THE WHITE FILES: THE MANY

LIVES OF LU HERUO, TAIWANS

FIRST LITERARY TALENT 

Chapter Seven: Lü Heruo and Guangming Daily

31

In the publishers office at Guangming Daily, the afternoon sunlight slanted through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The sounds of traffic on Nanjing East Road outside filtered faintly into the room, contrasting with the heavy atmosphere of contemplation inside. A Chinese landscape painting rendered in bold ink strokes hung quietly on the wall. Behind the desk, the bookshelves were packed with newspaper clippings, documents, and thick yearbooks from the Mandarin Daily News. The air carried a mixture of freshly brewed tea and printing ink, occasionally mingled with a faint smell of tobacco. The atmosphere in the office was tense yet rational.

Zhong Haodong, dressed in a dark Sun Yat-sen suit, sat in the main seat on the sofa, his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes fixed intently on the newspaper headline on the coffee table. Lin Hanwen sat back in a chair by the window, holding an unlit cigarette between his fingers. The tip of his shoe tapped lightly against the floor as though he were deep in thought. Lü Heruo sat opposite them, wearing a neatly tailored suit. His expression was serious, and one hand gently rubbed his temple.

Lin Hanwen spoke first, his voice low but still edged with sharpness. “Shidui, Gu Zhengwen invited you to his official residence for a private conversation instead of arresting you outright. That certainly makes you wonder what hes up to.”

As he spoke, the cigarette moved unconsciously between his fingers. He then leaned back in his chair and put it back into the cigarette case.

Lü Heruo slowly straightened up. His gaze grew sharper, and although his voice remained steady, it carried an undercurrent of vigilance. “Ive thought about that. In my judgment, Gu personally summoned me to intimidate me—to issue a clear warning. They dont dare take action against me yet, but they want me to restrain myself.”

He paused, clasped his hands together on his knees, and continued, “This means that several of our recent editorials, with their strongly critical tone, have indeed struck a nerve with the authorities. They cannot refute us openly, so they have to find other ways to put pressure on us. Everything weve written about—the unequal distribution of land, the exploitation of tenant farmers, the military and police reselling supplies for profit, and worsening inflation—is true. Everyone knows it, but no one dares to say it.”

Zhong Haodong frowned, thought for several seconds, then nodded. His voice conveyed admiration. “Brother, your mind is exceptionally clear. Your analysis makes a great deal of sense.” As he spoke, he folded the newspaper and placed it heavily on the table.

Lin Hanwen leaned forward and slapped his thigh, speaking with excitement. “We publish a newspaper to speak on behalf of the people and give voice to the suffering ordinary citizens carry in their hearts!”

He turned toward Lü Heruo, his tone resolute. “Brother, you dont need to worry about this. The position of Guangming Daily is to supervise and criticize! We must expose the darkness in society and the injustices in the system, stir up a wave of public opinion, and let those high-and-mighty officials know that the people are not mute!”

He struck the coffee table with his fist, causing the tea in the cups to tremble slightly.

Zhong Haodong stood up and walked over to Lü Heruo. Placing one hand on his shoulder, he spoke with the bold spirit of an elder brother. “Thats right. We dared to step forward and publish a newspaper, so we have no reason to fear the underhanded tricks of those in power. Whos afraid of whom?”

Lü Heruo looked out the window. His brow showed signs of fatigue, and he spoke in a low voice. “Last night... Yulan and I argued again. Shes anxious about the work Im doing now. She said that rather than have me walk a tightrope every day, I should go back to teaching. At least then she wouldnt have to worry that one day I might simply disappear.”

His voice grew low with emotion, and the end of his sentence trembled slightly. He then lowered his eyes, as though trying to suppress something within himself.

Hearing this, Zhong Haodong fell silent for a moment, then took a deep breath. He crouched down so that his eyes were level with Lü Heruos and spoke more gently. “I understand how your wife feels. She has children and a family, and she worries because she depends on you...”

He stood up, his tone becoming decisive. “Heres what Ill do. Ill arrange for her to teach at a school Im familiar with and give her a stable job. That way, she can feel secure, and youll have some support at home instead of having your mind pulled in two directions.”

