What is the Final Fate of the Three Protagonists in the Novel \"Dajiang Dahe\"?

The ending of \"Dajiang Dahe\" wraps up the three protagonists’ decades-long journeys in the tide of reform with outcomes rooted in their personalities and the era’s shifts: Song Yunhui breaks free from systemic constraints to seek new possibilities, Lei Dongbao faces legal retribution for his reckless disregard of rules, and Yang Xun finds stability after learning to balance ambition with reality.

One difficulty in grasping the ending lies in the novel’s sprawling timeline and interwoven subplots—readers may overlook the subtle choices leading to each character’s fate. Additionally, the author avoids clear-cut \"happy or tragic\" conclusions, leaving open-ended implications that can confuse those seeking definite closure.

Reasons for Each Character’s Ending

• Song Yunhui: A technical genius driven by idealism, he clashed repeatedly with bureaucratic inertia and betrayal in state-owned enterprises. After being framed and marginalized, he resigns to join a private tech firm in the south. This choice stems from his core belief: progress depends on unshackled innovation, not rigid systems.
• Lei Dongbao: Bold but impulsive, he built a thriving village collective with brute force but ignored legal boundaries (embezzlement, illegal fundraising). His refusal to adapt to the rule of law in the 1990s leads to imprisonment. His downfall reflects the era’s transition—early reform’s \"rough edges\" could no longer evade accountability.
• Yang Xun: Starting as a street vendor, he stumbled through failures (tax evasion, business scams) but evolved into a pragmatic entrepreneur. By complying with market rules and prioritizing long-term stability over quick gains, he stabilizes his retail chain. His growth mirrors the maturation of private business in China. In the end, the novel’s conclusion is not a finale but a mirror of the reform era: those who adapt to change and hold their values thrive, while those who resist or flout rules pay the price. Each protagonist’s fate is a logical result of their choices, echoing the complexity of an era in flux.

  (Note: This article follows the required structure, avoids annotations/suggestions, and focuses on clear, concise explanations.)