In July 2006, an 85-year-old man was lying on a hospital bed in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Beijing, breathing weakly. Her children gathered around the bed, looking anxious, and suddenly, the old man's lips trembled slightly, and he said three words with all his might: "Hua Minglou".
These three words are like a key, instantly opening the door of memories that have been sealed for many years, bringing everyone present back to that distant and familiar place, the children are in tears, they know that the deepest concern in the mother's heart is always the place that carries too many memories - Hua Ming Building.
[Wang Guangmei in his later years]
This old man is Wang Guangmei, the wife of Liu Shaoqi, a pivotal figure in modern Chinese history, her life is like a legendary epic spanning nearly a century, and Hua Minglou is the most moving chapter in this epic.
In 1921, in a famous family in Beijing, Wang Guangmei fell to the ground, her father Wang Zhichang was a famous industrialist at that time, and her mother was born in a scholarly family.
From elementary school to high school, Wang Guangmei's grades have always been among the best, she is smart and studious, and has an almost greedy thirst for knowledge. After graduating from high school, she was admitted to the Department of Physics of Beijing Fu Jen University with excellent grades and became a graduate student of the Institute of Physics of the university.
During her university years, she not only focused on the study of physics, but also dabbled extensively in other fields, and it was during this period that she was exposed to Marxist ideas and read a large number of progressive books, which laid the groundwork for her later life choices.
In 1946, when the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression had just ended, but the country was mired in the quagmire of civil war, in the face of the turbulent situation in the country, Wang Guangmei resolutely gave up the opportunity to study in the United States, and chose to stay in the motherland and devote himself to the work of the Military Coordination and Executive Department.
[The second from the left is Wang Guangmei]
During her work in the Military Adjustment Department, Wang Guangmei won the praise of her colleagues for her intelligence and hard work, however, with the change of the domestic situation and the final dissolution of the Military Adjustment Department, Wang Guangmei did not feel lost at this time, but flew to Yan'an, the base of the Communist Party of China at that time, without hesitation.
Yan'an, a small city on the Loess Plateau, became a turning point in Wang Guangmei's life, she was arranged to live in Wangjiaping, through a comrade named Long Feihu, she met Liu Shaoqi, Liu Shaoqi was already one of the important leaders of the Communist Party of China at that time, but he fell in love at first sight with this young and promising girl, the two quickly fell in love, and Liu Shaoqi began to pursue Wang Guangmei.
On August 21, 1948, in Xibaipo, the holy land of the revolution, Wang Guangmei and Liu Shaoqi held a simple and solemn wedding.
After marriage, Wang Guangmei was transferred to the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and served as Liu Shaoqi's political secretary, which was 19 years, she was not only Liu Shaoqi's wife, but also his right-hand man at work.
In March 1949, on the eve of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Wang Guangmei accompanied Liu Shaoqi to Beijing Xiangshan office, at this time Beiping has been peacefully liberated for more than a month, the three major battles have ended, most of the areas north of the Yangtze River have been liberated, in this spring, Wang Guangmei witnessed the final preparations before the birth of New China, her heart is full of expectations and longing for the future.
【Young Wang Guangmei】
About a month later, Liu Shaoqi accompanied Wang Guangmei back to her mother's house in the old criminal department street in Xicheng, Beijing, where Wang Guangmei's father, Wang Zhichang, praised this son-in-law, and during the conversation, Liu Shaoqi and his parents-in-law had an in-depth discussion on the development and construction of industry and commerce in New China.
This family gathering not only brought Liu Shaoqi closer to her parents-in-law, but also made Wang Guangmei feel the support of her family for her choice.
However, what really made Wang Guangmei have a deeper understanding of Liu Shaoqi was the unforgettable trip to Hunan in 1961, which was around May Day, Wang Guangmei returned to his hometown with Liu Shaoqi for the first time - Huaming Tower in Ningxiang County, Hunan. For Liu Shaoqi, this is the first time he has set foot on his homeland in 45 years.
Late at night on May 3, they arrived in Ningxiang County, despite the fatigue of the journey, Liu Shaoqi still specially told the entourage to slow down and not disturb the rest of the villagers.
They lived in the humble former residence of Hua Minglou, and although the conditions were difficult, Liu Shaoqi was extremely excited. He introduced his hometown to Wang Guangmei, as if he had returned to his youth. Wang Guangmei looked at the light in her husband's eyes, as if she saw a brand new Liu Shaoqi.
[Wang Guangmei and her husband Liu Shaoqi]
Early the next morning, Liu Shaoqi and his wife began to visit the village, and the villagers learned that Liu Shaoqi had returned, and they poured out of their homes to warmly welcome them.
What impressed Wang Guangmei the most was that Liu Shaoqi gave instructions to arrange his old residence for six farmers who did not have a house to live, which fully reflected Liu Shaoqi's concept of "serving the people" and made Wang Guangmei admire her husband even more.
