THE WHITE FILES: THE MANY
LIVES OF LU HERUO, TAIWANS
FIRST LITERARY TALENT

Chapter Twenty: Political Line Disputes Within the Base

72

In the living room of Chen Qiwang, the village chief, the wooden windows were half closed. Afternoon sunlight slanted into the room, illuminating an old elmwood square table. Several coarse porcelain teacups and a plate of peanuts sat on the tabletop, while a basket of sweet potatoes rested in the corner. Cigarette smoke mingled with the aroma of freshly brewed Tieguanyin tea. Several bamboo chairs stood in a row along the wall, and a group of base members sat gathered around, the atmosphere both lively and tense.

Chen Danghe, director of the Organization Department, sat upright with the corners of his mouth slightly raised, gently swirling his teacup in his hand. Wen Wanjin, director of the Industry Department, leaned back in his chair, worry written across his face. Wang Wenbo (Lü Heruo), director of the Political Department, furrowed his brows and tapped his fingers lightly on the tabletop. Zhang Haiqing (He Yunxuan), head of the Publicity Group, was idly playing with the pen and paper in his hands. Meanwhile, the secretary, Chen Chunqing, exchanged cautious glances with Village Chief Chen Qiwang, speaking to him in a low voice.

Chen Qiwang cleared his throat and said indignantly, "Ever since Chiang Kai-sheks regime took over Taiwan, theyve thrown Taiwanese society into complete disarray. Just look at Chen Yi, that incompetent old warlord. He brought along a bunch of corrupt officials who have been plundering the place everywhere they go. The people are up in arms."

"Thats exactly right, Village Chief!" Dong Zhiqian immediately leaned forward, slapped the table, and agreed with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Over the past few years, weve been thoroughly bullied by those mainlanders who came over from China. They want to eat whatever they please and take whatever they want. If anyone so much as displeases them, they arrest people and kill them. If they didnt have an army behind them, we Taiwanese would have thrown them out long ago!"

Chen Danghe chuckled softly and sat up straighter. "If it were Chairman Mao and the Communist Party in charge, things wouldnt be such a mess. The Peoples Liberation Army of the Chinese Communist Party maintains strict discipline. Chairman Mao is close to the people and cares about them. He doesnt slaughter ordinary civilians."

Hearing this, Chen Qiwang raised his eyebrows, shook his head, and replied coolly, "Is that so? From where I stand, theyre not much different from each other. Its the pot calling the kettle black. The Communist Party or the Kuomintang, either way, theyre both outside regimes, and neither is any better than the other. The two sides fought on the mainland, and tens of millions were killed or wounded. If they really had a conscience, would they treat ordinary peoples lives as if they meant nothing? Im telling you, instead of relying on outside forces to overthrow Chiang Kai-shek, wed be better off relying on ourselves, the people of Taiwan. Weve got the strength to grow and thrive. One day, well stand on our own feet."

Wang Wenbo nodded in agreement. "Village Chief Chen is right. Taiwans future should be decided by the people of Taiwan. If we rely on the Chinese Communist Party to liberate Taiwan, who can guarantee that it wont become another master ruling over us?"

Chen Danghes expression darkened, and his words turned sharp. "Director Wang, youre a Communist Party member yourself. Are you saying youve lost faith in our Party?"

Wang Wenbo refused to back down. He straightened his back and replied firmly, "The communism I believe in is meant to fight for the oppressed people of Taiwan. It isnt about replacing one outside regime with another to rule Taiwan."

Their eyes met in a fierce confrontation, sparks of hostility beginning to show.

Zhang Haiqing spoke up from the side, trying to ease the tension. "The director has a point. Relying on the Chinese Communist Partys military force carries considerable risks. We cannot afford to ignore them."

Dong Zhiqian folded his arms and said sarcastically, "People in politics sure know how to make things complicated. You can make a convincing argument about anything, yet your own people start fighting among themselves first. How can you expect to lead the masses that way?"

The air seemed to freeze, and the atmosphere grew tense.

Seeing that things were taking a turn for the worse, Chen Qiwang quickly picked up his teacup and said with a smile, "Were all on the same side here. Its perfectly normal to have different ideas. Lets not let a few words damage our relationships. Why dont we change the subject?"

Chen Danghe suddenly turned to the village chief, his tone probing. "Village Chief, isnt the second provincial council election coming up at the end of the year? Have you considered running?"

