CHANG HSI-KUO

(1944–    )

Chang Hsi-kuo has a Ph.D. (1969) in electrical engineering from the University of California at Berkeley and is at present Chairman of the Electrical Engineering Department at Illinois Institute of Technology. However, to the Chinese readers in Taiwan and abroad, he is better known as a prolific writer of tsa-wen essays, novels of manners, and, more recently, science fiction. Though he has made his home in the United States since the seventies, he takes a trip to Taiwan almost every other year. In view of his interest in the effect of Taiwans growing economy on the lifestyle as well as the value concepts of its people, his frequent visits are as important to him as field trips are to the sociologists or anthropologists. His close observation of social manners has resulted in the creation of the first prototype of the homo economicus in Taiwan fiction. The Chess Champion (Ch’i-wang, 1975) depicts a new species of Chinese who feels no compunction in trading Confucian ethics for material gains. As can be seen in “Red Boy,” Chang Hsi-kuo is no less attentive to the fate of his compatriots in the United States. The trials and frustrations the “Red Boy” undergoes are metaphorically the collective experience of overseas Chinese torn by the opposing claims for partisan allegiance from a divided China. His novella “Earth” (T’i, 1967) is included in Chinese Stories from Taiwan, and his works are discussed in Chinese Fiction from Taiwan: Critical Perspectives.

Red Boy

Translated by Jeannette L. Faurot

LETTERS: 1

Dear Son:

We received your letter of May 18. When your father finished reading it he was so angry he started trembling all over, and for a long time he could not even talk. You really should not have written a letter like that; it broke your father’s heart. You know that I do not write to you very often, because of my eyes. It is usually your father who writes, but this time he is really angry.

There are some things I must say to you. The whole family loves you and cares about you very much. You have always been your father s favorite. Do you remember how hot it was on your 20th birthday, and how your father still insisted on going to Tainan to see you because he was afraid you would be lonesome all by yourself? You have always been the most well-behaved and obedient of our children, and you were also good at your studies. Unlike your sister Yiin, you never gave us cause to worry. But I feel that you have been changing ever since you left home. I know that it is difficult to live abroad, but you must think of our hopes for you, and work hard at your studies so that you can become a famous physicist. That would be an honor for us all.

Every time we get a letter from you I always read it carefully and discuss it with your father. He always writes you words of instruction and encouragement, and he also got you a subscription to the airmail edition of the Central Daily News, for fear you might be homesick. We are not opposed to your concern for national politics; we know that you have always loved your country. But these are problems that you have no way to solve. The biggest personal regret your father has is that he studied the humanities, with the result that we now have very little money and nothing to show for ourselves. That is why he insisted on you and your brother studying science and engineering, so that you could become useful men and avoid stepping into that trap. We have sacrificed a lot for your education, and now you say you want to throw away your degree. This is too great a heartbreak for your father. Even if you do not care about a splendid future for yourself, you should still think about how your parents had to scrimp and save to support you.

The reason my eyes are bad is because of all the worries of the past few years. Your father also has his chronic liver ailment. How can you bear to break your parents’ hearts? After we got your letter I cried and cried, and for the rest of the day I could not see anything. This morning I am a little better, so I am making this effort to write to you in the hope that you will listen to your mother’s advice and work hard. Do not write any more discouraging things to upset your parents.

Last week I sent you a can of shredded dried meat. Let us know when you receive it. Take special care of yourself, as you are alone in a foreign country.

May 27, 1971

Dear Brother,

This morning I got a letter from home, after having just phoned you long distance last night. As I said to you then, I don’t object to your not wanting to study physics. The longer a person stays in America, the less interest he has in a degree. I can understand your mental confusion completely. But Dad and Mother’s hopes are so high for you, you really should do everything to apply yourself to your studies for their sake, so that you can bring honor to the family after you get your degree. I myself am not Ph. D. material, and now that sister Yün has made such an unfortunate marriage, all the family’s hopes rest on you alone—this is a responsibility you cannot ignore. There are lots of “snakes among the dragons” there in the city of G, and plenty of unsavory organizations. You are young and impulsive. Don’t be taken in by other people, or do something on a whim that you will regret for the rest of your life. As I said last night, after this semester is over you should come and stay at my place for a while. I know Ch’eng, the manager of the Chinese restaurant here—I have already talked with him about this, and he says there wouldn’t be any problem getting you a summer job. Once you break away from that political action group and think about it calmly and quietly, maybe you will change your mind. If your thinking still hasn’t changed after summer vacation, it won’t be too late to make a decision then. You know that I have always been on your side, and my suggestions to you now are all for your own good. I hope you will come as soon as vacation starts.

