Under the bright starry sky during the Republic of China, a little-known love story was quietly staged. She is a talented poet and a scholar of great repute at home and abroad. Their encounter seems to be the arrangement of fate, but it is full of helplessness and regret. In 1917, 15-year-old Cao Chengying attended the wedding of 26-year-old Hu Shi as a bridesmaid. Who would have thought that this wedding not only witnessed the union of a couple, but also the first collision of two hearts who know each other and cherish each other. Since then, the trajectories of their lives have been intertwined, and it is difficult to completely separate and truly unite. What kind of ups and downs has this emotional entanglement spanned half a century? Why couldn't the two of them achieve positive results in the end? In that turbulent era, how did their feelings rise and fall in the torrent of the times?
1. Origin: love at first sight at the wedding
In the early autumn of 1917, Jixi County, Anhui Province was full of joy. On this day, Hu Shi, who had just returned from studying in the United States, was about to marry his childhood sweetheart Jiang Dongxiu. At the wedding scene, the red festive decorations reflected the cheerful laughter of the guests, a lively scene.
In this wedding where tradition and modernity are intertwined, 15-year-old Cao Chengying, as one of the bridesmaids, walked into the wedding scene with curiosity and anticipation. Cao Chengying was born in 1902 into a wealthy family, and his father ran a pen and ink, calligraphy and painting and tea business in Wuhan. Although she is still young, she has already shown extraordinary talent and unique temperament.
On the same day, Cao Chengying was dressed in an elegant cheongsam, her hair was coiled up, and her beautiful and refined temperament was particularly outstanding among the four bridesmaids. Her intelligence and elegance soon attracted the attention of the groom, Hu Shi. Hu Shi, 26, has just received his Ph.D. from Columbia University and is known as the youngest professor at Peking University. He is polite and gentle, and his gestures reveal the unique temperament of an intellectual.
During the wedding, Hu Shi had a brief conversation with Cao Chengying. The two talked about speculation, covering topics ranging from poetry and poetry to Western philosophy. This brief exchange was like a seed in the spring, quietly taking root in the hearts of the two. Cao Chengying was attracted by Hu Shi's profound knowledge and elegant temperament, and Hu Shi became interested in this brilliant girl.
After the wedding, Cao Chengying called Hu Shi "Brother Sui" according to local customs, and Hu Shi affectionately called her "cousin". This seems to be an ordinary title, but it implies the special emotions that sprout in the hearts of the two.
However, fate is always full of drama. At the same time that Hu Shi and Cao Chengying were in love, he was marrying Jiang Dongxiu. Jiang Dongxiu was a family affair set by Hu Shi by his mother when he was 13 years old, and although he was born in a family of eunuchs, he was almost illiterate. This arranged marriage made Hu Shi quite dissatisfied in his heart, but out of filial piety, he still returned to China to complete the wedding.
After the wedding, Hu Shi and Cao Chengying did not say goodbye. Once, Hu Shi made a special trip to Cao Chengying's village and brought her a handkerchief embroidered with plum blossoms, because he learned that Cao Chengying loved plum blossoms. And Cao Chengying gave back a pair of hand-sewn cloth shoes. This subtle and poetic interaction became the beginning of their relationship.
However, Cao Chengying is also burdened with the pressure of an arranged marriage. Before she was born, she was betrothed to the son of a large family in a neighboring village. Although her brother Cao Chengke, who studied in the United States, strongly opposed the old-fashioned marriage, it failed to change this established fact.
And just like that, the gears of fate began to turn. Hu Shi returned to Peking University to continue his teaching career, while Cao Chengying had to marry her fiancé Hu Guanying as scheduled. The two entered the palace of marriage separately, but they were worried because of the chance encounter at the wedding.
This wedding is not only an important turning point in Hu Shi's life, but also the beginning of the emotional entanglement between Cao Chengying and Hu Shi. It is like a bright meteor, drawing a dazzling light in the peaceful life trajectory of the two, indicating that a love relationship spanning half a century is about to begin.
2. Secret emotional communication
After marriage, Hu Shi and Cao Chengying each started a new life journey. However, the feelings that sparked at that wedding did not dissipate with the passage of time. On the contrary, it is like a seed that quietly grows in the hearts of the two people, and eventually evolves into a secret and complex emotional exchange.
In 1920, as a professor at Peking University, Hu Shi wrote a preface to the Journal of the Anhui Travel-Hangzhou Society. This opportunity became an opportunity for him to reconnect with Cao Chengying. In the name of official business, Cao Chengying wrote a letter to Hu Shih, asking him to write a preface to the society newspaper. Hu Shi readily agreed, and then the two began a frequent correspondence.
