The Spring of Lukou: 2
【Chapter One】
- Night Scene
Time: Early May, 1949
Setting: In the study of Cai Xiaoqian’s residence on Quanzhou Street, Taipei City
Characters: Cai Xiaoqian, Chen Benjiang, Chen Yinong, Xu Xikuan
▲ Narration:
After the “February 28 Incident,” Cai Xiaoqian, leader of the Communist Party’s “Taiwan Provincial Working Committee,” prepared to establish liberated areas and guerrilla zones in the deep mountains of northern Taiwan. In early May 1949, he contacted Chen Benjiang, Chen Yinong, Xu Xikuan, and others, and invited them to his residence on Quanzhou Street in Taipei City to hold a meeting and discussion. Chen Benjiang was a university professor. After graduating from Xiamen Middle School, he entered Japan’s Waseda University to study economics. After completing his studies, he taught for a time at Peking University. Chen Yinong and Xu Xikuan, on the other hand, had originally both been carpenters. These people all cherished splendid fantasies about the future prospect of implementing a communist system, and therefore wholeheartedly looked forward to the motherland liberating Taiwan as soon as possible.
△ The four men in the study sat around a square table. Spread across the tabletop was a map of Taiwan.
Cai Xiaoqian: “The choice of location for the base concerns the success or failure of our future work behind enemy lines, so I ask all comrades to come together and discuss it. Please feel free to put forward your opinions enthusiastically. Let us have an open discussion. I will not set a position in advance.”
Chen Yinong: “I suggest locating it in the Qixing Mountain area. The terrain there is steep and strategic, and the view is broad. One can overlook the entire city of Taipei and promptly understand what is happening in the city.”
Chen Benjiang: “In my opinion, the Qixing Mountain area is too close to Taipei City and would easily attract the attention of Chiang’s intelligence and security units. In addition, the area is not large enough. It would be easy for the enemy to cut off our retreat. Once surrounded, the reaction time would be very short, and our personnel would have difficulty dispersing in time.”
Xu Xikuan: “The professor’s analysis makes sense. Qixing Mountain is too close to Taipei City.”
Xu Xikuan: (after thinking for a moment) “Guanyin Mountain in Bali is separated from Taipei City by the Tamsui River. If the base is set up on the mountain, with the Tamsui River serving as a natural barrier, I think it would be easier to defend.”
Chen Benjiang: “But how long could it be defended? Besides, the area of Guanyin Mountain is even narrower than that of Qixing Mountain. Conceptually, a base should be a gathering place for personnel that can move according to circumstances. When our strength is still insufficient to match the enemy directly, the focus must be on making it easy for personnel to disperse, and then to agree on a place to regroup. Only in this way can we preserve our strength. The purpose is not for us to risk being annihilated collectively by stubbornly defending the base.”
Xu Xikuan: “Professor, according to what you say, which place would be suitable?”
Chen Benjiang: “Using Sankiaoyong (Sanxia) in the upper reaches of the Dahan River as the base. The area there is surrounded by hills. If we choose a high point in Sankiaoyong, then should a critical situation truly arise, it may be easier for the personnel to disperse.”
Xu Xikuan: “Yinong and I come from Sankiaoyong, and we are familiar with the geography and conditions there. Sankiaoyong is a good location, but it is not particularly hidden. It would be easy for the Kuomintang government’s intelligence units to discover it.”
Chen Yinong: “Leader, what do you think?”
Cai Xiaoqian: “How about this: let us first have a full discussion and not rush to a conclusion for the time being. Each of us can go back and think it over in detail, and at the next meeting, we will make a decision.”
- Day Scene
Time: Early May, 1949
Setting: Office of the Director of the Confidential Bureau of the Police Headquarters, Xindian
Characters: Mao Renfeng, Gu Zhengwen
▲ Narration:
At the beginning of 1949, Zhong Haodong, principal of Keelung Middle School, established the “Guangming Daily.” Thirty-five-year-old Lü Heruo served as editor-in-chief. Every day, experts and scholars contributed articles discussing many political issues and social phenomena of the time, such as unequal land distribution, landlords exploiting tenant farmers, inflation and skyrocketing prices, and corrupt officials hoarding grain and oil and reselling them at high prices. These were precisely the materials of Lü Heruo’s literary creation. Because the wording of the newspaper’s articles was sharp and incisive, it immediately attracted the close attention of the Confidential Bureau of the Police Headquarters.
△ In the director’s office, Gu Zhengwen presented a freshly published issue of Guangming Daily to Mao Renfeng. Mao Renfeng merely glanced at the headline, “The Rich Landlords Feast Behind Vermilion Gates, While Tenant Farmers Freeze to Death by the Roadside,” and his expression immediately darkened.
Gu Zhengwen: “Chief, this newspaper repeatedly stirs up contradictions between the state and the people, accusing the authorities of ignoring the suffering of the people and of landlords exploiting tenant farmers. It is clearly manufacturing social problems and spreading the poison of communist thought. Shall I take some men and shut them down?”
Mao Renfeng: (unhurriedly) “You must remain calm, little brother. We can all see that this newspaper openly criticizes current affairs, but secretly acts as a mouthpiece for the Communists. Yet after all, its owner is a prominent and respectable public figure, and what is written in the paper are all real social issues. Unless we catch them with solid evidence of promoting the bandits and conspiring to overthrow the government, evidence sufficient to convict them, then we should not rashly arrest them, lest we attract public attention.”