Wishing you well,

June 3, 1971

To my Fellow Student Kao Ch’iang:

Last week I attended the National Affairs Symposium that you sponsored. I heard a lot of provocative discussion, and was deeply moved by it. From childhood we have cultivated selfish, indifferent, individualistic attitudes, and have never seemed able to rid ourselves of such states of mind. Now, for the first time, we have a chance to understand that we must stand up and fight for a more beautiful future. Your work is very significant, and I have the greatest respect and admiration for you all. I am sending $10; though it is a small amount, it may show that I am sincere in my support.

July 1

Dear Ch’iang,

It has been a long time since I’ve written you. One reason is that I have been getting ready for my Ph. D. orals as well as working on experiments, and I’m just too busy with my work; but another reason is that I have gradually discovered that our ways of thinking have grown very far apart. I’ve thought of writing you several times to talk about things, but I never managed to do it. The day before yesterday I received the magazine Spring Sprouts which you sent. I read it all at one sitting, and it has stirred up a flood of thoughts which I can’t adequately express in words.

You have gone to a lot of trouble to put out a mimeographed publication like that, and of course I respect you very much for it. But I can’t completely agree with the way you are doing things. You praise the Chinese Communists and glorify their successes in building up the mainland, but whose achievements are these after all? Are they the achievements of the Chinese Communists? Or are they the achievements of the eight hundred million Chinese people? You are always talking about how “The Chinese People’’ do this and that, but you yourselves have never shed one drop of blood or lost one drop of sweat to build China. You have harsh criticism for the various policies on Taiwan, but you yourselves have never put forth an ounce of effort for Taiwan. So what right do you have to criticize Taiwan? By what right can you share in China’s accomplishments?

If you truly support the Communists, nothing is stopping you from going to the mainland to join their ranks in the work of reconstruction. If you truly want to change Taiwan, there is nothing preventing you from going back there to work for reform. If you can’t do either, but just engage in a lot of empty talk in a foreign country, I think you are not only doing nothing to help the situation, but you are even exposing your own indecision, and just talking big.

Though I’ve criticized you a lot, I really don’t have any solution myself. It is easy to criticize others, but hard to do something oneself. I hope you don’t mind my speaking so frankly.

Wishing you well,

Oct. 8

Dear Ch’-iang,

I have received the third issue of Spring Sprouts, which you sent. In return I have sent you a copy of the “Study Newsletter,” which we publish here. We can’t compare with G—there aren’t many people here who are politically aware. Most the the Chinese students here are still at the stage where they read swordsman stories, work on producing a “China Night,” and take part in Bible study groups. Speaking of Bible study groups, there is a Brother Kung here who is a deacon in a local church, and he has quite an ability to draw people in. The Bible study group, surprisingly enough, usually has several dozen participants, and is much stronger than our organization’s study group. My criticism of them is that they use God s name to carry on a matchmaking service. But they really have brought together several couples.

Last semester Hsiao Li-hsing transferred here from Harvard. He is very enthusiastic, and he showed such a willingness to work that this semester he was voted president of the Chinese Students Organization. But he moved too quickly. He suddenly pulled toward the left, and most of the members couldn’t keep up—in fact he stirred up a lot of resentment among some students, who are threatening to set up another organization. I had already criticized Hsiao Li-hsing’s blind leftism at a work review meeting. Recently we have adoped a “go-slow” policy, and have been using various methods of persuasion to win people’s trust. This way of “persuading but not pressuring” has already produced some results. We will be going to New York to take part in the China Unification Conference. Will you be going? Talk to you later.

Wishing you Victory!

