The Cultural Revolution
作者：程铭
编辑：罗志飞 责任编辑：鲁慧文 翻译：鲁慧文
文化大革命，在中国大地上，已经发生59年了。那不过是一个失势的独裁者毛泽东，利用民粹，利用陕西整风树立起的个人绝对权威，打乱所有秩序、火中取栗，重新夺回最高权力的一场游戏。但所有被波及的人粉身碎骨、受尽凌辱。据不同学者研究估计，十年文革导致的非正常死亡人数约200万到2000万之间。十年浩劫后，文革仍然是一个禁忌话题，不允许讨论、不允许统计完整的受害人档案、不允许找出问题发生的原因。他们之所以这么做，是因为他们深知这个政权不是人民的选择，它是“枪杆子”里抢夺来的政权，是靠着“笔杆子”来迷惑和欺骗民众的政权。他们要的，是人们迅速忘记它的罪恶，做一个浑浑噩噩听话的韭菜，任人宰割。
文革是毛泽东利用学生发动的。这些被利用的学生有一个统一的名称，叫“红卫兵”。在天安门城楼上，反人类独裁者毛泽东连续八次接见“红卫兵”，总人数超过1100万。利用这一群没有分辨能力的孩子，对人造出来的“神”、“红太阳”的热爱，煽动他们去以极其残忍的手段打人杀人和破坏文物。文革十年，全国各地大批“黑五类”（地主、富农、反革命、坏分子、右派）及家属遭到惨无人道的虐待和屠杀。以“破四旧”的名义，无数珍贵文物古迹被红卫兵损毁。
自1966年北京“红八月”起，黑五类成员及亲属受到了广泛的迫害甚至屠杀，较为知名的案例包括北京“大兴事件”、广西文革屠杀、广东文革屠杀、云南文革屠杀、杀湖南文革屠杀、内蒙古内人党事件等。在国际上，文革影响了柬埔寨“红色高棉革命”、法国五月革命等政治事件。文革期间的“武斗”以及毛泽东煽动的批斗、抄家及告密等行为，使中国传统文化与道德沦亡，大量文物古迹在“破四旧”中遭红卫兵破坏。
在“红八月”的期间，据官方统计仅在北京就发生1,700多起死亡案，在市郊的大兴县更是发生屠杀事件，三天之内用包括活埋等手段杀死了325人。全国进入混乱状态，红卫兵四处串联并散发传单、张贴大字报、标语，开会演说辩论，对各地的事物进行改名活动，以“破四旧”的名义冲击寺院、庙宇、教堂等，大肆砸毁文物，破坏古迹，焚烧书籍、字画。同时针对被视为“剥削阶级”、“反动派”的个人开始抄家，攻击学术权威、知识分子，大批学者、知识分子被殴打、虐待，受到人格上的侮辱，被害或自杀。因遭红卫兵迫害，作家老舍在北京“八二三事件”后投湖自尽，翻译家傅雷于9月初在上海与夫人一同自尽。全国还掀起了“踢开党委闹革命”的浪潮。这一期间受到波及的人不计其数。比丘、比丘尼、修女、神父、牧师、传教士等被公开批斗，学生当众殴打、侮辱教师，还有教师遭到粪水淋头等极不人道虐待。有的人因为有亲戚在国外，被红卫兵以有“海外关系”等罪名批斗抄家。8月与9月，北京市共有33,695户家庭被红卫兵或自称红卫兵的人员抄家，红卫兵在一个多月内获得了十万三千两（约5.7吨）黄金、三十四万五千二百两白银、五千五百余万人民币现金，以及六十一万余件古玩玉器等。在上海，仅8月23日至9月8日期间就有84,222户家庭被抄家，其中1,231户为教师或知识分子，红卫兵除获得了大量的金银珠宝外，还获得了三百三十四万元美金、价值三百三十万万元人民币的其它外币、二百四十万万民国银元，以及三亿七千万元的人民币现金或凭证。据1966年10月中共的党中央工作会议文件称，至此之前全国的红卫兵仅黄金就获得了一百一十万余两（约65吨），并将这称为充公“剥削阶级”的不义之财。
文革在发动后的一两年内达到高潮，红卫兵掀起了全方位的“阶级斗争”，自1967年1月的“一月风暴”起，全国造反派对党政机关大规模夺权，公检法体系被摧毁，各派系之间的武斗导致了全面内战，对毛泽东的个人崇拜也达到顶峰。红卫兵、工宣队、军队等各种势力你方唱罢我登场，残酷的斗争在中华大地不断上演，历经十年浩劫，直到1976年9月9日毛泽东逝世，“四人帮”才被抓捕，才“拨乱反正”，人们得以重新开始正常生活。
据统计，文革十年中，全国被立案审查的干部高达230万人，占文革前夕全国1200万干部的19.2%。中央和国家机关各部委被审查的干部29885人，占干部总数的16.7%。其中，中央副部级和地方副省级以上的高级干部被立案审查的达75%。据最高人民法院1980年9月统计，仅因刘少奇问题受株连的“案件”就超过2.6万件，被判刑的人2.8万多。政府瘫痪、公检法被打倒，而他们，甚至不是被迫害最严重的群体（《科技日报》）。