Chen Qiwang smiled and shook his head, spreading his hands. "Ive heard that vote-buying in the last election got completely out of hand. I know my own limitations. If I was able to become village chief, it was because the villagers trusted me, and because my father, Old Man Huolu, had a good reputation. I didnt have to spend money or pull strings behind the scenes. Im still thinking about whether to run for reelection this time, let alone for a seat on the provincial council. As for elections, people say, If you dont have a patron, you can always buy your way in with money. I have no desire to become some kind of walking moneybag!"

Just then, the sound of bicycles came from outside. Yu Lianfu and Lin Maotong arrived at the entrance to the living room, brushed the dust from their trouser legs, and stepped inside.

Yu Lianfu asked excitedly, "Village Chief, are you going to run for the provincial council? Thats wonderful news!"

"Not a chance! Danghe was just joking around," Chen Qiwang replied, waving his hand with a smile. "Do you think Ive got nothing better to do than catch a bug and scratch my backside?"

Lin Maotong, however, sounded somewhat anxious. "Village Chief, we have something urgent to report to everyone."

"What is it? Speak up!" Chen Qiwangs expression sharpened as he set down his teacup.

Yu Lianfu then recounted, in full detail and with a grave expression, the warning he had just heard from a street vendor.

Chen Danghe frowned and asked in a low voice, "Who told you this? Could it be just a rumor, deliberately spread to frighten us?"

Lin Maotong crossed his hands and replied in a calm but firm voice, "Theres no smoke without fire. Now that word is getting around, we have to be careful. As the old saying goes, A ship steered with caution can sail for ten thousand years. Theres wisdom in that."

"Whatever the case, the source is reliable. I cant go into the details," Lianfu said firmly.

Secretary Chen Chunqing nodded, his gaze moving between the two men. "I trust you. Ill report this to Comrade Chen Benjiang when I get back. We need to prepare a response."

Dong Zhiqian was still unconvinced. He curled his lip and said, "How come I havent heard anything about this? Could you two just be scaring yourselves?"

At that moment, Wen Wanjin, who rarely spoke, finally spoke up. His tone was gentle but firm. "Better to believe it might be true than to assume it isnt. Whoever passed along the warning wasnt trying to harm us."

Zhang Haiqing nodded as well. "Director Wen is right. As the art of war teaches us, Assess the enemy broadly, but defend against the enemy strictly. We must not overlook any possibility."

Chen Chunqing could not help laughing. "Group Leader Zhang really is a learned man. Even the way you speak is so well organized."

The laughter eased the tension a little, but everyones expression had grown more serious than before. They understood that a storm was approaching, and that the entanglement between Taiwans internal forces and outside powers was only just beginning.

73

After the gathering at Village Chief Chen Qiwangs old house beneath the banyan tree, where several cups of strong tea had been shared and a heated verbal confrontation had taken place, night had already fallen. The moonlight was clear and bright. Bamboo shadows swayed unsteadily in front of the village house. A stray cat silently crept past a broken section of wall, while a gentle breeze stirred the leaves with a rustling sound.

Dong Zhiqian and Chen Danghe walked slowly along the narrow path leading to the base, moving in silence for a stretch. Their footsteps mingled with the chirping of cicadas in the distance, as though an unfinished scheme were still taking shape. When they reached the rear of the base, Chen Danghe opened a creaking wooden door, and the two men entered Chens office. Military training diagrams covered the walls, cigarette butts littered the ashtray on the desk, and an old-fashioned kerosene lamp flickered with a yellow glow in the corner.

Dong Zhiqian quietly pulled out a chair and sat down. Affecting a casual air, he glanced at Chen Danghe and lowered his voice, though his words were full of probing intent. "Director, you dont seem particularly pleased with Lü Heruo, do you?"

Chen Danghe raised an eyebrow, casually picked up a cigarette pack, took out a cigarette, and lit it. The flame illuminated the wrinkles on his forehead.

"Thats putting it mildly," he said, taking a deep drag. His voice revealed an anger he could barely contain. "From the moment that kid set foot in the base, Ive disliked him."

"Oh? May I ask what it is about him that you find so disagreeable, Director?" Little Dong leaned slightly forward, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Hmph. He came here with nothing but a letter of introduction from Leader Cai, and Chairman Chen took a liking to him as soon as he arrived, appointing him director of the Political Department right off the bat. A man who got in through connections! Ive suffered and struggled so much to work my way up. Why should I have to accept someone like him?"

