女人和土匪（英譯本）：遭受屈辱的國民黨軍人

 

《女人與土匪》內容簡介：

 

這是一部敘說一位真正的正直的革命家遭遇太多的不幸和屈辱的作品；

一部敘說解放初期國民黨起義將領及其家庭的作品；

-部描寫解放初期土匪、地主、地主婆及其子女、妓女、革命隊伍中的卑劣小人、窮苦人……為生存、為權利、為命運而奮爭的作品；

一部用兒童的目光，注視新中國、新政權、幸福與光明，暴力與血腥的作品；

一部用耶穌基督的獻身精神，宣揚信仰、仁愛、無私奉獻的作品；

一部張揚人性、呼喚權利、期望法製、宣揚真愛、鞭撻暴力、揭露醜惡……奉獻給新世紀人類的作品！

 

 

W0men and Bandits

女人和土匪  （英譯本）

Zongming Zhang

張宗銘 著

Translated by Tangjin Xiao

肖唐金 譯

 

 

Chapter 17

 

Yang Yongchun and Zhang Yunxuan entered the big sitting-room. These two men were different in knowledge, education, personalities and interests as well as in posts, social influence and prestige. Yet, strangely in the Zhang’s house both Zhang Yunxuan and Tang Weiqi had deep respect for him. Many of the arrangements in the house were placed in the hands of Yang Yongchun. To the couple, Yang was their own brother. Although Yang was aware of the differences between them, he was grateful to the couple from the bottom of his heart. Yang was indeed a traditional Chinese man.

Yang saved Zhang Yunxuan in the battle of Shanghai. For this, Old Master Zhang asked them to become sworn brothers. In public Zhang was Yang’s superior; in private Yang was Zhang’s elder brother. At table and in many family affairs Yang took the lead.

Yang and Zhang sat on the fauteuils before Jesus on the cross. A maidservant brought Zhang a bowl of tea. Zhang sipped it, and looked at the two public security workers. At this time the maidservant was about to pour some more tea for the two men. They got up and in order to show the equality between them and her they took the teapot from her hands, saying, “Don’t be so ceremonious. We can do it ourselves.”

The two men poured tea for themselves, and sat down again. They cast a glance at the couple and Yang, as if telling them that the Communists never needed others to serve humbly.

Zhang was a little embarrassed, asking, “”What do you come for? Please tell us.”

Zhang’s manners seemed to annoy the man with the residence registration book. He glanced at Zhang, replying, “The official things should be handled in an official way. We can’t do them in a hurry. If you’re busy today, we can ask you to come to our office later.”

Zhang was aware that these people were not easy to get along with. The man with the residence registration book looked like a weak young student with a thin face. But he seemed to speak in an unusual way. By his accent, Zhang judged he was from the southeast of Guizhou who had just joined the revolution. Such a man would have a deep hatred for the old-times rulers, Zhang thought. What he hated was Zhang’s past feats.

Zhang had a hunch that he could not talk with these two men as he used to. If he did not change his way of speaking, they might take him for a Kuomintang officer or a capitalist. And that would be disastrous. With this thought, Zhang bent himself a little, greeting, “How should I address you two, please?”

The man with the residence registration book said while pointing at his colleague, “I’m named Gao. He’s called Li. Just call us comrades.”

At this time, Zhang Yong felt it hard to support his mom and moved a little. Comrade Gao waved to Dai impatiently, “Sit somewhere, please.”

Then, her sons helped her to sit down on a fauteuil.

Zhang asked, “Please tell me what’s wrong with my residence registration book.”

Comrade Gao answered, “We’re not picking your faults here. But we’d like to decide whether the landlady and her sons should stay here. Also, we want to check something about you. We only know that you’re a Kuomintang general who rebelled against Jiang Jieshi and joined the Communist troops. Yet we are not familiar with your birth, origin, CV, education, etc. The form was filled out by your wife. We’d like you to explain it to us. Also…” Comrade Gao glanced at Yang, going on, “Yang was once a Kuomintang officer, and his residence is with your family. What’s the relationship between you? We’re not familiar with anything about him.”

