Deep bonds

When Zheng first visited Yanuo village in 1982, the local leader, Buluzhou, who has since passed away, helped arrange his stay and helped him accomplish his work.

Zheng stayed in Buluzhou's home and observed how the man, who worked as the head of the village from the 1950s until 1990s, governed the village.

He found Buluzhou to be very wise when he was required to distribute communal property for private use, and was impressed by the way he solved disputes during the process.

Zheng got on well with Buluzhou's son-in-law Zi Qie, who took care of Zheng when he stayed at their home.

"We were just like brothers. He took care of me in every possible way. Every time I arrived, he went hunting to get some meat, or collected other ingredients to improve my meals. He often cleaned the room I lived in, so that I could feel more comfortable. Later, as I visited them frequently, he ensured the room was for my use exclusively," says Zheng.

When Zi's daughter was born in 1983, at the request of her father, Zheng chose the name Zi Chunlan for her, and he has witnessed her growth.

According to Zi Chunlan, Zheng visited her home often in the 1980s, and later when he passed by every year. Since there was no telephone in her home, Zheng could not contact the family members in advance before his visits, and sometimes arrived to find nobody home.