China's Long Journey of Blood and Tears
II. Fathers
Judith Tien 田之雲
Father and Mother
would recount to me over my childhood years, that they had hours to ponder and
worry on the train ride from Beiping to Tientsin through 120 km of enemy
occupied territory. Bayonet bearing Japanese soldiers boarded at each stop,
roughly searching passengers and luggage.
At their
departure at the Beiping Train Station, the smartly attired couple had been
closely examined before and after boarding by the Japanese Military and Secret
Service called the Kempetai (similar to the Nazi Gestapo). The Kempetai were
satisfied with the young couple’s impeccable travel documents, their marriage
certificate issued on the previous day, September 12, 1938, as well as the
privileged first class tickets which the Japanese authorities sparingly
allocated to foreign officials and prosperous Chinese businessmen.
Bitter as Father
and Mother felt over the effrontery of the Imperial Japanese Army occupation of
their country and the surly Kempetai display towards their Chinese countrymen
on the train, they stoically kept quiet. That morning, even as my parents’
automobile approached the train station surrounded by grim faced, weaponized
Japanese solders, Father cautioned his irrepressible wife, “endurance is not
surrender”.
In the 10th
decade of Father’s life, I had asked Father what character trait did he think
most helped him in his life. Father lowered his head to contemplate and then
replied, “忍 -
endurance, perseverance, fortitude” was his character attribute that most
sustained his career and life.
In contrast,
Mother’s intensity and passion uniquely defined her life and work as
writer-teacher (pen name 葉曼)[1]
.However, on the first day of my parents’ marriage and their departure from
their families in 1938, Mother acquiesced to Father that they must “endure” and
suppressed her outrage.
[1] video filmed in Los Angeles“中國一定强”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl1Y6F8KmM0
For two decades
preceding Father’s and Mother’s 1938 escape out of Beiping, their homeland had
been fractured by the Japanese occupation of Shandong (May 4, 1919) followed by
the Japanese brutal conquest of Manchuria (September 18, 1931) and of Beiping
in July, 1937. During their high school years at Shi Da Fu Chong 師大附中, everyone was
aware that the students absent from class were probably locked in vehement
patriotic demonstrations led by the older Peking and Tsinghua Universities
students.
But
in the Tien and Liu households, Father and Mother were strictly admonished
against participating in the multitude of student rallies of grievances against
the Western Imperialists, the Japanese invaders, the domestic warlords, the corrupt
government officials, and the complex intra-party rivals. Often, these rallies
descended into physical violence.
The Tien and Liu patriarchs pointed out to their children that the brazen or subtle manipulations of the political factions prey on the immature minds and emotions of the malleable young. Grandfather Tien and Grandfather Liu, each in their youth, had themselves been swept up by the lofty ideals of rational intellectuals, ardent patriots, and flaming revolutionaries which launched the successful October 10, 1911 overthrow of the Ching Dynasty, the Xinhai Revolution led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen.
Dr. Sun, a
product of both Eastern and Western education, promulgated a Constitution
called the “Three Principles of the People”[2]. However, President Sun
Yat-sen served only 45 days (Jan 1- Feb 12,1912) before abdicating to the
powerful warlord Yuan Shi-kai. The Tien and Liu Grandfathers collided into the
harsh realities of unremitting political chaos. Grandfather Liu even narrowly
escaped arrest and assassination during the 4 year rule of Yuan Shi-kai.
Even worse, in
1915, Yuan proclaimed himself emperor then died the following year, plunging
the unstable country into widespread lawlessness, resurgence of warlordism and
political turmoil. The revolutionary ambitious and ambiguous goals set out by
Dr Sun had not diminished poverty, economic inequities, corruption, warlordism
nor evicted the foreign colonials.
The nationwide
cacophony of 200 years of pent up fury and frustration was fiercely divisive
which bolstered the two patriarchs’ resolve to focus their vigor towards
building financial security for themselves and their families. As a consequence
of the two patriarchs’ own dispiriting experiences, they demanded that their
children should ignore the present pandemonium, study hard and prepare for an
uncertain future.
