張培基英譯中國(guó)現(xiàn)代散文選(一)之《致蔣經(jīng)國(guó)信》

致蔣經(jīng)國(guó)信 

——廖承志 

經(jīng)國(guó)吾弟： 

   咫尺之隔，竟成海天之遙(1)。南京匆匆一晤，瞬逾三十六載。幼時(shí)同袍，蘇京把晤，往事歷歷在目(2)。惟長(zhǎng)年未通音問(wèn)，此誠(chéng)憾事。近聞?wù)`和，深為懸念(3)。人過(guò)七旬，多有病痛，至盼善自珍攝。 

   三年以來(lái)，我黨一再倡議貴我兩黨舉行談判(4)，同捐前嫌，共竟祖國(guó)統(tǒng)一大業(yè)。共竟祖國(guó)統(tǒng)一大業(yè)(5)。惟弟一再聲言“不接觸，不談判，不妥協(xié)”，余期期以為不可。世交深情，于公于私，理當(dāng)進(jìn)言(6)，敬希詮察。 

   祖國(guó)和平統(tǒng)一，乃千秋功業(yè)(7)，臺(tái)灣終必回歸祖國(guó)，早日解決對(duì)各方有利。臺(tái)灣同胞可安居樂(lè)業(yè)，兩岸各族人民可解骨肉分離之痛，在臺(tái)諸前輩及大陸去臺(tái)人員 亦可各得其所，且有利于亞太地區(qū)局勢(shì)穩(wěn)定和世界和平。吾弟嘗以“計(jì)利當(dāng)計(jì)天下利，求名應(yīng)求萬(wàn)世名” (8)自勉，倘能于吾弟手中成此偉業(yè)(9)，必為舉國(guó)尊敬，世人推崇，功在國(guó)家，名留青史(10)。所謂“罪人”之說(shuō)，實(shí)相悖謬。局促東隅，終非久計(jì)。明若吾弟，自當(dāng)了然(11)。如遷延不決，或委之異日(12)，不僅徒生困擾，吾弟亦將難辭其咎(13)。再者，和平統(tǒng)一純屬內(nèi)政。外人巧言令色，意在圖我臺(tái)灣，此世人所共知者。當(dāng)斷不斷，必受其亂(14)。愿弟慎思。 

   孫先生手創(chuàng)之中國(guó)國(guó)民黨，歷盡艱辛，無(wú)數(shù)先烈前仆后繼，終于推翻帝制，建立民國(guó)(15)。光輝業(yè)跡，已成定論。國(guó)共兩度合作，均對(duì)國(guó)家民族作出巨大貢獻(xiàn)。首次合作，孫先生領(lǐng)導(dǎo)，吾輩雖幼，亦知一二。再次合作，老先生主其事，吾輩身在其中，應(yīng)知梗概。事雖經(jīng)緯萬(wàn)端，但縱觀全局，合則對(duì)國(guó)家有利，分則必傷民族元?dú)?16)。今日吾弟在臺(tái)主政，三次合作，大責(zé)難謝。雙方領(lǐng)導(dǎo)，同窗摯友，彼此相知，談之更易(17)。所謂“投降”、“屈事”、“吃虧”、“上當(dāng)”之說(shuō)，實(shí)難茍同。評(píng)價(jià)歷史，展望未來(lái)，應(yīng)天下為公，以國(guó)家民族利益為最高準(zhǔn)則(18)，何發(fā)黨私之論！至于“以三民主義統(tǒng)一中國(guó)”云云，識(shí)者皆以為太不現(xiàn)實(shí)，未免自欺欺人(19)。三民主義之真諦，吾輩深知，毋須爭(zhēng)辯。所謂臺(tái)灣“經(jīng)濟(jì)繁榮，社會(huì)民主，民生樂(lè)利”等等，在臺(tái)諸公，心中有數(shù)，亦毋庸贅言。試為貴黨計(jì)，如能依時(shí)順勢(shì)，負(fù)起歷史責(zé)任，毅然和談， 達(dá)成國(guó)家統(tǒng)一，則兩黨長(zhǎng)期共存，互相監(jiān)督，共圖振興中華之大業(yè)。否則，偏安之局(20)，焉能自保。有識(shí)之士，慮已及此(21)。事關(guān)國(guó)民黨興亡絕續(xù)(22)，望弟再思。 

