Approaching the First President: Continuing the Red Bloodline

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习近平总书记多次指出，“一切向前走，都不能忘记走过的路；走得再远、走到再光辉的未来，也不能忘记走过的过去，不能忘记为什么出发。” 弄清楚从哪儿来、往哪儿去，很多问题才能看得深把得准，山东交通学院在党史学习教育中深挖首任校长蔡瑞霖的事迹，追寻老校长砥砺家国情怀、矢志艰苦奋斗、甘做“人梯”的光辉一生，勉励交院师生知史荣校，赓续红色血脉，践行初心使命。
General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly pointed out, "As we move forward, we must not forget the path we have traveled; no matter how far we go and how brilliant our future is, we must not forget our past and why we set out." Only by understanding where we come from and where we are heading can we delve deeper into many questions and have a precise grasp. Shandong Jiatong University, in its study of party history, has deeply explored the deeds of its first president, Cai Ruilin, seeking to trace the old president's patriotic feelings, determination for arduous struggle, and his illustrious life as a "ladder-man," inspiring faculty and students to understand history, carry forward the red bloodline, and fulfill their original mission.

## Passionate Devotion: Sincere Dedication to the Country

1909年9月，蔡瑞霖出生在河北遵化县一个贫寒农民家庭，祖上世代是地道的农民，以务农为主。人多地少，生活窘迫，租种田地维持生计。即便如此，他的父亲深知“万般皆下品，唯有读书高”的道理，对子女接受教育极为重视。蔡瑞霖从小上私塾，学习刻苦，慢慢接触新文化、新理念，思想进步。他亲眼目睹日本鬼子对家乡的多次扫荡，到处烧杀抢掠，残害无辜百姓，萌生了保卫家乡、守护百姓的念头，愤然投身到救国救民的革命洪流中。
In September 1909, Cai Ruilin was born into a poor peasant family in Zunhua County, Hebei Province. Generations of his ancestors were dedicated farmers, emphasizing agriculture as their primary livelihood. With many family members and limited land, their life was difficult, and they relied on renting land to make ends meet. Despite these circumstances, his father deeply understood the saying "All things are secondary to reading," placing great importance on his children's education. Cai Ruilin attended private schools from a young age, studying diligently, gradually engaging with new culture and ideas, and making intellectual progress. Witnessing the repeated pillaging of his hometown by Japanese invaders, who burned, killed, looted, and harmed innocent people, he developed a determination to defend his homeland and protect the people. He fervently joined the revolutionary tide to save the country and its people.

蔡瑞霖1938年7月参加工作，1943年9月加入中国共产党。从抗日战争到解放战争，再到抗美援朝，他跟随革命队伍南征北战，顾不上家人安危，将小我融入到民族解放中，不怕牺牲，英勇斗争，在枪林弹雨中挥洒着青春和热血。
Cai Ruilin began working in July 1938 and joined the Communist Party of China in September 1943. From the resistance against Japan to the liberation war and later in the Korean War, he followed the revolutionary forces, fighting in battles across the country. He disregarded the safety of his family, integrating his individual self into the cause of national liberation. Fearless of sacrifice, he fought valiantly, pouring his youth and passion into the struggle amidst gunfire and explosions.

“鬼子用枪口对准我的母亲逼问：你家里有年轻的女人和孩子，男人哪里去了？是不是参加“八路”了？不说实话就毙了你。母亲一口咬定，男人生病死了，只有孤儿寡母一起过日子，这样才侥幸逃过一劫。在那些年里，母亲和家人整天提心吊胆，没有过上一天安稳日子，不知哪一天就会惨死在日本鬼子的刺刀下。后来，我母亲也当兵参加了革命。”蔡瑞霖之子蔡志理在采访中说。
"The invaders pointed their guns at my mother and interrogated her: 'Do you have any young women and children at home? Where are the men? Are they joining the Eighth Route Army? If you don't tell the truth, we'll kill you!' My mother firmly asserted that the men were dead due to illness, and only the orphaned and widowed were left to live together. This was the only way to escape disaster. During those years, my mother and our family lived in constant fear, never having a peaceful day, unsure if one day they would die tragically under the bayonets of the Japanese invaders. Later on, my mother also joined the revolution as a soldier," said Cai Zhili, the son of Cai Ruilin, during an interview.

