The Republic of China, which is far away from us, is an era of bright stars.

In those stormy years, a large number of masters emerged, who were expected to learn how to behave and learn from others. Just to name a few names-Cai Yuanpei, Hu Shi, Fu Sinian, Qian Mu, Yu Dafu ... all people feel delicious and fascinated.

Interestingly, the famous teachers mentioned above all experienced the same past-their fathers died young, and in the process of growing up, only widowed mothers who didn't know a few words brought them up, and finally created the myth of "peasant women raising elites".

Hu Shi and his mother are also a vivid case.

Hu Shi, the pioneer of the New Culture Movement, studied in America in his early years and studied under the philosopher Dewey. After returning to China, he was hired to teach in Peking University at the age of 26, setting a new record for the age of professor.

What's even more amazing is that he studied hard all his life and obtained as many as 35 doctorates (including honorary doctorates)! Knowledge, vision, mind and morality are all to be praised.

Such an academic master has stopped at the top of the mountain, was born in a declining family, lost his father since childhood, and family education can only rely on an illiterate widowed mother. But it was this peasant woman who gave Hu Shi the best enlightenment.

/kloc-marry a man 30 years older than himself at the age of 0/7.

Widowed at the age of 23

Hu Shi's mother, named Feng Shundi.

This is a typical name with patriarchal ideology in feudal society. "Shun Di" means to obey and take care of your brother. When necessary, you can also make your own sacrifices for the benefit of your family.

Feng Shundi, Hu Shi's mother.

Such a name indicates her hard and forbearing life.

1873, Feng Shundi was born in Jixi county, Anhui province. His father, Feng Jin, was a typical small farmer. His lifelong wish is to build a beautiful big house with his wife and children.

As the eldest daughter, Feng Shundi watched her father busy building a house from an early age, helping her mother with her younger brother while trying to help her father. She never complained that her father didn't send her to school although he was rich, but silently accepted the fate that women could have in that era and only thought about her family.

Jixi, now Anhui, is the hometown of Feng Shundi.

1890, Feng Shundi 17 years old. She grew up in the countryside, capable and beautiful, with a steady stream of suitors. One of the most famous is Hu Chuan, known as "Mr. San".

Hu Chuan is a scholar. Because he failed in several exams, he enrolled in Shanghai Longmen Academy and became a student of Liu Xizai, a scholar. Later, he entered the political arena and served as the alternate magistrate of Jiangsu.

Hu Shizhi's father Hu Chuan.

Before proposing to the Feng Shundi family, Hu Chuan had two wives and had a large family, but both died unfortunately. Therefore, Hu Chuan urgently needs a second wife who is sensible, can take care of the family and do housework. Somehow, Feng Shundi, a country girl, came into his eyes.

Hu Chuanchuan's bride price is rich. The other party is an official and he is a citizen. No matter how you get married, you can make a steady profit.

The only thing that puzzles Feng Shundi's parents is that Hu Chuan is almost 50 years old, and Feng Shundi has married and filled the house. It must be difficult to face a group of stepchildren of the same age.

Feng Shundi saw his parents' hesitation, so he tried his best to comfort himself: "Mr. San has a good personality and is well-informed. People who run cigarette shops and casinos are afraid of him. And if you get married, you can receive more bride price, so it won't be so hard to build a house at home. "

In Feng Shundi's mind, there seems to be no "freedom" or "love". She can accept anything for the sake of her family.

In this way, Feng Shundi, a village girl, was carried into the door of de gruyter, worshipped her ancestors, got on the genealogy, became the hostess of de gruyter, and lived a life of deep curtilage compound carefully.

Former Residence of Hu Shi

The first few years of marriage were always uncomfortable, but with the passage of time, Hu Chuan's modesty and knowledge also reassured Feng Shundi.

Later, when Feng Shundi taught Hu Shi, he also mentioned: "I have only met one perfect person in my life, and that is your father. You must learn from him and never embarrass him! "

Old wives and young wives are arranged marriages, which may not be passionate and romantic, but the affection of mutual care will become stronger and stronger in the baptism of time. Hu taught her to read and write, and many of the truths she knew in life also came from her husband.

Former Residence of Hu Shi

A few years later, Feng Shundi gave birth to a son for Hu Chuansheng, named "Black Hair", which was later a famous figure of the Republic of China, Hu Shi. The birth of the child undoubtedly added more warmth to this family.

