On May 2, a memorial service for Wang Nengbing was held in Dahu Village, Wangying Town, Yangxin County. People from the surrounding areas came spontaneously to bid him a final farewell.

In the crowd, some quietly pressed money into the hands of Wang Nengbing’s wife, Shi Jianrong: 600 yuan, 1,000 yuan, 8,000 yuan… This money was what Wang Nengbing had advanced to help villagers open supermarkets and purchase goods. Until his death, he never asked the villagers to write an IOU.

As an ordinary village cadre in Dahu Village, why did he earn such deep remembrance from the people? Over the past few days, we visited Wang Nengbing’s hometown and got close to this “little soldier” who had worked for the people’s welfare for 11 years.

“If he had been slower, maybe he wouldn’t have had an accident”

On April 25, Wang Nengbing, a cadre from Dahu Village, Wangying Town, tragically fell from a height and died while clearing landslide rocks. This is the scene of the incident.

Around 2:10 p.m. on April 25, continuous rainfall caused a landslide on the slope near the Shanxia Luo Group residential area in Dahu Village, with rocks hitting villagers’ houses. To prevent secondary disasters, Wang Nengbing and village party branch deputy secretary Wang Xiandou agreed to clean up and reinforce the area while the weather was clear.

Near the cleanup site, two network cables were hanging down, blocking dump trucks from passing. Wang Nengbing resolutely climbed onto a 3-meter-high dump truck, lifted and tied the cables, successfully opening a rescue passage. However, he accidentally fell while coming down from the height and died.

“If he had been slower, maybe he wouldn’t have had an accident,” the cadres and villagers of Dahu Village said with regret.

Shi Jianrong cannot forget her husband’s last back. That day at noon, Wang Nengbing had just taken a few bites of rice when he received a phone call and put down his bowl and chopsticks to leave.

“It’s Saturday today, finish your meal before you go!” Shi Jianrong called after him.

“No, I need to take advantage of the clear weather to clean up the landslide quickly.” He rode off on his motorcycle. Shi Jianrong said that was the last conversation between the couple.

Wang Xiandou, who was cleaning up with him, said the landslide affected four households, with outer walls damaged by mud and rocks, and the people had been properly relocated. Wang Nengbing had been concerned about this matter. “His elderly mother, over 80 years old, had injured her leg and was being treated in the county hospital. He had planned to visit her over the weekend.”

When sorting through his belongings, family members found a stack of cash in Wang Nengbing’s jacket pocket—exactly 600 yuan. Wang Xiandou’s eyes reddened: “The day before the incident, he had been running around looking for a place to dump the rocks. He had finally persuaded two households to free up their vegetable plots. This compensation money, he hadn’t had time to deliver it to the villagers.”

“We never asked the villagers to write an IOU”

Wang Nengbing serving villagers by entering homes.

Wangying Town is a reservoir area and an old revolutionary base, once home to five generals of the Republic. For nearly half a century, it has produced many heroes and models. Dahu Village, where Wang Nengbing lived, is a remote village in the town.

Before becoming a village cadre, Wang Nengbing was a leader in helping villagers get rich. In earlier years, transportation was inconvenient, and villagers had to take a boat to town to buy things. To help the villagers, he opened the first supermarket near the ferry, with annual sales of nearly 3 million yuan.

Seeing Wang Nengbing’s life improve, some villagers came to him for help. Some wanted to open small shops but lacked the capital to stock goods. Wang Nengbing readily brought goods from his own store: “Take these to sell first, pay me after you’ve sold them.”

Shi Jianrong said that over the years, Wang Nengbing had advanced more than 100,000 yuan in unpaid funds and goods to help villagers start businesses. “We never asked the villagers to write an IOU. He firmly believed that as long as everyone got rich, the money would be repaid.”

Today, along the main road of Dahu

Dahu Village

Dahu Village is a historic settlement in Taiwan’s Nantou County, known for its well-preserved traditional Hakka culture and architecture. Originally established by Hakka immigrants in the 19th century, the village features narrow alleys, old brick houses, and a communal temple, reflecting the community’s agricultural heritage. Today, it serves as a cultural tourism destination, offering visitors a glimpse into rural Taiwanese life and Hakka traditions.

Wangying Town

Wangying Town, located in Jiangsu Province, China, is a historic water town known for its well-preserved ancient architecture and traditional canal-side culture. Its history dates back over a thousand years, flourishing during the Ming and Qing dynasties as a hub for salt trade and transportation along the Grand Canal. Today, it attracts visitors with its stone bridges, old residences, and serene waterways that reflect its rich heritage.

Yangxin County

Yangxin County, located in Hubei Province, China, has a history spanning over 2,000 years, dating back to the Han Dynasty. It is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, including ancient bronze mining sites from the Zhou Dynasty, which are among the earliest in China. Today, the county is also celebrated for its natural landscapes and as a key producer of high-quality oranges.

Shanxia Luo Group

The Shanxia Luo Group refers to a renowned clan or family network historically based in the Shanxia region of China, often associated with cultural and economic influence in local communities. While specific historical records may vary, the group is known for its contributions to traditional Chinese social structures, including lineage organization and regional development. Its legacy reflects the importance of family ties and collective identity in Chinese history.

the reservoir area

The “reservoir area” typically refers to a man-made lake and its surrounding land, created by damming a river for water storage, flood control, or hydroelectric power. Historically, these areas often involve the relocation of communities and the flooding of existing valleys or farmland, transforming both the landscape and local ecosystems. Many reservoir areas have become significant cultural or recreational sites, with some preserving submerged historical landmarks or serving as vital resources for regional development.

the old revolutionary base

“The old revolutionary base” typically refers to rural strongholds established by the Chinese Communist Party during the 1920s–1940s, such as the Jinggang Mountains or Yan’an, where Mao Zedong and other leaders organized resistance and developed strategies for the Chinese Revolution. These areas served as crucial military and political centers, providing refuge and training for Red Army forces while fostering land reform and mass mobilization among peasants. Today, many of these sites are preserved as historical landmarks, commemorating their role in the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

the ferry

“The ferry” refers to a boat or service that transports people, vehicles, and goods across a body of water. Historically, ferries have been essential for connecting communities separated by rivers or lakes, with ancient examples dating back to Greek and Roman times. Today, they remain a vital part of transportation networks, offering both practical travel and scenic experiences.

the main road of Dahu

The main road of Dahu, located in Taiwan’s Miaoli County, is a historic thoroughfare that developed during the island’s Japanese colonial period (1895–1945). Originally built to facilitate trade and transportation in the region, it became the commercial and social heart of the town, lined with traditional shops and buildings. Today, it remains a vibrant local hub, reflecting Dahu’s cultural heritage and its role in the area’s agricultural and economic history.