I and the Forbes List (Hu Rong first tells the story behind the Forbes List)

Author: Hu Rong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Eton College, located thousands of miles away from China on the banks of the River Thames, is one of the most famous private secondary schools in the world. Founded in 1440 by King Henry VI of England, it is renowned as the "cradle of gentlemen." Seventeen British Prime Ministers and thirty-six dignitaries who have received the Victoria Cross (the highest British honor for bravery) are graduates of this school. Many Chinese people know Eton because Prince Charles and the two younger princes, William and Harry, have all studied there. At the age of 13, I entered this renowned school and became one of its members. I have seen some domestic media reports saying that I entered Eton because my ancestors were once nobles. This claim is a bit "outlandish," haha, outlandish in terms of family lineage. Let me clarify, my parents are actually ordinary British people, so there were indeed some difficulties in getting into a prestigious school like Eton. For this reason, at the age of 11, I was sent to an English school to study in preparation for the entrance exam at the age of 13. I was fortunate enough to get admitted to Eton. No effort goes unrewarded. At that time, Eton College had five grades, from 13 to 18 years old, with 250 students per grade, making the total student body 1,250. Among the candidates that year, I ranked in the top 20, which is quite an impressive achievement. Of course, with Eton's excellent tradition and strong academic atmosphere, many of my classmates came from noble families. However, in my eyes, it wasn't a sea of aristocrats. Their minds were incredibly sharp, and who would dare say that the "brother who sleeps above me" won't become the British Prime Minister in the future! The time at Eton was unforgettable. The school provided me with opportunities to develop my athletic and other interests. My favorite sports include squash, rowing, and skiing, and later, I also fell in love with diving and hiking. These activities not only strengthened my physique but also helped me explore many places, broadening my horizons. At the age of 18, I went to Kenya and Zimbabwe with the school's squash team for a competition. If it weren't for the competition, I probably would never have had the chance to visit these places in my lifetime. Yet now, I had two weeks to fully immerse myself in their scenery and learn about their culture—such a fortune. Of course, I can't forget the competition. That time, we brought home a trophy for the school.
To tell you about 1988, when I was 18. One day in May, I discovered a notice posted on the school bulletin board offering a one-year study abroad scholarship to Japan. Knowing that June was the end of the term and I was already planning how to travel, nothing could be more exciting for an 18-year-old than exploring the wonderful world outside, especially for free. Naturally, I signed up without hesitation. To my surprise, I was the only applicant (the following year, there were 10 applicants). The conditions offered by the host school were quite generous—not only covering one year of tuition and living expenses but also providing round-trip first-class air tickets. As soon as I got this opportunity, I immediately switched my first-class ticket to economy. Haha, I was rich. Clutching the first paycheck I had earned...