During the Cultural Revolution, in Fujian Longyan, farmer Xiè Hóngshuǐ and dozens of others established the “Chinese Communist Happiness Committee,” advocating Liu Shaoqi’s “Three Selfs, One Guarantee” and the “Four Great Freedoms” to oppose Mao Zedong. Nearly 300 people joined. In 1967, over forty core members were arrested, imprisoned, and subjected to labor reform; in 1970, twenty-one were executed, and twenty more died from forced suicide or injuries—a total of forty-one victims.

This was a shocking miscarriage of justice. Xiè Hóngshuǐ, at the moment of execution, refused to yield. Wearing thick clothing, dozens of bullets failed to kill him. He, along with other wronged spirits, could not rest. Hearing that the Jade Emperor was visiting Longyan to investigate their cases, they gathered in the spirit world to appeal together.

The Jade Emperor asked the elder farmer, “What is your name? What injustice did you suffer?”

Xiè Hóngshuǐ replied, “My name is Xiè Hóngshuǐ, born in 1938. During the Cultural Revolution, we formed the Happiness Society to uphold Liu Shaoqi’s policies and secure livelihoods for the peasants. I was arrested and executed. For decades, our grievances have gone unresolved. Tonight, I come to seek justice from you.”

The Jade Emperor asked the younger farmer, “And you? Were you involved?”

Xiè Yǒngqí said, “I am Xiè Yǒngqí. I had a middle school education and served as the pen for the Happiness Society. All our publications and propaganda were written by me.”

The Jade Emperor asked, “Why form the Happiness Society?”

Xiè Hóngshuǐ answered, “We farmers only sought a bowl of rice. Under ‘Three Selfs, One Guarantee,’ life improved compared to the Cultural Revolution, so we supported it. Once the Cultural Revolution came, we realized it was Liu Shaoqi’s policy, opposed by Mao. So we proclaimed: Long live Liu Shaoqi!”

The Jade Emperor asked, “During collectivization, how did you survive?”

Xiè Hóngshuǐ said, “During collectivization, worse than cooperatives, our commune’s households faced starvation; over 400 people died. At twenty-two, I had to work elsewhere, doing manual labor, but I was treated as a vagrant and brought back. My child starved, my wife fled, my family was destroyed. Only Liu Shaoqi’s policies gave us a chance to survive. Experiencing famine and life-and-death struggles, I sincerely supported Liu Shaoqi.”

The Jade Emperor asked Xiè Yǒngqí, “What about you?”

Xiè Yǒngqí said, “I nearly starved in 1960. Having experienced it, I actively joined the Happiness Society. I published two issues of Voice of the People and drafted the central committee list, including Liu Shaoqi, Peng Dehuai, Peng Zhen, Deng Xiaoping, Zhou Enlai, Zhu De, Song Qingling, and Dong Biwu, as well as local Longyan figures like Deng Zihui and Zhang Dingcheng—but no Mao, no Lin Biao.”

The Jade Emperor asked, “Any other documents?”

Xiè Yǒngqí continued, “We compiled the Military Commission Confidential Report, emphasizing following Liu Shaoqi, overthrowing Mao, prioritizing the people, and studying Liu’s On the Cultivation of Communists. On May Day 1967, we issued slogans: ‘Rise up! Fight for freedom and happiness! Abolish unreasonable systems! Oppose unified purchase and sale! Support grain contributions, Three Selfs, One Guarantee, Four Great Freedoms! Long live the CCP! Long live the Happiness Committee! Long live Chairman Liu!’

“In June 1967, we drafted the Party Charter, specifying: ‘Implement Three Selfs, One Guarantee, Three Harmonies, One Reduction, Four Great Freedoms; abolish classes, abolish collectivism; eliminate the Mao-Lin faction; fight for people’s freedom and happiness.’”

The Jade Emperor said, “To Mao, this was a direct political challenge.”

Xiè Hóngshuǐ said, “In Longyan, the Happiness Society was semi-public, nearly 300 members. Membership declarations declared support for Liu Shaoqi; the back of photos read: ‘Fight for Communism.’ Farmers from neighboring counties joined spontaneously.”

The Jade Emperor asked, “How were you suppressed?”

Xiè Hóngshuǐ: “In August 1967, over forty core members were arrested. We defended Liu Shaoqi in court. I argued: ‘The Great Leap Forward caused the nation’s difficulties; it was Mao’s fault. Liu’s Three Selfs, One Guarantee restored order.’ When interrogators asked Xiè Yǒngqí why he was stubborn, he said: ‘I will not betray Liu Shaoqi!’”

The Jade Emperor asked, “When were you executed?”

Xiè Hóngshuǐ: “After years of imprisonment and labor reform, in 1970, the ‘Strike the Three Antis’ campaign condemned twenty-one to death, another twelve were forced to commit suicide, and eight died from injuries.”

The Jade Emperor asked, “You opposed Mao by supporting Liu Shaoqi. Were you rehabilitated?”

Xiè Hóngshuǐ: “Not until November 1980 did the Longyan authorities declare a full rehabilitation for the Happiness Society. It was only on paper, with no real restitution. For over forty years in the spirit world, we and our families still feel unresolved. Mao, as the chief culprit, never admitted guilt. We remain restless, seeking justice from you.”

The Jade Emperor said, “I am here to hear the grievances of all wronged souls. I will see that justice is done.”

Xiè Hóngshuǐ replied, “We have been waiting for that day.”

NEXT: 107. Ma Bohua and the Shadian Massacre