Chapter 35 31 Peking University in the Gulf War

There are always degenerates in war, but there are also Harvard graduates. — Hemingway In 1979, I entered the Department of International Politics at Peking University out of nowhere, all because of my grandfather in his nineties.My grandfather’s elder brother graduated from the Shixue Hall of Jingshi University Hall, and my grandfather graduated from the Department of Liberal Arts and Chinese Literature of Jingshi University Hall (predecessor of Peking University).At that time, his old man insisted that anyone who went to this school would become brave, honest, democratic and scientific, and willing to help others.In fact, at that time, I wanted to enter the Shijiazhuang Advanced Infantry School. Like all dreamy middle school boys, I fantasized about being a good officer like Guderian (Heinz von Guderian, Prussian nobleman, founder of the Third Reich Armored Corps) , Director of German Armored Forces, founder of blitzkrieg, famous for quickly wedged behind the enemy in Austria, Poland, France, Soviet Union and other battles, known as "Scud Heinz". Author of "Blitz Heroes", "Tank Attack " and other works).In order to become alumni with Chen Duxiu, Hu Shi, Lu Xun, and Li Dazhao, whom my grandfather had counted, I gave up the idea of ​​being an armored division commander and gritted my teeth and entered Peking University.But I never imagined that just because of my grandfather's words, there would be so many incredible stories.

On the first Sunday after school started, all our dormitory staff went to the campus to take commemorative photos.Peking University has a long tradition of taking pictures, and Liu Bannong established the "Light Society" here 60 years ago.On the south bank of Weiming Lake, we took a photo with the American journalist Edgar Snow who was buried here. Snow taught journalism here in his early years and recorded the vigorous "December 9th" movement with his camera.In the student dormitory on the 37th floor of Peking University, I developed my first black and white film in my life.

In the library of Peking University, a war photographer named Robert Capa broke into my life.The 18-year-old boy who was admitted to the political department of the University of Berlin caught up with the Nazis as soon as he graduated from college. He fled to Western Europe alone with a camera on his back, and participated in the Spanish Civil War with Hemingway.Capa photographed all major battles, including the D-Day landings, and is famous for risking his life.His friends ranged from beggars to American presidents, from Ingrid Bergman to Hemingway.Until 1954 when a landmine was stepped on in Indochina, he still did not forget to press the shutter, and finally died with a smile on his face.I'm obsessed with this guy.I copied Capa's friend and Pulitzer Prize winner John Steinberg's eulogy for him in my diary: "He not only left us a war chronicle, but also left us a spirit." I fantasized that I was Capa reincarnated.

The master I took refuge in when I was a child, Master Zhengguo, the secretary-general of the Buddhist Association of China, told me that human desires are nothing more than "fame, profit, and sex."But like Capa, who has long been famous in the world, he still struggles until he is smashed to pieces. What kind of self-interest is he pursuing? I graduated from Peking University in 1983.My second uncle, who lived in California for a long time, asked me what help I needed, and I said without hesitation: "Buy me a good camera." After that, I carried this camera on my back and taught at China University of Political Science and Law for four years.Until an alumnus of Peking University recommended me to the Photography Department of Xinhua News Agency.

At the end of 1986, after I was hired by the Photography Department of Xinhua News Agency, I didn't know that Xu Youzhu, the director of the Photography Department who gave me an exam and decided to take me in, was also an alumnus of Peking University.At that time, I expressed my determination to be China's Kappa, but she said coldly: "Now I don't have a camera, but I know how to train people to use it." I am who I am today. On December 20, 1990, I entered Baghdad via Istanbul and Amman.In the golden-roofed Chinese Embassy in Baghdad, the dignified Ambassador Zheng Dayong did not seem to welcome my rash arrival.I can understand the feelings of this Peking University graduate. Ambassador Zheng must be responsible for every Chinese in Iraq.Since the Gulf crisis, the Baghdad embassy has organized tens of thousands of laborers stationed in Kuwait and Iraq to return to their homeland via Jordan.Ambassador Zheng got into the Mercedes-Benz-300 flying the five-star red flag and hurried away. He was running for the safety of the last batch of workers.