The content of these letters gradually shifted from the initial academic discussion to more intimate topics. In the letters, they talked freely about their ideals, expressed their feelings about life, and even began to share their own trivial matters in life. This kind of spiritual exchange gradually warmed up the relationship between the two. Despite being thousands of miles apart, their hearts never seemed so close.
In the spring of 1923, Hu Shi came to Hangzhou to recuperate due to a recurrence of his old illness. This beautiful city in the south of the Yangtze River is not only a place for him to recuperate, but also a stage for him to deepen his relationship with Cao Chengying. At that time, Cao Chengying was studying at Hangzhou Women's Normal School, and the two finally had a chance to meet.
By the West Lake, they met to swim together. With a gentle breeze on their faces, between the lakes and mountains, the two walked in the Sudi Flower Port and talked about poetry and literature. Hu Shi is very knowledgeable, and has unique views on Western philosophy and traditional Chinese culture. Cao Cheng is a quick thinker and passionate about new literature. In the collision of ideas, the two found a rare soulmate.
From June to October of the same year, Hu Shi rented three rooms near Yanxia Cave in Nanshan, Xihu, to concentrate on recuperation. During this time, Cao Chengying often came to visit. She brought her own poems to Hu Shi, and the two tasted and discussed literary creation together. In this place away from the hustle and bustle, they seem to have found a world of their own.
However, this secret relationship was not all smooth sailing. In 1924, Cao Chengying was shocked to find out that she was pregnant. This news was like a thunderbolt, and the two of them fell into a huge predicament. In the social environment of the time, this relationship would undoubtedly cause an uproar. After difficult consideration, Cao Chengying finally chose to have an abortion. This decision has brought great trauma to her body and mind, and it has also cast a shadow on the relationship between the two.
After this incident, Hu Shi considered divorcing Jiang Dongxiu. However, a variety of practical factors hindered his decision. On the one hand, he worries that the divorce will be a huge blow to his family; On the other hand, he also took into account his social status and academic reputation. In hesitation and struggle, Hu Shi finally gave up the idea of divorce.
Despite this, the connection between Hu Shi and Cao Chengying was not broken. They continued to keep in touch through letters, only the content of the letters became more restrained and reserved. Hu often asked about Cao Chengying's current situation in his letters and was concerned about her academic progress; Cao Chengying, on the other hand, will share with Hu Shi her new insights on literary creation.
This secret emotional exchange, although there is no vigorous confession or promise, reveals a deep friendship in the plain. It is like a gentle song, quietly played in the lives of the two people, accompanying them through the important stages of life.
Over time, the relationship between the two gradually calmed down. They have each made important achievements in their academic and professional careers, but that special emotional experience has forever become an indelible part of their lives. This secret emotional exchange not only witnesses the struggles and choices of the two intellectuals in the turbulent era, but also reflects the moral dilemmas and emotional entanglements faced by intellectuals in that special era.
3. Growing up separately: Hu Shi's academic achievements and Cao Chengying's poetry
Over time, Hu Shi and Cao Chengying have grown in their respective fields and achieved remarkable achievements. Although their life trajectories are separated, they reflect each other in the academic and literary sky, like two distant stars shining at the same time.
Hu Shi's achievements in academia are in full swing. After returning to China in 1917, he taught at Peking University and became one of the leading figures of the New Culture Movement. In 1919, Hu Shih published "Discussion on Literary Reform", formally putting forward the idea of a vernacular literary revolution, which caused great repercussions at the time and became an important milestone in the New Culture Movement.
In the 1920s, Hu Shih devoted himself to promoting the study of the history of Chinese philosophy. He wrote the Outline of the History of Chinese Philosophy, which systematically sorted out the development of ancient Chinese philosophy and laid the foundation for the study of Chinese philosophy in later generations. At the same time, he also actively participated in the "Sorting Out the National History" movement, advocating the use of scientific methods to study traditional Chinese culture, which had a far-reaching impact on the academic community.
In 1923, Hu Shi published the first volume of Hu Shih's Writings, which included his important essays on literature, philosophy, and education, and further established his status in the academic world. In 1927, he was appointed as an academician of the Academia Sinica, becoming one of the youngest academicians at that time.
In addition to his academic achievements, Hu Shih was also actively involved in social reform. He put forward the scientific methodology of "bold assumptions and careful verification", and advocated rational thinking and empirical spirit. In the field of education, he advocates the concept of pragmatism, emphasizing the cultivation of students' independent thinking ability. These ideas had a profound impact on the Chinese intellectual circles at that time.
At the same time, Cao Chengying has also made remarkable achievements in the field of poetry creation. In 1924, she published her first new poem "Song of Spring" under the pen name "Bingxin", which attracted the attention of the literary world. This poem depicts the beauty of spring with fresh and graceful strokes, showing her unique poetic style.
