[Chapter Fifteen]

1
The bamboo raft slowly sailed away from the fishing port.
A-Pao said, “A-Cai, help them sort out the fishing rods. In a while, we’ll find a place with smaller wind and waves to cast the lines.”
A-Cai said, “No problem.”
Not far away, a group of dolphins swam over. Xiao-Qiao shouted excitedly, “It’s dolphins, dolphins!”
Bao-Feng said, “Mm! It’s my first time seeing dolphins up close.”
A-Pao said, “Where there are dolphins, you won’t be able to catch any fish.”
Xiao-Qiao asked in confusion, “Why?”
Wen-Yan said, “Dolphins scare the fish away!”
A-Pao said, “That’s right. So when fishermen go out to sea, they actually dislike encountering dolphins. But we’ll let you enjoy watching them first, and then we’ll find another place to anchor and cast the lines.”
Ming-Dao said, “These dolphins are indeed lively and mischievous. Look, they’re performing jumps and rolls.”
Xiao-Qiao said, “It’s a pity I didn’t bring a camera. Otherwise, I could take pictures back and open my parents’ eyes.”
Yu-Tang said, “I think it’s better not to. If your parents find out you came out to sea with us on a bamboo raft, they probably won’t dare let you come out with us again in the future.”
Xiao-Qiao said, “That won’t happen! My dad has always been very open-minded. Sometimes he even travels abroad for business, and he always says: reading ten thousand books must be matched by traveling ten thousand miles, only then is life worthwhile.”

2
Wen-Yan helped his younger sister Wen-Ying organize her schoolbag. The two siblings went to take A-Yuan’s ox cart and met up with Yu-Tang, Yu-Hui, and Bao-Feng.
On the ox cart, Bao-Feng and Yu-Hui competed to help Wen-Ying tidy her clothing.
Bao-Feng said, “Little sister, put your handkerchief in your shirt pocket. After you eat and wash your hands, remember to take it out and wipe them.”
Yu-Hui said, “Your pencil and eraser—remember to put them back into your pencil case during recess, so the boys won’t touch them and take them away.”
Wen-Yan stood nearby, reminding his sister of things to pay attention to in class.
Yu-Tang said with a smile, “Wen-Yan, your sister is only going to elementary school. Why are you so nervous?”
Wen-Yan said, “My sister is rather shy.”

3
When they arrived at Xizhi Street, Wen-Yan lifted his sister Wen-Ying down from the ox cart.
Wen-Yan said, “Little sister, when the teacher is teaching, you must listen attentively.”
Wen-Ying nodded obediently.
Wen-Yan added, “After school, you must stand at the school gate and wait for Uncle A-Yuan’s ox cart. Don’t run around.”
Wen-Ying nodded again.
Bao-Feng stuffed two lollipops into Wen-Ying’s hands. “Take these candies with you. You can eat them during recess.”
Wen-Yan escorted his sister into the school gate. After a while, the three of them waited at the bus stop. At this moment, Ming-Dao hurried over to join them.
Ming-Dao wiped his sweat and said, “I almost didn’t make it.”
Bao-Feng said with a smile, “It’s the first day of school! And you, the big master, overslept.”
Ming-Dao said, “Not at all! I was waiting for my mom to finish steaming the buns. I brought a bag—let’s eat them while they’re hot.”
Yu-Hui said, “I’m not hungry. We already had porridge before leaving home.”
Ming-Dao said, “Then treat it as a snack.”