“父亲还常给我们讲起战争年代的艰苦，一场战斗下来，就会牺牲很多人，有些新战士刚刚参军，还没来得及登记姓名就永远失去了生命，家人都无人知晓。”蔡志理动情地说道，“父亲通过这些历史事实教育我们，务必珍惜今天来之不易的幸福生活，激励我们报效祖国。”
"My father often told us about the hardships during the wartime. After each battle, many people would sacrifice their lives. Some new soldiers had just joined the army, and before they could even register their names, they had already lost their lives forever, with no one knowing their identity," Cai Zhili emotionally expressed. "Through these historical facts, my father educated us to cherish the hard-won happiness of today's life and inspired us to serve our motherland."

人无精神不立，国无精神不强。中国，在抗日战争中形成了伟大的抗战精神，在抗美援朝战争中锻造形成了伟大的抗美援朝精神，一直激励着蔡瑞霖克服一切艰难险阻，为国家振兴和时代建设探路先行。他先后担任冀东四纵队参谋、晋察冀一分区侦查参谋，情报站站长、晋察冀军分区通讯股长、科长、参谋长、大队长，皖南军区侦查科长、干校教育长、教导团团长、农建五师办公室主任、铁道兵十一师工程处处长、铁道兵第二转建大队队长，交通部济南汽车机械学校校长、山东交通专科学校副校长、济南交通学校副校长等职。1982年12月离职休养，享受厅级待遇。1995年8月13日（阴历）离世，享年86岁。
A person without spirit cannot stand, and a nation without spirit cannot be strong. In China, the great spirit of resistance was forged during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and the great spirit of resistance and aid was formed during the Korean War. These spirits continuously inspired Cai Ruilin to overcome all challenges and obstacles, pioneering the way for the revitalization of the country and the construction of the era. He held various positions, including Staff Officer of the Jidong Fourth Column, Intelligence Officer for the Jin-Cha-Ji Border Area, Chief of Intelligence Station, Head of Communications Division for the Jin-Cha-Ji Military District, Chief, Deputy Chief, and Staff Officer of the Intelligence Department of the Southern Anhui Military District, Director of Education at a Military School, Head of Education at a Military School, Commander of an Educational and Training Battalion, Director of the Office of Agricultural and Construction Corps, Director of the Engineering Department of the 11th Railway Engineer Division, Commander of the Second Construction Battalion of the Railway Engineer Division, President of the Jinan Automobile Machinery School, Vice President of Shandong Jiaotong University, and Vice President of Jinan Jiaotong College. He retired in December 1982 and enjoyed the status of a government department-level official. He passed away on August 13, 1995 (lunar calendar), at the age of 86.

## Pioneering Endeavors: Arduous Establishment of the School

调令传来，时代召唤。1956年2月10日，交通部致函山东省交通厅要求协助筹建交通部济南汽车机械学校（山东交通学院前身），委派蔡瑞霖同志负责筹建工作，并任命他为校长。“我国交通事业发展很快，交通部决定在济南建一所汽车机械学校，规模2000人，今年9月1日开学，第一期招生12个班480人，具体任务由我们完成。”蔡瑞霖对前来交通部报到的建校筹备组成员曹鹏程（时任山东省交通工程大队政委）、范有本（学校秘书）传达了部领导的决定。会计李志报到后，四人乘火车来到济南，开始了学校的筹建工作。
With the call of the times, a new mission emerged. On February 10, 1956, the Ministry of Communications sent a letter to the Shandong Provincial Department of Communications, requesting assistance in establishing the Jinan Automobile Machinery School on behalf of the Ministry of Communications. Comrade Cai Ruilin was assigned the task of organizing the construction and was appointed as the president. "China's transportation industry is developing rapidly. The Ministry of Communications has decided to establish an automotive mechanical school in Jinan with a scale of 2,000 students. The school will commence on September 1 this year, with the first enrollment of 480 students in 12 classes. The specific tasks will be completed by us," Cai Ruilin conveyed the ministry's decision to the members of the preparatory team who reported to the Ministry of Communications. Along with Cao Pengcheng (the Political Commissar of Shandong Provincial Transport Engineering Brigade at that time) and Fan Youben (the school secretary), they traveled to Jinan by train after Li Zhi, the accountant, reported for duty, commencing the construction of the school.

