In China at the beginning of the 20th century, a love tragedy that crossed the military, literary and social circles was quietly staged. Wang Geng, a student from Tsinghua University to West Point, rose all the way to lieutenant general with his outstanding talent, but suffered a heavy blow at the peak of his life. His wife, talented girl Lu Xiaoman, fell in love with his friend Xu Zhimo and staged a shocking emotional entanglement. In the face of betrayal, Wang Geng chose to quit with dignity, but died at the age of 47. In 1942, at the British cemetery in Cairo, the Allied forces in North Africa held a solemn funeral for the Chinese general.
From "Xueba" to General: Wang Geng's legendary life
Wang Geng's story can be called a legend in the Republic of China. He was born into a humble family, but that didn't stop him from pursuing knowledge. When he was young, Wang Geng showed extraordinary intelligence, excelled in school, and was a "scholar" in the eyes of everyone.
He graduated from Tsinghua University with honors, and immediately got the opportunity to study abroad at public expense, and embarked on a journey to study in United States. This decision opened a door to a wider world for Wang Geng's life. In the United States, Wang Geng studied at three top universities: the University of Michigan, Colombia University and Princeton University.
In these prestigious schools, Wang Geng was like a fish in water and completed his studies with excellent results. His thirst for knowledge did not stop there, and he went on to study at the prestigious West Point Military Academy. At West Point, Wang Geng met Eisenhower, who later became President of United States, and the two became classmates and friends. This experience not only allowed Wang Geng to master superb military knowledge, but also laid a solid foundation for his future military career.
After returning to China after completing his studies, Wang Geng quickly emerged in the Beiyang government with his talent and ability. He was fluent in foreign languages and familiar with military affairs, qualities that made him shine at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. As a member of the Chinese delegation, Wang Geng actively fought for China's rights and interests, and showed outstanding diplomatic skills.
It was during the Paris Peace Conference that Wang Geng became acquainted with Liang Qichao, a well-known scholar at the time. Liang Qichao greatly appreciated this young and promising junior and gladly accepted him as an apprentice. This teacher-student friendship not only expanded Wang Geng's knowledge, but also provided strong support for his future career development.
After returning to China, Wang Geng's career has been soaring. He has successively served as the director of the Harbin Municipal Police Department and the chief of staff of the headquarters of the five provincial coalition forces. In the army, Wang Geng even showed outstanding leadership skills, and served as the commander of the artillery in front of the enemy and the commander of the ironclad vehicle.
His military rank also increased with the accumulation of merits, and he was promoted from lieutenant colonel to lieutenant general. Such a resume was rare in China at that time. Wang Geng's success not only proves his extraordinary intelligence, but also reflects his extraordinary ability in turbulent times.
Wang Geng's legendary experience can be called the epitome of Chinese intellectuals in that era. He has both profound academic skills and outstanding military talents, and has performed well in both political and military circles. Such a background made him a leader in high society at that time.
However, fate is always full of drama. Just when Wang Geng's career was in full swing, his private life was facing huge challenges. His marriage to the talented woman Lu Xiaoman was originally regarded as a model couple in the upper class at that time, but it broke down because of the intervention of the literati Xu Zhimo.
The ending of this marriage not only affected Wang Geng's personal life, but also changed the trajectory of his life to some extent. Despite this, Wang Geng still maintained his usual demeanor and bearing, and showed a rare gentlemanly demeanor when dealing with this emotional entanglement.
Wang Geng's life, from Tsinghua Park to West Point Military Academy, from the Beiyang government to the military high-level, has experienced ups and downs in life. His story is not only a portrayal of a personal legend, but also a microcosm of the fate of the Chinese elite in that era. In the turbulent era, Wang Geng composed a unique music of life with his talent and ability.
Famous marriage: Wang Geng's marriage with Lu Xiaoman
The marriage between Wang Geng and Lu Xiaoman can be called a good story in the upper class during the Republic of China. Lu Xiaoman, a talented woman from a famous family, was famous in the cultural circle at that time for her talent and captivating appearance. She is proficient in piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and her gestures show everyone's beautiful demeanor.
