In the history of the Chinese Revolution, there is such an unknown woman, her husband is the famous founding marshal, but she is willing to live in seclusion in the countryside and guard a mansion. She has spent her life interpreting what loyalty is and what perseverance is. When her husband left for the revolutionary cause and even persuaded her to remarry, she chose to stay, take care of her in-laws and raise her daughter. This woman is Marshal Luo Ronghuan's original wife Yan Yue.
Her story is little-known, but it is moving. In that turbulent era, how did she face the loss of her husband? How do you support a family on your own? When her husband became famous, why didn't she choose to reunite with him? These questions may be answered from the trajectory of her life.
1. Childhood sweethearts to married couples: the marriage of Yan Yue'e and Luo Ronghuan
On the bank of the Xiangjiang River, at the foot of Hengshan Mountain, there is a small village called Nanwan. The mountains and rivers here are beautiful, the people are outstanding, and it is the hometown of Luo Ronghuan and Yan Yue'e. In 1900, Yan Yue'e was born in this ordinary peasant family, and the difference between her and Luo Ronghuan was only two years old. The two families are not far apart, and the children often play in the fields, forming a deep friendship.
Yan Yue's father was an enlightened farmer, and although the family was not wealthy, he attached great importance to education. He often said to his daughter: "Only by reading and being reasonable can you be a good person." Under the influence of her father, Yan Yue'e has been diligent and studious since she was a child, not only familiar with poetry and books, but also proficient in needlework. The people in the village praised her for being knowledgeable, gentle and virtuous.
Luo Ronghuan's family also attaches great importance to education. His father, Luo Shijie, was a private school teacher, and although he taught the traditional Four Books and Five Classics, he was very open-minded. Luo Ronghuan has been nurtured by his father since he was a child, and he is full of thirst for knowledge and curiosity about the world.
In 1919, 19-year-old Yan Yue'e and 17-year-old Luo Ronghuan tied the knot under the arrangement of their parents. This is a typical marriage of parents and matchmakers, but the two young people do not object. They grew up together, knew each other well, and already had a good impression in their hearts.
After getting married, the young couple lived in the Luo family's old house. Luo Ronghuan continued to study, while Yan Yue'e took on the heavy responsibility of running the house. She is hardworking and capable, not only keeping the house in order, but also supplementing the family with needlework. The Luo family praised her as a good daughter-in-law.
In the early 1920s, China was in a turbulent period of warlord warfare and invasion by foreign powers. Although Luo Ronghuan is not very old, he is already deeply worried about the future and fate of the country. He often discusses the current situation with Yan Yuet-ngor and shares his own opinions. Although Yan Yuet'e did not have much formal education, she was smart and studious, always listened carefully to her husband's ideas, and gave support and encouragement.
In 1926, they ushered in the crystallization of love - a lovely daughter. The couple named her Luo Yuying, which means as pure as beautiful jade and blooming like flowers. The arrival of the little life has brought infinite joy to the family, and Luo Ronghuan and Yan Yue'e have poured all their love into this little life.
However, the world is unpredictable. In this seemingly peaceful and happy life, a major turning point quietly came. In the spring of 1927, Luo Ronghuan came into contact with progressive ideas, and his heart began to turn upside down. He realized that as an aspiring young man, he should not only be satisfied with a small family, but also do something for everyone and the country.
One night, Luo Ronghuan couldn't sleep for a long time. He got up and came to the courtyard, looking at the starry sky, his heart full of contradictions and entanglements. Yan Yue'e noticed her husband's abnormality, walked up to him gently, and asked softly, "What are you thinking?" "
Luo Ronghuan took a deep breath and shared his thoughts. He said that the country is in dire straits, and he can no longer sit idly by and want to go out to study and do something for the country. Yan Yue'e was silent for a long time after hearing this, and finally nodded lightly and said, "You go, there is me at home." "
In this way, in April 1927, Luo Ronghuan left home again to study. Before leaving, he held Yan Yue'e's hand tightly and said, "Yue'e, I don't know how far and dangerous this road will be. You are still young, don't delay your youth for me. If I don't come back for a long time, you can remarry. "
Yan Yue'e didn't speak, just silently looked at her husband's distant back. She didn't know that this farewell was the last time the two were intimate in this life. From now on, she will face the storms of life alone, guarding this home, waiting for the person who may never return.
