(Minghui.org) It was September 1979 when the cadets in my military school were instructed to take a 10K run every morning. I was worn out every day and could not lift my legs. But, being competitive, I ran every morning despite the pain.
A month into it, my right knee swelled up and the pain worsened. It was difficult to reach the upper bunk, so I went to see a doctor. I was admitted first to the school’s hospital and then to the No.153 Hospital.
The doctors were at a loss. They first suggested that it was arthritis, then rheumatoid arthritis or palindromic rheumatism. I had physical therapy daily and was on large doses of pain medication. Nothing seemed to work, and my studies and training were adversely affected.
Eventually I was diagnosed with Beta Releptor Araphylactia Syndrome. The diagnosis, plus the long course of treatment and resulting depression, affected my life and work. I had hoped to be promoted after graduating from military school and join the Army. However, my poor health put an end to that dream. I had to retire from the Army and start my civilian career.
The most unforgettable day of my life was in October 1996. I opened a package and saw the book Zhuan Falun. The three characters on the cover really caught my attention.
On the first page, I saw Master’s photo, and a wonderful feeling came over me. I read Lunyu again and again. After work, I went with my wife to find a practice site. We joined the group Fa-study right away.
I read Zhuan Falun every night and did the exercises with the group at 6 a.m. before I left for work. About three weeks later, I realized that my body felt light and I no longer had any illness symptoms.
Master had purified my body and offered me a new life. I had changed into a new person – I was illness-free.
From studying the Dafa books, I learned about the origin of life and where I should go, why I came here, and what I should do here.
Jiang Zemin launched the persecution of my faith in 1999 and the 610 Office was created. It was set up to persecute Falun Gong throughout China.
The meetings held by the 610 Offices were top secret, and officials involved were prohibited from taking notes or making videos. The orders were only passed on verbally. The documents issued by the 610 Office were only reviewed by the secretaries of the CCP above the county level and were to be returned and destroyed.
In June, my company ordered all division heads to attend an urgent meeting.
“I am informing you verbally,” said the CCP secretary, “about a higher-level meeting concerning Falun Gong. We need to identify its practitioners for the next stage in the crackdown. They must be strictly supervised.
“But considering the possible fallout internationally and domestically, supervision inside must be intense but must appear relaxed outside. Practitioners must be transferred out of important posts in the public security departments, organizational departments, political departments, and general offices. Every department must implement this policy.”
An officer at the section level then claimed that he had read the biography of the founder of Falun Gong and attacked and slandered Dafa and Master.
I stood up, pointed at him and said, “That’s utter nonsense! Have you ever read Zhuan Falun? Which is better, following the principles Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance or being corrupt? Master spread Falun Gong to save people in these troubled times, improve human morality, and stabilize society. A hundred million people are practicing Falun Gong, which benefits them and the country. I am a Falun Gong practitioner!”
Everyone, especially the officer who’d just spoken, was shocked. Some were surprised, and one person said, “He is a Falun Gong practitioner. He is really remarkable!” The CCP secretary ended the meeting.
The following day was a Sunday, and I went as usual to the practice site to do the exercises. Nearly a hundred fully armed policemen and security guards showed up, but we finished the five exercises.
Agents from the 610 Office came out in full force. Staff from the criminal team and Political Security Section of the police department were taking videos and photos of me. I thought, “I am a genuine practitioner and unafraid. I would still sit here even with my head cut off!”
The director of the police department came to my office in July. He talked about my family and my career achievements and finally mentioned Falun Gong. He spent over an hour trying to persuade me to give up Falun Gong.
“You just announce publicly that you are giving up the practice,” he advised. “We will advertise this in the newspaper and on television. You can still practice at home. The impact would be minimal, and everything would be fine.”
I told him that I would not stop practicing Falun Gong.
“Well, I know practicing Falun Gong is what you want to do,” he said. “If Falun Gong were not good, why would so many people practice it? But the CCP is unreasonable, and so many of us lived through its many political movements. You don't know this, because you are still young.
“You are one of the key people we would like to arrest. If you keep practicing it, you will be expelled from the CCP, discharged from public office, detained as a criminal, and sentenced. I know Falun Gong practitioners are all good people and I am reluctant to hurt you. But if I am pressured, I have to carry out my orders. You will end up in a situation that is irreversible. But, it’s your choice.”
Given the propaganda on television and in the newspaper, I could feel that an awful persecution was coming. I visited the provincial government office to petition for the right to practice on July 22 and was arrested. The secretary of the CCP asked me to his office
“Are you really a Falun Gong practitioner?” he asked. “What do you want? To practice Falun Gong or to be a member of the CCP? If you renounce the practice, everything will be fine and you will be promoted! If you choose to practice Falun Gong, you will face dismissal, detention, and forced labor, and your child will be deprived of an education.
“Large-scale arrests are now taking place across the country. Falun Gong assistants were arrested early on. You are one of the key persons who organized an illegal gathering. This is your last chance.”
I stood up and told him that I would not give up Falun Gong and handed him an article I’d written, entitled “My Choice.” He did not dare to take it. I had to put it on his desk and said goodbye.
CCP officials arrested me on July 24, 1999, and held me in my office for several months. I was alternately interrogated by police officers or pressured by my office to give up the practice. I kept reciting the Fa and doing the exercises.
I was detained twice, and after more than two years of detention, I was taken to a forced labor camp and held there for three years. I was also discharged from public office.
No matter how crazy or cruel their behavior, I became more determined in my belief in Master and the Fa. When I was destitute, wherever I went, I would tell people the truth about Falun Gong. With my firm belief in Master and the Fa, I was protected by Master. Through good and bad times, I became a real Dafa disciple.
Reflecting upon the past, between life and death, human and divine, I made the most fortunate decision—I chose to practice Falun Gong!