从无到有，永远是最艰难。9月份顺利开学，这对选址都还没敲定的学校来说困难重重。面对当前的种种困难，蔡瑞霖毫不退缩、勇往直前，带领全体教职工昼夜奋战赶工期，争分夺秒抓进度。从2月份艰难筹备建校到9月份顺利迎来新生，当年选址，当年动工，当年开学，只用了短短7个月。
Creating something out of nothing is always the most difficult. Opening the school successfully in September posed significant challenges for a school that hadn't even settled on a location. Faced with numerous difficulties, Cai Ruilin did not back down, leading all faculty and staff to work tirelessly day and night to meet the construction deadline and make progress at every opportunity. From the arduous preparations in February to the successful start of classes in September, the school's site selection, construction, and commencement were all completed within a short span of seven months.

“他心里装着学校，亲自去选址、勘探地形，一开始去千佛山附近考察了好多次，蔡校长觉得，‘千佛山附近地理位置虽然优越，但山沟沟太多，填起来太慢，又太费钱。我们的学校占地面积很大，需要汽车教练跑道，另找地方吧’。最后选择了堤口村、黄岗村一带。实践证明，在这里建校，地价便宜，施工方便，工程质量好，进度快，为国家节省了大量投资，功劳应归于有远见的蔡校长。”在庆祝学校50周年校庆之际，采访范有本（已故）时他感概道。
"He carried the school in his heart, personally selecting sites and surveying the terrain. Initially, he visited the area near Qianfo Mountain many times. President Cai felt that while the geographical location near Qianfo Mountain was advantageous, there were too many gullies that would be slow to fill and costly. Since our school required a large area, including a car coach track, he decided to look for another location. Eventually, he chose the vicinity of Dikou Village and Huanggang Village. Practice proved that establishing the school here resulted in cheap land prices, convenient construction, good project quality, and rapid progress. This choice saved a significant amount of national investment, a credit that goes to the visionary President Cai," reflected the late Fan Youben during an interview on the occasion of the school's 50th anniversary celebration.

“建校初期，由于筹备时间紧促，学校的条件相当不好，教学基础设施准备不足，只得临时将大礼堂隔开，一半用作办公室，一半用作职工宿舍，学生在未竣工的一楼上课，二、三层照常施工；学校西边是军用机场，教练机不断起降，轰鸣声影响教学；东边紧靠养鸡场，北边与大粪晒干场相邻，苍蝇横飞,气味难闻，给学校师生带来极其难忍的痛苦。”李士玉在《纪念蔡瑞霖校长》一文中写到，“蔡校长想尽各种办法，极力去改变现状，大家同甘共苦，同心同德，自力更生，没有怨言，也没有退却，终于度过了那段艰难的岁月。”
"In the early days of establishing the school, due to tight preparations, the school's conditions were quite poor, and the infrastructure for teaching was inadequate. The assembly hall had to be temporarily divided into two parts – one serving as an office and the other as dormitories for staff. Students had classes on the unfinished first floor, while construction continued on the second and third floors. To the west of the school was a military airport with constant take-offs and landings of training aircraft, which affected teaching due to the noise. To the east, there was a chicken farm, and to the north, adjacent to the school, was a large manure drying area. Flies were rampant, and the unpleasant odor made life extremely difficult for the school's staff and students," wrote Li Shiyu in his article "Commemorating President Cai Ruilin." He continued, "President Cai tried every means to change the situation, working hard to improve conditions. We shared the hardships, stayed united, worked hard, and did not complain or retreat. Eventually, we survived those difficult years."

蔡瑞霖在艰苦的战争环境中锻造了不怕牺牲、艰苦朴素、任劳任怨、甘于奉献的精神品质。来到学校后，他依然保持红色革命情怀，并把老一辈无产阶级革命家的光荣传统和优良作风带到了学校，为学校的建设倾注了大量的心血。山东交通学院自创建之日起，就流淌着红色的血液、传承着红色的基因。
In the challenging wartime environment, Cai Ruilin forged qualities of selflessness, simplicity, diligence, and dedication. Upon arriving at the school, he maintained his revolutionary spirit and brought the glorious traditions and fine qualities of the older generation of proletarian revolutionaries to the institution. Since its inception, Shandong Jiaotong College has been infused with red blood and carries the legacy of its revolutionary genes.

## Caring for Teachers and Students: Focusing on Education

千秋大业，系于教育；三尺讲台，关乎未来。蔡瑞霖为了尽快为国家建设培养出所需人才，夙兴夜寐、全心投入探索育人之道。他坚持以学生的发展为本位的理念，关心关爱每一位学生；他关注教学，确立了以教学为中心，以教师为主体，其他各项工作都要为教学服务、为学生服务的办学理念。
"The great cause of the future is rooted in education; the three-foot podium shapes the future. Cai Ruilin, in order to swiftly cultivate the talents needed for the country's development, dedicated himself day and night, fully immersing himself in exploring the path of education. He adhered to the concept of placing student development at the core, caring for and cherishing each student. He focused on teaching and established the principle that teaching should be at the center, with teachers as the main body, and all other tasks should serve teaching and students.

