Ma Mianzhen was born in 1940 in Guiyang. In 1970, she posted big-character posters criticizing provincial leaders, was detained and publicly criticized, and shouted slogans like “Down with Lin Biao! Down with Jiang Qing!” at the meetings. She was formally arrested and, in May 1970, sentenced to death by shooting.

In the afterlife, she remained filled with grievance. Recently, hearing news of the great judgment, she went directly to the Jade Emperor to seek justice.

The Jade Emperor, knowing she must have a grievance, asked directly: “What is your name, and what injustice did you suffer?”

Ma said, “My name is Ma Mianzhen. I was a technician at Guiyang Construction Company. In early 1970, I submitted suggestions to provincial leaders and posted big-character posters. I was arrested and publicly criticized at a meeting. On February 25, I was taken to the Guiyang Pastry Factory for a public struggle session. I couldn’t help shouting, ‘Down with Lin Biao! Down with Jiang Qing!’ I was immediately knocked down, my mouth stuffed with a paint-soaked cloth, labeled a counterrevolutionary, and formally arrested.”

The Jade Emperor asked, “In 1970, Lin Biao was still Mao’s close comrade and deputy commander, and Jiang Qing was Mao’s wife. Why did you oppose them?”

Ma said, “I saw that both of them were scheming and corrupt. Lin Biao exaggerated Mao’s image for hidden purposes. Jiang Qing stirred up the rebels, creating chaos to seize power. They were the root of the Cultural Revolution’s turmoil, so they needed to be opposed.”

The Jade Emperor said, “But Lin Biao and Jiang Qing were trusted by Mao, intended to lead the Cultural Revolution.”

Ma said, “That is true. I knew Mao was behind it, but I feared his immense authority and did not dare openly call for him to be opposed.”

The Jade Emperor asked, “What happened to you afterward?”

Ma said, “Once in prison, I went on a hunger strike. The province insisted I survive until the execution day and force-fed me through a nasal tube. On May 10, 1970, during a twenty-thousand-person public trial in Guiyang, I was loaded onto a truck and paraded through the city. At four in the afternoon, I was taken to the execution ground, a spring gag put in my mouth, forced into a kneeling position. I struggled to stand, was shot five times, and still did not fall. The execution officer shot two more times before I finally died.”

The Jade Emperor said, “Later, Lin Biao and Jiang Qing were overthrown, proving you were right. But Jiang Qing was Mao’s wife, so he opposed her being removed.”

Ma said, “Lin Biao and Jiang Qing were both trusted by Mao. It was Mao who unleashed them to create chaos; the ultimate blame lies with him. Mao never admitted guilt. I am officially recognized as a martyr, but my grievance remains unresolved, rooted in Mao. As long as the mastermind does not admit guilt, the victims cannot rest. I have been unable to rest for over forty years, which is why I come to you tonight, hoping for justice.”

The Jade Emperor said, “I understand. Justice will be served; it will not take long. Please watch for announcements from the Heavenly Court.”

Ma Mianzhen received the Jade Emperor’s assurance and departed happily.

NEXT: 110. Zhou Qun and the Daoxian Massacre