However, the good times did not last long.

1894- 1895 Sino-Japanese War, with the outbreak of Sino-Japanese War, Hu Chuan sent his wife and children back to their hometown, but he was busy with the war because of illness and died in Xiamen. When the bad news came, Feng Shundi, who was only 23 years old, immediately fell backwards, including the chair, and fell on the threshold of the room.

She is still so young that she has to take care of the Hu family and shoulder the responsibility of raising her young son. The road ahead is vast, and decades of unpredictable life await this mother.

I've been studying.

Make it the top priority of a child's life.

Hu Shi once mentioned his mother in his autobiography "Forty Books", and the lines were full of love and pity: "My mother was widowed at the age of 23, and her stepmother was in charge. The pain of this life, my stupid pen can't write one over ten thousand ... "

If there is any hope for the rest of Feng Shundi's life, it is that his youngest son will study hard and get ahead. For this ethereal light, she gritted her teeth and refused to give up.

Hu Shi's earliest photos

It was in this hope that Hu Shi entered a private school at an early age and later transferred to a school in Shanghai to study in the United States. Behind every step, there is a mother's eager eyes, which is full of support and hope.

Hu Shi was only three years old when his father died. A small person can't even cross the threshold of the school.

But Feng Shundi didn't think so much. She sent her son directly in, so there was a miracle-Hu Shi had to stand on a stool to read and write at the table.

At the same time, Feng Shundi also produced The Dark Forces.

Although she doesn't read much, she has a clear insight into the world. She knew that the tuition fee for each student was only two silver dollars at that time, which was too low for her husband, so she had to muddle along in class.

So, she sent her husband six silver dollars in the first year, added them in the second year, increased with the passage of time, and finally sent twelve silver dollars. This "bribe" made Mr. Wang consciously pay attention to Hu Shi and pay special attention to him.

For a long time, Hu Shi didn't understand why Mr. Wang turned a blind eye to other children frolicking; I'm a little lazy, but my husband often beats and scolds, and he also teaches books to learn calligraphy. Later, I learned that this was all my mother's intention.

Just when students of the same age didn't even know what "father's knee" meant, Hu Shi had finished reading the four books and five classics, and he could still explain the meaning of the book to his peers.

Feng Shundi doesn't know much about learning, but she knows how to get the best opportunities and resources to pave the way for her son's studies. The hard work for success is no different from the modern "tiger mother".

When Hu Shi was a teenager, Feng Shundi insisted on taking some money from his dwindling savings at home to help Hu Shi study in Shanghai. This request was immediately opposed by everyone. Hu Shi's uncles and brothers all think that the Hu family is not as good as before, and there is no need to spend a lot of money to send their children to other places.

In this regard, Feng Shundi argued, and just won the tuition for Hu Shi. Hu Shide went to Meixi Primary School and was exposed to a brand-new world, brand-new knowledge and brand-new atmosphere, which became the most important turning point in his life.

19 10 years old, 19 years old, Hu Shi was admitted to boxer indemnity and had the opportunity to study in the United States. When the news came, Feng Shundi, who was far away from home, was overjoyed. She wrote to entrust her son to concentrate on his studies after going abroad and not worry about home.

What Hu Shi just didn't know was that in that year, Feng Shundi's father and sister-in-law died one after another, and de gruyter gradually declined, and the industry disappeared, almost to the point where it could not be supported.

Feng Shundi, who suffered a series of blows, was ill in bed, but she didn't want to tell her son the truth. She just asked someone to take pictures to prepare for her son's mourning after his death.

Boxer indemnity student Hu Shi (two rows and one left)

During her illness, she repeatedly told her family:

"If I go, don't tell my son. Write to him on time every month as usual. He will leave these photos for him as a souvenir when he returns to China. When he sees the photo, he will see me. "

Love is so deep that it shows the pattern of a mother.

In the United States, Hu Shi studied at Cornell University and Columbia University successively, and studied for a doctorate all the way. His study is extremely difficult, but without the peace of mind given by his mother, he can't persist until the end.

Fortunately, God did not mistreat Feng Shundi.

A few years later, Feng Shundi not only recovered, but also waited for the moment when Hu Shi returned from studying abroad and shined brilliantly.

The most touching thing is that, in order to support his son's further academic attainments, Feng Shundi even took out 80 yuan money to buy a book "Integration" for Hu Shi.