4
In the classroom, the students were seriously writing compositions. On the blackboard was written the topic: “My Father.” Wen-Yan held a brush pen, staring at the blank composition notebook in deep thought, unable to begin writing for a long time. Zhang Rong-Hua came over to his side during inspection.
Zhang Rong-Hua asked, “Wen-Yan, what’s wrong?”
Wen-Yan hesitated and said, “I… I’m fine.”
Zhang Rong-Hua noticed something unusual in Wen-Yan’s expression, and it was not convenient to press further at the moment.
The bell rang. The students went up to the podium one after another to hand in their composition notebooks. Only Wen-Yan remained seated, unmoving. After slightly arranging the notebooks, Zhang Rong-Hua walked to Wen-Yan’s side.
Zhang Rong-Hua said, “Come with me to the office.”
Wen-Yan followed Zhang Rong-Hua out of the classroom.
In the teachers’ office, Zhang Rong-Hua asked, “Wen-Yan, tell me, why didn’t you write a single word? This isn’t like you.”
Wen-Yan said, “Teacher, I can’t write on this topic.”
Zhang Rong-Hua asked in surprise, “What’s wrong? ‘My Father’ is a very ordinary topic.”
Wen-Yan said, “My father is no longer here… I don’t want to recall it again.”
Zhang Rong-Hua thought for a moment and said, “Actually, even if your father is no longer here, you can still remember him through writing.”
Wen-Yan remained silent.
Zhang Rong-Hua said, “But if you truly don’t want to write it, I won’t force you. You can change to another topic and hand it in tomorrow.”
Wen-Yan said, “Teacher, it’s alright. I’ll still write the original topic. I’ll hand it in tomorrow.”
Zhang Rong-Hua said, “Alright then. If you have any difficulties, tell me anytime.”
Wen-Yan said, “Thank you, teacher.”

5
After school, Wen-Yan and Ming-Dao passed by an old book stall. They browsed casually for a while and saw a stack of Free China magazines.
Wen-Yan picked one up.
The shop owner said, “This magazine has already been banned. In the future, even if you have money, you won’t be able to buy it.”
Wen-Yan flipped through it and thought, “The articles in here are very insightful. Why would it be banned?”
Wen-Yan said, “Boss, I’ll take two copies.”

6
Wen-Yan brought Free China to school. While reading it in the classroom, three classmates from outside the province saw him and came over.
Cheng Wei-Ming asked, “Classmate Yu, don’t you know this magazine publisher was just banned, and the boss Lei Zhen was taken away by the Security Bureau? You’re really bold, bringing a banned book to school.”
Wen-Yan said, “So what if it’s banned? The articles in this magazine are very insightful, and the criticism of the government is also fair and to the point—not slander or abuse. I think the Security Bureau’s closure of the publisher will only give others grounds for criticism.”
Lu Jun-Ting said, “Tsk tsk tsk, you should go tell those grand principles to the instructor and the dean, and see how they respond.”
Wu Jing-Lun said, “Openly bringing a banned book to school violates school regulations. You should know that, right?”
Wen-Yan said, “I didn’t lend the magazine to classmates to read. And now it’s recess. What I choose to read is my personal freedom—you have no right to interfere.”
These classmates did everything they could to mock him. Both sides exchanged words and a quarrel broke out.
Ming-Dao entered the classroom, saw the dispute, and acted as a peacemaker. He said, “It’s just a magazine. Besides, I don’t even know whether it’s banned or not. Ignorance is no crime. Wen-Yan, just put the magazine away and it’ll be fine.”
When the homeroom teacher Zhang Rong-Hua passed by, he saw them and asked, “What are you arguing about?”
Wu Jing-Lun said, “Teacher, Yu Wen-Yan brought a banned book to school.”
Zhang Rong-Hua saw the Free China magazine on the desk and warned Wen-Yan, “Wen-Yan, this magazine has been banned. It contains many overly radical statements. Try not to get involved with this kind of material, or you may bring trouble upon yourself. Don’t bring it to school again.”
Wen-Yan responded with an “Oh,” put the magazine away, and returned it to his schoolbag.