Chung Kuei-ching

Oct. 11

Dear Brother,

Yesterday Lin P in came here to attend a conference, and I found out from him what you have been up to in G. He happened to bring along an issue of your publication Spring Sprouts. How could you get mixed up with those people, and publish such an outrageous magazine? Have you ever considered what kind of effect this might have on Dad? He will be retiring in two more years. If he loses his job in the next two years, he will not be eligible to get his pension, and the whole family’s livelihood will suddenly collapse. You are really awfully stupid, totally out of touch with reality! Right now Dad and Mother don’t know, but when they find out they will be furious and worried to death. I hope you will rein in your horse before you get the to edge of the cliff, and get out of that organization as fast as you can. I will be in the city of G on the 5th of next month and I will discuss this with you in more detail then.

Best wishes.

DOCUMENTS: I

[Airmail dispatch from G City, Nov. 16:] Yesterday (the 15th) the Anti-Communist Patriotic Alliance of G held a large gathering in the Activities Center of G University, under the leadership of our patriotic students Fang Hsing-hua, Ch’en Hsing-ya, and others. Before the meeting began, two Communist agents who have infiltrated the area, a certain Kao and a certain Wang, tried to force their way into the hall and disseminate propaganda leaflets; but when this was discovered by the patriotic student Li Te-sheng and others, they were quickly restrained. The two agents, Kao and Wang, scurried away like rats to their holes, amid the angry jeers and general indignation of the crowd. After this event, the emotions of the students were raised to an even higher pitch, and in addition to passing unanimously a “Declaration of the G City Chinese Students Anti-Communist Patriotic Alliance,” they rose reverently at the close of the proceedings to sing the national anthem, and under the leadership of Fang Hsing-hua shouted “Long Live the Republic of China!”

LETTERS: II

Nov. 30

Dear Brother,

You are really getting more and more outrageous in your behavior! You even got your big name in the paper! Fortunately the writer had some compassion, and your name was only elliptically represented, so Dad and Mother probably won’t be able to guess that it was you. Just think, the one who was a “Model Youth” of Chien-kuo High School ten years ago is now a “Communist agent”! I break out in a cold sweat thinking about it. When things have gone that far you really should hold back a bit. Also, if you are spending so much energy on such activities, how are you going to keep up with your schoolwork? What is your thesis director going to think? Several months ago you promised me you would finish your degree. How could you join up with that political action group again, with your promise still ringing in my ears? Let’s make a gentleman’s agreement. You finish your degree for me, and don’t participate so much in political activities (I’m not saying to stop), and I will do all I can to help you keep this from Dad and Mother. I am not trying to interfere with your political beliefs. Everything I am saying is because I want to help you. Don’t get into trouble again!

Best wishes,

Dec. 5

Dear Son,

We have received all your letters. Recently several scholars have returned here to lecture. Your mother and I were deeply moved; we wonder when we will see you returning home with your studies completed. There are some communist sympathizers now posing as students overseas while they are actually working for the enemy and stirring people up. You must be especially careful not to be duped by them. Your mothers eyes have been troubling her again these days, and my health is far from what it used to be. Sometimes my back aches so much I cannot sit for very long. Your sister Yün has had another quarrel with Li Wu, and for the past few days she has been staying here. Nothing is going as one would wish. Your report card is our one source of comfort. I hope you will continue to work hard to bring honor to the family. Now that it is getting colder, be careful about what you eat and drink, and keep warm at night. I have sent some vitamin pills. Take them often, and when you do, take them with warm water. You must maintain a regular schedule in your daily activities.

Wishing you success in your studies.

Dec. 6

Dear Ch’iang,

I haven’t been in touch with you for a long time. Everything here is the same as before. Since we have had too few readers for our “Study Newsletter” we have changed to publishing it on an irregular basis. The students still aren’t willing to discuss politics, but the last time we showed a film a lot of people came. The Bible study group is as strong as ever. I have the attitude that “if you don’t go into the tiger’s den, you won’t catch the tiger,” so I’ve taken part in their gatherings a few times, and had a few arguments with Brother Kung. This man is about as tolerant as one can be, and no matter how I try to provoke him, he never gets angry. He is really something.

The Bible study group has its good points—everyone is very friendly, and each week everyone contributes some food to have a big feast, on the pretext of having a meeting. Whenever someone gets sick, all the brothers and sisters look after him. Even though there is something artificial about it, still it is an expression of human warmth. When Chinese students are abroad they have emotional needs, for, after all, they are only human. The Bible study group does exactly that—it fills everyone’s inner needs. Religion really does have a great power to anesthetize. The people in the Bible study group don’t care anything about the universe outside their group. Talking to them about politics is like “playing a zither before an ox.”

