Night had fallen

(1)

2.4.1954 in the morning, it was drizzling with cold wind from the sea. Hong Yuan cycled with his trishaw and he reached Elizabeth walk.

"Do you wish to go for sightseeing? It is a charity day to raise fund." Hong Yuan asked with an attempt at a smile.

"To raise fund for Yunda?" Fu Xuefeng asked. (Yunda, Yunnan University)

"Yes." Hong Yuan wiped out the rain from his face and he continued with joy: "A dollar for each of us, we can raise the fund to build a university. This is my happiest day in my life."

"Let's go, we must support the charity work." Fu Xuefeng held her daughter Xiaoping's hand and they entered the trishaw.

Hong Yuan cycling his trishaw in the rain, he cycled to harbor and back to Elizabeth walk.

Xuefeng and Xiaoping took photo with the trishaw for souvenir. Fu Xuefeng took out fifty dollar and put in the charity box. Hong Yuan was very happy to see people support the charity and he looked forward to see a Chinese university in his country.

(2)

One night in 1963, the sky was dim with drizzling. Xiaoping was standing at the harbor; she was so worried that no bus passing by, she might not be able to reach the Victoria Theater in time. It was weekend with heavy traffic; it was hard for her to catch a taxi. She stood at a corner. The rain continued to fall in thick. With a glimpse, in the indeterminate street, she saw a trishaw passed by her; the young man of the trishaw asked: "Would you like to take my trishaw?" She looked at him, he was tall and thin man with short hair and dark grey skin, and she asked: "Can you deliver me to Victoria Theatre?" He answered: "On the way, it is my pleasure."

Xiaoping entered the trishaw and she noticed the 1954 charity plate number; she recalled the day her mother and her sitting in this trishaw. Half an hour later, she reached the Victoria theatre. She looked at the watch, another 15 minutes was her turn to perform her show. She rushed in for making up.

It was a charity show to raise fund for Yunda; with choir, dances and singing. When the band started playing the music of 'The coral' Xiaoping went up the stage and she sang:

"The red flower reflects in the deep sea,
A fireball appears from the sea water.
Coral tree red with spring season,
The flowers blossom in the storm."

She sang high with feeling. Audiences shouted and clapping their hands.

After Xiaoping's show, it was a choir, a Chinese classic song, 'My visitors from far, please stay with us'

After the choir, the master of ceremonies announced:

"To night a young man will present to you, 'The song of midnight'"

A tall and thin man went up the stage. Xiaoping had a glance, he looked like the man who delivered her to the theatre; she walked nearer and noticed he was the man. She sat down and held a breath to listen to the singing:

"The flutter flying at the yard,
The step walking with raccoon cats.
The wind blowing with rain ceaselessly,
The flowers and leaves wandering in the rain.
With my last breath and my life,
I'll fight with the devil."

Xiaoping was moved and attracted by the song.

Xiaoping joined the group dance and a drama.

The last show was 'Red silk dance'.

With storm and thundering, a tall and thin man appeared, he danced in front of the deep cap with strong wind and heavy rain. The rain ceased with morning sun, a group of beautiful young girls danced like fairy in the wonderland.

After the show Xiaoping went up the stage and she greeted the man: "Congratulation to you, you had done a good job."

"Thank you!" the man shook hand with Xiaoping.

"What's your name?" Xiaoping asked.

"Hong Shanquan." The man said with a smile.

(3)

Before he formed his political party, Lu Wei sympathized and helped workers. He took the case to fight in court with the government then.

Lin Xiangbao was a poor student, he studied in the secondary school, at the same time, and he worked in the public transport association as clerk. He was honest and hardworking; later he was appointed as secretary of the association. Lin took good care of the workers, he dared to fight for justice against the government. After negotiation with government was breaking, the workers were on strike. The workers were oppressed and arrested; the leader was put in jail. Lu Wei was engaged to attend the court case. Lu Wei and Lin Xiangbao worked together, they became friend.

In 1958, Lu Wei intended to form a political party and took part for the election. He intended to make use of Lin Xiangbao, he invited him to drink and discussion.

"Mr. Lin, join our party and we co-operate to fight for the election. Your Chinese educated workers will support you; and my English educated people with stand with me; English and Chinese people will vote for us; we can win the election and form the government." Lu Wei said with a smile of crafty.

"I…" Lin agitated.

"Don't delay and loose the chance." Lu Wei said.

Lin Xiangbao stood up and looked at the misty harbor, he murmured in the deep of his heart: If we formed the government, we can take care of the poor workers.

"Ok, let me try." Lin answered.

They worked hand in hand during election campaign. Wherever Lin went for speech, there was a large crowd.

"Worker will be master; we must have power in hand." Chinese workers shouted with a stuck in their throat.

The election was over, Lu Wei's political party won the election, and they formed the government. Lu Wei's political idea was different with Xiangbao; Lu Wei murmured: Lin must be pulled down before too late; if he was in power, if the Chinese educated people in power, I would be pulled down one day. After Lu Wei reigned; he supported and pleased the English educated people; and he pulled down Lin and his supporters. Lin lost power and he was kicked out from the cabinet. Lu intended to wipe out the Chinese school and Yunda; all Chinese educated people would rebel, they were enemy of me; they would revolt and against me, they must be destroyed in order to reign forever. The chairman and the vice chancellor of the Yunda were left wing supporters. I must please the British colony and anti-communist. Lin was alleged a communist and he was expelled for entry of the country.

At the beginning stage, Lu Wei used democratic measure by using 2-3 reports to down-grade Yunda's standard and intended to impose English education system to Yunda. At the end Lu Wei' s intention was to wipe out the Chinese education from primary school to university in the country, so that he could reign forever.

(4)

Mr. Chen Lieshi was a merchant, he was not well-educated; but he wished to set up a Chinese university by putting a big sum by himself and raised fund from the public. Within three years, The Yunda was formed and he was happy to see the Chinese students from all over south-east Asia to enter Yunda for high education.

During election in 1963, some Yunda students joined in to bid in the general election; as chairman of Yunda, he pleased the public to support and elect his students. Like an arrow shot in Lu Wei's heart. Election was over, Lu Wei won the election and he announced that Chen Lieshi was a communist supporter, and he cancelled his citizenship and Chen lost power and was confined in his house. The vice-chancellor of the Yunda was alleged as a pro-communist member, he was pulled out from the university.

