Preface

The Ma family originates from Huguang (湖廣), Xiaogan (孝感鄉) in Macheng County (麻城县). During the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, wars and invasions caused devastation, and the population of Shu (蜀) was drastically reduced. The Qing government implemented a large-scale migration policy, and thus our ancestors moved to Sichuan (四川). At that time, the entire clan settled in Sanduiba (三堆坝), Xinfan County (新繁县), where they made a living. Later, due to the hardships of life, the family dispersed and relocated to various places.

1. Great-Great-Grandfather Ma Xingzhi (马興志)

Great-grandfather, unable to make a living in his hometown as a young man, sought refuge with his brother-in-law’s family, the Li’s (李家), in Peng County (彭县). Living under their roof, he struggled to survive. Later, he built a straw hut behind Longxing Temple (隆興寺). Despite working hard as a laborer daily, life remained difficult. Facing the threats of hunger and cold, he sought another way to make a living. Thanks to financial help from the Li family, he was able to rent land at Caishen Temple (财神庙) on Taiping Street (太平街) and set up a modest home with two rooms and basic furniture. Gradually, life improved, and he started a sedan-chair business (轿房). Great-grandfather married Sun (孙氏) and had two sons and one daughter: Ma Xianfa (马贤法), Ma Xiangui (马贤贵), and the daughter married into the Xiao family (萧家, Xiao Zhengbang 肖正邦). Great-grandfather’s younger son, Ma Xiangui, left to seek fortune elsewhere and never returned. Great-grandfather later passed away by suicide, hanging himself due to the overwhelming burdens of poverty and sickness. Afterward, his wife remarried into the Xu family (徐家) at Aochang (敖场). These events paint a tragic picture of the family’s suffering.

2.Great-Grandfather Ma Xianfa (马贤法) and Great-Grandmother Chen (陈氏)

The Ma family was on the verge of extinction, but thanks to the wisdom, diligence, and perseverance of Great-Grandmother (陈氏), the family was able to survive. She was a pillar of strength, and through her hard work, the family eventually prospered. She had four sons: the adopted eldest son Liangwen (良文), and the younger sons Liangxin (良鑫), Liangfa (良发), and Liangrong (良荣). She made an immense contribution to the Ma family, ensuring its survival and laying a foundation for future generations.

Through the tireless efforts of Great-Grandfather Ma Xianfa (马贤法), Great-Grandmother Chen (陈氏), and Grandfather’s generation, the family accumulated wealth over 20 years. In 1937, Great-Grandfather Ma Xianfa passed away at the age of 60, and in 1938, Great-Grandmother Chen oversaw the division of family property, including 44 acres of land near the border of Shi-Peng (什彭). Each of the four brothers received eight acres, while Great-Grandmother Chen kept 12 acres for her own support. The house, consisting of 10 rooms (including the sedan-chair shop), was divided among the brothers, with the sedan-chair shop rotating management every three years.

Note: On Hualu Street (铧炉街), four rooms were rented out to Qiu Fushui (邱福水), Xie Pengguang (谢朋光), and Zhao Youchun (赵由春). After the liberation, these rooms were requisitioned by the government. Within the courtyard, there were three tiled rooms, which were later occupied by us after moving, and one thatched room, which was eventually demolished.

3. Grandfather Ma Liangxin (马良鑫)

Grandfather Ma Liangxin (马良鑫) first managed the sedan-chair business for three years before passing it on. In the winter of 1942, the family moved to Hualu Street (铧炉街) and lived temporarily in Great-Grandmother Chen’s retirement house. To support the family, Grandfather Ma Liangxin saved money for three years and purchased a house in Hengjiezi (横街子), outside the north gate of Peng County, to sell alcohol. However, disputes arose with the previous tenants, which were settled by the court, delaying the move by a year. With no other options, Grandfather tried his hand at cloth trading, but his illness worsened, and he was forced to abandon the business, leaving the family to survive on their dwindling savings.

