Chapter 30 Mei Yiqi: A Gentleman Combining East and West

Mei Yiqi (1889-1962), named Yuehan, was born in Tianjin.The first group of students studying in the United States under the Geng subsidy, successively served as a teacher of Tsinghua School, a professor of the Department of Physics, and the Dean of Dean. He served as the president of Tsinghua University from 1931 to 1948. On December 3, 1931, at the inauguration ceremony of the president of Tsinghua University, Mei Yiqi left the most famous sentence in the history of Chinese universities: "The so-called university is not just a building, but a master." He himself has never been called a "master", but during his tenure, he invited many masters to Tsinghua University and trained many masters for future generations.He is known as Tsinghua's "eternal principal".In the minds of Tsinghua alumni all over the world, mentioning Mei Yiqi means Tsinghua University, and mentioning Tsinghua University means Mei Yiqi.

An old alumnus of Tsinghua University said in an article commemorating Mei Yiqi: "The alma mater uses the 8 characters of 'self-improvement, social integrity' as the school motto. For previous graduates, whoever asks Mr. Mei to write a commemorative book, Mr. Mei always writes these two. Words are for encouragement. Mr. Mei’s lifelong friendship can also be explained by these two sentences.” It said: "Heaven is moving vigorously, and a gentleman strives for self-improvement... The terrain is Kun, and a gentleman carries things with virtue." Mei Yiqi is such a "gentleman" in the eyes of the world.

John Ma, a well-known physical education teacher in the early days of Tsinghua University, once commented on Mei Yiqi: "He has his personality... the spirit of a real gentleman. Mr. Mei is not only a real gentleman, but also a real gentleman who combines Chinese and Western styles. All his actions Attitude is the beautiful part of Chinese and Western people.” Mei Yiqi is not talkative by nature, and is known as "Gentlemanoffewwords".As early as 1909, when he was admitted to the first batch of students studying in the United States under the Geng subsidy, his "calm and unhurried attitude" left a deep impression on people.On the day when the results were released, the candidates were very active. Those who passed the exam looked happy, while those who failed the exam looked depressed.Only the tall and thin Mei Yiqi, with a calm expression all the time, "reading the rankings there in a calm and unhurried manner", making it impossible for people to detect whether he passed the exam—but in fact, among the 630 candidates, He finished sixth.

After the "December 9th" movement, thousands of military police broke into the school and arrested students in Tsinghua University.Knowing the news beforehand, several leaders of the school discussed how to deal with it at Mei Yiqi's home.Everyone shared a lot of opinions, but Principal Mei remained silent. In the end, everyone waited for him to speak. After two or three minutes, he still smoked a cigarette and did not say a word.Professor Feng Youlan asked: "Principal—what do you think?" Mei Yiqi still didn't speak.Professor Ye Gongchao couldn't bear it anymore, and asked: "Principal, do you not speak up because you have no opinion, or are you thinking without speaking?" He replied after a few seconds: "I was thinking, now we should stop them from coming. Impossible, we can only think about how to reduce the commotion after they come."

Later, the students suspected that the list in the hands of the military and police agents was provided by the school, so they took the dean to the auditorium for questioning, and some students threatened to beat them.At this time, their headmaster was wearing a dark gray robe, walked slowly from the direction of the Science Museum, climbed up the steps, faced two or three hundred students, did not say a word for half a minute, and then spoke in the same tone as usual, Slowly said 5 words: "If you want to hit me, hit me!" Mei Yiqi is addicted to alcohol, and she can be called a "gentleman" in this regard, so that she is honored as a "sage of wine" by drinking friends.Li Ji, a master of archeology, recalled: "I saw him get drunk, but I didn't see him get drunk. Among the contemporary people I have seen, only Mr. Mei Yuehan and Mr. Cai Zhimin (Cai Yuanpei) have this kind of 'Not as messy' record."

There was an article commemorating him, and the title was "Tsinghua and Wine". "Among the teachers, students and staff of Tsinghua University, Mr. Mei can be called the number one drinker... Everyone knows that Mr. Mei is the most respected and loved when he is drinking. He has never refused the kindness of any toast. He cheers Those who have seen the bitter yet joyful expression on their faces will never forget it.” In 1947, the first celebration of Tsinghua University after the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, a banquet was held in the gymnasium, starting with the faculty members, and then the 1909 class toasted to the principal level by level.Mei Yiqi always toasted honestly and drank more than 40 cups.

"His taste is very simple, a kind of... I don't know... a very special sense of humor." His daughter-in-law, Ms. Liu Ziqiang, a retired professor of Peking University, was interviewed by reporters, her eyes slightly upward, obviously immersed in In a kind of warm memory, I want to find an exact expression to describe her principal and father-in-law. "At that time, the principal lived in Institute A of Tsinghua Garden. I went to him once, and Mrs. Mei was ill. I saw him go to the small garden in front and pick a flower he had grown himself. It was purple. I don't know its name. What name, go to Mrs. May's bedroom and give it to her."