In the eventful years of the Chinese revolution, there was such a person, his father was a famous founding marshal, and his mother was a strong and brave revolutionary soldier. However, it was such a child from a prominent background, but he was almost given away by his mother at birth. The drama of fate did not stop there, and when he grew up, he even tied the knot with the daughter of another founding general. The trajectory of this person's life is like a historical drama with ups and downs, full of embarrassing twists. What is the story behind his birth? Why was he almost sent away in swaddling? How did his marriage affect two revolutionary families? Let's uncover this dusty history and discover the legend of this special family.
Thrilling Birth: A Twist of Fortune for the Marshal's Son
In the winter of 1946, in a simple house in Linyi, Shandong Province, a loud cry of a baby was heard. This newborn baby boy is Chen Xiaolu, the youngest son of Marshal Chen Yi. However, the birth of Xiao Xiaolu did not bring the expected joy to this revolutionary family.
It turned out that Marshal Chen Yi's wife Zhang Qian had already given birth to two sons, and this time she was especially looking forward to having a daughter. When the midwife announced that she was a boy again, Zhang Qian was very disappointed. She wrapped Xiao Xiaolu in swaddling clothes and gently placed it on the steps outside the door.
At this critical moment, General Zhou Lin's wife happened to come to visit. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw the small package outside the door. "What's going on?" Mrs. Zhou asked in surprise. Zhang Qian replied in a low voice: "We already have two sons, and I want to give this child away." "
When Mrs. Zhou heard this, she immediately became anxious. She picked up the baby in her arms and said to Zhang Qian seriously: "How can this work!" This is Commander Chen's child! With that, she carried Xiao Xiaolu into the house and gently placed it beside Zhang Qian.
This scene became the most thrilling moment in Chen Xiaolu's life. If it weren't for Mrs. Zhou's timely appearance, this child, who would later become the son of the founding marshal, might have missed out on his biological parents.
At that time, Chen Yi was commanding the Shandong Field Army, working hard for the liberation cause. He was overjoyed to learn of the birth of his youngest son. Although he was on the front line and could not take care of his wife and children in person, Chen Yi still gave his son a name full of expectations - Xiaolu.
The name derives from a phrase in the Analects: "Climb the East Mountain and Xiaolu". In this way, Chen Yi expressed his determination to take Shandong and his firm belief in the revolutionary cause. In that war-torn era, even naming his son was a revolutionary ambition.
Although Xiao Xiaolu experienced some twists and turns when he was born, he still grew up safely and healthily under the care of his parents and the comrades around him. Zhang Qian quickly accepted this little son and regarded him as a treasure. Many interesting stories in Chen Xiaolu's childhood have become topics that his family will talk about in the future.
Once, the young Chen Xiaolu went out with his mother and passed by an orchard. When he saw that the garden was full of red apples, he was immediately hungry. Zhang Qian told him: "This is someone else's orchard, we can't just pick it." Xiao Xiaolu pouted in disappointment when he heard this, but he still obediently followed his mother.
This vignette reflects the strict requirements of the revolutionary family for their children. Even the son of a marshal must cultivate the character of abiding by the law and respecting others from an early age. This kind of education has laid a good foundation for Chen Xiaolu's future growth.
With the development of the revolutionary situation, Chen Yi's work became more and more busy. Although he cares about his family, he devotes more time and energy to national affairs. In such an environment, Zhang Qian was both a father and a mother, raising her three sons alone. She used her words and deeds to convey the revolutionary spirit and feelings of family and country to the children.
The hard years of the revolutionary family
Marshal Chen Yi's revolutionary career was full of hardships and ups and downs, which were not only reflected in his military career, but also deeply reflected in his family life. Before establishing a happy family with Zhang Qian, Chen Yi experienced two marriages that made people sigh.
