In the long history of China, there is a little-known legend involving an ordinary farmer and a former imperial concubine. The farmer's name was Liu Zhendong, and his wife, Wen Xiu, was the concubine of the last emperor, Puyi. At the last moment of his life, Liu Zhendong said proudly: "In this life, it is worth marrying the emperor's woman and marrying Wenxiu!" What kind of life experience is behind this sentence? How did Wenxiu get from the palace to the fields? How did Liu Zhendong win the heart of this once high-ranking imperial princess? Is their married life as good as a fairy tale? In that turbulent era, what kind of ups and downs did this seemingly impossible couple go through?
Wen Xiu, this name is not well-known in modern Chinese history, but her experience is like a legendary novel with ups and downs. In 1922, Wen Xiu, who was only 17 years old, was elected to the palace and became the concubine of the last emperor Puyi. This seemingly glorious identity has become a turning point in her life.
Wenxiu was born in the Manchu Zhengbai Banner and has a prominent family background. She has received a good education since she was a child, proficient in poetry and songs, and is good at piano, chess, calligraphy and painting. It was these talents, coupled with her beautiful looks, that caught Pu Yi's attention. However, life after entering the palace is not as good as she imagined.
In the deep palace compound of the Forbidden City, Wen Xiu soon finds herself trapped in a complex web of power. Although she was favored by Pu Yi, she had to face the jealousy and suppression of Empress Wanrong. Concubine Jin doesn't like her very much, and often finds fault and makes things difficult. Although Pu Yi was nominally the emperor, he had actually lost his real power and was unable to protect Wenxiu.
Wenxiu's daily life became monotonous and depressing. In addition to greeting the queen and the concubine every day, she was forced to stay in her bedroom most of the time. This life was a far cry from the court life she once longed for. She began to miss the free and easy days of the past, and was full of confusion about the future.
In 1924, Pu Yi was expelled from the Forbidden City, and Wenxiu left this splendid but bound place. However, leaving the Forbidden City did not bring relief to Wenxiu. At the instigation of the Japanese, Pu Yi dreamed of becoming emperor again, intending to establish Manchukuo. This decision left Wenxiu disappointed and angry, and she saw it as an act of betrayal of the country.
The disagreement between the two on this issue led to a complete breakdown of the relationship. Pu Yi began to snub Wen Xiu, no longer talking to her, and did not return to her room at night. For the next seven years, Wen Xiu became a neglected person, and was even bullied by the palace minions.
In pain and despair, Wen Xiu once wanted to commit suicide to end this life that was worse than death. But under the persuasion of her cousin, she decided to live bravely and made a decision that shocked the world - to divorce Pu Yi.
In 1931, Wenxiu officially filed for divorce from Pu Yi. This was undoubtedly an earth-shattering move in the social context of the time. It is unheard of in Chinese history that a woman, especially an imperial concubine, dared to take the initiative to divorce the emperor.
The divorce process did not go smoothly. Pu Yi refused to accept it at first, and the two sides even went to court. In the end, under pressure from all parties, Pu Yi agreed to the divorce and gave Wenxiu 50,000 silver tickets as compensation.
After the divorce, Wen Xiu decided to go incognito and start her life again. She first taught in an elementary school, using her knowledge to teach and educate. However, due to the media coverage of her divorce from Pu Yi, she was subjected to a lot of harassment and eventually had to leave her teaching position.
In the days that followed, Wenxiu tried a variety of jobs, but was rejected because of her special status. In desperation, she can only make ends meet by setting up stalls, selling cigarettes, pasting cartons and other odd jobs. This former imperial concubine began her ordinary and difficult civilian life in this way.
It was not until the victory of the Anti-Japanese War in 1945 that Wenxiu's life improved slightly. She got a job as a proofreader at a newspaper, and although the job was not easy, she finally had a stable income. In this position, Wenxiu began to slowly adapt to the new life, and gradually forgot his former identity.
Wen Xiu's experience, from the imperial concubine to the commoner, from the Jinluan Palace to the streets and alleys, shows the strength and courage of a woman to redeem herself in troubled times. Her story is not only a turning point in personal fate, but also a microcosm of the social changes of that era.
