There are many ancient and mysterious legends hidden in China's vast mountain ranges, and Shennongjia is undoubtedly one of the most desirable and feared places among them. Deep in the dense forests, it is said to be inhabited by "wild people" who are inhabited by inaccessible people, a legend that has sparked the curiosity of countless explorers.
But among all the brave explorers, Zhang Jinxing's name is particularly special. He is known not only for his unique purpose of expedition in search of the legendary Wildling, but also for his almost crazy decision to sell his property and go into the mountains in search of the Wildling, vowing to marry a female Wildling if he encounters her.
Now, when we bring up the story of Zhang Jinxing again, countless question marks come to mind: Did he really find the wild man?
In 1983, Zhang Jinxing embarked on an extraordinary journey, a year that was not only the passage of time for him, but also a major turning point in his life.
This year, he decided to use only one bicycle to travel across the north and south of China to explore those unknown corners and stories.
Mr. Zhang's travel plans quickly attracted much media attention, with more than 500 newspapers covering his feat, making him an overnight national spotlight.
In the course of his travels, Zhang Jinxing experienced countless ups and downs and challenges. His bicycle became his most loyal companion, and he traveled through the cities and villages of China together, experiencing wind and rain and sunshine.
Everywhere he went, he was deeply impressed by the customs and scenery of different regions. When crossing the vast land of China, his footsteps not only crossed every province on the map, but also left a strong mark on the journey of his life.
Zhang's journey was not all smooth sailing, and he encountered various difficulties and challenges. It is these difficulties and challenges that test his will and courage, and also invisibly shape his tenacious character.
Each predicament did not hold him back, but strengthened his belief in exploration. He proved with his actions that nothing is impossible for those who pursue their dreams.
During this months-long trip, Zhang Jinxing met many people who expressed great interest and support for his trip.
Some provided him with food and lodging, some repaired his bike, and some simply cheered him on the side of the road. These warm interactions became the most precious memories of his travels and one of the motivations for him to persevere.
After a long period of hard work, Zhang Jinxing finally accomplished his goal and traveled to every province in China. This feat was not only a great test of his personal will and physical strength, but also a profound exploration of his inner world.
On November 5, 1994, Zhang Jinxing stepped into this ancient and mysterious land - Shennongjia with heavy equipment on his back. He brought not only supplies such as tents and sleeping bags, but also a heart full of curiosity and awe for the unknown.
Shennongjia, the name is full of mystery in the hearts of many people, it is not only a treasure trove of biodiversity, but also the birthplace of many unsolved mysteries.
After arriving in Songbai Town, Zhang Jinxing's arrival attracted widespread attention from the locals. Not only because of the purpose of his expedition, but also because of his seemingly unthinkable decision - if he finds a wild man in Shennongjia, whether male or female, he is ready to accept the fate of living with it.
The idea went viral in the media and caused quite a stir. Reporters flocked to Zhang in hopes of learning more about his plans and the story behind it.
In the interview, Zhang Jinxing's words were firm and sincere, and he expressed a strong curiosity about the unknown life in the depths of Shennongjia and his willingness to understand and even become a part of it.
The local authorities and adventure enthusiasts showed great interest and support for Zhang's plan, and they provided Zhang with many valuable suggestions and assistance, and some even expressed their desire to join his expedition team.
During these exchanges and preparations, Zhang Jinxing obtained a lot of important information about the topography, climate and wildlife of Shennongjia, which was undoubtedly of great help to him in exploring the mysterious area.
With the preparations gradually completed, Zhang Jinxing began his expedition. He went deep into the forest, crossed streams, and climbed steep peaks, with every step full of challenges.
In this primeval forest, unexpected difficulties and dangers may be encountered every day, but Zhang Jinxing has always maintained a high degree of vigilance and respect for nature. He knew that he was a guest of the land and that he should be cautious at every step.
Zhang Jinxing's dream of adventure is like a long and difficult road, and every step under his feet is full of uncertainties and challenges.
The biggest test on this road is not from the steep mountains or the reckless forests, but from the loved ones who are waiting at home because of his dreams. The long separation and the uncertain future put his family life under great pressure.
Zhang Jinxing's wife, an ordinary and strong woman, was initially supportive of her husband's adventure dreams. She understands her husband's passion to chase his dreams, even though it means they will face a long separation and financial instability.