4. Grandmother Shan Changxiu (山昌秀)

Grandmother Shan Changxiu (山昌秀) was originally from Shanjia Village (山家沟) in Hongyan Township (红岩乡), Peng County (彭县). Her grandfather, Shan Baoshu (山宝书), belonged to a prominent, well-respected family, known for its scholarly achievements. However, the family’s fortunes declined due to later generations, and by the time Grandmother Shan was born, the family was nearly bankrupt. Her father, Shan Huilin (山惠林), squandered the family wealth, and passed away shortly after, leaving Grandmother and her mother alone to fend for themselves. They endured significant mistreatment at the hands of other family members. Before Grandmother Shan could marry, her mother also passed away, leaving her to be raised by her aunt until she married into the Ma family.In the old society, a daughter-in-law not only had to bear children and take care of household duties but also often faced physical and emotional abuse from her in-laws and husband. Great-Grandmother (曾祖母) was harsh, and Grandfather (祖父) had a volatile temper. Before Father (父親) was born, there was even an incident where Grandmother Shan, unable to bear the constant beatings and insults, attempted to take her own life. Even after the family was divided and up until Grandfather’s death, Grandmother Shan frequently faced verbal abuse and mistreatment.The saying, “A daughter-in-law who endures long enough becomes a mother-in-law” (“千年媳妇熬成婆”) encapsulates how arduous the journey from being a daughter-in-law to becoming the matriarch was. The word “endure” in this context contains countless tales of hardship and suffering.

Grandmother Shan (山昌秀) was the epitome of a traditional woman of her time—resourceful, industrious, and skilled in every aspect of household management, including sewing and embroidery. There was nothing she didn’t know when it came to running a household efficiently. Her contributions to the prosperity of the family and the success of her children were immense: her achievements were significant, and her virtue was profound. However, the loss of her mother and father at a young age, followed by the death of her husband in middle age, meant that she endured great hardship and struggles for most of her life. Despite these adversities, Grandmother was fortunate in having filial children who showed her deep respect and care, allowing her to enjoy a peaceful and happy old age. As she reflected on her past, looking back at the difficulties she had overcome, one could imagine that she felt the bitterness of her life finally giving way to sweetness.

5. Running the Alcohol Business

In 1943, the family house was finally recovered, but by that time, the family’s savings were nearly depleted. Starting the alcohol business proved difficult due to a lack of working capital. Grandfather Ma Liangxin (马良鑫) had to borrow less than ten stone (石) of rice to scrape together the funds needed to open the tavern. Once the tavern opened, business was relatively good, but Grandfather’s health was in serious decline. He could only provide guidance and make basic arrangements, leaving the majority of the daily management and operations to Father, who was only 14 years old at the time. Shortly before Grandfather’s death, he was bedridden for over 100 days and unable to leave the house. During this time, Father took full responsibility for running the business—working in the tavern during the day and guarding the store at night. After three years of painstaking effort from both Grandfather and Father, the family’s capital had grown from the initial ten stone of rice to between thirty and forty stone, in addition to covering the family’s living expenses. This laid a solid foundation for Father’s future management of the business.

6. A Sudden Calamity

In May 1947, Grandfather Ma Liangxin (马良鑫) suddenly passed away at the age of 36. At that time, Grandmother Shan Changxiu (山昌秀) was 37 years old. Note: Father (马忠治) was 17, the eldest daughter (大嬢) was 12, the second daughter (二嬢) was 8, the second uncle (二叔) was not yet 6, the third daughter (三嬢) was 3, and the youngest daughter (小嬢) was only 6 months old.

The family was struck by immense grief, as if a great tree had been felled by a storm. Grandmother bore the pain of losing her husband in middle age, Father suffered the sorrow of losing his father just as he reached manhood, and the youngest daughter lost the nurturing care she so desperately needed. At the time, Third Aunt (三婆婆, referring to Ma Liangfa’s wife, Li Shi 李氏) remarked, “The old are old, the young are young—how will this large family survive?” This statement highlights the dire situation the family faced. Their family estate was limited, and they could not simply live off their assets. With young children and little means, who would take over the family’s affairs? After Grandfather’s funeral, to ensure the survival of the Ma family and prevent the family from breaking apart, 17-year-old Father took on the heavy responsibility of managing the household during this critical time of crisis. Father fully assumed responsibility for the family’s business and finances, while Grandmother worked diligently at home, managing household affairs. As the saying goes, “Prosperity or decline depends not just on fate, but also on human effort.” If the children had not been filial or the mother had not been virtuous, the Ma family line would likely have been lost forever.

