"We lived a poor life at that time, but uncle Zheng often brought oil, sugar and biscuits for us. He often had no time to wait for us to return home, and would leave the gifts for us. When we found these things we knew that he had been to visit," says Zi Chunlan, who now works as a successful tea merchant in her hometown.

"He's just like a family member to us. Now my father has passed away, he is just like another father caring for me and my child, and helps me a lot in daily life," she adds.

Recalling his bond with Zi Chunlan's family, Zheng says Buluzhou was the governor of a traditional society, Zi Qie's generation was transitional, between the past and the modern. And Zi Chunlan is a good example of the new generation who is tough, smart and diligent, and that's why she has greatly improved her life.

Over the years, based on his field survey, Zheng has written a number of essays and books on many facets of the Jinuo group's lifestyle, including festivals, traditional dwellings and cultural comparisons between the Jinuo and Dai ethnic groups.

"Although it was arduous work, I have found much pleasure in this process," says Zheng.