At five o'clock in the morning, a couple in their forties toiled in the fields at night. The wife stood there, her sleeves fluttering empty in the night wind, and she clamped the flashlight steadily with her head and shoulders to illuminate the husband who was planing the floor.
The husband, who had long been accustomed to prosthetics, was firmly rooted in the ground, swinging the hoe with his only left hand, and beads of sweat dripped down.
Year after year, the family changed from three people, five people, seven people, and the house changed from a dilapidated adobe house to a big tile house with red brick and white walls, and the people became more and more prosperous, and the days became more and more prosperous.
The husband is zhang shundong and the wife is li guoxiu.
On March 3, they took the stage of the 2021 Person of the Year Awards Ceremony of "Moving China", and there was a sentence in the award speech: "No feet to get rich, no hands to embroider happiness flowers." ”
Some people say, "This is the best interpretation of each other." ”
Some people say, "They are the manifestations of the disabled zhijian of the present." ”
Some people also say, "Such optimism and positivity are the inner embodiment of people's perseverance and personality, and they are also an important force in fighting against the storms of life." ”
In 1974, Zhang Shundong was born in Pingzi Village, Wulong Town, Dongchuan District.
At the age of 6, an accident took away his able-bodied body and changed his life.
On that day, the high-voltage line on the mountain was blown off by a storm, and Zhang Shundong's sheep happened to be trapped by the power line. He held out his right hand and tried to remove the wire, but the ten-volt voltage instantly knocked him unconscious on the ground.
When Zhang Shundong woke up, his entire right arm had been cut off shoulder-to-shoulder, and both heels were badly burned. Since then, he can only support his body with his forefoots, walking and shaking, and he has no way to start the farm work that he was familiar with.
Zhang Shundong, who is strong in nature, did not feel depressed because of the lack of hands and injured feet, and he told himself that he would do it twice, three times, a hundred times if he couldn't do it once, as long as he made enough effort, he could do what normal people could do.
Going up the mountain to graze, digging the ground in the field, carrying pine hair and grain, Zhang Shundong repeated various agricultural tasks every day and year after year until he was handy. Gradually, the disabled six-year-old grew into a strong teenager, and the only left hand was also exercised vigorously and dexterously.
His mother was deeply relieved by his optimism, but she was still worried about his marriage.
A relative once quipped to Zhang Shundong that he wanted to introduce Li Guoxiu, a girl from a neighboring village, to him. Originally an unintentional joke, Zhang Shundong firmly remembered it in his heart and began to look forward to meeting with the girl.
It just so happened that his brother and Li Guoxiu were alumni, so he often asked: "Brother, what does Li Guoxiu look like?" ”
Once, Zhang Shundong went with his brother to sell tobacco leaves. This time, fate was as destined as heaven, Zhang Shundong met the girl who always came to his mind, Li Guoxiu.
In the bustling market, Li Guoxiu, who had a clear eyebrow, stood in front of Zhang Shundong with a faint smile. When he smiled back at her, he knew that he had made up his mind, "I will not marry her!" ”
Li Guoxiu was also quite impressed, "A pair of white shoes, a strong body, and a very handsome appearance." ”
In this way, two young people fell in love.
On the day zhang Shundong came to the door to propose to him, Li Guoxiu's heart was happy and anxious, and she bowed her head and said, "Don't abandon me for not having a hand." ”
Zhang Shundong laughed and said in a firm tone, "If I were disgusted, I wouldn't have come to your house." ”
However, this relationship was still opposed by the woman's parents: you two add up to one hand and two legs, how will you live in the future?
Zhang Shundong knew what the other party was worried about, but he did not give up, and as soon as he had time, he pedaled his bicycle to Li's house. He did not stalk and never bragged about how he would take care of Li Guoxiu, but rolled up his sleeves to help do this and that, and proved himself to be a trustworthy person with his actions.
Over time, the woman's parents recognized this down-to-earth young man, "Guoxiu married him, presumably he will not be hungry." ”
In 1993, the two held a joyful wedding and lived a life of inseparable and brotherhood.
During the spring planting, he cut the hole in front of him, and she then sprinkled the vegetable seeds. When the autumn harvest came, she carried the basket on her back, and he picked the fruit in the back.
At that time, although the days were poor, they were also warm and full, and the important thing was that two people loved and helped each other, and they were also very happy.
A year later, their eldest daughter fell to the ground.
The round and cute child has sound limbs and cries loudly. But Zhang Shundong was broken, and he named his daughter "Guangqiong". Asked about its meaning, he said bluntly, "In any case, the light will shine and heat up, igniting our happy life." ”
The arrival of a new life is joy, comfort, and a heavy burden that has sunk a few points on the shoulders of Zhang Shundong and Li Guoxiu.
In order to make life better, the couple sprinkled a thousand times more sweat than ordinary people, and two inseparable figures could always be seen on mountain passes, fields or county markets.
