In 1881, when the 71-year-old Zuo Zongtang decided to take the 17-year-old Zhang Yi as a concubine, the entire court was shocked.
On the night of the candles in the cave room, when Zuo Zongtang walked into the bedroom, ready to enjoy the joy of the newlywed, Zhang Yi greeted him with tears in his eyes and said softly: "Master, I will serve you." ”
Zuo Zongtang looked at her young and innocent face, and couldn't help but feel a complex emotion in his heart.
He sighed and said gently: "The old man is so old, what kind of concubine do you have?" You don't have to be my concubine, you can be my granddaughter. ”
Zhang Yi was born in a scholarly family, read poetry and books since he was a child, and was proficient in piano, chess, calligraphy and painting.
She is not only smart and smart, but also kind-hearted and loved by her family.
However, in that feudal era, a woman's fate was often out of her own hands, and Zhang Yi was no exception.
She was selected to be sent to the palace and became the maid of the Empress Dowager Cixi.
In the palace, Zhang Yi quickly stood out with his intelligence and hard work.
She not only won the appreciation and trust of the Empress Dowager Cixi, but also became a celebrity in the court.
Just when Zhang Yi was gradually emerging in the palace, an unexpected opportunity came.
In 1875, the 64-year-old Zuo Zongtang was ordered to go to Xinjiang, vowing to recover the lost territory.
The financial difficulties of the imperial court made his task of raising military salaries extremely difficult.
At this moment, Hu Xueyan appeared, and with his business acumen and connections, he successfully raised enough military salary for Zuo Zongtang.
Zuo Zongtang's victorious return made the court excited.
In recognition of his merits and to make up for his years of hard work, the Empress Dowager Cixi decided to reward him with a concubine.
At this time, Li Lianying took the opportunity to speak and proposed to give Zhang Yi to Zuo Zongtang.
On the surface, Li Lianying wanted to curry favor with Zuo Zongtang, a meritorious general, but in essence, she wanted to separate Zhang Yi from the side of the Empress Dowager Cixi.
Zhang Yi had no choice but to be given to Zuo Zongtang and become his concubine.
On the night of the cave room, Zuo Zongtang saw the young Zhang Yi and said that the age gap between them was too big, and the old husband and young wife would only harm her.
So, he loved Zhang Yi like a granddaughter and taught her skills such as chess and writing.
In this way, Zhang Yi spent three years of happy and peaceful time under the protection of Zuo Zongtang.
Soon, Zuo Zongtang couldn't lie down due to illness, and before he died, he deliberately sent Zhang Yi back to his parents' home.
Returning to her parents' home, Zhang Yi found her own happiness under the management of Zuo Zongtang's son.
She married a husband who doted on her and lived a happy life.
Whenever Zuo Zongtang is mentioned, she will say with emotion: "It's my luck to meet Zuo Daren!" ”
As an outstanding national hero, Zuo Zongtang not only does not give up an inch of land in the country, but also is frank and unrestrained in life.
His attitude towards Zhang Yi not only shows his noble qualities, but also shows us that he is upright, and such a national hero is respected and missed.