Text/Pan Caixia
In 1998, fate gave Xu Guangxian a fatal blow, and just after the golden wedding, his beloved wife Gao Xiaoxia died of illness.
On the hospital bed, the last words she left him were: "I am very satisfied with living with you for a lifetime, I will be gone in the future, you have to live well..."
Great grief enveloped him, and at the memorial service, he hugged her one last time, crying so hard that his liver and gut broke.
From campus love to lifelong together, they have joined hands to become rare earth researchers, and the "ten husband and wife" has been rumored to be a beautiful talk.
Xu Guangxian and Gao Xiaoxia
01
In 1940, at the age of 20, Xu Guangxian was admitted to the Department of Chemistry of Shanghai National Jiaotong University. Due to the fall of his family, his studies were interrupted for a time, and he relied on self-study while working as a tutor, which made his university dream come true.
Studying was hard-won, and he did not dare to slack off in the slightest. In class, a girl who was also focused on reading attracted his attention.
Her name is Gao Xiaoxia, and she is at the top of every exam. Through the exchange of schoolwork, they gradually became acquainted.
After more conversation, Xu Guangxian was surprised to find that they had the same upbringing. Gao Xiaoxia also experienced her father's unemployment, death, interruption of her studies, and relied on being a tutor to support her university life.
At that time, the land of China was full of gunsmoke, and what they talked about most was hatred of Japanese imperialism and concern for the fate of the country.
With the same aspiration to serve the country, they cherish each other and encourage each other.
In Xu Guangxian's eyes, Gao Xiaoxia is so pleasing and fascinating, she is not only proficient in mathematics and science, beautiful calligraphy, but also has a unique love for literature.
Her inner world was as rich as a treasure, and he couldn't help but be moved.
Later, when Gao Xiaoxia finished making up class, Xu Guangxian went to pick her up, like water and moonlight, and the four of them became shadows.
In 1944, the two graduated from college and entered the same chemical plant. Chemical research becomes a catalyst, love letters go back and forth, and feelings are even hotter.
"To me, you are the world," she said. Everything in the world, life, glory, happiness and career. ”
And he promised: "Our future is simple, if we get married, we will always be together for life."
However, the iron heel of the Japanese army has already traveled to most of China, and the country will not be a country, so how can we talk about the future and happiness of individuals.
Xu Guangxian wanted to go to the rear to contribute to the war of resistance, but there was no way, Gao Xiaoxia volunteered and said: "My brother and sister are in Chongqing, I can go to explore the road first!" ”
Love gave her courage and strength, and she set foot alone on the road to the big rear. When she arrived in Anhui, the news of the victory of the Anti-Japanese War came, and Gao Xiaoxia stayed to teach locally, and her letter to Xu Guangxian was full of longing:
"Beautiful location, simple farmers, lovely students. However, the country is very poor and backward, and we need to build it..."
Reading her letter, Xu Guangxian's heart swelled. In reply, he sent her four words from the bottom of his heart: "You are beautiful. ”
Soon, Xu Guangxian returned to his alma mater as a teaching assistant, and Gao Xiaoxia also returned to Shanghai.
In 1946, the relationship was ripe, and under the witness of the teachers and students of their alma mater, they entered the marriage hall.
02
After marriage, it coincided with the Ministry of Education of the National Government recruiting students to study abroad, and they both passed the examination for international students.
However, financial constraints, even if they move around, are only enough for one person's expenses. Xu Guangxian was at a loss, and Gao Xiaoxia made up her mind: "No matter what you say, I will definitely not go, you are ready to go to the United States." ”
With guilt and longing for his wife, in January 1948, Xu Guangxian went to the United States to study. He studied diligently and soon landed a teaching assistant position at Columbia University.
After the life problems were solved, he immediately took Gao Xiaoxia to the United States. After a year apart, they were finally reunited, and Gao Xiaoxia entered New York University to study.
Life is still hard, but with love, there is inexhaustible motivation.
Soon, the news of the founding of New China came, and Gao Xiaoxia and Xu Guangxian were ecstatic. They agreed: step up your studies and return to China as soon as possible!
No holidays, no entertainment, after successfully getting a master's degree, Gao Xiaoxia continued to study for a doctorate.
Xu Guangxian, on the other hand, completed a five-year course in less than three years, received his doctorate in advance, and his supervisor recommended him to work as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Chicago.
At this time, the Korean War broke out, and the United States was about to pass a bill banning Chinese students from returning to China.
"Science knows no borders, but scientists have their own homeland." Xu Guangxian was anxious. After several considerations, he decided to abandon the Golden Avenue in front of him and serve the motherland with what he had learned.
However, Gao Xiaoxia's studies were not yet completed, and he asked for her opinion.
She didn't hesitate at all: "We want to be together, I'll go back with you!" "Although then, she will have another year to get her doctorate.
"I owe you too much..." Xu Guangxian was both moved and guilty.
In April 1951, on the grounds that "my mother was sick", they broke through many obstacles and boarded a cruise ship back home.
Two months later, a boat carrying Chinese students was forced to make a U-turn on its way home. Years later, Xu Guangxian still had lingering fears: "At that time, it was right to return to China decisively, otherwise he would not be able to come back!" ”
03
After returning to China, Xu Guangxian and Gao Xiaoxia both taught in the Department of Chemistry of Peking University.