2. The choice between revolutionary ideals and family responsibilities
In April 1927, Luo Ronghuan left home to study and embarked on a revolutionary journey. He first traveled to Wuhan, where he was exposed to more progressive ideas. At that time, Wuhan was at the center of the National Revolution, and various new trends of thought converged, which brought a huge impact to the young Luo Ronghuan.
During his stay in Wuhan, Luo Ronghuan met a group of like-minded young people, who studied Marxist theory together and discussed China's future and destiny. This experience allowed Luo Ronghuan to gradually clarify his revolutionary ideals, and he was determined to contribute to changing the face of China.
However, the road to revolution was not without its challenges. In July 1927, Chiang Kai-shek staged the July 15 coup d'état, massacring communists and revolutionaries. The situation in Wuhan deteriorated rapidly, and Luo Ronghuan realized that more resolute revolutionary action was necessary.
On August 1, the Nanchang Uprising broke out. Although Luo Ronghuan did not directly participate in the uprising, this event greatly boosted his revolutionary enthusiasm. He decided to devote himself to more radical revolutionary actions.
In August of the same year, Luo Ronghuan participated in the Tongcheng Uprising in Hubei. Although the scale of this uprising was small, it was an important revolutionary practice for Luo Ronghuan. He personally experienced the hardships of armed struggle and strengthened his revolutionary determination.
After the failure of the uprising, Luo Ronghuan traveled to Hunan, just in time for the Autumn Harvest Uprising led by Mao Zedong. In September, he resolutely joined the ranks of the uprising and began a truly revolutionary career.
At this moment, Luo Ronghuan received news from his hometown: his father was seriously ill. Faced with the double test of revolutionary ideals and family responsibilities, Luo Ronghuan fell into a deep contradiction. He was well aware that once he returned home, he would most likely never be able to return to the ranks of the revolution; But if you don't go back, you may never see your father for the last time.
After fierce ideological struggle, Luo Ronghuan finally chose the revolutionary cause. He wrote a long letter to his family, explaining his decision and again persuading Yan Yue'e to remarry. In this letter, Luo Ronghuan wrote: "I have embarked on a road of no return, and I don't know when I will be able to return. You are still young, don't delay your youth for me. If there is a good marriage, you can remarry. "
This letter caused Yan Yue'e to fall into deep confusion. She didn't understand why her husband had suddenly become like this, and why she had allowed herself to remarry. However, as a traditional Chinese woman, she chose to suffer silently and continued to stay in the Luo family to take care of her in-laws and daughter.
At the same time, Luo Ronghuan followed the Autumn Harvest Uprising to the Hunan and Jiangxi borders. In the process, he witnessed the suffering of the peasants and strengthened his determination to work for the welfare of the toiling masses. However, the uprising team faced the encirclement and suppression of the Kuomintang army, and the situation became increasingly serious.
In October 1927, Mao Zedong led the rebel army to Jinggangshan. As a grassroots cadre, Luo Ronghuan participated in the establishment of the Jinggangshan Revolutionary Base Area. Here, he began an arduous revolutionary career and gradually grew into an outstanding revolutionary cadre.
During the Jinggangshan period, Luo Ronghuan wanted to write letters to his family many times, but finally gave up the idea because he considered that his revolutionary status might bring danger to his family. He can only silently bless his wife and daughter in his heart, hoping that they can be safe and happy.
In 1928, Luo Ronghuan joined the Communist Party of China and officially became a member of the Communist Party. This year, he was 28 years old and in the prime of life. Since then, he has devoted his whole life to the cause of the party and the people.
