Hou Baolin was a renowned master of xiangsheng (crosstalk comedy) before and after the founding of the People’s Republic of China. His performances were deeply loved by the public throughout his life. Mao also greatly enjoyed inviting him to perform at Zhongnanhai, watching his crosstalk many times, and in his later years even had him specially record performances on video for Mao to watch. Yet such a comic star, who held absolutely no political dissent, was still struggled against during the Cultural Revolution, sent down for labor, and prevented from performing normally.

When Mao was alive, he enjoyed listening to Hou Baolin’s crosstalk. After arriving in hell and no longer able to hear him, Mao wanted to use the Jade Emperor’s permission to meet other spirits to see Hou once more.

When Mao saw Hou Baolin, he said, “The Cultural Revolution made you suffer. You hadn’t committed any real errors—there was no crime to speak of—yet you were still put on stage to be struggled against and sent down for labor. Thinking about it today, it was truly a mistake!”

Hou replied, “The Cultural Revolution you incited was like that. Anyone with a bit of fame would at least be labeled ‘opposing academic authority,’ made to wear a tall dunce cap, and paraded around. It was routine. I didn’t take it too seriously—just went along with it.”

Mao said, “I heard you even put the dunce cap on yourself, desperately declaring your own monstrous crimes and overthrowing yourself.”

Hou answered, “I moved in step with the rebels. Afraid your Red Guards might not find one in time, I made my own dunce cap in advance. It was adjustable—tall or short—depending on what they liked. When they shouted, ‘Down with Hou Baolin!’ I immediately threw myself to the ground—no push needed. When paraded through the streets, I jogged at the front, enthusiastically leading the way. If you went along with them a bit, your rebel youngsters would be happy.”

Mao laughed. “You really knew how to handle things! Truly a master of humor! That way you suffered less physically.”

Hou said, “The propaganda team also told me to escalate things and describe my crimes as monstrous. So I chose the biggest possible charges. I said, ‘I started the Korean War; I caused the Xingtai earthquake.’ The rebels ran out of things to criticize. Once, I arrived early to a struggle session, but the leader didn’t show up—I waited in vain. When they couldn’t continue criticizing me, they just sent me to clean toilets. So it went on for several years, until May Day 1974, when it was finally announced that I was not part of the ‘black gang.’”

Mao said, “You were clever. Taking all the blame onto yourself was not wrong—it at least showed a good attitude. During the Cultural Revolution, were you still allowed to perform? Could you still create?”

Hou replied, “No more performances. I was sent to a cadre school for labor. The eight model operas occupied the stage. My little routines could only make people laugh—they didn’t conform to your literary line. I tried to create a piece called ‘Seed Enthusiast.’ I revised it eleven times, but it still failed political review. So I had no choice but to sit idle on my salary.”

Mao said, “In the later years of the Cultural Revolution, I thought of you again. In 1974, while recuperating in Hunan, I noticed that your name wasn’t on the list of delegates for the upcoming National People’s Congress. I asked why Hou Baolin wasn’t included. They immediately added you. I also wanted to watch your crosstalk, so I had someone arrange video recordings.”

Hou said, “Thank you for remembering me. One day while I was doing labor at the cadre school, a military representative told me to go wash my feet immediately, change my shoes, and prepare. When I reported to the Beijing Revolutionary Committee, everyone smiled at me and addressed me as ‘comrade.’ Later, after great effort, twelve video segments were recorded, including your favorite, ‘Guan Gong Battles Qin Qiong,’ and presented to you.”

Mao said, “I was very happy watching your recordings. Did you continue any creative activities afterward?”

Hou replied, “I couldn’t really create anymore—it didn’t suit the tastes above and couldn’t be publicly shown. So I used the back pay issued after the Cultural Revolution to devote myself to collecting cultural relics. In 1979, I simply announced my retirement from the stage and focused on writing. However, in 1982 I performed in Hong Kong for ten days to tremendous acclaim. In 1984, I performed nine shows in the United States. In 1989, I gave my last National Day performance at Zhongnanhai. After that, my health worsened. In 1991 I was diagnosed with stomach cancer, and my stomach was completely removed. In 1993, during my final hospital interview, titled ‘Chairman Mao Listening to My Crosstalk,’ I soon passed away.”

Mao said, “Since 1949, watching your crosstalk gave me the greatest happiness. Only you could make me so happy—you were truly a national treasure. I remember once you recited a poem: ‘Bold beyond measure and not to be bullied; Zhang Fei roars at Dangyang Bridge; though not a good bargain, one day as husband and wife means a hundred days of grace.’ It made me burst into laughter.”