The conclusion of this marriage can be described as a good match. With his prominent military and political status and outstanding talent, Wang Geng successfully won Lu Xiaoman's heart. The combination of the two caused quite a stir in the society at that time.
On the day of the wedding, guests and celebrities gathered. Wang Geng was dressed in a straight military uniform, and his posture was heroic; Lu Xiaoman is wearing red makeup, bright and moving. The scene of the two walking into the auditorium hand in hand became a topic of conversation in the social circle at that time.
In the early days of marriage, Wang Geng and Lu Xiaoman's lives can be described as honey and oil. Wang Geng's military position brought the two of them excellent living conditions, with mansions, luxury cars, and expensive jewelry. In such an environment, Lu Xiaoman is even more at home, frequently going in and out of various upper-class social occasions, and has become the focus of attention.
However, as time went on, cracks began to appear in this seemingly perfect marriage. As a soldier, Wang Geng is busy with military affairs all the year round, and it is difficult to take time off to accompany his wife. The nature of his work dictates that he must always be vigilant and ready to respond to possible military situations.
At the same time, Lu Xiaoman struggled to adapt to this lifestyle. She is lively, sociable, and eager to live freely. The days of being alone in the boudoir for a long time made her feel lonely and bored like never before.
In order to pass the time, Lu Xiaoman began to frequent various social occasions. She mingled with a group of broad wives, played mahjong all day long, danced, and lived a life of drunken dreams. This way of life is very different from Wang Geng's expectations.
Wang Geng hopes that Lu Xiaoman can teach his husband and children with peace of mind and take care of family affairs. But for Lu Xiaoman, who is used to being sought after, this is like putting a free bird in a cage. The contradiction between the two quietly breeds like this.
Despite this, Wang Geng still loves Lu Xiaoman deeply. Every time he returned home, he would bring back carefully selected gifts, hoping to make up for the debt he had incurred due to his work. However, these material compensation could not fill the emptiness in Lu Xiaoman's heart.
As time passed, the estrangement between the two deepened. Lu Xiaoman began to get tired of Wang Geng's military life, and Wang Geng complained about his wife's extravagant lifestyle. The communication between the two is becoming less and less, and the relationship is gradually fading.
It was at this time that fate dealt a fatal blow to this marriage. Wang Geng's friend, the famous poet Xu Zhimo, began to frequent the Wang family. At first, Wang Geng didn't care, and even thanked Xu Zhimo for being able to accompany his wife who was alone all the year round.
However, he didn't expect that this decision would become the last straw that crushed this marriage. Xu Zhimo was personable and talented, and soon won the favor of Lu Xiaoman. The two have been in love for a long time and have developed a relationship that goes beyond friendship.
When Wang Geng found out all this, it was already too late. He was once furious, and even took out a pistol to threaten Lu Xiaoman. But in the end, he chose to withdraw from the marriage with dignity. When signing the divorce agreement, Wang Geng showed rare generosity and grace.
The end of this marriage not only shocked the entire upper class, but also brought a huge blow to Wang Geng's life. However, as a soldier, he still maintained his professional ethics and did not let his personal feelings affect his work.
Wang Geng and Lu Xiaoman's marriage began in a vigorous and ended in an earth-shattering situation. The failure of this marriage is not only a personal tragedy, but also reflects the changes in the concept of marriage and the change in social atmosphere in that era. It is like a mirror, reflecting the various aspects of the married life of the upper class during the Republic of China.
Away from home: Wang Geng's last years
The failure of his marriage did not break Wang Geng, and he chose to devote all his energy to his work. In 1935, Wang Geng accepted an important task - to go to Europe to inspect military equipment. This overseas investigation became a turning point in his life.
