Sai Jinhua was a famous prostitute in the Republic of China. Why did she die in a cold night wrapped in a quilt in her later years?

Sai Jinhua is one of the most legendary prostitutes in the Republic of China. Her life, from a prostitute to a minister's wife and then to a prostitute, has three stages and two identities, with ups and downs of fate, great joy and great sorrow. Sai Jinhua almost became a beggar in the last stage of her life, and the evening scene was bleak. She eventually died of poverty and illness in Beijing at the age of 62.

Sai Jinhua, formerly known as Fu, was born about 1872 and was sold to Suzhou Flower Boat as a prostitute in her childhood. 1887, Hong Jun, the top scholar of the Qing Dynasty, went back to his hometown to observe filial piety, fell in love with Cai Yun at first sight and became his concubine. Soon, Hong Jun was appointed as an envoy to Russia, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. Afraid of Chinese and foreign customs, he ordered Cai Yun to accompany Hong Jun abroad. 1894, Hong Jun died shortly after returning to China. On the way to send Hong Jun's coffin back to Suzhou, Sai Jinhua fled to Shanghai and became a prostitute again, renamed Cao Menglan. Later, she became a prostitute in Tianjin and Beijing and changed her name to Sai Jinhua.

Sai Jinhua's most legendary experience happened when Eight-Nation Alliance entered Beijing. Empress Dowager Cixi ran away, and Emperor Guangxu ran away, but Sai Jinhua remained in Stone Hutong, one of the eight hutongs in Beijing. One night, she went to the German military camp alone, talked with the soldiers in fluent German, and met the German commander-in-chief, Vadexi.

However, after Eight-Nation Alliance arrived in Beijing, he vigorously searched and suppressed the Boxer Rebellion, killing and setting fires at will in Beijing, and some palaces were set on fire. This makes Sai Jinhua feel sorry. One day, Sai Jinhua accepted the invitation of Wades and went to Liulichang to meet Wades. She said to Wades, "The army is expensive and disciplined. Germany is a civilized country in Europe, and its reputation has always been its second life. In particular, it should not be barbaric and crazy. " This sentence is better than any blatant diplomatic rhetoric and has played an unexpected role. Wadesi gave an order that soldiers were not allowed to kill anyone outside. When foreign soldiers saw this order, the action gradually disappeared.

1900 During the negotiation and signing of the Treaty of Xin Chou, Li Hongzhang felt extremely difficult. In China, not only Li Hongzhang but also Empress Dowager Cixi was helpless. Li Hongzhang had to find Sai Jinhua for emergency. Although Sai Jinhua is a woman, she is eager for public interests and righteousness and stands up. Sai Jinhua has some foreign affairs experience. Not only does she know foreign languages, but she never gets stage fright when dealing with foreigners. She made some contributions to the signing of the "Xin Chou Treaty", the reduction of China's compensation and the maintenance of Cixi's "face".

It's a pity that God doesn't have eyes. After the signing of the "Xin Chou Treaty", the life of Sai Jinhua went from bad to worse. After Eight-Nation Alliance withdrew from Beijing, she arrested Sai Jinhua on the charge of "abusing maids" and sent him to the prison of the Ministry of Punishment. Finally, it was sent back to Yixian County, Anhui Province. Later, Sai Jinhua returned to Shanghai and became a prostitute again to make a living.

1936 65438+On February 4th, the Great Evening News reported the death of Sai Jinhua. The summary is: "Sai Jinhua died at the age of 62 in the morning, with symptoms of aging and asthma, and there was nothing left behind for funeral expenses." This report proves that Sai Jinhua in Jurenli, Xiangguang Road, Xuanwu District, Beijing, was indeed penniless after her death. Thanks to some fellow villagers and celebrities in Beijing, the funeral was finally finished for her. She was buried on the dock of Qiu Jin in Taoranting, and a monument was erected to commemorate her. Qi Baishi inscribed a tablet for this purpose. Now the cemetery is long gone.