Sun Luo Wei’s Journal1964-1976

By: Jasper Shi

The New Bible Of China

The Little Red Book was published in 39 languages, and 3

1/2 billion copies.

May 10th 1964

The day has finally come; I cannot believe the generosity that Chairman Mao has given us! Today, our class received the Little Red Book, or in our words, The Great Quotations of Mao. The surface was so smooth, the page was so crisp; the content just took my breath away. It was so painful for us to wait, 2 days felt like 2 years. I’m so grateful that Chairman Mao finally decided to publish a book about his wise words. It makes me feel more connected to him. I remember the rumors of this publication that started a few months back, it made me feel so hyped. It was a surprise to me when the book was actually published; there was no announcement, or broadcast about it. It was only till when Mao praised the People’s Liberation Army for successfully reading and memorizing the Little Red book did I know that the book was publicly released. The success of the Little Red Book is outrageous, almost everyone is China obtained one, and read (and memorized) the book multiple times, including myself. It has been said by the benevolent Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that the Little Red book was published in 39 different languages, and 3 and a half BILLION copies, just that fact is simply mind-blowing, and shows how many people respect Chairman Mao, and want to listen to his insightful words.

My little brother Sun Rui Long came back today saying he too was learning the Little Red Book at school. I was ecstatic about this revelation; this just shows how generous Chairman Mao is! I mean, the fact that the younger kids have a lower reading ability doesn’t mean that they have to miss out, and Mao did what everyone wanted, like usual. Now, whenever I see my brother, I see his head buried in the pile of knowledge, the Little Red Book. He talks non-stop about how Mao is also right, and how he is the best. I am so proud of him for supporting Mao, and indirectly, helping China move forward.

Speaking of which, I cannot believe those disgusting ‘intellectuals’ think that Chairman Mao was the main reason to blame during the Great Leap Forward. In my defense (the truth), Mao wanted China to progress further by using their own strength, instead of using cheap tactics like those Western influences. The Great Leap Forward was not Mao’s fault; rather it was everyone’s fault. China is a unified country. Under Mao’s rule, everyone here is equal. No one individual can take the blame for multiple people’s fault, and the Great Leap Forward is one example of that. Even though Mao called for support across China, almost everyone responded, so technically, it’s not all his fault. Also, the Great Leap Forward was a time where Mao’s generosity and benevolence kicked in. As you may have heard, when the Great Leap Forward finished in 1961, Mao appointed Liu Shao Qi in power. This clearly demonstrates his unique quality of having humility, lack of greed, and desire to restore China. This is why all of us Chinese citizens appreciate him being our leader.

I think Mao’s idea of introducing the Little Red Book was ingenious; it’s good if we start to learn about the person who has helped China develop so much. I just hope that Mao will keep his virtues, and lead China with the people and our nation in first priority.

Sun Luo Wei

I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul

R.I.P Lin Biao and family

Poster of Lin and Mao

1972

How would you feel if the person who everyone believed in was suddenly branded as a traitor, who was suddenly accused of attempted murder? You would be confused right? That was my reaction. When I started to read the daily newspaper, what was inside made me stagger in shock. I can’t believe I embarrassed myself in front of my faction! Speaking of which, I joined the Red Guards, and were assigned to southern parts of China.

But getting back to point, what I read today made my jaw drop. The newspaper said that Lin Biao had died along with his family in a plane crash, which was traveling to the Soviet Union. Lin Biao was a respected official all across China, and was becoming such a great vice chairman for CCP. I read that Lin Biao had attempted to stage on Mao, naming this attempt Project 571. He tried to assassinate Mao and take his power. When this failed, Lin and his family got on a plane to flee to Soviet Union, the plane ‘crashed’ and they died along with it. but why do I find that so hard to believe? Lin was Mao’s biggest supporter, and a role model we all looked up to. It was Lin who taught us the dances, and songs to praise, and honor Mao. He even organized the Little Red Book, which was full of Mao’s greatest quotes! Why would Lin do such a thing! I do not know if I feel more betrayed by Lin Biao, or if I am beginning to have doubts on the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). And the fact that the party supposedly ‘forgot’ to tell us that his death was a year ago! I wonder what else the Party is hiding from us, and I hope this madness will end soon.

