams came to support the disaster area, and called on everyone to carry forward the spirit of Yugong moving mountains , make up his mind to overcome all difficulties. When talking about the emotional part, he raised his arm, clenched his fists, and took the lead in shouting: "Self-reliance, work hard, develop production, and rebuild his home!"

When he heard the Prime Minister's kind words, everyone was deeply moved, and some people were already filled with tears. Everyone shouted: "Long live the Communist Party! Long live Chairman Mao!" After the speech, Zhou Enlai walked towards Baijiazhai Village. At this time, there was no road in the village, only various broken bricks and tiles were left, accompanied by cracks in the ground.

Such harsh road conditions did not hinder Premier Zhou's actions at all. He looked at village households one after another and walked into alleys one after another...

Zhou Enlai

At the entrance of an alley, Zhou Enlai met an old party member named Wang Laoqi. The Prime Minister asked the other party how old he was and told him to play the exemplary role of old party members and insist on fighting against disasters.

After learning that the earthquake had taken away the old man's son and daughter-in-law, Zhou Enlai's eyes became wet. He comforted Wang Laoqi with concern: "It's sad for people to die, but don't bow your head. In our socialism, there is no fear of the sky falling. With the care of Chairman Mao of the Party Central Committee, any difficulties can be overcome. "

After hearing the Prime Minister's words, Wang Laoqi nodded repeatedly, his face full of tears...

Afterwards, a woman in her 40s, Yu Xiaojun, saw Premier Zhou coming and hurriedly met him. After seeing her, Zhou Enlai asked with concern: "Did you hurt someone at home?"

Yu Xiaojun told Premier Zhou: "The child's father was injured and he was still lying in the shack."

"Has he treated?" Zhou Enlai continued.

"The medical team has seen it... the child's father's life is hard to save. How do you see this!" Speaking of this, facing the beloved Premier Zhou, Xiaojun couldn't help crying...

"Don't worry," Zhou Enlai comforted, "If your husband's injury is not cured here, go to Xingtai. If Xingtai cannot be cured, go to Shijiazhuang." As he said that, the Prime Minister walked towards the shack to visit her husband.

Yu Xiaojun wiped his tears and hurriedly pulled Premier Zhou: "The shed is narrow, the child's father is confused..."

But Zhou Enlai still insisted on walking into the shed and saw the woman's husband. Premier Zhou tugged the corner of the quilt for him and covered the quilt tightly. Not only that, he also instructed local cadres to do everything possible to heal their injuries.

Zhou Enlai

After walking to the east of the road, Zhou Enlai discovered a well. I saw that the wellhead was uneven and muddy. The Prime Minister walked up and stood by the well and asked, "Is this a well for eating?" Jin Jingyin, secretary of the party branch next to

, followed and replied, "This is a well for bitter water, you can't eat it."

"What should you do if you eat water? "Zhou Enlai asked with concern.

" Go to the river to carry water. "The secretary replied.

"Oh, it's difficult for you to eat water..." Premier Zhou said thoughtfully, "If you want to find a way to dig a sweet water well, the people need to get water..."

In this way, Zhou Enlai visited every household in the village. Although the journey was long, he was tired and walked into the tent at the village entrance to hold a symposium.

There was only one table, three benches, a bamboo-skin thermos, and several large large porcelain bowls used by farmers. After everyone went in, Zhou Enlai said kindly: "Thank you, comrades, please sit down! "

While everyone was talking, a comrade poured boiled water into a large thick porcelain bowl and gave it to Zhou Enlai. Premier Zhou took it with both hands, put it on the table and continued the conversation.

Due to the wind that day and the tent was not covered tightly, dust floated into the bowl. When Zhou Enlai picked up the bowl and wanted to drink water, the security personnel around him quickly pressed the bowl to stop it.

However, Zhou Enlai ignored this. He continued to pick up the big bowl and put the dust on the water skin Blow off gently and drink it happily...