In 1930, Chen Yi met his first wife, Xiao Juying, in Xinfeng, Jiangxi. Xiao Juying is a local hot-blooded young man who is full of enthusiasm for the revolutionary cause. The two were like-minded and soon became husband and wife. However, the marriage came to an abrupt end due to the brutality of the war. In 1931, Chen Yi was attacked by the enemy while he was out on a mission. Due to poor communication at that time, Xiao Juying mistakenly thought that Chen Yi had sacrificed, and she was so grief-stricken that she chose to jump into the well and die. When Chen Yi made a detour to return, he was greeted only by his wife's bad news. This blow is undoubtedly heavy for the young Chen Yi.
The turmoil of the war years did not end, and Chen Yi soon threw himself into new revolutionary work. In the process, he met his second wife, Lai Yueming. Lai Yueming was a strong and brave female Red Army soldier who fought side by side with Chen Yi and went through many difficult moments together. However, fate once again played a cruel joke on the revolutionary couple.
In 1934, the Long March of the Red Army began. Chen Yi was left in Jiangxi to continue the guerrilla war. In order to disperse forces and better carry out guerrilla warfare, Chen Yi asked Lai Yueming to lead some comrades back to their hometowns to mobilize the masses. Who knew that this parting would become an eternal secret. It was not until the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War in 1937 and the second cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party that Chen Yi learned of Lai Yueming's bad news: she was unfortunately arrested on the way back to her hometown, and bravely died in order to protect her comrades and revolutionary secrets.
The tragedy of these two marriages left an indelible scar in Chen Yi's heart. However, the revolutionary cause did not allow him to indulge in personal sorrow. Chen Yi continued to fight for the establishment of New China until 1940, when he met the most important woman in his life, Zhang Qian.
Zhang Qian was a brilliant intellectual and a staunch communist. She and Chen Yi met in Yan'an, and the two hit it off at first sight and soon established a relationship. In 1940, they held a simple and solemn wedding in Yan'an. Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and other party and state leaders witnessed their marriage, and this marriage was blessed by the revolutionary comrades.
After marriage, Zhang Qian became Chen Yi's strong backing. She not only took care of her family, but also actively participated in revolutionary work and became Chen Yi's right-hand man. During the harsh war years, Zhang Qian often had to take care of her family alone, while also taking on heavy work tasks.
In 1941, Zhang Qian gave birth to their first son, Chen Haosu. The name has far-reaching meanings, "Hao" is taken from "heaven and earth", expressing the expectation of new China; "Su" is a commemoration of the revolutionary base in northern Jiangsu. Three years later, in 1944, their second son, Chen Danhuai, was born. The word "Dan" represents the sincere heart of the revolution, and "Huai" is a tribute to the Huaihai Campaign.
In 1946, the birth of the youngest son, Chen Xiaolu, experienced some twists and turns, but in the end it brought new joy to this revolutionary family. The birth of three children has made Chen Yi and Zhang Qian's family life more fulfilling.
However, the revolutionary cause remained at the center of their lives. Chen Yi travels to various battlefields all year round, while Zhang Qian has to juggle work and take care of her three young children. In that era of scarcity, it was not easy to raise three children. Zhang Qian often has to find ways to get enough food and clothing for the children.
Once, in order to get some fruit for the children, Zhang Qian had to turn to an old comrade for help. The comrade didn't say a word, and took out some apples from his ration and gave them to Zhang Qian. This kind of revolutionary friendship of mutual help was particularly precious in the difficult environment of that time.
Despite the difficulties of life, Zhang Qian has always maintained an optimistic spirit. She often told the children revolutionary stories and taught them to love the motherland and the people. Under her influence, the three children have established a correct outlook on life and values from an early age.
The growth of the marshal's son
With the founding of the People's Republic of China, Chen Xiaolu and his brothers began a new stage of life. As the children of the founding marshals, their upbringing process is significantly different from that of ordinary children. This special status is both an honor and a heavy responsibility.
On October 1, 1949, the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China was held in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. On that day, Chen Xiaolu, who was only three years old, was held in the arms of his father Chen Yi and stood on the tower of Tiananmen Square, witnessing this historic moment. Although he was still too young to fully comprehend what was happening in front of him, this scene was deeply imprinted in Xiao Xiaolu's mind and became one of his most precious childhood memories in the future.
