Party History Yiye: Li Xiannian's Eyes on "both virtue and talent"

In June 1952, at the fourth organization work meeting of the Hubei Provincial Party Committee, Li Xiannian stressed: "We will look at cadres in the future, according to the principle of 'equal emphasis on virtue and talent', it must be: 1. history as an important reference, mainly look at the present. 2. not only look at business, but also see who we serve. 3. not only look at obedience, but also see whether we can be competent." This is not only his principle of training and requiring cadres, but also his commitment to practice in practical work.

"What is the so-called 'virtue'? That is, to serve the people with a high degree of consciousness." Li Xiannian has always attached great importance to the people's sufferings and advocated going deep into the masses, understanding their feelings, and solving their worries and difficulties. In 1952, Li Xiannian received a letter from Min Quangui, a 17-year-old rural woman in Mianyang County, Hubei Province, accusing the courts of Mianyang and Honghu counties of shirking each other's divorce demands. After receiving the letter, Li Xiannian personally instructed the relevant departments to seriously solve the problem and pay close attention to the progress of the matter. In the end, Min Quangui's divorce case was properly handled. After she obtained the freedom of marriage, she wrote a special letter to thank Li Xiannian and the People's Government, and wrote to the "Hubei Daily" 32 years later to express her gratitude again. The "Mass Garden" column of "Hubei Daily" is also a must-read content for Li Xiannian every day. He will deal with the problems and opinions reflected by the masses in a timely manner. He also requires cadres at all levels to "pay attention to reading newspapers and letters from readers".

"What is the so-called 'talent'? Is the ability to discover problems, raise problems, solve problems, and seek truth from facts." After encountering difficulties in this process, learn modestly, increase talents and be competent for the job. In September 1954, Li Xiannian was appointed Vice Premier and Minister of Finance of the State Council. The general had to take on the important task of financial management, and he felt a lot of pressure. Although he worked in the local area a few years ago and accumulated some experience in leading the economy, in the face of the national financial and economic work, he was afraid that he would not be competent. After many conversations, he resolutely went to life and faced the difficulties. He learned many things from scratch, modest and prudent, united and respected his colleagues in his work, and gave full play to his collective wisdom. Duan Yun, who has been engaged in financial and economic work for many years, later recalled that Li Xiannian was "open-minded and not ashamed to ask questions. As Chairman Mao said, he learned economic work from all insiders (no matter who they were), and quickly mastered this aspect. A lot of knowledge." Li Xiannian served as finance minister for 22 years, from the beginning of the "ability panic" to finally become a well-known expert and expert of the whole party.

To become "virtue" in serving the people, to become "talent" in the growth ability, and "equal emphasis on virtue and talent" is Li Xiannian's requirement for party members and cadres, and it is also the goal he has pursued unremittingly throughout his life.

September 25, 2017 Source: People's Daily