Si Nuo's wish is to rest in the unnamed lake. Mrs. Si Nuo once said at Mr. Si Nuo's ashes burial ceremony: "My husband expressed his love for China in his last words, and said that part of his body and mind was in China before his death, and he hoped that part of his body would stay in China after his death. Now, I just put this part of his body under the ancient land of New China, among the newcomers in New China. Here, respect for mankind has reached a new height, and the hope of the world shines with new light. " "In the past, he taught young people at Peking University. Now he is resting at Peking University, and other young people enjoy the sacrifices and struggles of their predecessors at Peking University. I hope that young people from all countries who come here now and in the future can bring liberation to the country he loves in the same spirit-rest, play, study and work here, which will be what he hopes. " Mr. Si Nuo once said affectionately before his death: "I love China. I hope that some people can stay there after I die, just as I always did before my death. " "A part of me will always stay in China's brown mountains, jasper terraces and temples on islands covered by morning fog, and stay with some children who trust me and love me ..."
Why does Si Nuo love China and Yanyuan so much?
It started a long time ago.
Si Nuo was born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA on 1905. At the age of 22, shortly after graduating from the journalism department of the University of Missouri, he made some money by doing business on Wall Street. He wants to use this money to travel and take risks all over the world for a year. Make another fortune before the age of 30, and then engage in research and writing leisurely for the rest of your life. He really started his journey: via Panama Canal, via Hawaii, bypassing Japan and reaching Shanghai. He is going to stay in China for six weeks and then leave. However, China's vast territory, magnificent mountains and rivers, long history and splendid civilization deeply attracted him, which not only changed his travel adventure plan, but also changed his whole life path. During his years in China, he has been to Nanjing, Peking, Harbin, Hohhot, Guangdong, Yunnan, Fujian, Taiwan Province and, of course, the world-famous trip to Yan 'an in northern Shaanxi.
He loves Beijing, Haidian and Yanyuan very much. He first came to Beijing on 1928. In his book Journey to the Starting Point, he described his initial impression of Beijing as follows: "I came to Beijing, and later I called it my home. The city has golden roofs, marble altars, clear walls, temples and palaces shaded by green trees, tall black locust trees and perfect tree views. " 1933 When he came to Beijing for the second time in early spring, he thought that "Beijing is the most magnificent and interesting capital city in Asia. It is a center of civilization with a continuous history of nearly 3000 years. Its inner imperial city has a number of spacious beauty and ancient palace buildings with rose walls, giving people a feeling of ancient customs. " In the following five years, Si Nuo settled in Beijing, and lived, worked and lived in Haidian and Yanyuan for two years.
1934 65438+ 10, Si Nuo was hired by yenching university as a lecturer in the journalism department of the school and began his "life between journalism and academics". In order to work nearby, Si Nuo moved his family from the city to No.8 Haidian Military Department. Si Nuo later recalled: "We were looking for a new house near yenching university and Xishan". Outside the house is an acre garden with fruit trees and even a small swimming pool. Construction of the house: semi-American, semi-Chinese, U-shaped, built on high ground, so close to the living room window, you can see the scenery of the Summer Palace and the Western Hills. The house itself is brand new, with a bathroom and a study on both sides. The military headquarters, the residence described by Si Nuo himself, is still an alley in Haidian Town, only a few tens of meters long and only a few families live there. Originally, the Military Hutong was cut off by the newly-built Yi Xi Highway in 1950s, and most of it has been demolished. Later, the northern part of Hutong was occupied by Peking University as a campus and became a part of Yanyuan Garden. Si Nuo lives in the southwest gate of Peking University. At that time, the No.8 courtyard sat west to east, and it was a black iron gate. The courtyard is spacious and bright with many fruit trees and several bamboos. Si Nuo and his wife Nim Wells like this place very much. He said: "We have lived in this ideal environment for nearly two years. We have been exposed to the modern youth and ideas of China in the university. By riding a bicycle, we can easily travel around one of the most historic and beautiful scenic spots in China, including Dazhong Temple, Yuquan Mountain, Baita Temple, Eight Famous Places of Western Hills and the Summer Palace."
Si Nuo likes this residence in Haidian District because it is easy to learn standard Beijing dialect. He wrote: "Haidian itself does not belong to the campus of yenching university. This is the flag bearer's residence. The residents of Haidian have a complex composition, but they all speak beautiful Beijing dialect. Therefore, this is an ideal place for foreigners to learn to speak Chinese. " He specially invited an old Manchu teacher to guide his study. After serious and hard study, he finally got to know the Chinese characters of 1500, was able to read some works in vernacular Chinese, spoke moderately fluent Beijing dialect, and was able to "express his thoughts and understand the meaning of others in simple conversations". He said happily, "I was fascinated by the delicacy and ingenuity of China people! One day, he asked someone to carve a silver bronze seal in Yichang store on Qianmen Street. People saw the word "Xerox" written in official Chinese characters on the stamp and thought it was the seal of China people! He once told others with infinite affection in Chinese: "China is really my first hometown."
