Despite these handicaps, the literature reached every corner of the Communist-held mainland, and some inevitably filtered outside. After the death of Mao Tse-tung and the fall of the so-called "Gang of Four", the reformist regime wanted to give the impression of a new style of rule.
「四人幫」垮台後，新的當權派似乎有心改革，令大陸同胞頗為欣慰，敏感的作家第一個訴諸行動，寫了和出版了不少傷痕文學作品。雖然還需要拿四人幫做煙幕，遮遮掩掩一番，但到底是出版了。