25-year-old Li Ze Hua 李泽华 used to be a compliant TV host with official media CCTV7.
After the coronavirus outbreak, he quit his job and descended on Wuhan to report on actual happenings at ground zero. He was chased by an unmarked vehicle after visiting the P4 lab and disappeared on 26/02/20.
Someone like Li must have been thoroughly screened, trained and familiar with media regulations, censorship and the art of propaganda. What made him suddenly get off his safe and comfortable seat only and throw his whole life away fighting a battle he can never win? This is what we call 宁为玉碎,不为瓦全.
Historical perspective
In 550 AD, Emperor Xiaojing of the Eastern Wei Dynasty was forced to surrender his throne to the imperious prime minister Gao Yang. The following year, the ruthless Gao Yang poisoned Emperor Xiao Jing and his three sons to eradicate any potential threat to his throne.
On the day of Gao Yang’s coronation, an eclipse occurred. He was worried that it was a bad omen and was worried that the throne he had usurped could not be held on for long.
He consulted a trusted friend: “Wang Mang seized control of the empire of the Liu family at the end of the Western Han Dynasty. How did Emperor Guangwu, Liu Xiu manage to regain the control of his empire?”
Gao Yang’s friend replied: ” Your Majesty, it’s Wang Mang mistake that he did not wipe out every single member of the Liu family.”
Gao Yang was a cruel as he was cowardly. He immediately ordered the execution of more than 700 people from 44 close relatives of the Eastern Wei Clan. Even babies were not spared.
News of Gao Yang’s decree spread. The Eastern Wei Dynasty clan was apprehensive, fearing that the executioner would come knocking on their doors soon. They held a meeting to come up with a survival plan. A county magistrate named Yuan Jingan had a suggestion. The only way to get Gao to pardon them was to appeal to his ego. The could change their surname to Gao and be a part of his family from them on.
Yuan Jingan’s cousin Yuan Jing Hao was firmly opposed to this approach. He said: “大丈夫宁可做玉器被打碎,不愿做陶器得保全。我宁愿死而保持气节,不愿为了活命而忍受屈辱!I would rather die and maintain my integrity than to survive and endure humiliation! “
In order to save his own life, the despicable Yuan Jingan reported his cousin’s words to Gao Yang. Gao Yang immediately arrested Yuan Jing Hao and executed him. The cowardly Yuan Jingan changed his surname to Gao and was duly promoted.
How do we explain Li Ze Hua’s behaviour? 宁为玉碎,不为瓦全.