However, the hardships on the road to revolution far exceeded Luo Ronghuan's initial imagination. During the Jinggangshan period, the revolutionary contingent often faced the dilemma of lack of food and clothing. Luo Ronghuan and his comrades-in-arms often fed their hunger with wild fruits and tree bark, and sometimes they could not even drink a sip of hot water for several days. But even under such difficult conditions, they still persisted in the revolutionary struggle and continued to develop and strengthen the revolutionary forces.
In 1934, the Central Red Army was forced to implement a strategic shift and began the world-famous Long March. As a member of the Red Army, Luo Ronghuan participated in this arduous expedition. During the long journey, he experienced countless tests of life and death, and also witnessed the sacrifice of many comrades-in-arms.
Whenever there is a dead of night, Luo Ronghuan always thinks of his wife and daughter who are far away from home. He didn't know if they were doing well or not, and if they were still waiting for him. But he knew there was no turning back. Although the road of revolution was difficult, he firmly believed that it was the right choice.
In this way, Luo Ronghuan went farther and farther on the road of revolution, while Yan Yue'e stuck to the small courtyard of her hometown, waiting silently, taking care of the Luo family. The fates of the two people have gone in completely different directions.
3. Perseverance and waiting: Yan Yue'e's difficult years
When Luo Ronghuan embarked on the revolutionary journey, Yan Yue, who stayed in her hometown, began a long wait. In 1927, after Luo Ronghuan left home, Yan Yue'e faced not only the departure of her husband, but also a series of family responsibilities and social pressures.
The first thing Yan Yue'e has to face is the family's financial difficulties. Although the Luo family is not poor, it is not rich. Luo Ronghuan's father was a private school teacher with limited income. Now that there is one less strong laborer in the family, life inevitably has become more strained. In order to maintain the family's income, Yan Yue'e began to take on more labor.
She not only has to take care of her young daughter Luo Yuying, but also serves her in-laws. During the day, she worked in the fields, planting rice and vegetables; In the evenings, she does needlework and mends clothes for the villagers to earn some extra income. Her diligence and competence were soon recognized and appreciated by the villagers.
However, the burden of life is not the only challenge that Yan Yue'e faces. As time passed, Luo Ronghuan was never heard from, and various speculations and rumors began to circulate in the village. Some people say that Luo Ronghuan abandoned his wife and children, some people say that he has married someone else, and some people say that he has participated in some dangerous cause and may have been killed.
In the face of these rumors, Yan Yue'e has always remained silent. She didn't want to believe that her husband would abandon the family or that he had been killed. She chose to believe in Luo Ronghuan's promise when he left home: to fight for the future of the country and the nation. This belief sustained her through one lonely day and night after another.
In 1928, Luo Ronghuan's father was seriously ill. As a daughter-in-law, Yan Yue'e took on the heavy responsibility of taking care of her father-in-law on the sickbed. She waited at her father-in-law's bed day and night, taking care of her carefully, and trying not to let the elderly suffer a trace of grievance. However, with the careful care of Despite Yan Yue'e, Luo's father's condition continued to deteriorate.
During Luo's father's serious illness, Yan Yue'e tried to contact Luo Ronghuan, hoping that he could come back to see his father for the last time. She asked people to inquire about Luo Ronghuan's whereabouts, and even took the risk of writing letters to some people who might know. However, all efforts were in vain and received no response.
In early 1929, Luo's father died. According to local tradition, the son should preside over the funeral of his father. However, Luo Ronghuan still has no news. In this case, Yan Yue'e stepped forward and took on the responsibility of handling the funeral. She carefully arranged the entire funeral process in accordance with traditional etiquette, which was well received by the clansmen and neighbors.
After the funeral, Yan Yue'e faced even more pressure. According to the social customs of the time, if the husband does not return for a long time, the wife should remarry. Many people began to persuade Yan Yue'e to remarry, saying that she was still young and should not waste her youth. Someone even offered to help her introduce people.