   近讀大作，有“切望父靈能回到家園與先人同在” (23)之語(yǔ)，不勝感慨系之。今老先生仍厝于慈湖，統(tǒng)一之后，即當(dāng)遷安故土，或奉化，或南京，或廬山，以了吾弟孝心。吾弟近曾有言：“要把孝順的心，擴(kuò)大為民族感情，去敬愛民族，奉獻(xiàn)于國(guó)家。”誠(chéng)哉斯言，盍不實(shí)踐于統(tǒng)一大業(yè)！就國(guó)家民族而論，蔣氏兩代對(duì)歷史有所交代(24)；就吾弟個(gè)人而言，可謂忠孝兩全。否則，吾弟身后事何以自了。尚望三思。 

   吾弟一生坎坷，決非命運(yùn)安排，一切操之在己(25)。千秋功罪，系于一念之間。當(dāng)今國(guó)際風(fēng)云變幻莫測(cè)，臺(tái)灣上下眾議紛紓歲月不居，來(lái)日苦短，夜長(zhǎng)夢(mèng)多(26)，時(shí)不我與。盼弟善為抉擇(27)，未雨綢繆。“寥廓海天，不歸何待？” 

   人到高年，愈加懷舊，如弟方便，余當(dāng)束裝就道，前往臺(tái)北探望，并面聆諸長(zhǎng)輩教益。“度盡劫波兄弟在，相逢一笑泯恩仇”。遙望南天，不禁神馳(28)，書不盡言，諸希珍重，佇候復(fù)音。 

老夫人前請(qǐng)代為問(wèn)安。方良、緯國(guó)及諸侄不一。 

順祝 

    近祺！ 

                                                                                       廖承志 

                                                                                １９８２年７月２４日 

注釋 

(1)“咫尺之隔，竟成海天之遙”的原譯為No one ever expected that a strip of water should have become so vast a distance，未充分表達(dá)原文的感嘆語(yǔ)氣以及“海天之遙”與當(dāng)時(shí)兩岸的關(guān)系。現(xiàn)改譯為Who would have expected that the short distance between us should be keeping us poles apart，其中poles apart作widely separated解。此句形式上為疑問(wèn)句，實(shí)為感嘆句，故句尾接感嘆號(hào)。 

(2)“幼時(shí)同袍，蘇京把晤，往事歷歷在目”的原譯為From our childhood friendship to our chats in the Soviet capital, everything in the past is still alive in my memory，基本上逐字直譯，流暢不足。現(xiàn)改譯為The days we spent together in childhood as well as later in the Soviet capital, however, are still as fresh as ever in my memory，其中are still as fresh as ever比still remain fresh強(qiáng)調(diào)。 

(3)“近聞?wù)`和，深為懸念”的原譯為Recently I was told that you are somewhat indisposed and this has caused me much concern，采用復(fù)合句逐字直譯，欠簡(jiǎn)練。現(xiàn)用簡(jiǎn)單句改譯為Recently it filled me with much concern to learn of your indisposition。 

(4)“我黨一再倡議貴我兩黨舉行談判，同捐前嫌”的原譯為our party has repeatedly proposed talks with your party to bury the hatchet。為了避免party一詞的重復(fù)出現(xiàn)，現(xiàn)改譯為we have repeatedly proposed bilateral talks between the two parties to let bygones be bygones。 

(5)“共竟祖國(guó)統(tǒng)一大業(yè)”的原譯為work jointly to accomplish the great cause of national reunification。為突出“共同力求”的內(nèi)涵，現(xiàn)將此句改譯為strive together for the great cause of national reunification。 

(6)“世交深情，于公于私，理當(dāng)進(jìn)言”原譯為Considering both the public interests and our close friendship which has lasted for generations, I regard it as my duty to offer some advice which I hope you will consider carefully，其中有三處欠妥：１，“于公于私”譯為the public interests，未交代“于私”；２，“世交深情”中“世交”實(shí)際上只從雙方父輩（廖仲愷和蔣介石）開始，原譯卻把它擴(kuò)大到“祖祖輩輩”（for generations）；３，句子欠緊湊。現(xiàn)改譯為in view of the public and personal concerns as well as the long-standing deep friendship between our two families, I feel duty-bound to offer you a word of advice for careful consideration。 

(7)“乃千秋功業(yè)”譯為a great achievement to go down in history，其中to go down是成語(yǔ)，作“被載入”解，也可譯為to be recorded in history。 

