By Summer, 1949, it was obvious that control of China by the Communists was inevitable. Radio accounts of the advances of the Communist forces had been broadcasted on daily basis. Foreigners and wealthy Chinese were rushing to leave Shanghai. Thinking it was yet another war, the Millses decided to stay because they loved the children too much to leave them when they needed help the most. Day by day, the sound of artillery fire grew closer and more threatening. Then one day, terrified peasants began pouring into the City, followed by fleeing Nationalist soldiers. The Millses witnessed the final battle fought right outside the window of their home. They had to huddle under the dining room table to escape falling plaster and stray bullets. Finally, a deadly silence settled over the area which was more scary than the artillery sound.      The next day, seeing that all was quiet, Mills took his family by car to check on their friends at another section of the city. In the street devastation was everywhere, with abandoned military equipment, overturned cars and trolleys, shattered windows, downed telephone poles and power lines, scattered litters and dead horses. Mills drove cautiously, making their way through many obstructions. As they approach the intersection near the post office, a contingent of Red Army soldiers was marching across the intersection. Surprisingly, a young officer ran up, stopped his troops, parted the ranks, and signalled him to drive through. When they reached the destination, they were happy that their friends were safe.     As they returned home that afternoon, they were utterly amazed. The streets had been cleaned and some of the streetcars were operating again. Shops were opened for business and soldiers were seen sweeping the streets, gathering the debris, and directing traffic. In a matter of days, business was as usual as if nothing had happened. The Millses were pleased. A cable was sent by Mills to CCF in Richmond which read: "All safe and well. Future looks promising."      The "promising future", however, was short-lived. Six weeks after taking Shanghai, the Red Army moved on to capture South China. The situation was changed overnight when the political cadres of the Communist Party took over the operation of Shanghai. Suddenly, huge banners and billboards were seen everywhere, with written slogans such as: "Down with capitalism!" "Death to the running dogs of imperialism!" "Obliterate colonialism!" Piles of books were seen burning in the streets. Lawyers, teachers, former government employees and wealthy landlords were executed in public, and citizens were called out of their homes to witness the executions. The Millses were no exception. Under the new Communist Party, all foreign businesses were closed. Everyone in the city received an identity card, and no one could leave the house without first informing the neighborhood officer. The Millses were essentially under house-arrest.      One day, Mills was called to the police headquarter. He was apparently accused of being an international spy, setting up orphanages as a cover. For six hours, Mills was interrogated intensely, not even allowed to have a sip of water or bathroom privilege. Finally, Mills said: "Everyone knew what I had been doing. I have nothing to hide. My conscience is clear. But if you decide to kill me anyway, please honor my only request. After the execution, please open up my chest and open my heart. You will find nothing but two words inside: Chung Kuo (meaning China)." The interrogator, looking directly into Mills' eyes, suddenly authorized his release. It was a direct intervention from God! The ordeal was not over, however. All CCF properties were confiscated and the Communists replaced all staff with their own personnel so that they could start brainwashing the children. Frustrated and totally helpless, Mills realized that there was nothing they could do but leave the country.      Obtaining the exit visas was next to impossible. Mills had to stand in long lines for 10 days outside the police headquarter before it was his turn. The real ordeal began when he was told to write a detailed account of what he had done for the past 18 years. Furthermore, it had to be a week-by-week chronicle of every place he stayed, the names and addresses of everyone he came in contact with, what he did each week, and where the money came from, and so on. When Mills explained that he simply could not remember everything, the official replied sarcastically, "Don't worry. You have plenty of time. Take it home and in time it will all come back to you." Mills went home and spent the next two weeks writing a "novel", sprinkled generously with fiction because the official would not accept any week unaccounted for.      During the four months the Millses waited to leave China, the Communist Party officials made five unscheduled visits to their home. Each time the entire house was thoroughly searched. The worst thing they feared was that they might be planting a gun or something to incriminate him. But they never did.      There were three more hurdles to overcome before exit visas were granted. The first one was to produce a notarized letter stating that financial support for all CCF orphanages would continue for six more months. Then Mills had to produce a "shop guarantee", an affidavit from a Shanghai merchant expressing his willingness to assume responsibility for any unpaid debts the Millses might leave behind. Lastly, an announcement had to be placed in all Shanghai newspapers each day for two weeks, stating their intention to leave China, and asking anyone who objected to come forward.      The first requirement was difficult. It took a great deal of effort for CCF to obtain a special permit from Washington to send money to the Bank of China because the U.S. government had barred all remittence of funds to all communist countries. The second requirement was almost impossible because at that time no Chinese dared to associate his name with a foreigner for obvious reasons. Luckily, a deacon in a Church who owned a printing business stepped forward to provide the "shop guarantee". The final requirement was fullfilled. But The Millses spent many sleepless nights waiting apprehensively for the final interview.      During the final interview at the police headquarter, Mills waited all day but the official was not available to see him. At 4 pm, Mills was told to go home, but he insisted that he would not leave until he could talk to the official. He was finally informed that his visa could not be issued until certain "labor problems" were resolved. The final obstacle was overcomed only when another high-ranking official whom Mills knew from Canton discovered that it was another Mills, the editor of the newspaper, Shanghai Post and Mercury, who was having labor problems with his employees. Finally, the Millses were given the visas to leave China. They had only one day to pack and each person was allowed only two carry-on luggages. Most of the possessions accumulated over 18 years were left behind.      Early in the morning, they reported to the pier where a ship was waiting. The tension was intense as they were going through final check point in single file. One man before them was detained by officials at the last moment with no explanation given. His wife, with their son in her arm, pleaded to be allowed to stay behind with her husband, but was forced aboard the ship with the child. As the ship eased down the Wangpo River and into the Yangtse River Delta, it was utter silence on board. However, when the captain finally announced that the ship had reached international waters, the passengers jumped up and down and sounds of celebration lasted well into the night. They were free at last.