Sai Jinhua was a famous prostitute in the Republic of China. Why did she die in the cold night with her quilt torn in her old age?

Sai Jinhua was the most legendary among the many famous prostitutes during the Republic of China. Her life spanned from a prostitute to an envoy’s wife to a prostitute, with three stages and two identities, and her fate was full of ups and downs. , great joy and great sadness. Sai Jinhua almost became a beggar in the last stage of his life. His later life was miserable, and he eventually died of poverty and illness in Beijing at the age of 62.

Sai Jinhua’s original name was Fu Yulian, also known as Caiyun. She was born in about 1872. She was sold as a prostitute on a flower boat in Suzhou when she was young. In 1887, Hong Jun, the number one scholar of the Qing Dynasty, returned to his hometown to observe his filial piety. He fell in love with Caiyun at first sight and took her as his concubine. Soon after, Hong Jun was appointed as the minister to Russia, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. His first wife was afraid of Chinese and foreign customs, so she ordered Caiyun to accompany Hong Jun abroad. In 1894, Hong Jun died of illness 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, changing her name to Cao Menglan. Later, she worked as a prostitute in Tianjin and Beijing and changed her name to Sai Jinhua.

Sai Jinhua’s most legendary experience happened when the Eight-Power Allied Forces entered Beijing. Empress Dowager Cixi ran away, and Emperor Guangxu ran away, but Sai Jinhua still stayed in one of the eight major alleys in Beijing. In the stone alley. One night, she came to the German military camp alone, talked with the soldiers in fluent German, and got acquainted with the German commander-in-chief Waldersee.

However, after the Eight-Power Allied Forces entered Beijing, they vigorously searched and suppressed the Boxers, killing people and setting fires arbitrarily in Beijing, and part of the imperial palace was burned to the ground. This made Sai Jinhua unbearable. One day, when Sai Jinhua accepted Wadesi's invitation and went to Liulichang to meet with Wadesi, she said to Wadesi: "The army must have discipline. Germany is a civilized country in Europe. Honor has always been the second life. , especially should not show people barbarism and madness." This statement is better than any dignified diplomatic rhetoric and has an unexpected effect. Waldersee issued an order not to allow the soldiers to kill anyone outside. When the foreign soldiers saw this order, their actions slowed down a little.

When the "Xinchou Treaty" was negotiated and signed in 1900, Li Hongzhang felt extremely difficult. In such a huge China, not only Li Hongzhang, but even the Empress Dowager Cixi was helpless. Li Hongzhang had no choice but to find Sai Jinhua for help. Although Sai Jinhua is a prostitute, she is eager for justice and stands up for justice. Sai Jinhua had some experience in foreign affairs. Not only did she understand foreign languages, but she was never timid when dealing with foreigners. She made every effort to sign the "Xinchou Treaty", reduce China's compensation, and protect Cixi's "face". made a certain contribution.

It's a pity that God has no eyesight, and Sai Jinhua's life went from bad to worse after the signing of the "Xinchou Treaty". After the Eight-Power Allied Forces withdrew from Beijing, Sai Jinhua was arrested and sent to the prison of the Ministry of Punishment on the charge of "abuse of maids". Finally, he was sent back to his hometown of Yi County, Anhui Province. Later, Sai Jinhua returned to Shanghai and worked as a prostitute to make a living.

On December 4, 1936, "Da Wan Bao" reported the news of Sai Jinhua's death. The summary read: "Overflowing with erotic news and a role of the times, Sai Jinhuachen died of illness at the age of sixty-two. Due to old age and asthma, she had nothing to pay for her funeral." This report proved that Sai Jinhua, who died in Jurenli, Xiangguang Road, Xuanwu District, Beijing, was indeed penniless after his death, thanks to some fellow townsmen and celebrities in the capital. After launching a fundraiser, the funeral arrangements were finally settled for her. She was buried on the Jinqiu Pier in Taoranting, and a monument was erected to commemorate her. Qi Baishi inscribed the title of the monument for her. Now the cemetery has long since disappeared.