被公安審查的女基督徒 《女人和土匪》 （英譯本）（41）

 

 

Chapter 41

 

 

Tang came to the public security office at 2 p.m. She went upstairs and she could hear the noise of the stairs. She had a sense of unease. She wondered why. Then, she began to realize that it was a pressure on her heart.

Tang was familiar with the workers here. The questioning started. Comrade Ma asked questions while comrade Zhong took notes.

Comrade Ma said, “Maybe you are not aware that your problem is not just a personal matter. You have to speak to us in a proper way. The Communist policy is ‘confess your wrongs and you’ll be given a lighter punishment’.”

Tang was not happy at this. She was asked to help the public security workers to get a better knowledge about the Christianity Association, but now she had been warned. She made a stretched smile, replying:

“I’d like to know if I come here to confess my wrong-doing or help you to know the Christianity Association better.”

The two comrades cast a glance at each other. Then, Comrade Ma said, “We used to get some knowledge from you. But some people have exposed to us about your wrongs. So, you have to confess your wrongs today.”

“Then, what should I tell you?”

“We cannot tell you that openly, otherwise it is against our policy.”

Tang calmed down, saying, “I believe in God, and treat God’s words as truth. I’d like to send you a copy of the Bible if you wish me to tell you the truth.”

Comrade Zhong said, “Don’t deceive us with the Bible. God means nothing to us Communists. Damn! Tell us your problem!”

Tang was heartbroken at this curse. She closed her eyes and prayed in her heart, “Dear Lord, please forgive these people’s blasphemy of your name!”

The two public security workers waited for her patiently. Half an hour later, Comrade Ma got impatient. He asked, “What’s your decision? Tell us!”

Tang replied, “I’m still thinking.”

Tang was aware that her words would not be able to convince these people of her faith. If she kept silent, then God would be less blasphemed. She closed her eyes and communicated with the proletariats in heart.

Comrade Zhong got impatient as well. He beat the desk with his pen, Comrade Ma remarked, “Why don’t you speak? Let me tell you: No one can keep silent here!”

Tang opened her eyes. She had no experiences with the Communists. Did she commit any crime? She wondered. What did the others expose about her? She felt thirsty, but did not want to tell the two men about her thirst.

Se cleared her throat, asking, “Tell me about what problem I have.”

“Can’t you recall?”

Tang answered, “No.”

Comrade Ma said, “I don’t think you can’t recall. For example, you had a lot of contacts with such priests as

MR. Way

.” Tang believed in God. Yet she was aware of the political situation. The Chinese Volunteer Army was fighting against the American invaders in Korea. If she did not make the matter clear, she might be deemed as seriously guilty.

Then, Tang told them that she got to know these priests in Sichuan. In 1933 Tang was baptized in Sichuan and in 1935 she came back to Guiyang to get married with Zhang. Williams the priest in Neijiang of Sicuan Province told her that

Mr. Way

the priest in Guiyang was a nice man who devoted his life to God. Thus, she got to know

Mr. Way

.

Comrade Ma said, “Good! That’s the way to confess your wrongs.”

Tang replied, “I am not confessing my wrongs, but just telling you my experiences.”

Comrade Zhong stopped Comrade Ma, saying, “Let her go on with her account. Don’t interrupt her.”

Tang recalled her experiences of joining Christianity. In 1934, she went to see Zhang. The Chinese army had fought against the Japanese invaders for some time, but defeat after defeat disappointed the soldiers. Tang was aware that her lover had to go from place to place in order to carry out the Kuomintang’s orders. Tang was worried about his safety and health. And she dreamed of living together with her lover.

Tang was a woman behaving properly. She did not like to play games with the other women. She felt the church singing wonderful. She was then in Sichuan. She felt the chorus singing hymns to God great. She entered the church and saw Jesus on the cross. He was so forgiving in her eyes.

Tang was immersed in this sight. The priest saw her and prayed for her, telling the others, “Look! God is leading a beautiful girl to our church! Amen!”

Music rang in the church, and the disciples sang:

“This is God’s world, where children can hear nice music;

This is God’s world, where His power is mighty;

This is God’s world, where evils will be cast away and love will prevail.

Lord is King. Amen!”

Tang saw two women walking towards her. They sang the hymn to her. Then, the priest took out a heavy copy of the Bible and gave it to her, telling her, “Dear child, please read this book and know about our world.”

Tang came back from her memory and said to Comrade Ma, “After I finished reading the Bible, I joined Christianity.”

Comrade Ma said, “Good! That’s the way of confession. Then you came back to Guiyang and had a lot of contacts with the priests here. Right?”

Tang answered, “Yes.”

Comrade Zhongsaid, “I’m happy with this account of yours. Then, you made contacts with Priest Clark, right? How did you ‘conspire’?”

Tang felt the words unpleasant. But she was used to such people’s use of words. She believed in God, and was convinced that He would take her out of the trouble. Yang rescued Zhang. Wasn’t that God’s arrangement?

Tang was a devout Christian.

Tang went on, “The earliest Christianity church started in 1877. A British named Mr. Care came to Guiyang. In 1928,

Mr. Way

from the USA also came. They came here for missionary work.”

Comrade Ma asked, “What did these foreign priests do here? Tell us about their crimes. This is a good chance for you to redeem for your wrongs.”

Tang found this word more unpleasant. But then she was aware that she should behave like Jesus, with forgiveness to others. She was aware that these people wanted her to tell about Jesus’ hypocrisy, and the crimes of priests. She did not mean to refute the two men, but said:

“Each time I went to the church, I could hear the others sing or pray. That was my experience.”

Comrade Ma asked, “Look! You just want to avoid mentioning the key problems. We found a radio set and some babies’ bones in the church. Aren’t you aware of these?”

Tang recalled some people said the priests used babies for experiments. Tang did not want to blaspheme God. So, she said:

“The dead babies came from poor families. They were either handicapped or contracted fatal illnesses. They died naturally. The priests did not use them for experiments.”

Comrade Ma yelled, “Don’t safeguard the American imperialists. They are cruel. Tell us the things frankly. Are you an agent arranged by the imperialists?”

Tang replied, “God arranges me here. Amen!” Then, she kept silent.Then, the day was over. The two men got impolite with her. Comrade Ma said, “If you did not tell us your problems frankly, we would make you come here again and again. We have enough time to deal with you!”

Tang got up and left. Comrade Ma said to Comrade Zhong, “We must insult this woman first. She just thinks herself great because of her husband, doesn’t she? What a fucking woman!”