The next step, Lu Wei planed with his cabinet how to put Yunda to the end.

(5)

In September 1963, night had fallen; the cold wind was blowing, the lover's trees were swaying ceaselessly. The gate of the Yunda was cut, the doors slid open. The riot police seized the campus, thousands of policemen rushed to the male and female hostel. They forced open the hostel's doors with axes; riot police put their fingers on the triggers. Some policemen using their truncheon to beat the students. Piercing cry and sobbing voice split the silence light. They arrested some leader of the Action Committee and some staffs of the university. Some members of student association were attacked, the students without revolting; the police's blows rained down their body.

Hong Shanquan with a group of students rushed to the old restaurant. They saw the captured, injured students were in the police trucks; the trucks were speeding out the campus. Hong Shanquan followed the trucks and reached the Faculty of Commerce. Fu Xiaoping and a group of students dashed out and stood at the road hand in hand to block the trucks leaving.

"Why you all arrested our student fellow?" Xiaoping yelled.

"Why you devil captured our teachers?" Shanquan shouted.

The students stood at the middle of the road, they held together without fierce; they looked at the policemen without flickering their eyelids.

"Within 3 minutes you all have to leave; it is an order!" the chief police commended.

"You have to release our men, otherwise we are not going to leave." Shanquan uttered.

"We'll arrest you and put you in jail." The chief police threatened.

"My friends, my comrades, stand firm without fierce of force!" Xiaoping looked at the chief policeman with her glaring eyes.

The time of 3 minutes warning was over, tear gas with smoke covered the road. Hundreds of riot police caught the students and beating them. With shudder and groan, the students dispersed. The students without weapon, but dealt with them with violent blow. The injured students were sitting at the garden with sobs and tears.

Thousands of students of Yunda marched from all directions to reach the old eating hall. The chairman of the student association Cheng Wuhua went up the stage and he addressed:

"Our beloved room-mates and professors were arrested and thrown into jail." He paused a minute to wipe out a drop of tear from his cheek and he continued: "Yesterday we ate together, to-day they left us and were tortured by the tyrant in the jail. To-day the devils captured some of our leaders, to-morrow thousands of our comrades will stand with us; we must fight at the end of our strength and breath!"

Wuhua walked down the stage, Shanquan and Xiaoping embraced him with tears streaming down from their cheeks.

After speech the injured students one by one went up the stage to accusing of the violent attack by the riot polices; their eyes were petrified with tears; with groans and sobs. The pain in their deep heart.

They planned for demonstration, a peaceful demonstration.

(6)

On 1.10.1963, it was drizzling in the morning; the cold wind blowing, the flowers of the lover's tree were swaying in the wind. A great trail of white smoke rising up from the farm. Hung Shanquan and Fu Xiaoping leading thousands of students from student hill to library car park. They shouted:

"To release our captured innocent student!"

"We want our right of free study!"

They started to move from Peking road, they entered Jurong road and heading to city hall. It was a long winding road. At midway, it rained ceaselessly; they did not scare of the cold rain, they marched peacefully with long procession. Some parents joined their team. They were famished, tired, painful of their bodies; without groan and distress. They marched in order, and their destination was the city hall, Lu Wei's office.

After 6 hours' walking in the sun and rain, they reached City Hall. Some students holding flags and stood in front of the city hall. The rest of the students were standing at the city hall garden.

The student uttered:

"Give back our study right!"

"We want autonomy and independence without government's interference!"

"To release our students without conditions!"

The students were sieged by riots police and policemen. A commander was standing at the front riot truck and he announced by loudspeaker:

"I order you to leave within 3 minutes!"

"It is a peaceful demonstration!" Xiaoping said.

"Fear not! We want human right." Shanquan shouted.

All in a sudden, tear gases were shot out from the riot trucks to the students. The water guns shooting out and targeted the front group of student leaders. At the same time policemen dashed out and chased the students with truncheon, riot polices with sticks to beat and arrest the student; the students were trampled to fall and injure.

Xiaoping noticed Shanquan's face was shot by tear gas; the blood streaming down his face. Two policemen were chasing Shanquan and dealt with violent blow. Xiaoping holding the flag stick, tried to protect Shanquan, but in vain. She fell and trampled; the police's truncheon hit her forehead; the blood streaming down her face. She was lying on ground. Shanquan struggled with all his strength, he rushed to Xiaoping. Xiaoping was rescued and put at a church

(7)

Night had fallen, cold rain falling down from the grey sky relentlessly. Hong Shanquan reached the church with his trishaw. He delivered Xiaoping to his village house at Kallang. It was an earthen winding road; from city to his house would take half an hour. The wooden house located in the coconut farm.

Shanquan's skin injury was healed within a week; but Xiaoping's head injury would take weeks to recover. She dared not go for treatment in clinic and hospital; as the government had sent out many detectives to find injured Yunda students. Once captured they would be thrown to jail under ISA.

Shanquan made up as farmer and went out to work. Every day he brought food for Xiaoping.

At noon, Shanquan reached home and he entered Xiaoping's room. Xiaoping was falling asleep.

Shanquan leaned down and whispered: "Xiaoping get up; I delivered lunch for you."

Xiaoping opened her weary eyes, turned to Shanquan and said: "You eat, I have no appetite."

"If you don't like rice; I'll cook porridge for you."

"Thank you for your care." Xiaoping looked at him with a smile.

Shanquan cooked porridge, he gave a bowl to his mother; after feeding his mother, and he delivered one bowl for Xiaoping. Xiaoping was looking at the coconut trees and the trishaw. She was reminiscing the day she was sitting in the trishaw with her mother. Shanquan entered the room and saw Xiaoping looking at the rainy sky and the trishaw and he asked: "What are you thinking?"

"Who's that trishaw?"

"It is my father's trishaw." Shanquan stood near the window and looked at the trishaw and he continued: "My father joined the charity works and raised a big sum; he was elected as chairman of the Trishaw Association. During election, my father supported the opposition party, then..."

"Then, how?" Xiaoping was so anxious.

"Lu Wei condemned my father as terrorist and he was arrested and thrown into jail under ISA."

"Who take care of your family?"

"I worked as part time after school; I used my father's trishaw to make money."

"How many people stayed in this house?" Xiaoping asked.