7. Father Ma Zhongzhi (马忠治)

Between 1947 and early 1950, Father Ma Zhongzhi (马忠治) managed the family business for three years before the liberation of China. The transition from three thousand years of feudalism to a new society where the people became the masters of their own destiny was a time of great upheaval. During the final years before liberation, prices were unstable, and market conditions changed dramatically from day to day. Nevertheless, thanks to Father’s diligent efforts and guidance from older family friends, the family’s tavern business ran relatively smoothly. By the time business was scaled back, the family had accumulated over 100 stone (石) of goods, which could be converted into more than 1,000 yuan (大洋). A year before liberation, Father even used more than 20 stone of rice to purchase a house in Niushiba (牛市坝), which was later requisitioned by the government after the liberation.

Before liberation, running a business was fraught with challenges. Competitors constantly sought to undermine each other, and there was relentless competition for profits. Coupled with the devaluation of the Kuomintang currency and skyrocketing prices, the old society followed the law of “the big fish eat the small fish, and the small fish eat the shrimp.” Many people became rich in a short time, but just as many saw their businesses collapse overnight. As the saying goes, “The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind it” (螳螂捕蝉，焉知黄雀在后), which perfectly describes the precarious situation.For small businesses like ours, there was always the danger of losing everything overnight. On top of that, we had to deal with local bullies, corrupt officials, and rogue soldiers who harassed the family. They would eat at the tavern under the pretense of running a tab, but in reality, they never intended to pay. Sometimes, they even caused trouble for no reason, behaving however they pleased, and we were often subjected to insults and beatings in the very place we worked. Taverns were known as places of frequent disputes (“茶房酒肆”口角之地). To keep the family afloat, Father had no choice but to endure the humiliation—he swallowed his anger, forced a smile, and never dared to show his frustration.Father used to say that he had “rolled” his way out of the old society. The word “roll” (滚) here carries profound meaning. It encapsulates a lifetime of unspeakable hardships, frustrations, and bitter struggles that he endured but rarely spoke of.

In 1952, the “Five-Anti” Movement (“五反”运动) was launched to educate private industrial and commercial business owners about socialism. This was also part of the efforts to reform the private economy and guide it toward the socialist path. However, the economic conditions of the time caused business to slump after the movement, and the family’s income was meager. With eight members in the household, it became increasingly difficult to make ends meet, and the family faced financial strain. They had no choice but to use their savings to cover their expenses.

Note: The household included Grandmother (祖母), Father (父親), Mother (母親), Second Uncle (二叔), Third Daughter (三嬢), Youngest Daughter (小嬢), Yuanfen (元芬), and Maternal Uncle (表爷).

In 1953, the Party proposed the General Line for the Transition Period (过渡时期的总路线), which pushed forward the socialist transformation of private industry and commerce. This culminated in the public-private partnership movement (公私合营) of 1956. Many business owners, including those like Father, who had survived from the old society, were swept up in this whirlwind of change. They struggled and adapted, learning to reform their views and understand the new social order, striving to become “new men.” How exactly Father navigated this period, we do not know for certain, but we can imagine the difficulties he faced.

Then came the “Three Years of Difficulty” (三年困难时期) from 1959 to 1961, during which Father, who had never done heavy manual labor, was sent to the mountains to dig coal. This was extremely arduous work, but Father persevered. Despite the hardship, Father did not prioritize his own well-being at the expense of his family. He could have avoided the assignment, but instead, he chose to give the family’s limited savings to those remaining at home, ensuring that the family did not suffer from hunger or cold.Looking back at the hardships that began with Grandfather’s death, no matter how tough the times were, Father always ensured that the elderly were cared for, the young were raised, and everyone was fed and clothed. He encouraged Second Uncle to resume his studies and did everything he could to support Third Daughter (三嬢) and Youngest Daughter (小嬢) in continuing their education.

