Preface: When it comes to Chen Geng, everyone should be familiar with it. The founding general of New China made great military exploits during the Anti-Japanese War and led our party to open up a bloody path for survival. He is the military god admired by countless people. .

Preface:

Speaking of Chen Geng, everyone should be familiar with it. The founding general of New China made great military exploits during the Anti-Japanese War and led our party to open up a bloody path for survival. He is admired by countless people. God of war. And in our impression, what he did were all big things like revolution and conquest. Small things like being a "matchmaker" seemed to be out of step with him. But it is not the case. General Chen Geng is not only an invincible god of war on the battlefield, he is also a famous pistachio and 月下老 in the army. His favorite things are to tell jokes and introduce partners to others. In 1943, Chen Geng and Chen Xilian went to the Party School to study. When they were participating in labor after studying, Chen Geng suddenly told Chen Xilian that he wanted to marry his sister to him. Chen Xilian laughed:

"Your sister has already been the mother of your child, how can you still have it?" Sister? Fortunately, I got married a long time ago."

Five years later, Chen Geng introduced my sister to Chen Xilian and they made a happy marriage.

Picture | Chen Geng

A joke

When "Two Chen" first met, their identities were very different. Chen Geng was born in Huangpu, while Chen Xilian was just a farmer's child. He joined the Red Army because he wanted to resist oppression. Both of them led troops in the Red Fourth Front Army during the Red Army. At that time, Chen Geng had just been rescued from the Kuomintang prison and was appointed commander of the 12th Red Division at the time of crisis. At this time, Chen Xilian was only the commander of the 10th Red Army. An instructor of the division.

Although the two are not in the same army, and their ranks are very different, the Red 12th Division and the Red 10th Division have fought together many times during the many anti-"encirclement and suppression campaigns" in the Hubei-Henan-Anhui Soviet Area, so there is a lot between them. s contact. Although Chen Xilian held a lower position at the time, his talents in military command had already been revealed. Chen Geng liked this little brother who was flexible in tactics and brave in combat, so the two quickly became good friends.

picture | Chen Geng

General Chen Geng’s character is that he likes to joke with others. Whether it is during the Huangpu period, in the Northern Expedition, or in the history of our army, General Chen Geng has joked with many people. Especially those generals of the Kuomintang who betrayed the revolution, he often made extremely mean mockery.

Chen Xilian has a more loyal personality, so no matter how Chen Geng jokes with him, he will not get angry, which makes Chen Geng like to be with Chen Xilian even more. The two were jointly sent back to Yan'an in 1943 and began to study. During that time in Yan'an, the relationship between the two got closer. Because of his lively nature and as an early member of our party, General Chen Geng has an excellent relationship with everyone in the party. When he was not busy with study tasks, General Chen Geng often took General Chen Xilian to visit other people's homes.

Picture | Chen Xilian

At that time, Yan'an was the core base of our army and decided to build Yan'an Airport in Yan'an. Students like them went to support the construction one after another. Chen Xilian followed Chen Geng to work every day. During the labor, the two brothers once again cooperated perfectly. During labor, every two people push a wheelbarrow . On the way to and from the airport, only one person can push the wheelbarrow. So: "Big Brother" Chen Geng blinked and came up with an idea. He said:

"Brother Xilian, we have to save energy!

At this time, Chen Xilian asked with great interest:

"How to save energy?

Chen Geng then replied:

"When you go, you sit in the car and I push you; when you come back, I sit in the car and you push me." "

Chen Xilian heard that this was a good idea, so he happily agreed to the matter. Unexpectedly, after just a few days of working, he shouted that he had been fooled, "I had fallen into the trap of my elder brother by mistake. "

Picture | Yan'an Airport

It turns out that it was because I had not worked yet when I went there, and I was very energetic. The "eldest brother" pushed the "younger brother" without feeling tired at all, and he was talking and laughing. But when he comes back, he is exhausted from a day's work. At this time, the "younger brother" is often exhausted, while the "eldest brother" sits in the car and rests, and is full of energy. He goes to visit the host's house and play at the west's house. . After two days of this, "Brother Xi Lian" quit and proposed a change:

"When he went there, he pushed Chen Geng, and when he came back, Chen Geng pushed him."

However, Chen Geng didn't agree, and later Chen Xilian After many negotiations, Chen Geng gave in a little bit and changed to the method of rotating one person per day.