"My old mother is sick; my younger sister works in a factory; she will be back at night."

Xiaoping looked at the porridge, the smoke disappeared and she used a spoon to take porridge to eat. Her hand was shaken and painful, she ate slowly. Shanquan took her spoon and fed her. After a few spoons, there was a tremble of his hand, the porridge dropped down to Xiaoping's face; it made Xiaoping's round face with spots.

"I am very sorry." Shanquan used handkerchief to clean her face.

"Don't worry," Xiaoping paused for a while with an attempt at a smile and she continued: "thank you so much for your good care."

"It is my pleasure." Shanquan looked at her with a smile.

The rain falling down ceaselessly, it was cold outside, but warm in the room.

(8)

After two weeks, Xiaoping had recovered. Shanquan and Xiaoping made up like tourists; they hid and walked after dropped from Jurong bus stop and they reached Yunda. They met the Action organization members and they discussed the next step of action.

Xiaoping reported the case of Hong Yuan's confinement to her mother.

"Why the government should put a kind old man to prison?" Xuefeng said with a sob.

"He was alleged as a terrorist and he was thrown into jail without trial." Xiaoping said with her eyes gleamed.

"Lu Wei always used terrorist or communist to oppress his dissent and challenger."

Xuefeng walked nearer to the window, looking at the misty mountain and she said angrily: "I intend to make an effort to apply legal protection order to release Hong Yuan; I must fight with the government's I.S.A."

Xuefeng was Yunda legal professor, doctor of law. She filed a long affidavit in court described that Hong Yuan's family was poor with an ill wife to take care and she appealed for 'freedom'. She had made an effort, but Lu Wei's judge struck off her appeal. And Xuefeng was blacklisted by the government; but the students respected her as a brave challenger.

Lu Wei's big spy Sun Damou was called in the prime minister's room.

"Mr. Sun, you must watch up Fu Xuefeng; I raised her to be master of faculty, but now she tries to oppose me and stand together with the revolting students against me." Lu Wei said with glaring eyes.

"Xuefeng always attended the student's illegal gathering and condemning government's policy to re-structure Yunda." Sun Damou added fuel to fire.

"You must follow her to find out any opposition party back her?"

"Yes, sir." Sun Damou bowed and walked out.

Lu Wei biting a cigarette, looking at the misty sky of the harbor. And he murmured: "Students revolt now professor backed them; I must destroy them by all means."

The minister of education was called and he was instructed by Lu Wei to prepare a report to condemn the existing management and to speed up preparation of taking over by his government. The home minister was called in Lu Wei's office and ordered him to ban the student's Action organization and all magazines.

(9)

The student's Action organization and other front organization to protect the Yunda were banned and permit of magazines were lifted. Lu Wei's government's fake news were spreading all over the country by the media and newspapers which controlled by Lu Wei's government. The newspapers quoted the government' s condemnation that Yunda was controlled and managed by a group of pro-communist members, if the government not step in in due time the country will be taken over by the communist group and their property and wealth and money will be taken by them by force. The people especially the English educated persons were clapping their hands to support the government's policy. Most of the previous supporters declined to donate money to Yunda; without fund it would not be possible to survive.

Furthermore, there was a plan to cause disturbance in the university. Sun Damou led a group of students which supported by government to disturb or assault the defend group of students.

Night had fallen, Sun Damou led an evil group of people to disturb the woman student.

At 9.30pm, Sun Damou passed by the first reading room of the library, he noticed Shanquan and Xiaoping were in the room. At 10pm, Shanquan and Xiaoping packed and leaving. They walked along the Yun Nan garden lane and they intended to buy biscuit at Yun Nan shop. When they reached the Faculty of commerce; it was dim and quiet. Damou and two rogues jumped out from the darkness and approached to Xiaoping.

"Darling, I love you so much. Please sing a love song to us." Sun spoke with drunken voice. At the same time, he intended to embrace Xiaoping.

"Sun, big spy, don't disturb girl!" Shanquan shouted.

"Why should you care?" the two-rogue pushed Shanquan away.

"You sing the Coral song, no good; I sing 'darling I love you' for you." Sun Damou tried to hold Xiaoping's hand to dance 'rock n roll'. Xiaoping gave him a slap. Sun was angry, Xiaoping was seized by her neck. Shanquan pushed away the two rogues and dashed to save Xiaoping. And he fought with Sun. Xiaoping shouted for help. Cheng Wuhua rushed down from Faculty of commerce with a group of students.

"Sun, big spy! You are hooligan and evil!" Cheng Wuhua shouted.

Seeing a big group of students surrounded them, Sun Damou and the rogues walked away with glaring eyes.

(10)

June of 1964, after putting the vice chancellor to jail; cancelling the citizenship of the chairman; Lu Wei's government formed a temporary management council to manage the staff and set up a disciplinary committee; appointed pro-government temporary vice chancellor. All of them controlled by Lu Wei.

On 27.6.1964, darkness had fallen. Polices, soldiers, riot-soldiers seized the Yunda campus in midnight. Polices and soldiers broke in the student's hostels. They arrested students and staffs. The next day, about two hundred over students and staffs were expelled.

Fu Xuefeng dashed to temporary vice chancellor's office and she uttered with groans: "Mr. Huang now you declare Yunda as prime minister's battlefield?!"

"Professor Fu," Huang having a glimpse and he continued: "Any issue, we can talk and discuss together."

"I have tolerated a long time; now I can't tolerate any more!" Professor Fu looked at him with glaring eyes.

"You have to tolerate!" Huang Qiujin looked at Xuefeng's angry face and he lower his voice and said: "government is our superior, we are employed; we must follow their instructions. After changing hand, government control our university, our salary will be increased; it is better treatment for us."

"You like to be puppet and converge and turn the Yunda to be puppet theatre, because of high salary?"

"Professor Fu, I thought you can co-operate with me, but you diverge and against me!"

"You have no power, because high salary, you betrayed staff and put the honest, hard-working staffs in jail!" Fu looked at Huang without seeing him and he continued: "How can I co-operate with you?"

"What are you expecting me to do?" Huang kept his eyes fixed upon professor Fu.

"You can resolve and disband the disciplinary committee and take back the expelled students and staffs."

"…" Huang Qiujin did not know how to reply.