In 1926, Cao Chengying published her first collection of poems, Spring Water Collection, which included a number of new poems written by her early years. With its unique lyrical style and delicate emotional expression, this collection of poems attracted wide attention in the literary circles of the time. Her poems often use natural scenery as a carrier to express thoughts on life, love and life, showing the unique perspective of a female poet in the new era.
In the 1930s, Cao Chengying's poetry creation entered a mature period. She has written famous poetry collections such as "Stars" and "Spring Water", which are unique in the new poetry arena with their unique "small poems" form. Her poetry is concise and beautiful, far-reaching and philosophical, and is known as "a banner of Chinese new poetry".
In addition to poetry, Cao Chengying also dabbles in prose and fiction. Her collection of essays, "Sending Young Readers", became a popular work of children's literature at the time with its gentle and delicate strokes. In terms of fiction creation, her works such as "Superman" and "Two Families" show her concern and thinking about social reality.
In 1936, Cao Chengying went to Japan to study literature at Waseda University. This experience not only broadened her literary horizons, but also brought new inspiration to her work. During her study abroad, she created famous works such as "Sending Young Readers", which further established her status in the literary world.
It is worth mentioning that although Hu Shi and Cao Chengying have made great achievements in the academic and literary fields respectively, the connection between them has not been completely severed. In the 1930s, the two continued to exchange letters occasionally. In these letters, they shared their academic insights and creative experiences, demonstrating the profound spiritual exchange between the two intellectuals.
The growth process of Hu Shi and Cao Chengying not only shows their personal talents and efforts, but also reflects the spiritual outlook of the intellectuals of that era. They pursue excellence in their respective fields and have made important contributions to the development of scholarship and literature in China. At the same time, their experiences reflect the challenges and opportunities faced by intellectuals of that era, as well as the balance and choices they made between personal growth and social responsibility.
Fourth, the interweaving of fates: reunion and parting in the chaos of war
In 1937, the Sino-Japanese War broke out, and the country was plunged into war. The war not only changed the course of Chinese history, but also profoundly affected the life trajectories of Hu Shi and Cao Chengying. In this turbulent era, fate once again intersected their paths, staging an embarrassing reunion and parting.
At the beginning of the war, Hu Shi was teaching at Peking University. In the face of the Japanese attack, Peking University decided to move south. In September 1937, Hu Shi went south with the school and came to Changsha. In the process, he witnessed the immense suffering that the war had brought to the country and its people, and this experience touched him deeply.
In November of the same year, Hu Shi accepted the invitation of the Nationalist Government and went to the United States to serve as ambassador to the United States. Before leaving, he held a farewell dinner in Changsha. Unexpectedly, Cao Chengying also appeared at the dinner. It turned out that she heard that Hu Shi was about to leave China, so she came from Shanghai to see him off.
This unexpected reunion made both of them feel both surprised and emotional. I haven't seen them for many years, and the young students of the past are now leaders in their respective fields. At the dinner, they had a brief conversation and asked each other about the situation. Hu Shi talked about his upcoming mission to the United States and expressed concern about the future of the country; Cao Chengying shared her new attempts at literary creation and her views on war.
This brief meeting became their only face-to-face meeting during the war years. The next day, Hu Shih left for the United States and began his new career as a diplomat. Cao Chengying, on the other hand, returned to Shanghai to continue her literary work.
In 1938, when the Japanese army attacked Shanghai, Cao Chengying was forced to leave the city she was familiar with. She came to Chongqing, and this wartime companion became her temporary shelter. In Chongqing, Cao Chengying witnessed the suffering of ordinary people caused by the war, and these experiences deeply influenced her work.
In 1939, Cao Chengying wrote her famous essay "Sending Young Readers", which depicted the lives of wartime children with warm strokes and expressed the desire for peace. In the same year, she also published a collection of poems, "Stars", which expressed her concern for the fate of the country in the form of a unique "little poem".
At the same time, Hu Shi, who is far away in the United States, is also running for the fate of the country. As ambassador to the United States, he actively lobbied the U.S. government to support China's war of resistance. In 1941, thanks to his efforts, the U.S. government decided to provide China with a total loan of $500 million, which was undoubtedly an important support for China in the midst of war at that time.
In 1942, Hu Shih delivered his famous lecture "The Significance of China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression" at Columbia University in New York. In his speech, he elaborated on the importance of China's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression to world peace and called on the international community to give China more support. The speech reverberated widely in the international community and won more sympathy and support for China.
In 1943, Cao Chengying was invited to the United States for cultural exchange. In New York, she held a series of poetry readings to introduce new Chinese poetry to the American public. These activities not only promoted Chinese literature, but also contributed to the cultural exchange between China and the United States.
During her time in the United States, Cao Chengying tried to meet Hu Shi several times, but failed to do so for various reasons. As ambassador to the United States, Hu Shi has a busy schedule and often travels to various diplomatic activities. And Cao Chengying's itinerary is also full. Although both are in the United States, they seem to have been tricked by fate and have never been able to see each other.
