In 2014, a journalist from The New York Times traveled to the remote town of Altay in China's Xinjiang region to uncover details about his father's service in the Chinese army. Facing the risk of being trailed by police due to President Xi Jinping's harsh policies in the region, the journalist sought information at the Civil Affairs Bureau. Despite the odds, he encountered a breakthrough when a young woman, Wei Yangxuan, with military connections, helped him. With his father's guidance over a phone call, he managed to retrieve valuable details about the Kazakh base where his father had served. The journalist's father, a Chinese immigrant in the U.S., had rarely spoken about his past in China. However, during a visit, he shared a photo of his days in the Communist army, shedding light on his hidden history. The journalist delved deeper into his father's background, uncovering his involvement in the Communist revolution and subsequent military service in Xinjiang. His father's experiences provided insight into the early forms of control in the region, which have since evolved into the repressive measures observed today. The journalist's father's journey from Manchuria to Xinjiang was marked by a mix of curiosity and apprehension. His mission in Altay involved indoctrinating Kazakh soldiers with Communist ideology, highlighting the party's efforts to expand its influence in the region. Despite attempts at building rapport with local ethnic groups, underlying tensions and clashes with the Han population were evident. The journalist's father's tumultuous journey in China, including his exile to Xinjiang, military service, and eventual escape, paralleled the country's historical upheavals, including Mao's Cultural Revolution and the famine resulting from failed policies. His father's resilience in overcoming these challenges and eventually settling in the U.S. exemplifies the complex interplay between personal narratives and China's tumultuous history. Through his father's narrative, the journalist uncovers a poignant reflection on China's past, where the ideals of the Communist party clashed with the realities of power, fear, and mistrust. His father's recollection of singing the party anthem, "The East Is Red," exemplifies the enduring impact of his experiences and the larger societal context in which they unfolded. The journalist's exploration of his father's past not only provides a personal account but also offers a lens into the broader historical and political landscape of China. This journey of discovery intertwines personal heritage with the complex tapestry of China's history, offering a compelling narrative that merges individual experiences with the broader arc of a nation's evolution.