"You gang up with the devil and destroyed our university; dare you face our supporters in future?" Fu looked at him with piercing eyes.

"I can't converse and change their plan."

"You can resign and I leave together with you—it's better than putting fuel to fire to burn our students and the university."

Fu Xuefeng walked out without saying 'good-bye'.

Huang Qiujin followed her and shouted: "Come back! Come back!"

Xuefeng did not stop and turn back; she dashed to her house. She packed and prepared a resignation letter and planned to leave the next day.

At night, Cheng Wuhua, Hong Shanquan and some association group members and leaders visited professor Fu.

"Professor Fu, please stay back." Shanquan begged sorrowfully: 'We need you."

"Professor Fu, stand together with us to protect our university." Cheng Wuhua said.

Fu Xuefeng was impressed with their resolution and she changed her mind not to leave Yunda.

(11)

In 1965, Lu Wei released the long-planned report of Yunda. The report strongly advised the university to be changed from mandarin teaching to English teaching. And the government would control and manage the university. Yunda totally ceased to be an independent university. Students and staffs met together and they criticized the report. Cheng Wuhua led 10 associations to submit a memorandum to Lu

Wei; condemning the government, intending to eliminate the Chinese education system.

After receiving the memorandum, Lu Wei instructed the police and soldiers to seize Yunda. Sun Damou holding the list of 'terrorists', he instructed policemen to break in their hostel to arrest the students. Groaning, uttering split the silent night. Cheng Wuhua was waken up by the breaking noise, he escaped from ceiling and climbed up the roof; he grasped a branch of the lover's tree; he curled and waited half an hour in the tree, seeing the soldiers and policemen moved to other hostel; then he slid down the tree and dashed to Jurong seaside. After two hours' run, he was out of breath, he twisted in the bushes and laid down for a rest.

Night had fallen, he felt asleep. Suddenly, he heard the sound of motor boat and he saw glimmer of light, he climbed and reached seaside.

"help! Help!" Wuhua uttered and groaned.

The motor boat reached the sea-side, Wuhua saw a fisherman with a woman; he swan to the boat and he was out of breath and he held the boat and waiting for help.

"You…" Fisherman looked at Wuhua with his petrified eyes.

"I was chased by police and soldier."

"Are you a student of Yunda?" the fisherman asked.

"Yes." Wuhua nodded his head and said.

"Climb up my boat, hurry!" fisherman pulled Wuhua's hand.

Sitting at the motor boat, looking at the vast sea, Wuhua did not know where to go.

Suddenly he thought of the harbor, the ship near the harbor. He informed the fisherman to sail to the cargo ship. They reached the big cargo ship at the deep sea. He grasped a rope and climbed up the ship and he hid in the store.

(12)

Policemen and riot-soldiers blocked the main entrance; soldiers with gun standing at the corners of hostels and faculty. Yunda was under siege. Lu Wei's government used weapon to threaten the students to bow and obey; the raid had left traces of terror, but most of the students not scared of gun, cannon and jail. They tried to fight and protect the university at the end of their strength.

Hong Shanquan, Fu Xiaoping leading a group of Action committee members crawled from hills to the student tower. Night had fallen, hundreds of students appeared from the bushes.

Hong Shanquan went up the step, he was excited with grief and he announced:

"To-day a university was attacked by the enemy; they used weapon and soldiers to occupy our campus; they arrested and put our students to jail; their intention was to destroy our Chinese education." He paused a minute, sobbed and uttered: "We have no choice, defend or surrender; defend and survive; surrender and death. We must stand together and fight with the devil. We start boycott lecture, fight till our last breath and strength. We must chase the devil out of our university!"

Applause and shout; Xiaoping went up the step held Shanquan's hand, they embraced and wept.

Boycott lecture started. Some students still attending classes. Second week, students were beaten by soldiers outside the classroom and they forced all students to be in classroom. Their action irritated all students; no one attending class. They gathered at the Faculty of literature and commerce for addressing and singing.

"The wind blowing with rain ceaselessly,
The flower and leaves wandering in the rain.
With my last breath and life,
I'll fight with the devil."

This was Shanquan's song.

After that Xiaoping went up the stage and she sang:

"Flower reflects in the deep blue sea,
A fireball appears from the sea water.
Coral tree red with spring season,
The flower blossom in the storm."

They performed like a concert; Shanquan and Xiaoping became popular singers.

(13)

After 32 days of lecture boycotting, Lu Wei's government shows no sign of compromising. They insisted to take over the management and change the teaching language; no consideration of the expulsion order and confinement of the students.

The only measure to protect the university was hunger strike—death or life together with their university.

About 800 students sitting at the student tower without eat and drink to protest Lu Wei's barbarous measure against the students and staffs.

The news of the students' hunger strike was covered and Lu Wei's government controlled all newspapers and medias. The parent of the students did not know their children were at the death and life to protect the university. Xiaoping and 50 students made up as farmers, they broke into the guarded point and reached the city with slogan and stickers of the students' hunger strike. Two days campaign attracted many parents to attend their speech. The third day, Fu Xiaoping was addressing, two detectives using pistol pointed to her head and she was arrested and locked-up in police station. After questioning and threatening for two days; Xiaoping was released. At night, she went back to the student tower, she saw most of the students were weak, famished, breathless and their throats were parched and they groaned with shudder.

Xiaoping removed the blanket, she found Shanquan crouched to a corner, his lips blue and cold; Xiaoping shook his body, held his hand and uttered: "Shaquan wake up, wake up!" Shanquan opened half of his eyes and he groaned: "Xiaoping.., I… can't lead the... students to fight. You… continue." After murmured his wishes, he closed his eyes. Xiaoping embraced him and wept and said: "Don't leave me alone". After a few minutes, she put Shanquan down and she dashed back to her house and begged her mother Fu Xuefeng to help.

A big group of student's parents reached the university gate and they shouted furiously, they wanted to save their children in the student tower. The phone was ringing, Xuefeng lifted up the phone.

"I am Huang Qiujin, acting vice chancellor; students hunger strike, the news had reached the parents; the parents broke in and reached our university." Qiujin murmured with his eyes petrified, he paused a few seconds and continued: "Please think of a way to solve the disaster."

"What you expect me to do?" Xuefeng asked

"The students will listen to you; please convey my message: stop hunger strike, we will re-consider all their appeal."

