The three representatives to the United Nations General Assembly who came to Chongqing to petition the government for a wage increase are Zhou Binglin, Wu Youxun and Chen Xueping.
Zhou Binglin, jurist, economist, former professor at Peking University, current dean of the Law School of Southwest Associated University.
Wu Youxun, a physicist and former dean of the School of Science at Tsinghua University, was the first Chinese to be awarded the title of academician of a Western country. He became an academician of the Halle Academy of Natural Sciences in Germany in 1936. Qian Weichang scored 5 points in the physics test at that time and was in trouble all the time.
Wu Youxun made an exception and agreed to switch to physics.
Chen Xueping, a psychologist and former professor at Peking University, will have a future son-in-law named Yu Yingshi.
The lineup of people demanding a salary increase is very reasonable. Economist Zhou Binglin is responsible for analyzing economic issues, psychologist Chen Xueping is responsible for contacting officials of the Ministry of Education, and Wu Youxun is responsible for supporting the scene. After all, he is China's first Western academician.
Unfortunately, after they arrived in Chongqing, they didn't even see Chen Lifu in person, and were fooled by the officials of the Ministry of Education in various ways.
In desperation, the three of them had no choice but to go to Zhou's mansion to ask for help.
Cui Huifu brought tea and snacks, and Zhou Hexuan called everyone to sit down and said: "I received a personal letter from Principal Mei two days ago, but unfortunately I have been unable to find the three gentlemen."
Wu Youxun said: "We live in a small hotel."
Zhou Binglin said: "We didn't ask Mr. Zhou for help at first because asking for a salary increase is a public matter and a reasonable opinion of teachers. We don't want to involve any personal factors."
Zhou Hexuan nodded and said, "I understand this."
Chen Xueping said: "But the officials of the Ministry of Education kept pushing the envelope, saying that they could not make the decision and asked us to go to the Minister Chen Lifu. The problem is that Chen Lifu did not show up at all, and we could not see him at all!"
Zhou Binglin said: "Mr. Zhou, the purpose of our visit to the Zhou Mansion this time is to ask you to introduce us and arrange for us to meet Chen Lifu."
"Let's go, we'll go over there right now," Zhou Hexuan joked, "I think the three gentlemen are quite anxious. If we go to Chen's house now, we might be able to get some dinner."
Chen Lifu lived in Banan County, which later became Banan District of Chongqing City.
Not far from the Central Political University, there is a small Western-style villa, which is the residence of Chen Lifu, the Minister of Education.
Zhou Hexuan took the three professors by boat, changed cars, and walked a certain distance, and finally arrived at their destination when it was almost dark.
As one of the two leaders of the CC faction of the Kuomintang, Chen Lifu's residence must be guarded by guards, and there would be many people who wanted to kill him. The concierge was also a discerning person, and asked respectfully: "What do you gentlemen want?
"
Zhou Hexuan smiled and said: "I am Zhou Hexuan, and I have something important to do with Minister Chen."
"It turns out to be Mr. Zhou, please wait a moment." The concierge immediately went in to announce, and at the same time winked to the guards to keep an eye on the door.
Not long after, Zhou Hexuan and others were led in. Chen Lifu laughed and said, "Brother Mingcheng came just in time. I was just preparing to have dinner. Oh, there are three friends, let's all come to have a few drinks together."
"Then it's better to be respectful than to obey. The food at Minister Chen's house must be delicious." Zhou Hexuan said cheerfully.
Chen Lifu said: "Brother Mingcheng is so outspoken that he doesn't need to address his position at home."
Zhou Hexuan smiled and said: "Then I will take the liberty of calling you Brother Chen?"
"Yes, yes, you are older than me," Chen Lifu enthusiastically pulled Zhou Hexuan inside and asked, "Who are these three friends?"
Zhou Hexuan introduced: "These three are Professor Wu Youxun, Professor Zhou Binglin and Professor Chen Xueping from Southwest Associated University."
When he heard the words "Southwestern Associated University", Chen Lifu's smile suddenly froze, and then returned to normal. He laughed and said: "It turns out that I am a scholar in the university. Today, my humble house is full of glory. I must have a few more drinks."