Before leaving, Wang Geng sorted out all his personal belongings, as if he had a hunch that it would be a long journey. He said goodbye to his relatives and friends one by one, with a faint smile on his face, but there was a subtle worry in his eyes. The moment he boarded the ocean-going steamer, Wang Geng glanced back at the land of the motherland, and his heart was full of mixed feelings.
After arriving in Europe, Wang Geng began his investigation work non-stop. He visited military factories in many countries to learn in detail about the performance and production process of various advanced weapons and equipment. Everywhere he went, Wang Geng carefully observed and recorded carefully, lest he miss any details that might be helpful to China's military modernization.
During the inspection, Wang Geng got acquainted with many European military experts. They admired this military general from the East and often had in-depth technical exchanges with him. They were impressed by Wang's erudition, and some experts even offered to establish long-term cooperation with the Chinese military.
However, just as the expedition was in full swing, the unexpected happened. In 1937, the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression broke out. When the news reached Europe, Wang Geng was anxious. He immediately asked for instructions from China, hoping to return to China as soon as possible to participate in the war of resistance.
However, the Nationalist Government made other arrangements. Considering Wang Geng's connections and influence in Europe, the government decided to let him stay in Europe and continue to procure military equipment for the country while enlisting international support. Although Wang Geng was anxious, he still obeyed the order and began a long overseas wartime procurement career.
In the following years, Wang Geng traveled between European countries. He liaised everywhere in an effort to secure more military aid for the country. Whenever he heard the news of the tense war in the country, Wang Geng couldn't sleep all night, and he couldn't wait to fly back to the motherland immediately and go into battle to kill the enemy in person.
In 1939, World War II broke out. The situation in Europe has deteriorated dramatically, and Wang Geng's working environment has become increasingly dangerous. But he still stuck to his post and continued to fight for every possible support for his country. In the process, Wang Geng's physical condition began to deteriorate sharply.
Long-term high-intensity work and psychological pressure have made Wang Geng's health worse. He began to experience frequent headaches, insomnia, and other symptoms. Despite this, Wang Geng still insisted on working, and even rejected his colleagues' suggestions to persuade him to rest many times.
At the beginning of 1942, Wang Geng's condition worsened. He was diagnosed with severe liver disease, and doctors strongly advised him to stop working immediately and receive treatment. But Wang Geng insisted on completing the procurement task at hand, he said: "The country is in danger, how can I abolish the public for private reasons?" "
In July of the same year, Wang Geng finally couldn't hold it anymore and fell unconscious in a hospital in Cairo. When the local Chinese embassy staff heard the news, they saw an old man who was described as withered and dying. They couldn't believe that this was the once high-spirited army lieutenant general Wang Geng.
In the hospital, Wang Geng's condition deteriorated. Despite the best efforts of the doctors, in the end, there was no way back. On July 23, Wang Geng died suddenly in a foreign country at the age of 47. When the news broke, the Chinese community in Cairo was shocked and saddened.
Wang Geng's death was not only a major loss to the Chinese military, but also a tragedy in the entire War of Resistance Against Japan. He used his life to interpret what loyalty is and what responsibility is. Even in a foreign land, he is still concerned about the fate of his motherland.
In order to pay tribute to Wang Geng, the allies in North Africa decided to hold a solemn funeral for him. At the British Cemetery in Cairo, officers from all over the world gathered to pay their last respects to the Chinese general who sacrificed his life for his country. At the funeral, the sound of gunfire shook the sky to bid farewell to this foreign soldier.
Wang Geng's life is like a burning candle, illuminating the darkest moment of the motherland. His story has become the epitome of countless patriots of that era. In the era of peace, when we look back on Wang Geng's life, we can better appreciate the great sacrifices made by their generation for the country.
On Wang Geng's tombstone, a simple line of text is engraved: "Tomb of Chinese Army Lieutenant General Wang Geng". This tombstone, far away from his homeland, bears witness to the loyalty and responsibility of a Chinese soldier. His story will forever be engraved in China's modern history and become an example for future generations to remember and learn.
