【Chapter Two】
Scene 1 – Night Scene
Time: Mid-August 1949
Place: A certain sanheyuan courtyard house in the mountainous area of Caoshan
Characters: Lü He-Ruo, Su Yulan, daughter (three years old)
△ Inside the bedroom of the sanheyuan house, Su Yulan gently strokes the little girl, lulling her to sleep.
Lü He-Ruo: “Yulan, after settling you and our daughter down, I must go down the mountain for a while. First I must go to Xuerong’s place and bring her and the child back to Fengyuan.”
Su Yulan: “Then you must pay attention to your own safety. For the sake of your wife and children, take care of yourself.”
Lü He-Ruo: “I know.”
Su Yulan: “The little girl is only three years old, and there is still another child in my womb not yet born. If something should happen to you, there are still so many long years ahead. How are the three of us, mother and children, supposed to live on?”
Lü He-Ruo: (comforting her) “Don’t think in the worst direction for now. I promise you, I will stay strong and live on.”
Su Yulan: “Go and come back quickly. Do not leave us, mother and children, in the mountains living in fear and anxiety.”
Scene 2 – Day Scene
Time: Mid-August 1949
Place: Interrogation room of the Confidential Bureau under the Police Headquarters
Characters: Xing Aihua, Zhong Hao-Dong, Gu Zhengwen, Dong Zhigan, two soldiers
△ In the interrogation room of the Confidential Bureau under the Police Headquarters, Zhong Hao-Dong’s hands are suspended above him, and he is being tortured for a confession.
Xing Aihua: “Confession brings leniency; resistance brings severity. Principal Zhong, you are a man who has read the classics of the sages. Surely you are not so ignorant of the times? You had better confess truthfully and spare yourself the suffering.”
△ Major Xing Aihua waves a leather whip in his hand, wearing a false smile.
Zhong Hao-Dong: “Hmph! I, Zhong Hao-Dong, stand upright between heaven and earth. For something I have not done, even if you force a confession through torture, I still cannot fabricate it.”
Xing Aihua: (with a disdainful look) “So you call yourself upright and honorable. If you were not an agent of the Communist Party, then why did your newspaper stand in opposition to the government, repeatedly vilifying it and stirring up social conflict?”
Zhong Hao-Dong: “According to your way of thinking, any media outlet or individual that criticizes the government’s policies is automatically regarded by you as a bandit party. Then on this island of Taiwan, your enemies are everywhere, because the Kuomintang truly is a disorderly party incapable of governing a country. Otherwise, how could there be no place for you in such a vast China? You were chased all the way by the Communists and had to flee with your tails between your legs to this island, merely lingering on in desperate survival. You are nothing but a bunch of useless—”
△ Before he can finish speaking, Zhong Hao-Dong is slapped across the face twice with loud smacks. Blood appears at the corner of his mouth.
Xing Aihua: (furiously) “Let’s see if you still dare to spout nonsense! Damn it, you dare lecture me?”
△ Gu Zhengwen pulls Xing Aihua away.
Gu Zhengwen: “Aihua, do not be rude! Principal Zhong is, after all, a local gentleman of standing and reputation. Let me speak with him. Stand aside and watch.”
Gu Zhengwen: (smiling falsely) “Principal Zhong, earlier I already asked Lü He-Ruo to pass a message to you, telling your newspaper to exercise some restraint in its speech and stop constantly testing our patience. Unfortunately, though the speaker was earnest, the listener paid no heed. You people seemed to treat my goodwill as nothing. Now even my superiors have spoken harshly, so I have no choice but to take firm measures and pursue this matter according to the law. This case may be made large or small. You are a reasonable and educated man; surely you do not wish this case to implicate your subordinates at your school. How about this: let us discuss terms. You confess only to the matter of the newspaper and admit that it was a Communist underground organization. I guarantee that your subordinates at the school will not be implicated. What do you think?”
Zhong Hao-Dong: (laughing loudly) “Hahaha! Do you think I, Zhong, am a three-year-old child that can be fooled by your coaxing? A thing that never existed at all—if I admit to it, then I truly would be betraying them unjustly.”
Gu Zhengwen: (irritated) “President Zhong, it seems you are even more difficult to handle than that Lü He-Ruo. Why are you Taiwanese intellectuals all the same—so stubborn, unable to listen to good advice, insisting that we must make you suffer first?”
Gu Zhengwen: “Aihua, he is yours. Find a way to make this old fellow sign the confession.”
Xing Aihua: (grabbing Zhong Hao-Dong by the collar) “Old man, it seems your hide is very thick, and you can really take a beating. Men, give this old bastard a proper welcome!”
△ The two soldiers holding leather whips brandish them, one in front and one behind, lashing Zhong Hao-Dong’s body again and again with all their strength. Zhong’s shrill screams echo throughout the entire prison block, startling Lin Han-Wen and the others inside their cells.
Lin Han-Wen: (muttering under his breath) “These Kuomintang dog officials are actually torturing Principal Zhong!”
△ Dong Zhigan, standing nearby, is so frightened that his entire body curls up.
