Like Chairman Mao, Marshal Luo Ronghuan also served as a "North Drifter" when he was young.
Luo Ronghuan had great ambitions when he was young. In 1923, after graduating from high school, he came to Beijing to apply for Peking University.
He lives in the Hunan Guild Hall. Mao Zedong also lived here in December 1919. Unexpectedly, when Luo Ronghuan arrived in Beijing, the entrance examination for the preparatory department of Peking University had already passed, so he had to stay in the hall, make up for his homework, and wait for the next year's exam.
When Luo Ronghuan arrived in Beijing, he only brought the travel expenses, and soon, the money was almost spent. He had to go to the communication room twice in three days to ask if there was any remittance slip from him, but there was no news for a long time.
In Beijing, without money, it is difficult to move an inch. Luo Ronghuan wanted to borrow from his classmates, but everyone was a poor student, and no one could come up with extra money. At this time, Luo Ronghuan remembered that there was a Hengshan parliamentarian in Beijing, who was still a little close to him, and he had some trouble. Luo Ronghuan has his address in Beijing, so he plans to borrow some money from this fellow villager and distant relative to help the emergency, and wait for the money to be sent back by home.
The lawmaker lives in an alley in Beijing's Dongcheng district. Luo Ronghuan has no money and can't afford to sit in a rickshaw. From Luomashi Street to Dongcheng, you can only walk on two legs, and there are dozens of miles. He inquired about the road as he walked, and by the time he found the councillor's house, he was exhausted.
Luo Ronghuan finally knocked on the door of the councilor's house, and said to the porter who opened the door: "I am from Hengshan, looking for Mr. XXX, please inform." ”
The concierge looked at Luo Ronghuan and heard that he was a poor student, so he said "not at home", and closed the door with a "snap". Luo Ronghuan ate a closed door.
Disheartened, he returned to the Hunan Guild Hall. When he was at a loss, the remittance sent by his father from his hometown arrived, so Luo Ronghuan was able to continue to tutor in Beijing.
This incident stimulated Luo Ronghuan a lot. In the 50s, he often talked about it with his children, saying:
"That's really as deep as the sea!"
It is worth mentioning that in 1949, Luo Ronghuan entered Beijing as a revolutionary victor and became the leader of the party and the state. He often explained to his family and the staff around him:
"Now, the party and the people have given us status. We must warmly receive every visiting comrade. People are always looking for me, and there's always something going on. People will not climb our 'Three Treasures Palace' if they have nothing to do. Therefore, when people look for me, you are not allowed to block the drive. It must be done!"
This is Luo Ronghuan who "does not forget his original intention".
Chen Guanren's "The Ten Marshals of the Chinese People's Liberation Army: The Little-Known History of the Ten Commanders of the People's Liberation Army" published by the CPC History Publishing House describes this incident, which is the society's annual bestseller and once ranked first on China's military bestseller list (pictured).