"What do you mean of re-consideration?"

"The government agreed to take back the expelled students and staffs." Qiujin said.

"Really?" Xuefeng asked.

"Yes."

"Ok, I'll try." Xuefeng put down the phone.

Xiaoping and her mother reached the student tower and Xuefeng stood at the step and said:

"My dear students, please listen to me; as master of my faculty, I beg you to stop hunger strike; the acting vice chancellor agreed to take back all expelled students and staff."

A weak student stood up and asked:

"Really?"

"Yes." Xuefeng replied.

The students climbed up. Those could walk were supported to leave the place; those could not walk had been delivered to hospital. The hunger strike ceased.

(14)

Stopped boycotting and hunger strike, the students expected the government would keep their promise to take back the expelled students and staffs; but Lu Wei's government did not fulfill their promise. Furthermore, the government issued expulsion order for foreign students to re-enter the country.

Hong Shanquan with a group of students entered Fu Xuefeng's office and they looked at her with glaring eyes and Shanquan asked:

"Professor Fu, are you a liar?" Shanquan looked at her without seeing her: "Why should you cheat us?"

"What do you mean?" Fu Xuefeng asked with feeble voice.

"You told us that once we stopped boycotting and hunger strike; the government would consider the expulsion order and take back the expelled students and staffs. But now…"

"I'll will…" Xuefeng did not know how to answer.

Shanquan and the students walked out the office without a word, but a cry of distress in their hearts.

After the students left, Xuefeng dashed to the acting vice chancellor's office.

"Mr. Huang," Xuefeng looked at him with piercing eyes: "What did you promise can you remember?"

"Professor Fu," Huang swallowed his saliva and cleared his throat and he said: "Any problem, we can sit down and talk; please sit down and cool down."

Fu Xuefeng refused to sit down; she used her glaring eyes fixed upon him and asked:

"You begged me to help to stop the hunger strike and boycott lecture; and you told me the government would re-consider and took back the expelled students and staffs; but now…"

"I had tried my best; but the government…"

"You are puppet! You are executor!"

Fu Xuefeng rushed out without turning back.

"Professor Fu, don't go, don't go away! We can discuss further…" Huang Qiujin uttered.

Fu Xuefeng returned to her house and she packed and left.

(15)

In 1964, 1965 Lu Wei's government using drastic move by weapon, expulsion, banishment, confinement etc. to take over Yunda by force. Military might control the students' body; but could not control their spirit of revolt. The students scattered all over the world; they went to England, America, Canada etc. for further study or work. They formed student alumni or organization to spread the spirit of Yunda; they continued to fight with Lu Wei's tyranny.

In October 1966, Lu Wei went to his captured Yunda, he stood at the hill of student tower complacently and he murmured:

"I am a conqueror, I am the king of Yunda; wherever I go, people respect me and bow to me!"

After viewing the campus, Huang Qiujin led the prime minister Lu Wei to the concert hall at the new library. VIP from foreign countries and local political men attended Lu's speech, he boasted how he ruled the Island with his drastic measure and he praised himself and he said he loved his people like his own children. Lu Wei smiled with hand-clap; he sat down amid deafening applause.

Suddenly a group of students dashed into the hall. With a glimpse, Huang Qiujin noticed they were the expelled students who were led by Hong Shanquan. Acting vice chancellor Huang stood up; he dashed forward to stop them to walk up the stage and he held Shanquan's hand and begged: "Any issue, after the concert we can talk; now a lot of VIP in the hall."

"He is a liar, a tyrant!" Shanquan shouted.

"Shee…" Qiujin tried to use his palm to cover Shanquan's mouth.

"You are a puppet, you are an executor!" Xiaoping uttered.

"Where are the hero and heroine come from?" Lu Wei stood up and asked: "How dare you come to disturb us?"

"I am Hong Shanquan, my father was tortured and murmured by you. You are a liar, a tyrant! You are sinful of destroying our Chinese education!"

Shanquan pointed his finger to Lu Wei and he looked at him with piercing eyes.

"What did you say and what do you mean?" Lu Wei spoke like a gentleman with his pure British English.

"I said you are a liar, you are a tyrant!"

VIP surprised, but students cheerful and clapping their hands. In the round of applause; a few detectives arrested Shanquan. He was handcuffed and pushed out the hall.

"You said you loved your people like your own children?" The students roared: "This is a democratic country?"

(16)

Cheng Wuhua entered the store of the cargo ship, he dragged himself to a corner and he felt asleep. The ship was sailing in the vast dark ocean. After few hours' sleep, he opened his eyes; he saw a glimmer of light from the gap of the wall. Wuhua tried to find a way out of the store. He noticed a small steel plate door was opened. This was the way to kitchen. In the evening, his throat parched and he was famished. He went in the kitchen and looked for food. A burger on the pen, he grasped and put in his mouth. Suddenly the door was opened, he saw a fat woman appeared in the kitchen; he hid under the concrete slab. This fat woman was looking for the burger and she murmured:

"Where is my burger? Eaten by mouse?"

She lowered her head and searched for burger. Wuhua closed his eyes, he dared not look at the fat lady. While she was walking, she kicked Wuhua's leg and she fell down on Wuhua's body. She yelled and shouted. Wuhua begged her to stop shouting. When she calmed down, Wuhua briefed her his story. She was impressed and she taught him to dress up like her and let him sleep under her bed. This fat woman named Maica, she came from southern America. And she worked in America illegally.

"Where are we going?" Wuhua asked.

"Seattle." she said with an attempt at a smile: "Seattle of America; when you reach there, you can find a job in the shop; they need workers."

Two weeks in the ship, Wuhua managed to survive by sharing half of Maica's food. One day Maica was sick, she could not get up to work. Wuhua dressed and made up like Maica; he went to kitchen to wash plates. The cook turned and looked at 'Maica'. 'She' tried to hide. When the cook looked at 'Maica' with a glance and the cook asked: "Maica, now you are so thin?"

"I have sore throat, no appetite." Wuhua murmured.

The 3rd week, the ship reached Seattle; Maica taught Wuhua how to pass the checkpoint. When Maica passed the gate the immigration officer asked with curiosity: "Just now you had exited?"

"Yes, forgot to take my handbag and re-entered." Maica said with a smile.

"Oh, I see." Immigration officer said with an attempt at a smile.