毛泽东有一句话“知识越多越反动”，知识分子被蔑称为“反动学术权威”、“臭老九”。知识分子、文化艺术团体是被迫害最严重的群体。无数知识分子被自己教出来的学生毒打迫害致死。
以中科院为例，到1968年底，中科院仅在北京的171位高级研究员中，就有131位先后被列为打倒和审查对象。全院在文革中被迫害致死的人达229名。上海科技界的一个特务案，株连了14个研究单位、一千多人。受逼供、拷打等残酷迫害的科技人员和干部达607人，活活打死2人，6人被迫自杀（《科技日报》）。从1966到1976年，学校被迫关闭。1982年人口普查统计表明，当年中国文盲半文盲多达2亿3千多万人。
十年浩劫期间，文学艺术界有约175位文学、书画等艺术大师被迫害致死或自杀身亡。以下记录的仅仅是被迫害致死的。
书画艺术家（26人）
潘天寿、丰子恺、王式廓、董希文、陈半丁、秦仲文、陈烟桥、马达、倪贻德、肖传玖、吴耘、张正宇、吴镜汀、叶恭绰、刘子久、乌叔养、符罗飞、贺天健、彭沛民、郑野夫、李斛、沃渣、王颂咸、李又罘、张肇铭、李芝卿
作家、诗人（35人）
田汉、阿英、赵树理、柳青、周立波、何其芳、郑伯奇、郭小川、芦芒、蒋牧良、刘澍德、孟超、陈翔鹤、纳赛音朝克图、马健翎、魏金枝、司马文森、海默、韩北屏、黄谷柳、远千里、方之、萧也牧、李六如、穆木天、彭慧、姚以壮、邓均吾、张慧剑、袁勃、徐嘉瑞、李亚群、林莺、沈尹默、胡明树
电影艺术家（19人）
蔡楚生、郑君里、袁牧之、田方、崔嵬、应云卫、孟君谋、徐韬、魏鹤龄、杨小仲、刘国权、罗静予、孙师毅、夏云瑚、冯喆、吕班、王莹、赵慧深、瞿白音
京剧表演艺术家（10人）
周信芳、盖叫天、荀慧生、马连良、尚小云、李少春、叶盛兰、叶盛章、高百岁、裘盛戎
在这疾风暴雨般的运动中，无数有骨气的中国人，因为不堪凌辱、愤而自杀。这里记录了一些社会知名人士，这只是冰山的一角，更多的人在受尽凌辱后，悄无声息地死去。至今没有文革受迫害人员完整名单，各行各业精英均无幸免。
傅雷（1908年4月7日－1966年9月3日），字怒安，号怒庵，上海南汇人，著名翻译家，文革时被红卫兵逼死，在家吞服巨量毒药，在躺椅上自杀，享年58岁。他夫人朱梅馥系在窗框上自缢而亡。
舒庆春（1899年1月21日－1966年8月24日），字舍予，笔名老舍（另有笔名絜青、鸿来、非我等）。《骆驼祥子》、《四世同堂》、《茶馆》都是老舍的名著。文革时期，他自沉于太平湖，年67岁。
陈琏（1919年－1967年11月19日），浙江慈溪人，中国共产党党员。陈琏是蒋中正文胆陈布雷最小的女儿。中华人民共和国成立后陈琏任青年团中央委员，少年儿童部部长。1956年袁永熙被判为右派，陈琏与袁永熙被迫离婚。文革开始后她被判为叛徒，跳楼自杀。
邓拓（1912年2月26日－1966年5月18日），原名邓子健、邓云特，笔名马南邨，左海等[2]。福建闽县（今福州）人。长期担任《人民日报》社长等中央主要宣传机构领导职务。后因政治原因被撤销职务，文革之初自杀身亡。
顾圣婴（1937年7月2日－1969年1月31日），生于上海，原籍江苏无锡，中国女钢琴家，文革开始后，顾圣婴一家遭到残酷迫害。顾圣婴在上海交响乐团批斗会上惨遭羞辱，当晚与母亲弟弟开煤气全家自杀。
黄国璋（1896年－1966年9月6日），字海平，湖南湘乡人，地理学家。曾赴美国留学，先后就读于耶鲁大学理学研究院、芝加哥大学地理系，后任教于北京师范大学。1950年当选中国地理学会理事长。文革期间受到迫害，与夫人范雪茵一同上吊自杀。
翦伯赞（1898年4月14日－1968年12月18日），维吾尔族，原籍湖南省桃源县枫树乡回维村人，曾任北京大学副校长、历史系主任。文革后夫妻双双吃下大量安眠药自杀身亡。
李广田（1906年－1968年11月2日），山东邹平人。集诗人、散文家、文学批评家。文革中，62岁的李广田被红小兵污辱及殴打，和太太于云南大学“翠湖”投水自尽。
罗广斌（1924年11月22日－1967年2月10日），中国作家。曾被关押于渣滓洞，后越狱脱险。著有革命回忆录《在烈火中永生》（与刘德彬、杨益言合著）、长篇小说《红岩》（与杨益言合著）等。文革中被红卫兵批斗，跳楼自杀。
李立三（1899年11月18日－1967年6月22日），原名李隆郅，湖南醴陵人，曾任中国共产党实际最高领导人，中国政治家，中国工人运动领袖。曾任政治局常委兼秘书长。他因受刘少奇案的牵涉而被迫害，服安眠药自杀身亡。