Lü Heruo looked at Zhong Haodong with emotion, took his hand, and said, his eyes slightly reddened, “Brother Zhong... Thank you...”

Zhong Haodong laughed heartily and patted the back of his hand firmly. “Dont say that. Were brothers who share the same passion. Your problems are my problems. Were not just colleagues; were comrades who stand together through thick and thin!”

Lin Hanwen walked over, and the three men stood side by side on the sunlit floor. Behind them hung a blue flag bearing a white sun, stirred by a gentle breeze, symbolizing their ideals and determination. Yet the storm of reality was only beginning to gather on the horizon.

32

Inside the directors office at the Bureau of Investigation, the yellowish ceiling light emitted a faint humming sound. Outside the window, the sky was overcast, and the afternoon sunlight could not penetrate the gloom. On the wall, a piece of calligraphy reading “Loyalty to the Nation” appeared especially ironic. The air was filled with the smell of tobacco and the stale odor of old documents. In the corner, an old electric fan creaked as it turned, as though even it felt uneasy about the conversation that was about to take place.

Mao Renfeng held a cigar between the fingers of one hand and a telephone receiver in the other. His face was livid, and a slight sheen of sweat had appeared on his forehead.

“Im telling you, Renfeng, this newspaper is getting more and more out of hand. If you dont deal with it soon, youll have to answer for it yourself to the Old Man.” The voice of Chen Cheng, the provincial chairman, came through the telephone, sharp with reprimand.

Mao Renfeng replied in a low voice, “Yes, Chairman Chen. I will investigate and deal with this immediately!”

Almost unconsciously, he pressed his cigar into the ashtray. A twisted wisp of smoke rose from it, like the anger he was struggling to suppress.

“These intellectuals do nothing all day but talk theories and criticize the government. They have no idea what burdens were carrying here! Just pin a charge on them and arrest anyone who dares to speak out of turn. At the very least, execute a few of them to make an example of the rest!”

Mao Renfeng lowered his voice slightly but remained deeply respectful. “Yes, Chairman. I will handle it according to your instructions.”

After hanging up, he struck the desktop several times with his fingers and, with a grim expression, snapped, “Adjutant Liu, go get Gu Zhengwen immediately!”

Before long, the heavy office door swung open, and Gu Zhengwen entered wearing a neatly pressed military uniform. He held a neatly folded copy of Guangming Daily in his right hand and raised his left hand in a military salute. “Reporting, Chief.”

“Put it down,” Mao Renfeng said, waving his hand and pointing to the leather chair opposite him. “Sit.”

Gu Zhengwen sat down, unfolded the newspaper, and pointed to an editorial. “Chief, this is the article published in this mornings Guangming Daily. Its wording is extremely sharp, directly criticizing the authorities over land distribution and the resale of supplies for profit. It is signed by Lü Heruo.”

Mao Renfeng gave a cold laugh and slammed his right hand against the desktop, causing a few drops of tea to splash out of the cup. “I was just chewed out by Chairman Chen Cheng over the telephone, you young fellow!”

Gu Zhengwen sat upright, his expression stern. “Chief, I was just about to report this matter to you. Lü Heruo rejected our hints. He clearly doesnt know how to read the situation.”

Mao Renfeng lit a cigarette and narrowed his eyes at him. “Look at this. The fire is almost at our feet. Go ahead and deal with these intellectuals who write such nonsense however you see fit. I dont care whether they live or die.”

He paused, then added sharply, “But if you catch that Lü Heruo, remember to keep him alive. I want to interrogate the fellow myself. He refused the drink I offered him, so now I want to see just how stubborn he really is.”

Gu Zhengwen rose to his feet and gave a sharp military salute. His expression was resolute. “Yes, sir. I will immediately make arrangements to arrest him.”

Mao Renfeng walked to the window and stood with his back to him, looking down at the people below. His voice was cold. “Weve already given him his chance. This time, he shouldnt blame us for showing no mercy.”