At that time, a professor's salary was less than half of the money, and 200 yuan could buy a quadrangle in Beijing. But for the sake of his son, Feng Shundi "spends money like water" and doesn't care.

It can be said that she used the deepest love of a mother to build a bridge to the knowledge country for Hu Shi. Without such a forward-looking mother, Hu Shi could not see the outside world all his life, let alone carve his name in history.

Behind strict family education

It is soft maternal love.

Many people may think that Hu Shi is really lucky to have such a mother who is willing to do anything for her studies.

As we all know, Hu Shi was afraid of his mother since he was a child.

He once mentioned in his autobiography that no matter what mistakes he made, how arrogant and rebellious he was at first, as long as his mother "had a stern look", he was like a deflated ball and dared not speak.

Feng Shundi is a clever mother. She knows how to invest in study, and she will do her best to support her children's study. But she is only extremely strict with her son in dealing with people and cultivating self-cultivation.

Every morning before dawn, Feng Shundi would wake Hu Shi up from his bed and help him think and reflect: "Think about it, did you say anything wrong yesterday? What did you do wrong? "

In Feng Shundi's view, introspection is a good way to cultivate one's own character, and letting children develop this good habit from an early age will help to cultivate one's own character more perfectly.

But children are always children, and sometimes they can't control themselves.

One early autumn evening, Hu Shi, who was playing at the door, wore only a small vest. After being seen by neighbors, I kindly reminded: "Put on more clothes and be careful to catch cold."

Unexpectedly, Hu Shi casually replied half jokingly: "Niang (cool) what! Lao Tzu is not Lao Tzu! " Ironically, this sentence also happened to fall in Feng Shundi's ears.

At that time, in order to take care of children's self-esteem, Feng Shundi didn't say much, but in the introspection time as usual the next morning, he sternly called on Hu Shi to kneel down and reflect on his mistakes.

It was the first time that Hu Shi saw his mother so angry.

Feng Shundi was trembling with anger. She is a widowed young woman, struggling between outsiders and relatives, and taking care of a large family. All the grievances were swallowed silently. How can you not be sad when you see your son joking about losing his father?

"I didn't expect Lao Tzu to be so proud! Easy to talk! "

Hu Shi and his eldest son and grandson in his later years

Seeing his mother's situation, Hu Shi regretted it, kowtowed to admit his mistake, hid his face with his hands and cried bitterly. But Feng Shundi still can't get over it, and Hu Shi has been kneeling before meals.

Feng Shundi has always been very clear in my heart. He dotes on his children when he should, and he will do whatever it takes. But when he learns this lesson, he will never be soft. Only in this way can children know what the bottom line is.

Only after corporal punishment, Hu Shi's eyes were infected with germs because of too many tears, and he hurt his eyes for more than a year.

Although Feng Shundi is often earnest in educating his children, he is more anxious than anyone when he sees that his children are ill.

Hu Shi's doctors came and went, but the general doctors were not good, so Feng Shundi didn't take off his clothes to take care of his son. When Hu Shi recovered, Feng Shundi was too tired to fall ill.

Mother is cruel and serious on the surface, but still gentle on the inside. Behind the strict family education is nothing more than a heart that looks forward to the happiness of children. It is based on maternal love and will never fade.

Tolerance without losing the bottom line

Be the best role model for children.

Zhang Ailing, a famous female writer, once visited Hu Shi and saw the mode of getting along with his wife Jiang Dongxiu. She couldn't help sighing: "There is such love in this world."

Hu Shi returned from studying in the United States, accepted his mother's arrangement, and married Jiang Dongxiu, who had never read a book and wrapped his feet. There are great differences between them in class, thought and culture, but Hu Shi never abandoned the original match all his life. But in the years of companionship, I developed a different kind of warmth with my wife.

Hu Shi and his wife Jiang Dongxiu.

When it comes to Jiang Dongxiu, Hu Shi always smiles. His wife likes playing mahjong, and often turns the house upside down. Even if she is addicted, she can't cook well. Hu Shi is not annoyed, just learning knowledge like no one's watching and letting her do what she likes.

The wisdom of modesty, forbearance and tolerance is not only used by Hu Shi in marriage, but also carried forward in Hu Shi's circle of friends.