When I mentioned this insight to Hsiao Li-hsing, he accused me of “sentimentalism.” I think that fellow is a bit egotistical, using Chairman Mao’s quotations all the time to criticize people. Actually, all he knows is how to recite the words of the People s Daily writers—he is nothing but a tape recorder. He always thinks that because he came from Harvard and took part in the Protect Tiao Yü T’ai movement¹ there, he is a cut above everyone else. He always sets himself up as leader, and criticizes everyone else for separating themselves from the masses. He said something about how the masses were water, and it was wrong for us not to be in the fish’s position. It seems to me he is the one who has really separated himself from the masses. When I wanted to work from within the Bible study group, I got this horrendous lecture from him. I was so angry I didn’t want to stay in the political study group any longer. I’ve heard that you used to know him pretty well—what kind of a person was he then?

Wishing you victory!

Chung Kuei-ching

DOCUMENTS: II

Comrades:

Recently the revolutionary situation has been very good. However, in our final revolutionary struggle with the counterrevolutionary forces, just as we were about to win the great victory, there arose among us a poisonous weed, who silently carried on his plot to destroy the revolution and undermine the mass movement. This poisonous weed is none other than Kao Ch’iang, who has until now been one of our closest comrades-in-arms. Some of you may find it strange—isn’t Kao Ch’iang one of our hardest-working comrades? Wasn’t he considered a Communist Agent? How could he be a poisonous weed?

Kao Ch’iang was indeed an enthusiastic worker in the past. But since the spread of the Great China Unification Movement, Kao Ch’iang has not been able to cast off the baggage of his outmoded thinking. He has fallen behind; he cannot keep up with the masses. The glory of being labeled a Communist Agent muddled his brain. He was falling behind, but he was never willing to admit it, and instead accused others of going too fast. He is clearly a right-wing opportunist, but insists on calling others blind leftists. Leaving aside the fact that he has been spreading poison among his own friends, he has also put forth the idea in public meetings that the revolution is useless, thus severely dampening the revolutionary will of the masses. He is also busy organizing a splinter group, shamefully plotting to create a party within a party. When Wang Chien-kuo went to New York to participate in the Unification conference, Kao took that opportunity to gather a few adherents to his side, and set himself up in opposition to Wang. Furthermore, he confiscated the correspondence and documents, and refused to give any to Wang. These counterrevolutionary, counter-mass-line plots may deceive others, but they will not deceive the broad masses. The eyes of the masses are as bright as snow. We must root out this poisonous weed, Kao Ch iang, and denounce his rotten crimes.

We hereby announce that Kao Ch’iang and his fellow travelers have been repudiated by the broad masses. The words and actions of that handful of bad elements by no means represent the will of the masses!

We extend to you a Revolutionary Salute!

Urgent Announcement from the G Protect Tiao Yü T’ai Action Committee:

Recently someone has distributed an anonymous letter under the name “G City Revolutionary Uprising Headquarters” in an attempt to sow discord among the members of our organization. Our organization does not have a “Revolutionary Uprising Headquarters.” The words and deeds of a minority cannot represent our organization. We want to make one point clear: criticism and self-criticism are methods we use frequently and continually to discipline and strengthen one another. Rumors from outside are all untrue.

Jan. 7, 1972

Letters: III

Jan. 28

Dear Ch’iang,

I received your letter. I am very sorry that such a great misunderstanding has occurred. I remember that when the Protect Tiao Yü T’ai movement first began, everyone worked together with one mind for China s national sovereignty. I would never have imagined that when we started the China Unification Movement people not only wouldn’t unite but would even split up into four or five factions. You said that some people are moving too fast, and I agree. Now that we are trying to drum up support for China Unification after having worked on the Tiao Yü T’ai movement for a year, the reaction of the masses is like a used-up toothpaste tube—you can’t squeeze out any more enthusiasm. Here, too, we are like a pan of loose sand. If Hsiao Li-hsing were willing to be a little more humble, things might be better. But all he knows how to do is put labels on people. Anyone to the right of him is a “compradore Ph.D.,” anyone to his left suffers from “leftist juvenilism”—as though he were the only one who received the true word from Mao Tse-tung. A lot of enthusiastic students got out because of the way he did things. I’m not clear about the inside story of your conflict with Wang Chien-kuo. But if my hunch is right, you must have a problem in leadership over there too. The first thing everyone learns is how to grab for power, and nothing gets done. It is really frustrating.