Father deeply regretted the misfortune of being forced to leave school when he was young, so after liberation, he placed great importance on self-education. From 1951 to 1953, he devoted himself to practicing calligraphy and reading various books, greatly expanding his knowledge in many areas. His dedication to learning and self-improvement has continued to this day.

8. Mother Liu Wanzhen (刘万珍)

Mother Liu Wanzhen (刘万珍) was originally from Baihe Township (白鹤乡) in Guanghan County (廣汉县). When she was around two years old, her father, Liu Qinglin (刘清霖), along with her grand-uncle, Liu Tongzhi (刘通之), came to Peng County (彭县) to trade. Eventually, the entire family relocated and settled in Peng County. Her father first opened a tofu restaurant (豆花饭馆), and later expanded into selling oil, rice, and various grains.Mother married Father in the winter of 1949. Coming from a family that relied on self-sufficiency, she learned skills such as weaving and making straw shoes during her childhood, and she cultivated the virtues of thrift, simplicity, and a gentle character. After the liberation, when the family’s economic situation became difficult, she wove cloth and made straw shoes at home to help supplement the household income. In 1955, she worked at a gravel station, and later she participated in the construction of a hydropower station at Zipingba (紫坪坝) in Guan County (灌县). In 1958, with the public-private partnership movement, she joined the workforce and worked until her retirement in March 1982.Mother was deeply respectful of Grandmother and always maintained harmony within the family. She shouldered heavy household responsibilities, and in raising and educating her children, she was both strict and loving. She dedicated herself to the family, rising early and working late, pouring her heart and soul into caring for us throughout her life. Truly, she exemplified the saying, “Sincerity lies in kindness, and virtue rests in compassion” (忠厚存心，仁慈为德). Mother gave everything to ensure the happiness of her children and the harmony of our family.

9. Second Uncle Ma Zhongfu (马忠富)

Second Uncle Ma Zhongfu (马忠富) graduated from junior high school in the fall of 1957. Father (马忠治) advised him to stay home, review his studies, and take the high school entrance exam the following year. However, Second Uncle wanted to find a job immediately to help reduce the family’s financial burden. Around that time, the state was recruiting students to study traditional Chinese medicine, so he applied and was accepted to study at Xingxin Town Hospital (兴新镇, also known as Haiwozi 海窝子). Afterward, he transferred to Peng County Health School (彭县卫校) and, upon graduation, worked at Peng County People’s Hospital (彭县人民医院) until September 1962, when the government streamlined its institutions and reassigned personnel. He was transferred to the Peng County Pharmaceutical Company (彭县医药公司), where he worked for a year until September 1963, when the government began recruiting for the army. He enlisted and was assigned to serve in Tibet, where he stayed until his discharge and return home in 1968.

Tibet’s high-altitude plateau was bitterly cold, with harsh weather and sparse populations. The living conditions were poor, but Second Uncle was able to endure the hardships. He was diligent, hardworking, and dedicated to learning, strictly adhering to discipline. He was repeatedly recognized as a “Five Good Soldier” (五好战士) and received commendations from his superiors. Although his issue with joining the Party organization was not resolved, this was due to the objective circumstances of the time. His five years of service in Tibet tempered his political and ideological maturity, laying a strong foundation for his future career advancement. After returning to his original unit, Second Uncle continued to work, and in 1973, he was transferred to the Commercial Bureau (商业局), where he became a cadre. When he first returned from military service, it was during a period of social unrest (the Cultural Revolution), when improper practices were rampant, and everything depended on personal connections. This was also the time when my siblings and I were due to go to the countryside or find jobs, and we were all searching for a path forward in life. Father, being upright and unyielding, was not skilled in handling external affairs, which caused him constant worry and sleepless nights. Fortunately, Second Uncle took on the burden, using his connections and efforts to help resolve some significant issues. Thanks to his intervention, my siblings and I were able to smoothly secure jobs. This is something we will always remember and never forget for the rest of our lives.

