In my recent reading and writing, I have had several contacts with the famous poet Ceng Zhuo. I can't help but write this memory article out of the deep affection and unforgettable guilt of remembering my old friend. ( 1)

Formerly known as Zeng, a native of Huangpi County. I was born in the northern rural area of Huangpi, 19 13, and he was born in Hankou, 1922. We are strangers. Although we knew each other before liberation, we met and contacted each other after liberation.

When Ceng Zhuo was 4 years old, his father abandoned his mother on the grounds of opposing arranged marriage. He thinks it is extremely unfair and sympathizes with his mother very much, thus arousing his sense of justice to sympathize with the disadvantaged groups. When I was 6 years old, I entered the sixth primary school in Wuhan. With the help of my teacher, I published several articles in the children's supplement of the newspaper at that time, and I fell in love with literature and art from then on. 1934 was admitted to Wuhan No.1 Middle School. At that time, China was invaded by imperialism for nearly 90 years. 193 1 after the September 18th incident, the disaster of national subjugation was imminent, and Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang regime insisted on the policy of non-resistance, which aroused the indignation of the broad masses of the people, especially intellectuals. China * * * production party clearly put forward the idea of resisting Japan and saving the nation. On September 20th, 193 1, the "Declaration of China * * * Production Party for Japanese Imperialism to Occupy the Three Northeast Provinces" was published. By 1935, the slogan "Stop the civil war and unite against Japan" was formally put forward in the August 1st Declaration. At the same time, on the basis of the original progressive student organizations, various organizations aimed at resisting Japan and saving the country were rapidly expanded among the students, and the "December 9" student movement swept the country at 1935. In this fiery tide, Ceng Zhuo, who has always had a strong sense of justice and was deeply influenced by Lu Xun's thought, naturally met some advanced students and attended the reading club organized by them. At the age of 65,438+04, he published a poem "Life" in Hankou Times Daily, arguing that "life is like a boat sailing in the long Heihe River. There is no paddle, no rudder, and fate is connected with a big vortex. " 15 years old, became the first batch of "pioneers of national liberation" in Wuhan. Because he took an active part in the anti-Japanese national salvation activities, he was expelled from the school and transferred to Huanggang Jacky Middle School. Influenced and encouraged by the local anti-Japanese enthusiasm, he joined the China * * * Production Party in March 1938, when he was 16.

In the same year, before the fall of Wuhan, Ceng Zhuo went into exile in Chongqing and was admitted to Fudan Middle School. Join the progressive student organization "Roar Troupe" and "Resurrection Society" and serve as the propaganda committee member of the Party branch. 1939 wrote a poem entitled "Farewell" for students about to go to Yan 'an, and published it in Wen Qun, a supplement to the National Gazette edited by Jin Yi, a progressive writer and young professor at Fudan University. Jin Yi appreciated the young man's poems very much and wrote a short article to comment on them when they were published. After that, Jin Yi went to Ceng Zhuo's dormitory to visit him, which flattered him. 1940, Ceng Zhuo met Zou Difan, a famous young poet. Together with Luyuan, Yao Ben, Shi Fang, Feng Bailu and others, they organized the Poetry Reclamation Society and published the Poetry Reclamation Series, which was strongly supported by Jin Yi, and regularly gave the pages of Wen Qun to the Poetry Reclamation Society for publication.

In Chongqing, the capital of Chongqing at that time, Wenqun published more than 500 issues in four years, and often published the works of famous artists such as Ba Jin, Ai Wu, Cao Yu, Hu Feng, Ai Qing, He Qifang, Chen Huangmei, Liu and Xiao Hong, which gained great prestige in the literary and art circles during the Anti-Japanese War. Ceng Zhuo's poems often appear in Wenqun, which makes more readers know the name of this young poet. /kloc-in the winter of 0/939, his poem "The Gate" was published in Chongqing Ta Kung Pao, the main purpose of which was to show that the door of progressive literature would never be opened for rebels. Ta Kung Pao reporter Xie Yizheng praised this poem and wrote an article praising the author as "young Shelley". Since then, Ceng Zhuo became famous, and began to try a variety of literary forms other than poetry, and the scope of submission has gradually expanded. During the period of 1940- 1943, a number of literary and artistic works such as poetry and prose were published in progressive newspapers and periodicals in Chongqing, Guilin and Kunming, and the first book of poetry, Door, was published in 1944. This period is the first peak of Ceng Zhuo's literary and artistic creation. Some people commented that Ceng Zhuo and a group of poets who grew up with him in War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression formed the most important lyric school in War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and Kuomintang-controlled areas during the War of Liberation. Their poems, accompanied by the sufferings of the people, shot at reactionary rule like bullets.