One day, Chen Geng was sitting on the wheelbarrow pushed by Chen Xilian and said jokingly:

"Brother Xi Lian, it's a pity that you have a family! Otherwise, because of how hard you push your elder brother today, I will not do it anyway." I have to marry my beautiful sister to you!"

At that time, Chen Xilian knew that Chen Geng was making fun of himself, so he smiled and replied:

"Who doesn't know that your two daughters from the Chen family in Xiangxiang have already become mothers? And my sister married me? Fortunately, I got married a long time ago. Your beautiful sister will be a bachelor in the next life!"

However, what Chen Xilian didn't expect was that Chen Geng was joking, but it turned out to be a prophecy. His sister really married Chen Xilian, and it can be said that it was Chen Geng who facilitated it.

Picture | Chen Xilian

Chen Geng’s sister Wang Xuanmei

In 1922, Wang Xuanmei was born in an ordinary family with many brothers and sisters. She was the youngest child, and her second sister Wang Genying was 16 years older than her. Although she has been her favorite since she can remember It was the second sister, Until 1929, after Chen Zhifei was born, Wang Xuanmei was brought to Shanghai to help take care of Chen Zhifei, and secondly, it looked more like a small family to outsiders, acting as a cover. Wang Xuanmei started living with her sister and brother-in-law when she was less than 10 years old. At that time, she knew nothing but that they moved frequently. Later, when she grew up, she realized how dangerous their family's situation was at that time.

In 1939, the Japanese army raided southern Hebei. When Wang Genying retreated with the troops, he found that the baggage containing documents and official documents had been left behind. She ignored everyone's dissuasion and insisted on returning to the village. After she got the baggage, she carefully retreated to the entrance of the village. Unfortunately, he encountered the Japanese army and died under the enemy's bayonet. At that time, for Chen Zhifei's safety, Wang Xuanmei took the four-year-old Chen Zhifei and ran back to his parents' house. After Chen Geng learned about the death of his wife, he tried his best to find his son Chen Zhifei. None of the comrades he sent out found any clues about Chen Zhifei. On the other side, Chen Zhifei was unable to learn about his father and could only live a difficult life at his grandmother's house. Due to the turmoil of the current situation, he only studied for a few years, but in order to make a living, he polished leather shoes and worked as a newsboy , and even went to the factory. Wang Xuanmei was also unclear about her sister's whereabouts.

Picture | Wang Xuanmei

Until 1946, an underground worker found the Wang family and said that he was entrusted by Chen Geng to pick up Chen Zhifei. Wang Xuanmei was extremely excited. She thought she would see her sister soon, so she quickly packed her bags and started on her way with her nephew. It was only when I walked to Shandong that I learned that my sister had died. Finally, they were barely able to rest in Yangcheng, Shanxi. They were greeted by Fu Ya. Seeing "one sister and one brother" tired from traveling, Fu Ya hurriedly cooked chicken for them to eat, and also helped Zhifei catch the fleas on his body.

When Chen Zhifei learned everything about his parents' past, he also hoped that his father would let him stay as a correspondent and build the country in the future. In this way, Wang Xuanmei also stayed with Chen Geng for a while. Chen Geng always treated her as his own sister. Later, Wang Xuanmei went to study at the School of Medicine of Northern University. Chen Geng has been paying attention to this little girl and wrote to her:

"Don't fall in love during school."

Wang Xuanmei respected her brother-in-law very much, so she followed suit. After graduation, Chen Geng met the 27-year-old by chance. Seeing that she was not married yet, he remembered his good brother, so he took the girl to Wuhan and introduced the two to each other.

Picture | Wang Xuanmei and Chen Xilian

Chen Xilian and Wang Xuanmei’s first meeting

In August 1949, Chen Xilian led the headquarters of the Third Corps to Wuhan. When he was thinking hard about how to dispatch troops and generals, Chen Geng walked into him with a girl. When they met at the headquarters, Chen Geng said

"Xilian, are you pretty?"

Chen Xilian took a look and saw that the girl's round face was really beautiful. Chen Geng didn't wait for his answer, so he whispered in his ear:

"This is my sister. If you like her, I will be your wife!"