Wuhua worked in a shop for three months. In winter, he left and reached New York. He sold books in china town. Wuhua brought his draft of the story, 'Night had fallen' which described the students defending Yunda. He published the book in china town and sold the book at a stall. Many Chinese in the china town; most of them came from Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Vietnam. Wuhua selling book with his signature in and he briefed the buyer of the story. The demand was good and he earned some money and he entered a university for further study.

Day time he attended class, night time he sold books. Later he translated the story from Chinese to English. A lot of American and European bought the book from him.

After four years hard working and struggling, he obtained a PhD degree with doctorate. Beside teaching, he went for addressing all over Canada and America. He was a popular professor.

(17)

After leaving Yunda, Fu Xuefeng set up a lawyer firm. She helped Yunda university students to claim Lu Wei's government of improper practice in judiciary.

A group of expelled students went in Xuefeng's office, they gave the copy of the expulsion order to Xuefeng and they asked her:

"The letter mentioned illegal activity, what kind of illegal activity? We joined the peaceful demonstration, boycotting lecture, hunger strike—these are our human right."

"It is true, absolutely true; it is unwarranted charges." Xuefeng said.

"It is unwarranted charge, we must fight for justice and sue the disciplinary committee and Lu Wei's government." A law student said.

After the students left, Xuefeng murmured: "What the students said was true; Lu Wei's government forced to take over the management of Yunda; put his man to be head of the disciplinary committee and ordered him to take action of the students of which the names provided by his detective agents (spy students). Appointed his man to be the head of the management of the Yunda, they abused of power—Yunda was set up by public fund not their government fund. We must sue the government and claim damages."

Fu Xuefeng collected 300 expelled student's particular and submitted affidavit to court. Her bravery action was supported by most of the Chinese educated people in local and south-east Asia. People commented:

"Professor Fu is a brave lawyer!"

"A mouse dares to attack an elephant."

"A cat to fight with the tiger!"

Some happy, some worried.

All newspapers in the Island dared not publish the news; except an editor of a small magazine visited Fu Xuefeng.

"Lawyer Fu, you dare to take the risk to sue the giant and the government, merely helped the students or you have any other intention?" The editor asked.

"Fight for justice! Peaceful demonstration is legalized. Lu Wei's government intended to destroy the Chinese education, destroy the Yunda, merely for Lu Wei's personal political gain. I assisted the expelled students, banished students, they were ill-treated by Lu Wei's government, and they abused power as a democratic country. Lu Wei is a criminal of the Chinese education and Chinese society." Fu said angrily.

The interview published in the magazine. People queued up to buy the magazine. The oppressed people gave her a round of applause. Lu Wei was injured like an arrow shot into his heart. He jumped and yelled. The next day, a group of lawyers were called in his office.

"To take immediate action from all point of view of Fu's allegations, to sue her for slander to me and my ministers and my government."

"Yes sir!" They bowed and left Lu's room.

Fu Xuefeng submitted her affidavit to court; the hearing was delayed. Lu Wei's lawyer submitted claim, the judge Niu Bianfa immediately opened the case for hearing. Lu Wei listed a few VIP's damages claim against Fu Xuefeng amounting 30300 thousand dollars.

(18)

Lu Wei used his influence and duress; the judge Niu Bianfa allowed Lu's lawyer to take extra ordinary action to seize Fu's property, stopped her bank account and to freeze her money in the bank, before judgement. Before hearing, they assumed she was guilty; before verdict, they took her money for damages. Fu was put in dead end. She did not know what to do. She was sitting in her office; she called many friends, lawyer friends; they dared not answer; they scared to be involved. Only one friend replied. This lady said with feeble voice: "Many famous lawyers were being sued and in trouble; you should give up and apology."

"What do you mean?" Xuefeng asked.

"A cat how to fight with the tiger?" the lady paused a while and she continued: "you use egg to break the stone!"

Xuefeng stood at the window, she looked at the cloudy sky and she murmured: "give up? Apology? I have no choice to crack the egg."

Fu Xuefeng attended the hearing.

"Our prime minister is the saver of the Chinese education; Yunda faced all difficulties, he and his cabinet to save the university by all means. How dared you to insult him and condemn him as a criminal?" Prosecutor said with his eyes fixed upon her.

"Lu's government ordered soldiers and policemen to seize the university, took over the management by force and intended to change it from Chinese university to be English university; isn't he a criminal of the Chinese education?" Fu stood up and argued.

The judge Niu Bianfa banged the table and stopped her, but she feared not and she continued:

"Our prime minister loved the people like his son and daughter; how dared you said he ill-treated the students?"

"In 1959, 1963, 1964 thousands of police, soldier and riot-soldier surrounded Yunda, they beat, arrested, banished the students and staffs and they put the students in jail without trial. They treated them like children?" Fu asked.

Supporters clapped their hands.

After three days' hearing, the judge Niu Bianfa hammering out his verdict:

"Fu Xuefeng had to pay for their damages."

Big news in the media and newspapers; Lu Wei walked and laughed all the way to bank. Xuefeng walked back her office without tear and terror.

Fu Xuefeng, the value of her house, the saving in her account; the total value was less than 10% of the damage claim. Xuefeng's close friend rang up and told her in feeble voice: "You better flee and leave the country before you had been sued for bankruptcy; otherwise, you lost your passport, forever you will be in the devil's hand."

Midnight, Fu Xuefeng went to Thailand by jungle road; and she would meet Xiaoping in Bangkok; then, they escape to Canada.

The next day in the early morning, the court gave order to seal Xuefeng's house; Xiaoping packed and went out from back of the house.

Xiaoping reached the prison. She waited two hours; then she met Hong Shanquan.

"Shanquan…" Xiaoping was sobbing, she paused a few seconds and she continued: "I have to say 'good-bye' to you."

"Why?" Shanquan walked nearer to the gate and he held Xiaoping's hand and asked.

"My mother was forced to leave the country; we have no more house to stay. Lu Wei sealed our house."

"Where you intend to go?" Shanquan opened his withered lips and he kept his eyes fixed upon Xiaoping's sorrowful face and he asked.

"I intend to go to Canada with my mother." Xiaoping looked at Shanquan with her glazed eyes and she replied.

"Xiaoping…, I… wait for you to come back." He murmured with a drop of tear rolled down his cheek.