Zhang Shundong often said: "Husband and wife are in the same heart, and the loess becomes gold." ”
In the early hours of the countless ink-colored mornings, the neighbors of the village were still asleep, and the lights were already lit up in the courtyard of Zhang Shundong's house.
The two of them got up early to wash up, collected their farm tools, brought water and dry food, and each carried a large bamboo basket and went out to work.
Their land was far from home, and they could not afford to buy a scooter at that time, so in order not to miss the season, and in order to complete the day's work on time and in quantity, they had to get up early and get dark, otherwise they would have to stay up late with a flashlight to do work.
Every day when the sun was shining, both of them were sweating, so they were willing to sit down at the edge of the field to catch their breath and eat some dry food. At this time, Zhang Shundong took out a large water bottle, slowly fed his wife to drink first, and drank a few more sips himself.
Occasionally, he would hum a little tune to make her happy.
They can't rest immediately when they go home in the evening, because there is still a lot of chores waiting for them. After cooking the food and feeding the pigs, it is necessary to wash your hands and feet and prepare the dishes for cooking. Li Guoxiu raised one foot to support the pot handle, and Zhang Shundong stirred it with his left hand. By the time the meal was served, the night was as dark as the bottom of the pot.
After dinner, they would play with their daughter for a while. When the child was asleep, the two of them washed up, stretched out their mutilated bodies, slowly lay down, encouraged each other a few words, and then they all fell asleep, and the busyness of the whole day was over.
This rhythm of life, like growing in the bodies of Zhang Shundong and Li Guoxiu, day after day, year after year, has become their commonplace and willingness.
In those years, life was like the moon's surplus, and good things and sufferings always came together.
After the birth of his healthy and cute little son, Zhang Shundong used the savings saved by thrifting clothes and food to open a commissary for his wife, fulfilling her "dream of opening a store".
The children were complete, a family of four, originally thought that the good days were about to begin, who knew that misfortune would come again.
First, Zhang Shundong's brother died of a sudden illness, and then, his sister-in-law also died unexpectedly due to accidents, leaving a pair of orphan girls unattended. Zhang Shundong couldn't bear it, and as soon as he gritted his teeth, he took over the responsibility of raising his two nieces.
At this point, his and Li Guoxiu's burdens became heavier and heavier, and the days that were originally only enough to make ends meet became more and more stretched.
Two men worked day and night to cultivate crops, raise livestock, and on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, they had to carry two large pockets of agricultural products to the market.
Also before dawn, Li Guoxiu said: "Farming pays attention to seasonality, and the stalls also pay attention to time, and the stalls are gone late, and the business of the day is delayed." ”
They had to walk along the ridge for two or three hours to reach the county seat, and after selling the produce, they bought some groceries and brought them back to the commissary to sell.
This kind of small business that many people look down on, Zhang Shundong, who is practical and responsible, has been doing it for more than ten years, and his income is meager but he can also subsidize some families.
In order to reduce the burden on her husband, Li Guoxiu, who had never cooked before marrying, practiced in every way, and learned to wash, cut, and stir-fry vegetables with his feet, and later practiced the skill of "bipedal embroidery" and earned some money with embroidery works.
Rao was so hard working, there was still a danger of cooking in the family, and when it was most painful, they didn't even have a penny.
Overwhelmed, Zhang Shundong and Li Guoxiu hugged their heads and cried, and even thought about dying. However, there are old and young people, and they can't and can't bear to let go.
Zhang Shundong would always raise his head to hold back the tears, and encourage his wife with red eyes: "I am your hand, you are my foot, there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome." ”
Li Guoxiu looked at her husband who was full of wind and frost, and responded with tears: "I am your feet, you are my hands, twisted into a rope, let's live a better life." ”
In 2013, the family had its toughest year.
Four children have to study, of which the eldest daughter is about to take the college entrance examination. To this end, Zhang Shundong and Li Guoxiu cultivated and harvested without black or white, rushed to sell goods, rented several acres of land, and raised more than a dozen pigs.
In the past twenty years, the busyness of the whole day has made Zhang Shundong's two heels extremely painful, and every step he takes is like stepping on the blade. Today, the futile aggravation of the work is even worse.
His wounds were inflamed, festering, swollen like bowls, and the blood in his two shoes was layered on top of each other. Wash your feet at night, and a large basin of water is stained red.
Li Guoxiu was heartbroken, and repeatedly cried that he would listen to the doctor's words and go to amputation as soon as possible.
But Zhang Shundong refused. Because his daughter was admitted to Qujing Normal University, the family saved more than 20,000 yuan, and he wanted to leave it for his daughter to do tuition.
The daughter cried and said that she would not study, and only begged her father to hurry up and be treated. Zhang Shundong wiped away her tears and smiled and said that Dad was fine.
In the end, he persuaded his daughter to go to college with peace of mind, but he had to endure the pain, step by step, and unswervingly staggered on the road of struggle.