Chen Xilian had been married once before. His ex-wife, Su Ge, was from Mizhi County, Shaanxi Province, and joined the Party in 1938. Unfortunately, she died of illness in the autumn of 1948, leaving behind a child. It has been a year since her death. When Chen Xilian heard this whisper, his first reaction was that Chen Geng was making fun of him again. At this moment, he still answered:

"Haha, your sister? I saw through this old trick six or seven years ago!"

After that, he added:

"Your sister? Do you have such a beautiful sister?"

Chen Xilian’s words made the girl next to him blush. But what he didn't expect was that this time it was true. Chen Geng said seriously:

"This is really my sister! Wang Genying's sister is called Wang Xuanmei!"

Picture | (first left) Wang Xuanmei

Chen Xilian took a closer look, this The girl really looks like Wang Genying. Wang Genying is Chen Geng’s ex-wife. Chen Xilian had met Wang Genying in the Fourth Red Army and the 129th Division. She unfortunately encountered the enemy during the "mopping up" breakout in southern Hebei in 1939 and died heroically. At this moment, Chen Xilian did not expect that the "sister" Chen Geng often nags about turned out to be Wang Genying's biological sister! It turns out that after Chen Geng learned that Chen Xilian had lost his wife, Chen Geng thought of her and intended to facilitate this good match. Therefore, this time, taking advantage of the break in the battle, Wang Xuanmei was brought to Wuhan and introduced to Chen Xilian without even saying hello in advance.

When Wang Xuanmei heard the man opposite praising herself, her cheeks turned red and she lowered her head and rolled up her sleeves. Chen Xilian also calmed down after learning the girl's identity. He immediately felt pity for Wang Xuanmei. then cleared his throat and asked Wang Xuanmei's opinion with some embarrassment. Wang Xuanmei had long heard about Chen Xilian's wise and powerful skills. I have admired him for a long time, so how could I refuse? Immediately and shyly agreed to have a relationship. Chen Geng immediately put his hands on his hands and laughed when he saw her, saying that he had made a good match.

Picture | (middle) Chen Xilian (first from right) Wang Xuanmei

Chen Xilian took the initiative to date Wang Xuanmei

Although Chen Xilian and Wang Xuanmei agreed to have a relationship, there was no progress. Chen Geng became a little anxious, so after a while, he wrote a letter to urge Wang Xuanmei: You will never find such a good husband as in the future. At the same time, he secretly wrote a letter to Chen Xilian, "Girls don't take the initiative. If you don't take the initiative, how can anything happen?" So, under Chen Geng's urging, Chen Lianxi took a brave step. On a bright moonlit night, he will Wang Xuanmei, who took the time to go home to see Chen Geng, made an appointment. They talked happily and speculatively while walking on the Han River .

Since then, the exchanges between the two have gradually increased, the relationship between the two has become more and more intense, and there have been more letters exchanged between them. "How can I, a rough guy from the countryside, be worthy of you, a top student studying medicine?" "No! First of all, you are a beloved general. I admire and admire your heroic deeds." "I am not well-educated. When I get home, I still have a child. I have to fight all year round and may not be able to take care of my family sometimes. You and I will have to suffer." "Revolution always requires hardship. I am willing. I will take good care of the child. You don't have to worry. " They have spoken out and exchanged letters like this so many times that they can't count them. They talked freely and exchanged heart-to-hearts again and again, like the best glue, connecting two simple and sincere hearts. Tightly connected together. Since then, the two have continued to exchange letters.

Picture | (front row, first from left) Chen Xilian

After getting along for a long time, Chen Xilian decided to spend his life with Wang Xuanmei. So he filed a marriage report to his superiors. The news reached Chen Geng's ears somehow. After he learned about it, he quickly found Chen Xilian and joked:

"I heard that you want to file a marriage report and propose to my sister. Do you need it?" Do you need big brother to help you plan?"

Chen Xilian nodded sheepishly, and Chen Geng happily agreed to the matter.

Chen Geng helped Chen Xilian plan the proposal

So when Chen Geng returned home at night, he held a meeting at home and assigned tasks. Chen Zhifei asked Chen Zhifei to wait for Wang Xuanmei to return in a few days and take Wang Xuanmei to Chen Xilian's residence, while Fu Ya went Prepare some bouquets for the proposal. After the arrangements were made, Chen Geng sat on the stool and smiled happily.