Zhou Enlai

You know, this is an earthquake zone. During an earthquake, the well water will gush out of black water; after the earthquake, the wind and sand are everywhere, and the filth is flying around, and the sanitary conditions are extremely poor. As the prime minister of a country, Zhou Enlai could have brought special water, but he did not. Instead, he drank the boiled water poured by the masses, and the drink was so sweet...

"How are the life arrangements of the masses? "After drinking the water, Zhou Enlai asked.

" arranged. A family of people takes a pot, a table, a bowl, and a pair of chopsticks. "Yang Shiying, Secretary of the Communist Party Committee, replied.

"Do you have any wash basins? "The Prime Minister asked.

" Yes. Each household also issued a kerosene lamp. ”

Hearing this, Zhou Enlai nodded: “After people’s lives have a basic guarantee, we must resume production as soon as possible. In socialist China, if one side is in trouble, all sides will support it. You must work hard and strive for success. Supporting materials have arrived one after another, we must discuss and distribute them with the masses..."

has another strong shock Go to Xingtai again

On the afternoon of March 22 of the same year, another magnitude 7.2 earthquake occurred in Xingtai area. When April 1, Zhou Enlai once again rushed to the earthquake-stricken area.

Zhou Enlai

html After the 22nd, the Party Central Committee will send a delegation to express condolences to you. You have suffered a disaster and are in a good mood. You dare to fight against difficulties... Earlier and disaster relief, relying on self-reliance and national support. We are the people of the New China, socialist farmers, and we have ambitions. We need to rely on everyone to resume production. The wheat has turned green and it is time to plant it. Cadres, party members and league members should take the lead and do a good job in production. They should rely on self-reliance, work hard to develop production, and rebuild their homes. "

That's it. Every time Premier Zhou said something, the masses would raise their arms and shout in unison. Many people present were moved by this sincere and simple relationship and shed tears...

After Zhou Enlai came to an military tent and held a discussion with more than 70 grassroots cadres, earthquake-resistant models and mass representatives. Premier Zhou asked everyone about their plans to develop production and rebuild their homes, and became the county party secretary Zhang When Yumei talked about the plan to recover in three years, he turned his fingers and discussed with everyone the plan to develop production, requiring them to dig more wells, plant more trees, level the land, and use more farm fertilizer.

Zhou Enlai

Not only that, Zhou Enlai also encouraged cadres at all levels to discuss more with the masses: "The masses are the masters, and we should discuss more with them in everything; we should focus on typical examples and praise the advanced emergencies in earthquake relief and disaster relief. ”

During this discussion, Premier Zhou discovered the musician Jifu sitting in the corner.He called the other party's name and said, "The people love to sing the songs you wrote very much. The people in the disaster area need spiritual encouragement. I hope you can write good songs for them. I can not sing them, so I can promote them."

"I will stay here this time and strive to complete the task given by the Prime Minister." Jiefu said.

"Okay, you can create locally and teach the masses to sing locally!"

Later, a song called "The Great Heaven and Earth Are Not As Great as the Party's Merit" began to become popular in earthquake-stricken areas and even in China. And the first note of this song was born in this tent.

At 3 pm, Zhou Enlai came to Gengzhuangqiao Commune, Ningjin County again. As soon as the helicopter came, another aftershock occurred in the local area. As the earth trembled, the original broken wall collapsed again.

Standing on a truck in the south of the village, Premier Zhou said to the people at the scene: "From Xingjiawan to Gengzhuang Bridge , it is the center of this earthquake, and the losses are greater. You have fought resolutely with the Japanese devils in Anti-Japanese War . This time you will definitely defeat the enemy underground. People will definitely defeat nature! Before I came, Chairman Mao said, 'The people have their own power to return to heaven'! You must learn from Yugong to move mountains. Yugong can move mountains, and you will definitely overcome the difficulties caused by the earthquake, develop production, and rebuild your home!"

Zhou Enlai

When Premier Zhou set off on the plane, many people rushed up to see him off. He waved to everyone frequently, took a few steps and turned around again, took a few steps and turned again again...

