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He Yiquan: My life and the life of Sanmao
Abstract I was born in 1932 and am now 81 years old. In January 1951, during my second year at Wuhan University, I answered the call of the Anti-US Aid and the Protection of the Homeland and joined the Chinese People's Volunteers. After six years of resuming my studies, I graduated from Huazhong Institute of Technology (now Huazhong University of Science and Technology) in 1960. I retired in 1995 after more than 40 years of service, with over 30 years spent in management roles. Throughout my career, which spanned 81 years, I dedicated 6/7 of it to Sanmao, and two-thirds of my life was shaped by this organization. There is a saying: "Life is three people, death is three ghosts." I often reflect on my journey through time. Key moments include joining the army, returning to school, engaging in research, joining the Communist Party, and eventually becoming a director—most of these were within an office setting. The 55th anniversary celebration stirred up many memories. I am deeply grateful to Sanmao for giving me the opportunity to serve the country and the people, and for enabling personal achievements that I can be proud of. I feel satisfied with the love and support I received from Sanmao.
In the first half of 1960, I returned to Wuhan University (then known as Huazhong Institute of Technology) for my fifth year of study. I visited the library and read a magazine where I came across an article by Wang Jin, the first director of the "Machine Tools and Tools" department. After reading it, I learned about Sanmao, though I never expected to be assigned there. During the rectification movement, when I filled out my volunteer distribution form, all three choices were factories. I thought of combining factory work with labor and growth. I was surprised when I received my assignment. My major was mechanical manufacturing technology, but I was sent to a facility focused on chemical and non-metallic materials. I thought, “Why not change wheels?†It felt like a new beginning.
On August 14th of that year, I arrived at Ludong Village by bus after getting off the train. Upon reporting, I was assigned to the design team. That’s when I realized I would be working on mechanical design, which brought me relief. Later, I learned that during World War II, Germany bombed the Soviet Union, targeting bearing and grinding wheel factories. Shenyang, Zibo, and Zhengzhou had three major grinding wheel factories (No. 1, No. 4, and No. 2), all classified as secret units. This made me realize the strategic importance of the industry. In 1961, Comrade Lu Genren took over and introduced the concept of "quiet and focused research," which greatly inspired me. The design team evolved into a professional research office, and Director Lu became the head of the special equipment research room. Mr. Yu proposed a development plan for the Sixth Research Office, including industry surveys, studying abroad, establishing laboratories, and building manufacturing plants. It gave me hope for the future of the industry. I served as deputy leader of the abrasive tools group, and I was deeply grateful for the trust and encouragement from the party organization.
During the implementation of the "five-fix" policy, I asked the team members to focus on key processes such as grinding wheel molding and compounding, and I took on the remaining tasks. I visited factories multiple times, observed the rough machinery, and saw the hard conditions of the workers. I was determined to improve the industry’s outdated equipment. The six research rooms became the places where I served the people, and I took my first step in my professional journey.
I got married in 1963 at the age of 31. Since then, I had a lifelong partner and a stable family. I devoted myself entirely to work, even missing a year of family leave. In 1966, I led the development of the first oil-stone surface grinder for the industry, solving the problem of manually holding the oil stone while grinding, and won an advanced project award. As deputy leader of the abrasive equipment group, we developed the resin sheet grinding wheel roll forming machine, which solved manual enamel film issues and earned us recognition as an advanced professional group. I was honored as a technical innovation master and spoke at the conference. From that point on, I felt confident and continued advancing in my scientific research career.
Around 1973, I worked on six key tasks: preparing development plans for industry-specific equipment, joint design with 10 factories, setting up centralized production systems, coordinating with the Ministry of Machinery, completing the "Design and Design of Grinding Machine Tool Selection" project, starting the "Selection and Design of Abrasive Mixer," and participating in the preparation of the industry's "Sixth Five-Year Plan" and technical reform plan. At the time, I was full of energy, working day and night. These were critical steps in my research career.
Over the past 20 years, I have led or participated in over 30 projects and technical works. Among them, "Design and Design of Grinding Machine Tool Selection" achieved six firsts: more people, more results, more applications, higher efficiency, more awards, and broader impact. The special-shaped grinding wheel processing machine used advanced technologies such as rigid spindles, hydraulic chucks, and closed rigid beds. It was manufactured in Fushan County and won the second prize for major scientific and technological achievements in Shanxi Province. The oil-stone surface grinder changed the layout of imported equipment and was praised for its compact design and improved performance. It was produced in Fuxin and won local and provincial awards. The entire project also received recognition from Henan Province.