[2] Three Principles of the People: Nationalism
-freedom from imperialist domination； People’s Governance - representative
elections; People’s Livelihood - economic welfare of the people. Interpretation
of the Principles are debated by scholars, historians and politicians even
today.
Yet years after Grandfather Tien’s resignation from government service, Grandfather Tien continued to hold an abiding esteem for President Sun Yat-sen’s unrealized political and economic ideals. Grandfather Tien believed that the future of China resided with his children who would all be college educated and schooled in both their Chinese heritage and Western “enlightenment”.
Father remembers
that when he was 8 years old in March of 1925, he was rushed through his
morning meal to join his waiting father. As their car drove westward from their
home in Shui Mo Hutong toward the Forbidden City. Father excitedly asked his
father “Dieh* 爹,
are we going to the Central and South Seas Park again?”
But Dieh was deep
in thought and Father knew not to speak unless spoken to when Dieh was in such
a mood. Nevertheless, Father was expectant that Dieh was taking him to revisit
the beautiful lakes, palaces and pavilions of the Central and South Seas Park [3].
On their previous excursions, Dieh had explained that this public park had been
for centuries the sealed domain of the imperial court including the last
Dowager Empress Cishi.
Upon passing the
smooth, vermillion walls of the Forbidden City, Father saw a vast crowd of
silent people gathered outside the southwest corner of the Forbidden City.
Unlike the usual raucous throngs loudly arguing with bullhorns or vehemently
protesting with placards in Tien An Men Square, Father then realized that this
excursion with Dieh was not going to be another recreational outing but that
something serious and somber was happening.
Grandfather and
Father left the car and made their way through the hushed masses outside of
Sheji Temple, an imposing red traditional building with a glazed tile, upturned
roof. Father noticed his father nodded but did not speak to the mixed groups of
men outside the temple, some dressed in formal western suits; some in plume
helmeted European style military regalia; most were garbed in the dignified
long gown which his Dieh favored and Father himself wore through his school
years.
[3] Chongnan Hai: the current headquarters and residences of
the Chinese Communist Party Politburo.
While Grandfather
and Father waited their turn in a line for dignitaries, Father took in the
countless standing wreaths of white flowers under rippling silk streamers of
calligraphy couplets. As they slowly approached an open casket, Father recognized
the familiar portrait of “The Father of the Nation ” who had passed away on
March 12, 1925.[4]
Imitating his father’s 3 profound slow bows, Father deeply bowed but also
peeked into the casket on a low stand holding the great man dressed in a
western suit, white shirt and dark tie.
Father told me he was awed by the shared grief of a nation and avidly followed the news reports that over 740,000 people had attended the Beiping wake of the “Father of Modern China”, 1000’s of wreathes and 10,000’s of elegiac couplet were posted. 4 years later on May 25th, 1929, the first president of the Republic of China was solemnly conveyed by rail through towns of sorrowing crowds of 100,000’s to Nanking, the capital where Sun Yat-sen had been sworn in on January 1, 1912 and had presided for only 2 months.
Sun Yat-sen Interment Cortège, Nanjing, May 1929
Father said that when he saw the press photos of President Sun in his open casket in Nanking in May, 1929, he thought it curious that President Sun wore a Chinese tunic 中山装 instead of the western suit and tie at the wake in Sheji Tan in March 1925. Father wondered at the symbolism of the change of clothes of the “Founding Father of the Republic of China” who had lived most of his adult years abroad but devoted his life to his native country.
Father of the Nation lying in
state, news photo,
Nanjing, June 1929
Father and Mother said that all through their childhood and most of their lives, China was “drawn and quartered ”. But Father always remembered Dieh’s homage to Sun Yat-sen when his Dieh whispered to him on their way home from Sheji Tai, “You are the next generation of China. Never forget this day”.
Nine decades
later when Father dictated his Memoir[5], that 1925 Memorial Day for the “Father of the Nation”,
still was fresh in Father’s memory.