Gu Zhengwen: “What does the Chief mean?”
Mao Renfeng: (lighting a cigarette) “Use stillness to control movement. Observe what they say and watch what they do. When the time is ripe, catch them all in one net.”
Gu Zhengwen: (nodding) “I understand.”
Mao Renfeng: “That chief writer named Lü Heruo is said to be quite famous in Taipei’s cultural circles. I have read several of his novels. He is a thoughtful young man. If we can find a way to win him over, he could become a useful talent. The government is now facing grave difficulties, and Chairman Chiang is desperate for capable people. Unless they are utterly stubborn and incorrigible, we must find ways to recruit all useful talents. Remember this in intelligence work: if someone is not an enemy, then he is a friend. If you can win someone over and make him a friend, then there will be one less enemy.”
Gu Zhengwen: “I understand. I will find that man surnamed Lü and speak with him, determine his way of thinking, and continue to monitor this newspaper.”
Mao Renfeng: (waving his hand) “Since you know what to do, I need not trouble myself over such matters anymore. Go attend to your work.”
Gu Zhengwen: “Yes, Chief.”
△ Gu Zhengwen gave a military salute, turned around, and withdrew.
- Night Scene
Time: Mid-June, 1949
Setting: In the study of Cai Xiaoqian’s residence on Quanzhou Street, Taipei City
Characters: Cai Xiaoqian, Chen Benjiang, Chen Yinong, Xu Xikuan
△ In mid-June, the Taiwanese Communist group once again gathered in the study of Cai Xiaoqian’s residence on Quanzhou Street for discussion. Chen Benjiang came prepared. He spread out a map of Taipei County and pointed to Lukou Village on the map.
Chen Benjiang: (pointing at the map) “Leader and two comrades, I have found an excellent place to establish the base, in the Shiding mountain area. This place is called Lukou. It is highly concealed, with several mountain paths leading in and out. Lukou occupies a strategic position. To the north, through Yugui Ridge and Pinglin, one can enter Gupoliao and Daodiaoling. To the south, one can reach the mountain areas of Hsinchu and Miaoli through Sanxia. It can advance when necessary and defend when required. To the northeast, it can control the rear flank of the Keelung coastal area, and to the west, it can threaten the Taipei region. It is the best location for establishing an armed base.”
Cai Xiaoqian: “What do you two think of this location?”
Chen Yinong: “The professor has great foresight. However, I have been to this place. In my impression, Lukou is located deep in the mountains and is extremely remote. A few tea farmers who work in the mountains live there scattered about. If the base is established there, we will have to rely on labor and production to support ourselves. Life may become very difficult.”
Chen Benjiang: “That is indeed true. But these farmers are simple in their thinking and are more likely to accept our ideas. Life in the future may perhaps be harder, but the comrades’ safety will, comparatively speaking, be more secure.”
Cai Xiaoqian: “Xikuan, what is your opinion?”
Xu Xikuan: “The safety of the comrades should be the most important thing. If we can make the local people identify with our ideas and join the ranks of the people’s armed revolution, then they can provide sufficient cover, preventing information from leaking out or the enemy from infiltrating us. Moreover, we can effectively integrate the local manpower and resources, gradually improve the comrades’ living conditions, and strengthen our organization.”
Cai Xiaoqian: “Then, in principle, both of you agree with the professor’s proposal?”
△ Chen Yinong and Xu Xikuan said in unison: “We agree.”
Cai Xiaoqian: “Next, we must begin planning the establishment of the base at Lukou. In the initial stage, the focus of our work will be on communicating fully with the local people, gaining their understanding and support, and actively recruiting local residents to join us. I would like to ask the three of you to undertake this task together.”
Scene 4 – Night
Time: Late June 1949
Setting: Guangming Daily Office and nearby alleys, Taipei City
Characters: Lü Heruo, Xing Aihua, Xing Aihua, Captain Zhao, Plainclothes Agent B, Plainclothes Agent C
△ One evening in late June, Lü Heruo finished tidying the items on his desk, said goodbye to his colleagues, carried his briefcase, and left the newspaper office. At that moment, an officer from the Security Bureau was monitoring the newspaper office at the alley entrance. Not far away, around the street corner, a black sedan was parked, inside which several Security Bureau officers lay in ambush.
△ As Lü Heruo walked out after work, the officer immediately used a military radio to notify his comrades in the black car.
Officer A: "Calling the Lieutenant Colonel, this is Xiao Zhao. That kid surnamed Lü just left, riding a bicycle toward your direction."
Xing Aihua: "Received. We are moving out."
△ The black sedan immediately drove out of the alley and stopped the bicycle Lü Heruo was riding. Two young plainclothes agents in Zhongshan suits pressed their pistols against Lü Heruo’s waist. One of them snatched his briefcase. A middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit got out of the car.
Plainclothes Agent B: "You are Lü Heruo, right?"
Lü Heruo: (startled, internal thought) "Could these people be from the Security Bureau?"
Lü Heruo: (calming himself) "Yes, that’s me. What law have I broken? Which unit are you from, and why are you arresting me on the street?"
Plainclothes Agent B: "It’s not about breaking any law. Our boss wants to invite you to his official residence for a conversation."
Lü Heruo: "Your boss? Which official is your boss?"
