I never read articles written by people from the pro-Beijing camp because firstly, I knew what and how they write and do not want to waste my time; secondly, I get angry reading them. I am too old and rather keep calm and live longer.

I have only found out about Francis T. Lui after reading an article from another Apple Daily columnist. Lui has likened Chris Wat the “dagger” as Lu Xun. So I decided to write this article as an appeal for Lu.

Lu’s greatness is not because he used to be pro-CCP, but because he is a humanitarian through and through and a deep cultural critic. He spent his whole life speaking up for the disadvantaged (what we call nowadays) and never sided with the ruling class and dictators.

Lu had principle. He did not give up his dignity to survive or listen to commands from the rulers and capitalists. He supported the CCP when it fought with Kuomintang (KMT), which was ruthless and brutal. But when he experienced how “powerful” underground parties like Zhou Yang were, he knew he could no longer write “ordered literature.”

Lu was spot on when writing about Chinese people in his novels. Characters like Kong Yiji, Ah Q, Mistress Xiang Lin, etc., have shown the ugly side of Chinese people. How Lu thought of the Chinese was “sad for their misfortune, angry for their lack of motivation.” It is still very apt when applying to Chinese nowadays.

Nearly 90 years have gone, and the Chinese have not progressed. So how can China get better?

Lu was being used by the CCP when he was alive, even after he was dead. The CCP used him to carry the cultural flag and led the cultural sector. Lu became the model figure of the CCP culture and was favored by the CCP only because he had the gut to challenge those in power (KMT). By the time the CCP took power, Lu was already dead and could no longer challenge the ruler (CCP).

Famous actress Huang Zongying had mentioned Lu in front of Mao Zedong, who said, “if Lu is still alive now, he would either be writing in prison or say nothing at all.” Huang said she broke into a cold sweat when hearing that.

Francis Lui likened Chris Wat as Lu could be a curse on her. When “one country, one system” comes, Wat’s “dagger” will either go rusty, or it will be the weapon that kills her.

To judge a writer is not just on how one writes, but also one’s character. On that note, Wat is not even good enough to be Lu’s servant.

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