作者：司空先让
编辑：钟然 校对：熊辩 翻译：周敏
在浙江有这么一个类似当年沙俄时期“十二月党人”夫人的群体，这个群体的代表人物就是中国民主党人毛庆祥的夫人胡晓玲女士。
胡晓玲女士出生于名门之后，母亲祖上是嘉兴名门望族蒋光焴，蒋光焴，清著名藏书家。(1825—1892)当年在嘉兴赫赫有名的“衍芬堂”就是祖上在嘉兴府的府邸。
胡晓玲女士的母亲，年轻时非常漂亮，接受过现代西方教育，加上性格活泼，更是受人尊敬喜爱。胡晓玲的母亲在民国时期就在杭州铁路公司重要部门工作。
1947年，胡晓玲的母亲因曾无意间被同学拉进国民党的“三青团”组织，加上其出生成分不好，在共党掌权后的历次政治运动中经历过不同程度的政治迫害甚至差点送命。胡晓玲也因此从小就遭受歧视和不公，这经历对胡晓玲之后支持民主党人毛庆祥反中共政权有着不可分割的关系。
1980年，被政治运动整怕了的胡晓玲女士的母亲当得知胡晓玲与79年“民主墙”的热血青年毛庆祥谈恋爱时，是坚决反对的。
毛庆祥，杭州人，出生于1950年。曾在上海警备区服役，1971年服役期满，退伍后分配到杭州磁钢厂工作。
1979年，发端于北京西单民主墙的民主运动影响到浙江，以76年“四·五”运动参与者（毛庆祥曾参与天安门“四五”运动被判过刑，后平反）为基础的浙江有志之士也纷纷行动起来，将杭州的民主墙活动搞得红红火火，并形成了一个部落“黑暗中的盗火者”，相互交流思想与认识，并萌发了许多生机勃发的民刊（起源“出自民间”“宣扬民主”故称民刊），而毛庆祥就是参与其中的杰出人士之一。
正是这段时期，冥冥之中自有天意，有着共同志向的胡晓玲与毛庆祥在一次偶然的相遇之后，进入了爱恋阶段。在世俗人的眼里出生于名门望族之后的胡晓玲下嫁出生贫寒的毛庆祥是件不可思议的事，尽管受到家人的强烈反对，但意决已定的胡晓玲还是将户口本偷了出来毅然决然地与毛庆祥走进了民政局登记拿到了结婚证书。
1981年4月1日，毛庆祥先生和胡晓玲女士喜结伉俪，婚后不久借蜜月之旅，花了一个多月的时间游历了福州、广州、桂林、北京、青岛、上海等地，见到了王希哲、刘国凯等民运先驱，还带回了《告各界（行业）人民书》广为应用，加强了浙江民运与全国各地同仁的交流与联系。同年8月13日，新婚不久的毛庆祥被中共当局抓走，不久，被浙江省杭州市中级人民法院杭法刑（81）47号以“反革命宣传罪”判刑三年。
1984年8月刑满释放后，毛庆祥不畏当局的打压继续从事民运活动。
1999年6月因参与组建中国民主党再次被捕，11月9日被当局以“颠覆国家政权罪”判处有期徒刑8年，剥夺政治权利3年，毛庆祥拒绝认罪服法，服满刑期。
浙江自成立中国民主党以来，监狱中就一直有中国民主党人在坐牢，前后坐牢的达36人，至今仍在坐牢的有3人。这些民主党人的刑期加起来近200年。
1999年，毛庆祥第二次被当局逮捕并判刑8年。就在毛庆祥被判刑的当年，胡晓玲上班的杭州棉纺针织厂，出台了所谓企业转制政策，就是裁减员工，让工人拿很少一点钱买断工龄，或提早退休每月拿很少一点退休金。胡晓玲选择了提早退休，可胡晓玲一个人这点退休金根本无法养家糊口，孩子还小，正是长身体需要营养的时候，孩子的学杂费等也是一笔不小的开支……没办法只能寻求再去打工上班，经好姐妹的介绍，去了一家杭州邮政器材厂工作，可没上几天班就因毛庆祥在狱中申诉，并将申诉材料在探监时交给了胡晓玲……
当时的国保为了阻止胡晓玲将“申诉材料”递交到检察院，先是威胁胡晓玲，如果递交上去的话，在狱中的毛庆祥是没有好果子吃的，胡晓玲没理会国保。可国保没过几天竟然去了“邮政材料厂”对胡晓玲进行威胁和施压……结果厂方领导一见阵势也倍感紧张，所以第二天厂领导就让胡晓玲不要去上班了。胡晓玲因此失去了好不容易得来的工作。陷入困境的胡晓玲其生活的艰难是常人难以想象的……没办法只能不时向亲戚朋友借钱，时常打点零工艰难度日。胡晓玲深明大义，独自承担起全部家庭重任。赡养父母，养育孩子，全力支持毛庆祥的民运事业。
每当看到中国民主党人被判刑，胡晓玲心痛无比。她深知，在这个艰难的时刻，被判刑的民主党人最需要的就是家人的支持和陪伴。于是，她毫不犹豫地站了出来，主动联系其家人尽可能提供帮助和情绪安抚……在胡晓玲的带动和帮助鼓励下，不少民主党
人的夫人们也勇敢站出来，自发团结起来与当局抗争并呼吁国际社会予以关注和谴责。
在毛庆祥坐牢期间，胡晓玲不仅要照顾年老的双亲、培育孩子、上班工作，还坚持每个月去监狱探望夫君。
就探监这事，对于中国民主党人夫人这个群体来说，是件很重要的事，因为只有通过探监，才能知道丈夫在监狱里是否遭受不公或虐待，更重要的是通过探监能安抚亲人情绪。可以想像，一个人在大牢里呆着，如果没有亲人的关心和探望，是一件多么痛苦的事！这种痛苦有时可能比坐牢本身还受煎熬！