释良卿（1895年－1966年），俗名戚金锐，法名永贯，河南省偃师县人，临济正宗派法师。文革初期，红卫兵欲抢夺法门寺舍利，良卿法师全身浇满煤油，惨烈自焚。红卫兵被吓的逃散，真身宝塔下的佛指舍利方才得以保全。
容国团（1937年8月10日－1968年6月20日），中国男子乒乓球运动员，生于香港，原籍广东省中山县南屏乡(今属广东省珠海市南屏镇)。文革期间遭到批判，不堪受辱自杀身亡。
饶毓泰（1891年12月1日－1968年10月16日），江西临川钟岭人。北京大学物理系教授，南开大学物理系创始人，中国近代物理学奠基人之一。文革中遭到打击迫害，饱受折磨，在北京大学燕南园41号上吊自杀身亡。
上官云珠（1920年3月2日－1968年11月23日），江苏江阴长泾镇人，原名韦均荦，著名话剧演员、电影演员。文革期间遭到政治迫害，她在被酷刑折磨之后跳楼自杀，终年48岁。
田家英（1922年1月4日－1966年5月23日），原名曾正昌，笔名田家英，中国四川省成都市人，毛泽东主要秘书之一。1965年年底，田家英在为毛泽东做会议纪要时删去了毛泽东关于批判《海瑞罢官》一剧的意见，因此被批判。后自缢于中南海永福堂。
吴晗（1909年8月11日－1969年10月11日），原名吴春晗，字伯辰，浙江金华义乌人，历史学家。曾任云南大学、西南联合大学、清华大学教授，北京市政协副主席，北京市副市长。因为《海瑞罢官》这部剧而被当权者批斗，精神上和肉体上都惨遭摧残。在狱中被迫害致死，死因不明，死前头发被拔光，其骨灰至今下落不明。
杨嘉仁（1912年10月28日－1966年9月6日），中国音乐指挥家，原籍广东省中山县。1956年任上海音乐学院指挥系主任，代表作合唱曲《半个月亮爬上来》等。文革期间受到迫害，与妻子程卓如开煤气自杀。
言慧珠（1919年10月5日－1966年9月10日）原名义来，学名仲明，乳名“二妞”。为蒙古旗人后裔，祖籍北京，著名京剧、昆曲女演员。文革中，在戏曲学校卫生间悬梁自尽。
叶以群（1911年5月－1966年8月2日），笔名以群、华蒂，安徽磬歙县人，文艺工作者。早年留学日本，抗日战争期间加入文协。建国后任《收获》杂志的副主编；文革开始后，不堪迫害跳楼自杀。
周小舟（1912年－1966年12月26日），原名周怀求，湖南湘潭人。周因认同彭德怀批评毛泽东的人民公社和大跃进运动中的失误，被定性为“走资派”和“彭德怀反党集团”分子，文革后周因不堪人格和人身的侮辱，服安眠药自杀身亡。
张宗燧（1915年6月1日－1969年6月30日），浙江杭州人。物理学家，中国科学院数学研究所研究员。著名哲学家张东荪次子。文革期间，被批斗后服安眠药自杀。
赵慧深(1914年5月1日-1967年12月4日)，四川宜宾人。曾演出《泼妇》，《雷雨》等话剧。曾任东北戏曲研究院研究室主任、东北戏曲学校校长、北影厂编辑部副主任。文革中屡遭批斗，其中一个理由是她曾在《马路天使》中饰演过妓女。自杀身亡时年仅53岁。
赵畸（1889年－1968年），字太侔，山东益都人，中国现代戏剧教育家。国立山东大学首任校长。因不堪迫害，投海自尽。
周华章（1917年－1968年9月30日）祖籍江苏江阴，生于上海，中国数量经济学的先驱。文革中，周华章遭到攻击。在“清理阶级队伍” 运动中，周华章再度被揪出，被打成“间谍”、“反革命”、“反动学术权威”，后自杀身亡。
周瘦鹃（1895年6月30日－1968年8月11日），20世纪中国作家、园艺家，属于“鸳鸯蝴蝶派”代表人物之一。曾翻译出版《福尔摩斯侦探案全集》和《欧美名家短篇小说丛刊》，文革中，投井身亡，年73岁。
严凤英（1930年4月13日－1968年4月8日），黄梅戏演员，文革初期，因“封资修代表”的罪名受迫害，愤而吞安眠药自杀，时年38岁。死后被军代表以寻找“特务发报机”为由，割开喉管，挖出内脏。
The Cultural Revolution
Author: Cheng Ming
Editor: Luo Zhifei Chief Editor: Lu Huiwen Translation: Lu Huiwen
The Cultural Revolution has already unfolded across China for 59 years.
