In 1955, a 27-year-old New Fourth Army was demobilized and returned home, and the matchmaker introduced him to a 43-year-old widow with six children, but unexpectedly, he agreed. However, the matchmaker also withheld an important piece of information.
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Zhou Yuanguan was born in 1917, and his experience of participating in the revolution is very legendary. In 1937, while working as an apprentice in the countryside, he witnessed the crushing defeat of the Kuomintang army and the atrocities committed by the Japanese army in the countryside, which inspired him to join the army.
He tried several times to join the army, but was rejected because he was too young. It was not until he was 15 years old that he finally joined the New Fourth Army and began his revolutionary career.
In the New Fourth Army, Zhou Yuanguan participated in great battles such as the 800-li Long March and the Hundred Regiments War. He made many combat achievements, including securing an important stronghold in the 1944 Battle of Southern Anhui and winning a first-class merit. Later, he performed prominently in the Battle of Huaihai and won the fourth class merit. He was a pioneer and selfless dedication, and was a model for the whole regiment.
In 1950, Zhou was called up to participate in the Korean War and was wounded in battle with the U.S. military, resulting in a permanent disability.
After 12 years of youth for the country, he can finally go home and recuperate. However, he accumulated fatigue and illness during his time in the army, and his physical condition has long deteriorated, and even his movement is somewhat difficult.
After returning to his hometown, Zhou Yuanguan had difficulty living like a normal person, but after learning of his situation, the town government asked the village matchmaker to help him find a partner. But many girls' families heard that he had a disability and refused the affair for various reasons.
The matchmaker racked his brains and finally found a 43-year-old widow, Shen Bangzhen, who had six children to take care of. Considering that both of them were no longer confused, the matchmaker suggested that Zhou Yuanguan take a trip.
When Zhou Yuanguan arrived at Shen's house, the two daughters were lying on the shabby bed in rags, and several sons were also wearing old clothes full of patches. Despite the poor family, the house is clean and tidy, full of the warm atmosphere of maternal love.
When parting, Zhou Yuanguan left some money and asked Shen Bangzhen to make new clothes for his daughter.
Shen Bangzhen quickly agreed to this affair through a matchmaker. After the marriage, Zhou Yuanguan immediately used his pension to pay off the debts of the Shen family, and promised to love her children as if they were his own, and would never let them starve and freeze.
After that, he used his pension money to build a house, married a daughter-in-law for his eldest son Han Hongxi, and prepared for the marriage of his second son Han Hegen. The family is getting more and more prosperous, and the children are starting families one by one.
Just when Zhou Yuanguan could take a breather, Shen Bangzhen received the news that his daughter asked for help. It turned out that Han Guiyun, the daughter who was given away by her mother many years ago, both died in an accident with her adoptive parents, and she is relying on her daughter left by her breadwinner.
Without saying a word, Zhou Yuanguan decided to take the two girls home, even if they were stretched. "Two more children, I will never starve them!" He inspired his wife, who was worried about her livelihood. In this way, the 7 people lived in harmony under the careful care of Zhou Yuanguan.
In his later years, Zhou Yuanguan was in poor health, but his children were filial to the old man, taking turns to take care of his living and eating, so that the old man could spend his last time happy and satisfied.
What Zhou Yuanguan exchanged his youth for was not glory and wealth, but the ordinary life that everyone yearned for. He warmed life after life with great love and supported fragile souls with strength. It was the proudest career and achievement of his life.