这里我特别提一下，民主党人吕耿松第二次坐牢11年，在浙江长湖监狱服刑期间，其妻汪雪娥每月至少一次前往探望。杭州至湖州长湖监狱为90公里，来回是180公里，刑期是11年要来回跑132次（132次x180公里=23760公里）相当于绕地球大半圈还多！
由于组建中国民主党案同案的民主党人吴义龙是外地人，在杭州生活相当困难，胡晓玲时常给他送些钱物，在杭州的其他中国民主党人夫人群体也会伸出援助之手，让他度过艰难困苦时期。
如今胡晓玲已70多岁了，身体也不是很好，可还经常去养老院看望照顾身陷囹圄的中国民主党人邹巍90多岁的老母亲。
中国民主党主要创始人之一朱虞夫先生，在谈到胡晓玲帮助受难者民主党人家人时是深有体会和感触的。当朱虞夫先生第一次坐牢时，最担心的是自己的夫人性格内向懦弱，怕接受不了这突如其来的打击。朱虞夫先生托人带话给胡晓玲，希望她能帮助其夫人克服恐惧和焦虑。在胡晓玲的鼓励帮助下，朱虞夫先生的夫人走过了那段最难熬的日子。
就这样，在浙江中国民主党人的夫人群体一直以来相互鼓励，相互支持下度过了一个个的艰难时刻。
在民主党人毛庆祥前后获刑11年多中。胡晓玲和儿子相依为命，艰难地过着常人不可想象的日子。
胡晓玲就靠自己的一点微薄的退休工资生活，到孩子念大学了，教育费很高，只靠这点退休金根本不够，还要打零工，跟朋友借点钱和亲友的资助。儿子13岁的时候，爸爸就不在身边，在性格等方面对孩子的成长都可能产生负面影响。
就在这样艰难日子里，胡晓玲坦然面对现实，引导鼓励孩子要坚强，不要因为爸爸的事情而自卑，自暴自弃；培养其积极向上的性格。儿子在母亲良好品格潜移默化地影响下，非常努力地读书学习。大学毕业后，只身一人前往迪拜发展，历经千辛万苦和不懈努力终于在迪拜站住了脚跟：创办了网络媒体，传播介绍阿联酋（迪拜）和中国的历史、文化、经济、旅游、美食……成为了两国文化交流使者。
胡晓玲以坚韧不拔的品格和实际行动不仅默默守住了心中的信念，更是守护支撑起了一个被当局击碎了的家庭。是当之无愧的中国现代版的“十二月党人”夫人！
向中国民主党人夫人群体致敬！
Remembering Ms. Hu Xiaoling, Wife of Chinese Democrat Mao Qingxiang
Author: Sikong Xianrang
Editor: Zhong Ran Proofreader: Xiong Bian Translator: Zhou Min
Abstract: Hu Xiaoling, a descendant of a prestigious family, held firm to her convictions in supporting Chinese Democrat Mao Qingxiang and the Zhejiang democracy movement. During her husband’s long-term imprisonments, she raised their child alone, cared for her parents, maintained their livelihood, and showed concern for the families of other Democrats. She is worthy of being called a modern-day “Decembrist” wife.
There is a group in Zhejiang similar to the “Decembrist” wives of the Tsarist Russian era, and the representative figure of this group is Ms. Hu Xiaoling, the wife of Chinese Democrat Mao Qingxiang.
Ms. Hu Xiaoling was born into a prestigious family. Her mother’s ancestors were the famous Jiang family of Jiaxing, specifically Jiang Guangyu (1825–1892), a famous Qing Dynasty book collector. The “Yanfen Hall,” which was illustrious in Jiaxing at that time, was the ancestral mansion in Jiaxing Prefecture.