1943, Ceng Zhuo was admitted to the history department of Central University, and graduated from 1947. During this period, he actively organized the "Orange Club" and "Zhong Da Drama Club" and published wall newspapers regularly, regardless of the surveillance of the Kuomintang spies. Participated in the poetry recital by Ai Qing and Tian Tian, and played Xia Yan's Under the Roof of Shanghai, Lao She and Song Zhi's National Supremacy, Chekhov's Proposal, and Lu Xun's prose poem Passer-by. He also edited poetry and literature in 1944- 1945. After graduation, he returned to Dajiang, the literary supplement of Dagang Daily edited by Wuhan, and published his progressive works. Some people call this supplement "a little light in Wuhan".

1May 949 16 Wuhan Liberation, 1950, Ceng Zhuo once taught in Hubei Institute of Education and Chinese Department of Wuhan University; From 65438 to 0952, he served as the vice president of Changjiang Daily and was elected as the executive vice president of Wuhan Federation of Literary and Art Circles (Federation of Literary and Art Circles).

Unfortunately, Ceng Zhuo was involved in the Hu Feng case from 65438 to 0955, and was arrested and imprisoned in June of the same year, where he spent two extremely difficult and lonely years. 1957 released on medical parole, 1959 sent to the countryside. 196 1 year, after the implementation of the national policy of "adjustment, consolidation, enrichment and improvement", the political atmosphere was relatively relaxed, and Ceng Zhuo was transferred to Wuhan People's Art Theatre as a screenwriter. 1962, Mao Zedong revisited the class struggle at the "Beidaihe Conference" held in the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, saying that "class struggle should be carried out every year, every month and every day". In this context, Ceng Zhuo, who has just resumed writing for only one year, has been put on hold again. During the "Cultural Revolution", he was sent to rural labor reform and then put in the "bullpen". A few years later, he was transferred back to Wuhan Theater to do odd jobs, and it was not until 1979 that he was rehabilitated.

In the long 25 years (1955- 1979), Ceng Zhuo still maintained his self-esteem, sincerity, perseverance and belief in the extremely humiliating and difficult, bitter and helpless predicament environment. Some people concluded that Ceng Zhuo was a "good man" and said that he was "always polite, gentle and sincere to everyone (including those who let him down)". At the same time, he was not killed by fate, the waves in his heart were still surging, and his creative enthusiasm burned under the rock like an underground fire. He seized every possible opportunity, listened to his inner principles, and made all kinds of hidden and open creations.

For example, since the second half of 1955, he has occupied more than 30 poems in prison that miss his childhood and yearn for light and freedom. 196 1 wrote a very successful drama Jiang Jie and a famous love poem A Gift, which was affirmed by Vice Minister of Culture Xia Yan. The poem "Trees on the Cliff" from 65438 to 0970 received rave reviews. In addition, during this period, he also wrote the drama "Qingjiang Riptide, Mozart", which was adapted into a radio drama and won the first prize, as well as the long drama "The Child Who Broken the Vase".

1979 After being rehabilitated, Ceng Zhuo returned to work in Wuhan Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and was elected as the vice chairman of Hubei Branch of Chinese Writers Association, the fourth director of Chinese Writers Association, the member of the fifth and sixth national committees, and the honorary chairman of Wuhan Writers Association, which ushered in his second "adolescence" in literary and artistic creation. Starting from 198 1, 1983, 1983, 1986 and 1987 were published respectively.

Ceng Zhuo began to write poems in his youth, and persisted in his creation in his later years, leaving behind a batch of literary and artistic works with concise nature, rich philosophy and deep and sincere feelings. His poems are rooted in the realistic soil of China, and have a strong sense of history and the times, full of "love for the earth, love for life, love for people" and "love for poetry (art)". His prose is also unique, with profound thoughts, beautiful writing and rich feelings. Although Ceng Zhuo witnessed the sufferings of his mother and motherland, as well as the life path full of uncertainty, injustice and thorns, it is difficult to see depression and despair in his works, but he is always full of fearless strong belief and sincere and frank personality strength in the face of fate. These works reach the readers' hearts and arouse people of different ages' association and sense of * * *. Ceng Zhuo's works stand out, have lasting vitality, and are recognized and loved by the masses. His "The Tree on the Cliff" is regarded as an image portrayal of "an China intellectual who has gone through hardships and full of courage", and is widely read throughout the country. 1983 Song of the Old Sailor won the Second National Poetry Award; 1988 "notes of the piper" won the national excellent prose award in the new period; After his death on April 10, 2002, Ceng Zhuo still won the Gold Award of Contemporary Poetry Soul of the International Chinese Poetry Society.