Zhang Yunxuan smiled, knowing that he had to face these trivial and boring things today. But he was aware that he must give a clear answer to the questions raised by the public security workers. Then, he said casually, “I registered my experiences in the files when my troops were reorganized by the Communists. Also, I registered my experiences in my work place when I transferred from the army to the Provincial Commerce Chamber.”

Comrade Gao said in a serious tone, “President Zhang, I think you have made a mistake. The army and commerce chamber registered your experiences in their files, but we come for your residence registration and the present conditions of your living. This is a job at the request of the Communist Party. Everybody has to cooperate with us in this job regardless of position, rank and health. You know this is the time for anti-reactionary campaign, and the class struggle is fierce. Yang Yongchun was once a Kuomintang officer, but why is he living in your house? So, I think it’s better for you to cooperate with us in this matter.”

Zhang knew that he had to answer the questions. There was a Chinese saying: when facing an order in the name of superiors, you have to do it as required. However, he felt fed up with such questioning over and over. Then, Zhang and Yang made a stretched smile to each other, telling the public security workers their experiences.

Zhang said, “After the Event of Lugouqiao in 1937, General Yang Sen of the No. 20 Kuomintang Corps was ordered to take his troops to the front and join the Second Battle of Shanghai. I was then the vice chief of staff. I joined the fight against the Japanese invaders.”

Comrade Li, who was taking notes then, shouted at Zhang impolitely, “Stop!”

Zhang paused, and Comrade Li threw his pen on the table, demanding in an annoyed way, “Did you make a mistake in saying that you went to the front against the Japanese invaders?”

Zhang replied, “No, I didn’t.”

Comrade Li got angry, saying, “How could you say that? How daring you are! Did the Kuomintang army fight against the Japanese invaders? I don’t think so. I just wish they had not betrayed the Chinese. Don’t pretend to be a hunter by putting a dead rat at your waist! Let me tell you: the Kuomintang army never fought against the Japanese invaders; don’t flatter them!”

Then, Zhang stopped speaking and closed his eyes as if wondering about something.

Comrade Li went on, “Go on with your account!” Seeing Zhang close his eyes for a rest, he urged, “Go on!”

Yang interrupted, “How should he continue to tell his experiences?”

Comrade Li answered, “Just tell as it is!”

Yang was frustrated, pounding a tea-desk and arguing, “How could you say the Kuomintang army never fought against the Japanese invaders? Zhang was almost killed by the Japanese cannons. His ears got injured and it took him quite a few months to get it cured. If he had not fought against the Japanese, would he have been injured? If he had not fought against the Japanese, would I have become his friend?”

Comrade Li got angrier, refuting, “How could you defend this Kuomintang officer? I see you’re a Kuomintang agent.”

Zhang was aware that Yang was frank and sincere. If Yang were not careful with wording, he might have to suffer a lot. With this thought, Zhang drawled:

“Is Yang a Kuomintang agent? Is he a reactionary? Check that with Director Yan of the provincial government. If Yang had no love for the Communists, Mr. Yan would have been killed by the rebellious Kuomintang bandits.”

The two young men felt respectful for Yang at this. Comrade Li stared at Yang and then said, “What a nice man! Is it true that you saved Director Yan? It was unusual for you to do that. But I think it’s better not to say that the Kuomintang troops fought against the Japanese. Just imagine: Did the Kuomintang army have the ability to fight against the Japanese invaders? Am I right, Comrade Yang?”

Yang still frowned. He was puzzled why these two men said the Kuomintang troops did not fight against the Japanese invaders. His face turned red, and he rubbed his thin goatee, saying, “When I joined the anti-Japanese campaign, was there any Communist in Guizhou? No. You young men may think there were Communists everywhere at that time. That’s wrong! It was hard to find Communists then. At that time both the Communist and Kuomintang armies fought against the Japanese. I believe the leaders of our government know that. I don’t think it’s proper for you to say that the Kuomintang army never fought against the Japanese. At least, my brother and I did.”

