Chen Yuying: Mao Zedong’s nanny who once shouted before Yang Kaihui was executed: “Kill me if you want to kill me.”

In the second half of 1926, Mao Zedong came to Wuhan.

At that time, Mao Zedong was still on the list of "extremists" wanted by the Hunan warlords, and was busy traveling between major cities where new ideas were spread.

Yang Kaihui, who was pregnant, was left in Changsha. While taking care of her two children, she helped Mao Zedong with some paperwork, and even continued to carry out civilian education campaigns and labor movements.

Suddenly, chaotic things rushed towards us, making people breathless.

Yang Kaihui tried to persevere for a while, but finally decided to discuss with Mao Zedong to hire a nanny to take care of the lives of mother and son, so that she could work with peace of mind and save energy for the third party. Prepare for the arrival of a child.

After Mao Zedong agreed, after many inquiries, 29-year-old Chen Yuying was introduced to No. 1 Wangluyuan.

At that time, Chen Yuying spoke a Ningxiang accent, had short hair, had big unwrapped feet, and had a trace of simplicity on her face.

Because she was wearing linen and straw sandals, even though she had cleaned them up, she couldn't help but feel a little restrained standing in front of Yang Kaihui.

When Yang Kaihui saw Chen Yuying's dress, her face lit up with joy.

She took Chen Yuying's hand and said happily: "We will be a family from now on! Don't think that I am your master, don't distinguish between each other, let's be friends! "

The word "friend" is new to Chen Yuying.

In the previous ten years of nanny career, she had seen all the cold looks from her employers, tasted all the humiliation, and suffered all wanton whippings...

She was once Just like the cattle and horses in the landlord's house in the old days, they just worked without saying a word and were in vain.

Chen Yuying has never encountered such a kind-hearted, sincere, respectful and polite employer. She was instantly warmed by Yang Kaihui's sincere words.

From then on, Chen Yuying, affectionately called "Sister-in-law Sun", lived in the home of Mao Zedong and Yang Kaihui.

At first, Chen Yuying followed her past habit at other employers' houses and reported the bill to Yang Kaihui after buying the food, paying attention to every dish and making sure it was accurate. But Yang Kaihui stopped her from doing this and said to her:

"Sister-in-law Sun, you don't have to settle it one by one, it's whatever you say..."

Like this Trust is something Chen Yuying has never experienced before. She felt equal respect from Yang Kaihui, and she had a good impression of this kind couple in her heart. The hearts between master and servant became even closer.

Although illiterate, Chen Yuying knew that Mao Zedong and Yang Kaihui treated her with sincerity and respect, and never treated her as a subordinate and bossed her around.

Wasn’t Yang Kaihui moved by Chen Yuying’s simplicity? In the subsequent chat, Yang Kaihui said to Chen Yuying: "Do you know why Runzhi and I fell in love with you at first sight? You have big feet and short hair, and you are from a poor family."

Chen Yuying explained , poor people need people to work, it is inconvenient to have small feet bound, and it is even more inconvenient to have long hair.

However, Yang Kaihui admired the image of women who did not have their feet bound and their hair long:

“Bound feet and hair in braids are things that restrain and oppress women in feudal society. , must be eliminated. Big feet, short hair, such a woman is so energetic! "

Yang Kaihui's words were like a revelation, filling Chen Yuying's heart with confidence and motivation.

In the old thinking, women's bound feet and long hair are the embodiment of women's "feminine beauty". They are also the product of the strengthening of the custom of "men are superior to women" in patriarchal society under the feudal etiquette system to a certain extent.

In the eyes of New Thinking woman Yang Kaihui, these bad habits are deformed and persecute women.

Not only did she advocate her opposition, but she also spread new and healthy ideas to the women around her, making rural women like Sun’s sister aware of their own beauty and strength.

To a certain extent, Yang Kaihui can be called the enlightener of Chen Yuying's new ideas - and this is new to an uneducated country woman. These words are full of respect and appreciation. .

With Chen Yuying's care, Yang Kaihui can finally concentrate on helping her husband with the material work. During the days when Mao Zedong and Yang Kaihui were separated, they wrote letters and poems to each other to relieve the pain of missing each other.

Whenever Yang Kaihui gets a letter from her distant husband that Chen Yuying helps to retrieve, she can't help but sit at the table in front of the window and be alone in a daze. Sometimes he looks up into the distance, sometimes he lowers his head and sighs.

However, she never sent the lovesickness poem she wrote herself, fearing that the love between her children would affect Mao Zedong’s career.

Mao Zedong's concern for his wife and children and Yang Kaihui's thoughtfulness for her husband were both seen and remembered by Chen Yuying. Such a sympathetic and loving relationship between husband and wife makes Chen Yuying a little envious and respects the couple.