People generally spoke highly of his life, just as the professor said: "Some people say that it was always the conscience of Wuhan, Hubei and even China poetry circles. This is no exaggeration. Zeng Lao's life represents the personality and morality of a generation of intellectuals in China. He has a bumpy life, a stubborn personality, lofty ideals, fiery emotions and brilliant achievements. "

(2)

Ceng Zhuo and I are both from Huangpi County and have similar family backgrounds. During 1929- 1938, except for a short period, we all lived and studied in Wuhan. 1940- 1944 lived and worked in Chongqing. Why don't you know each other and have no contact? In my opinion, the main reason is that we lived in different environments when we were teenagers, so we took different paths. When I first entered school, it was the year before the May 4th Movement. At that time, there was no * * * production party in China in China. Therefore, in my later education, my intellectual life and thoughts were influenced and restricted by the intellectual circle represented by Hu Shi, and they were also bred in this circle. When Ceng Zhuo was in primary school, the China * * * Production Party had been established for seven years, which had a profound influence on the intellectual community. Ceng Zhuo's intellectual life and thoughts were formed under the influence of China's ideology and Lu Xun's thought. "No common cause, no common goal", naturally there is no chance to know each other.

Since 1946, for various reasons, I gradually tend to China * * * production party. By September 1947, after I taught in Wuhan University, this tendency has been clearly reflected in my teaching and scientific research work; At the beginning of 1949, he participated in the underground work of the Party as a member of the peripheral organization of China * * * Production Party. 1947 After graduating from Central University, Ceng Zhuo returned to Wuhan as the editor-in-chief of Dajiang, a supplement to Dagang Daily. In the agitation of the trend of the times, we gradually got to know each other, even sought the same spirit and encouraged each other with one heart and one mind, but we were still very close. 1953 in April and may, I attended the meeting of representatives of party member as a special guest. As an official representative, Ceng Zhuo has been party member for 15 years, but he has not pretended to be a veteran. He approached me and made friends with me as an active, enthusiastic, modest and sincere representative who attended the meeting. Although I didn't make it clear, I appreciate it. Since then, as the propaganda director of the Wuhan Federation of Trade Unions and the executive vice chairman of the Wuhan Federation of Literary and Art Circles, although I have some different opinions on the issue of the workers' literary and artistic movement, our relationship has always been "harmony but difference".

However, in 1955, under the "Left" ideological trend instigated by Mao Zedong, Ceng Zhuo was forced to go to prison in the case of Hu Feng's counter-revolutionary group. At that time, I was the Minister of Propaganda Department of Wuhan Federation of Trade Unions. Because of my position, I have to take a stand and criticize him. At the same time, Ceng Zhuo and I also have some differences in literary and artistic work. In my opinion, the literary creation and thoughts of traditional intellectuals in China are mostly divorced from labor, reality and the masses. Ceng Zhuo's literary thought has not completely shaken off the influence of this bad tradition, and Hu Feng once criticized his petty-bourgeois sentiment. In this case,1July, 955, I wrote a long article "Exposing Ceng Zhuo's Evil Conspiracy Against Wuhan Workers' Literary Activities", which was published in Changjiang Daily and reprinted by national, provincial and municipal media. Although I wrote this article for the above two reasons, the wording of this article is vicious and too high-profile, slandering him as "the backbone of Hu Feng's counter-revolutionary group"; All his remarks have been made public, but I call them "conspiracy"; Irrationally attacking him, "the opposition party's literary line undermines the unity of literary and art groups" and so on. When writing this article, I realized to some extent that the reason why I went online like this was to show that I was firmly following Chairman Mao and resolutely opposed to Hu Feng's counter-revolutionary clique, and my heart was not practical. After the article was published, I often felt uneasy. Considering that Ceng Zhuo met me so warmly, I wrote such an article to attack him, and the more I think about it, the more I feel guilty. 1979 after he was rehabilitated, my guilt prompted me to find opportunities to apologize to him many times, but I always lacked courage, which led to repeated delays.