△ Zhong Hao-Dong faints. Xing Aihua lifts Zhong Hao-Dong’s right hand, presses his thumb onto the ink pad, and forces his fingerprint onto the confession.
Gu Zhengwen: (ordering the guard nearby) “You two, go bring up that young reporter surnamed Dong.”
Soldier: “Yes, sir.”
△ The two armed soldiers immediately leave.
Gu Zhengwen: “In a moment, let that young fellow surnamed Dong have a look at his boss’s fate first. Give him a show of force.”
Xing Aihua: “Yes, Section Chief.”
△ The soldiers bring in Dong Zhigan, who is wearing leg irons and handcuffs. When Dong Zhigan sees that his employer has been whipped until his flesh is torn open and he has fallen unconscious, his heart suddenly tightens. The soldiers force Dong onto a wooden chair.
Xing Aihua: “Young man, do you see now? This is what happens to your boss for not telling the truth. If you are smart, you will cooperate obediently.”
Dong Zhigan: (swallowing hard) “O-officer, Little Dong is only earning a salary. I do not know anything.”
△ Xing Aihua brings his face close to Dong Zhigan.
Xing Aihua: “Boy, you work under them—how could you not know what the people above you are thinking? If you are willing to explain everything honestly, I will consider turning you into a witness, so that you can avoid physical suffering. But if there is even half a sentence of lies, then your final end will be…”
△ Xing Aihua raises his hand and makes the gesture of firing a gun at Dong’s forehead.
Dong Zhigan: (terrified) “O-officer, Little Dong will answer every question. I absolutely would not dare conceal even half a sentence.”
Xing Aihua: “Your Guangming Daily—is it an underground organization of the Communist Party hidden on this island?”
Dong Zhigan: (trembling) “Whether it is an underground organization, I am not very sure, but—”
△ “Smack! Smack!” Xing Aihua slaps Dong Zhigan twice across the face.
Xing Aihua: “Who told you to talk so much? Whatever I ask, you answer!”
△ The sudden two slaps leave Dong Zhigan seeing stars, with blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
Dong Zhigan: “Y-yes, yes.”
Xing Aihua: “Your Guangming Daily—is it an underground organization of the Communist Party hidden on this island?”
Dong Zhigan: “Yes, yes.”
Xing Aihua: (laughing) “You really are like a candle—light it once and it shines. Very good.”
△ Xing Aihua takes out a written statement.
Xing Aihua: “Here is a prepared confession. Sign it and stamp your fingerprint on it.”
Dong Zhigan: “Yes.”
△ Dong Zhigan immediately signs and stamps the confession, not daring even to take a second look at it.
Gu Zhengwen: “You are a very sensible young fellow. How about this: when the military tribunal convenes, you will testify according to our wishes. If you perform well in court, I will not hurry to pursue your case. I will even recruit you into the Confidential Bureau and send you for intelligence training, so that in the future you may have a chance to redeem yourself. Young man, are you willing to accept my arrangement?”
Dong Zhigan: (nodding vigorously and swallowing hard) “Officer, Little Dong is willing. Little Dong is young and ignorant and mistakenly entered a den of thieves. Please, officer, give Little Dong a chance to reform himself.”
Gu Zhengwen: “That is the right attitude. You are a very promising young fellow. Aihua, I leave the remaining work to you.”
Xing Aihua: “Yes, Section Chief.”
Scene 3 – Day Scene
Time: Late August 1949
Place: Living room of Lin Xuerong’s parents’ home in Fengyuan
Characters: Lü He-Ruo, Lin Xuerong, Father Lin, Mother Lin
△ In the living room of Lin Xuerong’s parents’ home in Fengyuan, Lü He-Ruo faces his solemn-looking parents-in-law.
Father Lin: “Shidui, wasn’t your work at the newspaper office in Taipei always stable? How did things end up like this? The agents of the Police Headquarters are hunting you everywhere.”
Lü He-Ruo: (spreading his hands helplessly) “When the Police Headquarters wants to arrest someone, do they need a reason? It is only because the articles published in the newspaper often criticized the government’s policies. The people above could not tolerate it, so the Police Headquarters shut down the newspaper and began arresting people.”
Father Lin: “The situation is so chaotic now. The old people used to say, ‘When the blazing sun burns overhead, everyone must look after his own life.’ Since the government has no tolerance to accept criticism from the newspaper, then you should stop criticizing them. Knowing clearly that the other side is like a bear or a tiger, yet you still insist on provoking them. Truly, you do not know your own limits.”
Mother Lin: “Shidui, it is not that I, your mother-in-law, enjoy nagging you. Ever since our Xuezai married you, she has managed your household and raised your children. She has never once complained of hardship or weariness. Yet not only have you failed to take good care of her and the children, you even had a girlfriend outside. And now you are fleeing everywhere and dragging our family into it as well. As a husband and son-in-law, you truly have no sense of responsibility.”
Lü He-Ruo: “Father, Mother, saying these things now is useless.”
Father Lin: “Yes. Then what are your plans from now on?”
Lü He-Ruo: “I will hide for a while first. When the pressure eases and the atmosphere is no longer so tense, I will find an opportunity to come back and take Xuezai and the child with me.”