7
In a corner of the school playground, Wen-Yan, Yu-Tang, and Ming-Dao were cleaning.
Ming-Dao asked, “Wen-Yan, don’t bring that Free China again in the future.”
Wen-Yan said indignantly, “You’re just like the teacher, making a fuss over nothing. It’s clearly a very outstanding magazine. There are many good viewpoints inside, pointing out the contradictions in the current system and the direction of reform. For the nation and society, it brings only benefits and no harm. I really don’t understand why the government treats it like a venomous beast.”
Ming-Dao said, “I can understand your admiration for Free China, but our government does not have the tolerance to accept criticism and heed advice. Otherwise, why impose martial law? Wen-Yan, reading banned books at school is not a wise move.”
Yu-Tang also said, “Yes! At a time like this, any topic related to politics becomes very sensitive. It’s best to avoid touching it whenever possible, so as not to invite unnecessary trouble.”
Ming-Dao said, “Just now, Wu Jing-Lun and those guys were giving you trouble, and you argued with them. I’m worried they won’t just let it go. They might go and inform the dean or the instructor.”
“Alright, I’ll listen to you,” Wen-Yan said. Although he felt resentful, faced with the sincere advice of his two friends, he had no choice but to accept it.

8
Sure enough, at noon the next day, Instructor Ma Wei-De summoned Wen-Yan for questioning.
Ma Wei-De said, “Yu Wen-Yan, I have received a report that a classmate says you brought a banned book to school. Do you know this violates school regulations? I must report it according to the rules.”
Wen-Yan said, “It’s just an old magazine. Instructor, why are you making such a fuss?”
Ma Wei-De said, “Just an old magazine? I heard it’s Free China. This magazine has already been banned. Don’t you know that?”
Wen-Yan said, “I just found out as well. What’s wrong with the articles inside?”
Ma Wei-De said, “Since it is a banned book, you shouldn’t read it, and you certainly must not bring it to school.”
Wen-Yan said, “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the articles. This magazine merely offers opinions on certain phenomena and issues.”
Ma Wei-De said, “I don’t want to hear your sophistry. Where is the magazine?”
Wen-Yan said, “After the teacher reminded me, I stopped bringing it to school.”
Ma Wei-De said, “Don’t think you can avoid punishment by saying that!”
Wen-Yan said, “Instructor, you make me feel like you’re suppressing thought. If you want to punish me according to school rules, then how are you any different from the eunuchs of the Eastern Depot in the Ming dynasty? I will not accept it!”
These words immediately enraged Ma Wei-De. With a loud “bang,” he slammed the table and sprang up from his seat, pointing at Wen-Yan’s nose and shouting angrily, “You brat, you dare to mock me as a eunuch? You’ve got some nerve!”
Wen-Yan said, “Isn’t that the case? Only the eunuchs of the Eastern Depot would frame loyal and good people.”
Ma Wei-De angrily scolded, “You brat, saying I frame loyal people? Do you think you are Yue Fei or Wen Tian-Xiang? Originally I only planned to give you a major demerit. Now I’ve changed my mind. I’ve decided to expel you. You can go back to the classroom, pack your bag, and starting tomorrow, you don’t need to come to school anymore.”