Hou said, “Over thirty years, I performed crosstalk for you about one hundred and fifty times. I adapted easily, accepted new things quickly, studied your Yan’an Talks on Literature and Art very seriously, followed your line, and removed the old random elements from traditional crosstalk so you would not tire of it.”

Mao said, “You were always serious and sincere—your delivery intimate and natural, simple and dignified, rich in meaning and flavor, brisk in rhythm, hearty yet restrained, lightly satirical, blending solemnity with humor. No wonder Peking University appointed you as a professor of language and literature. It’s a pity you died so soon. Did you leave any final words?”

Hou replied, “I left ‘Final Words’: ‘The audience are my benefactors, my providers of food and clothing. Even if I told crosstalk for decades more, I could never repay them. I am the servant of the audience, letting laughter enter thousands of households.’”

Mao said, “You were grateful to your audience. You came from poverty, struggled diligently all your life, humble and sincere. If I had possessed your attitude, I would have made far fewer mistakes!”

Hou answered, “You and I are different. At most, I was a great comic star. You were supposed to be a great savior. Unfortunately, you acted without restraint—saving few, harming tens of millions. In fact, you became a great disaster star.”

Mao said insincerely, “After more than forty years of reflection since my death, I admit that this great disaster star is far inferior to you, the great laughter star.”

Hou said, “By your nomination, I became a people’s representative. Someone once asked me, ‘Whom do you represent?’ I answered, ‘I represent Chairman Mao. To say I represent the people is empty—the people have no power to remove me; only Chairman Mao does. Look at the hundred-yuan renminbi note: you don’t see the people, but Chairman Mao stands prominently above. “People’s Government,” “People’s Bank”—these are decorative terms.’”

Mao said, “Your eyes are sharp—you see the essence, not just appearances.”

Hou continued, “I tell people that when reading political terms, you can’t read them Western-style from left to right. You have to read them Chinese-style from right to left to understand them properly. For example, ‘people’s representative’: read from right to left as ‘representing the people on the surface’—in reality, representing Chairman Mao. Or take ‘election’: read right to left as ‘choose and then elect’—I choose you first, and then you cast your vote.”

Mao said, “Your way of reading hits the point precisely—very thorough.”

Hou added, “In the West they speak of democracy, freedom, and human rights—the three great rights. Read them the Chinese way, right to left, and they make sense. ‘Democracy’ becomes ‘the ruler of the people’—I rule on behalf of the people. ‘Freedom’ becomes ‘from me’—whatever freedom you have comes from me. ‘Human rights’ becomes ‘the right over people’—I have the authority to deal with you. ‘Right’ and ‘fist’ sound alike—if you don’t obey, I have the right to punch you.”

Hearing the last sentence, Mao burst into laughter. “You’ve brought democracy, freedom, and human rights to life—you’ve said exactly what was in my heart. You truly deserve to be called a master of crosstalk.”

Hou said, “But now things have opened up somewhat. It’s not like when you were alive and everything was shut behind doors, listening only to the ‘supreme instructions.’ People can also look at the outside world and see what it’s really like. Interpreting things entirely the way I just did for you may not work so well anymore.”

Mao said, “I’ve seen that now on domestic television, there are skits imagining you and me performing crosstalk together on the same stage. Quite interesting. Thank you for taking me as your apprentice and performing alongside me.”

Hou said, “That was the idea of later generations. If everyone agrees, I’d be happy to bring laughter to the world together, replacing the tears of the past and making amends.”

Mao echoed perfunctorily, “Good, I’ll also make use of my remaining warmth, as you say—make amends.”

Hou said, “But most important is that you must first thoroughly reflect and repent. In thirty years of rule, you brought great disaster to the country, tens of millions died, and public resentment runs deep. Your successors still cover up your crimes and forbid exposure. Xi Jinping is even imitating your methods, fostering a personality cult, disregarding the hardships of the people, seeking to be a world leader, scattering money abroad. Your lingering influence remains uncleared and continues to harm the country.”

Mao replied evasively, “What you say is right. One must publicly admit mistakes to the people and seek the Jade Emperor’s pardon.”

Hou said, “Easy to say—but hard to fulfill.”

Mao had no answer. Everything that needed to be said had been said. He rose to take his leave, and they went their separate ways.

NEXT: 86. Ma Sicong (1912–1987)