Deep in the mountains of Hunan, there is a strange dwelling that has been almost forgotten by the world - a spacious cave. This is not a movie scene, but a real-life home of a family for a hundred years. From the war and flight in the late Qing Dynasty to the stable years of New China, four generations chose to live in this naturally formed barrier rather than move to a modern city. Ouyang Wenliang, the current owner of the cave, resolutely said: "If you don't move, you won't move, I'll live here for the rest of my life!" What is it that makes this old man so persistent? Is it just because the cave is warm in winter and cool in summer, and the environment is suitable? Or is there a hidden deep reason that we can't understand?
The story begins more than 100 years ago, when China was in turmoil and wars. The Ouyang family in Hengshan, Hunan Province, faced with social suffering in the last years of the Qing Dynasty, decided to flee their homeland and find a place of tranquility. After several days of trekking, they discovered a hidden cave in the remote mountains. Not only is this cave spacious, but it's also secluded, making it the perfect place to escape the war.
Initially, it was only a temporary shelter, but the constant threat of war made the Ouyang family gradually abandon the idea of returning. The naturally formed environment inside the cave is warm in winter and cool in summer, away from the hustle and bustle and danger of the outside world. Over time, this temporary place of residence gradually became their permanent home.
Born and raised in such an environment, Xiao Ouyang was exposed to his father's fear of war in the outside world and his dependence on cave safety since he was a child. He spent almost all his life in the cave, although the outside world gradually stabilized after the founding of New China, Xiao Ouyang never stepped out of the cave due to his old age and frailty.
In Ouyang Wenliang's generation, although the society has been completely different, he has received the education of the new era, but his attachment to the cave has been deeply rooted in the bone marrow. The caves provide them with natural shelter without having to worry about house repairs or collapses. In the summer, there is a natural cool breeze, and in the winter, the air pressure of the mountain makes it difficult for the cold to invade. Such an environment allowed Ouyang Wenliang's family to live a self-sufficient life.
Outside the cave is a fertile land, where the Ouyang family cultivates, not only growing vegetables, but also raising pigs, sheep, cattle and chickens, living a self-sufficient life. Occasionally, excess meat, they are also made into bacon, hung in the ventilated part of the cave, naturally air-dried, and stored for a long time.
Although modern living facilities are becoming more and more perfect, for Ouyang Wenliang, this cave is not only a place to live, but also a place that carries family history and emotions. It is a record of how his ancestors survived hardships and hardships, and also witnessed the growth and change of family members from generation to generation.
Over time, the community outside has developed, and new infrastructure, health care, and educational resources have been developed. Most of the young people in the village choose to move to the city in search of more development opportunities. For Ouyang Wenliang, this cave is not just a haven from the wind, it is his roots, and it is his adherence to the lifestyle of his ancestors.
Life in the caves, as poetic as it sounds, is not without practical difficulties. During the rainy season, the caves are less safe due to the risk of landslides, and the lighting and ventilation inside the caves are also a big problem, and they need to maintain the vents frequently to ensure that the air is fresh. Despite this, Ouyang Wenliang and his family still chose to stay here, and they maintained this private little world in their own way.
Contact with the outside world is not completely cut off. Ouyang Wenliang occasionally entertains some adventure lovers or occasionally lost travelers. They were amazed by this unique living environment, and Ouyang Wenliang was happy to share their stories and the history of the place. This kind of exchange has given new vitality and connection to cave life.
Although society is changing, Ouyang Wenliang's mentality and choices remind us that happiness and satisfaction do not necessarily come from material abundance and modern convenience, but from the love of life and respect for family traditions. In this fast-paced era, Ouyang Wenliang's choices may seem a little outlandish, but his story offers us a perspective on modern life.
In this unpredictable world, Ouyang Wenliang and his cave family show us a different way of life. They choose to be isolated from the world, not because they are afraid of change, but because they find their own balance in the change. Their story is not just about the struggle for survival, but also about how to maintain oneself and pass on one's culture in the face of change. Today, when we are all pursuing higher, faster and stronger, perhaps stopping occasionally and listening to such stories will make us cherish those seemingly simple but profound lifestyles more.