not before i have my say

When they used to hang people at Tyburn the ceremonials were accompanied by a roaring trade in bogus deathbed confessions, hack ballads about the life and crimes of the condemned man, etc. 

Something similar goes on in China when famous or prestigious malefactors are up for the chop, though obviously these days the stuff gets posted on the bulletin boards and read for free. I mean, people go on about how the internet is killing journalism, but what about the scrivener’s trade? 

This is the purported confession of Wen Qiang, the former Public Security boss in Chongqing, recently issued his lead ration for epic corruption, rape, collusion with gangsters, etc. Extract: 

I worked in law enforcement all my life and I have handled many big cases and caught many people who received death sentences. I used to be worry about their families taking revenge on me, but it turns out that I will die at the hands of those who are on my own side. Those whom I have crossed before could not do anything to me. Instead, those who work alongside with me are doing to do this to me. I am certain that because I was involved or aware of too many things, many people won't sleep easy unless I am dead. My death will be good for them. Of course, I can drag them down to keep me company, but my wife and child will be killed. Everybody says that I am a demon. But as a husband and a father, I could not be so uncaring towards my family. Many people want me to die immediately. I shall die, but not before I have my say. 

This is obviously geared towards the hot button issues – party corruption, the money/power nexus – in contemporary China. Nonetheless, the structure will be familiar to anyone who has read Jonathan Wild the Great.

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[chris y]

"What a strange rig they run upon me!" - Jonathan Wild, last words.