The home of Mao Zedong and Yang Kaihui was used as a gathering place. Revolutionary friends such as Peng Pai, Cai Hesen, and Xia Minghan often came to discuss important matters.

When they have meetings, Chen Yuying always sits on a small bamboo chair outside the door, refilling tea and water for them regularly.

Although she does not understand what they call "communism", what the "proletariat" is, who the "working people" are, and what the "peasant movement" is...

But she knew that when such enterprising young people like them were together, they would be discussing big things and good things. All she had to do was silently do what she should do and what she could do, which was also considered help. Got to them.

The next year, Mao Zedong went to Changsha to take Yang Kaihui, Mao Anying, and Mao Anying to No. 41, Wuchang Admiral's Mansion, and Chen Yuying followed him.

Chen Yuying has long been deeply moved by the Mao family's every concern and respect in her life.

She made up her mind to stay with this family all the time. No matter what happened in the future, she would choose to fight with this family without hesitation.

In Wuchang, Chen Yuying was very nervous these days. Mrs. Yang was about to give birth.

On April 4, 1927, Yang Kaihui gave birth to her and Mao Zedong’s third child, Mao Anlong, in the hospital. Her grandson sister-in-law Chen Yuying has been taking care of Yang Kaihui. Four days later, Mao Zedong took a break from his busy schedule and rushed to the hospital to visit his wife and children.

After rushing to the hospital in the dust, Mao Zedong looked at the pale Yang Kaihui on the hospital bed, feeling full of guilt.

He came forward and sat beside the hospital bed, took Yang Kaihui's hand and said, "Kaihui, I'm sorry, I haven't had time to see you for so many days..."

Yang Kaihui He shook his head with a smile and said sincerely: "It doesn't matter, your things are more important. When the child is about to go to the ground, I will give birth to you when you are by my side, and I will give birth to you when you are not around. Sister-in-law Sun takes good care of me. Don't worry."

After saying that, she looked at Chen Yuying gently.

Chen Yuying showed the 4-day-old child to Mao Zedong. Mao Zedong’s eyes were full of deep love.

He also said humorously: "I'm not here, no one has changed my hair, right?", and the room burst into laughter.

Chen Yuying just watched the family living together happily, feeling happy for their reunion in her heart. She thought that Mrs. Yang finally no longer had to look at pages of letters and miss her husband who was away from home.

Chen Yuying hopes that such peaceful days can continue.

But she didn’t know that at that time, Wang Jingwei rebelled against the revolution in Wuhan, and the Kuomintang military and police went around hunting down communists. There is an atmosphere of tension everywhere in the country.

Due to the situation, Mao Zedong sent Yang Kaihui and three children back to Changsha, and immediately rushed to the front line of armed revolution. He was determined to completely smash the old society!

In September 1927, Mao Zedong launched the Autumn Harvest Uprising and led the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army to establish the Jinggangshan Revolutionary Base, while Yang Kaihui stayed in Itancun, Changsha and continued to work.

Yang Kaihui’s life was already very difficult at that time.

Mao Zedong went to Jinggangshan to participate in the Autumn Harvest Uprising and had no money to send back. Yang Kaihui could hardly afford Chen Yuying's monthly salary of 5 yuan.

Chen Yuying understood her difficulties and offered not to take any salary, but also used her previous salary to support her family. In order to save time, Chen Yuying even cut off her hair, wanting to do more things and help more.

Neighbors said that Yang Kaihui was lucky to have such a good nanny, but Chen Yuying knew that it was she who met such a good employer first and treated each other sincerely in exchange for her dedication to each other. .

Those who can share joys and sorrows with you are not necessarily true friends, but those who are willing to stay by your side and endure hardships with you are true friends.

From 1926 to 1930, for more than four years, Chen Yuying never returned to her hometown once, and she always tried her best to take care of Yang Kaihui, mother and son.

During this period, as the domestic political atmosphere became increasingly tense, the situation on the mother and son side of Chen Yuying and Yang Kaihui was not optimistic - while the reactionaries dispatched a large number of troops to encircle and suppress the workers' and peasants' armed forces led by Mao Zedong, they also extended their claws. To his wife and children.

They had been carefully avoiding the search, but the disaster came quietly one morning.

In the early morning of October 24, 1930, the autumn wind was bleak, and the originally quiet air was suddenly pierced by the Kuomintang's "Qingxiang" group - they first arrested Yang Kaihui's mother, and then forced her to knock on the door. Open the door to your daughter's residence.

Yang Kaihui opened the door and asked Captain Fan, the so-called "gun shoveling volunteer team" in front of him: "What's the matter?". The other party only replied: "Nothing, please go to Changsha."

After that, the other party tied up Yang Kaihui and Chen Yuying without any explanation.

Yang Kaihui did not want to involve Mrs. Sun, so she said, "This is the nanny of the family. She helps the family. Why arrest her?" But Captain Fan refused to let it go.