Plainclothes Agent C: "No need to ask so many questions. You’ll know once you get there. Please get in the car, Editor-in-Chief Lü."
△ The two pushed Lü Heruo into the car. One agent moved Lü Heruo’s bicycle to the side under the arcade and then returned to the car. Lü Heruo sat in the black sedan, flanked on both sides by two plainclothes agents. The black sedan then drove off in another direction.
Scene 5 – Day
Time: Late June 1949
Setting: Security Bureau Official Residence Area, Xindian
Characters: Lü Heruo, Gu Zhengwen, Xing Aihua, Captain Zhao, two plainclothes agents, two guards
△ The Security Bureau official residence area was heavily guarded. The black sedan first passed the sentries at the main gate.
Guard: (saluting with rifle) "Greetings, sir."
△ The black sedan then drove in and stopped in front of a red-brick, black-tiled official residence. Two guards with rifles shouted: "Greetings, sir," and one of them opened the car door.
△ Lü Heruo entered the residence under the guard of four people. In the living room, Gu Zhengwen stood up to greet him.
Gu Zhengwen: "Mr. Lü, I sent some of your subordinates to invite you. I hope no discourtesy was shown to you. I am Colonel Gu of the Security Bureau."
Lü Heruo: (irritated) "This should be considered a street abduction, not an invitation, right!?"
Gu Zhengwen: (smiling) "We were concerned you might be unwilling to come, so we resorted to this measure. I hope you can understand."
Lü Heruo: "Speak then, Colonel Gu. What exactly do you intend?"
Gu Zhengwen: (openly) "You speak frankly, as expected. I won’t beat around the bush. Please have a seat. Let’s talk over food and wine. I had the nearby chefs specially prepare Taiwanese dishes for you, hoping they suit your taste."
Gu Zhengwen: (warmly) "I heard you studied in Japan, sir. You are a worldly, high-level intellectual and a cultural figure here in Taipei. With your talent and writing skills, working at a small local newspaper seems a waste. Those who understand the times are true talents. Why not use your abilities in service to the nation?"
Lü Heruo: (coldly) "Colonel Gu, each person has their own ambitions. Whether in or out of office, everyone has their proper place. As a journalist, my duty is to be the voice of the people, to reflect their hardships, and to supervise government policies."
Gu Zhengwen: (sneering) "Ah, reflecting the hardships of the people and supervising government policies. You are indeed upright, with the bearing of a scholar. I truly admire you. But why not see it differently? If you serve in the public sector, your talents could better influence the rise and fall of governance."
Lü Heruo: "I have always been romantic and leisurely in disposition. I cannot accept the culture of flattery and opportunism in officialdom."
Gu Zhengwen: "To be frank, my superior, Director Mao, is eager for talent. If you agree, he will arrange for you to serve as chief editor at a government newspaper."
Lü Heruo: "I appreciate your good intentions, Colonel Gu."
Gu Zhengwen: (regretfully) "Alas! Why insist on refusing wealth and honor and remain opposed to the authorities? It’s like a moth flying into the flame—extremely unwise. Do you know that?"
Lü Heruo: (with righteous resolve) "Colonel Gu, life is short. Wealth and honor are as fleeting as clouds. If I can leave a name remembered in life and after death, I will have no regrets."
Gu Zhengwen: "Your resolve is firm, sir. It’s a pity such talent cannot serve the nation. Please enjoy the food; you need not restrain yourself."
△ Lü Heruo had no appetite. Although Gu Zhengwen repeatedly urged him to eat, Lü remained unmoved. Gu, helpless, ordered the table cleared and replaced with fragrant tea.
Gu Zhengwen: "Your newspaper, Guangming Daily, has recently published articles critiquing government policies and social phenomena, each sharper than the last. The higher-ups have expressed discontent. Director Mao has repeatedly tried to appease, hoping you understand his painstaking efforts. He asks you to inform Publisher Zhong so that the paper does not put Director Mao in a difficult position, avoiding government inspection."
Lü Heruo: "Exposing social realities and government faults is common in all countries’ media. In Britain and the U.S., this is the Fourth Estate, supervising the government beyond the three branches. Authorities should approach the press with openness: correct faults if present, praise otherwise, not suppress free speech politically. Even if the newspaper is inspected, readers will judge right from wrong; public opinion will arbitrate."
Gu Zhengwen: "Your vision is broad, your ideas progressive. I admire this. Yet, these concepts may not be accepted by the authorities. I worry about your future and sincerely hope you use your influence at the paper wisely, avoiding testing the law and challenging the government."
Lü Heruo: "Colonel Gu, I will convey your message to Director Lin and Publisher Zhong. But the paper’s stance is not solely determined by me; please understand."
Gu Zhengwen: "Though we occupy different positions, I have benefited greatly tonight from your words. For a rough soldier like me to meet you is an honor. Later, I will escort you out and have my subordinates see you home."
Scene 6 – Night
Time: Late June 1949
Setting: Lü Heruo’s residence, Taipei City
Characters: Lü Heruo, Su Yulan, Maid Afen
△ Pregnant Su Yulan, Lü Heruo’s beloved mistress, stood at the doorway gazing down the alley. Hearing a car approaching, she walked toward the street. Lü Heruo appeared at the alley, and Yulan glimpsed a black sedan disappearing into the hazy night.
△ Lü Heruo opened his arms, embracing Su Yulan and calming her.