Father Lin: “Sigh! A daughter is my own flesh and blood. You are on the run now, and no matter what, I cannot simply stand by with my eyes wide open and watch Xuezai and the child wander everywhere with you. Your wife—during this period, I, as the elder of the family, will take care of her for you. But you yourself must be more cautious. I do not want my daughter to spend the rest of her life as a widow.”
Lü He-Ruo: “Father, I understand. I will be careful.”
Mother Lin: “Xuezai, do you have anything you want to say to your husband?”
Lin Xuerong: (helplessly) “Things have already come to this point. I only hope that Shidui will not be taken away by the Police Headquarters. As for us, mother and child, no matter what year or month it may be, we will wait for him to come back and reunite with us.”
Mother Lin: “Shidui, did you hear that? Your wife bears you absolutely no resentment. You yourself must make plans!”
Lü He-Ruo: (moved) “Mother, I know!”
Scene 4 – Night Scene
Time: Late August 1949
Place: The home of Zhang Wen-Huan in Taichung
Characters: Lü He-Ruo, Zhang Wen-Huan
△ Lü He-Ruo arrives in Taichung late at night to visit his good friend Zhang Wen-Huan. Zhang opens the door and lets Lü inside. He looks around at the doorway to make sure no one has followed him, then immediately closes the front door.
△ The two enter the Japanese-style study together and sit on cushions on the tatami mats. Between them is a small tea table, on which there is a tea set and a newspaper.
Zhang Wen-Huan: “I had a feeling that sooner or later you would come looking for me.”
Lü He-Ruo: “Brother Wen-Huan, now that I have fallen into misfortune, for the time being Yulan, our daughter, and I are hiding in Caoshan, in the old house of Xiao-a, the shareholder who partnered with me. This time I risked bringing Xuerong and the child back to Fengyuan, to her parents’ home, and entrusted the two of them to my father-in-law and mother-in-law.”
Zhang Wen-Huan: “The news that Guangming Daily was shut down by the Police Headquarters and that you are wanted has all been published in the newspapers these past few days. The radio station has broadcast it as well. What do you plan to do from now on? Would you like some tea?”
Lü He-Ruo: “No, thank you. Brother Wen-Huan, it is truly shameful to speak of it. Ever since the newspaper was shut down, I have been fleeing like a stray dog. Fortunately, some friends helped me in time. I plan to transfer away my shares in Da-An Printing House, raise some travel money, and take Yulan and our daughter to Japan.”
Zhang Wen-Huan: “Oh? Our friendship is closer than that of real brothers. Since you are on the run, I have five hundred yuan in cash here. Take it first and use it.”
△ Zhang Wen-Huan takes out a stack of banknotes from his wallet and hands them to Lü.
Lü He-Ruo: (shaking his head) “I cannot accept this money.”
Zhang Wen-Huan: “Brother, don’t be foolish. Take the money first and stop refusing. Of course this money is not enough for you to go to Japan, but keep it with you first as living expenses. As for the travel expenses to Japan, I will think of another way to help you.”
Lü He-Ruo: “As for the travel money, I plan to make a trip to Lukang and find Gu Yan-Bixia. I will use my shares in the printing house as collateral to borrow money from her. She ought to help me with this favor. I came to see you this time partly to trouble you to help me inquire about a way to stow away to Japan.”
Zhang Wen-Huan: “You want to smuggle yourself to Japan?”
Lü He-Ruo: “Mm.”
△ Zhang Wen-Huan thinks for a moment.
Zhang Wen-Huan: “You can go to Quanzhou Street in Taipei and find Cai Xiao-Qian. He has wide connections in Taipei and friends from all walks of life. He should have a way to send you out.”
Lü He-Ruo: “Mm, I will go find him in the next few days. On the other hand, if I am arrested, I want to ask you to take care of Yulan and our daughter for me.”
Zhang Wen-Huan: “Don’t worry about that first. If you truly are arrested, I will first settle Yulan and your daughter properly, and at the same time I will think of every possible way to rescue you.”
Lü He-Ruo: (with a bitter smile) “The calamity I face this time—perhaps even the highest immortals in heaven could not save me. Sigh…”
Zhang Wen-Huan: “Why are you so pessimistic? After all, you were neither the owner nor the publisher. You were only an employee at the newspaper, working for a salary. The Police Headquarters should not list you as the principal offender, should they? Today’s newspaper printed this news. Open it and take a look!”
△ Zhang Wen-Huan pushes the newspaper on the table toward him, but Lü He-Ruo does not move.
Lü He-Ruo: (sorrowfully) “Brother Wen-Huan, there is something you do not know. This monster called the Police Headquarters could crush me as easily as crushing an ant. Besides, more than a month ago, a section chief surnamed Gu from the Confidential Bureau personally warned me face to face. I think this time they will not let me live.”
Zhang Wen-Huan: “First read what the Central Daily News says. It says that your publisher Zhong and your president Lin have already confessed, and that the Police Headquarters is calling on you to turn yourself in. They say they will deal with you leniently. Take a look.”