As his anger rose, Chen Danghe stood up, pointed at the military training motto hanging on the wall with one hand, and waved the other incessantly, as though trying to drive all his resentment out of his body.

"On top of that, hes always spouting lofty theories, acting as though hes above everyone else and putting on an air of moral superiority. When it comes to ideology, hes always taking the opposite position from the rest of us. His whole theory about the Taiwan Communist movement—even Chairman Chen may not fully understand it, yet he talks about it as though its some absolute truth!"

"Youre absolutely right, Director," Little Dong said, nodding repeatedly. He seized the opportunity to add, "But Ive heard that the women comrades seem to be rather fond of him..."

"Hmph! Especially Chen Ruyu. Shes practically bewitched by him, going around him all day long. The way she acts—" Chen Danghe suddenly slammed his palm against the desk. "It makes my blood boil just looking at it."

Little Dong deliberately played dumb. "Perhaps she simply admires his literary talent and refined manners..."

"Bullshit!" Chen Danghes expression darkened further, and he clenched both fists. "Just look at that pretty boy, all charming and debonair. Then look at me..." He mockingly patted his slightly protruding belly and shiny forehead, then sneered. "If Chen Ruyu really had feelings for me, why would she spend all her time smiling so warmly at him?"

Little Dong laughed inwardly. So this was what it was all about—he was burning with jealousy! A power struggle wasnt enough; now romantic jealousy had entered the picture. This was getting more entertaining by the minute.

He slowly straightened up and spoke with renewed confidence. "Director, if you trust me completely, I can not only help you bring Lü Heruo down, but also... help you win Chen Ruyus heart."

Chen Danghes expression changed. He stared suspiciously at Little Dong, looking him up and down, his eyes scrutinizing him like knives as he tried to figure out the motive behind those words.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly threw his head back and laughed loudly three times. His laughter was coarse and booming, as though some long-buried desire had just been ignited.

"You little rascal... You certainly have a few tricks up your sleeve. You used to work with him, so you know more about his background than I do. Know yourself and know your enemy—thats the right way to put it, isnt it?"

Dong Zhiqian gave a slight nod. At last, he felt a weight lift from his shoulders. The suspicious look in Chen Danghes eyes just moments earlier had genuinely sent a chill down his spine.

"Director, trust me. Youll find that investing in me... will be an exceptionally good deal for you."

"All right." Chen Danghe sat down heavily, scattering cigarette ash all over the desk. "Since you put it that way, Ill give you the benefit of the doubt this once. Tell me, what should we do to bring him down? And then theres... Chen Ruyu. Heh, heh."

A calculating glint flashed in Little Dongs eyes. His voice was calm, with a hint of a plot falling into place. "Director, bringing Lü Heruo down wont happen overnight. But every little opportunity is worth turning to our advantage. And this afternoon..."

Chen Danghe immediately caught on and interrupted him. "You mean that confrontation at Village Chief Chens house?"

"Exactly." Dong Zhiqian smiled faintly, calculation hidden in the corners of his eyes. "Dont you think that what Lü Heruo and He Yunxuan said in front of the village chief had already... crossed the line?"

"Thats right! That kid has no respect for the organization and thinks far too highly of himself. Does he really think hes Chairman Chen reincarnated?" Chen Danghe said through clenched teeth.

"Thats why," Dong Zhiqian continued in a lowered voice, "we should seize this opportunity to write a report and send it directly to Chairman Chens desk. Even if he doesnt take action against Lü Heruo immediately, hell begin to have doubts about him."

"Heh, heh, heh. Not bad, Little Dong. Youre quite the crafty fellow." Chen Danghe nodded approvingly. The suspicion on his face had now given way to admiration. "Ill have to look at a subordinate like you in a whole new light!"

74

Inside the chairmans office, afternoon sunlight filtered through the heavy dark-green curtains and slanted across the wooden floor. A long, old but polished table was covered with tea utensils and maps. Beside a world political map hanging on the wall, several telegrams from Beijing were pinned up with thumbtacks, their ink-black characters looking as dark as blood. The room was filled with the mingled scents of tea and cigarette smoke, while an oppressive stillness hung in the air.

Chen Danghe stood straight-backed in front of the desk, clutching a stack of notebooks so tightly that he seemed ready to crush them. He spoke in a low but forceful voice.