While Wenxiu experienced the ups and downs of life, another character, Liu Zhendong, also wrote his own legend in the torrent of history. Liu Zhendong, an ordinary farmer's child, became an officer through his own efforts, and finally married the former imperial concubine Wenxiu, and his life trajectory is legendary.
Liu Zhendong was born in an ordinary peasant family in Hebei Province. Life has been difficult since childhood, but he is diligent and studious, and he is determined to change his destiny. In 1937, when the Anti-Japanese War broke out, Liu Zhendong, who was only 18 years old, resolutely joined the National Revolutionary Army and began his military career.
As an ordinary soldier, Liu Zhendong participated in many battles against Japan. On the battlefield, he performed well and made many meritorious contributions. In 1938, in the Battle of Wuhan, Liu Zhendong's unit was ordered to hold an important position. In the face of the fierce attack of the Japanese army, Liu Zhendong led several comrades-in-arms to resist stubbornly, successfully blocked the enemy's advance, and bought precious time for the retreat of the large army. In this battle, Liu Zhendong was seriously wounded, but his heroic performance was appreciated by his superiors and he was promoted to platoon commander.
In the years that followed, Liu Zhendong continued to fight on the anti-Japanese front. He participated in many major battles such as the Battle of Pingxingguan and the Battle of Taierzhuang, and made many achievements. In 1941, Liu Zhendong was promoted to company commander for his outstanding performance in a key battle. As a junior officer, he not only had to lead his soldiers into battle, but he also had to deal with various logistical and management issues. In the process, Liu Zhendong gradually accumulated rich military and management experience.
In 1945, the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was won. At this time, Liu Zhendong had grown into an experienced lieutenant. However, the advent of peace did not bring long-term tranquility to China. The civil war between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party soon broke out, and Liu Zhendong once again threw himself into the war-torn years.
In this civil war, Liu Zhendong experienced more tempering. He witnessed the brutality of war, but also the suffering of ordinary people. These experiences led him to think about the meaning of war and the direction of his life. In 1948, in a fierce battle, Liu Zhendong was wounded again and was sent to the rear hospital for treatment.
In the hospital, Liu Zhendong met a comrade-in-arms who was also wounded. This comrade-in-arms is an intellectual, and often discusses the future of the country and personal life choices with Liu Zhendong. Through these conversations, Liu Zhendong gradually realized that what he really wanted was a peaceful and peaceful life, not a never-ending war.
In 1949, the People's Republic of China was founded. Liu Zhendong chose to retire and returned to his hometown. As a veteran, he could have chosen to work in the local government, but Liu Zhendong decided to return to the countryside and become an ordinary farmer again. The decision baffled many, but for Mr. Liu, it was a deliberate choice.
After returning to the countryside, Liu Zhendong quickly became the backbone of the village by virtue of the organizational skills and management experience he had learned in the army. He actively participates in the public affairs of the village, leading the villagers to improve production conditions and increase agricultural output. Thanks to his efforts, the appearance of the village has gradually improved, and the lives of the villagers have also improved significantly.
At this moment, fate brought an unexpected turn to Liu Zhendong. One day in 1950, Liu Zhendong met a strange woman at the entrance of the village. This woman was Wen Xiu, and she was looking for work and shelter at the time. Out of kindness, Liu Zhendong found a job for Wenxiu in the village and helped her settle down.
Liu Zhendong didn't know Wen Xiu's true identity, but she was an ordinary city person. He was attracted by Wenxiu's knowledge and talent, and the two quickly developed a relationship. For Liu Zhendong, Wenxiu represents the wider world he has always longed for. For Wenxiu, Liu Zhendong's simplicity and kindness made her feel the warmth she had not seen for a long time.
In the autumn of 1950, in a small village in Hebei Province, the threads of fate of Liu Zhendong and Wenxiu began to intertwine. This unusual marriage is not only the sublimation of personal emotions, but also the epitome of that special era.
When they first met, Wen Xiu was wandering around the entrance of the village, looking exhausted. Liu Zhendong stepped forward to inquire out of kindness and learned that she was looking for a job and a place to live. As the backbone of the village, Liu Zhendong immediately helped Wenxiu find a teaching job in the village and arranged a place for her to live.
The arrival of Wenxiu brought a touch of turmoil to this peaceful village. She was knowledgeable and had an elegant demeanor that was noticeably different from the rest of the village. The villagers are curious about this mysterious "city man", but Wen Xiu has always kept a low profile and rarely mentions his past.
