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Text | Zhu Xiaoyue loves Kanyu
Edit | Zhu Xiaoyue loves Kanyu
In Beijing in 1974, the gates of Qincheng Prison slowly opened, freeing a gray-haired man who had been imprisoned for seven years, Tang Shengming. There was no joy of freedom in the eyes of this Kuomintang lieutenant general, only the pain of losing his beloved wife Xu Lai. After being released from prison, he finds his old friend drunk, but anger and sadness make it difficult for them to speak. Tang Shengming's angry scolding broke the silence, but it also revealed the deep pain in his heart. Who is he? What has he experienced? What is the story of him and Xu Lai? Let's take a look with Xiao Zhu!
Tang Shengming, who was born in 1906, has been bathed in the glory of his family since he was a child. The cornerstone of the Tang family was laid by his grandfather Tang Benyou, who was a fierce general in the Hunan army, who had quelled the Miao rebellion in Guizhou, and was named the governor of Guangxi for his merits, which established the military and political status of the family. Tang Shengming's father, Tang Chengxu, inherited the glory of the family, although he was a civil official at the beginning, he turned to the business sea, expanded the family business in Andong, Hunan, and established the reputation of "Tang Bancheng". Tang Shengming's elder brother Tang Shengzhi, with the support of the Gui family, briefly took charge of Hunan and held a lot of power.
Growing up in such a prominent family environment, Tang Shengming seemed carefree on the surface, living a leisurely life, making friends everywhere, and never asking about the family's business and political affairs. His detached attitude, coupled with his kind character, made him an object of appreciation and welcome from many political factions during the turbulent Republican period. His connections span all walks of life, from business tycoons to politicians, who are reluctant to befriend him.
Tang Shengming's roots are deep in the Kuomintang, but he has a broad mind that transcends party boundaries and adheres to his understanding of justice and righteousness. In the chaotic political situation of the Republican period, he relied on his judgment and charisma to establish deep friendships with people of different political backgrounds, including some members of the Communist Party.
Tang Shengming is not just a bridge or an intermediary, his actions go beyond simple friendship and transform into substantial support. He used his position and influence in the Kuomintang to provide protection and assistance to his Communist friends, and these help even saved their lives at certain moments. His actions were not based on blind support for the Communist Party's political philosophy, but on the cherishing of personal relationships and the persistent pursuit of justice.
Xu Lai, a dazzling star in the film industry, is the focus of every appearance on the red carpet, and her light overshadows the spotlight, like a star in the middle of the day. Beneath this glamorous appearance, she hides her deep desire for family warmth. The story of her and her ex-husband Li Jinhui has turned a new page. After the breakup, Xu Lai seems to have experienced a transformation from Cinderella to a self-reliant woman, she did not wait for any miracles, but chose to rely on her own strength and face life bravely.
In Xu Lai's life planning, finding a suitable partner has become her top priority. At this critical moment, through the connection of secretary Zhang Suzhen, Xu Lai and Tang Shengming, a figure in the social world, met unexpectedly.
At first, Xu Lai did not expect much from Tang Shengming, a notoriously frivolous son, and her knowledge of him was limited to his brotherhood to the political figure Tang Shengzhi and his well-known generosity. With the frequent interaction between the two in various social occasions, Xu Lai began to gradually feel the unknown qualities of Tang Shengming.
Under Zhang Suzhen's careful planning, Xu Lai's contact with Tang Shengming gradually increased, and the time they spent together became more and more close, from public gatherings to intimate dates. In these common moments, Tang Shengming found Xu Lai different, and her heart that remained innocent despite the setbacks of her marriage attracted him deeply. So Tang Shengming began his quest, hoping to win the heart of this unique lady.
In the spring breeze of 1935, Xu Lai and Tang Shengming married and became life partners. With the tide of the times in 1941, the storm of fate swept them into an even greater maelstrom. Tang Shengming accepted a difficult task - to infiltrate the Wang puppet regime and carry out intelligence gathering work, and Xu Lai chose to accompany him at this critical moment.