10. Third Aunt Ma Zhongqiong (马忠琼)

Third Aunt Ma Zhongqiong (马忠琼) graduated from primary school in 1957 but did not pass the entrance exam for middle school, so she stayed home to review her studies. Later, she attended a supplemental class organized by the Residents’ Committee on Yanxiu Street (延秀街居委会). In 1958, when Father (马忠治) joined the public-private partnership (公私合营), the family was still comprised of eight people (Grandmother, Father, Mother, Third Aunt, Youngest Aunt, Yuanfen, Yuangui, and Yuande), and Father’s monthly wage was only 22.50 yuan, while Mother’s was 15.00 yuan. These meager wages were not enough to support the family. Father submitted an application requesting that Third Aunt be arranged as a worker. After the application, the family waited for a notice, and Father came home saying that Grandmother told Third Aunt that she would be notified about starting work in a few days.At that time, Third Aunt was still young, and when she heard about the prospect of working in the food service industry, she wasn’t interested and became silent. Grandmother conveyed this to Father, who responded, “If she doesn’t want to go, that’s fine; let her wait until something more suitable comes up.” As a result, Third Aunt waited until the autumn of 1959, when the grain collection began, and she was assigned as a temporary worker at the Mengyang Warehouse (濛阳仓库) by the Peng County Grain Bureau (彭县粮食局). Her performance at work was commendable, and after the grain collection ended, many of the temporary workers returned home, but Third Aunt was asked to stay on. After working for a year, she was sent by the Peng County Grain Bureau to study at the Financial and Trade School (财贸校) in Wenjiang District (温江地区) in the fall of 1960. In early 1962, she was officially assigned to work at the Wenjiang District Grain Bureau (温江地区粮食局). This marked her formal entry into the workforce.Third Aunt possessed many admirable qualities: she was hardworking, eager to learn, had strong moral character, and was cooperative and helpful to her colleagues. As a result, she experienced a smooth career progression. She joined the Party at the young age of 31, a testament to her outstanding achievements as a young adult.

Even after her financial situation improved, Third Aunt never forgot the family’s struggles. After her salary was increased in 1963, she sent around ten yuan home each month, which Grandmother used to help with household expenses. She continued this practice until around 1968. Third Aunt always showed great care and concern for us siblings, treating her nieces and nephews with kindness. She upheld a strict approach to education but was always generous in providing for our daily needs. When my elder sister visited her, she would buy her clothes, and when my younger sister went, she would buy fabric for her. When I visited, she graciously hosted me and even spent money to provide meals for my classmates. Third Aunt was incredibly generous with us but very frugal with herself, showing a noble character that we can all learn from.

When I visited, she graciously hosted me and even spent money to provide meals for my classmates. Third Aunt was incredibly generous with us but very frugal with herself, showing a noble character that we can all learn from.

11. Youngest Aunt Ma Zhongzhen (马忠珍)

Youngest Aunt Ma Zhongzhen (马忠珍) graduated from primary school in 1960 but did not pass the entrance exam for middle school, so she stayed home to review her studies. Later, she attended a privately-run middle school on Liren Street (里仁街), but after another attempt at the middle school entrance exam, she still was not admitted. As a result, she remained at home for five years, until 1965. At that time, Second Uncle (二叔) was serving in the military, and Third Aunt (三嬢) was working outside the home. The family still consisted of eight people.

Note: Grandmother (祖母), Father (父亲), Mother (母亲), Youngest Aunt (小嬢, 18 years old), Yuanfen (元芬, 13 years old), Yuangui (元贵, 11 years old), Yuande (元德, 7 years old), and Yuanjun (元俊, 2 years old). The family’s main source of income was the combined wages of Father and Mother, which totaled 57.00 yuan.

Why did Youngest Aunt fail to secure a job during these four to five years? There were two main reasons: 1. The socio-political climate: At the time, the Party emphasized class struggle (“以阶级斗争为纲”), and many decisions were made based on class background. While our family was not a direct target of political repression (地主, 富农, 反革命, 坏分子, 右派), compared to the poorest citizens, who had nothing, we were still seen as better off. During this period of radical leftist policies, if Youngest Aunt’s ideal job became available, it was often given to someone recommended by the grassroots organizations or the Residents’ Committee. 2. Personal qualifications: Youngest Aunt had only completed primary school, which limited her ability to apply for jobs requiring more education. Additionally, jobs requiring physical strength were beyond her capability. As a result, securing a formal job at the time was extremely difficult for her. She missed many opportunities for stable employment and had to resort to doing occasional temporary jobs, such as working in blood prevention campaigns or as a temporary laborer at the Qingxing Brick Factory (庆兴磚瓦厂).