Fortunately, at the end of the year, Zhang Shundong's family was included in the establishment of a poor household in Lika, and the state funded him to have a right foot amputation and subsidized the tuition fees of several children.
The burden was suddenly much lighter, but zhang Shundong, the "iron man", refused to rest.
Amputation required at least half a year of recovery, but he only rested for a month, put on a prosthesis, bought a tricycle, and drove his wife to continue to work for his life.
He said: "Working diligently and diligently is what a husband should do, and it is also what a father should do." ”
It is this tenacious and pragmatic spirit, coupled with the support of the government, that the situation of Zhang Shundong's family has gradually improved, the income has increased, and the life has been much looser.
In 2015, Zhang Shundong had to amputate the soles of his left foot, install a prosthesis, and farm the field again. Illness and suffering made him difficult step by step, but it never changed his simple heart and upward pursuit.
At that time, the village was paved with smooth cement roads, and the road to the county seat was unimpeded, and it was no longer necessary to spend a lot of good time in the fields or in the market.
Zhang Shundong and Li Guoxiu would still get up early in the morning, drive a tricycle, and "suddenly" pull the harvest crops to the market. In summer there are watery cabbage, autumn cabbage and yellow corn.
The days are getting better and better, but Zhang Shundong has not slackened off for half a minute.
He believes that poverty alleviation is to help the will, not to help the lazy, and we cannot wait, rely on, or want.
Two years later, with the support of the national dangerous house renovation fund, Zhang Shundong's family built a strong and beautiful new house, the commissary was expanded into a "Shundong grocery store", and "Li Guoxiu embroidery studio" was opened.
In the newly renovated Zhangjia courtyard, the firewood is neat, the flowers and grass are fresh, the chickens, ducks and piglets are napping in the circle, the house is clean and generous, and everything is like the owner, always maintaining a high-spirited posture.
In 2018, the list of the first batch of families in Pingzi Village to get rid of poverty and remove their hats was released, and Zhang Shundong and Li Guoxiu were honorably listed.
In order to thank the state and the government, Li Guoxiu embroidered a work of "always following the party", she said: "We can't fall into the arms of the state as soon as we fall, the state helps itself, and we have to work hard." ”
Zhang Shundong took the initiative to assume the role of a liaison officer for the disabled, running from house to house, and using his personal experience to encourage the villagers to actively move towards poverty alleviation.
In recent years, due to young people going out to work, the left-behind elderly people have less consumption, and the business of grocery stores has become increasingly cold. Zhang Shundong was also unable to withstand heavy farm work due to several leg surgeries.
Thinking about it, he decided to sell hometown specialties such as colorful noodles, lasagna, honey and garlic through the e-commerce platform.
In 2019, Zhang Shundong participated in many e-commerce trainings in the city and district. The leaders of the Dongchuan District Commerce and Investment Promotion Bureau brought local e-commerce "talents" to explain the relevant knowledge to the couple and tailor-made e-commerce development plans for them.
To this end, the couple called their son who was working outside the home to help them organize an e-commerce business together.
Later, Mr. and Mrs. Zhang Shundong won four national awards such as the "2020 National Poverty Alleviation Award" and "The Most Beautiful Family in The Country", and hundreds of millions of people were moved to tears by their inspirational stories.
In a round of praise and applause, the couple's "Shundong Yunpin Live Broadcast Room" was officially launched on October 27, 2021.
In the shot, Zhang Shundong holds the noodles, nervous and overwhelmed, while Li Guoxiu on the side is busy taking over the conversation, while letting her husband show the noodles clearly, while introducing product features and answering customer questions. The son is responsible for looking at the background data and advises his parents from time to time.
Last year's "Double Eleven", Zhang Shundong and Li Guoxiu only sold 59 single-sided noodles, which shows that the road of "live broadcasting" is not easy to go.
But compared to the past 28 years, this may not be much, after all, they have come from countless blood and tears.
It is believed that Zhang Shundong and Li Guoxiu will still accompany each other to survive the difficulties and forge ahead towards a better future.
The writer Lu Yao once said, "Life cannot wait for others to arrange, but to fight and struggle on your own." ”
All sentient beings are suffering, and only self-transit.
Life has never had the word "easy", so even if you encounter more hardships and sufferings, you must have the determination to improve yourself and the courage to persevere.
References: 1, B station , Xinhua News Agency, "This couple has one hand and two legs, but created a miracle of love"
2. B Station Ningyu Su Notes "Moving China 丨 Zhang Shundong Li Guoxiu Couple • Character Special Video"
3, today's headlines Huadou Lao Shu "Disabled peasant couple, one hand and two legs for 4 children to support the blue sky, daughter Gan for the widow cow"
4. Yunnan Daily", "Like! Let's get to know the pair of anchors who were mentioned by the general secretary with goods"
. END .
【Text| White Silk】
Edit | Daniel Lee]
【Typography | Drizzle】