Central Daily News
Lü He-Ruo: (with a bitter smile) “If the words of the Police Headquarters could be trusted—they always arrest people first and then casually pin the label of Communist spy on them. They detain people first and extract confessions afterward. Is that not their usual trick? How could I be foolish enough to walk into their trap?”
Zhang Wen-Huan: (nodding) “What you say is true. But now that you are wanted, if you keep hiding in Caoshan, sooner or later the people from the Police Headquarters will find you. It would be best if you could smuggle yourself to Japan. If in the short term you cannot leave this island, then you should still find a hidden place to conceal yourself. That would be safer.”
Lü He-Ruo: “Brother Wen-Huan, I will keep your warning firmly in mind. I have a manuscript of a novel here. Please keep it for me. If later I go to Japan, or if unfortunately I am arrested, then please find an opportunity to publish it.”
△ Lü He-Ruo takes a manuscript from his briefcase and hands it to Zhang Wen-Huan.
Zhang Wen-Huan: “I will keep your manuscript. From now on, you must take care of yourself.”
Lü He-Ruo: “I have written the address where Yulan and our daughter are staying in Caoshan at the end of the manuscript. If I must leave them, then during this period, please look after them for me.”
Zhang Wen-Huan: “Do not worry. Shidui, this burden is one I can still bear.”
Scene 5 – Night Scene
Time: Early September 1949
Place: The home of Cai Xiao-Qian on Quanzhou Street
Characters: He Yunxuan, Cai Xiao-Qian, Chen Benjiang
△ He Yunxuan, a young lecturer at National Taiwan University, goes late at night to Quanzhou Street to meet Cai Xiao-Qian.
He Yunxuan: (rubbing his hands together) “Brother Cai, coming to visit you so late at night is truly something I do only because I have no other choice.”
Cai Xiao-Qian: “Come inside first, then we can speak slowly.”
△ Cai Xiao-Qian immediately closes the wooden door. The two enter the house, walk through the corridor, and come to the study.
He Yunxuan: “I am He Yunxuan, lecturer in the Department of Political Science at National Taiwan University.”
Cai Xiao-Qian: “I know. The newspapers have published your photograph. The Police Headquarters has already issued a warrant for your arrest.”
He Yunxuan: (first looking surprised, then giving a bitter smile) “Oh? I did not expect those mainlanders to be so efficient at arresting people.”
△ The two enter the study, where Chen Benjiang rises to greet them.
Cai Xiao-Qian: “Let me introduce you. This is Professor Chen Benjiang, who once taught at Peking University.”
He Yunxuan: (extending his hand) “A pleasure to meet you, Professor Chen.”
Chen Benjiang: (smiling) “I have read all of the commentaries you published in Guangming Daily. You truly wrote to the heart of the matter. Every generation produces talented people. With independent-thinking Taiwanese youth like you, there is hope for Taiwan’s future.”
He Yunxuan: (modestly) “Professor Chen, you flatter me. I merely expressed my own thoughts from Taiwan’s standpoint.”
Chen Benjiang: “Indeed. What a pity that these Kuomintang officials who came to Taiwan are all incompetent fools. They do not know how to respect intellectuals. In their heads there are only gold bars and power. They turn a deaf ear to public opinion and academic advice. No wonder they have aroused public resentment.”
Cai Xiao-Qian: “Teacher He, what are your plans from now on?”
He Yunxuan: (awkwardly) “To be honest, I too have reached the end of the road. Through a friend’s introduction, I came here to find you. Brother Cai has many connections, and perhaps you can arrange for me to leave Taiwan and go to Hong Kong. I have relatives and friends there whom I can rely on.”
Hong Kong
Cai Xiao-Qian: (looking troubled) “To tell you the truth, ever since the authorities declared martial law on May 20, all harbors, docks, and fishing ports have been subject to strict inspection. Without proper permits, one cannot board a ship and sail out to sea.”
Martial law in Taiwan
He Yunxuan: (disappointed) “Then what am I to do? My last glimmer of hope—sigh…”
Cai Xiao-Qian: “Teacher He, do not lose heart. Right now, the important thing is to find a safe place to settle down and wait for another opportunity in the future.”
He Yunxuan: “For now, I suppose there is nothing else to do but take things one step at a time.”
Cai Xiao-Qian: “Teacher He, Professor Chen is going to Lukang in Shiding to establish a base. It is a very hidden place. You can go with the professor to Lukeng. They will protect you. You should seriously consider it.”
Lukeng
Chen Benjiang: “That is right. Teacher He, you are a talented man, young and promising, and there are still many long years ahead of you. If you are willing to go with me to Lukeng, I welcome you to join our ranks and contribute your strength to the revolutionary cause.”
He Yunxuan: (nodding) “I am willing. After all, I no longer have any other choice.”
Cai Xiao-Qian: “Very good. Professor Chen, you have gained a capable assistant.”
Chen Benjiang: (extending the hand of friendship) “Welcome, Teacher He.”