Only the sound of the fan turning remained in the office. A few barks came from somewhere in the distance outside, as though foretelling the approach of a storm.

33

The slanting rays of the blazing sun poured down, while the cicadas outside chirped without pause. In the Japanese-style living room, the paper sliding doors were half closed. A warm breeze drifted in from the veranda, carrying a faint mixture of fresh grass and sunshine. A low wooden table stood on the tatami mat, with several spools of thread scattered beside it.

Su Yulan sat curled up on a soft cushion, crocheting an unfinished wool sweater for the baby. Her fingertips trembled slightly. Her face was pale, and beads of sweat had appeared on her forehead. Suddenly, she lowered her head and gagged softly.

“Ugh... Not again...” She covered her mouth, her brows tightly furrowed.

The maid, A-Fen, was squatting beside a laundry basket, skillfully folding baby bibs. She looked up with concern. “Maam, youve been vomiting so badly these past few days. If this continues, itll wear you down.”

Just then, Lü Heruo entered wearing a white shirt and gray cloth trousers. He was carrying a book and a freshly brewed cup of hot tea. When he saw Yulan covering her mouth and retching, the book nearly slipped from his hand.

He immediately set down the book and tea, knelt beside Yulan, and gently patted her back. His voice was filled with concern and tenderness. “Yulan, if youre not feeling well, dont push yourself. You can finish this sweater after you feel better.”

Yulan managed a faint smile and said softly, “I just want the baby to wear the first piece of clothing Ive knitted by hand when he or she is born...”

“You silly thing. Id rather you not knit anything at all, as long as you stay healthy.” He used a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her forehead, then gently tidied her hair, which had been tousled by the breeze.

A-Fen interjected, “Sir, I think the mistress is having a harder time this pregnancy than she did with the last one. She throws up everything she eats and cant even keep water down.”

Lü Heruo frowned, stood up, and hurried to the entrance hall, where he picked up the receiver of the rotary telephone mounted on the wall.

“Hello? Brother Hanwen, this is Shidui.” He spoke in a low voice, occasionally glancing back toward Yulan in the living room.

A familiar voice came from the other end. “Good morning. Have you had breakfast?”

“Ive just had a few bites,” Lü Heruo replied, lowering his voice. “Brother Hanwen, Id like to ask for a half-day off this morning. Yulan has been vomiting badly, and I want to take her to see a doctor and get some medicine to help protect the pregnancy.”

“Of course. Dont worry about asking. Pregnancy is no small matter. Her health comes first.” Hanwens voice carried a warmth of understanding. “Take good care of her first. Ill ask Zhang Hongnian to handle things at the newspaper. You can come back this afternoon. Theres no rush.”

“Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

After hanging up, Lü Heruo put on his coat and returned to Yulan. He gently helped her to her feet. “Lets go see a doctor, all right? Ill stay with you the whole way.”

Yulan leaned against his shoulder and spoke weakly. “All right... Im sorry to make you worry.”

“Its the little treasure in your belly whos keeping me worried.” Lü Heruo chuckled softly, his eyes gentle as water. Their fingers intertwined, and their figures were reflected on the paper doors as a quiet yet steadfast silhouette.

A-Fen picked up a towel and a small bag and hurried after them. “Ill get everything ready for you before you leave.”

Outside, the sunlight was blazing, and the sound of the cicadas came through the paper doors even more clearly. This midsummer was destined to leave a deep and lasting mark on their hearts.

38

Lü Heruo, Su Yulan, and their daughter hurried through the quiet lanes of Da’an Street under the cover of darkness. Their footsteps were hurried and uneven. The evening breeze tugged at the hems of their clothes, as though urging them to leave even faster. The streetlights cast a dim yellow glow, stretching their shadows far behind them. A few distant barks echoed from the end of the lane, causing Su Yulan to instinctively hold her daughter tighter. The little girl clutched her mothers skirt with both hands, staring anxiously at her father.

When they reached Xiao Dongpings house, Lü Heruo warily scanned both ends of the lane. His gaze was sharp, his brow tightly furrowed. Only after making sure no one was following them did he finally breathe a sigh of relief and whisper, "Quick, knock on the door."