It was nothing more than a game played by a dictator, Mao Zedong, who had lost power. Exploiting populism and the absolute personal authority he had built up during the Yan’an Rectification Movement, he deliberately disrupted all order, fished in troubled waters, and seized back supreme power. But everyone caught up in it was shattered to pieces and subjected to humiliation.
According to estimates from different scholars, the number of abnormal deaths during the ten years of the Cultural Revolution ranges from about 2 million to 20 million. After the decade-long catastrophe, the Cultural Revolution remains a taboo subject — not allowed to be discussed, not allowed to compile complete records of victims, and not allowed to identify the causes of the tragedy.
The reason is simple: they know full well this regime was not chosen by the people. It is a regime seized through “the barrel of a gun” and maintained by “the barrel of a pen” to deceive the masses. What they want is for people to quickly forget its crimes and to become muddle-headed, obedient “leeks” to be harvested at will.
The Cultural Revolution was launched by Mao Zedong through the mobilization of students. These students, used as tools, had a unified name: the “Red Guards.” On the Tiananmen Rostrum, the anti-human dictator Mao Zedong met with the Red Guards eight times, with the total number of attendees exceeding 11 million. Exploiting the love these undiscerning youths had for the man-made “god” and “red sun,” he incited them to beat, kill, and destroy cultural relics with extreme cruelty.
During the ten years of the Cultural Revolution, large numbers of the “Five Black Categories” (landlords, rich peasants, counterrevolutionaries, bad elements, and rightists) and their families suffered inhumane abuse and slaughter. Under the banner of “Smash the Four Olds,” countless precious cultural relics and historic sites were destroyed by the Red Guards.
