In 1945, in Nanlijiazhuang Village, Xiyang County, Shanxi Province, a life destined to be associated with words came to the world. Februaryhe, formerly known as Ling Jiefang, was born into a revolutionary family.
His father, Ling Erwen, and his mother, Ma Cuilan, were both old before the liberation and dedicated their youth to the birth of New China. My father once led seven or eight people deep into the mountains and incorporated more than 1,000 bandits into the People's Liberation Army.
Her mother is nicknamed "the old woman with two guns", and her marksmanship is awe-inspiring. However, fate is always full of drama. The young Februaryhe lacked interest in learning, and his grades were often at the bottom, and he even repeated a grade many times.
His mind was always thinking about how to go down to the river to catch small fish and shrimp, or which tree to climb to dig birds' eggs. Coupled with the frequent job changes of his parents, he had to change schools again and again, making it difficult for him to adapt to the new environment.
In 1966, at the age of 21, Februaryhe graduated from the No. 3 High School in Nanyang City, Henan Province. Who would have thought that this seemingly ordinary teenager would become a famous writer in the future? In 1968, at the age of 23, Februaryhe was honorably enlisted in the army and became an engineer.
He digs coal in the roadway more than 100 meters underground in Datong, Shanxi, sweating like rain every day, without complaining bitterly. Because of his outstanding performance, he was quickly promoted to officer, instructor, and deputy company commander.
His military career took him to Liaoning, where ancient temples and mysterious inscriptions awakened a dormant literary interest in his heart. In order to be able to read the ancient characters on the inscription, Februaryhe began to copy "Strange Tales of Liaozhai".
When his comrades-in-arms asked him why he did this, he replied firmly: "Strange Tales from Liao Zhai is the pinnacle of classical Chinese novels, and copying it once can deepen your understanding."
After understanding this book thoroughly, the words on 'Black Tiger (Beituo)' can't help but stump me. In this way, he spent a year copying the entire "Strange Tales from Liaozhai", and the manuscript paper used up was more than 1 foot thick.
This experience, like a seed, quietly took root in February's heart, laying a solid foundation for his future literary creation. From then on, the literary dream of a young military man began to sprout, which also laid the foundation for him to later study Qing history and write the "Luoxia Trilogy".
It is here that a new chapter begins in the story of the February River. Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, Februaryhe is 28 years old, but he is still single. In those days, this was undoubtedly an "older youth".
In fact, Februaryhe had an unforgettable first love in high school, and the two had a very strong relationship. However, fate made people, and Februaryhe's family background became a problem in the special era.
It turned out that his grandfather Ling had hired people to help with farming in ancient times, and this history was dug up. The woman's parents were resolutely opposed, and Februaryhe was unwilling to burden her sweetheart, so she painfully proposed to break up.
Since then, the blind date has been repeatedly frustrated. Some people think that he is mediocre, some people think that his "official rank" is too low, and some people think that he has a bad background. has been on dozens of blind dates, but none of the girls have taken a fancy to him.
In desperation, Februaryhe's father, Ling Erwen, lowered the criteria for mate selection to as long as the woman had a job. Just when Februaryhe was disheartened by his marriage, the god of fate favored him.
On a rainy day in 1973, he met Zhao Jurong. This girl, who is 3 years younger than him, works in the Railway Engineering Department of Nanyang Railway Station, is tall, has a good appearance, and has a pair of big watery eyes that are clear and pure.
The two had a good conversation and quickly established a relationship. Februaryhe often said that his request to his wife was simple: "Don't be deaf or stupid, know how to run home when it rains." This seemingly joking sentence actually expresses his desire for simple and pure feelings.
At the end of 1973, under the control of his father, Februaryhe and Zhao Jurong held a simple wedding. After getting married, February's life ushered in a major turning point. In 1978, he transferred from the army and entered the Propaganda Department of Wolong District, Nanyang City.
However, he did not rest on his laurels, but spent his spare time researching "Red Studies" and writing many articles. In 1982, he came up with the idea of writing a full-length historical novel. This decision meant giving up a stable job and facing economic pressures and creative uncertainty.
However, Zhao Jurong firmly supported her husband's decision. She said: "You write, I have a job anyway, as long as our family has a job, I won't let you drink thin water." These simple words deeply moved February.