Liu Zhendong was attracted by the talent of Wenxiu. As a retired officer, he had seen the world, but he was still amazed by Wenxiu's knowledge. Whenever he has free time, Liu Zhendong will go to Wenxiu to chat and listen to her talk about the outside world. Wen Xiu was moved by Liu Zhendong's simplicity and kindness. After experiencing the court's deceit, Liu Zhendong's sincerity made her feel warm and safe.
The relationship between the two slowly grows in their daily relationship. Liu Zhendong often helps Wenxiu with some things he can, such as repairing broken windows and carrying heavy buckets. Wenxiu used her knowledge to help Liu Zhendong improve his cultural level and teach him to read and write.
However, the relationship was not all smooth sailing. Some people in the village began to discuss, questioning Wenxiu's identity and background. Some villagers even advised Liu Zhendong to be careful not to be deceived by "city people". In the face of these pressures, Liu Zhendong has always stood firmly on Wenxiu's side and expressed his belief in her personality.
In the spring of 1951, Liu Zhendong proposed to Wenxiu. This decision made waves in the village again. Many people think that Liu Zhendong, as the backbone of the village, should find a local girl. But Liu Zhendong insisted on his choice, saying that Wenxiu was his ideal partner.
Wen Xiu was hesitant at first. She is worried that her past will bring trouble to Liu Zhendong, and she is also afraid that she will repeat the mistakes of the past when she steps into marriage again. But Liu Zhendong's sincerity touched her, and in the end, Wenxiu accepted the marriage proposal.
The wedding took place in the fall of 1951. In order to respect the local customs, Wen Xiu wore a traditional red wedding dress. Although the people in the village still had some doubts about this marriage, their attitude gradually softened when they saw the bride following the local customs so much. The wedding was simple and warm, and Liu Zhendong and Wenxiu officially became husband and wife in the blessing of everyone.
Life after marriage is not easy. As a member of a rural family, Wenxiu had to adapt to the heavy farm work. Having never done farm work, she was often in a hurry at first, but instead of complaining, she studied hard. Liu Zhendong shared the housework as much as possible to reduce the burden of embroidery.
In 1952, Wen Xiu became pregnant. The news left the whole family ecstatic. However, due to long-term malnutrition and heavy physical labor, Wenxiu's physical condition was not ideal. During her pregnancy, she often felt unwell and even had several near-miscarriages. Liu Zhendong took care of her inch by inch, and even exchanged his own rations for some nutrients for Wen Xiu's body.
In the winter of the same year, Wen Xiu gave birth to a healthy boy. The birth of the child not only brought joy to the family, but also made the villagers completely accept Wenxiu. Many villagers offered to send gifts to congratulate them.
However, the good times were short-lived. In 1953, the government began to carry out land reform. As a former Kuomintang officer, Liu Zhendong was listed as a key target of review. Some even began to doubt Wen Xiu's identity, thinking that she might be a "spy". In the face of these accusations, Liu Zhendong and Wen Xiu faced it calmly and truthfully explained their past.
After months of investigation, the government finally confirmed that there was no problem with Liu Zhendong and Wenxiu. This experience not only did not shake their relationship, but made the two cherish each other even more. They know how difficult it is to find someone who truly loves each other in these turbulent times.
In the years that followed, Liu Zhendong and Wenxiu supported each other and faced various challenges in life together. They worked hard, raised their children, and participated in collective production in the village. Wenxiu used her knowledge to open a literacy class in the village to help more people learn cultural knowledge. Liu Zhendong continued to use his organizational skills to lead the villagers to improve production conditions.
This unusual marriage not only changed the trajectory of Liu Zhendong and Wenxiu's lives, but also brought new vitality to this small village. Their stories have become the talk of the villagers after dinner, and they have also become a microcosm of that special era, witnessing the tenacity of ordinary people and the power of love in the changing times.
In the spring of 1955, an accident shattered the peaceful life of Liu Zhendong and Wen Xiu. On that day, a senior cadre from Beijing visited the village to inspect the work. When this cadre saw Wen Xiu, there was a surprised expression on his face. It turned out that this cadre had served in Puyi's court, and he recognized Wen Xiu at a glance as the former imperial concubine.