Starting from Beijing’s “Red August” in 1966, members of the Five Black Categories and their relatives faced widespread persecution and even mass killings. Notable cases include the “Daxing Massacre” in Beijing, the Guangxi Massacre, the Guangdong Massacre, the Yunnan Massacre, the Hunan Massacre, and the Inner Mongolia “Inner Party” Incident. Internationally, the Cultural Revolution influenced events such as the Khmer Rouge revolution in Cambodia and the May 1968 events in France.
Armed conflict (“wudou”), public struggle sessions, home raids, and informing — all encouraged by Mao Zedong — destroyed China’s traditional culture and morality. Vast amounts of cultural relics and historic sites were smashed during the “Smash the Four Olds” campaign.
During “Red August” alone, according to official statistics, over 1,700 deaths occurred in Beijing. In the suburban Daxing County, a massacre over three days killed 325 people by methods including live burial. The country descended into chaos. Red Guards traveled nationwide, distributed leaflets, posted big-character posters and slogans, held meetings, and carried out renaming campaigns. Under the pretext of “Smash the Four Olds,” they attacked temples, shrines, and churches, smashed relics, destroyed monuments, and burned books, paintings, and calligraphy.
Targeting individuals deemed “exploiting classes” or “reactionaries,” they raided homes, assaulted academic authorities and intellectuals, and subjected them to beatings, abuse, and public humiliation, leading many to their deaths or suicides. In Beijing alone, during August and September, 33,695 households were raided by Red Guards or self-proclaimed Red Guards, seizing over 103,000 taels (about 5.7 tons) of gold, 345,200 taels of silver, more than 55 million yuan in cash, and over 610,000 pieces of antiques and jade.
In Shanghai, between August 23 and September 8, 84,222 households were raided, including 1,231 belonging to teachers or intellectuals. The Red Guards took large amounts of gold, silver, and jewelry, as well as $3. 34 million USD, other foreign currencies worth 3.3 million yuan, 240 million Republic-era silver dollars, and 370 million yuan in cash or securities. According to a CCP Central Committee document from October 1966, by that time Red Guards nationwide had seized over 1.1 million taels (about 65 tons) of gold, calling it the “ill-gotten wealth” confiscated from the “exploiting classes.”
The Cultural Revolution reached its peak within the first year or two after its launch. From January 1967’s “January Storm,” rebels nationwide seized power from Party and government organs, dismantling the public security and judicial system. Factional armed battles led to full-scale civil war, and the cult of Mao reached its zenith. Red Guards, “worker propaganda teams,” and the military took turns dominating the stage, engaging in cruel struggles across China. After a decade of devastation, only with Mao Zedong’s death on September 9, 1976, and the arrest of the “Gang of Four” was order restored and life allowed to return to normal.
Statistics show that during the Cultural Revolution, 2.3 million cadres nationwide were placed under investigation — 19.2% of the 12 million cadres before the Cultural Revolution. In central government ministries and commissions, 29,885 cadres were investigated, accounting for 16.7% of the total; among them, 75% of central deputy-ministerial and provincial deputy-level cadres or above were investigated.
According to the Supreme People’s Court in September 1980, the “cases” implicated by the Liu Shaoqi affair alone exceeded 26,000, with over 28,000 people sentenced. Yet these were not even the most severely persecuted groups.
Mao once said, “The more knowledge, the more reactionary,” and intellectuals were derided as “reactionary academic authorities” and “stinking ninth category.” They were among the most persecuted groups.
Countless intellectuals were beaten to death by students they themselves had taught.
At the Chinese Academy of Sciences alone, by the end of 1968, 131 of its 171 senior researchers in Beijing had been labeled for overthrow and investigation. Across the academy, 229 people died as a result of persecution during the Cultural Revolution.
In Shanghai’s scientific community, a so-called espionage case implicated 14 research institutes and over 1,000 people; 607 scientists and officials suffered brutal torture and beatings, with two beaten to death and six driven to suicide.
From 1966 to 1976, schools were forced to close. The 1982 census found over 230 million illiterate or semi-literate people in China.
