The Cultural Revolution erupted in 1966 and Xu Hongci became one of the first to be persecuted. Every one of his past “crimes” was dredged up and criticized anew. Paraded through the streets, bound and humiliated, he was once again sentenced, this time to 20 years. He was incarcerated in a prison in Lijiang specifically for serious criminals.
The prison ‘sage’ faces a new threat
Despite the grim circumstances, Xu Hongci used his medical knowledge to become a “sage” in the eyes of his fellow inmates. Whether it was remedying smelly shoes with a splash of alcohol or softening hard towels with vinegar, his helpful tricks slowly increased his standing within the prison. However, his cunning and wisdom unnerved the prison warden, Li Derong.
In 1969, the prison began drafting a report accusing Xu Hongci of planning a mass prisoner revolt. If the report were submitted, Xu Hongci could face execution. A low-ranking inmate risked everything to relay this news to Xu, who then realized that escape was his only option. His preparations for a fourth escape attempt commenced.
A calculated escape and a race for freedom
Anticipating he would need an official document for inspections along the way, Xu crafted a stamp from a discarded soap bar that read “Yunnan Province Yun County Revolutionary Committee.” He then used this stamp to forge three letters permitting him to visit relatives. He saved ration tickets, stocked food, and prepared a disassembled ladder.
On the morning of August 7, 1969, the prison power went out. Xu seized this opportunity to move his escape supplies to the metalworking room, throwing the ladder parts into a hidden corner. After roll call, he created a dummy with his clothes and hid in the flower beds during the chaotic wash time. When everyone else was asleep, he silently assembled the ladder, used two poles, and climbed over the prison wall.
Once outside, he ran wildly southwards through the mountains of Yunnan. When thirsty, he drank from rivers; when hungry, he ate insect larvae and earthworms. To evade detection by dogs, he braved crossing chest-deep rivers. After 14 days of harsh wilderness survival, Xu Hongci finally emerged from Yunnan.
Journey to a new life
A month later, Xu Hongci, traveling by various vehicles, arrived at the China-Mongolia border in Erenhot. As if fate was aiding him, the border station lights unexpectedly went out as he approached. He instinctively crept along the watchtower, unintentionally entering the blind spot of the border radar.
On the night of September 10, 1972, a disheveled Xu Hongci successfully crossed the border into Mongolia. There, he was interrogated by a judge who was sympathetic to his plight, but needed proof that he wasn’t a spy. Xu Hongci offered evidence from an article published in People’s Daily on August 2, 1957, which he could recite from memory.
Not returned to his home country, Xu Hongci was instead sentenced to one year of labor in Zun Hara’s vast forest for illegal border crossing. Though the frigid winters could freeze one’s toes, Xu felt the bliss of liberation from the CCP’s prison. After serving his term, Xu, now in his 40s, won the heart of a 21-year-old nurse named Oyuna with his knowledge and talent. They settled in the hinterland of Mongolia, raised two children, and built a happy life together.
Reconnection and return
Throughout the years, Xu didn’t contact his family in China, fearing he might be extradited. It was only after the end of the Cultural Revolution that he got in touch. In the winter of 1981, his mother wrote to tell him his “Rightist” label had been redressed by the Shanghai First Medical College.
In 1983, after 11 years of exile, Xu Hongci returned to Shanghai with his wife, son, and newborn daughter. On his return to his old school, his former classmates were shocked, exclaiming: “You’re still alive!” Despite his safe return, Xu was still haunted by his past experiences, often waking up at night, unable to sleep again. He used these restless hours to pen down his thoughts.
Xu Hongci passed away on April 17, 2008, from respiratory failure caused by cancer, aged 75. His indomitable spirit remains an inspiration for many, a testament to human resilience in the face of adversity.
See Part 1 here
Translated by Patty Zhang
