Orinoco

Author: Song Qinghai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-12-01
Features: A nation without heroes is pitiful, a nation that suppresses heroes is tragic, and a nation that cannot escape its heroic history is suffering. — Preface
The story takes place in a mountain village called Yuanshan Town in northern China, where dozens of families primarily belonging to the Ding and Zhao clans live. On a certain day in the early 1950s, Zhao Tianfeng, the second son of the Zhao family, returned home after demobilization. Tianfeng had participated in the War of Liberation and the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, risking his life on the battlefield and becoming a battle hero. "The leader said, 'Give him a deputy division commander's post.'" Yet, the illiterate hero, wearing a large medal (medal), returned to his hometown and received an extraordinary welcome. The county magistrate personally hosted a banquet to welcome him, and Ma, the township head with a background as a carriage driver, personally drove a three-horse team of jujube-red horses to the city to greet him. The entire city and Yuanshan Town were packed with people, eager to see the hero. From then on, Zhao Tianfeng became a special figure, often acting recklessly and doing many unimaginable things. Until he made a mistake by wanting to "be an emperor for three days just for fun."
Ding Chenglu was Tianfeng's comrade-in-arms who fought alongside him and returned home together after demobilization. However, since he had not received any medals for bravery, he felt too ashamed to face his hometown and only returned home at night. From then on, he bore his humiliation and worked diligently, establishing the first cooperative in the province in his hometown and later becoming the county party secretary. After Zhao Tianfeng made his mistake, he became a bullied farmer. Ding Chenglu also suffered hardships during the Cultural Revolution. After the reform and opening-up, Zhao Tianfeng had his reputation restored. Faced with corruption, he "went mad" again. He not only dared to publicly criticize the corrupt behavior of officials but also fought against it, once again becoming a hero revered by the people.
Ding Chenglu, who had failed to become a hero on the battlefield, considered it a lifelong regret. He wanted to be a "honest official" and do more good deeds for the people.
With his deep understanding of rural life and farmers, and his profound artistic skills, the author uses the fates of these two characters as the main thread, depicting their survival and spiritual states in various important historical stages through many vivid and touching plots. He creates a series of lively artistic figures, realistically and profoundly portraying the ups and downs of Yuanshan Town, which is also a reflection of the changes in rural China over nearly half a century.