In the face of these persuasions and proposals, Yan Yue'e has always remained firm. She politely declined all proposals, saying that she would continue to stay in the Luo family to take care of her mother-in-law and daughter. She said: "When Rong Huan left home, he said that he was going for national affairs. I believe in him and will wait for him to come back. "
Yan Yue'e's persistence won the respect of the Luo family. The mother-in-law saw that her daughter-in-law was so loyal, and she loved her even more. With the support of her clan and neighbors, Yan Yue'e continued to hold on to her family.
In the early 1930s, there was a storm on the land of China. The Kuomintang encircled and suppressed the Communist Party more and more fiercely, and the revolutionary situation became increasingly grim. Although Yan Yue'e is not aware of these complex political situations, she can feel the changes in her surroundings. Some strange faces began to appear in the village, asking strange questions, and seemed to be looking for someone.
Yan Yue'e realized that this might be related to Luo Ronghuan. In order to protect her husband and also to keep her family safe, she became more cautious. She warned her daughter Luo Yuying not to talk too much to outsiders, and also tried to avoid contact with those strangers.
At the same time, Yan Yue'e also has to face the growth problem of her daughter Luo Yuying. As she grew older, Luo Yuying began to inquire about her father's whereabouts. Faced with her daughter's questions, Yan Yue'e was unwilling to lie, but she could not tell the whole truth. She could only tell her daughter that her father had left to do something very important and would come back one day.
Despite the hardships of life, Yan Yue'e still insisted on her daughter's education. She saves money to save for her daughter's tuition, hoping that her daughter can read and write and have a better way out in the future. With Yan Yue'e's efforts, Luo Yuying not only successfully enrolled in the school, but also became an honor student in the class.
In this way, Yan Yue'e spent year after year in waiting and perseverance. She doesn't know if Luo Ronghuan is still alive or if she still remembers this family, but she has always maintained her loyalty to her husband and her responsibility to the family. Her strength and patience, her diligence and wisdom, allowed this family without a male owner to survive in difficult years.
Fourth, the ecstatic reunion and the continued separation
In the autumn of 1936, on an ordinary day, Yan Yue'e was busy in the yard when she suddenly heard someone calling her name. The voice was both familiar and unfamiliar, and she couldn't help but look up. At that moment, she saw a burly man with a vicissitudes of face standing at the gate of the courtyard. Although the wind and frost of the years have left traces on his face, those bright eyes made Yan Yue'e recognize him at a glance - this is her husband who has been away from home for nearly ten years, Luo Ronghuan.
Yan Yue'e froze in place, not knowing how to react for a while. Luo Ronghuan walked into the courtyard slowly, with a complicated expression on his face. They were relatively silent, and the air was filled with embarrassment and emotion. In the end, it was Luo Ronghuan who broke the silence: "Yue'e, I'm back." "
This simple sentence seems to open the floodgates of memory that have been sealed for a long time. Yan Yue's tears flowed uncontrollably, she wanted to say a lot, but she couldn't say a word. Luo Ronghuan stepped forward and patted his wife's shoulder gently, this action contained too many unspeakable apologies and gratitude.
At this moment, teenage Luo Yuying came back from school. Seeing the strange man in the yard, she asked vigilantly, "Mom, who is this?" Yan Yue'e wiped away her tears and said softly, "Yuying, this is your father." "
Luo Yuying's eyes widened and she looked at the strange "father" in front of her in disbelief. Her impression of her father is limited to vague childhood memories and her mother's occasional words. At this moment, this tall man was standing in front of her, but it made her feel so strange.
Luo Ronghuan squatted down and tried to close the distance with his daughter: "Yuying, Dad is back." Luo Yuying subconsciously took a step back and hid behind her mother. This scene made Luo Ronghuan feel deeply guilty, and he realized how much damage his departure had caused to his family.
