During the Republic of China, the fate of a family was often closely linked to the turmoil of the country. Cheng Shuyao was born in 1917, during the period of the Beiyang government, when the society was in turmoil, various forces were divided, and changes in the political environment directly affected the rise and fall of every family. The Cheng family was originally a scholarly family in Jinan, Shandong, but later because of Cheng Shuyao's uncle's high position among the warlords in Beiping, the Cheng family quickly climbed to the top of society. The good times did not last long, and with the decline of his uncle's power and the later civil war between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, the fate of the Cheng family also began a bumpy journey. Such a background laid the foundation for the ups and downs of Cheng Shuyao's life.
Cheng Shuyao's life can be described as the epitome of a typical gentleman of the Republic of China. His family background and personal experience are a microcosm of the fate of Chinese intellectuals in that era. Cheng Shuyao's birth was accompanied by the joys and sorrows of the family, and his biological mother died in childbirth, leaving behind this baby who had not yet cried, and a father who quickly remarried. This beginning of personal joy and sorrow seems to foreshadow the complex and changeable life of Cheng Shuyao.
With the migration of the Cheng family to Beiping, Cheng Shuyao's childhood and adolescence were dominated by the glory and decay of the family. His uncle's prominence made him taste the favor for a while, and the decline of his uncle's influence brought the Cheng family to the brink of decline. Despite this, Cheng Shuyao's study life at Yenching University was extraordinarily exciting. He was active on campus, participated in various extracurricular activities, and became a typical "man of the hour".
"You should know that not everyone has the opportunity to live freely at Yenching University like you." A classmate whispered to Cheng Shuyao in the corner of the library.
Cheng Shuyao just smiled and shook his head: "No matter how good the grades are, aren't our diplomas all the same?" It is enough for me to keep my scholarship. ”
Cheng Shuyao's father's actions behind the scenes were something he had never expected. After learning that his father had registered the property in his name, Cheng Shuyao's reaction was anger and refusal.
"Why are you putting these things in my name? I don't need to! Cheng Shuyao said to his father in the study at home.
The father replied lightly: "You will understand one day that this is for the future of the family." ”
Cheng Shuyao's life is full of contradictions and struggles. He has entered the palace of marriage three times, and each time it seems to be looking for a feeling of home, but it always ends in failure. His private life often becomes the focus of others' discussions, but he is more of a helplessness and acceptance of reality. Despite the ups and downs in the outside world, Cheng Shuyao has always maintained a scholarly elegance and calmness.
In his later years, Cheng Shuyao looked back on his life, not only nostalgia for his youth, but also reflection on his failed marriage. On a late autumn afternoon, he said to his grandson in the courtyard of the fallen leaves outside the window: "Life is like a play, it all depends on acting skills." And I, perhaps, acted too realistically on some occasions. ”
The grandson listened quietly, his eyes full of respect for this once beautiful old man.
Cheng Shuyao's life came to an end in peace. Although his personal life was full of controversy and setbacks, he always maintained his love for life and hope for the future. His life is the truest portrayal of that turbulent era, and it is also a profound reflection on the fate of the intellectual group of that era.
Cheng Shuyao's story is a glimpse of a long history spanning half a century. His life and choices are not only the embodiment of his personal destiny, but also a footnote in the torrent of history. From his experience, we not only see the changes of an era, but also see a person's grasp of his own destiny and unremitting pursuit of the future. Cheng Shuyao's life, like China in their time, is full of variables and possibilities, and his story tells us that no matter how the times change, personal dignity and pursuit are an indispensable part of our lives. This love of life and unremitting pursuit of the future is something that each of us should learn.