During the catastrophe, about 175 masters of literature, painting, and other arts died as a result of persecution or suicide.
Painters and Calligraphers (26): Pan Tianshou, Feng Zikai, Wang Shikuo, Dong Xiwen, Chen Banding, Qin Zhongwen, Chen Yanqiao, Ma Da, Ni Yide, Xiao Chuanjiu, Wu Yun, Zhang Zhengyu, Wu Jingting, Ye Gongchuo, Liu Zijiu, Wu Shuyang, Fu Luofei, He Tianjian, Peng Peimin, Zheng Yefu, Li Fu, Wo Zha, Wang Songxian, Li Youfu, Zhang Zhaoming, Li Zhiqing.
Writers and Poets (35): Tian Han, A Ying, Zhao Shuli, Liu Qing, Zhou Libo, He Qifang, Zheng Boqi, Guo Xiaochuan, Lu Mang, Jiang Muliang, Liu Shude, Meng Chao, Chen Xianghe, Nasaien Chaoketu, Ma Jianling, Wei Jinzhi, Sima Wensen, Hai Mo, Han Beiping, Huang Guliu, Yuan Qianli, Fang Zhi, Xiao Yemu, Li Liuru, Mu Mutian, Peng Hui, Yao Yizhuang, Deng Junwu, Zhang Huijian, Yuan Bo, Xu Jiarui, Li Yaqun, Lin Ying, Shen Yinmo, Hu Mingshu.
Film Artists (19): Cai Chusheng, Zheng Junli, Yuan Muzhi, Tian Fang, Cui Wei, Ying Yunwei, Meng Junmou, Xu Tao, Wei Heling, Yang Xiaozhong, Liu Guoquan, Luo Jingyu, Sun Shiyi, Xia Yunhu, Feng Zhe, Lü Ban, Wang Ying, Zhao Huishen, Qu Baiyin.
Peking Opera Performers (10): Zhou Xinfang, Gai Jiaotian, Xun Huisheng, Ma Lianliang, Shang Xiaoyun, Li Shaochun, Ye Shenglan, Ye Shengzhang, Gao Baisui, Qiu Shengrong.
In this storm, countless principled Chinese, unable to bear humiliation, committed suicide in anger. The following records some well-known figures — only the tip of the iceberg.
Many more died in silence after unbearable torment. To this day, no complete list of Cultural Revolution victims exists, and elites from every sector were not spared.
Notable Individuals Who Died as a Result of Persecution:
• Fu Lei (1908–1966), renowned translator, and his wife Zhu Meifu, committed suicide after Red Guard harassment.
• Lao She (1899–1966), famous author of Rickshaw Boy and Teahouse, drowned himself in Taiping Lake after abuse.
• Chen Lian (1919–1967), daughter of Chiang Kai-shek’s aide Chen Bulei, committed suicide after being labeled a traitor.
• Deng Tuo (1912–1966), former People’s Daily editor, committed suicide early in the Cultural Revolution.
• Gu Shengying (1937–1969), pianist, committed suicide with family after humiliation at a struggle session.
• Huang Guozhang (1896–1966), geographer, and his wife committed suicide by hanging.
• Jian Bozan (1898–1968), historian, and his wife took overdoses.
• Li Guangtian (1906–1968), poet and critic, and his wife drowned themselves after assault.
• Luo Guangbin (1924–1967), co-author of Red Crag, jumped to his death after being denounced.
• Li Lisan (1899–1967), former top CCP leader, took sleeping pills to end his life.
• Shi Liangqing (1895–1966), Buddhist abbot, self-immolated to protect relics.
• Rong Guotuan (1937–1968), table tennis champion, committed suicide after persecution.
• Rao Yutai (1891–1968), physicist, hanged himself.
• Shangguan Yunzhu (1920–1968), actress, jumped to her death after torture.
Tian Jiaying (January 4, 1922 – May 23, 1966), born Zeng Zhengchang, pen name Tian Jiaying, from Chengdu, Sichuan Province, was one of Mao Zedong’s principal secretaries.
At the end of 1965, while drafting meeting minutes for Mao, Tian deleted Mao’s remarks criticizing the play Hai Rui Dismissed from Office. For this, he was denounced. He later hanged himself in Yongfu Hall, Zhongnanhai.