That night, a family of three sat around a humble dinner table. Yan Yue'e prepared a few home-cooked dishes, although simple, but it was a piece of her heart. At the dinner table, Luo Ronghuan asked about the situation at home over the years. When he heard that his father had passed away and he had failed to fulfill his filial piety, he was silent for a long time, and a trace of grief flashed in his eyes.
Yan Yue'e recounted the hardships of these years: taking care of her in-laws, raising her daughter, and maintaining her family. Her voice is calm, as if telling someone else's story. Luo Ronghuan listened very carefully, nodding from time to time, and the expression on his face became more and more solemn.
Luo Yuying kept her head down to eat and rarely spoke. Occasionally glanced up at the strange father, and quickly lowered his head. Luo Ronghuan tried to talk to his daughter and ask her about her studies, but received only a short answer.
After dinner, Luo Ronghuan took out a cloth bag, which contained a little money and some small gifts he had saved over the years. He said apologetically: "Over the years, I have failed to fulfill my responsibilities as a husband and father. This little bit of stuff is a little bit of my heart. "
Yan Yue'e took the cloth bag and said softly: "If you can come back safely, it is the best gift." Luo Yuying took a book from her father, which was a pamphlet about New China. She flipped through it, and although she didn't quite understand the content, she said "thank you" anyway.
Late at night, Luo Ronghuan sat in the courtyard, looking at the starry sky. Yan Yue'e walked over and asked softly, "How long can you stay when you come back this time?" Luo Ronghuan was silent for a moment and said, "I can only stay for three days." After three days, I had to go back. "
Yan Yue'e didn't ask why, nor did she show reluctance. She just nodded and said, "I see." I will take good care of you for these three days. "
In the next two days, Luo Ronghuan tried to find time to spend with his family. He took his wife and daughter for a walk around the village and introduced them to the outside world. He tried to make up for the lack of these years, but the time was too short to fill the gap of ten years.
Luo Yuying gradually let down her guard against this father and began to take the initiative to talk to him. She asked her father where he had gone and what he had done all these years. Luo Ronghuan didn't elaborate, but told her that he was working hard to build a better China.
In the early morning of the third day, Luo Ronghuan was ready to leave. He apologized to his wife again and promised to come back when it was all over. Yan Yue'e didn't say anything, just silently packed her luggage for him.
When parting, Luo Ronghuan hugged his wife and daughter. He said to Yan Yue, "You don't have to wait for me. If there is a good opportunity, you can remarry. Yan Yue'e shook her head and said firmly, "I will continue to wait for you." "
Luo Yuying hugged her father tightly, with tears in her eyes. Luo Ronghuan stroked his daughter's head and said, "Yuying, you have to study hard and contribute to the country when you grow up." "
In this way, Luo Ronghuan left home again. Yan Yue'e and Luo Yuying stood at the entrance of the village, watching his back in the distance. This brief reunion brought not only joy, but also new expectations and reluctance. The warmth of the family made Luo Ronghuan more determined to revolutionize, and for Yan Yue'e and Luo Yuying, this gathering became the force to support them to continue to wait.
5. Reunion and new life after liberation
On October 1, 1949, the People's Republic of China was founded. This historic moment not only marked the beginning of a new era for China, but also brought the long-awaited reunion opportunity for Luo Ronghuan and Yan Yue's family.
With the establishment of New China, Luo Ronghuan, as a revolutionary father, can finally return to his hometown openly. In the spring of 1950, he embarked on the road back to his hometown with the honor and responsibility accumulated over the years. This time, instead of sneaking back, he returned as a highly decorated general.
When Luo Ronghuan's convoy drove into the village, the whole village was boiling. The villagers rushed out to catch a glimpse of this "big man who went out of the village". In the crowd, Yan Yue'e and Luo Yuying, who had grown up, stood in the front row, their eyes full of anticipation and excitement.
