Wang Yi heard the scattered voices and raised his voice another octave:
"Why do you study?"
"To study for the rise of China!"
This time, a third of the students shouted the answer.
"Why do you study?"
"To study for the rise of China!"
This time, all 5,000 students at the scene shouted in unison.
Wang Yi paused for another ten seconds or so, then said:
"I hope you'll all remember what you said today and put it into practice throughout your lives. I hope that after going abroad, you won't lose yourselves in all the temptations out there, or become discouraged by life's difficulties. When you're at your most lost and helpless, or when you're feeling on top of the world, please remember these words: Study for the rise of China!"
"I hope all Chinese students can resist the temptations abroad and return to their motherland when the country needs them. The country needs you. Please!"
At that, Wang Yi took three steps back and bowed deeply to the 5,000 students.
He bowed at a ninety-degree angle.
After Wang Yi finished bowing, the scene fell silent for a long time.
At that moment, every student had, to some degree, made a resolution in their heart.
"Study for the rise of China" would become their goal.
They didn't know whether their resolve would change in the future, or how much it might change, but at least today, every one of them had embraced those words as a conviction from the bottom of their heart.
In the days ahead, they would remember this lesson for the rest of their lives.
This lesson would also go on to influence some of the major decisions they made in life.
Wang Yi's final, deep bow left an even stronger impression on everyone.
After all,