(8)“計(jì)利當(dāng)計(jì)天下利，求明應(yīng)求萬(wàn)世名”譯為the interests to be considered should be the interests of all; the fame to be sought should be an everlasting fame，前后都是簡(jiǎn)單句，形成排比。原譯為the interests to be considered should be the interests of all; the fame to be sought should be a fame that would last forever，前后稍欠勻稱。 

(9)“倘能于吾弟手中成此偉業(yè)”譯為if you should be instrumental in bringing about the great cause of national reunification，其中instrumental作“有助于”（helpful）解。原譯為if the great cause of national reunification would be accomplished through your work，語(yǔ)言欠地道。又would一詞用得欠規(guī)范，就改為should。 

(10)“功在國(guó)家，名留青史”譯為your meritorious service to the country will earn you a niche in the temple of fame，其中a niche in the temple of fame是成語(yǔ)，作“流芳百世”解，與a lasting fame同義。 

(11)“明若吾弟，自當(dāng)了然”譯為this should be crystal clear to a man of your wisdom。原譯為this is of course quiet clear for a man as intelligent as you。注意wisdom著重“判斷是非的能力”，intelligent著重“理解力”。 

(12)“委之異日”譯為sleeping over the problem，其中sleep over或sleep on是成語(yǔ)，作“暫緩對(duì)……作出決定”(to postpone a decision about…)解。原譯是leaving the problem to other days。 

(13)“難辭其咎”譯為hardly be able to escape censure，其中censure和the blame同義，但更有力。 

(14)“當(dāng)斷不斷，必受其亂”譯為to be irresolute when a prompt decision should be taken would only spell disaster，其中spell作“招致”、“帶來(lái)”解。 

(15)“孫先生手創(chuàng)之中國(guó)國(guó)民黨，歷盡艱辛，無(wú)數(shù)先烈前仆后繼，終于推翻帝制，建立民國(guó)”原譯為the Kuomintang founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen endured countless hardships and finally overthrew the monarchy and established the republic; numerous revolutionaries advanced wave after wave and laid down their lives for the cause，其中把“無(wú)數(shù)先烈前仆后繼”單獨(dú)譯成一句，使全段缺乏連貫性，層次不清。現(xiàn)改譯為after going through untold hardships during which countless revolutionaries unflinchingly laid down their lives, the Kuomintang founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen finally overthrew the monarchy and established the republic 

(16)“事雖經(jīng)緯萬(wàn)端，但縱觀全局，合則對(duì)國(guó)家有利，分則必傷民族元?dú)?rdquo;的原譯為though the matter was as complicated as could be, an all-round view of the situation would show that cooperation is beneficial to the country and the nation while division is detrimental to them，其中未能用簡(jiǎn)練的手法表達(dá)原文后半部的排比結(jié)構(gòu)；同時(shí)would一詞也用得欠規(guī)范。現(xiàn)改譯為Complicated as the matter was, an overall view of the situation will show that united, the country and the nation benefit; divided, they suffer。 

(17)“雙方領(lǐng)導(dǎo)，同窗摯友，彼此相知，談之更易”的原譯為it would be easier to talk the matter over when leaders on both sides used to be schoolmates and close friends who know one another well，其中后半部分缺乏邏輯性。現(xiàn)改譯為leaders from both sides will find it easer to talk the matter over since they know each other well, having formerly been schoolmates and close 

friends。 

(18)“應(yīng)天下為公，以國(guó)家民族利益為最高準(zhǔn)則”意即“應(yīng)一心為公，以國(guó)家民族利益高于一切”，故英譯為should be public-minded and put the interests of the country and the nation above all。原譯為should bear in mind the public interests of the country and the nation, and use this as the supreme criterion，與原文意思有出入，原因是對(duì)原文理解僅限于某些字面。 

(19)“識(shí)者皆以為太不現(xiàn)實(shí)，未免自欺欺人”譯為are regarded by all thinking people as unrealistic, deceptive and ostrich-like，其中thinking people意即“有見解的人”；ostrichlike本來(lái)的意思是“鴕鳥般的”或“藏頭露尾的”現(xiàn)作“自欺的”解。 

(20)“偏安之局”的意思為“偏據(jù)一方以自安”，故譯為content as you are with your present rule over the tight eastern corner。 

(21)“有識(shí)之士，慮已及此”意即“有頭腦的人都已經(jīng)為此擔(dān)憂”。原譯為this is a question those who are sensible are already turning over in their minds。現(xiàn)改譯為This is a question already on the minds of thinking people。 