After Luo Ronghuan got out of the car, he first waved to the villagers. Then he strode over to his wife and daughter. At this moment, they are no longer strangers who have been separated for many years, but a complete family. Luo Ronghuan hugged Yan Yue'e tightly and thanked her for her perseverance and dedication over the years. For his daughter Luo Yuying, he felt even more guilty and missed her entire growth process.
At the welcoming ceremony in the village, Luo Ronghuan gave a short speech. He thanked the villagers for their care for his family over the years, and also expressed his vision for a better future for New China. "Our country is finally on its feet, but our work is just beginning," he said. I hope that everyone can unite as one and contribute to the construction of New China. "
Back home, Luo Ronghuan carefully looked at the home he had left for many years. The house was shabby, but tidy. On the wall hangs a picture of him from his youth, already a little yellowed. All this made Luo Ronghuan feel deeply guilty, and he said to Yan Yue: "Over the years, you have worked hard. "
Yan Yue'e shook her head and said, "I can wait until you come back safely, everything is worth it." This simple sentence contains her persistence and expectation over the years.
In the following days, Luo Ronghuan spent as much time as possible with his family. He walked with Yan Yue'e and talked about their respective experiences over the years. He inquired in detail about the situation at home, especially about his daughter Luo Yuying's upbringing. Yan Yue'e answered one by one and told her husband everything over the years.
For his daughter Luo Yuying, Luo Ronghuan is even more concerned. He learned that his daughter was already teaching at a local school and was very proud of her. Luo Ronghuan encouraged her daughter to continue her studies and contribute to the country's education.
However, the joy of the reunion is soon interrupted by reality. As a senior general in New China, Luo Ronghuan shoulders important responsibilities. He needs to return to Beijing as soon as possible to participate in the important work of national construction and army building.
Before parting, Luo Ronghuan solemnly said to Yan Yue'e: "For so many years, you have supported this family alone, I am very grateful. Now the country needs me, and I have to go. But I promise that I will come back to see you more often in the future. "
Yan Yue'e nodded in understanding and said, "The affairs of the country are more important. You can do your business with peace of mind, and I have it at home. "
Regarding his daughter Luo Yuying, Luo Ronghuan said: "Yuying, Dad hopes that you can continue to study hard and contribute to the education of New China." If you have the opportunity, I will arrange for you to come to Beijing for further study. "
In this way, Luo Ronghuan left his hometown again, but this time the difference was that he took away the understanding and support of his family, and also left a promise to go home often.
In the following days, although Luo Ronghuan was busy with work, he never forgot his commitment to his family. He often wrote letters to his family, asking about Yan Yue'e and Luo Yuying's current situation. Every time he returns to his hometown, he brings some Beijing specialties and new things, so that his family can feel the changes and progress of the capital.
In 1951, under Luo Ronghuan's arrangement, Luo Yuying came to Beijing for further study. This is not only a great personal progress for Luo Yuying, but also a symbol of the improvement of the status of the entire family. Luo Yuying studied diligently in Beijing to prepare for better serving the country's education cause in the future.
At the same time, Yan Yue'e also started a new life. In the village, she is no longer the poor woman who waits for her husband, but the respected "general's wife". She actively participates in various activities in the village and makes suggestions for the development of the village. She also often conveyed the new ideas brought by Luo Ronghuan to the villagers, and became a bridge for the exchange of new and old ideas in the village.
In 1952, Luo Ronghuan specially arranged a family reunion. At home in Beijing, Luo Ronghuan, Yan Yue'e and Luo Yuying can finally sit together and enjoy family fun. This reunion not only made up for the regrets they had over the years, but also made them full of confidence in the future.
Luo Ronghuan said to his wife and daughter: "Our country is booming, and our family must keep up with the pace of the times. Yuying, you have to study hard and contribute to the country's education in the future. Yue, you should also actively participate in the construction of the new countryside in your hometown and lead the villagers to get rich together. "
Yan Yue'e and Luo Yuying both nodded solemnly in agreement. At this moment, they are no longer just an ordinary family, but a part of the construction of New China, shouldering the mission entrusted by the times.