Speaking of Mao, it seems that he once again has fallen back into the shadows once again. Lately, he has really been inactive, even though I still do appreciate him, but now, I am starting to question my undying loyalty to him. I was counting on Lin to bring us back to Beijing; to visit my family, especially because I have seen them in 8 years. But now he’s gone, I guess there is no possibility of that anymore. My little brother is all grown up, I wonder if he still remembers me. But after the sudden announcement of Lin’s death, so many questions have been answered. I have learned to depend on my own strength instead of others. Expecting other to do something or make a change is only what a naïve, foolish man would do. To make a difference, I have to take action myself. I will fight, I will overcome these obstacles, I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.

Sun Luo Wei

Rise of a New Era

People mourning over Mao’s Death

Arrest of the Gang Of Four

October 9th 1976

Today we stand, not in sadness, not in anger, but together celebrating the rise of a new era. I am finally leaving the South, and going back home, where I can see my family whom I haven’t in at least a decade. Though I am already used to this work, I am excited to move on, and cannot wait what my future holds for me.

If you were somehow unaware, but The Gang of Four were arrested a few days ago! Crimes after Crimes committed by the Gang of four finally have come out into the open. They have piled up upon each other, bearing a tower of shame of those guilty. I cannot stand to even look at their pictures anymore. In my opinion, they completely deserve this punishment. I cannot believe Mao’s wife Jiang Qing would do such a thing, I don’t believe she has any respect of obligation to this country. I wonder what Mao thinks of her now.

Speaking of Mao, I still am in shock that our great leader has perished. China’s best premier; Zhou En Lai had already died in January. Zhou En Lai was a modest leader who was highly respected and loved by all of China. We were told that a million people went to Tian An Men to mourn over his death. We also heard that some people there wanted the Gang of Four gone, and other people requested more openness in the government- an end to dictatorship, and a return to Communism. I feel this year is really unlucky for China, for that two of our greatest leaders are dead.

Mourning for Mao has gradually stopped, though a few are still crying. I still remember the day that we were told about his death. My faction and I were eating breakfast when our radios suddenly sounding. At first, we thought it was going to be status update, or something else; however, all of a sudden an announcer’s voice comes up, “My dear fellow comrades, my brothers, and sisters in arms, the impossible has happened, I am sorry to say…. Our beloved leader, Mao Ze Dong has moved on into the afterlife.” That abrupt confession shocked China to it’s very core. I clearly remember that the entire was frozen was a moment. We did not talk, move, we stayed silent, just like everyone else nearby. The entire nation was silent; to pay respect to our Great leader. Some people sank to their knees and stayed there, some burst into giant tears, others simply stood in a silent daze. Though my passion to him was not as great as after Lin Biao’s death, I still am entirely grateful for his contribution to China.

That day was bittersweet, upon hearing his death, the Red Guards were disbanded, and we were allowed to see our families. My mouth dropped open, and my heart leaped in joy because I could finally see my mother, father, and my little brother who now probably already got a job. It had been years that we were apart, and I would cherish the day that I would meet them.

Hopefully after this, things go back to normal. After this decade of turmoil, I just want to live a normal, and peaceful life. Though I cannot predict what is going to happen in the future, I have a gut feeling it will be something good. The Great Cultural Revolution is finally over, and I anticipate the challenges the new era holds for me.

Long live Chairman Mao!

Sun Luo Wei

Bibliography "Lin Biao." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2015.

"Gang of Four." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2015.

Zeveloff, Julie. "If You Thought North Korea's Hysterics Over Kim Jong Il's Death Were Over The Top, Wait Until You See How China Reacted When Chairman Mao Died." Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 21 Dec. 2011. Web. 18 Mar. 2015.

(2nd entry, the last line was taken from Invictus by William Ernest Henley)