You know, this is an earthquake zone. During an earthquake, the well water will gush out of black water; after the earthquake, the wind and sand are everywhere, and the filth is flying around, and the sanitary conditions are extremely poor. As the prime minister of a country, Zhou Enlai could have brought special water, but he did not. Instead, he drank the boiled water poured by the masses, and the drink was so sweet...

"How are the life arrangements of the masses? "After drinking the water, Zhou Enlai asked.

" arranged. A family of people takes a pot, a table, a bowl, and a pair of chopsticks. "Yang Shiying, Secretary of the Communist Party Committee, replied.

"Do you have any wash basins? "The Prime Minister asked.

" Yes. Each household also issued a kerosene lamp. ”

Hearing this, Zhou Enlai nodded: “After people’s lives have a basic guarantee, we must resume production as soon as possible. In socialist China, if one side is in trouble, all sides will support it. You must work hard and strive for success. Supporting materials have arrived one after another, we must discuss and distribute them with the masses..."

has another strong shock Go to Xingtai again

On the afternoon of March 22 of the same year, another magnitude 7.2 earthquake occurred in Xingtai area. When April 1, Zhou Enlai once again rushed to the earthquake-stricken area.

Zhou Enlai

html After the 22nd, the Party Central Committee will send a delegation to express condolences to you. You have suffered a disaster and are in a good mood. You dare to fight against difficulties... Earlier and disaster relief, relying on self-reliance and national support. We are the people of the New China, socialist farmers, and we have ambitions. We need to rely on everyone to resume production. The wheat has turned green and it is time to plant it. Cadres, party members and league members should take the lead and do a good job in production. They should rely on self-reliance, work hard to develop production, and rebuild their homes. "

That's it. Every time Premier Zhou said something, the masses would raise their arms and shout in unison. Many people present were moved by this sincere and simple relationship and shed tears...

After Zhou Enlai came to an military tent and held a discussion with more than 70 grassroots cadres, earthquake-resistant models and mass representatives. Premier Zhou asked everyone about their plans to develop production and rebuild their homes, and became the county party secretary Zhang When Yumei talked about the plan to recover in three years, he turned his fingers and discussed with everyone the plan to develop production, requiring them to dig more wells, plant more trees, level the land, and use more farm fertilizer.

Zhou Enlai

Not only that, Zhou Enlai also encouraged cadres at all levels to discuss more with the masses: "The masses are the masters, and we should discuss more with them in everything; we should focus on typical examples and praise the advanced emergencies in earthquake relief and disaster relief. ”

During this discussion, Premier Zhou discovered the musician Jifu sitting in the corner.He called the other party's name and said, "The people love to sing the songs you wrote very much. The people in the disaster area need spiritual encouragement. I hope you can write good songs for them. I can not sing them, so I can promote them."

"I will stay here this time and strive to complete the task given by the Prime Minister." Jiefu said.

"Okay, you can create locally and teach the masses to sing locally!"

Later, a song called "The Great Heaven and Earth Are Not As Great as the Party's Merit" began to become popular in earthquake-stricken areas and even in China. And the first note of this song was born in this tent.

At 3 pm, Zhou Enlai came to Gengzhuangqiao Commune, Ningjin County again. As soon as the helicopter came, another aftershock occurred in the local area. As the earth trembled, the original broken wall collapsed again.

Standing on a truck in the south of the village, Premier Zhou said to the people at the scene: "From Xingjiawan to Gengzhuang Bridge , it is the center of this earthquake, and the losses are greater. You have fought resolutely with the Japanese devils in Anti-Japanese War . This time you will definitely defeat the enemy underground. People will definitely defeat nature! Before I came, Chairman Mao said, 'The people have their own power to return to heaven'! You must learn from Yugong to move mountains. Yugong can move mountains, and you will definitely overcome the difficulties caused by the earthquake, develop production, and rebuild your home!"

Zhou Enlai

When Premier Zhou set off on the plane, many people rushed up to see him off. He waved to everyone frequently, took a few steps and turned around again, took a few steps and turned again again...