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Preface
In Peking in 1939, Wang Guangmei took a photograph on the campus of Fu Jen University. Wang Guangmei was only 18 years old at the time, wearing a luxurious woolen coat, and was a lady from a prominent family. Not only did she excel academically, but she also showed extraordinary talent in the field of mathematics.
At this time, China was deeply mired in the War of Resistance Against Japan, but Wang Guangmei continued to shine in academic and family honor. However, her future path is not as clear as her academic career. Why did she give up the opportunity to study in the United States and choose to stay in China?
Wang Guangmei was born in 1921 into a prominent family, located in the historic urban area of Beiping. Her father is Wang Zhichang, who studied law at Beiyang University in Tianjin when he was young, and then went to Waseda University in Japan to study business.
His third wife, Dong Jieru, also had an extraordinary background, born in a family of merchants in Tianjin, graduated from Beiyang Women's Normal University at an early age, and was one of the pioneers of women's education in China. During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, she not only encouraged her children to actively participate in anti-Japanese activities, but also personally participated in many activities to save the country and save the people, and after the war, she held important positions in the Beijing Municipal People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
Under the influence of Wang Zhichang and Dong Jieru, Wang Guangmei and her siblings have made remarkable achievements in their respective fields. Wang Guangchao became an authority on dermatology in China; Wang Guangjie made important contributions to China's communications facilities as an expert in electronic communications; Wang Guangfu performed well in the Air Force as a pilot; Wang Guangying was active in the business world as an industrialist; and Wang Guangmei's sisters also made outstanding contributions in the fields of education and medicine.
Wang Zhichang admired Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary spirit and refused to serve during the Japanese puppet government, and his family relied on rental houses to make ends meet. Dong Jieru also adhered to progressive ideas, and secretly assisted the Communist Party's underground activities many times during the Anti-Japanese War. Such a family environment has created a unique growth background for Wang Guangmei.
In middle school, Wang Guangmei's talent in physics and mathematics gradually emerged. Her interests are not limited to textbook knowledge, but also often participate in various subject competitions and have won many awards. These achievements made her a small name in academic circles, and many physicists and professors looked up to her.
In 1943, Wang Guangmei graduated from the Department of Physics with honors. Determined to pursue further academic research, she then joined the university's Institute of Science, specializing in atomic physics, and successfully obtained a master's degree in 1945, becoming the first female master's degree in this field in China, an epoch-making precedent for the Chinese scientific community. At the time, some even predicted that she had the potential to become a future academic leader, alongside masters such as Yang Chen-ning or Lee Tsung-dao.
After graduating, Wang Guangmei was appointed as a teaching assistant in the Department of Physics at Fu Jen University, where she had planned to start her teaching career. However, life did not go according to her plan. After graduating with a master's degree, Wang Guangmei received an admission letter from the University of Michigan in the United States and faced the temptation to continue her studies. She can choose to go to the United States to further improve her scientific research capabilities, or stay at Fu Jen University to play the role of nurturing juniors and become a beacon in the academic world.
In the Spring Festival of 1946, Wang Guangmei's life ushered in a turning point. While the Kuomintang and the Communist Party were negotiating an armistice agreement, Wang Guangmei received an important invitation from the underground organization of the Chinese Communist Party. During her previous studies in Beijing, she had already established ties with the Communist Party. Against the backdrop of those turbulent times, the Communist Party urgently needed a professional fluent in English to help with negotiations with the Kuomintang and the United States.
When Wang Guangmei received an admission letter from the University of Michigan and was about to fly to the United States for further study, she obtained the opportunity to join the Beiping Military Mediation Office through an introducer and served as an English interpreter for the CCP delegation. Faced with a turning point in her life, Wang Guangmei chose to give up the opportunity to go to the United States and chose to devote herself to the torrent of the Chinese revolution, which reflected her firm commitment to the revolutionary cause and her pursuit of truth.
Despite being known as the "Queen of Mathematics" in the international physics community, Wang's academic talents are recognized by libraries and academic institutions around the world, and libraries in the Netherlands keep her transcripts showing her excellence in the field of science. All this indicates that if she continues to pursue physics research, she will definitely be able to shine in the academic world.
Wang Guangmei finally chose to go to Yan'an, and despite the poor living conditions and basic diet, Wang Guangmei did not feel any discomfort. She found herself living and working in Yan'an with a group of like-minded revolutionary comrades, and this sense of fulfillment and satisfaction convinced her that she had made the right choice.
Wang Guangmei once dreamed of becoming a scientist, and she had a dream of following a giant of scientific research like Marie Curie. However, the torrent of history took her to another path. Although her scientific dreams did not come true, Wang Guangmei showed no regrets when she gave up her personal scientific pursuits to devote herself to a larger cause, and she firmly believed that she had made the right choice.