Scene 6 – Night Scene
Time: Early September 1949
Place: The living room of the Gu family in Lukang
Characters: Lü He-Ruo, Mrs. Gu Yan-Bixia, house steward
△ Lü He-Ruo goes to Lukang to seek help from Mrs. Gu Yan-Bixia, in the living room of the Gu family residence.
Mrs. Gu Yan-Bixia: “The newspapers have reported it these past few days, and I already have a preliminary understanding of the whole affair. After hearing about what has happened to you, I am truly worried for you. Now that you are wanted by the authorities, what do you plan to do in the future, Teacher Lü?”
Lü He-Ruo: “I want to raise some travel money and find an opportunity to smuggle myself to Japan.”
Mrs. Gu Yan-Bixia: “About how much cash do you need?”
Lü He-Ruo: “Two thousand yuan in cash. I will pledge my shares in Da-An Printing House and the deeds to my land and property as collateral to you. I will not let you suffer any loss.”
Mrs. Gu Yan-Bixia: “You are my daughter’s music teacher. Now that you are in difficulty, according to both human feeling and common decency, of course I should help you. As for those shares and property deeds, I will merely keep them for you temporarily. In the future, you may redeem them at any time.”
Lü He-Ruo: “Thank you very much. Here are the share certificates, the property deeds, and the promissory note. Please inspect them.”
Mrs. Gu Yan-Bixia: “There is no need to inspect them. Steward, take Teacher Lü to the accounts office and give him this money. Then call a car to take the teacher away.”
House Steward: “Yes, Madam. Teacher Lü, please come with me.”
Scene 7 – Day Scene
Time: Early September 1949
Place: The mountainous area of Lukeng
Characters: Cai Xiao-Qian, Chen Benjiang, Xu Xikuan, Chen Yinong, He Yunxuan, Chen Chunqing
△ In early September, Chen Benjiang, who has been appointed commander-in-chief by Cai Xiao-Qian, enters the Lukeng mountain area together with Xu Xikuan, Chen Yinong, and He Yunxuan to begin preparatory work. The four walk on foot along a winding mountain path.
Chen Yinong: “Professor, there is a man in this village named Chen Chunqing. He is a good friend of mine and is well connected locally. If we can gain his assistance and have him introduce us, it should be easy to gain the recognition and support of the village elders. I think we should visit him first.”
Chen Benjiang: “That is excellent. We are strangers to both the people and the place; we need just such a guide.”
Chen Yinong: “Chunqing once lived on the mainland for several years and already had some dissatisfaction with the actions of the Kuomintang. I think he will gladly help us.”
Chen Benjiang: “Then we must first persuade him and invite him to join our ranks.”
Chen Yinong: “That is exactly what I have in mind.”
△ The four arrive at the sanheyuan house of Chen Chunqing. Upon seeing Chen Yinong, Chen Chunqing greets him warmly and invites the four inside.
Chen Chunqing: “Yinong, what wind has blown you here? Weren’t you always staying in your hometown of Sanxia working as a carpenter?”
Chen Yinong: (with a bitter smile) “The times are so chaotic now. Ever since the February 28 Incident occurred, I left my hometown and have been running about everywhere with some friends, organizing the people to resist the Kuomintang government.”
February 28 Incident
Chen Chunqing: “You truly have determination. Ever since I returned to Taiwan and saw that bunch of mainlanders under Chen Yi acting recklessly and absurdly, I too went to Taipei with several friends to participate in protest activities, but we could achieve little. In the end, I could only return to the village and plant tea in the mountains. Compared with you, I am truly worthless.”
Chen Yi
Chen Yinong: “Do not be discouraged. Since we are all dissatisfied with the Kuomintang authorities, we should stick together. I have brought several friends here, planning to organize the local people in the village and establish a resistance organization. I hope you will join our ranks and struggle together with us.”
Chen Chunqing: “That would be excellent. I know many people in the village and can make introductions for all of you.”
Chen Yinong: “Let me introduce them. This is Professor Chen Benjiang, our commander-in-chief. This is He Yunxuan, a lecturer in the Department of Political Science at National Taiwan University. This is Xu Xikuan, my good brother from my hometown, also a carpenter.”
Chen Chunqing: (extending his hand) “A pleasure! A pleasure!”
△ Chen Chunqing shakes hands with each of the three in turn.
Chen Benjiang: “Chunqing, welcome to the ranks of the revolution. Let us struggle together for the sake of us Taiwanese.”
Chen Chunqing: “If everyone does not disdain me, Chunqing is willing to do his part for everyone.”
Chen Benjiang: “Chunqing, I would like to invite you to serve as the secretary of our organization. I wonder whether you are willing?”
Chen Chunqing: (smiling as he declines modestly) “Secretary? That is a heavy responsibility. For the professor to value me so highly truly makes me feel the weight of that responsibility.”
Chen Benjiang: “There is no need to refuse. You are the most suitable candidate.”
Chen Chunqing: “During this period, all of you may as well stay in my house first. I will take you to visit the local gentry.”
Chen Benjiang: “Then we shall trouble you, Secretary Chen.”
Chen Yinong: “Chunqing, we plan to rent some land here, establish a collective farm, and build some grass huts, so that later we can gather even more comrades who share the same ideals.”