Ms. Hu Xiaoling’s mother was very beautiful in her youth and had received a modern Western education; combined with her lively personality, she was highly respected and loved. During the Republican era, Hu Xiaoling’s mother worked in an important department of the Hangzhou Railway Company.
In 1947, because Hu Xiaoling’s mother had been inadvertently pulled into the Kuomintang’s “Three People’s Principles Youth League” by a classmate, and because of her “bad” family background, she experienced varying degrees of political persecution and nearly lost her life in the successive political movements after the Communist Party took power. Consequently, Hu Xiaoling suffered discrimination and injustice from childhood. This experience is inextricably linked to Hu Xiaoling’s subsequent support for the Democrat Mao Qingxiang in opposing the CCP regime.
In 1980, Hu Xiaoling’s mother—who had been terrified by political movements—resolutely opposed the news that Hu Xiaoling was dating Mao Qingxiang, a passionate youth from the 1979 “Democracy Wall” movement.
Mao Qingxiang, a native of Hangzhou, was born in 1950. He served in the Shanghai Garrison District. After completing his service in 1971, he was discharged and assigned to work at the Hangzhou Magnetic Steel Plant.
In 1979, the democracy movement originating from the Xidan Democracy Wall in Beijing influenced Zhejiang. Based on the participants of the 1976 “April 5th” movement (Mao Qingxiang had participated in the Tiananmen “April 5th” movement, was sentenced, and later rehabilitated), people of high ideals in Zhejiang took action one after another, making the Democracy Wall activities in Hangzhou very successful. They formed a group called “The Fire-Stealers in the Dark,” exchanging thoughts and understandings, which gave rise to many vibrant “folk publications” (so-called because they “originated from the people” and “promoted democracy”). Mao Qingxiang was one of the outstanding individuals involved.
It was during this period—as if destined by heaven—that Hu Xiaoling and Mao Qingxiang, who shared common aspirations, entered a stage of love after a chance encounter. In the eyes of worldly people, it was inconceivable for Hu Xiaoling, born of a prestigious family, to marry down to Mao Qingxiang, who was born into poverty. Despite strong opposition from her family, the determined Hu Xiaoling stole the household registration book (Hukou), resolutely went to the Civil Affairs Bureau with Mao Qingxiang to register, and obtained their marriage certificate.
On April 1, 1981, Mr. Mao Qingxiang and Ms. Hu Xiaoling were joined in matrimony. Shortly after the wedding, using their honeymoon trip as an opportunity, they spent over a month traveling to Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Guilin, Beijing, Qingdao, Shanghai, and other places. They met democracy pioneers such as Wang Xizhe and Liu Guokai and brought back the “Letter to People of All Circles (Industries)” for wide application, strengthening the communication and contact between the Zhejiang democracy movement and colleagues across the country. On August 13 of the same year, the newlywed Mao Qingxiang was taken away by the CCP authorities. Soon after, he was sentenced to three years in prison by the Hangzhou Intermediate People’s Court [Case No. Hang Fa Xing (81) 47] for the crime of “counter-revolutionary propaganda.”
After completing his sentence in August 1984, Mao Qingxiang, undeterred by the authorities’ suppression, continued to engage in pro-democracy activities.
In June 1999, he was arrested again for participating in the formation of the China Democracy Party. On November 9, he was sentenced by the authorities to eight years of fixed-term imprisonment and three years of deprivation of political rights for the crime of “subverting state power.” Mao Qingxiang refused to plead guilty or accept the verdict and served his full term.
Since the establishment of the China Democracy Party in Zhejiang, there have always been members in prison. A total of 36 people have been imprisoned at different times, and three remain in prison today. The combined sentences of these Democrats total nearly 200 years.
In 1999, Mao Qingxiang was arrested and sentenced to eight years by the authorities for the second time. In the same year he was sentenced, the Hangzhou Cotton Textile and Knitting Mill, where Hu Xiaoling worked, introduced a so-called “enterprise restructuring” policy. This involved cutting staff and forcing workers to “buy out” their years of service for a very small amount of money or retire early with a very small monthly pension. Hu Xiaoling chose early retirement, but her pension alone was simply not enough to support the family. Her child was still young, at an age requiring nutrition for growth, and the child’s school fees were also a significant expense. Having no choice, she sought work again. Through a friend’s introduction, she got a job at a Hangzhou Postal Equipment Factory. However, she had only been working for a few days when Mao Qingxiang filed an appeal from prison and handed the appeal materials to Hu Xiaoling during a visit.