Zhang Jinxing's long-term "exploration" gradually put the burden of life on her shoulders. She had to play the role of mother and father at the same time, taking care of the family and facing the challenges of life. The hardships of life made her feel powerless gradually.
Zhang Jinxing's son, he longs for his father's love, but he can only feel the care from afar through phone calls and letters.
The child's growth lacked the company's father, and the child's problems and confusion became an incurable pain in the wife's heart.
Zhang Jinxing's exploration in Shennongjia deepened, and he sold many of his family's possessions to fund his own expeditions. The pressure on the family economy is increasing, and this decision is undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire.
The quality of life has dropped dramatically, and his wife has had to work harder to maintain the basic needs of the family. Despite this, she still tried her best to maintain her support for her husband's dreams, but the burden and exhaustion in her heart were indescribable.
Time is like a double-edged sword, which not only proves Zhang Jinxing's courage to stick to his dreams, but also exposes the cracks in his family life.
The wife's patience and support finally reached the limit, and in the face of the increasing pressure of life and the children's desire for fatherly love, she made a difficult decision - divorce.
For her, this decision is both helpless and necessary, a helpless compromise with reality, and also for the sake of the child's future.
Although the fragmentation of his family and the depletion of his property have dealt a huge blow to Zhang Jinxing's life, his indomitable spirit has aroused widespread resonance from all walks of life.
Many individuals and organizations were moved by Zhang Jinxing's love for adventure and dedication to his dreams, and they reached out one after another.
These grants come from both enthusiastic adventure enthusiasts and some scientific institutions and non-governmental organizations, who believe that although Zhang's actions are controversial, these financial assistance have given Zhang Jinxing a financial respite and injected new vitality into his expedition.
At the same time, Zhang Jinxing's behavior and his insistence on the existence of savages have also sparked heated discussions and controversies in society.
On the one hand, some praise him for his courage to challenge the unknown and pursue his dreams, while others question his actions, arguing that in the absence of hard evidence, his actions may cause public misunderstanding and even irresponsibility to the method of scientific inquiry.
Against this backdrop, some scientists and expedition experts began to express interest in Zhang's expedition, hoping to verify Zhang's claims about the existence of wild humans through scientific methods.
These experts, both biologists and anthropologists, are trying to explore whether there really are unknown creatures in the depths of Shennongjia through field investigations, collecting samples and data.
Zhang Jinxing's expedition has gradually become a multi-party scientific exploration project. Although the debate about the existence of wild humans has not been finally answered to this day, Zhang Jinxing's behavior undoubtedly provides new perspectives and thinking for scientific research.
To this day, Zhang Jinxing is still in the depths of Shennongjia, continuing his unfinished exploration. Time has left layers of traces on this ancient land, but Zhang Jinxing's footsteps have never stopped.
In the dense forest of Shennongjia, his unremitting pursuit and exploration trajectory are recorded, and every expedition is a challenge to the unknown world.
Although years of hard work failed to allow him to capture a living wild man, Zhang Jinxing was convinced of what he saw and heard in Shennongjia.
This vast and mysterious land has long been not only a destination for him to explore, but also a holy place for his spiritual sustenance and exploration. Every unknown corner, every untouched path, attracts him to explore and discover.
In these years, Zhang Jinxing has formed an indissoluble bond with the mountains and forests of Shennongjia. He was familiar with every mountain road, every sound of the stream, and even the movement of the various creatures in the forest.
His figure has become a unique scenery in this land, and the nature of Shennongjia also responds to every visit of Zhang Jinxing in its eternal and unchanging way.
In his ongoing exploration, Zhang Jinxing has collected a large amount of information about the natural environment and biodiversity of Shennongjia.
Although his work was primarily focused on finding evidence of wild man, he also inadvertently contributed to scientific research in the process.
The many valuable data and field notes he recorded provide valuable information for studying the region's ecosystem.
At the same time, Zhang Jinxing's story and his insistence on the existence of savages have attracted more and more people's attention.
Not only adventure enthusiasts and scientific researchers have come to Shennongjia to look for his footprints, but also some media and documentary filmmakers have come here, hoping to show the world this unfully understood land and the secrets it contains through his story.
Wang Fangchen.Shennongjia has a Zhang Jinxing[J].Science and Technology Tide,2000(5):24-29