"
"Easy to say, easy to say!" Zhou Hexuan also laughed.
Wu Youxun looked a little impatient and couldn't wait to say: "Minister Chen, this time we..."
Chen Xueping quietly pulled Wu Youxun's sleeve and said with a smile: "It's rare to see Minister Chen. I will ask a lot of questions today."
Chen Lifu waved his hand and said, "I don't dare ask for advice. I only have a master's degree from Pittsburgh, and my knowledge is definitely not as good as those of you with Ph.D.'s."
"Those who are successful come first, and we can't just look at academic qualifications," Chen Xueping said flatteringly. "Minister Chen has been in charge of the Ministry of Education for several years. The education industry developed rapidly during the difficult period of the Anti-Japanese War. He is actually the greatest contributor to China's education since the late Qing Dynasty. We
They are all engaged in education, and Minister Chen must have unique insights into education, which are worth learning from."
Chen Xueping immediately scratched Chen Lifu's itch despite being a man of many talents. It is no wonder that this person will be the acting Minister of Education in a few years. It is very likely that Chen Xueping later rose to prominence in the Ministry of Education because of this incident.
Asking for a salary increase and becoming friends with Chen Lifu.
After Chen Xueping said a few words, the little unhappiness in Chen Lifu's heart immediately disappeared. He happily invited everyone to sit down and specially introduced his wife Sun Luqing.
Sun Luqing was also a cultural person. At this time, he was a professor in the Art Department of Central University. He was engaged to Chen Lifu when he was 13 years old. Although it was an arranged marriage, the couple was very loving, but Chen Lifu must have secretly had lovers.
Sun Luqing invited everyone to sit down for dinner, and took the initiative to chat with Zhou Hexuan: "Mr. Zhou, I have been admiring you for a long time. Ms. Wanrong has been saying good things about you all day long."
"Wanrong often praises Ms. Sun's artistic spirit. Your ink landscapes are quite unique." Zhou Hexuan complimented smoothly.
During the Anti-Japanese War, there were many painters in Chongqing, but not many female painters. Wanrong and Sun Luqing must have known each other, and their friendship was very good.
Sun Luqing said with a smile: "Wanrong came back from Dunhuang some time ago, and her painting skills suddenly improved greatly and her style changed drastically. It made me want to go to Dunhuang to copy the murals."
Zhou Hexuan said: "When the Anti-Japanese War is won, I will organize a Dunhuang tour group. Ms. Sun must sign up then."
"Then it's settled, I will definitely participate," Chen Lifu suddenly raised his glass, "Come, let us wish you victory in the Anti-Japanese War and drink this cup to the full!"
The atmosphere of the banquet quickly became lively, and everyone was busy eating, drinking, and chatting.
Zhou Binglin and Wu Youxun wanted to raise their salary several times, but Chen Xueping stopped them because the time was not yet in place.
Chen Xueping flattered Chen Lifu in various ways, and Zhou Hexuan also took the wife route, making Sun Luqing very happy to chat with him.
After three rounds of drinking, Chen Lifu was already a little drunk, and Chen Xueping suddenly sighed: "Alas!"
Sun Luqing asked: "Why did Professor Chen sigh?"
Chen Xueping said: "Since the Anti-Japanese War, it has been rare for me to have such a sumptuous dinner. Thinking that I was feasting on food and wine in Chongqing, while my colleagues at the Southwest Associated University were hungry in Kunming, I couldn't help but feel ashamed in my heart, so I sighed
."
"Are the teachers at the Lianda University hungry?" Sun Luqing was a little confused.
Chen Xueping said: "The professor with the highest salary at the United Nations University only earns 470 yuan a month. How can he not be hungry?"
"So low? Our professor at Central University..." Chen Xueping suddenly realized something, shut up immediately, and turned to look at her husband, Chen Lifu.
"Ahem," Chen Lifu coughed twice and sighed, "The war of resistance is difficult and the finances are limited. It's really hard on everyone."
Wu Youxun finally couldn't hold it in any longer and said, "Minister Chen, we have no other requirements. We only hope that the teachers' salaries at Southwest Associated University can be the same as those at Central University. We are all teaching and educating people, so we can't favor one over the other, right?"