Chen Chunqing: “Mm. Since this is to become our base, of course we need to settle these comrades who come from both the north and the south. I have more than two jia of tea fields and mountain farmland under my name. I will offer them for the organization’s use. In addition, I will persuade my brothers and sisters to join us as well.”
Chen Benjiang: “Excellent, truly excellent!”
Chen Chunqing: “As for the village chief, Qiwang-a, from what I know, his younger brother Qineng-a, who studied at National Taiwan University, was shot dead by the army at Yuanshan not long after the February 28 Incident occurred. The hatred between him and the Kuomintang runs very deep. Therefore not only will he join us, he will also support us with all his strength.”
Yuanshan
Chen Benjiang: “If that is the case, then I am even more reassured. With the village chief fully supporting us, it will be much easier for us to persuade the villagers here.”
Scene 8 – Day Scene
Time: Early September, 1949
Setting: The living room of Lukou Village chief Chen Qi-wang’s house
Characters: Chen Chun-qing, Chen Qi-wang, Chen Ru-yu, He Yun-xuan, Chen Ben-jiang, Liao Mu-sheng
△ Chen Chun-qing brought Chen Ben-jiang and Chen Yi-nong to visit Lukou Village chief Chen Qi-wang, as well as Liao Mu-sheng, chief of the General Affairs Section of the Shiding Township Office. The two sides met for the first time in the living room of Chen Qi-wang’s house.
Chen Chun-qing: “Wang-a, I’ve brought several friends over. They are all elite members of our Taiwan, opposed to the tyrannical rule of the Kuomintang authorities. For the time being, they are staying at my house.”
Chen Qi-wang: “Guests who come are guests indeed. Please, everyone, have a seat. Little sister, go make some tea. Chun-qing-a, I heard you were bringing a group of friends. Mu-sheng-a and I have been waiting for you at the house.”
△ Chen Ru-yu turned around and went to the corner where the tea things were kept to brew tea. He Yun-xuan watched her. Chen Yi-nong nudged He’s elbow, reminding him. He realized his impropriety and gave a foolish smile.
Chen Chun-qing: “Wang-a, Brother Mu-sheng, let me introduce you. This is Professor Chen Ben-jiang, our commander-in-chief; this is He Yun-xuan, a lecturer at National Taiwan University; this is my sworn brother Chen Yi-nong; and this is Xu Xi-kuan. The two of them are both from Sanxia, master carpenters.”
Chen Qi-wang: “Welcome, everyone, to our little place. As for Teacher He, I seem to have read articles you wrote in the Guangming Daily.”
He Yun-xuan: “They were indeed written by me. In those articles, I criticized the policies and measures of the government authorities, and thus brought disaster upon myself.”
Chen Qi-wang: “No wonder! The Central Daily News published your photograph, so I felt you looked somewhat familiar.”
△ He Yun-xuan was feeling embarrassed when Chen Chun-qing immediately came to his rescue.
Chen Chun-qing: “Wang-a, Teacher He is currently being wanted by the Taiwan Garrison Command. He is too embarrassed to say it himself.”
Chen Qi-wang: (speaking as if it were nothing) “What is there to be embarrassed about? To be wanted by the Garrison Command is precisely the mark of a true elite of Taiwan. I greatly admire young people with a sense of justice and mission.”
Chen Ben-jiang: “Hearing Village Chief Chen speak in such a way, I feel one hundred and twenty thousand parts admiration for you, Village Chief.”
Chen Qi-wang: “You are too polite, Professor Chen. Although I, Qi-wang-a, am only a country fellow, I have not been cut off from society. I have always been deeply concerned about current affairs. In these past three or four years, our Taiwan society has been ruined every which way by Chen Yi and that bunch of fools from mainland China. Every time I think of it, my whole belly fills with rage. What is more, my own younger brother was shot to death at Yuanshan during the ‘February 28 Incident.’ I will remember this blood feud forever.”
Liao Mu-sheng: “Qi-wang-a has always had this kind of fiery temperament, clearly distinguishing gratitude and grudges.”
Chen Ben-jiang: “That is very good indeed. We Taiwanese must possess this kind of backbone, so that we will not be completely oppressed by the Kuomintang authorities. Village Chief Chen, I feel deeply sorry for what happened to your younger brother.”
Chen Qi-wang: (his eyes reddening) “The Kuomintang and their troops are truly inhuman. They even dared to open fire and mow down such a simple university student. A blood debt must be repaid in blood. If I ever have the chance, I will definitely collect this debt!”
Chen Chun-qing: “Wang-a, this group of comrades of mine intends to settle down in our village and organize the local people, so that together we may do our part for the future of Taiwan.”
Chen Qi-wang: (wiping away the tears at the corners of his eyes) “That is very good indeed! What our place lacks is capable people. If someone is willing to come forward and lead, to organize the people so that everyone unites, then in the future we Taiwanese will have hope of overthrowing the corrupt and greedy Kuomintang authorities and becoming masters of our own house. If you do not despise me, count me, Wang-a, in. Sheng-a, what about you? Are you planning to join us as well?”