When scholars teach financial difficulties, Hu Shi always tries his best to support them, and advances his savings to each other every time like a millionaire signing a check;

In the debate, Hu Shi was criticized to pieces by Lu Xun and cursed to death. But when Lu Xun's collected works were to be published, Hu Shi needed help. He ran around without a word of abuse.

Over time, in the circle of literati in the Republic of China, everyone is proud of "Hu Shi's friend". Qian Zhongshu regrets that "I have never seen anyone with a higher personality than Hu Shi". Ji Xianlin said in his memoirs that "Hu Shi treats people kindly and has no airs", while historian Luo Ergang praised Hu Shi as "a virtuous gentleman".

And this super popularity and super emotional intelligence actually comes from the example of my mother Feng Shundi.

Feng Shundi is famous for his good temper in dealing with people.

Hu Shi's eldest brother is addicted to alcohol and gambling. Every year, a large group of creditors wait at the gate of Hu Zhai to block people from asking for money.

On the surface, Feng Shundi is as calm as ever. He went in and out, made New Year's Eve dinner, thanked the kitchen god and gave the children lucky money, but he had never seen these people. When it was getting dark, I went to my neighbor's house to ask for some money and persuaded the creditors to go one by one.

When the eldest brother sneaked home guiltily, Feng Shundi didn't get angry or show his face, but greeted him calmly for dinner. Take good care of the Hu family at the dinner table.

In Hu's family, not only does the son worry people, but even the daughter-in-law has to do something from time to time. Hu Shi's two sisters-in-law, one incompetent and not sensible, the other capable but narrow-minded, are often angry with her mother-in-law Feng Shundi because of trivial matters.

Slightly dissatisfied, they walked around the room with black faces and smashed tables and chairs. Feng Shundi was never angry, and her daughter-in-law's cynicism was really ugly, so she left for the time being and went to rest in her neighbor's house to avoid confrontation.

Former Residence of Hu Shi

Many years later, Hu Ming understood the childlike innocence and tolerance contained in her mother's seemingly weak tolerance:

"The most disgusting thing in the world is an angry face; The most embarrassing thing is to show the angry face to others. "

Feng Shundi tried to embrace life with the greatest love and tolerance, even in the face of trivial things wrapped by parents' brevity and friction. This is a kind of mortal heroism, which naturally influenced Hu Shi, a modest gentleman in the Republic of China, and grew up in his ears.

Of course, concessions do not mean that there is no bottom line.

When Hu Shi's fifth uncle made a rumor in the countryside for a little interest dispute, saying that Feng Shundi was disorderly with others, Feng Shundi immediately invited the prestigious elders at home to question Hu Shi's fifth uncle face to face, and asked the rumor maker to produce evidence. She didn't forget it until she forced the other party to apologize.

Hu Shi, like his mother, is always gentle and generous in front of people, but he will never compromise on the issue of national justice and freedom and truth. Even in the face of Chiang Kai-shek, he dared to show the integrity of the literati with a casual cross-legged.

As the saying goes, third-rate parents are nannies, second-rate parents are coaches and first-rate parents are models. In family education, Feng Shundi is undoubtedly a first-class parent. He sets the best example for his children with his own words and deeds.

Feng Shundi is the most conscientious ferryman in his son's life. He can help Hu Shi to be humble, polite and gentle as jade, but at the same time he doesn't flatter powerful people, bring disgrace to oneself.

19 18, Feng Shundi, who is less than 50 years old, finally drove the crane westward because of a relapse. When the bad news came, the whole family was heartbroken and wept bitterly.

At that time, Hu Shi, who was still teaching in Peking University, had not had time to go back to his hometown to see his mother for the last time. When I got home, my mother was in the coffin, her voice and face were blowing in the wind.

In the article My Mother's Journey, the sad Hu Shi established his mother's position in his heart with the word "immortality".

Hu Shi's letters

Suhomlinski, an educational theorist, once said: "Family education is the first chapter of pedagogy, and in the family, the mother is the most meticulous and talented sculptor."

Coincidentally, Cai Yuanpei's mother Zhou, his mother Mrs. Li, Qian Mu's mother Cai and Yu Dafu's mother Lu are also illiterate widows, but from their educational stories, we can always see very similar shadows.

These mothers are real educators. In such a difficult era, they are strong and tenacious in the face of the hardships of life and kind and gentle in their children's education. They themselves are the best mentors for children. They adorn the most dazzling starry sky in the academic circles of the Republic of China with their perseverance, kindness and wisdom.