Over the past 20 years, I have traveled to more than 100 cities and visited nearly 100 grinding wheel factories. I worked in Beijing, Tianjin, Yantai, and other places, often staying for half a year. I met hundreds of technicians and workers, who invited me to their homes for meals. I helped grind oil stones and operated electric wheels. During the summer, I often stayed in factories for months, sometimes unable to get proper rest. I once took three consecutive nights on a train to reach Fuxin, reported back to the director after arriving late at night, and barely had time to sleep. I was busy at industry meetings, summarizing foreign situations and presenting reports without a break. Because of frequent travel and long hours, my wife, who moved in 1973, faced health issues alone, which made me feel guilty.
After serving as deputy leader and team leader for over a decade, the reform and opening-up era brought new opportunities. In 1979, I was appointed deputy director of the Sixth Research Office. A year later, I was promoted to director and took on technical management responsibilities. In 1982, the ministry appointed me as deputy chief engineer of Sanmao, responsible for technical transformation. I visited the ministry over ten times in six months. I was very dedicated to my work and intended to continue doing so.
I enjoy reading books and newspapers, especially political studies. I subscribed to magazines like "Red Flag" and "Learning," read Mao Xuan's four volumes, and studied philosophical works like "Contradictions" and "Practice Theory." Party Secretary Zhao Qunyi often visited our office for political studies and invited me to speak at general meetings. I was honored as an advanced individual in Zhengzhou Industrial Science Daqing and visited Daqing with Zhao Shuji, where I was deeply inspired.
On the eve of the 60th anniversary of the Communist Party on June 30, 1981, I submitted another application for party membership. On July 1, 1982, I finally became a member of the Chinese Communist Party. I had been a member of the New Democracy Youth League since 1950 and had long dreamed of joining the party. I had a patriotic dream from the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Despite many challenges, I never wavered in my belief in the Communist Party and socialism. I passed all political tests, especially during the Cultural Revolution. Joining the party at the age of 50 was a proud moment in my life.
In July 1983, the ministry appointed me as director of the Sanmao Institute. It was something I never expected. I prefer managing things rather than people, but as a party member, I could not refuse. I did my best, later serving as party secretary. For over a decade, I endured many difficulties, living a life different from before. The early years of leadership were far more complex than research. Although I believed I was not suitable for the role, I could not let go. The pressure was immense, and I had to act with courage. Less than two years later, on April 30, 1985, I suffered from Ménière's disease and had to stay in bed. Though hospitalized twice, the condition persisted. Later, I delegated most of the work to Deputy Director Yan Wenhao and entrusted the party committee to Deputy Secretary Shao Dehou. I only came to work in the mornings. By 1993, the situation gradually improved, and my health recovered. In 1995, after much effort, I was allowed to retire. I had served for over 60 years and 2 years.
As a director, I always aimed to do things for the public and treat others sincerely, never using power for personal gain. I didn't manage employees directly but supported them. I believed that my term should withstand employee evaluation and historical scrutiny. I never looked at personnel files or technical information, as it wasn’t necessary. I based decisions on facts and the system, not personal feelings.
When I took over as director, the ministry urged me to start a business, not just maintain the status quo. I focused on reform and opening up, positioning the institute in the market economy. I considered the future of the planning office in light of national conditions and market trends. I thought beyond short-term goals, focusing on decades ahead. This led to some unconventional actions, such as forming joint ventures and creating engineering centers. Two major events were the establishment of joint ventures and the creation of an engineering center. I wrote an article about the engineering center during the 45th anniversary of the institute and included these efforts in my historical review.
The joint venture and engineering center were not official tasks but major initiatives. The first joint venture, Shenzhen Zhengyuan Superhard Materials Co., Ltd., was approved by the Shenzhen Municipal Government. We initially faced resistance from the ministry but argued that it was a technical window in the reform area, which led to approval. In 1989, I signed a cooperation agreement with Osaka Diamond Co., Ltd., which the ministry opposed again. They suggested replacing the local factory, leading to a joint venture between Huanghe Industrial Group and Japan. The engineering center was first approved by the Provincial Science and Technology Commission and the provincial government, then submitted to the State Science and Technology Commission. Our institute became the first engineering center under the Ministry of Machinery. Some directors questioned the purpose of the center, but it gave us autonomy and created favorable conditions for the Shenjian Center. If we had waited longer, the center might not have passed the review.
Despite the extra workload, I found these efforts meaningful. I admired Zhuge Liang and tried my best, even if it meant sacrificing my health.
Three-grinding, abrasives, and grinding—turning hard abrasives into sharp ones for the final machining process. Three mills: honing, grinding, and polishing. I grew up in Sanmao, transitioning from a military graduate to a researcher, then to a top manager. I was recognized as a professor-level senior worker and received a special allowance from the State Council. I was also honored as an outstanding Communist Party member and a National Torch Program advanced individual. I made the most of my strength and played a significant role. On the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the institute, I reflected on my love for Sanmao and the emotional journey. I am grateful for the environment created by reform and opening up, for the stage provided by Sanmao, and for the support of my leaders and colleagues. Even after retirement, I still miss you deeply.