In 1944, Cao Chengying returned to China after a visit to the United States. Before leaving, she wrote a letter to Hu Shi, expressing her regret for not being able to meet, and also sharing what she saw and felt in the United States. After receiving the letter, Hu Shi replied with a brief reply, expressing his understanding and blessings.
In 1945, the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was won. Hu Shih resigned as ambassador to the United States and returned to China. However, at this time, China was already in the whirlpool of civil war between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party. Hu Shi was deeply worried about the domestic situation and repeatedly called for peace talks, but failed to get a positive response from all parties.
In 1948, the situation took a turn for the worse. Hu Shi had a premonition that the situation was not good and decided to go to the United States again. Before leaving, he wrote a letter to Cao Chengying, expressing concern for the future of the country and concern for her safety. After receiving the letter, Cao Chengying wrote back that she had decided to stay in China and continue her literary creation.
In 1949, the People's Republic of China was founded. Hu Shi chose to stay in Taiwan, while Cao Chengying stayed on the mainland. Since then, the fate of the two has completely parted ways, and they will never have the opportunity to see each other again. This reunion and parting, which began with the war and finally separated, became the last intertwining of fates in their lives.
5. Their Later Years: Review and Inheritance
After 1949, Hu Shi and Cao Chengying's life paths were completely separated, and the two spent their later years in their respective worlds. Despite their different circumstances, they all continue to contribute to the development of Chinese culture in their own way, leaving behind a valuable spiritual legacy.
Hu's later life in Taiwan was filled with academic activities and social engagement. In 1950, he became the president of Taiwan's Academia Sinica and made important contributions to Taiwan's academic development. In this position, he actively promoted various research work, especially in the history of Chinese philosophy and literature, and achieved remarkable results.
In 1952, Hu Shi's History of Vernacular Literature was published, which systematically sorted out the development of Chinese vernacular literature and became an important reference material for the study of Chinese literary history. In the same year, he also published the Forty Self-Statements, which reviewed his life experience and academic achievements, and provided valuable first-hand information for future generations to understand the scholar's life.
In 1958, Hu was invited to Princeton University as a visiting professor. There, he taught a series of courses on Chinese philosophy and literature, introduced Chinese culture to Western scholars, and promoted cultural exchanges between China and the West. This experience also gave him the opportunity to re-examine his academic thinking, revising and supplementing some of his earlier views.
In the early 1960s, Hu Shi began to organize his diaries and letters. This work gave him the opportunity to review his own life journey and provided rich material for future generations to study his thoughts. In the process of tidying up, he occasionally thought of Cao Chengying, but the connection between the two had been completely broken.
On February 24, 1962, Hu Shih died in Taipei at the age of 71. His death has caused widespread repercussions on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, with many people writing articles to remember this scholar who had an important influence on modern Chinese culture.
At the same time, Cao Chengying, who stayed in the mainland, also continued to work in his own field. In the early 1950s, she actively participated in the literary creation of New China, creating a series of works that reflected the life of the new era. In 1951, she published the novel "About Women", which depicted the living conditions of intellectual women in the early days of the founding of New China, which attracted widespread attention.
In 1957, Cao Chengying was elected to the board of directors of the Chinese Writers Association, marking the official recognition of her status in the literary world. In this role, she actively participated in various activities in the literary world and contributed to the development of Chinese literature.
In the 1960s, Cao Chengying's creative focus shifted to children's literature. She has written a large number of poems and essays suitable for children, such as the "Sending Young Readers" series, which are loved by young readers for their warm and feminine style. At the same time, she is also actively involved in the research and discussion of children's literature theory, and has made important contributions to the development of Chinese children's literature.
In 1966, the "Cultural Revolution" broke out, and Cao Chengying's creative activities were interrupted for a time. During this period, she experienced some political turmoil, but she always maintained her love for literature. In difficult circumstances, she silently continued to write, leaving behind a number of unpublished works.
On February 28, 1999, Cao Chengying died in Beijing at the age of 99. Her death is regarded as an important moment in the history of modern Chinese literature, and many literary figures and readers have expressed their remembrance of this "banner of new Chinese poetry".
In their later years, Hu Shi and Cao Chengying, although geographically separated, both continued to contribute to the development of Chinese culture in their own way. Hu Shi's efforts in academic research and cultural exchange have left a valuable legacy for the Chinese academic community. Cao Chengying's achievements in literary creation and children's literature have enriched the connotation of modern Chinese literature.
Although the two people's life paths eventually diverged, their early interactions and respective achievements together constitute a good story in the history of modern Chinese culture. Their stories not only reflect the ups and downs of personal fate, but also reflect the living conditions and spiritual pursuits of intellectuals in that era.