"…" Xiaoping nodded; she wept for a minute and then she said in feeble voice: "good-bye…"

Xiaoping walked away at the same time she sang the song of coral:

"Flower reflects in the deep blue sea,
A fireball appears from the sea water.
Coral tree red with spring season,
The flowers blossom in the storm."

Shanquan sang the 'the song in midnight' with low voice:

"The wind blowing with rain ceaselessly,
The flower and leaves wandering in the rain."

Then, he sang with treble:

"With my last breath and life,
I'll fight with the devil."

Xiaoping turned back; looked at Shanquan will her tearful eyes and then she walked away.

Shanquan looked at Xiaoping until she disappeared in the morning fog with drizzling.

(19)

Fu Xuefeng and Xiaoping reached Toronto of Canada, they stayed at the Chinese housing area near Niagara Fall. Xuefeng teaching law in a university, Xiaoping study music. 20 years later, the Yunda students in Toronto prepared a reunion gathering. The students of Yunda flied to Toronto from all over the world.

Cheng Wuhua was elected as chairman. He went up the stage and he told his struggling story when he reached Seattle and he met Maica who helped and saved him. After Wuhua finished his speech, he walked down the stage, he was questioned:

"Now you are PhD and professor, did you repay the fat woman?"

"Yes." Wuhua walked to Maica and said: "Now she is my adopted sister."

He hugged Maica; tears rolled down from their cheeks.

Xuefeng attended the gathering; she was invited as VIP. Cheng Wuhua led her to the stage. She was 70 years old, but fit and healthy. She went up the stage and the students clapping their hands ceaselessly. Professor Fu addressed with a smile:

"In my life, the most sorrowful day was the moment I left my country; I was so regret that I could not save and help the ignorant expelled students; and the happiest day in my life is to-night, I have seen a lot of Yunda students struggled and successes." after applause and cheer; she continued: "Lu Wei's government intended to force us (Chinese students) to death, but we dared to face all adversity and lived strong."

Cheer and applause once more.

After addressing, it was singing performance. Xiaoping was invited to sing. She dressed a grey cheongsam, with a pair of black high-heel shoe; her round face shown a few wrinkles. Her action was the same as she sang in Yunda before.

She started to sang the Coral:

"Flower reflects in the deep blue sea,
A fireball appears from the sea water.
Coral tree red with spring season,
The flowers blossom in the storm."

Suddenly she thought of Shanquan when she sang together with him during boycotting lecture; and she reminiscing the day she parted Shanquan in the prison, she was weeping ceaselessly. The students were impressed and moved. They sobbed and wept without a word.

Fu Xuefeng went up the stage, she embraced Xiaoping and she consoled her; after that Xuefeng announced:

"Xiaoping missed Shanquan who was thrown into jail by Lu Wei for 24 years; Lu Wei induced him to surrender, but Shanquan never give up to fight with the devil."

Applause broken by sobs.

(20)

Xiaoping missed Shanquan, she composed a song 'when I leave you'.

It was a silent night, the icy wind blowing outside Xiaoping's garden; it snowed relentlessly in Toronto. Xiaoping lying on bed, reminiscing the day in Yunda with Shanquan. She could not sleep; she got up to play piano and sing her song:

"When I leave you in the morning with drizzling,
Do you still remember the day I said good-bye to you;
I held the tears in my eyes,
It was a cold morning with misty fog and drip;
Your singing voice was delicate and thin,
Your spirit of fight impressed me."

Xiaoping repeated singing until the clock struck three. A tear like a wax, streaming down from her eye. She tried to forget the past, but in vain. Whenever the night had fallen with drizzling, she reminiscing the days she was with Shaquan. She murmured:

"After 24 years, the flower of the lover's tree still in blossom?
How are you, Shanquan? Are you healthy and safe?"

Xiaoping planned to go back to Yunda and see Shanquan in the jail.

(21)

Hong Shanquan was confined in prison without trial. Lu Wei tried all means, by duress to induce him to commit he was a communist, a terrorist; tried to force him to confess his illegal activity and gave up his revolting; but Shanquan had never confessed and surrendered. Many years had elapsed, some lawyers, doctors gave up and confessed; and they were released. But Shanquan in the contrary; the longer in the jail, the stronger he was. He intended to fight for righteousness and justice to his last breath and life.

Shanquan sang in the jail when he recalled the days with Xiaoping. Lu Wei's slogan of democratic was repressed; 20 over years put him in jail without trial, was shameful to Lu Wei. All his opponent gave up to fight with him, except Shanquan.

Lu Wei murmured: "My country was a democratic country; my city was the eastern British London; why should I be blacklisted because of Shanquan? It was not a pride in my reign as the Island king."

Lu Wei arranged a meeting with Shanquan. Lu Wei sitting in the air-Cond room and he waited Shanquan. Shanquan no intention to meet Lu Wei. Lu Wei went in Shanquan's cell and asked:

"Mr. Shanquan, you want me to appeal to home minister to release you?" Lu Wei gave him a mournful look and asked humbly.

"No!" Shanquan looked at him with piercing eyes.

"If you confess, we can offer what you want." Lu Wei had a face like clown.

"I did nothing wrong; but you!" Shanquan said angrily; "you are the democratic scum, you are the destroyer of Yunda, you are the criminal for Chinese education."

"…" Lu Wei shocked and he stood up and bursted out a cunning laugh.

"You are in a storm, you have no right to choose port." Lu Wei looked at Shanquan with his glaring eyes: "I'll see how long you can persist!"

Lu Wei put Shanquan in a dark cell without light and bed; but Shanquan dared to face all suffer and torture.

One year passed, Lu Wei asked the prison chief:

"Had Shanquan surrendered?"

"He preferred to death rather than confession."

An old fox with no craft.

(22)

Lu Wei sitting in his prime minister's room, he was looking at the high-rise buildings and the harbor. He was biting a cigarette, wandered a minute; he lifted the phone and called the home minister:

"To exile Shanquan, he is a madman."

"Where to confine him?" home minister asked.

"Cliff Island."

Cliff Island was an isolated small island with fishermen occasionally were around the island bay. After Shanquan had been exiled to the Cliff Island, the government fenced up the island and soldiers with guns stationed at all corners.