In this way, with the support of his wife, Februaryhe quit his job and began his path of literary creation. This experience witnessed how Februaryhe found the direction of life in the double test of love and dreams.
Zhao Jurong's understanding and support have become a strong backing for Februaryhe to pursue his literary dream. After resigning from his job, Februaryhe devoted himself to the creation of "The Emperor Kangxi".
It was a difficult but hopeful time. In the summer, when the heat was unbearable, he soaked his legs in a bucket of cool water to write, and tied a towel around his head to prevent sweat from dripping and wetting the manuscript paper. In winter, it was bitterly cold, and his hands were so cold that he could barely hold a pen, so he burned his wrists with cigarette butts to drive away his sleepiness.
In order to verify a piece of historical facts, he often has to read dozens of authoritative historical materials, and always adheres to the creative principle of "big things are true, small things are not informal". His wife, Zhao Jurong, silently supported her husband's creation.
She rides her bicycle to work every day, picks up and drops off her children from school, and takes care of the household by herself. In order to increase her husband's nutrition, she even picks up vegetable leaves from the market and feeds chickens, rabbits, and melons and fruits at home.
When she saw that her husband was tired, she would accompany him to walk and chat in the back of the house and help him adjust his thinking. Three years, 322 chapters, and 1.4 million words have finally been completed. In 1985, on the day "The Emperor Kangxi" was undrafted, Februaryhe was as excited as a child, and Zhao Jurong specially made a few dishes that her husband loved to eat to celebrate.
However, after the joy, a severe test awaited him. With apprehension, Februaryhe came to Beijing to visit a respected senior writer, hoping to get comments and recommendations.
However, what awaits him is cold eyes and contempt. The senior only glanced at the title of the book, and said dismissively: "To create historical novels, you must have the profound education of a historian and the superb attainments of a writer.
The mainland does not have the title of 'Great Emperor', and the Kangxi Emperor of the Manchu Qing Dynasty is not worthy of the word 'Great Emperor'. These words were like a basin of cold water, dousing the enthusiasm in February's heart. When he returned home disappointed, his wife Zhao Jurong saw her husband's depression and comforted gently: "Don't care about the opinion of the authority, the reader's opinion is the most important."
With apprehension, Februaryhe sent the manuscript to the publishing house. Happily, both the leadership and the editor-in-charge decided that it was a good book and published it quickly.
As soon as "The Emperor Kangxi" came out, it immediately caused a sensation in society, and Luoyang paper was expensive for a while. Readers were shocked by the historical scenes depicted in the book, and moved by Kangxi's deeds such as the wise capture of Aobai, the personal conquest of Galdan, and the pacification of the three feudatories.
Finally, "The Emperor Kangxi" won the first literary award of the Henan Provincial Government. When Februaryhe went home with the trophy, he and Zhao Jurong hugged each other and cried. This award is not only an affirmation of February's talent, but also a reward for the couple's hard work over the years.
From then on, the literary road of the February River began to move towards glory. Februaryhe's works not only sold well in the mainland, but also were introduced to Hong Kong, Taiwan, China and other places, and published in traditional vertical format, causing a sensation in the global Chinese community.
His novels have been adapted into films and TV series many times, and the copyright income is very considerable. In 2006, Februaryhe's copyright income exceeded 12 million yuan, ranking second only to Yu Qiuyu on the list of rich writers.
In addition to the "Luoxia Trilogy", Februaryhe also created many masterpieces such as "Five Rams on the Bonfire" and "Emperor Guangxu", which are also highly sought after by readers. In particular, the advent of "Emperor Yongzheng" is considered a once-in-a-century masterpiece.
"Emperor Qianlong" (6 volumes) won the first Yao Xueyin Historical Novel Award. The reputation of "Three Emperors" followed, and Februaryhe became a well-deserved celebrity in the literary world.
He has been invited to participate in CCTV's "Hundred Lectures", "Lectures", "Focus Interviews", "Traveling All Over China" and other columns, which have become a beautiful cultural business card of Henan Province. However, fame did not change the unpretentious nature of February.
Even with a good income, he still maintained a simple lifestyle, often wearing a dress for more than ten years. Sometimes he wears a ripped vest to buy vegetables on the street, and from a distance he looks like an ordinary old farmer.