In the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Chen Yi held important leadership positions and was very busy with his work. In order not to affect his father's work, Chen Xiaolu and his brothers were arranged to study in a special school for the children of cadres. These schools not only provided them with a good educational environment, but also allowed them to get acquainted with the children of many other high-ranking cadres and formed a special circle.
However, Chen Yi and Zhang Qian did not give the children special treatment because of their status. On the contrary, they are more demanding of their children. Once, Chen Xiaolu had an argument with a classmate at school over a trivial matter. When Zhang Qian found out about this incident, she did not favor her son, but severely criticized him and demanded that he must apologize to his classmates. This kind of strict tutoring has allowed Chen Xiaolu to develop a humble and self-disciplined character since he was a child.
In 1956, Chen Xiaolu entered Beijing No. 4 Middle School. This school was one of the best middle schools in Beijing at that time, bringing together many children of high-ranking cadres and outstanding students. Here, Chen Xiaolu not only received a good cultural education, but also participated in many social practice activities. Once, the school organized students to go to the countryside to support farmers. Chen Xiaolu and his classmates worked in the fields and experienced the hard life of farmers. This experience made him cherish the hard-won learning opportunity even more, and also deepened his understanding and respect for ordinary working people.
In 1958, during the period of the Great Leap Forward, the whole country set off a boom in large-scale steel smelting. As a student, Chen Xiaolu is also involved. Together with his classmates, he built a home-based steelmaking furnace on the school playground and worked in shifts day and night. Although the final steel was of poor quality and unusable, the experience taught Chen Xiaolu the power of the spirit of collectivism.
In the early 1960s, the country suffered severe natural disasters and economic difficulties. As the children of high-ranking cadres, Chen Xiaolu and his brothers lived in relatively good conditions, but they did not forget the difficulties that most people are experiencing. Under the guidance of their parents, they took the initiative to reduce their food consumption and donate the saved rations to those who needed them more. This kind of hard and simple style has become an important criterion for Chen Xiaolu's future life.
In 1966, the Cultural Revolution broke out. As the son of a marshal, Chen Xiaolu's situation has become very delicate. On the one hand, he is regarded as a representative of the "Red Five" and is sought after by some people; On the other hand, he also faces the risk of being criticized. In this complex situation, Chen Xiaolu chose to keep a low profile and try to avoid getting involved in the political whirlpool.
During this period, Marshal Chen Yi was criticized for his performance in the "February Countercurrent". As his son, Chen Xiaolu was also inevitably implicated. He was sent to rural Jiangxi to participate in the "re-education" movement. During his days in the countryside, Chen Xiaolu experienced first-hand the hard life of farmers. He participated in agricultural labor with other educated youth, planting, planting, and harvesting, and every job made him sweat. This experience gave him a deeper understanding of why his fathers carried out the revolution, and also gave him a more intuitive understanding of China's national conditions.
In 1968, Chen Xiaolu responded to the call and joined the army. He was assigned to an ordinary infantry company and underwent rigorous military training along with other fighters. Although he is the son of a marshal, Chen Xiaolu never claims to be like this. He and his comrades-in-arms ate and lived together, trained together, and were on duty together. During his years in the army, Chen Xiaolu not only exercised his body, but also honed his will and strengthened his organizational discipline.
In 1972, Chen Xiaolu returned to Beijing after retiring from the army. At this time, China was in the late stages of the Cultural Revolution, and social order was gradually restored. Chen Xiaolu has started a new stage of life, and he has chosen to continue his studies to better prepare for the future to better serve the country. In the process, he always kept in mind his father's teachings, maintained a humble and low-key attitude, and worked hard to improve his abilities.
Career development after reform and opening up
With the implementation of the reform and opening up policy in 1978, China ushered in earth-shaking changes. As the son of a marshal, Chen Xiaolu is also facing new opportunities and challenges in this new period. He chose a different path of development and put his talents and experience into the tide of reform and opening up.