Years later, Wang Guangmei became the country's "first lady", a role that had nothing to do with science, but showed another kind of influence on a political and social level. However, it was on this road that Wang Guangmei met Liu Shaoqi, and this precious fate began with an unintentional visit, when she went to visit General Zhu De. After the conversation between the two, Zhu De proposed to take Wang Guangmei to meet Liu Shaoqi next door. This accidental introduction allowed Wang Guangmei to meet her future husband Liu Shaoqi.
Although the two did not initially interact frequently, their relationship changed significantly on the day before the Chinese New Year in 1947. That day, Wang Guangmei went to visit the cave where Liu Shaoqi lived alone. On that cold winter day, Liu Shaoqi took out two slightly blackened pears to entertain Wang Guangmei, this simple act made Wang Guangmei feel Liu Shaoqi's deep care and warmth.
After this short and warm relationship, the understanding and affection between the two have deepened. As they get in touch with each other, they gradually warm up their affection for each other and discover each other's unique charms, which eventually leads them to decide to spend life together.
After getting married, Wang Guangmei and Liu Shaoqi shared a sweet and fulfilling married life. Despite the many hardships she later endured, including 12 years in prison, she remained tolerant and loving, showing great tolerance and understanding for both people and life.
On the issue of raising children, Wang Guangmei has always insisted on educating children to adhere to the principles of equality and integrity. She never allowed her children to enjoy any privileges, emphasizing the need to treat everyone of her age with an equal mindset. Especially after his son Liu Yuan graduated from university, Wang Guangmei insisted that the organization send him to the grassroots level to exercise.
This is the only request she makes of the organization, in order to allow Liu Yuan to hone himself in a more difficult environment, develop the necessary survival and work skills, rather than settle for a comfortable environment. In this way, Wang Guangmei hopes that Liu Yuan can develop into a self-reliant and responsible person.
In 1959, when Liu Shaoqi became the president of the country, Wang Guangmei often accompanied him, participated in state activities and international visits, showing China's style and women's wisdom and charm. In 1963, when she accompanied Liu Shaoqi on a trip to Southeast Asia, although she was in her forties, Wang Guangmei still maintained an elegant demeanor.
Her carefully selected Chinese-style cheongsam sets off her noble temperament, which has earned her high praise not only domestically but also internationally. Foreign media have praised her as "the most beautiful woman in China", and her image has become a beautiful symbol of Chinese women.
All this shows that although Wang Guangmei did not leave her footprints in the field of science, she showed her talent and charisma in the political and cultural fields, and her life and work influenced not only her family, but also wider society and international relations. Her story teaches us that every choice in life has its own unique value and meaning.
August 17, 1972, was a shocking day for Wang Guangmei, when the cell door opened heavily, and a prison guard coldly told her that Liu Shaoqi had died. Wang Guangmei was shocked and almost incredulous, she had never expected such news, and what she didn't know was that Liu Shaoqi had actually died as early as November 1969.
Six years later, in 1978, Wang Guangmei finally walked out of prison, ending 12 years of imprisonment. At this time, Liu Shaoqi has been dead for nine years, and she herself has entered the year of knowing the destiny of heaven, and she is in her fifties. With Liu Shaoqi's rehabilitation in 1980, his wishes were carried out in accordance with his will, and his ashes were scattered to the blue sea.
A year later, the publishing house sent Liu Shaoqi's manuscript fee of 2,471.46 yuan to Wang Guangmei, and the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection also paid 7,000 yuan in back wages. Wang Guangmei did not hesitate to hand over the money as Liu Shaoqi's party dues. Despite the challenges of life after her release, Wang Guangmei always had a wish to return to Liu Shaoqi's hometown of Huaminglou, although this wish has never been realized.
Finally on November 27, 1983, Wang Guangmei accompanied her daughter Liu Aiqin and son Liu Yuan to embark on a journey to Liu Shaoqi's former residence. Standing in front of the plaque of "Comrade Liu Shaoqi's Former Residence" inscribed by Deng Xiaoping, Wang Guangmei's mood could not be calm for a long time.
She walked into the showroom of her former home, and these familiar scenes in front of her instantly returned her mind to 1961, when she accompanied Liu Shaoqi back here to conduct social investigations. It was a challenging and rewarding time.
The local people are looking forward to Wang Guangmei's return visit. On the day she was about to leave Tanzichong, many villagers came from far and wide to see her off. In the face of the sincere emotions of these villagers, Wang Guangmei was moved to tears. Through the microphone of the local radio station, she emotionally greeted the people of the county: "Today I am finally back. Although I will not be able to meet every citizen face-to-face, I would like to express my greetings to you through this broadcast. I wish you all good health and family happiness!"
In the 13 years since, Wang Guangmei has visited her hometown several times, and each time she has deeply felt the changes in the countryside and the unchanging enthusiasm of the villagers. These interviews not only made her reminisce about the past, but also made her feel the profound influence of Liu Shaoqi in people's hearts.