9
Wen-Yan returned to the classroom in a stifled mood to pack his books. Ming-Dao came over with concern.
Ming-Dao said, “What happened? Why are you packing your bag?”
Wen-Yan said with a livid face, “Damn it, that Instructor Ma is going to expel me.”
Ming-Dao asked in surprise, “What did you do? Why would Instructor Ma expel you?”
Wen-Yan said, “Someone reported me to him, saying I brought a banned book to school.”
Ming-Dao said in confusion, “But later you didn’t bring it anymore, right?”
Wen-Yan said, “Yes! But Instructor Ma still made trouble for me, saying he would give me a major demerit. So I confronted him, and then he said he would expel me.”
Ming-Dao could not help but curse, “Damn it! That Instructor Ma is indeed picking on you. But even if you talked back to him face to face, it shouldn’t be enough to expel you. Let’s go talk to the homeroom teacher and have him step in to handle it.”
Wen-Yan said, “Forget it! With an instructor like this who suppresses thought, even if I stay, sooner or later he’ll kick me out anyway.”
Ming-Dao said, “Wen-Yan, don’t be so pessimistic. Let’s ask the homeroom teacher to talk to Ma.”
Ming-Dao pulled Wen-Yan to the teachers’ office, where Teacher Zhang Rong-Hua was grading notebooks.
Ming-Dao said, “Teacher, Wen-Yan is in big trouble.”
Zhang Rong-Hua stopped and asked, “Wen-Yan, what happened?”
Ming-Dao said, “Instructor Ma threatened to expel Wen-Yan.”
Zhang Rong-Hua asked, “On what grounds? Wen-Yan, did you commit some grave mistake?”
Wen-Yan said, “Instructor Ma said someone reported me for bringing a banned book to school, and he wants to pursue the matter.”
Zhang Rong-Hua asked, “Wen-Yan, did you bring that magazine today?”
Wen-Yan said, “After you reminded me yesterday, I didn’t bring it again.”
Zhang Rong-Hua said, “Since you didn’t bring it again, and Instructor Ma did not catch you with the banned book on the spot, it doesn’t make much sense to pursue the matter afterward.”
Wen-Yan said, “Exactly! I think the instructor was deliberately making trouble for me. So I refuted him, and he thought I was talking back, so he said he would give me a major demerit. Then he changed his mind and said he would expel me.”
Zhang Rong-Hua asked, “How did you refute him?”
Wen-Yan said, “I said the articles in the magazine were very good, and I didn’t think there was any problem. I just felt the instructor was overreacting.”
Zhang Rong-Hua said, “Since that magazine has been banned, in the eyes of those instructors, it is like a venomous beast—untouchable. What else did you say?”
Wen-Yan said, “The instructor said I was making sophistry and wanted to give me a major demerit. I was very unconvinced.”
Zhang Rong-Hua said, “You felt unconvinced, and then what did you say to him?”
Wen-Yan said, “I said the instructor was suppressing thought and was no different from the eunuchs of the Eastern Depot in the Ming dynasty.”
Zhang Rong-Hua said with a bitter smile, “Eastern Depot eunuchs—you said Instructor Ma was a eunuch? No wonder you angered him.”
Wen-Yan lowered his head and said, “I’m sorry, teacher. I was very upset at the time, so…”
Zhang Rong-Hua said, “Instructor Ma was probably speaking in anger as well. I’ll take you to apologize to him and settle this matter.”

10
Homeroom teacher Zhang Rong-Hua took Wen-Yan to the instructor’s office to apologize to Instructor Ma Wei-De.
“Instructor Ma, my student is young and hot-headed. He spoke rudely and contradicted you. Please be magnanimous and do not hold it against him.” Zhang Rong-Hua signaled with his eyes for Wen-Yan to bow and apologize.
Although unwilling in his heart, Wen-Yan could not bear to go against the teacher’s goodwill, so he bowed and said, “Instructor Ma, I’m sorry.”
“He brought a banned book to school. According to school regulations, he should receive a major demerit,” Instructor Ma said in a lofty manner.
Zhang Rong-Hua said with a smile, “This student brought the banned book yesterday. At the time, I immediately asked him to put it away and warned him not to bring it to school again. If the instructor pursues the matter afterward, I’m afraid even I cannot accept it.”
Instructor Ma insisted, “The punishment is not because of the banned book. It is because this student refuses to be taught and has a poor attitude afterward. Not only did he not admit his mistake, he even called me an Eastern Depot eunuch. That is why I decided to give him a major demerit.”
Zhang Rong-Hua said, “Instructor Ma, it is precisely because my student said something he shouldn’t have that I specially brought him here to apologize to you. Please don’t hold it against him.”
Instructor Ma retorted, “If it were you being called an Eastern Depot eunuch, would you not be angry? Would you not hold it against him?”
Seeing that Instructor Ma had made up his mind, Zhang Rong-Hua said no more and left the office with Wen-Yan.