In 1979, Chen Xiaolu was sent to Shanghai to participate in the work of the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Economic Relations and Trade Commission. This was an important turning point, marking the beginning of his formal involvement in the field of foreign trade and economic cooperation. In Shanghai, China's largest economic center, Chen Xiaolu has the opportunity to directly participate in and witness the frontline of China's opening up. He has participated in a number of important foreign investment introduction projects and contributed to the economic development of Shanghai and the whole country.
In 1982, Chen Xiaolu was transferred back to Beijing and joined the China International Trust and Investment Corporation (CITIC Group). CITIC Group was one of China's most important windows for opening up to the outside world at that time, and Chen Xiaolu got a broader space for development here. He has participated in the negotiation and operation of a number of major projects, including the introduction of foreign investment and technology transfer. In this process, Chen Xiaolu has demonstrated excellent negotiation skills and international vision, and has made important contributions to China's foreign economic cooperation.
In 1985, Chen Xiaolu was sent to Hong Kong as the deputy general manager of CITIC (Hong Kong) Group Limited. This is a challenging position because Hong Kong, as an important bridge between Chinese mainland and international markets, has a very different economic environment and operating model from the mainland. With his learning ability and adaptability, Chen Xiaolu quickly integrated into the business environment in Hong Kong. He has led a number of important investment projects and laid a solid foundation for CITIC Group's development in Hong Kong.
While working in Hong Kong, Chen Xiaolu witnessed the historic moment of Hong Kong's return to the motherland in 1997. As a "red second generation" who grew up in Chinese mainland, he has a special feeling about this incident. He actively participated in various tasks before and after the handover, and made his own contribution to ensuring a smooth transition in Hong Kong.
In 2000, Chen Xiaolu returned to Beijing and served as the managing director and deputy general manager of CITIC Group. In this position, he continues to leverage his expertise in international economy and trade to promote the internationalization of CITIC Group. He participated in the formulation of CITIC Group's globalization strategy and personally led a number of overseas inspections and negotiations.
In 2003, Chen Xiaolu was appointed Chairman of CITIC Group. This is the pinnacle of his career and a testament to the results of his work over the years. As Chairman of the Board, Chen Xiaolu led CITIC Group to continue to develop in the fields of finance, industry, resources and energy, making CITIC Group one of the most influential large conglomerates in China.
During his tenure as Chairman of CITIC Group, Chen Xiaolu paid special attention to corporate social responsibility. He put forward the concept of "corporate citizenship", requiring CITIC Group to pay attention to social benefits while pursuing economic benefits. Under his leadership, CITIC Group has actively participated in a number of public welfare undertakings, including poverty alleviation, education, environmental protection and other fields.
In 2010, Chen Xiaolu retired from CITIC Group. But he didn't stop there, but turned his energy to public welfare. He is actively involved in social activities, especially in the fields of education and environmental protection. He has returned to his alma mater, Beijing No. 4 Middle School, many times to share his life experience with students and encourage young people to be brave in innovation and contribute to the development of the country.
In terms of environmental protection, Chen Xiaolu pays special attention to the issue of climate change. He has co-founded a number of environmental organizations and regularly attends international environmental forums to call for global efforts to tackle the challenge of climate change. He has also used his influence in the business community to promote more attention to environmental protection and sustainable development.
In addition to public welfare, Chen Xiaolu is also actively involved in social governance. He served as a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and put forward proposals on economic development and social governance at CPPCC meetings on many occasions. His advice is often combined with his years of business experience and international perspective, providing a valuable reference for national decision-making.
In the context of reform and opening up, Chen Xiaolu has embarked on a unique development path. He not only inherited the revolutionary spirit of his father, but also adapted to the development requirements of the new era, and made outstanding achievements in the business world, while at the same time not forgetting to give back to the society. His experience is not only a personal success story, but also a microcosm of the tremendous changes in China over the past 40 years of reform and opening up.
Later life and family and country feelings
Since entering the 21st century, Chen Xiaolu's life has gradually shifted from the business field to social welfare and historical and cultural inheritance. As the child of Marshal Chen Yi, he deeply felt the responsibility and obligation to make efforts for his father's revolutionary spirit and historical contributions.