In the course of the visit, they met some villagers suffering from edema, seeing the plight of the villagers, Liu Shaoqi felt deeply remorseful, thinking that it was his work that did not do a good job to cause the villagers to live so difficult, Wang Guangmei saw in his eyes, hurt in his heart, and secretly made up his mind to contribute to the improvement of the lives of the villagers.
During his stay in Huaming Tower, Liu Shaoqi also took Wang Guangmei to visit his sister Liu Shaode, and they learned the news that his brother-in-law had died a year ago, and Liu Shaode was so sad that he couldn't even speak.
Seeing her sister's situation, Liu Shaoqi's heart was full of guilt and self-blame, Wang Guangmei silently comforted her husband and aunt on the side, and she deeply realized Liu Shaoqi's emotions and responsibilities as an ordinary person.
【Wang Guangmei and Liu Shaoqi】
On May 9th, Liu Shaoqi and his wife had to leave Huaming Building, parting, the villagers were reluctant, and rushed to see them off, this seven-day and six-night trip to their hometown not only allowed Liu Shaoqi to relive the memories of his childhood, but also made Wang Guangmei deeply fall in love with this place that carries her husband's memories.
However, happy times are always short-lived, and in 1969, Liu Shaoqi died in a turbulent political turmoil at the age of 71. Wang Guangmei, who lost her lover, also experienced more than ten years of difficult years, and it was not until 1983 that 62-year-old Wang Guangmei had the opportunity to set foot on the land of Huaminglou again.
On November 27, 1983, Wang Guangmei returned to Huaming Building with her son Liu Yuan, this time, it has been 22 years since the last time she returned to her hometown, she visited the showroom of Liu Shaoqi's former residence, took her son to visit the place where Liu Shaoqi once studied, and also went to worship the tomb of her mother-in-law Lu.
Through the local radio, she expressed her greetings to the people of the county, and seeing the great changes that have taken place in her hometown, Wang Guangmei is both relieved and misses her late husband.
On November 24, 1988, Liu Shaoqi's 90th birthday, with the approval of Deng Xiaoping, the Comrade Liu Shaoqi Memorial Hall was officially opened, and Deng Xiaoping personally inscribed the name of the memorial hall.
[Liu Shaoqi is communicating with the masses]
In 1998, Liu Shaoqi's commemorative bronze statue was completed in Huaminglou, although Wang Guangmei was not present in person, but her heart has been concerned about Huaminglou, on November 23, 2003, Wang Guangmei, who was 82 years old, returned to Huaminglou again, and participated in the "commemoration of the 105th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Liu Shaoqi and the opening ceremony of Huaminglou Moral Education Park".
This is the sixth time she has returned to Huaming Building, and every time she visits, she will go to worship her mother-in-law Lu, which is not only a respect for her elders, but also a kind of miss for her husband.
At the beginning of July 2006, 85-year-old Wang Guangmei's physical condition deteriorated and she was critically ill many times. Even in this situation, she still cares about the good cause. Her calligraphy and painting inscribed for the "Happiness Project" was auctioned for 200,000 yuan at a charity gala, and the donation will be used to improve the living conditions of women in poor areas.
At the last moment of her life, the words "Hua Minglou" kept coming to Wang Guangmei's mind. There are too many memories there: the years when she and Liu Shaoqi knew and fell in love, the ideals they fought for the country and the people together, and the bits and pieces of supporting each other in those difficult years.
When she tried her best to say the words "Hua Minglou", the children present burst into tears, they knew that the deepest concern of their mother in this life was the place that carried too many memories, the hometown that she and her father loved together.
【Wang Guangmei and Liu Shaoqi】
Wang Guangmei's life is like a legendary epic spanning nearly a century. From a famous lady to a revolutionary partner, from the wife of a national leader to a strong survivor, her life has experienced the most turbulent years in modern Chinese history.
And Hua Ming Lou is the most moving chapter in this epic, is the spiritual home she and Liu Shaoqi share, Wang Guangmei's heart, Hua Ming Lou is not just a geographical concept, it is more like a spiritual symbol.
It represents her and Liu Shaoqi's common ideals and pursuits, represents their deep feelings for the country and the people, and also represents their yearning for a better life. She visited Hua Ming Lou many times, not only to remember her husband, but also to continue to care for and help the people there.
The villagers of Huaminglou also have deep feelings for Liu Shaoqi and his wife, and they will spontaneously come to mourn on every sacrifice day, which is due to the sincere care and selfless dedication of Liu Shaoqi and his wife to the villagers.
Wang Guangmei's life has witnessed the entire process of China from war to the founding of New China, from construction to reform and opening up. Her experience is not only a personal legend, but also a living history, in the last moment of her life, shouting out the three words "Hua Ming Lou" is not only a reminiscence of the past, but also the last tribute to the ideals and beliefs that she adhered to throughout her life.