Lü Heruo: "I’m back late. Sorry for making you worry."
Su Yulan: (frowning) "I didn’t see you come back from the office, so I began worrying whether something happened to you."
Lü Heruo: "I’m fine. Let’s go inside and talk."
△ Su Yulan hooked her arm through Lü’s, and they entered the house.
Su Yulan: "Afen, heat the food."
Afen: (from the kitchen) "Yes, mistress."
Lü Heruo: (surprised) "What, you haven’t eaten yet?"
Su Yulan: "The baby has been fed first. You’re the head of this house. Not seeing you, I had no appetite."
Lü Heruo: (apologetically) "In the future, if I return late, I’ll notify you by phone first; you need not wait for me."
Su Yulan: (curious) "Tonight, which friend called you out?"
Lü Heruo: (casually) "Government friends. Conversation didn’t click, so I didn’t stay long."
Su Yulan: "I rarely ask about your friends anyway. But since these are government people, they probably didn’t just want tea and chat, right?"
△ Afen brought the dishes to the table, serving the two and attending to the little girl.
Lü Heruo: "Let’s eat first. I’m hungry."
△ The couple ate in silence. Su Yulan placed a piece of braised pork into Lü’s bowl, breaking the silence.
Su Yulan: "I wonder how long we will still have meals together."
Lü Heruo: "Yulan, don’t think too much."
Su Yulan: "You’ll eventually return to your legal wife, won’t you?"
Lü Heruo: "Let’s not talk about that. Haven’t I been with you all these years?"
Su Yulan: "How long can you stay with us? Besides, there’s another one in my belly."
△ Su Yulan gently stroked her rounded belly, a worried look on her face.
Lü Heruo: "Don’t worry. Even if something happens to me, I will make sure you and the child are taken care of."
Su Yulan: (suspiciously) "Why do you suddenly say that? Are you implying something?"
Lü Heruo: "Yulan, tonight a Security Bureau officer named Gu invited me to his residence for dinner."
Su Yulan: (concerned) "What happened? How did you get involved with those devils at the Security Bureau?"
Lü Heruo: "I’ve never hidden anything from you. Never before, never in the future."
Su Yulan: "That’s why I didn’t mind status and gave you my heart. Living together means being honest."
Lü Heruo: "Colonel Gu warned me that the authorities are displeased with the newspaper’s criticisms. At the same time, he said his superior admires me and wants to recruit me for a government newspaper. He spoke of 'those who understand the times are true talents.' All in all, it was just talk; there’s no way I’d be co-opted."
Su Yulan: (after thinking) "Husband, you shouldn’t reject people outright. First, make sure the words are settled."
Lü Heruo: (surprised) "What do you mean? You think I’m after wealth and status?"
Su Yulan: "I know you’re not. But we shouldn’t offend the powerful. Nowadays, news reports of people being arrested or executed for the wrong words appear from time to time. You must protect yourself. Don’t forget you have two households on your shoulders."
Lü Heruo: (nodding) "I understand. But as chief editor, my duty is to speak truth for the people, supervise government policies, and let society know the facts."
Su Yulan: "I’m not asking you to flatter officials, just to protect yourself. Since they invited you, they probably only want soft words. There’s no malice now; no need to refuse outright, which might irritate them."
Lü Heruo: "They hold the stick in one hand, carrot in the other. As a journalist, I must uphold professional ethics and intellectual integrity, not be co-opted. Better to speak and die than remain silent to live. I must hold my head high; I cannot be a KMT lackey."
Su Yulan: (complaining) "You think only of holding your head high but not of us. I want you alive, not playing hero. You have a family. Principles without flexibility put you in danger. I worry we might suddenly lose our support and end up on the street."
Lü Heruo: (putting down chopsticks, slightly displeased) "Alright, Yulan. At work, I promise not to provoke officials unnecessarily. Some sharp articles may be published, but I cannot arbitrarily alter authors’ submissions; the paper has its own stance."
Su Yulan: "Why not use your influence? Publisher Zhong and Director Lin value you highly."
Lü Heruo: (bitter smile) "If the paper compromises with the government, becoming a mere mouthpiece, then the paper can close. Readers subscribe because it…"
Scene 7 – Day
Time: Late June 1949
Setting: President’s Office, Guangming Daily, Taipei City
Characters: Zhong Haodong, Lin Hanwen, Lü Heruo
△ In the president’s office of Guangming Daily, Publisher Zhong Haodong, President Lin Hanwen, and Chief Editor Lü Heruo were discussing matters together.
Lin Hanwen: "Shidui, that Gu Zhengwen invited you to his official residence for a private talk instead of arresting you directly. That is indeed quite thought-provoking."
Lü Heruo: "I have thought about this issue. According to my analysis, Gu’s summoning me in person very likely carried a strong warning. On the one hand, it reflects that several of the newspaper’s recent commentaries on social issues, with their sharp wording, have indeed struck at the sore spot of the authorities. On the other hand, the social issues our newspaper has been discussing—such as the unequal distribution of land, tenant farmers suffering oppression and exploitation by landlords, and severe inflation—are all true. Therefore, the authorities cannot yet immediately use this as a pretext to strike."
Zhong Haodong: "Brother, your mind is exceptionally calm. Your analysis makes a great deal of sense."