A huge five-star red flag was painted with red paint on the roof of the Baghdad embassy. The sun was shining in the sky, and there was no wind.In order to get the ambassador's permission to stay behind, I tried to present my four reasons: 1. I was ordered by the headquarters to cover the war, and I should stick to Baghdad for the mission.2. I am a photojournalist, and the characteristic of my job is to be on the front line.3. I have conducted emergency interviews in China for four years, and I have experience in dealing with dangers.Four, with the help of old seniors.I promise to obey all the orders of the ambassador alumni. I think the ambassador alumni can best understand the spirit I am pursuing.Probably because of the charm of the spirit of Peking University, the ambassador finally said, "Go and get a chemical protective suit right away."

On January 14, 1991, I officially received an order from the head of the Cairo Middle East Bureau to withdraw from Baghdad.At Saddam International Airport in Baghdad, I was detained by Iraqi customs on the grounds that I had not been cleared to leave the country legally at immigration, and I was one of the last seven people we evacuated.I was the only one who didn't do this because I had been looking for an opportunity to break away from the organization and hide in Baghdad. I was guarded by the Republican Guard for violating Iraqi law during the war.I guess I will also be taken to the Mansour Hotel as a hostage as a human bomb.At this moment, Ambassador Zheng held me tightly with his big hand: "I am the Chinese ambassador, and now I will guarantee this person's departure." The ambassador pulled me into the first-class cabin of the Boeing-747 and sat down next to him. He didn't let go until the plane took off.While the number of bad people is increasing every day in this world, the good people are not decreasing.This was the first time in my life that I was flying first class, and sitting on my right was the Chinese ambassador with red eyes who had not slept for several nights.I deeply feel Lu Xun's proud "Peking University Spirit". What we lack today is this kind of people who have the courage to take responsibility.

Tracking UN Secretary-General Perez de Cuellar's last-ditch effort for peace in Baghdad was the most difficult interview I've ever had.The greatest challenge for a photojournalist is to be in the right place at the right time, which requires top-notch communications and transportation.In Beijing I had a BP player, a cordless phone and an old face full of friends, but here I have nothing but bare hands. Just when I was isolated and helpless, I bumped into another Peking University alumnus, Kono Che, a reporter from Kyodo News.Kono graduated from Waseda University, and later went to the Chinese Department of Peking University for further study.Unexpectedly, in Baghdad, where the dark clouds are overwhelming, the two of us met again, worked side by side, and forged a brotherly friendship.

In the future, whether it is the war-torn Iraqi border or the peaceful Cyprus, you can meet Peking University alumni everywhere. On January 29, I was ordered to fly from Amman to Nicosia and try to enter Israel.In addition to Mr. and Mrs. Chen from the Nicosia Branch of Xinhua News Agency, there was also a stranger, Xiao Lu, the Second Secretary of the Economic Counselor's Office of the Cyprus Embassy who graduated from the Department of Economics of Peking University.Xiao Lu has the typical characteristics of Peking University, such as honesty, bravery, and willingness to help others. He has been driving me to the small plane to Israel, and told me a surprising news when he parted: "The Chinese ambassador to Cyprus, Lin, is also our alumnus. .”

On March 1, in the courtyard of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt in Cairo, I met again with Ambassador Zheng Dayong of Baghdad after a long absence. Ambassador Zheng hugged me three times and yelled at Zhan Shiliang, Chinese Ambassador to Egypt: "Hey! , This is the little alumnus I told you. The little alumni who went to the "People's Daily". But the hair is too long, and there is no duck spirit in the "People's Daily." What is even more unbelievable is that the group of six returned to Baghdad on March 15, and the leading ambassador Zheng Dayong, military attache Cao Pengling, and military attache assistant Li Tiantian were all Peking University alumni.

As the four of us gathered by a large bomb crater near Mansour, I suddenly remembered a quote from Hemingway: "There are always degenerates in war, but there are also Harvard graduates." Oh, God!please grant me people who are not motivated by money people who are not victimized by power man who speaks the truth and thinks A person who takes responsibility and cherishes honor Brave man.