Crying Lily: Sanmao was murdered: Sanmao was murdered

Author: Zhang Jingran
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2001-01-01
Features: The author's words - A tribute to Sanmao
On January 4, 2001, the 10th anniversary of Sanmao's passing, I dedicated the book "Crying Lilies - Did Sanmao Die by Murder?" as a sincere remembrance to the Sanmao in the afterlife and her countless readers. Some might say that Sanmao has been gone for 10 years, and discussing her death now might disturb her peace in heaven. Others might argue that she has been gone for so long, and probing into the cause of her death beyond adding to sorrow holds little significance. I do not agree. I concur with the perspective of, a reporter, writer, and someone who has known and interacted with Sanmao for over a decade from Taiwan's United Daily: "The best way to honor Sanmao is to study her works, and correctly determining the cause of her death should also be an important aspect of studying Sanmao's literature—understanding the person through their works is fundamentally one of the ways to discuss literature."
For a while, I tried multiple times to force myself to believe Taiwan's police report that Sanmao died "due to illness and despair," but I couldn’t. As a researcher of Sanmao and her works, through in-depth and extensive investigation and research, I discovered numerous in Sanmao’s death—uncountable unexplained. These even the Taiwan police struggled to explain.
On January 8, 1991, Taiwan's Today Evening reported, citing words from Sanmao's mother, Madam Miao Jinlan, that Sanmao's death was neither suicide nor homicide; it was a mystery. If forced to explain, it could only be termed "a natural return to the." But this "natural return" was merely a desperate explanation. Professor Gu Jitang, a Taiwan literature expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said: "The emphasis of Madam Miao's words lies in denying the possibility of Sanmao’s suicide but lacking clear evidence of foul play. Madam Miao did not dismiss her daughter’s suicide casually; she provided substantial factual basis for her viewpoint." Madam Miao doubted her daughter’s suicide for the following objective observations: First, the in the bathroom was only 160 cm off the ground; with her toes pointed straight, she could easily touch the ground. Second, the hospital room door was slightly ajar, easily pushed open, showing no signs of preparation for suicide. Third, her stockings were not torn; they were merely loosely hanging around her neck. Madam Miao said, "Even doctors and prosecutors found it strange—this death had no discernible pathological factors."
Sanmao’s older brother, Chen Sheng, also questioned the police’s "" explanation. The legend of Sanmao dying due to illness and despair is highly unreliable. Sanmao’s thoughts differed from ordinary people; illness was not the cause of suicide. Those who did not believe Sanmao committed suicide included not only her family but also close friends like and writer Li Ang, who knew her intimately.
On the third anniversary of Sanmao’s passing, wrote in "The Legend of Lilies - Remembering Sanmao": A person as optimistic, progressive, and full of vitality as Sanmao—one who celebrated and encouraged the meaning of life in her works and real life, who constantly inspired 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 recovered from the sorrow of Huo Xi’s passing. Hardship had made her more mature, stronger, and with a more positive outlook on life. This was a phase where she had immense confidence in her writing and life, and her humanistic spirit and enthusiasm were at their peak. Although long-term exhaustion had affected her health—causing insomnia—this could not have weakened her will. At this point, she had no reason to take her own life.
In the same article, insisted that life and death are major events in life. Death is the end of life but also its highest fulfillment. Sanmao’s death remains a mystery to this day. I believe uncovering this mystery and clarifying the truth is crucial to Sanmao. Too many people love her works, admire her as a person, and have been inspired by her. Yet, she is said to have "committed suicide"—this confuses, hurts, and even damages many, leading them to believe that her words and actions were inconsistent. She encouraged others to be optimistic, yet she took her own life—was this not a betrayal of everyone’s trust? Such doubts have tarnished Sanmao’s image in the eyes of many. angrily wrote: To label Sanmao’s death as suicide is an injustice to her, even an insult to her character.
Now discussing this is not about responsibility, but rather to seek justice for my dear friend and restore her rightful image. I firmly believe that Sanmao’s works and personality are entirely consistent. To label her death as suicide is a reckless and irresponsible conclusion.
later called for: I hope more friends of Sanmao, literary scholars, and even psychologists will join in supporting this argument. Due to the specific time and circumstances at the time, had limited understanding of Sanmao’s later ideological core, especially her three trips to mainland China. Thus, driven by a good intent as a journalist and writer, he believed that "Sanmao died from overexertion for her literary career, her friends, and social welfare, exhausted to the point of death."
Now, peeling away the layers of mystery surrounding Sanmao’s life and death, looking back at her passing becomes clearer. At the time, people were unaware or had little understanding of how fervently Sanmao loved the Chinese nation and her great motherland, how deeply she desired "reunification of the two sides," how strongly she wished for "the people of both sides to reunite and never separate again." History teaches us not to blindly follow but to learn to think. How many truths have emerged years later, after the waters have settled! If Sanmao did not die from suicide—definitely not by suicide—and yet was forced to be labeled as "dying of illness and despair," "hanging herself," how unfair is that to Sanmao!
After extensive research and verification, I can now, on the 10th anniversary of Sanmao’s passing, present this book, "Crying Lilies - Did Sanmao Die by Murder?" to the beloved Sanmao in my heart and the millions of readers who deeply cherish her. I wonder if the Sanmao in heaven is smiling with tears. Dear readers, I also wonder how you will think.
Sanmao is gone, and it has already been 10 years. She is a mysterious spirit—both in life and death. In life, she wove magic; in death, she left people lost in fog. The police’s ruling that Sanmao died "due to illness and despair" is riddled with loopholes and doubts. The media’s frenzied reporting of Sanmao’s "suicide by hanging" distracted people from the truth. Many do not believe Sanmao would commit suicide—she still had so much to do, personal matters, parental responsibilities, and the matter of the two sides.