The story of Ouyang Dong
2022-06-23
In 1921, Ouyang Dong gave up his high-paying position as headmaster of Shaoyang Xinning Primary School. He returned to Wugang and founded Sisi Factory and Sisi School with Deng Zhongyu to popularize the new culture. Besides, he set up the Marxist academic group Sisi Society.
Ouyang Dong's father was the owner of a book shop, and his printing business was booming.
In order to raise money to run the school, Ouyang Dong talked with the businessman to terminate his father's purchase contract and recovered the deposit of 2,000 silver dollars. He also sold the remaining 10 mu (about 0.67 hectares) of paddy fields as well as his wife's dowry and jewelry.
The family of Ouyang Dong's father-in-law was wealthy and influential in Wantou Village, Wugang. His mother-in-law was the granddaughter of the magistrate of Suzhou and in charge of the family's property. She was knowledgeable and understanding, and she admired Ouyang Dong.
Ouyang Dong persuaded his mother-in-law to support his new school. He also borrowed a large amount of money from the local enlightened families.
After the founding of Sisi School, Ouyang Dong served as headmaster and music teacher. He taught numbered musical notation to the students in the first grade and second grade and imparted staff to the third-grade students.
In 1924, the first sports meeting was held in Wugang, and Ouyang Dong wrote lyrics for it. Sisi School won more than two thirds of the pennants during the sports meeting.
Ouyang Dong was rigorous in school’s administration and achieved remarkable teaching results. People in the surrounding counties all sent their children to Sisi School.
Ouyang Dong joined the Communist Party of China in 1925. In 1928, he was arrested and died in Shiziling in Changsha, which led to the end of Sisi School.
After Ouyang Dong's death, the enlightened gentlemen visited his father one after another. These gentlemen took out the receipts for a loan and burned them in public, so that their descendants would never ask Ouyang Dong's family to pay off the debts.
