Crying Lily — Did Sanmao Die from Murder?

Author: Zhang Jingran
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2001-01-01
Features: The author's wordsOn January 4, 2001, the 10th anniversary of Sanmao's passing, I dedicated the book "Crying Lilies – Was Sanmao Murdered?" as a sincere memorial to the Sanmao in the afterlife and to her countless readers. Perhaps some would say that Sanmao has been gone for 10 years, and discussing her death would disturb her peace in the heavens. Perhaps some would say that Sanmao has been gone for so long, and now delving into the cause of her death serves little purpose beyond adding sorrow. But I do not agree. I concur with the view of Qian Xian, a reporter, writer, and friend of Sanmao who has known her for over a decade: "The best way to remember Sanmao is to study her works, and correctly determining the cause of her death should also be an important aspect of studying her literature—understanding the person is one of the ways to discuss literature."
For some time, I tried multiple times to force myself to believe the Taiwanese police's report of Sanmao's death as "dying of illness and world-weariness," but it was impossible. As a researcher of Sanmao and her works, through thorough and extensive investigation and research, I discovered numerous suspicious points in her death—unexplainable doubts. Even the Taiwanese police could not fully account for these inconsistencies.
On January 8, 1991, the Taiwanese newspaper "Today's Evening News" quoted Sanmao's mother, Mrs. Miao Jinlan, as saying that Sanmao's death was neither suicide nor murder but a mystery. If forced to explain, it could only be called "a natural return to the divine." However, this "natural return" was merely a desperate explanation. Professor Gu Jitang, a Taiwan literature expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said, "The focus of Mrs. Miao's statement is to deny the possibility of Sanmao's suicide but lacks clear evidence of murder. Mrs. Miao did not deny her daughter's suicide without reason; she provided sufficient factual support for her viewpoint."
Mrs. Miao did not believe her daughter committed suicide, and her judgment was based on the following objective observations: First, the ( refers to a) drip stand in the bathroom was only 160 cm from the ground, and with her toes extended, she could easily reach the ground. Second, the hospital room door was ajar, easily pushed open, showing no signs of suicidal intent. Third, the silk stockings were not torn or strained, merely loosely hanging around her neck. Mrs. Miao said, "Even doctors and prosecutors found it strange—a death without any pathological factors."
Sanmao's older brother, Chen Sheng, also questioned the police's "dying of illness and world-weariness" explanation. The legend of Sanmao "dying of illness and world-weariness" is not credible. Sanmao's thoughts differed from ordinary people, and illness was not a reason for suicide. Those who did not believe Sanmao committed suicide included not only her family but also long-time friends like Qian Xian and the writer Li Ang, who knew her very well.
On the third anniversary of Sanmao's passing, Qian Xian wrote in "The Legend of the Lilies – Remembering Sanmao": "A woman as optimistic, progressive, and full of vitality as she, who sang and encouraged the meaning of life in her works and real life, who encouraged others to live bravely—how could she end her own life through suicide?" According to my observation, six months before her death, Sanmao had already overcome the grief of losing Luo Xi. The hardships she endured had made her more mature, stronger, and more optimistic about life. This was a period when she had the most confidence in her writing and life, and when her humanism and passion were at their peak. While long-term exhaustion affected her health—causing insomnia—it could not have weakened her will. At this time, she had no reason to take her own life.
In the same article, Qian Xian firmly believed that life and death are major events in life. Death is the end of life, but also the highest fulfillment of life. Sanmao's death remains a mystery to this day. I believe uncovering this mystery and clarifying the truth are very important for Sanmao. Too many people love her works, too many people admire her character, and she has inspired so many people. Yet, she supposedly "committed suicide"—this has caused confusion, shock, and even harm to many. They Sanmao's words and actions were inconsistent—she encouraged others to be optimistic, yet she took her own life herself. Is this not deceiving everyone's feelings? This doubt has unknowingly tarnished Sanmao's beautiful image in many people's minds.
Qian Xian wrote furiously: "To explain Sanmao's death as suicide is unfair to her and even an insult to her character."
Now discussing this is not about any blame, but about settling the justice for my dear friend and restoring her correct image. I believe Sanmao's works and personality are entirely consistent. To explain her death as suicide is a frivolous and irresponsible conclusion.
Qian Xian later called for: "I hope more friends who love Sanmao, literary figures, and even psychologists will join in supporting this argument." Due to the specific time and circumstances at the time, Qian Xian could not have had a deeper understanding of Sanmao's later thoughts, especially her three trips to mainland China. Therefore, driven by a good intention as a journalist and writer, he believed that "Sanmao died from overexertion, for her literary career, her friends, and for the public good, exhausted by her efforts."
Now, if we dispel the layers of mystery surrounding Sanmao before and after her death and look back at her passing, it will become clearer and more evident. At that time, people did not know or fully understand how passionate Sanmao was about the Chinese nation and the great motherland, how sincere and firm her love was, or how strongly she desired "unification between the two sides of the strait" and the "reunion of the people across the strait," wanting to "end the separation."
History teaches us not to blindly follow but to learn to think. How many truths have emerged after years? If Sanmao did not die from suicide—truly did not die from suicide—but was instead forced to be labeled as "dying of illness and world-weariness" and hanged herself, would that not be deeply unfair to Sanmao!
After extensive research and verification, I can now present this book, "Crying Lilies – Was Sanmao Murdered?" to the beloved Sanmao in the heavens and to the millions of readers who deeply love her, on the 10th anniversary of her passing. I wonder if the Sanmao in heaven will laugh with tears.
Dear readers, I also wonder how you will think? Sanmao has left, and it has been 10 years. She is a mysterious spirit—alive and after death. In life, she portrayed wonders; in death, she left people lost in a fog. The police's judgment that Sanmao "died of illness and world-weariness" is full of loopholes and suspicions; the media's frenzied reports of Sanmao "hanging herself" have diverted attention from the truth. Many do not believe Sanmao would commit suicide—"She still had so much to do, personal matters, her parents' matters, and the matters of the two sides of the strait."