"Chairman, just now, when Zhiqian and I went to the village chiefs house for tea, we heard from Fu-zai, the lame fellow in the village, that the authorities are closely monitoring our activities in Lukeng Village. Im afraid theyve already set their sights on us."

Dong Zhiqian chimed in. He gently pushed a teacup toward Chairman Chen and added with a slight bow, "Although Fu-zais words were perhaps seventy percent drunken talk and thirty percent truth, we cannot afford to dismiss this kind of rumor."

Chen Benjiang sipped his tea and shook his head slightly. In a steady voice, he said, "Secretary Chen reported this to me earlier. Lukeng is no longer a safe haven. Beijing is already overwhelmed with the situation on the Korean Peninsula. All we can do for now is keep a low profile and remain underground. We cannot yet openly confront Chiang Kai-sheks regime. A direct confrontation would be unwise."

Chen Danghes expression grew even more severe. He stepped forward and rapped the tabletop with one finger, as though struggling to contain his anger.

"Chairman, theres something else. Director Wang of the Political Department made some deeply subversive remarks in front of the village chief. He openly criticized us and made veiled attacks as well. Its clear that he harbors ideological differences with our Party. I believe his thinking is misguided and his loyalty is questionable. If we dont take precautions now, trouble is bound to arise sooner or later."

Hearing this, Chen Benjiang put down his teacup. His brows drew together slightly, and he tapped the armrest of his chair with his fingers as he considered the matter.

"Director Wang is in charge of the Political Department. I have no doubts about his ideological commitment. Hes an idealist, and sometimes his words can be rather sharp, but thats simply his frank nature. I dont believe he would betray the Party."

Chen Danghe raised an eyebrow, and a faintly mocking smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. His tone was probing. "Chairman, the way you put it, it sounds as though youre rather protective of Lü Heruo."

Chen Benjiang looked up at him. His voice carried authority without any need for anger.

"Why shouldnt I be? What do you think I ought to do? Didnt you used to work with him at the newspaper office?"

Dong Zhiqian was immediately at a loss for words, his expression somewhat awkward. He lowered his head and smoothed the creases in his shirt, then stubbornly replied, "Chairman, I believe Lü Heruo is an opportunist who changes sides whenever the wind shifts. Hes not someone we can trust."

"Oh?" Chen Benjiangs voice turned several degrees colder. He leaned slightly forward, his eyes sharp as a knife. "He came to the base because he had nowhere else to turn, just as you did. Why should you be trusted while he shouldnt?"

Dong Zhiqians face stiffened. His mouth opened slightly, but he could not find a reply.

Seeing the stalemate, Chen Danghe could not resist pressing the attack. His tone was aggressive.

"Chairman, my instincts tell me that Lü Heruo will certainly betray the Party someday, perhaps even leaking the secrets of the base. Keeping a tiger in our midst is asking for trouble. We cannot allow this man to stay!"

Chen Benjiang put down his teacup, a trace of displeasure crossing his face.

"Comrade Danghe, Ive heard that you have personal prejudices against Lü Heruo because of his past. But personal prejudice cannot serve as the basis for political judgment. Lü Heruo is a prominent figure in cultural circles. Few people in our Party can match his reputation, influence, or idealism. Besides, his performance during this period has made substantial contributions to the Party."

Chen Danghes expression darkened. He muttered sullenly, "Well pay the price for him someday. Just wait and see."

At that moment, Dong Zhiqian suddenly interjected. His eyes sharpened, as though he had spotted a weakness he could exploit.

"Chairman, what he said at the village chiefs house was practically an attempt to put the Party in a secondary position behind the interests of the people of Taiwan. He places Taiwans interests ahead of our Partys political line. Such statements cannot be taken lightly!"

Chen Benjiang looked at Dong Zhiqian. For an instant, his expression became unreadable, as though he were weighing the words or perhaps questioning their motives. He spoke slowly.

"I heard him. I heard everything he said. But with our main enemy right in front of us, I dont want the Party to split apart at this critical moment. Chiang Kai-shek may make a move before long. I dont want internal struggles to inflict wounds on us from within."

The two men fell silent. The atmosphere grew as heavy as iron, and even the fragrance of tea seemed to turn bitter.

"I have my own judgment on this matter," Chen Benjiang said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You two need say no more."

The room fell completely silent. Only the clock on the wall continued ticking, each sound unusually clear. Time seemed to have stopped, suspended in that silent struggle for power.