Xinhua News Agency, Guangzhou, October 14 — A retired scientist has left a powerful message about life through actions rather than words. Academician Lu Yonggen, who is currently battling a serious illness, recently donated over 8.8 million yuan from his lifetime savings to support education. "The Party trained me, and returning my personal property to the country is my final contribution," he said.
Lu Yonggen, 87, decided to donate all of his savings after being diagnosed with cancer. Alongside his wife, Xu Xuebin, he carefully transferred more than a dozen deposits to South China Agricultural University. The process, which involved signing and entering passwords for each transaction, took nearly an hour and a half.
Together, they donated a total of 8,894,446 yuan, which the university used to establish an education fund aimed at supporting underprivileged students and rewarding outstanding young teachers. When Li Dasheng, the university’s Party Committee Secretary, saw Lu’s trembling hands pulling out a stack of passbooks wrapped in brown paper, he couldn’t hold back his tears.
Despite his wealth, Lu’s home still reflects the modest lifestyle of the 1980s: worn wooden sofas, old televisions, rusted beds, and baskets used to hang books. Everything was tied with rope or fixed with nails. His chair, still in use, was repaired with iron wire.
Those who have visited his home often say that it's surrounded by books. On weekdays, Lu would join students in line for meals, eating quietly and finishing every bite. He often reminded students not to waste food, saying, “How many trees must grow just to make one bowl of rice?â€
Lu’s secretary, Zhao Xingjuan, shared that the couple had always been generous, donating money annually to education and poverty alleviation. In 2014, they secretly donated two shops in their hometown to a local primary school.
Lu never left any inheritance for his only daughter, believing that personal wealth should be given back to society. One of his notebook pages reads: “Do a little more, take a little less, strengthen your waist, speak a little.â€
Born in Hong Kong in 1930, Lu joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1949 and returned to Guangzhou. “I gave up an easy life on the island to return to the mainland because I wanted to work for the country’s revival,†he once said.
Throughout his career, Lu remained committed to education. As dean of South China Agricultural College, he refused special treatment, insisting on simplicity and integrity. He was strict with those around him, even preventing a relative from working at the university while he was in charge.
However, when it came to scientific research and talent development, Lu was incredibly generous. He funded new laboratories, rewarded top researchers, and supported students financially, even lending them money for travel abroad.
In the field of rice genetics, Lu made groundbreaking contributions. He proposed the theory of “specific affinity genes†for rice, which significantly advanced breeding practices. Over the past five years, his team developed 33 new crop varieties covering over 10 million mu.
He also led efforts to collect and preserve rare rice resources, including wild species. In 2001, at age 70, he ventured into the mountains of Fogang to find wild rice, despite physical limitations. Students had to support him as he climbed.
Lu’s legacy lives on through the many students and scholars he mentored, now leading academic institutions and research programs. “His integrity and passion changed my life,†said Wen Simei, vice chairman of the Central Democratic League.
Even during his hospitalization, Lu remained active within the party. A temporary party branch was established in his ward, meeting monthly. “We will never leave the Party,†said Xu Xuebin.
“He made us reflect on what truly matters in life,†said Wang Hui, a teacher at the university.
On a memorable night in 1984, Lu delivered a speech at the university. With no lights and a crowd of students gathered on the lawn, he said: “Life is precious, but love is higher. If it is for the motherland, both can be sacrificed. I hope to be a small spark that ignites patriotism in your hearts.â€
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