(22)“事關(guān)國(guó)民黨興亡絕續(xù)”的原譯為It involves the survival and development of the Kuomintang，其中把“興亡絕續(xù)“譯為survival and development，與原意有出入。現(xiàn)將原句改譯為It is a matter of survival or extinction for the Kuomintang。 

(23)“與先人同在”的原譯為be reunited with the forefathers，稍欠自然。現(xiàn)改譯為be among the forefather。 

(24)“蔣氏兩代對(duì)歷史有所交代”的原譯為this would be an answer of the two generations of the Chiangs to history，由于逐字直譯，未能達(dá)意。現(xiàn)改譯為you will have fulfilled the task imposed on you and your father by history。 

(25)“一切操之在己”的上一句為“決非命運(yùn)安排”，故英譯時(shí)按“由自己掌握命運(yùn)”的意思譯為You yourself alone are master of your own fate。原譯為Everything depends on yourself。 

(26)“夜長(zhǎng)夢(mèng)多”中的“夢(mèng)”為“惡夢(mèng)”，比喻“不好的事”或“節(jié)外生枝”，故譯為全句為A long night invites bad dreams。原譯為A long night is fraught with dreams。 

(27)“善為抉擇”的意思應(yīng)為“作出明智的選擇”，故譯為will make a wise choice。 

(28)“不禁神馳”譯為my heart cannot help going out to…，其中to go out to是成語(yǔ)，作“在感情上被……所吸引”（be emotionally drawn to）解。 

(29)“佇候復(fù)音”的原譯為I am waiting impatiently for a reply。現(xiàn)改譯為I’m looking forward to a reply from you。 

A Letter to Chiang Ching-Kuo 

                            ——Liao Chengzhi 

                                                                                       July 24, 1982 

Dear brother Ching-Kuo, 

     Who would have expected that the short distance between us should be keeping us poles apart! It is now more than 36 years since our brief encounter in Nanjing. The days we spent together in childhood as well as later in the Soviet capital, however, are still as fresh as ever in my memory.  But it’s a pity indeed that we haven’t heard from each other for so many years. Recently it filled me with much concern to learn of your indisposition. Men aged over seventy are liable to illness. I hope you will take good care of yourself. 

     For three years, we have repeatedly proposed bilateral talks between the two parties to let bygones be bygones and strive together for the great cause of national reunification. But you have time and again insisted upon having “no contact, no talks and no compromise”, which I truly think inadvisable. In view of the public and personal concerns as well as long-standing deep friendship between our two families, I feel duty-bound to offer you a word of advice for careful consideration. 

     The peaceful reunification of the motherland will be a great achievement to go down in history. Taiwan is bound to be reunited eventually with the motherland. An early settlement of the problem will be in the interests of all. The compatriots in Taiwan will be able to live in peace and happiness, the people of all nationalities on both sides of the Taiwan straits will be relieved of the pains of separation from their flesh and blood, and our senior folks in Taiwan and those formerly migrated there from the mainland will all be properly placed and provided for. And, moreover, it will contribute to the stability of Asia and the Pacific region as well as to world peace. You used to seek self-encouragement from the motto, “The interests to be considered should be the interests of all; the fame to be sought should be an everlasting fame.” If you should be instrumental in bringing about the cause of national reunification, you will certainly win esteem and praise nationwide and your meritorious service to the country will earn you a niche in the temple of fame. It is sheer absurdity to think yourself “guilty” for rendering such a service.    After all, dragging out your existence in that tight eastern corner is by no means a permanent solution. This should be crystal clear to a man of your wisdom. Procrastination, hesitation or sleeping over the problem will only lead to adversity and you, my brother, will hardly be able to escape censure. Moreover, peaceful reunification is entirely an internal affair of China. As is known to all, outsiders who are talking glibly against it have designs on our Taiwan. To be irresolute when a prompt decision should be taken would only spell disaster. I, therefore, would like you to think this over carefully. 