During the 1960s, the government called on urban youth to go to the countryside (“上山下乡”) as part of a national policy. Study classes were organized, and Youngest Aunt Ma Zhongzhen (马忠珍) signed up. At the time, she was enthusiastic about the idea, but later her emotions wavered. It was a period of indecision for her, like standing at a crossroads, uncertain about which path to take. Father, who firmly believed in the government’s policies, saw this as an opportunity for young people and encouraged her to go. At that time, Peng County had two main farms for the educated youth: one was Namu Youth Farm (楠木青年农场), primarily for youth from Chengdu, and the other was Dabao Youth Farm (大宝青年农场), mainly for youth from Peng County. Youngest Aunt was assigned to the latter.

She had been there for almost a year when the Cultural Revolution began, causing the farm to fall into disarray, and many educated youth returned home. The Civil Affairs Bureau provided a 12-yuan monthly living stipend. Shortly after returning home, Youngest Aunt’s tuberculosis relapsed. She became consumed with self-blame and regret, while Grandmother, distressed for her daughter, often wept with her. Father also recognized his own error in supporting her decision to go to the countryside, saying, “No one is perfect. To err is human, but the greatest virtue is to correct one’s mistakes” (“人非圣贤，孰能无过……过而能改，善莫大焉”). Father and Grandmother discussed it and decided to use the family’s remaining savings, even going into debt if necessary, to ensure that Youngest Aunt received proper treatment. The monthly stipend she received was used for her expenses, while the family provided for her other needs.

At that time, Father was also struggling under enormous pressure. During the Cultural Revolution, private business owners like him faced political persecution, and he was both mentally and emotionally exhausted. In the autumn of 1968, the nationwide “sent-down youth” campaign (上山下乡) was fully implemented in urban areas. Both my sister and I were selected to go to the countryside. The issue of one child being sent had not been resolved, yet the second and third were also required to go. Father nearly lost the will to continue, and Grandmother feared the worst. She consoled Father and asked Second Uncle to return home regularly to help alleviate Father’s stress.

In the autumn of 1968, Youngest Aunt was once again sent to the countryside, this time to Taiping Commune (太平公社). Shortly after, Yuanfen (元芬) was also sent there. The family had to tighten their belts even further to provide support for them. Yuanfen remained there from 1968 to 1971, while Youngest Aunt stayed from 1968 until 1976. During this time, she went from working in the countryside to getting married and finding a stable job. The family’s financial situation gradually improved. As Father said, he was “responsible for her to the end,” and even used the last bit of family savings to help her with her marriage. Father reflected on Youngest Aunt’s experience of being sent to the countryside, saying, “When I look deep within myself, I don’t believe I made a great mistake. It’s necessary to analyze what happened in the context of the time. History is the fairest judge of right and wrong.”

12. Conclusion

For decades, Father (马忠治) persevered along a difficult path, working himself to the bone. His hair turned gray early, and he aged prematurely, sacrificing everything for the family. He devoted all his energy and resources to raising two generations, never keeping any wealth for himself. All the family’s finances were selflessly entrusted to Grandmother, and by the time Father was over fifty, he had no emergency savings left for himself. He endured countless hardships and burdens to ensure the family’s prosperity, giving everything he had.

As the saying goes, “Profit and loss are inevitable, and prosperity and decline alternate” (盈亏有数，兴衰更替). In the 1970s and 1980s, as the national economy improved, the government adjusted wages for employees. During this time, Youngest Aunt (小嬢), Yuanfen (元芬), Yuangui (元贵), and Yuande (元德) all went through various challenges but eventually secured stable jobs. As a result, the family’s financial situation gradually improved. After more than forty years of hardship, Father finally made it through his long and arduous journey, and Grandmother was able to enjoy a peaceful and happy old age.As we move forward, we must continue to write the history of our family, ensuring that we “honor our ancestors and live up to future generations” (不厚先人，无愧后人). May the descendants of the Ma family strive to uphold these values and work together for the future.