I am getting more and more fed up with politics, and I go to the Bible study group a lot. Don’t laugh at me. I really don’t believe in all that. But it is a place to go on weekends for a good meal, and you can meet some nice girls—I am going after one now. She goes to Bible study every week, and that’s why I am so diligent about going. What worries me most is that our ways of thinking are so different. I will have to find a way to gradually convert her. Yesterday I gave her a Little Red Book, and she gave me a New Testament in return. Oh well, we can exchange them, and read each other’s. Talk to you later.

Wishing you happiness,

Chung Kuei-ching  

Jan. 29

Dear Brother,

I have heard that you have locked horns with leftists there in G, and that they have opened fire on you. You really puzzle me. One minute you seem to me a fanatical leftist, and the next minute you are laying out new boundaries on the right. You really are a bit too versatile. But at least it is good that you got out of the leftist camp. Maybe things will quiet down in the future. As I told you before, meddling in politics is a dirty business; you can’t come out of the mud and not be tainted.

We are expecting another child soon. Your sister-in-law will give birth in September. This is the last one. No matter whether it is a girl or a boy, we aren’t planning to have any more. Our company laid off several dozen people. One whole research division was completely dissolved, and even old-timers who had been here more than ten years had to leave immedately, so morale in the company is not good. There is no feeling of security when you work for Americans. If they lay me off, I plan to go back to Taiwan to look for work. I certainly won’t stay here and take any more of this.

Best wishes,

Feb. 5

Dear Mr. Kao,

Ch’en Chi-kang has already left this school. When he left he instructed me to take care of his correspondence, which is why I have been so presumptuous as to open and read your letters to him. Ch’en and I shared an apartment for the past two years, and we got along well together. Since you are a good friend of his, I need not worry about telling you his whereabouts, but please keep it in strictest confidence.

Three months ago Ch’en went to the mainland. When he went, only a few people knew about it. You are probably well aware that he was not at all a leftist. When the Protect Tiao Yü T’ai movement began, we all participated enthusiastically. Later, when nothing happened in the movement, and various leftist and rightist splinter groups formed, Ch’en became very discouraged. The fact that he did not pass his Ph.D. orals was also a great blow to him. For a while he wanted to look for work, but right now it is not easy for someone in hydrodynamics to find a job. Later he decided to go back to the mainland. We debated several times whether he should go back. He himself was rather confused. Even on the night before he was to leave, he had not completely made up his mind. I have read all the materials you sent to him, and I can understand very clearly all his hesitation and suffering. I really respect his courage. A lot of people talk very prettily about how one should “serve the people,” but do they do it themselves? They love the material pleasures of America, and while they shout about revolution, they are busy raking in the money. Every time I run into these people, I can’t help thinking of Ch’en Chi-kang. I think he is a much better person than those leftists who are all talk and no action.

As for myself, I have chosen the opposite path from Ch’en. During summer vacation this year, after I finish my degree, I will go back to Taiwan. Although the direction I have chosen is different from Ch’en’s, we are both completely sincere, and we have both been through a bitter struggle. I can see from your letters to Ch’en that you are also a sincere man, and that is why I have presumed to write so much; I hope you are not offended.

When you send publications in the future, please address them to the P.O. Box of the Chinese Students Organization. Thank you.

Best wishes,

Wang Fu-ch’eng   

Feb. 28

Dear Ch’iang,

We have decided to get married on March 4, and we hope you will be able to attend. We are sending an announcement and a map. Please note that the church and the reception hall are not at the same place. If you come a day early, please look for me at my present address, and I will find a place for you to stay.

Ch’i-fang’s and my marriage is really the Lord’s work. Pastor Sung will be in charge of our wedding, and Brother Kung will give a testimonial. My heart is now filled with joy and peace. In the past three years I have never been so happy. This is all the Lord’s gracious will.

May the Lord be with you.

