In 1952, with the smoke of war still lingering, General Xu Shiyou, dressed in his military uniform, stepped onto the soil of his hometown after more than two decades away. The morning sunlight over the Dabie Mountains was gentle, and the air was filled with a long-missed familiarity. After years of military campaigns, the iron-willed general’s eyes welled up at the thought of reuniting with his elderly mother.
News of his return spread quickly through the village. Neighbors gathered around, their eyes full of respect and excitement. In their hearts, Xu Shiyou was no longer the naive boy of the past but a hero who had fought to protect the nation and its people. Joy filled every corner of the village as Xu hurried home, eager to embrace his mother.
But just as he was about to step through the door, a furtive figure slipped out from the corner of the wall, trying to avoid being seen. Xu’s sharp eyes narrowed as he recognized the man—his third uncle, Xu Cunli. The warmth in his heart instantly turned to fury, and his demeanor became icy and fierce.
Without a word to his mother, Xu Shiyou drew his pistol, aiming it directly at Xu Cunli. “Xu Cunli, today I will kill you!” he shouted, his voice hoarse but resolute.
The sudden outburst silenced the crowd. His mother, trembling, rushed forward and dropped to her knees, grabbing his arm. “Shiyou, you can’t kill him! He’s your own uncle! Spare him, please!” she cried, tears streaming down her face.
Caught between the mother he adored and the uncle he detested, Xu Shiyou’s hand trembled, but the fire in his eyes did not fade. Everyone present was shocked—why would a man who had been away for so long react so violently toward his own uncle? The answer lay buried in years of bitter history.
Years earlier, Xu Cunli had served as a Kuomintang village chief, oppressing the local people and extorting their money. Meanwhile, Xu Shiyou had joined the revolution and become a leader of the peasant association, fighting for land reform and justice. Their opposing stances created a deep rift, and any familial bond was shattered by the clash between exploitation and resistance.
Xu Cunli once tried to use his nephew’s position for personal gain, bringing gifts to bribe Xu Shiyou during the land reform. But Xu Shiyou refused firmly, warning him not to stand against the people. Humiliated, Xu Cunli harbored a grudge. After Xu Shiyou left the Dabie Mountains with his troops, Xu Cunli betrayed Xu’s sister to the Kuomintang in an attempt to curry favor. Xu’s mother begged on her knees, but to no avail. It was only Xu’s uncle who intervened, risking his life to protect his sister, and was severely beaten.
Another time, when Xu Shiyou returned to collect grain for the army, Xu Cunli tipped off the Kuomintang, leading to an ambush. Xu barely escaped, but two of his comrades were killed. These crimes—the betrayal of his sister, the deaths of his comrades, the oppression of the villagers—burned in Xu’s heart for over two decades.
“Mother, please get up,” Xu said, his voice choked with emotion as he helped his mother to her feet. “Father died young, and you raised us with so much hardship. But he—he nearly killed my sister and my comrades, and he terrorized the villagers. Shouldn’t he be punished?”
His mother, tears streaming, pleaded again, “He is wicked, but he is your own uncle—your father’s only remaining brother. For your father’s sake, and for his old age, please spare him this time.”
Seeing his mother’s aged face and hearing her heart-wrenching pleas, Xu’s anger gave way to filial respect. Slowly, he lowered his gun. Looking at the terrified Xu Cunli, he said, “I may spare you, but the people will not. Your crimes will face judgment.”
In the end, Xu Cunli was arrested and spent the rest of his life in prison. Yet, despite his hatred, Xu Shiyou continued to care for his uncle’s family, sending them monthly living expenses to help ease their difficulties.
To the villagers, Xu Shiyou was an unwavering hero who stood for justice. To his mother, he was always the dutiful boy who left home at eight to learn martial arts and vowed to serve his country. Throughout his life, Xu rarely had time to stay by his mother’s side, which became his deepest regret. On his deathbed, he said, “I have fought all my life, but I owe too much to my mother. After I am gone, I want to remain by her side forever.”
The central government made an exception to honor his wish, burying him in the Dabie Mountains beside his mother, fulfilling his final desire. This iron-willed general embodied both unyielding integrity and deep filial devotion—a story that will forever be remembered.
