Tang Ruiren practises Chinese calligraphy at her home in Shaoshan, central China's Hunan Province, on Aug. 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Yuan Ruting)
In 1987, Tang set up the first Maojia Restaurant in Shaoshan just across from the former residence of Mao, featuring the late Chinese leader's favorite dishes.
CHANGSHA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- At more than 300 restaurants of Tang Ruiren, the signature dishes have always included braised pork with soy sauce and chili with fermented soybean -- both favorites of Mao Zedong, the late Chinese leader.
Tang, 90, calls herself Mao's "neighbor" because her home was opposite the former residence of Mao in Shaoshan, his hometown in central China's Hunan Province. In 1987, Tang set up the brand of Maojia Restaurant, literally meaning "the restaurant of the Maos," which has more than 300 franchises across China.
Tang met Mao once in 1959 when he went back to his hometown. "He told me that my son should join the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) since he is a descendant of a revolutionary military man," she said. Tang's husband, Mao Kaiqing, joined the army in 1947 and fought battles during Chinese People's War of Liberation in the late 1940s.
Tang Ruiren (2nd L) and her fellow villagers go to work on the fields in Shaoshan, central China's Hunan Province, in June 1976. (Xinhua)
Tang is proud of being Mao's "neighbor," changing her son's name to "Mingjun," meaning "revolutionary military man." Mao Mingjun joined the PLA later. "I told him not to fear difficulties or even sacrifice because he is a clan member and the neighbor of Chairman Mao," said Tang.
In 1987, Tang set up the first Maojia Restaurant in Shaoshan just across from the former residence of Mao, featuring the late Chinese leader's favorite dishes.
Although Mao's favorites are common dishes among the villagers in his hometown, they still attract a large number of tourists visiting his former residence.
After setting up the first branch of the Maojia Restaurant in Beijing in 1993, Tang expanded her business to other Chinese cities including Guangzhou, Chongqing and Urumqi. She even started to learn foreign languages to treat foreign customers in her 60s.
Photo taken in 1981 shows Tang Ruiren ploughing a field in Shaoshan, central China's Hunan Province. (Xinhua)
In 2014, Tang realized her dream of joining the Communist Party of China (CPC). "My mother told me that she wanted to join the CPC more than 40 years ago," said Mao Taozhi.
With the rapid development of her restaurant chain, she introduced a rule where laid-off workers, veterans and children from poor families should account for more than 70 percent of the employees.
"My mother does not like being called an "entrepreneur," said Mao Taozhi. "She sees herself as a waitress of the people as Chairman Mao said we all should serve the people." ■