"This nanny is extraordinary, let's take her away together."

They even wanted to take eight-year-old Mao Anying away with her. Yang Kaihui scolded: "Catch her if you want." Me, why do you want to arrest my child? If you want to arrest my child, I won’t leave!”

Captain Fan was unmoved: “If you don’t leave, I will drag you to Changsha!”

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Chen Yuying looked at the fierce enemy in front of her and couldn't help but worry about Yang Kaihui and her son.

The news of the arrest attracted nearby farmers. They saw their usually respected "Xiagu" Yang Kaihui being brutally taken away by the reactionaries. They felt indignant and unbearable, but they were helpless in the face of the gun.

Two farmer brothers mustered up the courage to push a wheelbarrow, hoping that Yang Kaihui could hold her child and sit on it, so that it would be less bumpy.

In this way, in the thin morning fog that has not yet cleared, Yang Kaihui, holding her child, and her grandson sister-in-law Chen Yuying, were pushed into the foggy and unknown road ahead.

More than forty enemies with weapons in hand followed closely behind the three men and escorted them all the way to the prison at the Changsha Security Headquarters.

On the day of his arrest, Yang Kaihui appeared in court for interrogation.

The enemy held bamboo whips and leather whips and asked: "Where is Mao Zedong?"

Yang Kaihui replied: "I don't know."

As soon as he finished speaking , the crackling sound of the whip hitting the body was heard, but there was no moan of pain at all. Chen Yuying was locked away. When she saw the whip being swung down, she felt as if it fell on her body, causing pain that cut deep into her skin and bones.

The enemy asked again: "Where is your underground party?"

Yang Kaihui still replied: "I don't know."

Another wave of whipping fell, unyielding. His words were swallowed into his stomach along with the blood.

The enemy asked again: "What did you do to incite the peasants in Dongxiang area?"

Yang Kaihui raised her head, still neither humble nor arrogant: "I don't know!"

The enemies were enraged by such tenacious resistance. They changed the instrument of torture and pressed a wooden pole as thick as a bowl on the crook of Yang Kaihui's slender knees, and asked several men to step on both ends to press down hard.

Chen Yuying struggled and resisted on the side, trying to rush forward and pull Yang Kaihui back. She was extremely anxious. Mrs. Yang, a weak woman, would definitely not be able to withstand such a punishment!

Yang Kaihui’s body finally couldn’t resist and she fainted from the pain. Seeing the enemy pouring down basins of cold water, Chen Yuying was terrified and cried heartbreakingly: "Hit me! She is weak and can't help beating her!"

So, the reactionaries The instrument of torture turned around and fell towards Chen Yuying.

One whip after another, the clothes were torn apart, and then the flesh... When Chen Yuying was beaten until she was covered in blood, she could not escape the oppression of the wooden pole...

Chen Yuying endured this unbearable pain all her life. She can't cry out in pain! She can't beg for mercy! Like Yang Kaihui, she must never show weakness in front of the enemy!

The enemy's cruelty has gradually made her unconscious.

Maybe it’s because the blood in the execution room is so strong that it makes people feel pungent even when they are unconscious; maybe it’s because they hear the sound of whips in hallucinations; or maybe it’s because the undying revolutionary fire is still in their hearts. Burning makes people still have the courage to face the dark and bleak predicament...

In short, Yang Kaihui woke up, and she saw the kind-hearted Sun sister-in-law Chen Yuying, who had nothing to do with these groundless crimes, under the enemy's control Struggling painfully under criminal abuse.

She tried her best to scream in a hoarse voice to dissuade her, hoping that the enemy would stop.

Seeing Chen Yuying gradually drifting into sleep, the reactionaries took the opportunity to trick her.

"You are just a nanny, why should you suffer the consequences? As long as you tell those people who often come to his house, what their names are, what they look like, and where they collect mails, we will let you know. you.

"

What they didn't expect was that Chen Yuying, a rural woman who knew nothing and was afraid of power, would actually imitate Yang Kaihui. No matter how she asked questions, she would only lower her head and murmur three words. : I don’t know!

How can anyone not be afraid of pain when being punished? But how can a woman like this who can’t even write her own name imitate Yang Kaihui? Never show cowardice in front of the enemy!

After a long period of torture, the enemy did not get any useful information, so they took them back to the cell.

Chen Yuying never appeared again in front of Yang Kaihui. Unable to bear the severe pain in her body, Yang Kaihui still managed to hold on and comforted her: "Sister-in-law Sun, I'm really sorry for making you suffer so much for me. If you want to cry, just cry..." ..."

Chen Yuying wiped her tears and said, "Don't say that, I suffer for you, then who are you suffering for? "

At that time, Chen Yuying may not have known the word "revolution", but she must have known in her heart that all these hardships were for all the poor and oppressed people like her to have a better life. .