Wu Han (August 11, 1909 – October 11, 1969), born Wu Chunhan, courtesy name Bochen, from Yiwu, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, was a historian. He served as a professor at Yunnan University, the Southwest Associated University, and Tsinghua University, and later as Vice Chairman of the Beijing CPPCC and Deputy Mayor of Beijing.
Because of the play Hai Rui Dismissed from Office, Wu was relentlessly attacked by those in power, suffering severe mental and physical torment. He died in prison under persecution; the exact cause of death remains unknown. Before his death, all his hair had been pulled out, and to this day, the whereabouts of his ashes are unknown.
Yang Jiaren (October 28, 1912 – September 6, 1966), a Chinese music conductor from Zhongshan, Guangdong Province. In 1956, he became head of the conducting department at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. His works include the choral piece Half the Moon Climbs Up.
During the Cultural Revolution, he suffered persecution and committed suicide with his wife Cheng Zhuoru by opening the gas.
Yan Huizhu (October 5, 1919 – September 10, 1966), originally named Yi Lai, given name Zhongming, childhood name “Er Niu,” was of Mongol Banner descent, ancestral home Beijing, and a famous Peking opera and Kunqu actress.
During the Cultural Revolution, she hanged herself in the restroom of an opera school.
Ye Yiqun (May 1911 – August 2, 1966), pen names Yiqun and Huadi, from Qingshe County, Anhui Province, was a literary worker. He studied in Japan in his early years and joined the Literary Federation during the War of Resistance. After the founding of the PRC, he served as deputy editor-in-chief of Harvest magazine. At the start of the Cultural Revolution, unable to bear persecution, he jumped to his death.
Zhou Xiaozhou (1912 – December 26, 1966), born Zhou Huaiqiu, from Xiangtan, Hunan Province.
Because he agreed with Peng Dehuai’s criticism of Mao Zedong’s mistakes during the People’s Commune and Great Leap Forward, Zhou was labeled a “capitalist roader” and a member of the “Peng Dehuai Anti-Party Clique.” Later, unable to endure the humiliation and abuse, he committed suicide by taking sleeping pills.
Zhang Zongsui (June 1, 1915 – June 30, 1969), from Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, was a physicist and a researcher at the Institute of Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the second son of noted philosopher Zhang Dongsun. During the Cultural Revolution, after being publicly denounced, he committed suicide by taking sleeping pills.
Zhao Huishen (May 1, 1914 – December 4, 1967), from Yibin, Sichuan Province, performed in plays such as The Shrew and Thunderstorm. She served as Director of the Research Office of the Northeast Opera Research Institute, Principal of the Northeast Opera School, and Deputy Director of the Editing Department of Beijing Film Studio.
During the Cultural Revolution, she was repeatedly denounced, one reason being her role as a prostitute in the film Street Angel. She committed suicide at the age of 53.
Zhao Ji (1889 – 1968), courtesy name Taimou, from Yidu, Shandong Province, was a modern Chinese drama educator and the first president of National Shandong University. Unable to bear persecution, he drowned himself in the sea.
Zhou Huazhang (1917 – September 30, 1968), ancestral home Jiangyin, Jiangsu Province, born in Shanghai, was a pioneer of quantitative economics in China. During the Cultural Revolution, he was attacked, and in the “Cleansing the Class Ranks” campaign, he was again dragged out, labeled a “spy,” “counterrevolutionary,” and “reactionary academic authority,” and later committed suicide.
Zhou Shoujuan (June 30, 1895 – August 11, 1968), a 20th-century Chinese writer and horticulturist, and one of the representative figures of the “Mandarin Ducks and Butterflies” school. He translated and published The Complete Sherlock Holmes and Anthology of Short Stories by Famous European and American Writers. During the Cultural Revolution, he jumped into a well and died at the age of 73.
Yan Fengying (April 13, 1930 – April 8, 1968), a Huangmei opera actress, was labeled a “representative of feudalism, capitalism, and revisionism” early in the Cultural Revolution and persecuted. In anger, she committed suicide by swallowing sleeping pills at the age of 38.
After her death, military representatives cut open her throat and removed her internal organs under the pretext of searching for a “spy radio transmitter.”