Before they embark on this perilous journey, the two have a deep and long conversation. Faced with the unknown danger and the imminent reputation of "traitor", Tang Shengming's heart was full of worries, he was worried about Xu Lai's safety, and he didn't want his beloved wife to be contaminated with this layer of injustice. But Xu Lai's answer was firm and powerful, she said that she would share the burden with Tang Shengming no matter what, even if the world misunderstood, she would have to stand shoulder to shoulder.
As the plan progressed, Tang Shengming carefully built his own network of connections in Wang's puppet regime, while Xu Lai skillfully moved through the circle of high-ranking officials to support her husband's mission. After a series of difficult efforts, they succeeded in delivering key intelligence, but the price was heavy - the estrangement of the family, the separation of brothers. Tang Shengming's elder brother, Tang Shengzhi, publicly cut off all contact with his younger brother in the newspaper, indicating a break with the "traitor" Tang Shengming. This statement is not only a denial of Tang Shengming, but also an indirect rebuke to Xu Lai, who is side by side with him.
During this period, they not only lived in a hostile environment, but also actively participated in underground activities to resist the Japanese invaders. They skillfully devised a trap that succeeded in leading to the death of Li Shiqun, an important figure in Wang's puppet regime, an action that greatly weakened the enemy's forces and made an indelible contribution to the victory of the War of Resistance.
The bravery of Tang Shengming and his wife did not stop there. Through resourcefulness and courage, they also succeeded in persuading a number of high-ranking officials of Wang's puppet regime to defect against the war. Among them, there are many high-ranking officials such as Zhou Fohai and Ye Peng, who were originally the core figures in the enemy's forces. In particular, Ye Peng and Ren Yuandao, who played important roles in the War Department and the Navy Department, and their defections had an immeasurable positive impact on the war situation.
With Japan's unconditional surrender on August 15, 1945, the eight-year-long War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression finally ushered in the dawn of victory. After the war, Tang Shengming was deeply worried about the imminent outbreak of civil war, and he decided to support and join the Communist Party and devote himself to the liberation of Hunan. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he was appointed counselor of the State Council, and his family moved to the capital Beijing, starting a new chapter in his life.
At the beginning of their new life, they received special care from Chairman Mao Zedong - a settling-in allowance of 40,000 yuan. This is not only an affirmation of Tang Shengming's past contributions, but also an expectation and support for his future work.
In that turbulent era, the reincarnation of fate made Tang Shengming and his wife experience another huge turning point in their lives. The autumn of 1967 was a harbinger of the coming winter, and for Tang Shengming and Xu Lai, the cold came earlier and more violently. On this day, they were taken out of their warm homes by the officers and soldiers who suddenly broke in, and began a years-long prison life.
Xu Lai, a woman once known as a "standard beauty", spent the last years of her life in a cramped, dark cell. In the spring of 1973, she closed her eyes in loneliness and despair, ending her life journey at the age of 64. Her loss is not only the end of her personal life, but also a sad irony of her life's dedication and sacrifice. She left this world, her beloved husband Tang Shengming, her daughter, and the country she had fought and sacrificed for.
During the long years of captivity, Tang Shengming's heart was filled with a yearning for a free life, especially a longing to be reunited with his family. Every time night falls, the shadow of loneliness and despair hangs over his heart, and he imagines the happy scene of being reunited with his wife Xu Lai and daughter. This dream became a source of strength for him to persevere in the midst of his ordeal.
The year after Xu Lai's death, under the mediation of Premier Zhou, Tang Shengming was finally released. The moment he stepped out of his cell, he thought he was about to start a new life, but a sympathetic jailer handed him a note with the news that all his hopes had been destroyed—that his beloved Xu Lai had died.
At that moment, Tang Shengming's world seemed to collapse. He felt a pain he had never felt before, a heart-rending pain that penetrated deep into his bone marrow. He stood in the icy wind, tears blurring his vision. His heart was full of self-blame and grief, and his mouth repeatedly murmured: "It's all my fault, I hurt her......" His voice was hoarse, full of endless remorse and pain.