In this way, the three of them spent a long, dark and suffocating time in prison, and the torture and suffering involved are difficult to describe in historical records.

Day after day, the reactionaries refused to relent when they saw the three of them, and could not extract a confession through torture. They had no choice but to say to Yang Kaihui: "Publicly declare your separation from the marital relationship with Mao Zedong, and you will be free. "

The reactionaries did not expect that Yang Kaihui would resolutely reject this choice.

"It is not a pity to die, but I only hope that the Runzhi Revolution will succeed as soon as possible. ”

“ If you want Mao Zedong and I to break away from our relationship as husband and wife, we will have to wait until the end of time! "

The day when the dust settled was November 14, 1930. Military and police officers with live ammunition went to the cell to arrest Yang Kaihui.

Yang Kaihui and Chen Yuying seemed to have anticipated the outcome. After they At the moment when she was about to come in and take the person away, Chen Yuying tried to block the cell door with her thin body. However, such resistance and struggle were in vain.

Chen Yuying could not hear the gunshots from Literary Ridge. But she knew that the Yang Kaihui who once affectionately called her "Sister-in-law Sun", the Yang Kaihui who once treated her like a relative and a friend, the Yang Kaihui who never yielded to the enemy and even held her head high before she died, was gone. ...

What she can do is to take good care of the flesh and blood left by Yang Kaihui, and hope that her Mrs. Yang can go to the future they long for.

As long as she is Chen Yuying. If Yang Kaihui's child Mao Anying is still alive, she must be alive.

One month after Yang Kaihui's death, Chen Yuying, who was covered in scars, and Mao Anying, who was only eight years old, were finally released after desperate rescue efforts by party organizations, relatives and friends. Released from prison.

Chen Yuying still remembered Yang Kaihui’s words of support when she was in prison. Soon, she took her three children to the home of Yang Kaihui’s mother, Mrs. Xiang.

At first, in order to take care of Mrs. Xiang's emotional and physical health, she could not bear to tell the elderly the sad news of the loss of her daughter. She only said that Yang Kaihui was going out to do big things with Mao Zedong

However, it was a thin lie. No matter what, the bloody fact of Yang Kaihui's death could not be concealed.

The old man and Chen Yuying cried together after learning the truth. Chen Yuying blamed herself for failing to protect Yang Kaihui and die for Yang Kaihui.

But Yang Kaihui's mother, like her daughter, fell in love with Chen Yuying at first sight.

She didn't say a harsh word to the old lady. She understood that what her daughter did was an honor. of.

She comforted Chen Yuying:

"From now on, you are my daughter. Kaihui died bravely. She was a martyr. She just died on the front line of the struggle..."

Later, because the reactionaries refused to let Chen Yuying go, they tracked down Yang Kaihui's mother. In order to prevent the enemy from continuing to persecute Chen Yuying, Mrs. Xiang asked her to leave Itakura and return to her hometown.

Returning to Ningxiang again, the people and things there seemed to be the same as before, but Chen Yuying knew that her warrior-like family would always be hidden in her heart.

Until the day when the revolution that Yang Kaihui described to her in prison comes, she will always bury everything that happened in the past four years in her heart.

The giant wheel of history is rolling forward, and countless martyrs have sacrificed heroically on the road to the success of the revolution. Fortunately, the day when the revolution will succeed is not far away as Yang Kaihui said.

After eighteen years of separation in Itancun, Changsha, when Chen Yuying saw Mao Anying again, she had grown into a young man. All the past events came to mind, and the two of them hugged each other and cried together.

At that time, Mao Anying had not forgotten the maternal care given by her sister-in-law Sun during the most difficult time, and she also helped her daughter arrange schooling.

Chen Yuying has also always remembered the former male host who was in love with Mrs. Yang, and wanted to go to Beijing to visit Chairman Mao.

Finally, in June 1957, old friends met again.

Mao Zedong looked at his sister-in-law Chen Yuying with deep emotion. They met for the first time at Wanglu Garden in Changsha, talked about returning to Itakun from Wuhan, and talked about the unfortunate arrests of Yang Kaihui and Mao Anying after they parted...

When Chen Yuying talked about Yang Kaihui facing the enemy During the torture, Mao Zedong's sincere feelings for his deceased wife turned into tears of sadness.

"Kaihui is a good person! Anying is a good man!"

"You share the joys and sorrows with Kaihui. When I see you today, it’s like watching Just like Kaihui..."

After thirty years of separation, Mao Zedong still never forgets to tell her to take care of her health and care about her living conditions.

This concern that spans thirty years is still heart-warming!

In 1982, Chen Yuying died of illness. Before she died, she said to her daughter Sun Yan: "I'm leaving to see Kaihui and Mao Zedong..."

Perhaps when they get together again, this kind couple will still smile and pull up. With her hand, she affectionately called her "Sister-in-law Sun"...