“每到夜晚，父亲经常去“大宿舍”查铺和看望学生，每当他看到学生的胳膊露在外面，就会亲自上前为他们盖好被子，摆放好鞋子，甚至有时候清早还帮着学生倒尿壶。后来，在父亲晚年有病卧床时期，当年的学生曾来探望，他们动情地回忆当年的情景，历历在目，甚为赞叹。”蔡瑞霖之子蔡志理说。
"Every evening, my father often went to the 'big dormitory' to inspect the beds and visit the students. Whenever he saw a student's arm exposed, he would personally cover them with a blanket, neatly place their shoes, and sometimes even help them pour water for their chamber pots early in the morning. Later, during his final years when he was bedridden due to illness, students from those years came to visit. They nostalgically recalled those scenes from the past, still vivid in their minds, and spoke highly of him," said Cai Ruilin's son, Cai Zhili.

学校1956级（首届）学生杜成回忆起当年上学的情景，一切仿佛在昨天，他激动地说，“冬天冷，学校为了让学生用热水洗脸洗漱，在地下挖个坑，把大瓷缸埋到地下，用地来保温，学生挨着号把热水舀出来放牙刷缸里、放脸盆里。没有条件，学校给我们创造条件，我是感恩学校的。”
Du Cheng, a student from the inaugural class of 1956, recalled the scenes of his schooling years as if they were yesterday. He excitedly said, "The winters were cold. To enable students to use hot water for washing, the school dug a pit underground and buried a large porcelain basin to keep the water warm. Students lined up to scoop hot water and put it in toothbrush mugs and wash basins. Despite the lack of conditions, the school created them for us. I am grateful to the school."

蔡瑞霖关心师生的例子不胜枚举，他本可以享受买公务轿车的待遇，为了可以顺路搭载更多的师生，坚持换买吉普车；学校初期餐桌紧张，部分教工提前5分钟下班去占座，他得知后非常生气，明确要求教工不准提前下班，党员同志带头不要上餐桌吃饭，一律蹲在地上吃饭，把餐桌让给上课的老师先用；他注重提高教师的业务知识水平，组织教师进修、开展学术讲座、给教师订阅专业期刊、组织教师公开观摩教学、要求教师撰写教学论文、举办教师教案展览。
There are countless examples of Cai Ruilin's care for both teachers and students. Despite being entitled to purchase an official sedan, he chose to buy a jeep instead, so he could offer rides to more teachers and students along the way. During the early days of the school, when dining tables were scarce, some faculty members would rush to claim seats by leaving work five minutes early. Upon learning about this, Cai Ruilin was greatly displeased. He explicitly demanded that faculty members not leave work early, and he urged party members not to eat at the tables, instructing everyone to sit on the ground and leave the tables for the teachers who were heading to class. He also emphasized raising the level of teachers' professional knowledge, organizing further studies, academic lectures, subscribing to professional journals, arranging public teaching observations, requiring teachers to write teaching papers, and hosting exhibitions of teaching plans.

在关心关爱师生的同时，蔡瑞霖对师生的要求也非常严格。每天清晨，早早来到操场检查学生出操，晚上去教室查看学生自习情况；他要求教师上课前必须吃透教材，不上无准备之课，并要求教师在每一门课程中体现思想性和科学性，不仅使学生能学到技能，更要使授课内容在爱国主义教育方面或辩证唯物主义方面给学生启发。
While caring for and cherishing teachers and students, Cai Ruilin was also extremely strict in his expectations. Every morning, he would arrive early at the playground to inspect the students during their morning exercise, and in the evenings, he would go to the classrooms to check on students during their self-study time. He demanded that teachers thoroughly understand the course materials before class, forbidding them from teaching unprepared lessons. He also required teachers to infuse their courses with both ideological and scientific content, ensuring that students not only acquired skills but also received inspiration in areas like patriotism education and dialectical materialism.