時代的血淚
祖輩的叮嚀
周素鳳 譯
從我懂事以來，常常聽到父母親說起他們從北平搭火車到天津時的心情，腦中想著許多事，心情沉重。那段約120公里的鐵路沿線已被日軍佔領，沿途的每一站都有佩戴刺刀的日本士兵上來檢查乘客和行李。
當時父母親刻意打扮得很體面，在北平南站上車之前，已經被類似德國蓋世太保的日本憲兵盤查過好幾次。上車之後又被檢查，還好所有證件無可挑剔，所以平安無事。父母親身上帶著旅行證件、前一天的結婚證書，還有辛苦得手的頭等座火車票。那個時候，除了外國官員或事業有成的中國商人，一般人很難拿到頭等車廂的車票。
父母親對於日軍入侵已經很憤慨，看到日本憲兵隊在火車上對中國乘客的態度惡劣，他們更是憤憤不平，但在那種情況下也只能忍氣吞聲。那天早上他們到達車站時，放眼所見都是全副武裝的日本兵，一臉殺氣，父親不斷提醒平日喜怒皆形於色的母親要暫時忍耐，忍不代表投降。
記得父親過百歲生日時，我曾問他覺得自己的人格特質中，哪一點是這一輩子最受用的？他低頭想了想，回答說：「忍。那是需要耐力、毅力，以及堅強的心志。」父親從事外交生涯，面對一生的起起伏伏，都是以「忍」為重。對照之下，母親的氣勢強大，感情濃烈，這也是她成為作家和老師的重要特質。但是父母親結婚次日離開北平時，母親認同父親所說的凡事要忍耐，所以很努力地壓制自己的怒氣。
1919年時日軍已經佔領山東， 那是父親的老家，母親也曾經在青島上學。之後中國面對的形勢更加嚴峻。1931年「九一八事變」，東北失守，1937年爆發「七七事變」，北平淪陷。父母親說他們在師大附中上高中時，大家都心知肚明，那些缺席的同學多半受到北大清華的大學生們激勵，參加他們領導的示威或抗議行動，父母親的一些高中同學因為愛國情操而中斷學業。
然而田家和劉家的長輩不斷告誡父親和母親，不得參與學生示威活動，無論是抗議是西方帝國主義、日本侵略中國，還是反對國內的軍閥割據、政府貪汙腐敗，甚或對複雜的政黨鬥爭不能苟同。在祖父和外公這一輩的人看來，無論什麼抗議活動，到最後通常會發生肢體衝突，和平示威的行動往往以暴力結束。
田劉兩家的長輩告誡子女，各政治派系都想吸收年輕人，因為年輕人的心智和感情尚未成熟定型，可塑性大，略施巧妙手腕即可操控。祖父和外公在他們年輕的時候也曾受到一些人的影響，包括心懷理想的知識分子，赤膽忠心的愛國者，以及滿腔熱血的革命志士，這些人追隨孫中山領導的革命，最後在1911年10月10日成功推翻滿清政府。
孫中山融合中西學說，提出三民主義，而我們的憲法第一條清楚宣示:「中華民國基於三民主義，為民有民治民享之民主共和國。」但是迫於情勢，他在2月14日宣布辭去總統職務，由強人袁世凱在3月時繼任。中國在推翻滿清之後的政治亂象紛紛擾擾，田劉兩家的長輩對此深不以為然。外公反對袁世凱，袁世凱在位的四年之中，外公遭到追捕和暗殺，有幾次在千鈞一髮的情況下才勉強脫身。
1915年袁世凱稱帝，隔一年去世，原本不穩的國家陷入更嚴重的紛亂，軍閥割據再起，目無法紀。新中國的建立並沒有達到孫中山革命建國的理想和理念。社會上貧窮的現象並未減少、貧富依舊不均，政治仍然腐敗，軍閥還是作威作福，外國租界也依然存在。