The news quickly spread in the village and caused an uproar. The villagers couldn't believe that Wen Xiu, who had been working with them, was once the emperor's concubine. Some people began to question Wen Xiu's motives for concealing her identity, and some even doubted whether she had ulterior motives.
Faced with the sudden turmoil, Liu Zhendong and Wenxiu decided to confess everything. They took the initiative to report Wenxiu's true identity to the village committee and higher authorities. Wen Xiu gave a detailed account of his past, including his experience in the court and his later wandering life. She stressed that she had never had any political intentions, but just wanted to live the life of an ordinary person.
The higher-level departments attached great importance to this situation and immediately sent people to investigate. During the investigation, Wen Xiu was asked to suspend teaching, and Liu Zhendong was temporarily relieved of his post in the village. The couple faced unprecedented pressures and trials.
The attitude in the village has also changed. Some villagers began to distance themselves from them, and some even offered to drive them out of the village. But there are also some villagers, especially those who have been helped by Wenxiu, who are still on their side and speak for them.
During this difficult period, Liu Zhendong has always firmly supported Wenxiu. He openly stated that regardless of the past, she is now a hardworking and kind ordinary person, and she is his beloved wife. Mr. Liu's attitude won the respect of some villagers and softened the stance of those who were skeptical of Wenxiu.
The investigation lasted several months. During this period, the investigation team not only learned about Wenxiu's past in detail, but also interviewed people who had contact with her. Eventually, the results of the investigation confirmed Wenxiu's statement. The investigation team believes that although Wen Xiu was indeed the imperial concubine, she has completely broken with the old system, lived as an ordinary laborer after the founding of New China, and contributed to the education of the village.
Based on the results of the investigation, the higher authorities decided not to take any punitive measures against Wenxiu and allowed her to continue to live in the village. However, considering her particular background, it was suggested that she should not take up the teaching position for the time being to avoid unnecessary controversy.
This decision made Liu Zhendong and Wen Xiu breathe a sigh of relief. Although I lost my job as a teacher, I was able to continue to live in the village. Wen Xiu expressed her understanding of the decision of her superiors and promised to continue to work hard and contribute to the construction of the village.
However, things didn't settle down. Some villagers are still suspicious of Wen Xiu, believing that her presence may cause trouble for the village. In order to dispel these concerns, Liu Zhendong offered to resign from his post in the village and concentrate on agricultural production. This decision surprised many people, and also gave some people a new understanding of Liu Zhendong's personality.
At the beginning of 1956, a plenary meeting was held in the village to discuss how to deal with the problems of Liu Zhendong and Wenxiu. At the meeting, there were both voices for and against. In the end, the village committee made a decision: Liu Zhendong and Wenxiu were allowed to remain in the village, but they were subject to the supervision of the villagers. At the same time, they are encouraged to actively participate in collective labor and prove themselves with practical actions.
The decision marked the end of the turmoil, but for Liu Zhendong and Wenxiu, the real test had just begun. They must use their actions to regain the trust and respect of the villagers.
In the following days, Liu Zhendong and Wenxiu worked harder than ever. They get up early and work late and take on some of the hardest work. Although Wenxiu can no longer teach, she uses her free time to help the women in the village learn to read. Liu Zhendong gave full play to his organizational skills and took the lead in completing various tasks in the production team.
Slowly, the attitude of the villagers began to change. They saw the hard work of Liu Zhendong and Wenxiu, and also felt their sincerity. Especially in a flood in the summer of 1956, Liu Zhendong took the lead in organizing villagers to fight the flood and provide disaster relief, while Wen Xiu risked his personal safety and rescued several trapped children. The incident brought the villagers back to know the couple and made them realize that a person's worth should not be defined solely by the past.
By the end of 1957, Liu Zhendong and Wenxiu had largely reintegrated into village life. While their special identity remains a fact that cannot be ignored, most people have come to terms with them. This experience not only tested the love between Liu Zhendong and Wenxiu, but also made them cherish their hard-won ordinary life even more.
With the passage of time, Liu Zhendong and Wenxiu gradually entered their old age. In 1978, the spring breeze of reform and opening up blew across the land of China, which also brought great changes to this small village. The couple witnessed the transformation of the village and continue to play their part in the process.