Lin Hanwen: "The purpose of running a newspaper is to speak for the people and loudly voice the suffering in the hearts of ordinary folk. Brother, you need not worry about this. We must persist in our position of supervision and criticism, exposing the dark side of the injustice and unfairness in society and the system, creating a wave of public opinion that forces the government to face these problems and find ways to reform these rotten systems."
Zhong Haodong: "That’s right, brother. Since we dared to come out and run a newspaper, are we supposed to be afraid of the evil forces of the authorities?"
Lü Heruo: "Last night, Yulan and I quarreled over this matter. She is worried about my present work. She feels very insecure now and fears that sooner or later something will happen to me."
Zhong Haodong: (after thinking for a moment, placing one hand on Lü’s shoulder) "Yes, I can understand your wife’s feelings. How about this: I will arrange for her to teach at a school, giving her a stable job and securing the future livelihood of her and the child."
Lü Heruo: "Brother Zhong, thank you."
Zhong Haodong: "Don’t say that. We are brothers of hot blood. Your problem is my problem. I should find a way to solve it for you."
Scene 8 – Day
Time: Early August 1949
Setting: Director’s Office, Security Bureau, Police Headquarters, Xindian
Characters: Chen Cheng, Mao Renfeng, Gu Zhengwen, Adjutant Liu
△ In the director’s office of the Security Bureau at Police Headquarters, Mao Renfeng was answering the telephone.
Chen Cheng: "Renfeng, I’m telling you, this newspaper is becoming more and more outrageous. If you do not deal with it soon, then you will have to answer to the Old Man yourself."
Mao Renfeng: "Yes, Chairman Chen. I will investigate and deal with it immediately!"
Chen Cheng: "These intellectuals spend all day criticizing the government. What do they know of our troubles? Just pin some charge on them. Whoever dares speak recklessly, arrest them. No matter what, execute a few of them to kill the chicken and warn the monkey."
Mao Renfeng: (submissively) "Yes, Chairman. I will certainly handle it according to your wishes."
△ After hanging up the receiver, Mao Renfeng’s face looked very ugly.
Mao Renfeng: "Adjutant Liu, go and bring Gu Zhengwen here immediately."
Adjutant Liu: "Yes, sir. I will go at once."
△ Gu Zhengwen entered the director’s office, holding a copy of Guangming Daily in his hand.
Mao Renfeng: (with a frosty expression) "I was just chewed out by Chairman Chen over the phone, little brother."
Gu Zhengwen: (with a serious expression) "Chief, I was just about to report to you regarding Guangming Daily."
Mao Renfeng: "You are indeed clever. It seems that Lü Heruo is not buying what we are selling. The fire has already reached our bureau. You must hurry and deal with it. Those intellectuals who write those articles—handle them however you like. Whether they live or die does not matter."
Gu Zhengwen: "Your subordinate will deal with it immediately."
Mao Renfeng: "If you catch that Lü Heruo, remember to keep him alive. I want to question him personally. That fellow truly refuses a toast only to drink a forfeit. He is stubborn to the extreme."
Gu Zhengwen: "Yes, sir. I will immediately make arrangements for the arrests."
△ Gu Zhengwen gave a military salute, turned around, and left.
Scene 9 – Day
Time: Early August 1949
Setting: Lü Heruo’s Residence, Taipei City
Characters: Lü Heruo, Su Yulan, Maid Afen, Lin Hanwen
△ At Lü Heruo’s residence, Su Yulan was sitting on the tatami in the Japanese-style living room knitting a wool sweater for the child. Because of her morning sickness, she repeatedly felt nauseous. Nearby, the maid Afen was folding clothes. Lü Heruo came in carrying a book and a cup of tea. Seeing this, he put down what he was carrying, sat beside Yulan, and patted her back.
Lü Heruo: "Yulan, if you are not feeling well, then rest more. Stop knitting the sweater."
Afen: "Mistress’s pregnancy sickness is very severe."
Lü Heruo: "I’ll ask the newspaper office for half a day off and take you to see the doctor to get some medicine to protect the pregnancy."
Su Yulan: "There’s no need. This isn’t my first child. I’ll be fine after I rest a little."
Lü Heruo: "No, you must see the doctor."
△ Lü Heruo stood up and walked toward the entrance hall, then made a phone call.
Lü Heruo: "Brother Hanwen, this is Shidui."
Lin Hanwen: "Good morning. Have you eaten breakfast yet?"
Lü Heruo: "I just finished eating. Brother Hanwen, I’d like to ask for half a day off this morning. Yulan is uncomfortable because of her pregnancy sickness, and I want to take her to the doctor to protect the pregnancy."
Lin Hanwen: "I understand. You must take good care of the expectant mother. Pregnancy is very hard."
Lü Heruo: "I’ll return to the newspaper office this afternoon."
Lin Hanwen: "Take care of Yulan first. As for proofreading the manuscripts, I’ll have Zhang Hongnian do it for the time being."
Scene 10 – Day
Time: Early August 1949
Setting: Investigation and Defense Section Office, Security Bureau, Police Headquarters, Xindian
Characters: Gu Zhengwen, Xing Aihua, Guo Junting
△ In the office of the Investigation and Defense Section of the Security Bureau at Police Headquarters, Colonel Gu Zhengwen, chief of the section, was giving instructions to his subordinate officers before the mission.