中國鎖國兩百多年後，國力日弱，面臨列強威脅，人民既憤怒又無奈。可是大家對於國家前途意見紛歧，黨同伐異，互相攻訐。田劉兩家長輩因此決心遠離政治是非，把精神放在經營自己家中產業，力求家人的經濟生活得到保障。祖父和外公都要求子女不要捲入當時混亂的政治情勢，要父母親把心思放在學業，他們認為讀書才是為不確定的未來做最好的準備。
祖父雖然從政府部門退休多年，但是依然非常景仰中山先生。中山先生的政治和經濟理念雖然未能實現，但祖父一直對他所擘劃的國家藍圖抱持肯定和認同的態度。祖父相信中國的未來要靠下一代，所以他的兒女必須要完成大學學業，而且除了需要接受中國傳統的教育，也需要西方文化的啟蒙。
父親說他記得1925年3月，他當時八歲，有天早上祖父等著他要帶他出門，於是他匆匆忙忙吃完早餐，然後跟著祖父坐上車子，從水墨胡同的家往西邊駛往紫禁城的方向。父親很興奮地問：「爹，你又要帶我去中南海了嗎?」但是祖父卻沉默不語，父親知道，每當祖父有心事時最好別說話。父親當時一心期待的目的地是中南海，因為他很想再去一次，再看看裏面美麗的中海和南海，還有許多宮殿樓閣。前次祖父帶父親去的時候曾說，中南海原本是帝王的家，包括慈禧太后都住在那裏面，民國之後才變成公園，開放給大家參觀。
他們的車子經過紫禁城朱紅色的圍牆，父親看到人群如山似海的聚集在西南邊，但他們都默不作聲。平日天安門廣場人聲鼎沸，大家扯開喉嚨大聲嚷嚷，中間夾雜著刺耳的喇叭聲，時常還有一些人手持標語不斷喧囂的抗議聲。那一天的氣氛卻很反常，父親馬上意識到這次不是出來玩兒的，應該發生了什麼嚴重的事。
他們下了車，半推半擠穿過肅穆的人海，走向社稷壇，大殿外面的紅牆氣勢非凡，歇山式的屋頂鋪的是黃色琉璃瓦。祖父向拜殿外面的人群點了點頭，但沒有說話；這些人有的穿著正式的西服，有的是歐式全副軍裝，大部分的人都是穿長袍。祖父也穿著長袍，那是祖父特別偏愛的服裝，後來父親上學時也多半穿著長袍。
父親跟在祖父後面，加入貴賓那一列依序排隊。父親環顧四周，牆上掛滿白色長布條，隨著風飄揚，白布上都是毛筆寫的輓聯，一條接著一條，彷彿沒有盡頭。白布下面擺的是直立型的白色的花圈，數量多到不可勝數。他們父子隨著隊伍慢慢往前，終於看到一個玻璃棺蓋的靈柩，父親認出躺在裡面的是1925年3月12日過世的孫中山先生。父親跟著祖父一起站在靈柩前面深深地鞠躬行禮三次，但他同時偷偷地望了一下靈柩裡面的偉人，看到國父穿的是西式禮服，裡面是白襯衫，配上黑色的領帶。
父親告訴我，當時八歲的他對於舉國同悲的那個場面十常震撼，因此很認真地追蹤報紙的訊息，知道當時北平大約有74萬人前往社稷壇祭弔這位「現代中國之父」，致送的花圈有一千多個，輓聯有一萬多付。
四年之後的1929年5月25日，中華民國開國後的臨時大總統的靈柩，由火車運抵南京，奉安國葬，沿途送殯民眾達十萬人。南京是1912年1月1日孫中山就任總統的地點，不料就任不到兩個月就辭職下野。父親說，孫中山在南京時供民眾瞻仰的照片上，他身上穿的是中山裝，而不是四年前他在北平社稷壇看到的西服。父親認為中山裝有其象徵意義，因為中華民國的國父雖然年輕時就負笈海外，但是他的一生都奉獻給自己的國家。
父母親常說，他們從童年開始，終其一生面對的都是四分五裂的國家。但是父親說他永遠不會忘記當年他跟著祖父向國父的遺體行禮致哀後，在離開社稷壇回家的路上，祖父輕聲對他說：「你們就是中國的下一代了。永遠不要忘記今天!」
九十年後，當父親口述他的回憶錄時，八歲時向國父致祭的情景，依然歷歷在目。