His wife Zhao Jurong occasionally reminded him to pay attention to his image, and he always said with a smile: "I'm not a star, but a bookwriter." "When I walk in the evening, Februaryhe always talks to the neighbors and never thinks of himself as a celebrity.
Whether it's an aunt at a newsstand, a young man with kebabs, or even an old man who mends his shoes and repairs locks, he can easily talk to this famous writer. This indifferent attitude towards fame and fortune is the key to Februaryhe's ability to focus on creation and continue to break through.
He used his actions to interpret what is the true literati style, and also set an example for future generations. After becoming famous, Februaryhe has always maintained the true character and simple character of a soldier.
He was strict with himself and lived a simple life, but he was very generous in terms of public charity. He has generously donated money to more than 70 college students and donated 400,000 yuan to Project Hope.
This spirit of selfless dedication stems from his gratitude to the society. In 2011, when Februaryhe was hired as the dean of the Faculty of Arts at Zhengzhou University, he made an admirable decision: to donate his entire salary to set up the "Februaryhe Scholarship".
This move not only shows his support for the cause of education, but also shows his determination to support new literary talents. In family life, the February River is full of warmth. After his father Ling Erwen retired, he has been living with his youngest son Ling Jiebing.
Every Sunday, no matter how busy he was, Februaryhe would go with his wife to visit his elderly father. He personally washed his father's hair, massaged, cut his nails, and washed his feet without complaint.
Not only that, but he also took care of all his father's living expenses, buying various opera records and CDs for his father to meet the interests of the elderly. Once, when Februaryhe was washing his father's feet, the old man suddenly sighed: "There is no hero at the time, so that the erector becomes famous."
This sentence deeply touched the February River. He realized that no matter how successful he was, in his father's eyes, he would always be that ordinary son. At this moment, Februaryhe deeply realized his role: not a great writer, not a college dean, but a son who is filial piety.
February's life shows the other side of a successful writer. He used practical actions to interpret what is greatness in the ordinary, and what is perseverance after success.
This kind of character may be more worthy of learning and inheritance for future generations than his literary achievements. In the summer of 2018, Februaryhe's father, Ling Erwen, passed away, which was a heavy blow to the 73-year-old Februaryhe.
He and his wife and younger brother's family took care of his father's funeral, and his heart was full of grief. However, fate did not give the February River much respite. Shortly after his father's death, he was sent to Beijing for treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Although the condition improved for a while, due to long-term myocardial ischemia, a variety of geriatric diseases were triggered, and the health condition deteriorated. During his serious illness, Februaryhe always maintained a low-key style.
He told his family to block the news and refuse to visit, not wanting to cause trouble to leaders, colleagues and former comrades-in-arms. On December 15, 2018, the famous writer with the reputation of "Three Emperors" died of heart failure at the age of 73.
February's departure plunged his wife Zhao Jurong and daughter Ling Xiao into deep grief. Zhao Jurong recalled the first time she saw her husband on that rainy day 45 years ago, and remembered the scene of her husband sweating in a cramped hut, and tears couldn't help but moisten her clothes.
In accordance with Februaryhe's last wish of "don't alarm too many people and don't cause trouble to all walks of life", Zhao Jurong handled her husband's funeral in a low-key manner. She buried her husband in the purple mountain in the northern suburbs of Nanyang, the cemetery was solemn and solemn, and the inscription was written by Zhou Baiyi, president of the Yangtze River Literature and Art Publishing House and a confidant of Februaryhe.
In order to better inherit her husband's spirit, Zhao Jurong carefully sorted out the notes, letters, manuscripts and rubbings left by Februaryhe, and prepared to donate them to the country. These precious materials will be a valuable asset for the study of the February River and that era.
Februaryhe's daughter Ling Xiao, influenced by her father and grandfather, chose to join the army and was admitted to the military academy in 2018. Whenever she saw her daughter in military uniform, Zhao Jurong seemed to see her young husband again, which gave her great comfort.
Although Februaryhe is gone, his work and spirit will live on forever. He spent his life interpreting what it means to stick to dreams, cherish family affection, and repay the society. From a military youth to a famous writer, from obscurity to fame, Februaryhe's life trajectory is like an inspirational legend, inspiring countless followers.