Gu Zhengwen: "For this arrest operation, we will split into three groups. Here are two lists. You will take the military police with you. Aihua, you will go to National Taiwan University to arrest that lecturer He Yunxuan and the students on the list. Junting, you will go to Keelung Middle School to arrest Principal Zhong Haodong and his wife Jiang Biyu, as well as the faculty and staff on the list."
△ Xing Aihua and Guo Junting said in unison: "Yes, Chief."
Gu Zhengwen: "For this operation, we are defining Guangming Daily as an underground Communist intelligence station in Taiwan. After these people are brought back, interrogate them in that direction. Director Mao is under tremendous pressure from above because of this matter. We must handle it with great effect so that the Director can account for it to those above him."
△ The two men said in unison: "Yes, Chief."
△ The Security Bureau of Police Headquarters dispatched armed personnel and split into three groups.
Scene 11 – Day
Time: Early August 1949
Setting: Guangming Daily Newspaper Office
Characters: Gu Zhengwen, Military Police Captain, Military Policemen
△ The Security Bureau of Police Headquarters dispatched armed personnel in three groups. Gu Zhengwen led a squad of military police to surround Guangming Daily and entered the newspaper office to arrest people. Zhang Hongnian was returning from an errand outside. At a street corner not far away, he saw the newspaper office being raided, so he immediately turned around and left, hiding at a distance to watch.
△ Two military policemen seized Lin Hanwen, put handcuffs on him, and brought him before Gu Zhengwen.
Military Policeman A: "Reporting to the officer, we have captured the president of the newspaper."
Lin Hanwen: (angrily demanding) "By what right have you come into my newspaper office to arrest people?"
Gu Zhengwen: "Someone reported that this place is an underground Communist intelligence station."
Lin Hanwen: (shouting angrily) "Utter nonsense! Don’t go around putting a red label on people. Do you have any evidence? Where is the evidence?"
Gu Zhengwen: "Once we arrest all of you and bring you back to the bureau, there will be no fear that you won’t confess the evidence."
Lin Hanwen: "You people are really going too far. Does this place still have any law?"
Gu Zhengwen: (coldly laughing) "Heh heh! I represent the law. No more words. Put him in the vehicle."
Captain: "Reporting to the officer, inside there are only two reporters and several staff members. We did not find Lü Heruo."
Gu Zhengwen: "Search again thoroughly. Every corner must be searched."
Captain: "Yes, sir."
Gu Zhengwen: "That fellow Lü Heruo is really lucky! Captain, I will take a small squad and go to Lü Heruo’s residence to arrest him. You first escort these people back to the bureau."
Captain: "Yes, sir."
Scene 12 – Day
Time: Early August 1949
Setting: Lü Heruo’s Residence, Taipei City
Characters: Lü Heruo, Su Yulan, Maid Afen, Zhang Hongnian
△ The telephone rang, and Lü Heruo walked to the entrance hall and picked up the receiver.
△ On the other end of the line, Zhang Hongnian said anxiously: "Something has happened, Brother Shidui. The newspaper office was just raided by a squad of military police. The president and all the employees were put onto military trucks. I saw it when I returned from an errand, but I did not dare go near."
Lü Heruo: "How could this happen?"
Zhang Hongnian: "I am going to hide back in the countryside in Hualien. You should flee quickly as well. Find a safe place and hide."
△ The other party immediately hung up the telephone.
△ Lü Heruo returned to the bedroom and woke Su Yulan. Su propped up the upper half of her body.
Lü Heruo: "Yulan, something has happened at the newspaper office. The president and the employees have all been taken away by the military police. Hongnian just called to inform me."
Su Yulan: (blankly) "Then what should we do?"
Lü Heruo: (anxiously urging her) "The people from Police Headquarters will come to arrest me very soon. We must leave this place immediately."
Su Yulan: "Then I’ll go pack some luggage."
△ Su Yulan got up and began packing some clothes.
Lü Heruo: (shouting toward the kitchen) "Afen, come here for a moment. The master has something to tell you."
Afen: "Master, I’m coming."
Lü Heruo: "Afen, the master can no longer employ you. The people from Police Headquarters are coming to the house to arrest me. The mistress and I must flee together."
Afen: (frightened) "Ah? How could this happen?"
Lü Heruo: "Go help the mistress pack some luggage, and pack your own things as well. Later I will give you some severance pay. Before you find a new job, it will help settle your living expenses. After you finish packing, go to the alley entrance and call a tricycle for me."
Afen: (reluctantly) "Master, I really can’t bear to part with you. These past few years you have treated me so well."
△ Not long after the tricycle carrying Lü Heruo, his wife, and their daughter had left, two jeeps stopped at the entrance to the alley. Gu Zhengwen, together with several military policemen, came to Lü Heruo’s residence. The wooden door was locked. Gu and the others broke in, and the military policemen searched room by room.
Military Policeman A: "Reporting to the officer, there is no one in the house."
Gu Zhengwen: (touching the still-warm teapot on the table) "It seems they left not long ago, and they left in great haste. Split the two vehicles up and search the nearby area."
Soldier B: "Yes, sir."
Gu Zhengwen: (voice-over) "Well now, Lü Heruo! Someone always helps you at the critical moment. You truly are lucky."
