Advice to visitors: This post is just for my English assignment and you don't really have to read it... Of course you can still read it through if you want to~
On the 15th of August, the year 1928, a new member was warmly welcomed by the Wang family. He was named Wang Wenjun. Happily, Mr. Wang spent his innocent and free childhood with his family in Jiangsu, China.
However, the Invasion of China by the Japanese dramatically changed his life. When Mr. Wang was just a 7-year-old kid, the Japanese launched an attack against China. Bombers were flying above the rubble of his house almost every day, dropping bombs. The young Mr. Wang would huddle in fear with his family in a crowded bomb shelter near their house to survive the bombardment. The Japanese attacks soon led to some massacres of the Chinese, including the most infamous Nanjing massacre, where thousands of loyal Chinese lost their lives to the brutal Japanese soldiers. “We were living in fear. The bombs dropped like rain from above. I was afraid that they would find us and kill us all. I did not want my family to be separated,” quoted Mr. Wang as he reflected in living through the war. His family was one of the most fortunate families which survived the invasion of the Japanese shaken but unscathed. “That’s why I hate wars so much. I do not enjoy the sight of people dead or dying,” Mr. Wang whispered as the painful memories of the war flashed back to him.
Soon, Mr. Wang grew into a teenager who had gone through suffering of wars. However, the suffering he faced changed his way of thinking. He was loyal to his country and did not want his family to be harmed any further. So, to protect his country from another invasion by foreigners, he joined the navy. He was brave and clever. Although he could easily pursue any other career on will, he preferred to serve his country. He wanted to be one of those few who would sacrifice themselves for the country.
Despite his loyal services to the country, another war was fought on China in the year 1946. However, this war was a civil war, a war fought between two different parties, known respectively as Kuomintang, the government then and the China Communist Party, led by Mao Ze Dong , the current government of china today. The war did not really involve the navy as most of it took place on land.
The year 1949 was the year when many significant events happened to Mr. Wang. China had fallen to the hands of communists. Mr. Wang did not want to surrender to the communists and decided to retreat with his troops from his hometown to Taiwan, known to him as a little island in the south. The navy left in the middle of night suddenly. “It was chaotic, like a nightmare. We were packing and the generals were asking us to hurry. I did not know what was going to happen to my family – Would they survive the war? “ Mr. Wang recollected of the escape from China. “It was a long journey before we reached Shanghai, the last city that had not fallen to the communist then. Quickly, we boarded the ships to Taiwan, without knowing the fate of my family. Would I ever set foot on my home again? I had to put aside my feelings and focus on retreating with the troops. The communist were hot in pursuit. A few of our ships were sunk by the warships. The situation was dire. ”
Mr. Wang arrived in Taiwan after spending a few sleepless nights on the boat. Luckily for the troops, the Kuomintang was a government which had far sight. The government brought tons of gold in their retreat to ensure that they were able to function well before they manage to settle down in Taiwan. The communist attempted to attack Taiwan after taking over China, but failed with the tough fighting of Kuomintang troops and US army. ‘The communist was firing their big guns. The noise of shelling was enormous. After fighting back using our canons and with the assistance of the Americans, they finally stopped their attack.’ Mr. Wang declared proudly. Even though Mr. Wang survived the war again, he was upset at the way the communist government was making the people in China suffer with their harsh policies. He was homesick as well but he knew he could not return now.
Soon, Mr. Wang left the navy and worked as a local government official in Taiwan. Another milestone of his life was marked when he married a charming lady in Taiwan. After he set up his own family, Mr. Wang slowly got used to the life in Taiwan. Soon, he had two sons and two daughters. Everything seemed well. “It was like a new life to me. I felt like I was reborn,” Mr. Wang said.
In the year 1989, the communication barrier between China and Taiwan was lifted. Finally, Mr. Wang called home after 40 years of waiting. He and his family exchanged memories in tears as they were glad to get back in touch with a long lost family. Immediately, he planned on returning to China to meet his family. Unfortunately, Mr. Wang’s mother passed away before he returned to his hometown. It was the deepest sorrow in his life. ‘I almost broke down instantly upon hearing the news in Taiwan. I didn’t even get to see her the last time before she passed away…’
The Kuomintang government urbanized Taiwan and the average personal income every year raised from only a hundred US dollars to US$15000 in just a few years, the standard of a developed country. In the year 1992, the first president election was held In Taiwan. As an ex-government officer, Mr. Wang of glad to hear of the news as he knew that it meant that Taiwan was fully democratic. “Taiwan is a country made by people for the people. I am proud being Taiwanese,” Mr. Wang said proudly when asked for comments. The Kuomintang ran for the 1992 election and won. Soon the year 2000 arrived and another election was held, this time the victor is the ex-president of Taiwan, Mr. Chen Suibian. Despite let down by the defeat of the Kuomintang, Mr. Wang still said “It is a necessary change of a democratic country. We should therefore go on and accept it,” This showed the optimistic and loyal nature of Mr. Wang. Mr. Wang also supports the idea of democracy a lot so he thinks he should always respect the decision made by the people.
Mr. Wang also commented on the current status of China. ‘Although the China is no longer the country that I am loyal to, I am still happy to see that the communist government is finally making an effort to develop China now and my relatives in China can have a better life.’ He feels that it is a pity that China went through Cultural Revolution which is useless and only brought harm to China.
Now, Mr. Wang is living happily with his family in Taichung, Taiwan. In his 60 years in Taiwan, Mr. Wang had rare encounters which will probably not happen again. The most significant one of all was the great earthquake that took place in 21st September, 1999 which left many houses in rubble. However, Mr. Wang’s house is located at a place which is not so greatly affected by the natural disaster. “I thank god for that,” said Mr. Wang, laughing.
“Life is like a boat, even If you do not intend to continue, the waves will continue pushing you. So, we should always face life in an optimistic way and live with the currents of life, strive hard and live life to the best,” Mr. Wang concluded with a cheerful smile.
Dony by: 2o125 Wang Po En, 2o110 Henry Lau, 2o126 William Wong