Liao Mu-sheng: (smiling) “Since you have already jumped in, how could I, your sworn brother, possibly remain idle? Count me in as well.”
Chen Ben-jiang: (taking the initiative to shake hands with Chen and Liao) “Welcome, both of you, to the ranks of the revolution. Together let us strive for the future fate of Taiwan. From now on, we are comrades.”
Chen Chun-qing: “Exactly. Wang-a, Brother Mu-sheng, from now on we will be relying heavily upon the support of both of you in organizing the villagers.”
Chen Qi-wang: “As for that, I have no problem at all. In our village there are only tea farmers and miners. Although they have not read many books, they see very clearly what is right and wrong, good and evil. The Kuomintang authorities, Chen Yi and that group of corrupt officials, have committed all manner of wrongdoing these past years. Our Taiwanese people have cursed them bitterly. Now, at last, capable people have come forward to lead. I believe that quite a few villagers will join our ranks.”
Chen Chun-qing: “Wang-a, since our organization is to be established here, naturally we will need financial support.”
Chen Qi-wang: “As for what I can help with, just bring it up. Within the limits of what I can do, I will definitely support you to the very end.”
Chen Ben-jiang: (speaking emotionally) “Brother Qi-wang is indeed forthright. The organization needs to rent some land to establish a collective farm. On the one hand, it will be self-sufficient and provide the food and supplies our people need. On the other hand, we can build some grass huts to settle comrades who come seeking refuge from all directions.”
Chen Qi-wang: “If it is that matter, there should be no problem. Our village has always lacked manpower. Much hillside land has not yet been developed, and quite a few fields still lie abandoned. Under my name there are nearly ten jia of hillside land left overgrown with grass, which I can provide for use as a farm. As for any portion that is not enough, Mu-sheng-a can take care of it. He is the secretary-general of the Farmers’ Association. He understands land use very well. Whether to rent land from landlords or borrow it for use, all of that can be considered.”
Chen Chun-qing: “Wang-a, here I first wish to express, on behalf of the organization, our thanks to you and Brother Mu-sheng.”
Scene 9 – Day Scene
Time: Late September, 1949
Setting: Lukou Village
Characters: Chen Qi-wang, Chen Ben-jiang, villager Zhou Sheng, Chen Chun-qing
▲ Narrator:
Chen Ben-jiang and the others did not recruit members from any particular target group. In the course of persuasion, they mostly used visions such as the dictatorship of the proletariat, the absence of distinctions between rich and poor after liberation, and the idea that the people would be able to receive land and become masters of their own lives in order to attract people. They also emphasized that the motherland would certainly liberate Taiwan between 1949 and 1950, and that establishing an armed base could serve as internal support.
▲ Narrator:
Through Chen Qi-wang and Liao Mu-sheng, they held discussion meetings in the village and recruited still more villagers, including Lin Mao-tong, Zhou Sheng-fa, Chen Wan-ju, Zhou Shui, Xiao Lu-bo, Lin Jin-zi, Liao Xi-sheng, Liao Qing-biao, Liao Pi, Liao You-qing, Yu Fu-lian, Li Wen-zhong, and others. Even Village Chief Chen’s son, Chen Tian-qi, became a comrade. To the villagers of Lukou, they proclaimed that Lukou would become the largest armed base in Taiwan, and that after liberation, the motherland would certainly give special treatment in recognition of their contributions. These beautiful prospects truly moved the hearts of the lower classes, long trapped in poverty. Therefore, apart from the leadership stratum, most of those who joined the Lukou armed base were farmers, miners, or carpenters. Some people even brought along their entire families and went up into the mountains together to join the revolutionary ranks.
△ In the square of Lukou Village’s Vegetable Temple (today’s Guangming Chan Temple), several long tables and nearly ten long benches had been set out, and forty or fifty villagers had gathered there.
Chen Qi-wang: “All the elders and seniors of Lukou Village, I, your younger brother Qi-wang-a, have gathered you here today at the temple courtyard to hold this discussion meeting. On the one hand, I wish to introduce several important figures to you. On the other hand, I wish to ask them to explain to you the various development plans that will be carried out in our village in the future.”
Chen Ben-jiang: “All the elders, brothers, and sisters of Lukou Village, I, Chen Ben-jiang, together with several friends, have come to your precious place for the first time, and immediately received the warm hospitality of Village Chief Chen, Secretary-General Mu-sheng, and Chun-qing-a. This makes me feel as though all of you and I belong to the same family. All of you should know that ever since the Kuomintang government took over Taiwan, these past four or five years, the lives of us common people have grown harder day by day. Chen Yi and that group of corrupt officials wanted both to eat and to take, and in the end aroused the resentment of our Taiwanese people, leading to the outbreak of the ‘February 28 Uprising Incident.’”
△ The villagers below began whispering among themselves. Their expressions varied: some felt that a storm was coming and were worried about it; others deeply sympathized and believed that the people of Taiwan had always been bullied.