11
After school, Wen-Yan, Ming-Dao, and Yu-Tang met Bao-Feng and Xiao-Qiao at the school gate. Wen-Yan was in a bad mood, wearing a poker face.
Xiao-Qiao asked, “Wen-Yan, what’s wrong? You look very unhappy.”
Ming-Dao said, “That Instructor Ma said he’s going to give Wen-Yan a major demerit.”
Xiao-Qiao asked in great surprise, “Why? Did Wen-Yan get caught smoking or fighting?”
Ming-Dao said, “No, it’s because Wen-Yan brought a banned book to school. The instructor said he violated school regulations.”
“A banned book? What kind of banned book? It couldn’t be the kind you boys like to read…” Xiao-Qiao blushed before finishing her sentence.
Wen-Yan said, “Xiao-Qiao, what are you thinking?”
Ming-Dao said, “It’s the Free China magazine.”
Xiao-Qiao asked, “Free China magazine? My family has plenty of that political magazine. What’s the big deal? And for that, Wen-Yan gets a major demerit?”
Wen-Yan said, “I also think the teacher and instructor are making a fuss over nothing.”
Ming-Dao said, “But that magazine publisher was later shut down, and the magazine became a banned book.”
Xiao-Qiao said, “This Instructor Ma is really making a mountain out of a molehill. Wen-Yan, do you want my father to step in and talk to the principal? My father is the vice chairman of the parents’ association. If he asks the principal for a favor, the principal should be willing to be lenient.”
Wen-Yan said, “No need, Xiao-Qiao. Our homeroom teacher has already spoken to Instructor Ma. He changed his statement and said he is giving me a major demerit because when he called me to the office, I talked back to him.”
Xiao-Qiao asked, “What did you say to provoke him?”
Wen-Yan said, “At the time I was angry, so I called him an Eastern Depot eunuch who suppresses thought and speech.”
Bao-Feng and Xiao-Qiao shook their heads and laughed at the same time. Bao-Feng said, “No matter how angry you were, you shouldn’t have called the instructor a eunuch. No wonder he won’t let you off.”
Xiao-Qiao shook her head and smiled wryly, “If you scold Instructor Ma like that, of course he can’t stand it. In that case, if my father steps in to plead for you, he won’t have any standing.”
Wen-Yan said, “No need. I’ve come to terms with it. Since Instructor Ma has something on me, if he wants to give me a major demerit, then so be it.”

12
On the weekend, A-Pao and A-Cai came to find Wen-Yan. The three of them were at the courtyard in front of the sanheyuan house.
A-Pao said, “I heard from Bao-Feng that you were given trouble by the school instructor?”
Wen-Yan said, “Forget it, I’m just having bad luck.”
A-Pao said, “How can you just let it go like that? No one can bully my brother like this. A-Cai and I will stand up for you—we’ll trick that instructor out and sack him.”
A-Cai cracked his knuckles and said, “We’ll lure that clueless instructor out and beat him up to vent your anger, hehe.”
Wen-Yan said seriously, “I appreciate your kindness, but please don’t act impulsively and make things even more complicated.”
A-Pao said, “Since when did you become so cowardly? If we take action to teach him a lesson, it won’t implicate you.”
Wen-Yan said, “I’ve already said don’t do this. You should also respect me.”
“Forget it. You really disappoint me. A-Cai, let’s go back to Keelung.” After saying this, A-Pao waved his hand, and the two left.

13
This day was National Day. National flags were planted along both sides of the streets and at shops, forming a sea of fluttering flags. After school, Wen-Yan was walking along the road when he saw a national flag lying sideways on the fast lane. A car approached, and the driver, in order to avoid the flag lying in the middle of the fast lane, hurriedly turned the steering wheel sharply, causing the car to drastically change direction. Seeing all this, Wen-Yan stepped forward to set the flag upright.
Wen-Yan muttered to himself, “Why plant so many flags on the roadway for no reason? They obstruct traffic—honestly!”
A reporter with a camera hanging around his neck rode past Wen-Yan on a bicycle. Seeing Wen-Yan setting the flag upright, he quickly stopped, picked up his camera, and took a photograph.

