Lei Xianhe, an award-winning director, known for his role model-themed films.[Photo provided to China Daily]

"So, for the general, he wanted to fulfill his promise and help the villagers improve their lives," he says.

So, ignoring the advice of doctors from the former Soviet Union that he would not receive the medical care he needed if he moved to a remote area, Gan－who had suffered serious head injuries during the war－and his wife headed for Yanbei village in Lianhua county of Jiangxi province.

"Gong was worried about medical facilities for her husband. But she supported him completely," says Lei. "She was selfless, modest and devoted."

Lei says when Gan moved to the village, his doctors had said that he would live for three years at the most. But he proved them wrong and lived for nearly 30 years in the countryside.

Gan, who died in 1986, and his wife donated most of their earnings to help develop the village infrastructure, and gave freely to those who needed help.

During his years in the countryside, Gan joined the villagers in building three reservoirs, four hydropower stations, three roads, 12 bridges and 25 kilometers of drainage, and ensured that it was one of the first villages in the areas to receive electricity.

As for Gong, she soon volunteered to be a teacher at the local school.