Chen Ben-jiang: “After the ‘February 28 Incident,’ the Kuomintang authorities dispatched intelligence agents, military police, and regular police to arrest Taiwanese people everywhere, claiming that they were rioters. In truth, those who were taken away were either intellectuals such as teachers and students in the schools, or well-known local gentry and worthies. In the past, these people had all been respected elite members of our Taiwanese society. The Kuomintang authorities sentenced them to heavy punishments or dragged them away to be shot. Their purpose was to exterminate all of our social elite, eliminate the spirit of resistance among the Taiwanese people, weaken our resistance forces, and thereby make it convenient for them to rule Taiwan in the future with complete peace of mind.”
△ At this moment, someone suddenly stood up and interrupted.
Zhou Sheng: (asking) “What you say is correct enough, but the Kuomintang government arrests and kills people at the slightest provocation. We are all unarmed farmers and miners. What are we supposed to use to fight them and decide victory or defeat?”
Chen Ben-jiang: “What this elder brother says is indeed the truth. In our Taiwan society there are simply too many people who cherish life and fear death, unwilling to sacrifice for Taiwan’s destiny. That is why Chen Yi, Chen Cheng, and that gang of Kuomintang lackeys have been able to oppress us completely. Everyone, think about it. In this chaotic age of ours, corrupt officials can already force us into a dead end. If we cherish life and fear death, burying our heads in the dirt like ostriches, will we common people then have good days to live? Moreover, even if we do not think for ourselves, we must think for our children and grandchildren. If our generation, faced with tyranny, does not dare to stand up and resist, then our descendants will certainly lament us. They will say that because our generation cherished life and feared death, they too were made to suffer the欺負 and torment of the Kuomintang government. Fellow elders and villagers, think about it. Is what I say reasonable or not?”
Chen Qi-wang: “That is right. Professor Chen speaks from the bottom of his heart. Everyone, even if we obediently submit, the Kuomintang government will still not let us live good lives. All of you should know that my younger brother was shot dead by those mainlander soldiers up on Yuanshan. He was only a university student. Had he ever done anything wicked or immoral? From whom are we to seek justice for this grievance?”
Chen Chun-qing: “Everyone, Qi-wang-a’s younger brother is only one among the countless Taiwanese killed by the Kuomintang authorities. I have heard that there are several families in our village as well who have suffered the same fate. Why is it that the lives of us Taiwanese are so worthless? And why is it that the Kuomintang authorities treat us Taiwanese with such cruelty? After having suffered under Japanese oppression for half a century, are we now to become once again the colony of an outside regime, and continue to live lives of oppression and exploitation, of being arrested and killed, lives without the light of day?”
△ After the impassioned speech just now, the emotions of the villagers gradually began to be stirred, and one after another, voices of support arose.
Scene 10 – Day Scene
Time: Late September, 1949
Setting: The living room of Yu Lian-fu’s sanheyuan house in Lukou Village
Characters: Yu Lian-fu, Xu Lai-chun, Zhou Tian, Cai Wen-yan
△ In the living room of the old brick-and-tile sanheyuan house, the family of four sat together. Lian-fu was drinking a little Red Label rice wine. His wife Xu Lai-chun, his mother Zhou Tian, and his son Cai Wen-yan sat around a bamboo tea-sifting tray, picking out tea twigs.
Xu Lai-chun: “I heard from Ah-xi next door that you and Mao-tong-a went to the temple square this afternoon to attend the discussion meeting?”
Yu Lian-fu: “That’s right. A group of capable people from outside has come here to our place.”
Xu Lai-chun: “Who are these outsiders?”
Yu Lian-fu: (putting down his wine cup) “I heard Chun-qing-a say that there is a university professor and several young master carpenters.”
Xu Lai-chun: “What are these people coming to our village to do?”
Yu Lian-fu: “I heard them say they want to establish a collective farm in our village.”
Xu Lai-chun: (asking in confusion) “Establish a collective farm? What sort of thing is that?”
Yu Lian-fu: “I heard them say they will find some people to reclaim land together, and then divide the harvested crops among all the members. Some of the farmland is to be donated by the village, and some they intend to rent.”
Xu Lai-chun: (speaking suspiciously) “As I see it, things are not that simple. If these people had not done something bad outside, why would they come to our remote mountain village to establish some sort of farm? Perhaps they are fugitives whom the authorities are trying to arrest.”
Yu Lian-fu: “You are thinking too much, wife. They are all upright people, not fugitives.”
Xu Lai-chun: (warning him) “You had better not become too familiar with that group. We do not know whether they are bears or tigers. Someday, if the authorities come to arrest people, we may be implicated by them.”
Yu Lian-fu: “Probably not. Mao-tong-a and I were only curious and went to listen, that is all. Besides, we do not have any extra farmland to donate.”
Yu Wen-yan: (asking innocently) “Father, what does ‘donate’ mean?”
Yu Lian-fu: “Children should have ears but no mouths. Do not ask such things.”
Xu Lai-chun: “You had better listen to my earnest advice. You should not associate with that group, lest you bring disaster upon yourself. If we simply live by farming in peace, the authorities will not come trouble us.”
Yu Lian-fu: “I know, wife.”
△ Yu Lian-fu answered with his mouth, but in his heart he did not think that way.