In 2012, Chen Xiaolu participated in the establishment of the "Chen Yi Memorial Hall", which not only displays the life and deeds of Marshal Chen Yi, but also becomes an important base for patriotic education. Chen Xiaolu often visits the memorial hall to explain to visitors, sharing some little-known family stories and historical details. Once, an old man brought his grandson to visit, and when he heard Chen Xiaolu tell about Marshal Chen Yi's deeds during the Liberation War, the old man excitedly said that he had also participated in the Huaihai Campaign. Chen Xiaolu had a very happy conversation with the old man, and this chance encounter made him more determined to inherit the revolutionary spirit.
In 2014, to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Chen Xiaolu organized a special commemorative event. He invited a number of veterans of the Anti-Japanese War and descendants of the revolution to re-follow part of the route of the New Fourth Army led by Marshal Chen Yi. In a small village in Si County, Anhui Province, they found a fellow who had once led the way for the New Fourth Army. The old man, who is now in his 90s, recalls the scene, his voice trembling but his eyes flashing. Chen Xiaolu held the old man's hand and expressed his deep respect. This event not only allowed participants to relive history, but also allowed more people to understand the contribution of the New Fourth Army.
In 2016, Chen Xiaolu began to sort out his father's relics and manuscripts. In the process, he discovered some valuable historical materials, including the manuscripts of Marshal Chen Yi who participated in making major decisions in the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Chen Xiaolu decided to donate these materials to the National Archives to provide important first-hand information for the study of modern Chinese history. At the donation ceremony, Chen Xiaolu said that these materials not only belong to the Chen family, but also to the people of the whole country.
In 2018, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of reform and opening up, Chen Xiaolu was interviewed by a number of media outlets, reviewing his experience in participating in foreign economic and trade work in the early days of reform and opening up. He talked about the difficulties and challenges encountered while working in Shanghai and Hong Kong, and how Chinese companies are gradually going global. These memories are not only the sharing of personal experiences, but also a vivid interpretation of China's reform and opening up.
In 2020, when the new crown epidemic broke out, Chen Xiaolu still actively participated in the anti-epidemic work despite his advanced age. Through his connections, he purchased a batch of medical supplies from overseas and donated them to hospitals in Wuhan. At the same time, he also launched an online "anti-epidemic story" collection campaign to encourage ordinary people to share their experiences and insights during the epidemic. The event was well received, collecting thousands of touching stories, which were later compiled into a book and published as a precious record of this special period.
In 2021, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, Chen Xiaolu participated in a series of commemorative activities. He shared his understanding and perception of the history of the party at a symposium. He specifically mentioned that as the "second generation of reds", they have the responsibility to pass on the revolutionary spirit of their fathers, but more importantly, they must keep pace with the times and contribute to the development of the country under the new historical conditions.
In 2022, Chen Xiaolu began to write his memoirs. In this memoir, he not only records his own life experiences, but also reviews the major events in China's modern history. He described in detail the performance and contributions of his father, Chen Yi, in different historical periods, while also candidly recounting the hardships the family experienced during the Cultural Revolution. This memoir has attracted wide attention after its publication and is considered an important source for understanding modern Chinese history.
In 2023, Chen Xiaolu, who is 77 years old, still maintains his vigorous energy. He is often invited to give lectures at major schools to share his life experience and views on the country's development with young people. At a lecture at Peking University, a student asked him what he thought of the identity of the "second generation of reds." Chen Xiaolu replied that this identity is both an honor and a responsibility, and the most important thing is to contribute to the country with his own practical actions, rather than relying on the aura of his father.
At the beginning of 2024, Chen Xiaolu co-launched a project called "Oral History". The project aims to interview and document the stories of ordinary people who have witnessed major historical events in China. Chen Xiaolu believes that history is not only created by great people, but also written by countless ordinary people. Through this project, he hopes to leave a richer and more three-dimensional historical picture for future generations.