Hearing the knock, Xiao Dongping came to answer. As soon as he opened the door, he saw Lü Heruo and his family standing there with two large suitcases, looking utterly flustered. The brief surprise in his eyes immediately gave way to concern. He stepped aside to let them in and said, "Brother Lü, whats going on? Youve got all these bags with you, and the whole family is here. Are you going on a trip?"

As Lü Heruo took off his jacket, he gave a bitter smile and set the luggage against the wall. "What trip? Im running for my life."

"Running for your life?" Xiao Dongping frowned. After closing the door, he hurried toward the living room, then turned back to look at Lü Heruo. "What happened?"

Lü Heruo led Su Yulan to the sofa and sat down with her, speaking rapidly. "People from the Bureau of Investigation brought military police to raid the newspaper office. The president and several editors were all taken away. Zhang Hongnian and I happened to be out at the time, so we were lucky enough to escape. He called me immediately to warn me to leave at once. I couldnt even go home. I was afraid of getting Yulan and the child into trouble."

Xiao Dongping poured two cups of tea. His hands trembled slightly as he handed them to the couple. "I dont want to sound like a wise man after the fact, but when you left The Freedom Herald to join Guangming Daily, I had a bad feeling about it. Your editorial pages were taking shots at the Kuomintangs sore spots every single day. It was bound to end badly. I still remember that day we were drinking together. I warned you about it... Ah, just as I feared."

"Theres no point talking about that now." Lü Heruo shook his head, his voice heavy. "Whenever the Bureau of Investigation comes to arrest people, what evidence do they ever need? Whoever has angered them is the first one they go after."

Su Yulan said nothing, but her face had turned deathly pale. Their daughter leaned against her, watching the adults with a worried expression, only half understanding what was happening.

"Then... what are you planning to do?" Xiao Dongping lowered his voice and leaned closer, his eyes filled with concern. "Youve got a wife and a little girl depending on you."

Lü Heruo lowered his head and thought for a moment, tapping his fingers rhythmically against his knee. Suddenly, he looked up and said, "If I can raise enough money for the trip, Id like to return to Japan."

Su Yulans expression changed. She grabbed his arm and asked in alarm, "Youre not thinking of abandoning your daughter and me and escaping on your own, are you? If youre going to Japan, were going with you!"

Lü Heruo immediately patted her hand and spoke gently. "Yulan, dont let your imagination run wild. How could I possibly leave you and our daughter behind? Its just that the situation is tense right now, and I need to make sure we have a way out first."

The little girl asked in her childish voice, "Daddy, are we moving to a new house?"

Lü Heruo forced a smile and stroked her hair. "Yes. Were going to move somewhere safer, like playing hide-and-seek. We just have to make sure the bad people cant find us. All right?"

The little girl nodded, but there was still uneasiness in her eyes.

"Heruo, you have to promise me you wont leave without telling me," Su Yulan said, biting her lip, her eyes reddening.

"Im not the kind of man who shirks his responsibilities." Lü Heruo looked deeply into her eyes, his expression resolute.

Xiao Dongping spoke up. "I still have an old house over in Caoshan. Its my ancestral home, a traditional courtyard house with three wings. Its a little run-down, but its tucked away in a secluded location. You can stay there for the time being."

"Thank you so much, Brother Dongping." Lü Heruo rose gratefully and clasped Xiaos hands.

Xiao Dongping patted him on the shoulder and spoke gently. "Everyone goes through hard times now and then. Theres no need to make any further plans until things have settled down."

Su Yulan stood up and straightened her daughters skirt. A look of determination flashed across her face. "All our family of three asks for is a place where we can take shelter."

Xiao Dongping nodded and turned toward the study. "Ill go get the keys to the old house in Caoshan. You can rest here tonight. Tomorrow morning, Ill take you to Caoshan."

Outside, the night wind grew stronger, and the shadows of the trees swayed. Inside, the warm yellow light offered little comfort against the turmoil stirring in everyones hearts. The storm of history was already drawing quietly toward their doorstep.