Comrade Gao resumed his serious looks, replying, “Comrade Yang, don’t praise the Kuomintang army. That’s reactionary remark. Be careful about being identified as a reactionary!”

Yang calmed down at this. He knew many reactionary agents, landlords and old-times clergymen had been killed. Though he was angry, he just had to control himself, staring at Comrade Gao in surprise.

Zhang Yunxuan thought: The general of the defeated army had no right to talk about feats. Then, he spoke in a soft tone, “My brother got little education, and he was just a common soldier. He doesn’t know that the Kuomintang army pretended to fight against the Japanese but in fact surrendered to them.”

The two public security workers were pleased at that, smiling at Yang and thinking Director Zhang acted properly. Jiang Jieshi, the head of the Kuomintang army, only knew how to enjoy himself rather than fighting against the Japanese. Wasn’t it so? They asked.

Zhang nodded at once, asking, “Where should I go on with my account of personal experiences?”

Comrade Gao replied, “Then, stop talking about your experiences in fighting against the Japanese. Say something about how you got to know Yang and how his residence was registered in your house.”

Zhang did as they required.

In early September, 1937, the No. 20 army headed by Yang Sen left Guiyang on foot. They passed by Longli and camped in the open air a short distance from Machangping. The cooking group put woks over fires. Zhang Yunxuan sat on a slope alone, staring at the dusk sunshine. He was in aimless thought. Then, he saw a man come out of the woods towards him.

Zhang was puzzled. The farmers were usually scared at the sight of soldiers, but this man was fearless. The sentry guard shouted at the man and ordered him to leave at once. Yet, he turned a deaf ear to that, walking straight towards Zhang and sitting weakly besides Zhang. He said:

“Dear officer, will you please give me some hot food and soup?”

The sentry guard came, scolding him, “The food is served to the soldiers. How could you beg here in the barracks?”

The man was stubborn, replying in a loud voice, “Beg? I think you’re a beggar. I am determined to join the army. I won’t beg even delicious food. Fuck!”

Zhang stared at the man. He was almost 40, thin but energetic, with piercing eyes and a loud voice. This man must be a frank and earnest farmer.

Hearing the man came for joining the army, the sentry guard kept silent. A few officers came over, asking him with a smile:

“Dear brother, how old are you?”

The man replied, “38.”

“Why don’t you stay at home at this age serving your parents, wife and kids?”

“I have never seen my parents since I was young. I am not married.”

The officers said that he should have joined the army 20 years before. They thought him useless in the army and did not want to recruit him. They left for their meal.

Zhang had just left his newly-married wife, and felt lonely. He got up and was about to come back to the barracks when his gaze met the man’s.

This man had an eager, expecting gaze. Zhang was unwilling to leave the farmer alone. Zhang needed a help at this time, for his helping hand had gone to serve at a higher level. But he thought it might insult the man if he were asked to serve as his helping hand. With this thought, Zhang said carelessly, “Are you willing to be my helping hand?”

The man answered at once, “I knew from your eyes that you would recruit me. I am willing to serve you regardless of death.”

“Don’t mention death.”

The man replied, “It’s understandable for soldiers to think about death. Even ghosts know that. Prepared mind is better than unprepared mind, I think.”

Zhang thought his word reasonable. Then, he asked, “What’s your name?”

“Yang Yongchun.”

“Ok. Then stay with me. But please address me as officer if you want to talk to me.”

“Ok, officer.”

“You should say: Yes, officer.”

At this time Comrade Gao opened the residence registration book and interrupted, “Director Zhang, hang on.”

Comrade Gao asked Yang, “Comrade Old Yang, please allow me to address you in this way. Before you joined the Kuomintang army, where did you live? What were your place of origin and occupation? How was your marital status? Please tell us about these things since we have known something about you.”