Since ancient times, old men and young wives have existed. Some people joke that men are very single-minded because they like young and beautiful girls no matter what age. The Republic of China period was no exception, and many "old men" married wives who were much younger than themselves, such as Li Zongren, 75, who married Hu Yousong, a 27-year-old nurse. Cheng Qian, a 54-year-old general of the National Revolutionary Army, was only 17 years old.
In 1882, Cheng Qian was born in Guanzhuang, Liling, Hunan, and became a Xiucai at the age of 16 at the end of the Qing Dynasty. After understanding the situation at home and abroad, he decided to abandon his study of literature and martial arts. In 1904, he passed the examination and was sent to Japan to study. During this period, he became acquainted with Song Jiaoren and others, began to lean toward revolution, and the following year joined the league that Dr. Sun Yat-sen had just established, and began a revolutionary career.
In 1907, he entered the Sixth Artillery Section of the Japanese Army Non-Commissioned Officer School. After the Wuchang Uprising, Cheng Qian participated in the Battle of Yangxia and successively served as the commander of the Sixth Army of the National Revolutionary Army and the commander of the First Theater. In early 1936, he was awarded the rank of General of the Army. During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, he commanded major battles such as the Battle of Lanfeng. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he served as vice chairman of the Central Committee of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and governor of Hunan Province
Cheng Qian's fourth wife, Guo Yiqing, was born in 1919 in Shantou, Guangdong Province. She was very beautiful and intelligent from an early age, and had received a new education. I don't know why her parents actually married her to Cheng Qian, who was 54 years old, when she was 17 years old. Therefore, the two are typical of marrying first and falling in love later. Although Cheng Qian is more than 50 years old, because of his long-term military service, his body is very tough. Gradually, Guo Yiqing also accepted him.
Guo Yiqing and Cheng Lian have lived together for 33 years, and in her impression, her husband is usually silent and taciturn, and he only talks about housework and not politics. When he was in a good mood, he told his wife and children historical allusions and literary works with a thick Hunan accent. Every time he came back from abroad, he always had to bring his wife some of her favorite Shanghai snacks and southern fruits. For decades, he never forgot to send monthly living allowances to his wife's relatives. All this, Guo Yiqing saw in her eyes, she knew that Cheng Qian wanted to live with herself wholeheartedly, so she was touched by him and developed feelings for him. After the two married, she was pregnant a total of 16 times, but because of her poor health, only 6 daughters eventually grew up.
In 1968, Cheng Died of Illness in Beijing. Guo Yiqing, 49, while caring for 6 children, works in the Women's Federation and contributes to the construction of new China. In June 1996, Guo Yiqing completed his life in Beijing at the age of 77. Later, according to her last wishes, her children buried her and Cheng Qian together in Babaoshan.