Chung-kuei and Ch’i-fang   

Feb. 29

Dear Brother,

You said that you have been feeling depressed recently, that you aren’t interested in politics any more, and that you feel there is nothing you want to do. Things have a way of reversing when they reach an extreme; maybe you were too active before, and it would be good just to get some rest. During this trip of President Nixon’s to Communist China, I saw on TV that life over there is still very hard and they have no freedom of speech or movement. It made me feel very sad.

Your sister-in-law has got quite a case of morning sickness. She is constantly eating sour plums, pickles, and chocolate bonbons. A few days ago she suddenly caught cold and was sick for three days, and since she wasn’t supposed to take medicines it really worried me. I’ve heard that the more severe the morning sickness, the more likely it is you will have a boy, so I am secretly happy about it. If we do have a boy, Dad and Mother will be very pleased.

The situation at our company has improved—everyone got a raise, and I got the biggest one of all. One good thing about America is that if you have ability you will gain people’s recognition. The reason I like America is because of their way of treating everyone equally. When you go to work later on you will undoubtedly feel the same way.

Best wishes,

March 18

Dear Son,

We have not received a letter from you in a long time—why is that? Your mother and I are very concerned. If you are too busy with your studies, at least send us a postcard to relieve our worries. Recently your brother Wei has also been writing less often. Since Mei-lan is pregnant he has to work even harder. Mei-lan will be giving birth in September. If you still have not started school by then, you should go and help out—that is your obligation as a brother. I hope Mei-lan will have a boy this time; then our family will have someone to continue the line and burn incense to our ancestors. Your sister Yün has already passed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs interpreter’s examination, and may be sent abroad. But she is worried about leaving the children behind. Li Wu is already openly living with that devil of a nurse. That man is really detestable, completely untrustworthy, just like Nixon. Your mother weeps day and night about Yün’s situation, and I can do nothing to console her. You should write soon so that she will not have additional worry.

Wishing you progress in your studies,

Your Father   

March 30

Dear Brother,

What’s wrong with you, not writing home for several months? I tried to call you long distance yesterday, but the phone company said your line was disconnected because you owed them too much on your phone bill. Do you have financial problems? Or has some new problem come up? You are really too much—a man in his twenties who still indulges in this kind of moodiness. When are you going to grow up? I would really like to come to G to see you, but your sister-in-law is not well and I can’t leave her. Please call me as soon as you get this letter, and also write to Dad and Mother.

Best wishes,

Documents: III

June 25, 1972

United States Federal Bureau of Investigation to Mr. Wei Kao:²

We have received all your letters directed to this bureau. In regard to your request that the FBI attempt to locate Mr. Ch’iang Kao, the result of our investigation is that Mr. Kao has not registered as an alien for the past two years. At the moment it is not clear whether Mr. Kao is staying in the United States illegally, or whether he has already left the country. The Bureau will follow established procedures in continuing the investigation. Since large numbers of people are reported missing each year, the FBI cannot investigate every case in detail. If we receive any news about Mr. Ch’iang Kao we will inform you immediately. In the meantime, we ask for your patience.

Sept. 23, 1972

United States Federal Bureau of Investigation to Mr. Wei Kao:

We have received your letter of Sept. 15. The Bureau is still in the process of investigating the whereabouts of Mr. Ch’iang Kao.

Nov. 18, 1972

United States Federal Bureau of Investigation to Mr. Wei Kao:

We have received your letter of Nov. 7. The FBI has no way of ascertaining whether your brother is dead or alive. Because of limited manpower, the Bureau is no longer able to continue investigating the case of your brother’s disappearance. Please accept our apologies.

NOTES

1. The “Protect Tiao Yü T’ai Movement” is a consciousness-raising student movement that first erupted in the U.S. in January 1971. Reverberations of this patriotic sentiment, however, were felt almost immediately in Hong Kong and later in Taiwan. In essence, it is a protest against the State Department s decision (April 9, 1971) to return the Chien-kuo (Senkaku, in Japanese) Islands, about 100 kilometers northeast of Keelung, to the jurisdiction of Japan in 1972. Tiao Yü T’ai is the biggest of this group of eight islands.

Though at variance with nearly every other political issue in their foreign policy, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of China on Taiwan were in perfect accord regarding the territorial claim of China on these islands.

2. Because this and the following two documents were issued by the FBI, accordingly Chinese names are given in Western nomenclature rather than in the Chinese system, in which the family name precedes the given name. Thus, Wei Kao is Mr. Kao.