Picture | Chen Geng and Fu Ya

A few days later, Wang Xuanmei came back. After taking a rest, Chen Zhifei said to him:

"Auntie, Uncle Chen Xilian, I have something to ask you. Let me take you there."

He then brought Wang Xuanmei to Chen Lianxi’s residence. Wang Xuanmei saw the silence around the residence, and she felt uneasy. At this time, Chen Xilian walked out of a room, holding a bouquet of flowers in his hand, and walked to Wang Xuanmei. She solemnly said to Wang Xuanmei:

"I am now formally proposing to you, please marry me!"

Hearing this, Wang Xuanmei blushed and said:

"How do you say this? You are so embarrassed!"

This made Chen Xilian I thought my marriage proposal had failed. But after a while, Wang Xuanmei continued: "I do." The group of relatives and friends laughed happily when they heard this, and came out to bless the newlyweds. Due to the tense war at that time, Chen Xilian and Wang Xuanmei only held a simple wedding.

Picture | (First left) Chen Xilian

Chen Xilian’s wedding

One day in 1948, 26-year-old Wang Xuanmei and 33-year-old Chen Xilian held a simple but lively wedding. The new house was located in the two mud houses where Chen Xilian lived and worked in Wuhan. In addition to a wooden bed and two wooden chairs, the bedroom contained some personal items that Chen Xilian brought from the war. On this day, everyone waited from morning to noon, and then from noon to afternoon, but Chen Xilian was still busy at work. It was not until evening that he approached the security guard around him and said:

"I am getting married today, but Comrade Wang Xuanmei is embarrassed." Come here, help me pick her up at Chen Geng's house."

Several staff members were like a wedding team, taking the bride Wang Xuanmei from Chen Geng's house to Chen Xilian's residence. The sisters from the medical team and Fu Ya enthusiastically helped Wang Xuanmei prepare for the happy event. They bought eggs, milk powder and sugar from the market, and made a big cake.

Picture | A group photo of Chen Xilian and his family

After dinner, Chen Geng, Chen Zhifei and others happily came to Chen Xilian’s residence to congratulate Chen Xilian and Wang Xuanmei. At the wedding, Chen Geng also said excitedly:

"Xilian and I have a long-term friendship. We are not only comrades-in-arms, brothers, but also brothers-in-law. Now we are really close!"

Amidst everyone's laughter and playfulness , Wang Xuanmei cut a cake for each of Chen Zhifei, Chen Geng, the soldiers and the sisters of her medical team.

After getting married, Wang Xuanmei also worked as a doctor for several years. Later, her husband, General Chen, became busy at work, so Wang Xuanmei put aside her work and came to her husband, helping with what she could at work and becoming his good wife. General Chen Geng and General Chen Xilian have become the famous "Brother-in-law Generals in our army."

Picture | (First left) Chen Lianxi (First right) Wang Xuanmei

Brother-in-law General

In 1955, Comrade Chen Geng was awarded the rank of General by the Party Central Committee, and Chen Xilian They were awarded the rank of general. While continuing their revolutionary friendship, the two also abided by their own rules in their respective positions and contributed to the construction of a new socialist China day and night. If you have to ask whether there have been any "regrets" in the lives of these "brother-in-law generals", Comrade Chen Geng may not have the intention to answer, but General Chen Xilian may lose a lot of happiness because of this. Because General Chen Geng worked too hard during the revolutionary period, he unfortunately suffered from angina pectoris and could not receive effective treatment all year round.

After the founding of New China, medical conditions improved, but his heart disease had already taken root and could not be cured. He died of a sudden myocardial infarction in 1961, and he was not even able to say goodbye to his relatives and friends in time. On the other hand, General Chen Xilian was calm and calm throughout his life, with a peaceful mind. He lived longer than the worrying "big brother" Chen Geng by more than 30 years.

Picture | Chen Geng and Chen Lianxi

Conclusion:

Chen Geng and Chen Xilian turned from good brothers to good brothers-in-law, which fully demonstrated that the comradeship in the war years was so sincere and so deep. Chen Geng can still have such an optimistic attitude in the arduous war environment. Not only is he optimistic, he also brings his optimistic and happy life attitude to his comrades. He is willing to lead red lines for his comrades. He just hopes that his comrades can We can also feel the happiness of family in a difficult war environment. This optimistic attitude towards life is worth learning!