After Shanquan been thrown out the country, Lu Wei intended to repair the cracks of Yunda damaged by him. Shanquan condemned him as a destroyer of Yunda. It was a stigma, wicked. I must get rid of it. In recent years, he tried to cover the wounds which injured by his government. He tried to make up and decorate Yunda. He was old and weak. He dreamed often. In his dream, he called his new minister of education and asked:

"The signboard of Yunda had been installed?"

"Completed." The new minister said: "people criticized it was a fake one."

"Yunda the original name had been re-installed?"

"Re-installed, but the students abroad denied it as it was a fake name."

"Oh, my god, why they still so stubborn?" Lu Wei asked as he was biting a cigarette.

"Not stubborn, but persistence."

"Why they are so persistent?"

"They are having the spirit of Yunda." minister answered.

"Quick! To search it and get it back."

"Scattering all over the world; why you had to disperse it before?"

Lu Wei was awake, he rubbed his eyes and murmured: Why not organized a reunion concert and invited all students from all over the world to attend the concert; to proof that I am the supporter of the Chinese education.

(23)

The government decorated and smeared the Yunda and they chose a date for reunion.

Absence made her heart fonder; Xiaoping intended to visit Shanquan and Yunda. She flew from Toronto to her country. In the plane she looked at the sky and she murmured: "After 30 years, what had been changed? The library, the reading hall which she and Shanquan studied together; the wriggling of the Nantah Lake, we used to sit on the chair."

Once she reached the university, she was sad to see: The lover's trees were withered; she could not see the cloud floating above the villages. When she saw the concrete of building and highway above the garden, the pure and beauty of Yunda was destroyed. Xiaoping was so sad.

In the evening, she went to the student tower where she had hunger strike with Shanquan and class-mates. She reached the Faculty of literature, she searched for the stage location of concert where she and Shanquan performed their songs during boycotting lecture. Nothing remained, but a withered lover's tree; she sat near the tree and she sobbed.

At night, drum beating deafened her hears. She went to the concert hall, it was crowded.

The first speaker was Lu Wei, he went up the stage and he addressed:

"In the early stage of Yunda, the Chinese educated people all over south-east Asia to support and raise fund for Yunda; In order to praise their activity then, I'll perform a show in front of you, show that I supported and loved Yunda."

A painted trishaw was pushed up the stage. Lu Wei climbed up the trishaw and cycled.

Xiaoping noticed the charity number 1954; she knew it was Hong Yuan's trishaw. Lu Wei performed cycling at the same time he shouted: "We must support Chinese education, we must support Yunda!"

Xiaoping stood up, she used her finger pointed to Lu Wei and she scolded him:

"You are the one to destroy Chinese education and you are the one to close Yunda."

Lu Wei was shocked. In front of people, he controlled his temper and said:

"Any complaint, please come and tell me."

Xiaoping went up the stage, she grasped the speaker and she uttered:

"This is Hong Yuan's trishaw; you murdered Hong Yuan; you oppressed and tortured his son Hong Shanquan; you threw him into jail without trial. You are the democratic scum, you tyrant!"

After saying, Xiaoping threw the speaker away and she fled.

"Quick! Catch her." Lu Wei yelled.

A group of detectives chasing Xiaoping. Xiaoping disappeared in the darkness.

(24)

Xiaoping reached the Cliff Island. The Island was fenced up. She noticed two soldiers with gun at the gate. Xiaoping hid into the bushes, she was looking at the Island.

Appeared in front of her, was trees and stones. Half an hour passed, she saw a fishing boat passing by. She waved her hand and made a hand signal of help. The fishing boat sailed close to her. The fisherman was a Chinese man of about 70 years old. He asked:

"What are you looking for?"

"I wish to hire your boat for sightseeing." Xiaoping said.

"No beautiful scenery around here; only an exiled man in the Island."

"Hong Shanquan." Xiaoping said.

"Why you know?"

"I was his class-mate; I came from Canada."

"You have no chance to meet him, but you can view at him from distance." fisherman said with a groan.

"It's ok, I just intend to view at him." Xiaoping said with a glimmer of hope.

"Soldiers stationed around the Island; you are not allowed to close the Island." Fisherman paused a while and he continued: "You came from Canada, a long journey; I intend to help you, to-morrow at dawn with mist, we sail close to the Island"

Xiaoping passed the night in the fishing boat. The next morning, it was drizzling, the Island and the sea were covered by cloud and fog. The motor boat moved close to the cliff Island. Xiaoping sang with low voice;

"flower reflects in the deep blue sea,
Fireball appears from the sea water.
Coral tree red with spring season,
The flower blossom in the storm."

Xiaoping kept her eyes fixed upon the Island. A tall and thin man appeared at the brink, in the grey glimmer of the morning sunlight. He waved his hand and he sang:

"The wind blowing with rain ceaselessly,
The flowers and leaves wandering in the rain;
With my last breath and life,
I'll fight with the devil."

"Shanquan!" Xiaoping waved her hand and shouted.

"Xiaoping!" Shanquan shouted.

Calling each other's name, making their heart fonder. They reminiscing the past, the singing night in the Victoria Theatre; the demonstration at the City Hall; the hunger strike at the student tower; the reading room of the library; the singing days at the Faculty of literature; the night at Nantah pond; The day they parted in the drizzling morning….

Two drops of tears rolled down from Xiaoping's cheek.

"Xiaoping, hide inside, quick! The soldiers are coming to catch us!” fisherman shouted with his eyes petrified.

Xiaoping leaned down, but she glimpsing at Shanquan, he was waving his hand.

"Good-bye…" Xiaoping groaned and waving her hand

"Good-bye…" Shanquan waving his hand.

While the fisherman sailed away, Shanquan dashed to the seaside and he sang:

"You are the tree in the mountain,
I am the bacterium of the tree;
You are the water of the pond,
I am the duckweed on the water."

Xiaoping looked at the Island with a smile.

Suddenly Shanquan sang stronger and stronger:

"With my last breath and life,
I'll fight with the devil!"

The wind blew with drizzling. Looking at the vast misty bay and vague Cliff Island; a tear of departure rolled down from her cheek, fell into the sea.

"Xiaoping… good-bye…" It was weak and far.

"Shanquan…good-bye…" She sobbed and wept.

The icy wind blowing ceaselessly.

The misty bay with drizzling and departure tears.