14
In the morning, Ming-Dao was eating breakfast while flipping through the Central Daily News. When he turned to a certain page, he was suddenly shocked and almost spat out the milk tea in his mouth.
Ming-Dao shouted, “Mom, come take a look!”
Lin Pei-Xuan said, “What’s wrong? Why are you making such a fuss?”
Ming-Dao said, “My classmate is in the newspaper—his photo is on it!”
Lin Pei-Xuan leaned over to Ming-Dao’s side and looked at the newspaper in his hands. There was a photo of Wen-Yan on it.
Lin Pei-Xuan said, “Isn’t this the one who came to our house before?”
Ming-Dao and his mother carefully read the newspaper. The headline read: “Youngster Lifts National Flag from Roadway, Patriotic Deed Highly Commendable.”

15
This news immediately attracted reporters from various newspapers, who swarmed to Keelung High School for interviews. The principal and administrators all wanted to take advantage of the opportunity. A group of reporters surrounded the corridor outside the classroom to interview Wen-Yan. Behind him stood Principal Shi Ji, the discipline officer, and the academic affairs director, along with onlooking students. In front of Wen-Yan were more than a dozen microphones, and camera flashes kept going off.
“Student Yu Wen-Yan, under what circumstances did you lift that flagpole?” a reporter asked, bringing the microphone close.
“Yesterday after school, I was walking along a road and saw a national flag blown down by the wind lying across the fast lane. At that time, a car passed by and almost lost control while trying to avoid it. I was worried…” Before Wen-Yan could finish, the principal snatched the microphone and said, “I am Principal Shi Ji. My student Yu Wen-Yan was concerned that vehicles might run over the national flag and damage the image of the nation, so he rushed forward without regard for his own safety and set the flag upright.”
Another reporter then asked Wen-Yan, “At that moment, didn’t you think that you might be hit by a car?”
Principal Shi Ji again rushed to speak, “At that moment, Wen-Yan only thought that the national flag must not be run over by car wheels. He did not consider his own safety. His brave performance is worthy of being a model for all teachers and students of the school. Our school is deeply proud of student Wen-Yan…”
Wen-Yan turned slightly to look at Principal Shi Ji speaking endlessly, his face full of righteous expression, his mouth even spraying saliva, and secretly laughed in his heart, “This boastful old turtle Shi Ji talks as if he were present at the scene!”
Cheng Wei-Ming, Lu Jun-Ting, and Wu Jing-Lun whispered among themselves nearby, expressing dissatisfaction.
Cheng Wei-Ming mocked, “A blind cat catching a dead mouse—he just happened to run into it, and now he really thinks he’s some kind of patriotic youth. How ridiculous!”
Lu Jun-Ting said, “Yeah, who knows what kind of rotten luck this kid has. He could even run into something this absurd.”
A reporter noticed this and intended to go over to interview the three of them.
Discipline Director Du Jin-Cheng said, “What are you three saying there?”
Instructor Ma Wei-De also glared angrily at the three, pointed at them, and scolded, “Don’t you understand the situation? Get out of here immediately!” He quickly waved his hand and drove them away.
Director Du stepped forward himself to accept the interview and said, “Regarding student Yu Wen-Yan’s brave and patriotic conduct, all teachers and students of our school feel honored…”

16
The matter grew bigger and bigger, eventually drawing the attention of Chiang Ching-Kuo, director of the China Youth Corps. At school, Wen-Yan received a phone call of commendation from Chiang Ching-Kuo, and the principal and administrators were all greatly encouraged.
The principal said with a beaming smile, “Director Chiang personally called to commend him—this is truly not easy!”
The academic affairs director Long Hua immediately flattered him, saying, “Yes! Principal, our school has made the front pages of major newspapers. This time we have truly become famous. Principal, you will soon be promoted!”
Discipline Director Du Jin-Cheng then instructed Instructor Ma Wei-De beside him, “The report you previously placed on my desk about giving Yu Wen-Yan a major demerit—I will withdraw it for now. By the principal’s order, add a major merit instead. The principal is in high spirits right now; don’t bring this matter up to spoil his mood.”
Instructor Ma Wei-De replied submissively, “Yes, yes, Director Du,” but inwardly he cursed resentfully, “You brat Yu Wen-Yan, damn it, this time you’re just lucky…”