To prevent Hu Xiaoling from submitting the “appeal materials” to the procuratorate, the Domestic Security (Guobao) first threatened her, saying that if she submitted them, Mao Qingxiang would have a hard time in prison. Hu Xiaoling ignored them. A few days later, the Domestic Security actually went to the “Postal Equipment Factory” to threaten and pressure Hu Xiaoling. Consequently, the factory leaders became extremely nervous upon seeing this situation, and the next day they told Hu Xiaoling not to come to work anymore. Thus, Hu Xiaoling lost the hard-won job. Falling into dire straits, the hardship of Hu Xiaoling’s life was beyond ordinary imagination. With no other choice, she occasionally borrowed money from relatives and friends and worked odd jobs to scrape by. Hu Xiaoling was deeply sensible and took on the entire family burden alone—supporting her parents, raising her child, and fully supporting Mao Qingxiang’s democracy cause.
Whenever she saw a member of the China Democracy Party being sentenced, Hu Xiaoling felt immense pain. She knew that at this difficult moment, the sentenced Democrats needed the support and companionship of their families most. Thus, she stood up without hesitation, actively contacting their families to provide as much help and emotional comfort as possible. Driven and encouraged by Hu Xiaoling, many wives of other Democrats also bravely stood up, spontaneously uniting to struggle against the authorities and appealing for international attention and condemnation.
During Mao Qingxiang’s imprisonment, Hu Xiaoling not only had to care for her elderly parents, raise her child, and work, but also insisted on visiting her husband in prison every month.
Regarding prison visits, for the group of wives of Chinese Democrats, it is a very important matter. Only through visits can they know if their husbands are suffering injustice or abuse in prison; more importantly, visits can soothe the emotions of their loved ones. One can imagine how painful it is for a person to stay in a large prison without the care and visits of relatives! This pain is sometimes more agonizing than the imprisonment itself.
Here I would like to specifically mention that when the Democrat Lyu Gengsong was imprisoned for 11 years for the second time, his wife Wang Xue’e traveled to visit him at least once a month while he served his sentence in Zhejiang Changhu Prison. The distance from Hangzhou to Changhu Prison is 90 kilometers—a round trip of 180 kilometers. Over a term of 11 years, she had to travel back and forth 132 times ($132 \times 180 \text{ km} = 23,760 \text{ km}$), which is equivalent to more than halfway around the earth!
Since Wu Yilong, a fellow Democrat in the China Democracy Party formation case, was from out of town and lived in great difficulty in Hangzhou, Hu Xiaoling often sent him money and items. The group of other Democrat wives in Hangzhou would also lend a helping hand to help him through difficult times.
Now Hu Xiaoling is over 70 years old and her health is not very good, yet she still frequently goes to a nursing home to visit and care for the 90-plus-year-old mother of the imprisoned Democrat Zou Wei.
Mr. Zhu Yufu, one of the main founders of the China Democracy Party, has deep personal experience and feelings regarding Hu Xiaoling’s help for the families of suffering Democrats. When Mr. Zhu Yufu was imprisoned for the first time, his greatest worry was his wife, who had an introverted and weak personality; he feared she would not be able to handle this sudden blow. Mr. Zhu Yufu sent a message through someone to Hu Xiaoling, hoping she could help his wife overcome fear and anxiety. With Hu Xiaoling’s encouragement and help, Mr. Zhu Yufu’s wife made it through those most difficult days.
In this way, the group of wives of the Zhejiang China Democracy Party members has spent one difficult moment after another under mutual encouragement and support.
During the more than 11 years that the Democrat Mao Qingxiang was imprisoned, Hu Xiaoling and her son depended on each other, living a life of hardship unimaginable to ordinary people.
Hu Xiaoling lived on her meager retirement pension. By the time her son went to university, the education costs were very high; the pension alone was not enough, so she had to work odd jobs and rely on money borrowed from friends and assistance from relatives. When the son was 13 years old, his father was not by his side, which could have had a negative impact on the child’s growth and personality.
In those difficult days, Hu Xiaoling faced reality calmly, guiding and encouraging her child to be strong and not to feel inferior or give up on himself because of his father’s situation; she cultivated a positive and proactive character in him. Under the subtle influence of his mother’s good character, the son studied very hard. After graduating from university, he went to Dubai alone to develop his career. Through immense hardship and unremitting efforts, he finally established himself in Dubai: he founded a web media outlet to spread and introduce the history, culture, economy, tourism, and food of the UAE (Dubai) and China, becoming a messenger for cultural exchange between the two countries.
With her indomitable character and practical actions, Hu Xiaoling not only silently held onto her inner beliefs but also protected and supported a family that had been shattered by the authorities. She is truly a modern-day Chinese version of a “Decembrist” wife!
Salute to the group of wives of the Chinese Democrats!