After more than 40 years, an unexpected opportunity appeared. 1997, the book Sociological Research of Reform and Opening-up, which I participated in editing, was published. A friend of mine from Ceng Zhuo, Kang Huinong, and I knew my feelings, so we took the liberty of giving this book to Ceng Zhuo in my name without consulting me. Ceng Zhuo doesn't know the inside story. After receiving the book, he wrote to thank me and told me: "In recent years, I have often read great books in newspapers and periodicals, with clear ideas and incisive opinions. I am very pleased to see that you are still full of energy. " After receiving his letter, I was pleasantly surprised. In addition to secretly thanking Kang Huinong, I immediately wrote back to him, talked with him about the unpleasant case of 1955, and frankly admitted the guilt that has been indelible in my heart for more than 40 years, as well as the feeling that I always wanted to apologize to him but failed to do so. Ceng Zhuo wrote back: "The old events of the 1950s are nothing to mention. Under the circumstances, we had to say something against our will. Therefore, I can understand and don't mind. " After receiving this letter, my mood is much more relaxed than before. Especially from our future contacts and my better understanding of his life, I think his words are heartfelt, sincere and admirable. Since then, I often want to express my respect for Ceng Zhuo's generosity and tolerance in some way, but although I only have a little knowledge, I am a person who can't make promises easily, and I can't do it for a long time. On May 29th, 1998, Luo Jianhua, editor of Changjiang Daily, who is also our friend, knew about our relationship, and invited Ceng Zhuo and me to participate in the symposium held by the newspaper, which made us meet again after a long separation and made us both happy. I pay more and more tribute to him. Later, I can't remember when. Inadvertently reading Lu You's poems, I found some similarities between the two poets, so I assigned a seven-character poem:

The heart has a spiritual screen, and the business participants meet again for half a year, and they are happy.

Ancient and modern poems are similar, and the wild old man is relaxed.

On June 5th, 200 1 year, I copied my own poems to Ceng Zhuo and asked the writer Jiang Hong to give him "Meditation and Expectation before Dawn-1948 Collection". On June 8th, Ceng Zhuo wrote back and said, "I am grateful for this poem, but I feel guilty. Poetry is simple and affectionate, and has its own realm, but I can't climb high and let go. I have written some poems that can't be called poems before, just expressing my personal feelings and feelings. When I was old and sick, I had to stop writing, but I was still a little worried about the country and the people. "

On April 10, 2002, Ceng Zhuo died of illness, and this letter became his last letter to me.

(3)

Now I recall my life-long association with the poet Ceng Zhuo, and I am deeply touched. When we were teenagers, although we felt the pulse of different times, we were immersed in different social thoughts and embarked on different roads, and we never met each other. However, there are many similarities between our family education and social relations, so we have formed very close personality characteristics and ideological interests. We all oppose autocratic dictatorship and corrupt rule, sympathize with the disadvantaged groups and long for social fairness and justice. We even think that all mankind should love and help each other and eliminate inhuman behaviors such as oppression, exploitation, aggression and deception. We love freedom, but we are opposed to obstructing or interfering with the freedom of others; We all love writing to express our beautiful feelings and clarify our noble ideas. We all have the courage to uphold truth and justice, and we are all dedicated to serving the society and mankind to realize our self-worth. Because of this, we dare to despise power, not afraid of ups and downs, and stick to it.

With the above-mentioned similar personality characteristics and ideological interests as the adhesive, as long as they have the opportunity to contact, they will gradually become bosom friends and close friends, enjoy warm friendship and promote the sublimation of knowledge, sentiment, ideals and even the whole personality. Before and after liberation, we were fortunate to have indirect to direct contact. However, it is a great pity that a severe snow and ice storm in 1955 destroyed this budding flower of friendship.

1998 in the first half of the year, under the affectionate and ingenious arrangement of kind friends, we finally met again in the next year and surprised each other. Since then, I have been thinking about how to re-cultivate the destroyed flower of friendship in 1955. I want to go to Moshan Park with Ceng Zhuo to enjoy plums and look forward to spring in winter. Imagine going to Wuchang East Lake Botanical Garden with him to enjoy tulips, azaleas and roses, and try to experience the feeling of loving flowers and cherishing flowers; Enjoy the moon paper together on Mid-Autumn Festival night; On the Double Ninth Festival, we will clamp pliers together and recite poems to chrysanthemums. More importantly, we can often discuss current politics together, ignore people and explore what an ideal human society should look like. However, until 2002, I was busy drafting the six-volume General History of America by People's Publishing House, which failed to make these beautiful ideas "come true". On the other hand, Ceng Zhuo left me prematurely.

What did the husband say?