Scene 13 – Day
Time: Early August 1949
Setting: Xiao Dongping’s Residence, Taipei City
Characters: Lü Heruo, Su Yulan, Little Daughter, Xiao Dongping
△ Lü Heruo, Su Yulan, and their daughter went to the home of Xiao Dongping, Lü’s partner at Da’an Printing Company. Xiao Dongping came out to open the door.
△ Lü looked toward both ends of the alley, making sure they had not been followed. The four people entered the living room, and Lü and Su put down their luggage.
Xiao Dongping: (curiously) "Brother Lü, you have brought your whole family and so much luggage. Are you going on a trip?"
Lü Heruo: (wryly waving his hand) "Not at all! I’m on the run."
Xiao Dongping: (confused) "On the run? What exactly has happened?"
Lü Heruo: "The people from the Security Bureau at Police Headquarters just brought a squad of military police and raided the newspaper office. The president and the employees were arrested. Only Zhang Hongnian and I were not in the office at the time, so we were not arrested together. Hongnian called to warn me and told me to leave at once."
Xiao Dongping: "Oh? Don’t say I am being wise after the event, but when you transferred from Liberty Daily to Guangming Daily, I already had a premonition. With the way you people criticize the Kuomintang government every day, digging up filth and exposing scandals, it was only a matter of sooner or later before something happened. I said these things before. You should still remember."
Lü Heruo: "Whenever the Security Bureau comes out to arrest people, when have they ever talked about evidence? What is the use of saying these things now? I absolutely cannot let them arrest me."
Xiao Dongping: (concernedly) "Yes. You still have your wife and child depending on you for food and clothing. What are your plans from now on?"
Lü Heruo: "If I can somehow raise the travel expenses, I plan to return to Japan again."
Su Yulan: (looking at Lü in surprise) "You are not thinking of abandoning our daughter and me, are you? Wherever you go, we will follow you there."
Lü Heruo: (comforting her) "Yulan, don’t be childish for now. If I can leave Taiwan, I absolutely will not go to Japan alone."
Su Yulan: "Then you must promise me that you will not leave without saying goodbye, Lü-lang."
Lü Heruo: "All right. I am not that kind of irresponsible man."
Xiao Dongping: "I have an old house over in Caoshan. Although it is an old sanheyuan courtyard house, the location is very secluded. Would you like to stay there for the time being?"
Lü Heruo: (gratefully) "That would be good. Thank you so much, Brother Dongping."
Xiao Dongping: "Don’t say that. Everyone is bound to fall on hard times eventually."
Scene 14 – Night
Time: Early August 1949
Setting: A Mountain Path Leading to Caoshan
Characters: Lü Heruo, Su Yulan, Xiao Dongping, Daughter (three years old)
△ Xiao Dongping led Lü and Su and the child up the mountain path toward Caoshan late at night. Lü Heruo carried his little daughter on his back. Because Su Yulan was pregnant, she could not endure the fatigue and had to stop repeatedly while walking.
Lü Heruo: "Yulan, before daybreak we must reach the mountain, so as not to expose our whereabouts."
Su Yulan: (sitting on a rock by the mountain path) "I truly cannot walk any farther. Just stop worrying about me."
Lü Heruo: (pulling Su Yulan by the arm) "At a critical moment like this, stop being stubborn."
Su Yulan: "How am I being stubborn? I really cannot walk anymore."
Lü Heruo: "Brother Dongping, help me carry little sister. I will support Yulan as we walk."
Xiao Dongping: "Lan is pregnant. For her to have walked this far is already not easy. Leave little sister to me to carry. We will slow down. Whenever we should rest, we will rest a little. We can still arrive before daybreak."
△ Lü Heruo placed his daughter onto Xiao Dongping’s back and helped Yulan to her feet.
Lü Heruo: "Since Dongping says so, let us walk more slowly."
△ Several barks of dogs could be heard from the distance.
Xiao Dongping: "Brother Lü, there are a few households ahead. Shall we rest there for a while?"
Lü Heruo: "Better not. I do not want to attract attention. It is already the middle of the night."
Xiao Dongping: "All right then. Let us find somewhere else to rest."
Scene 15 – Night
Time: Early August 1949
Setting: A Sanheyuan Courtyard House in the Caoshan Mountain Area
Characters: Lü Heruo, Su Yulan, Xiao Dongping, Daughter (three years old)
△ Just before dawn, their group finally arrived at the sanheyuan courtyard house. Su Yulan was already so exhausted that she could no longer speak.
Xiao Dongping: "Brother Lü, Yulan looks completely worn out. Let her go and rest first."
Lü Heruo: (with a face full of reluctance and pity) "Yulan has really suffered, following me and enduring hardship and misery."
△ Lü Heruo helped Yulan wash her face and wipe away her sweat, fed her some porridge, spread out bedding, and Su Yulan lay down to rest.
△ Lü Heruo and Xiao Dongping came to the courtyard in front of the entrance.
Xiao Dongping: "No one has lived in this sanheyuan for several years. However, after tidying it up a bit, it can still be lived in."
Lü Heruo: "To have such a house in which to settle temporarily is enough to satisfy me."
△ Xiao and Lü together tidied and cleaned the inside and outside of the house.
Xiao Dongping: "After I go down the mountain, within one or two days I will bring food supplies up here."
Lü Heruo: "I am troubling you, Brother Dongping."
Xiao Dongping: "Don’t say that. We are good brothers. Looking after each other is only proper."
