Our lives are never easy or comfortable; they are a series of hardships. We can only move forward step by step amidst failures, frustrations, and discouragement. That is what our life is about. Loving someone is like that. So, when hardships or trials come your way, please do not be disheartened. 

30000 Miles to Find Mom, which aired on Fuji TV in 1976, was a popular animation that was broadcast multiple times by domestic networks. The story of Marco, a boy living in Genoa, Italy, who embarks on a journey to find his mother who left for Buenos Aires, Argentina, to work, left a deep impression. 

Chinese author Yu Hua's new work, released after an eight-year hiatus, can be summarized as 30000 Miles to Find My Wife. It tells the story of a husband who sets off on an uncertain journey to find his wife, who disappeared after giving birth to a daughter and taking some of the family's wealth. This work is extremely impressive, containing a moving narrative while also encompassing the period from the late Qing Dynasty to the establishment of the Republic of China.

The text vividly depicts the miserable and harsh circumstances of the Chinese people during that time, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the narrative. Now, shall we follow the journey of Min Xiangpu, who embarked on a journey without a promise of return to find his wife? The protagonist, Lin Xiangpu, was born into a wealthy family north of the Yellow River. He was intelligent and hardworking, amassing great wealth through farming. At the age of 24, while traveling, the siblings Xiao Mei and A Chang stop by his house. Xiao Mei falls ill, and A Chang leaves to take care of her. Lin Xiangpu and Xiao Mei live closely together every day, becoming as close as a married couple. One day, Xiao Mei runs away with some of Lin Xiangpu's gold bars. Lin Xiangpu, in shock, soon resigns himself to the situation and focuses on farming. A few months later, Xiao Mei returns, pregnant.

The gold bars have disappeared, but Lin Shampoo forgives her and formally ties the knot in a grand wedding. However, after giving birth to a daughter, Xiao Mei selfishly disappears once again. Now, Lin Shampoo, with a newborn daughter, sets out to find his wife. The destination is a city called Yuancheng, which Xiao Mei had mentioned. Yuancheng is actually a non-existent city, but unaware of this fact, Lin Shampoo insists on going there. After crossing the Yangtze River, Lin Shampoo speculates that the place must be Xinjing due to the local dialect and the distance traveled, and he settles there. There, he meets Chen Liulang and sets up a woodworking shop, becoming quite wealthy. It seems like a happy life begins, as he becomes related by marriage to Gui Min, the most powerful figure in Xinjing. However, fate does not leave Lin Shampoo in peace. Bandits attacking Xinjing kidnap his daughter as a hostage.

Cheon Yong-ryang suggests swapping his daughter with Lin Shampoo's son, arguing that it is better for one of his three sons to go rather than his only daughter. Cheon Yong-ryang loved and cherished Lin Shampoo's division to that extent. The leader of the Toby gang, Jang Dok-ki, kidnaps Koo Ui-min, a key figure in the city, and demands a ransom. Inseong-pul goes to meet Jang Dok-ki with the ransom but is brutally killed. It is quite rare for the protagonist to suddenly die in the middle of a work, making this scene quite shocking. Cheon Yong-ryang successfully leads the city folks in a fierce battle against Jang Dok-ki's gang and manages to defeat them. Cheon Yong-ryang then finds Jang Dok-ki, who is hiding in the main house disguised as a shopkeeper, and finally succeeds in avenging Lin Shampoo. As the servant brothers, the Tenga brothers, carry their master's body back to their hometown, the long story of Lin Shampoo, who traveled 200,000 miles in search of his wife, comes to an end.

Meanwhile, Min-sang's subordinate, Xiaomi's only daughter, is depicted as living a comfortable life, studying abroad in a big city school, far removed from her parents. This life stands in stark contrast to her father's life, which is filled with anguish and adversity. This was the only disappointing aspect of the novel. On the other hand, what happened to Lin Shanpu's missing wife, Xiaomei? The author describes the life of Xiaomei and her husband, Acha, in another chapter of the story. Chronologically, this occurs before Lin Shanpu's journey, essentially a prequel. After fleeing, Xiaomi and her husband settle in a place with Acha. In the end, Lin Shanpu had correctly pinpointed her whereabouts. However, due to the couple's insistence on living in seclusion, they never meet even once despite living in the same village. Was it a divine punishment? The couple, Xiaomei and Acha, freeze to death during the catastrophic period. At this time,

Lin Shampoo is looking at their backs, but he is completely unaware that they are the very individuals he has been searching for. It is only 17 years after A-Chung and Xiaomi's deaths that Lin Shampoo passes by the graves where the two are buried. Isn't it truly a marvelous and cruel twist of fate? This work does not end with mere entertainment like any other novel. As we observe the tumultuous and tragic lives of the characters, we become grateful for the happiness we enjoy in our daily lives. Even after being betrayed by his wife twice, Lin Shampoo does not give in to despair; instead, he lives a life considerate of his neighbors and meets a dignified end. Through his story, we can find clues about why we live. In the midst of difficult circumstances, Lin Shampoo revives his spirit and, with the power of grace and morality, prompts us to reflect once again on the increasingly fading relationships between people.

Due to the ideology of male superiority and female inferiority, women had to live oppressed lives. In the midst of war, ordinary people suffered from the pain inflicted by military forces and bandits. This makes us realize once again the harshness of war and how great a happiness it is to have a life without war. In a massive era, the individual life feels insignificant in front of the mainstream. I empathized with the characters and read with a heavy heart. I have come to cherish the small joys of everyday life. If you feel dissatisfied and struggle in your current life, just remember Lin Shampoo, who lived proudly even in hardship. This has been a book review.

운명이 아무리 가혹하고 괴로워도 우리의 삶은 계속되어야 한다, [원청]

운명이 아무리 가혹하고 괴로워도 우리의 삶은 계속되어야 한다, [원청]

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