     After going through untold hardships during which countless revolutionaries unflinchingly laid down their lives, the Kuomintang founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen finally overthrew the monarchy and established the republic. This has been universally recognized as a glorious achievement. The  Kuomintang and the Communist Party twice cooperated and on both occasions they made tremendous contributions to the country and the nation. We know something about the first cooperation, led by  Dr. Sun Yat-sen, though we still young at that time. The second cooperation was presided over by your father and, as participants in it, we should know what it was all about. Complicated as the matter was, an overall view of the situation will show that united, the country and the nation benefit; divided, they suffer. Now, as head of the Taiwan administration, you have unshirkable responsibility for bring about the third cooperation. Leaders from both sides will find it easier to talk the matter over since they know each other well, having formerly been schoolmates and close friends. I find it really hard for me to subscribe to those views which describe cooperation as “surrender”, “humiliating”, “suffering losses” or “being duped”. In reviewing history or looking ahead to the future, one should be public-minded and put the interests of the country and the nation above all. Why harp on the narrow interest of a party? Such remarks as “unifying China with the Three People’s Principles” are regarded by all thinking people as unrealistic, deceptive and ostrich-like. People of our generation know the true meaning of the Three People’s Principles quiet well and there is no need to argue about it. Neither is there any need to dwell on such assertions as Taiwan’s “economic prosperity, democracy and easy livelihood”, the truth of which all gentlemen in Taiwan must be quiet aware of. To my mind, if you, for the sake of your party, shoulder the historic task and, going with the stream, take part in peace talks for our national reunification, the two parties will be able to coexist for a long time to come, supervising each other and making a common effort to revitalize China. Otherwise, content as you are with your present rule over the tight eastern corner, how can such a situation be expected to last for long?   This is a question already on the minds of thinking people. It is a matter of survival or extinction for the Kuomintang and I hope you will think it over again. 

     Recently I was profoundly moved when I read one of your writings in which you expressed the “longing for my father’s soul to return to the homeland and be among the forefathers”. The remains of your father, now still temporarily placed at Cihu, shall, upon national reunification, be immediately moved to the final resting place in Fenghua, Nanjing or Lushan in fulfilment of your filial whishes. You recently said, “Filial devotion should be expanded into national devotion to the country.” Well said! Why don’t you apply it to the great cause of national reunification? As far as the country and the nation are concerned, you will have fulfilled the task imposed on you and your father by history; as far as you yourself are concerned, this will be an expression of both loyalty and filial piety. Other how could you account for yourself after your passing away? I hope you will think more about it. 

     Dear brother, the frustrations marking your lifetime are by no means predestined. You yourself alone are master of your own fate. Merits and demerits to be recorded in history hinge on the decision made in a moment. The present international situation is capricious. Throughout Taiwan people of all strata are talking about their future. Time does not stay and brief is the day. A long night invites bad dreams; time and tide wait for no man. I hope you, my brother, will make a wise choice and repair the house before it rains. “Vast is the expanse of sky and water. What are you waiting for, staying away from home?” 

     The longing for old friends grows with age. If it suits your convenience, I will pack and go on a visit to Taibei to consult our elders. “For all the disasters the brotherhood has remained; a smile at meeting and enmity is banished.” When I look south towards the distant horizon, my heart cannot help going out to my compatriots there. No word is enough to express what I wish to say. It is hoped that you will take good care of yourself. I am looking forward to a reply from you. 

       Please convey my regards to your mothers as well as to Fang-Liang, Wei-Kuo and the children. 

Best wishes to you. 

                                                                                       Liao Chengzhi 

附：新華社英譯電訊稿 

Dear brother Ching-Kuo, 

    No one ever expected that a trip of water should have become so vast a distance. It is now 36 years since our brief rendezvous in Nanjing. From our childhood friendship to our chats in the Soviet capital, everything in the past is still alive in my memory. But it’s unfortunate that we haven’t heard from each other for so many years. Recently I was told that you are somewhat indisposed and this has caused me much concern. Men in their seventies are often afflicted with illness. I sincerely hope that you will take good care of yourself. 

    Over the past three years, our party has repeatedly proposed talks with your party to bury the hatchet and work jointly to accomplish the great cause of national reunification. 

    But you have time and again announced that there should be “no contact, no talks and no compromise”, which I think is in advisable. Considering both the public interests and our close friendship which has lasted for generations, I regard it as my duty to offer some advice I hope you will consider carefully. 