Lü Heruo: "Could I trouble you to bring me some melon and vegetable seeds and some chicks and ducklings as well, so that Yulan can plant and raise them? Otherwise she will have nothing to do and will spend the whole day thinking all sorts of thoughts."
Xiao Dongping: "Of course. But weren’t you planning to go to Japan to avoid the storm? Why do you still want to plant vegetables and raise chickens and ducks?"
Lü Heruo: "Whether I can raise enough travel money, pass the harbor inspection smoothly, and leave Taiwan are all still unknowns. I cannot make plans without thinking a little further ahead."
Xiao Dongping: "Brother Lü truly does think things through carefully."
Lü Heruo: "I have a feeling that in a few days perhaps Police Headquarters will issue a wanted notice for me."
Xiao Dongping: "Then you yourself must act more discreetly and more cautiously."
Lü Heruo: "Naturally."
Xiao Dongping: "Everything has more or less been tidied up. I should be going back down the mountain."
Lü Heruo: "Let me see you off for part of the way."
Xiao Dongping: (waving his hand) "No need. I know these roads very well. On the way back, it will be quicker if I call a tricycle."
△ Xiao Dongping walked toward the mountain path leading downhill.
Scene 16 – Day
Time: Early August 1949
Setting: A Sanheyuan Courtyard House in the Caoshan Mountain Area
Characters: Lü Heruo, Su Yulan, Daughter (three years old)
△ Around noon, the daughter sat by the doorway looking outside. Su Yulan got out of bed and walked to the doorway. Lü Heruo was building a trellis for melons on the empty ground beside the courtyard. The inside and outside of the house had already been cleaned and arranged neatly.
△ Su Yulan filled a basin with water for washing and brought a towel to Lü Heruo.
Su Yulan: "Wash your face. Look at yourself, busy until you are covered in dust and dirt. Later, go inside and sleep for a while."
Lü Heruo: (washing his face and wiping away sweat) "It would be a pity to leave this patch of empty ground neglected. It would be better to use it to plant some melons, fruits, and vegetables. Under the trellis we could also raise some chickens and ducks."
Su Yulan: "Aren’t we only staying here temporarily? Won’t we soon be going to Japan?"
Lü Heruo: "I have no certainty whether we will be able to go to Japan. If we cannot leave Taiwan for the time being, then we must still have a place where we can settle and make a living. By growing vegetables and raising some chickens and ducks, we can be self-sufficient and not repeatedly trouble our friends and become a burden to them."
Su Yulan: (helplessly) "It seems there is no choice but to do this. But I worry that even if we live in seclusion here, sooner or later the people from Police Headquarters will still discover us. They will not let you go."
Lü Heruo: "Unless it is necessary, we will do our best not to go out and show ourselves. Then we will not attract the neighbors’ attention."
Su Yulan: "I hope things will be as you say. If we can live a peaceful life, I will be completely satisfied."
Scene 17 – Day
Time: Mid-August 1949
Setting: A Sanheyuan Courtyard House in the Caoshan Mountain Area
Characters: Lü Heruo, Su Yulan, Xiao Dongping, Daughter (three years old), Two Porters
△ Xiao Dongping brought two porters carrying shoulder poles. They delivered food supplies, chicks and ducklings, melon, fruit, and vegetable seeds, as well as several books.
Xiao Dongping: "Please wait here for a moment."
△ Xiao Dongping walked into the house. Su Yulan was washing clothes by the well.
Xiao Dongping: "Brother Lü, I have brought you the food supplies and the vegetable seeds and chicks and ducklings you wanted. I have placed them first in the courtyard in front of the entrance."
Lü Heruo: "So quickly! Thank you very much."
Xiao Dongping: "Before coming here, I noticed plainclothes men from Police Headquarters keeping watch at the street corner near our printing shop. You had better not go back, lest you walk right into their trap."
Lü Heruo: "Mm. I understand. Brother Dongping, in order to raise travel expenses to go to Japan, I intend to transfer my shares to someone else or use them as collateral. I hope you can understand."
Xiao Dongping: "You are having difficulties now. Morally speaking, I ought to help you and raise the travel money for you to go to Japan. But for the moment I do not have enough cash to take over your shares. If you want to transfer your shares to someone else, what could I possibly say?"
Lü Heruo: "Thank you for your understanding, Dongping. Sit down and have a cup of tea."
△ Lü Heruo brought over a chair.
Xiao Dongping: "No, thank you. I already had something to drink on the road. After this disturbance has passed, I hope that in the future there will still be a chance for me to cooperate with you again and work together in business."
Lü Heruo: "As long as I am not arrested by Police Headquarters, there will always be a chance in the future for me to rise again and cooperate with you."
Xiao Dongping: "There are still some matters at the printing shop that I need to deal with. I’m going back down the mountain now. Take good care of Yulan."
△ Lü Heruo and Xiao Dongping walked outside the house. Lü watched as Xiao and the two porters went down the mountain together.
△ Su Yulan carried a basket of clothes to the courtyard in front of the entrance and was just about to hang them up to dry when she saw several loads of food supplies and the chicks and ducklings.
Su Yulan: "Brother Dongping was just here?"
Lü Heruo: "Yes. I spoke with him for a few moments."
Su Yulan: "Dongping came from so far away to bring food supplies. Why didn’t you invite him to sit down and have a cup of tea?"
Lü Heruo: "He said he still had matters to deal with, so he left first."