Heroic Twilight: Wang Geng's exploits were finally recognized
Wang Geng's death did not attract much attention at the time. In the war-torn era, many heroes died silently, and their stories were often lost in the dust of history. Wang Geng's body was buried in Cairo, and his exploits were gradually forgotten with the passage of time.
However, history is always fair. With the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan, people began to look back on the bits and pieces of this difficult time. While compiling wartime diplomatic archives, a young historian stumbled upon Wang Geng's name. This name, like a pearl that has been sealed for a long time, shines again in people's field of vision.
After in-depth research, the scholar found that Wang Geng's work in Europe played a crucial role in China's wartime diplomacy. He not only successfully procured a large number of advanced weapons and equipment, but also won the support of many European countries for China through his connections and influence.
In 2000, a biography entitled "The Forgotten General" was published. The book gives a detailed account of Wang Geng's life, especially his final years in Europe. The book reveals many little-known details, including how Wang Geng insisted on working despite being seriously ill and fought for the last bit of strength for the motherland.
As soon as the book was published, it immediately attracted wide attention from all walks of life. People were surprised to find that in that war-torn era, there was such an unknown hero who made such a great contribution to the country. The media rushed to report on Wang Geng's deeds, and the TV station produced a special program about the legendary life of the forgotten general.
Amid the public's outcry, the relevant state departments began to investigate Wang Geng's exploits. After detailed archival verification and historical research, Wang Geng's contribution has been officially recognized. In 2005, the Ministry of National Defense officially issued an announcement posthumously recognizing Wang Geng as a special meritorious figure during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
This decision has triggered a new round of social concern. There is a lot of discussion about why such a hero has been forgotten for more than half a century. Some argue that this reflects an incomplete understanding of history, while others call for greater research and publicity on such historical figures.
Subsequently, a series of commemorative activities were carried out one after another. In Wang Geng's hometown, the local government funded the establishment of a memorial hall to show Wang Geng's life and deeds in detail. In the memorial hall, there are items used by Wang Geng during his lifetime, as well as some photos and documents from his work in Europe. These precious historical materials allow visitors to understand the magnificent history more intuitively.
At the same time, an unexpected news came. At a thrift market in United Kingdom, a Chinese collector accidentally discovered Wang Geng's diary. This diary records what Wang Geng saw and heard in his last years in Europe, including a profound analysis of the international situation and deep worries about the fate of the motherland. The discovery of the diary provides valuable first-hand information for the study of Wang Geng.
In 2010, on the 68th anniversary of Wang Geng's death, the state decided to relocate his remains to the motherland. This decision was supported by the Government of Egypt. Under the coordination of the diplomatic departments of the two countries, Wang Geng's remains were carefully handed over to the Chinese delegation.
The process of returning the remains to China became a solemn patriotic education. From Cairo to Beijing, people spontaneously came to see them off at every stop along the way. When the coffin arrived in Beijing, tens of thousands of people spontaneously gathered outside the airport to pay their last respects to the hero.
In front of the Monument to the People's Heroes, a solemn burial ceremony was held. State leaders attended the ceremony and delivered an enthusiastic speech, speaking highly of Wang Geng's patriotic spirit and historical contributions. At the ceremony, the military band played the majestic national anthem, the sound of gunfire resounded in the sky, and people's eyes were full of tears.
Wang Geng's story was also put on the big screen. In 2015, a movie called "The General in the Distance" was released, which truly reproduced Wang Geng's last years in Europe. The film not only caused a sensation in China, but also won awards at several international film festivals, allowing more international audiences to learn about this little-known history.
Today, Wang Geng has become a model of patriotic education. His story has been written into textbooks and has become an inspirational role model for a new generation of teenagers. In Wang Geng's hometown, commemorative activities are held every year to commemorate this hero who sacrificed his life for the country.
Wang Geng's story is like a mirror, reflecting the tragedy and glory of that era. It tells us that history never forgets the true heroes, even if they were forgotten. Wang Geng's spirit will always inspire future generations to make unremitting efforts for the prosperity and strength of the motherland.