实践其所信，励行其所知。蔡瑞霖用爱与奉献践行着为人师者的精神，并从实践中总结出“严、尊、勤、全”的校风，“三学”“四好”“五关心”的办学思路。这些育人之道处处为学生着想，时时关心老师，设身处地为国家建设培养可用人才，无不体现着蔡瑞霖作为一位老一辈教育工作者的大视野、大格局和大情怀。至今，在山东交通学院被广大教师作为为宝贵的经验去学习、去传承、去践行。
He practiced what he believed and acted upon his knowledge. Cai Ruilin embodied the spirit of being an educator through love and dedication. He summarized a school culture characterized by strictness, respect, diligence, and inclusiveness, along with a guiding principle of "Three Learnings," "Four Excellences," and "Five Cares." These educational approaches consistently considered the students' well-being, while also showing care for the teachers. They reflected Cai Ruilin's broad perspective, overarching vision, and profound dedication as a veteran educator. To this day, these values remain cherished by the teachers of Shandong Jiaotong University, guiding them in learning, passing on, and putting into practice this invaluable experience.

## Unchanging Initial Aspiration: Passing the Torch of Tradition

斯人已逝，精神永存。蔡瑞霖带到山东交通学院的优良传统以及他践行的治学理念，影响着一代代交院人，并不断赋予新的时代价值。新生入学，学校开展校史校情专题教育，让新生知校史、明校情，了解蔡瑞霖的光辉一生，感悟蔡瑞霖的革命情怀和教育使命。学生在蔡瑞霖雕塑前开展主题党日活动，深切缅怀老校长，汲取奋进的力量，这已成为学校沉浸式、情景化开展校史教育的常态化举措；精心策划拍摄专题片《走近首任校长蔡瑞霖》，生动展现蔡瑞霖的光辉历程和感人故事，多载体、多渠道在师生间开展宣传教育。
The person has passed away, but their spirit lives on. Cai Ruilin brought to Shandong Jiaotong University a legacy of excellence and his guiding academic principles, which continue to influence generations of individuals from the university and continuously imbue new values in the modern era. When new students enroll, the university organizes specialized education about the school's history and identity, allowing them to become acquainted with the school's history, comprehend the splendid life of Cai Ruilin, and appreciate his revolutionary spirit and educational mission. Students engage in themed party activities in front of the sculpture of Cai Ruilin, deeply commemorating the former president and drawing inspiration for their own endeavors. This practice has become a regular approach for the university to conduct immersive and situational historical education. Meticulously planned documentary films like "Approaching the First President Cai Ruilin" vividly portray Cai Ruilin's illustrious journey and touching stories, employing various forms and channels to carry out propaganda and education among the faculty and students.

春华秋实六十五载，学校由交专到交院，从中专层次发展成本科高校，一路走来，十易其名，却初心不改，使命不渝；壮志满怀，砥砺前行。在一代代交院人的努力下，学校人才培养成效显著，学科建设取得重大突破，科研水平全面提升，国际化进程进一步加快，社会服务能力持续提升，现已为社会培养、培训了26万余名交院人，他们在各自的岗位上报效着国家、服务着人民。
Over the course of sixty-five years, as the school evolved from a vocational college to a comprehensive university, it has maintained its initial aspiration through ten name changes, remaining steadfast in its mission and determination. With determined aspirations, the university continues its journey, forging ahead. Under the efforts of successive generations from the university, significant progress has been achieved in student cultivation, substantial breakthroughs in discipline construction, comprehensive elevation of research standards, acceleration of internationalization, and continuous enhancement of social service capabilities. The university has now educated and trained over 260,000 individuals who contribute to society in their respective roles, serving the country and its people.

历史塑造未来，今天影响明天。追根溯源，感恩奋进，学校将继续用好校史资源，讲好交院故事，做到以史为鉴，让学校“为党育人、为国育才”的教育初心永相传。未来，学校将始终把自己的命运与祖国的繁荣富强、交通事业的创新发展同向同行，继续谱写高质量发展的新篇章，为实现中华民族伟大复兴的中国梦作出更大的贡献！
History shapes the future, and today influences tomorrow. Tracing back to the source, showing gratitude, the university will continue to make good use of historical resources, share the stories of Shandong Jiaotong University, and draw lessons from history. The core educational mission of "nurturing people for the Party, fostering talents for the country" will be passed down from generation to generation. Looking ahead, the university will consistently align its destiny with the prosperity and strength of the motherland, as well as the innovative development of the transportation industry. It will continue composing new chapters of high-quality development and contribute even more significantly to realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

（山东交通学院 周颜玲 张晓）
Shandong Jiaotong University: Zhou Yanling, Zhang Xiao