Compared with foreign countries, the conditions for scientific research are very different, but there are lovers around them, and behind them is the country, who are stable in their hearts and go to work with passion.
In the laboratory, the pearls are combined; In a small family, raise your eyebrows together. The future is colorful and they are full of expectations.
Unexpectedly, a storm came unexpectedly, and overnight, they became "American agents", raiding homes and censoring constantly.
Xu Guangxian was aggrieved, angry, and puzzled, and was depressed and slovenly all day.
Gao Xiaoxia was very worried, she tried her best to comfort him, and before going to be criticized, she deliberately dressed herself neatly and freshly in front of him.
In the midst of hardship, her soothing dispelled his sadness, and he gradually perked up.
Once, Xu Guangxian and Gao Xiaoxia stood side by side on the stage and were being criticized, and he whispered to her: "Your words and deeds have made me a happy person, do you know what I do on stage every day?" Tell you what, I study chemistry in my heart..."
When love comes, the sun rises as usual. No matter how tired the labor, no matter how humiliating the censorship, as long as they are allowed, they still go into the laboratory, as long as the library is open, they go to consult the materials.
In the storm, they tao guang and wait for the opportunity.
In 1972, the Department of Chemistry of Peking University accepted a very urgent military-industrial task - to separate rare earth elements, and Xu Guangxian had just taken off his "special suspect" hat and he was appointed as the person in charge.
Rare earth is an indispensable raw material in the field of high and new technology, although China is a rare earth country, but due to backward technology, rare earth elements can not be separated, can only export rare earths at low prices, and then buy back rare earth products at high prices.
"We are not comfortable in our hearts, no matter how difficult it is." Faced with difficult problems, Xu Guangxian said, "We must research and develop ourselves, and we must do better than them, and give the country a breath!"
Since then, he has lived in laboratories, run mines, and lived only with research and experiments.
Gao Xiaoxia gave full support. When the experiment was successful, she shed moving tears for him; When you fail, give him hugs and encouragement.
At the same time, she is not far behind, immersing herself in scientific research and writing books.
Finally, their efforts bore fruit. Xu Guangxian's "cascade extraction method" was successful, and China finally changed from a major country in rare earth resources to a major producer and exporter, which was called "China shock" by foreign counterparts.
Gao Xiaoxia's monograph was also successfully published and won the "Natural Science Award".
On the title page of the book, she sent an affectionate message: "This is the most precious gift you left me in those days." Thank you from the bottom of my heart, my dear husband!"
Family
04
Because you love, all I love. The wonder of rare earths attracted Gao Xiaoxia's attention, and she decided to engage in rare earth research with Xu Guangxian.
After the scientific research was on the right track, their cooperation ushered in a breakthrough, he separated the 17 elements contained in rare earths, and she made the remaining part into "rare earth micro-fertilizer", opening up a new vision for increasing agricultural production.
His remarkable achievements attracted attention, and in 1980, both were elected as academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences at the same time.
Although he is known as the "father of China's rare earths", Xu Guangxian said sincerely: "My wife, she is the real master of rare earth research." ”
From blue silk to gray hair, they always hold hands. Not only is it a classmate, but also returns to China at the same time, teaches at the same time, studies rare earths at the same time, and is elected academician at the same time... "Ten Husband and Wife" is rumored to be a beautiful talk in the scientific community.
Time passes, and love never fades.
In 1983, Gao Xiaoxia was in a wheelchair due to a broken bone, and Xu Guangxian pushed her for a walk every day. On the shore of the unnamed lake, next to the Boyata Tower, their figures add a romantic color to scientific research.
Witnessing their deep affection, daughter Xu Fang said: "If someone wants to ask me if there is such a thing as love in this world, I will say that the love of my parents is something I can confirm and is the love of the world that I believe." ”
In 1994, they won the first "Chinese Sapphire Wedding Couple Award". Looking back, Gao Xiaoxia was affectionate: "He is better than me everywhere, I only have one sentence, I can live with him, I am very happy." ”
However, this happiness makes God jealous. In 1998, just when Xu Guangxian was looking forward to a diamond marriage, Gao Xiaoxia unfortunately died of illness.
After she left, he was seriously ill, staring at her photo, as if he heard her say again: "Science is endless, I still have 10, 20 years to do rare earth research..."
Her long-cherished wish had not been fulfilled, and he wanted to fulfill it for her. After cheering up, he returned to the rare earth business.
Wherever he went, he carried her pictures with him. He also took one character from each of their names and established the "Xia Guang Scholarship", which, as she did during her lifetime, continued to sponsor poor students.
You have me, I have you, each independent and pay tribute to each other.
In Qingming in 2014, he came to her grave to announce the good news: "You hope to establish a laboratory of analytical chemistry, and now it has been established..." On the tombstone, she smiled brightly.
"In my life, the most satisfying thing is the 52 years spent with Gao Xiaoxia; The most regrettable thing is that I didn't take good care of her and let her go before me. ”
In 2015, they reunited in another world, and the love song that turned thousands of times is still sung beautifully.