Although Liu Zhendong is old, he still maintains the style of a soldier. He was actively involved in the construction of the village, especially in promoting new agricultural technologies. In 1979, a new type of rice variety was introduced in the village, and Liu Zhendong took the initiative to ask for a trial planting in his own responsible field. He carefully records each stage of growth and analyzes the effects of different fertilization methods. In the end, his experimental plot achieved the highest yield in the village, providing valuable experience for the large-scale promotion of the new variety.
Wenxiu devoted her energy to the cultural construction of the village. Although she no longer serves as a formal teacher, the children in the village still like to gather around her and listen to stories. In 1980, when the village was preparing to build a library, Wenxiu donated the books he had treasured for many years, including some precious ancient books. She also uses her knowledge to provide cultural guidance to the young people in her village to help them prepare for the college entrance examination.
In 1982, the village began to implement the household contract responsibility system. Although Liu Zhendong and Wenxiu are old, they did not choose to retire, but took the initiative to contract a piece of land. Their purpose is not to make money, but to set an example for the young people in the village, to prove that as long as they are hardworking and willing to work, they can make a difference when they are old.
In the process of operating the contracted land, Liu Zhendong and Wenxiu gave full play to their respective advantages. Liu Zhendong is responsible for the actual operation, and he scientifically arranges the planting plan and uses chemical fertilizers and pesticides rationally based on years of experience. Wenxiu is responsible for account management and market research, she carefully records every income and expenditure, studies market conditions, and provides a basis for planting decisions.
Their efforts quickly paid off. The land they contracted was not only high in yield, but also of good quality, and the vegetables and grains produced were very popular in the market. In 1985, their contracted land was rated as a "high-yield demonstration field" by the county, and Liu Zhendong and Wenxiu were also named "model workers".
The success of the elderly couple inspired the rest of the village. Many young people are starting to ask them for advice on how to run a business. Liu Zhendong and Wenxiu always answer patiently and share their experiences without reservation. They also often organize villagers to learn new technologies and discuss market conditions together. Driven by them, the level of agricultural production in the village has been continuously improved, and the income of the villagers has also increased year by year.
In 1988, the village began to develop township enterprises. Although Liu Zhendong and Wenxiu are over seventy years old, they are still actively involved. They are no longer directly involved in production, but in the role of consultants. Liu Zhendong provides advice on the management of enterprises with his own organizational experience; Wenxiu uses its own cultural knowledge to help enterprises formulate development plans and draft various documents.
In the early 1990s, the state began to attach importance to rural education. The village decided to rebuild the primary school and invited Wenxiu to participate in the preparatory work. Despite her advanced age, Wen Xiu gladly accepted the task. She was involved in the development of the syllabus, helped with the selection of teaching materials, and personally trained new teachers. In 1993, when the new school building was completed, Wenxiu, who was already 80 years old, was invited to write an inscription for the school.
As they grew older, Liu Zhendong and Wenxiu's physical condition began to decline. But they weren't depressed. They begin to devote more energy to family life, especially the education of their grandchildren. They often tell their grandchildren about their life experiences, teaching them to cherish the hard-won good days and create a better future with their own hands.
In 1995, Liu Zhendong was hospitalized due to illness. In the hospital, he received condolences from many villagers. People have said that it is the role models of Liu Zhendong and Wenxiu that inspire them to keep moving forward. This made Liu Zhendong feel gratified, and he said that he had no regrets in his life.
In 1997, Liu Zhendong passed away peacefully at the age of 86. The whole village held a grand funeral for him, and the villagers spontaneously organized to tell the story of Liu Zhendong and remember the old man who made great contributions to the development of the village.
After the death of her husband, Wen Xiu still lived strongly. She continues to care about the affairs of the village, especially education. Until her death in 2001, she maintained a strong mental state. After her death, the village decided to name the newly built cultural hall "Wenxiu Hall" to commemorate this old man who made important contributions to the cultural and educational cause of the village.
The lives of Liu Zhendong and Wen Xiu, starting from a dramatic encounter, experienced the changes of the times, and finally wrote their own legend in ordinary rural life. Their story is not only a portrayal of personal destiny, but also a microcosm of the entire era. They have interpreted what true love is and what is responsibility to society with practical actions, and their spirit will always inspire future generations.