Chapter Summaries for A Detention Center in China

Chapter 1     The Conspiracy……………………………………………………………………

Gong Liu makes a business trip from Xi’an to Ziyang, not knowing that the business he is visiting has set a trap for him.  He is arrested and interrogated, and his home and business in Xi’an are searched.  His friends and family begin to work on getting him free again.

Chapter 2     A Typical Chinese Detention Center………………………………………….…

 

Gong enters the detention center and begins his orientation into the rules and routine there.  He is gradually learning what his legal predicament is, but he is determined not to give away large sums of money or business secrets in order to be released.

 

Chapter 3   An Escape………………………………………………………………………..

 

Using kungfu skills, a murderer is able to escape from the policemen who are escorting him by train to Ziyang Detention Center.  An unlucky peach causes him to be arrested again and sentenced to death.

 

Chapter 4   Prisoners on Death Row………………………………………….………………

 

A drug trafficker is arrested after the police set him up, using a former drug customer to make the purchase. At first, the drug trafficker is sentenced to death, but Gong helps him get his sentence changed.

 

Chapter 5   A Peculiar Form of Petition……………………………………………………...

 

Gong’s uncle attempts to make a petition for Gong’s release, but the uncle himself is arrested and almost loses his life.

 

Chapter 6   Transactions……………………………………………………………………...

 

A businessman is arrested for selling tobacco without an official government permit.  Eventually, he is able to get released after paying an 80,000 yuan fine.

 

Chapter 7   The Privileges and Values of Government Officials…………….…………...…

 

A bank manager is considered a government official in China, so Zheng Wu has special privileges, even in confinement.  He bribes some of the other inmates to find out details of their crimes and then turns the information over to the police to gain a lighter sentence for himself.

 

Chapter 8   The Wisdom of an Entrepreneur………………………………………………..

 

The story of two influential Ziyang businessmen who make a fortune in the real estate market is contrasted with poor, law-abiding people who end up in jail.

 

Chapter 9   Using Law as a Weapon………………………………………………………...

 

Small-time criminals with very little education often lack the ability and resources to defend themselves in court.

 

Chapter 10       Gong’s Reforms…….…………………………………………………………..

 

When Gong is nominated as ward head, he turns his ward (yashi) into a tiny democracy and helps those who need help, rather than seeking special favors for himself.

 

Chapter 11    A Guilty Verdict………………………………………………………………...

 

Gong is found guilty in court and is sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.  When he has the opportunity to be bailed out, he refuses.  He would rather serve out his sentence and return to the detention center to help others with their legal battles.

Chapter 12   Farewell in Tears………………………………………………………………..

 

Gong’s best friend, Xueshan Bai, along with Xueshan’s girl friend, die on their way home to celebrate the most important traditional Chinese Festival, the Spring Festival. Meanwhile, Gong’s sentence is reversed, and he is set free, but he cannot simply go back to his old life.  His experience in the detention center leaves Gong determined to fight for a more just society and help those who need his help.

Postscript………………………………………………………………………………………..