    The peaceful reunification of the motherland would be a great achievement to be recoded in history. Taiwan is bound to return to the embrace of the motherland eventually. An early settlement would be in the interests of all. The compatriots in Taiwan would be able to live in peace and happiness, the people of all nationalities on both sides of the Taiwan straits would no longer have to endure the pains of separation from their kith and kin, and the elders in Taiwan and those who have moved there from the mainland would all be properly placed and provided for. And this would contribute to the stability of Asia and the Pacific region as well as to the world peace. You used to spur yourself on with the axiom: “The interests to be considered should be the interests of all; the fame to be sought should be a fame that would last forever.” If the great cause of reunification would be accomplished through your work, you will certainly win the esteem of the nation and the praise of all. You would be doing a meritorious service to the country and your name would be inscribed in the temple of fame. It is preposterous to regard such a service as a “guilt”. After all, putting up in that tight eastern corner is not a long-term solution. This is of course quiet clear for a man as intelligent as you. Hesitation, procrastination or leaving the problem to other days would only lead to difficulty and distress and you, my brother, would hardly be able to escape the blame. Moreover, peaceful reunification is entirely an internal affair of China. Those outsiders who talk glibly about it have designs on our Taiwan. This is common knowledge. When a decision needs to be made, irresolution is bound to bring trouble. I hope you will consider this carefully. 

    The Kuomintang founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen endured countless hardships and finally overthrew the monarchy and established the republic; numerous revolutionaries advanced wave after wave and laid down their lives for the cause. History has recorded this as glorious contribution. The Kuomintang and the Communist Party twice cooperated and on both occasions they made tremendous contributions to the country and the nation. We know something about the first cooperation, led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, though we were still young at that time. The second cooperation proceeded with your father in the chair and, as participants in it, we should know what it was all about. Though the matter was as complicated as could be, an all-round view of the situation would show that cooperation is beneficial to the country and the nation while division is detrimental to them. Since you are presiding over the administration of Taiwan, you have unshirkable responsibility for the realization of cooperation for the third time. It would be easier to talk the matter over when leaders on both sides used to be schoolmates and close friends who know one another well. I 

find it really hard for me to subscribe to those views which describe cooperation as “surrender”, “humiliating”, “suffering losses” or “being duped”. In reviewing history or looking forward to the future, one should bear in mind the public interests of the country and the nation, and use this as the supreme criterion, instead of basing oneself on a party’s selfish interests. Such talks as “reunifying China with the Three People’s Principles” are regarded by all sensible people as unrealistic, deceptive and self-deceiving. People of our generation know the true meaning of the of the Three People’s principles quiet well and there is no need to argue about it. Neither is there any need to dwell on such assertions as 

     Taiwan’s “economic prosperity, democracy and easy livelihood”, the truth of which the venerable gentlemen in Taiwan know clearly. For the sake of your party, I would think that if you would take up the historic responsibility and resolutely take part in peace talk to accomplish national reunification as required by time and tide, the two parties would be able to co-exist for a long time to come, supervising each other while joining in glorious effort to revitalize China.  Otherwise how could the situation existing in that small corner to be maintained for long? This is a question those who are sensible are already turning over in their minds. It involves the survival and development of the Kuomintang and I hope you will think it over again. 

     I recently read one of your writings in which you expressed “fervent hopes that my father’s soul would be able to return to the homeland and be reunited with the forefathers”. I was overwhelmed with emotion when I read this. The remains of your father are still placed temporarily at Cihu. After reunification, they should be moved back and buried in the native soil—in Fenghua, Nanjing or Lushan—in fulfillment of your filial wishes. You recently said, “filial devotion should be expanded into national devotion, which means love of the nation and dedication to the country.” This is an excellent statement. Why don’t you apply it to the great cause of national reunification? As far as the country and the nation are concerned, this would be an answer of the two generations of the Chiangs to history; as far as you yourself are concerned, this would be an expression of both loyalty and filial piety. Otherwise how could you account for yourself after your passing away? It is hoped that you would think more about it. 

     Dear brother! Your life has been marked by frustrations, which should not be attributed to fate. Everything depends on yourself. The good and ill to be judged in the next thousand years hinges on the decision is capricious. Throughout Taiwan people of all strata are talking about their future. Time does not stay and brief is the day. A long night is fraught with dreams; time does not wait for us. I hope you, my brother, would be good at making the choice and repair the house before it rains. “Vast is the expanse of sky and water. What are you waiting for, staying away from home?” 

     The longing for old friends grows with age. If it is convenient to you, I would pack and set out for a visit to Taibei to seek enlightenment from our elders. “For all the disasters the brotherhood has remained; a smile at meeting and enmity is banished.” When I look towards the distant southern sky, my heart is already there. No word is enough to express what I wish to say. It is hoped that you will take good care of yourself. I am waiting impatiently for a reply. 

     Please convey my regards to your mother as well as to Fang-Liang, Wei-Kuo and the children. 

Best wishes to you. 

                                                                                       Liao Chengzhi 

                                                                                       July 24, 1982