When Si Nuo lived in Haidian, it was just before the December 9th Movement. At that time, yenching university and Tsinghua University were both important fortresses of the progressive student movement led by the China Party. Many young people often visit Si Nuo's house. Gong Peng, the leader of yenching university Student Movement, is a frequent visitor here. Comrade jing wong, the leader of the "December 9th" movement, also visited Si Nuo's house "very frequently" (in the words of Mrs. Si Nuo). There are many Chinese and foreign books and publications in Si Nuo, and young people keep borrowing these newspapers and banned books. So it has become a "real classroom" for students and a "window for them to breathe some fresh air". The Zodiac of Yan University carefully read the autobiography Daughter of the Earth recommended by Si Nuo, and talked with a lady who called herself "Mrs. Brown" about her thoughts. I later learned that this Mrs. Brown is Smedley herself. She went to Si Nuo's home in Beiping under an alias to avoid being followed by Kuomintang spies. Her books and articles depicting red base areas, such as The Chinese Red Army is Marching, are also works that young people love to read.
Mr. and Mrs. Si Nuo are very sympathetic and supportive of the activities of progressive students. Mrs Si Nuo also suggested that young people "hold a mock funeral in the street-the body represents North China, symbolizing that it is being buried by Japanese and Kuomintang officials". At the climax of the "December 9th" Movement, young students from yenching university and Tsinghua University started from Haidian and shouted anti-imperialist and patriotic slogans. With their own flesh and blood, they broke down the gate tightly sealed by the Kuomintang military police and held a massive demonstration with young comrades in the city. Si Nuo mobilized other foreign journalists to cover the demonstrations and make objective reports to the whole world. Si Nuo wrote: "The Kuomintang did not play a guiding or encouraging role in this difficult period, which was a huge failure and made itself a symbol of pessimism, stagnation and depression. In the next few decisive years, this situation drove hundreds of the most capable and patriotic young men and women around the banner of the * * * production party, which became China's last hope. "
1June, 936, under the careful arrangement of Soong Ching Ling, Si Nuo took great risks and crossed the military blockade of the Kuomintang to start his historic trip to northern Shaanxi. He met and interviewed Zhou Enlai, Mao Zedong and other China leaders and people from all walks of life in Yan 'an and Baoan successively, and visited the vast red base areas. After returning to Beijing, Si Nuo wrote the book "Red Star Shines on China" (translated in Chinese as "Red Star over China"), which broke the ten-year blockade of the Kuomintang and vividly and simply reported the revolutionary achievements of the * * * production party in China, the Chinese Red Army and the workers and peasants heroes in China. This book was quickly translated into many languages and spread all over the world, letting countless people in China and foreigners know the little-known truth about the China revolution. He also often introduces the real situation of northern Shaanxi base area to young students who have been visiting his home; Even in Linhuxuan, near the unnamed lake in Yanyuan, his documentary about the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region was shown, showing his photos, which made the participants see the elegance of several Red Army leaders and the bustling life in the Soviet area for the first time, which had an immeasurable impact.
194 1 At the beginning of the year, Si Nuo left China for the United States by plane. He was reluctant to look at the sampan and sailboat on the blue waves under the plane, and the feeling of farewell came to him. He thought, "Asia is really like my real home, and America is an unknown world." At the moment, my body and mind seem to be split. My body was on the plane, but my spirit stayed in China. "
In the long years that followed, Si Nuo revisited China three times, at 1960, 1964 and 1970 respectively, and had to revisit Yan Garden every time. He tirelessly revisited all the places he visited many years ago, faithfully recorded the great changes he witnessed and described how the most populous country on earth built itself. When Si Nuo visited China for the last time, he went with his wife Lois. With the attitude of a tour guide, Si Nuo led his wife to stroll along the winding path of the unnamed lake in Yanyuan, which she called a "lovely little lake". She took photos beside the Flower Temple as a souvenir and took a short rest at Linhuxuan. How deep his love for Yanyuan is!
197 1 In winter, Mr. Si Nuo, who lives in Essien, a Swiss town, was diagnosed with cancer. Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou are very concerned about his health. They sent the then representative to the United Nations, Comrade Huang Hua, and the then ambassador to Switzerland, Comrade Chen Zhifang, to visit him many times, and later sent a medical team to assist in medical treatment. But he is too ill to be saved. 1February 5, 972, edgar snow, a faithful friend of China people, stopped breathing. Before he died, he shouted out a sentence with lifelong feelings: "I love China!"
Si Nuo's life and works are the best footnotes of this last sentence. From 1933 to 1972, he has written, edited and published Far East Frontline, Living China, Fighting for Asia, People on Our Side, Red China Miscellanies, Journey to the Starting Point, Red China Today and Dragon Revolution. With his persistent feelings and sharp and profound brushwork.
Part of Mr. Si Nuo's ashes burial ceremony was held on June 197365438+1October19, 2009 in Peking University. Mao Zedong, Soong Ching Ling, Zhu De, Zhou Enlai, relevant units and Si Nuo laid wreaths in front of the tomb. Wreaths presented by Si Nuo's wife, children and their relatives were also placed in front of the tomb. Representatives of Zhou Enlai, Guo Moruo, Peking University and relatives of Si Nuo attended the funeral. The ceremony was presided over by Comrade Deng, and Liao Chengzhi and his wife spoke. Liao Chengzhi said, "Mrs Si Nuo and her family accepted Mr Si Nuo's wishes and sent his ashes back to China for burial. This is a symbol of trust and friendship for the people of China. We cherish it very much and are deeply moved. " "Mr Si Nuo is an old friend of the people of China. No matter in the hard years of the China Revolution or after the founding of New China, he has made unremitting efforts and made important contributions to the mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and American peoples for decades. His life is a testimony to the sincere friendship between the Chinese and American peoples. " This is a fair and scientific evaluation of Si Nuo by the people of China. Edgar snow will live forever in the memory of the people of China, just like the pine and cypress in front of Si Nuo's tomb on the unnamed lake.