啥樣的“社會”也要錢 《女人和土匪》 （英譯本）（60）

 

 

Chapter 60

 

On Monday afternoon, Cao went to the provincial conference room. The meeting was about the Zhang’s house.

At the meeting Cao reported that there was nothing strange with the Zhang’s house. Then, Yan told the other people that Zhang had requested him to let his wife have a Christmas party in her house.

This was a time bomb to the people present. They all thought Tang’s acts were against the Communists’ policies. The discussions were heated. Should they ratify this request?

Cao stared at Yan. Cao was aware of his own danger. Someone had reported his contacts with Wu Simei to the provincial leadership. Fortunately, he had good personal ties with the leaders.

Cao often visited Yan’s house. He reported his work to Yan and even helped his mother-in-law with some sewing. His help delighted Guo, her mom, Yan Yuan and Li Li. In Yan’s home Cao was a favorite guest. But now Yan was staring at him in a strange way. Cao realized that his affairs with Wu had been known. If people knew that he, a married man, had contacts with a prostitute, he would be punished in many ways, such as expulsion from the Communist Party, relegation and transfer. His dream of good life would be ruined. He thought Mr. Yan was his only help.

The meeting was over. A plan had been made about the Zhang’s house. Cao stayed and followed Yan out of the meeting-room.

Yan took him to his office. Cao closed the door. Then, Yan asked:

“People say you are together with a bad woman. Right?”

“Dear sir,” Cao answered, “that is a wrong report. I am dating with a woman, but she is from a worker’s family. She is a revolutionary. The man who reported the case must have ignored the party’s disciplines.”

Yan interrupted, “Comrade Cao, you are married. How can you stay with another woman?”

“Dear sir, your wife knows my situation. I have been insisting on divorcing my wife as a product of arranged marriage. I have written a letter of application. Now I’m dating with a worker’s daughter. We haven’t done anything indecent.”

Yan said, “That doesn’t work. You haven’t divorced yet. This is against the disciplines.”

Cao looked sorry, claiming, “That is an unmarried girl. I have set up a clear relationship with her. It’s not good for me to…”

“You’re wrong. If your wife came here, what would we do? If you don’t want to violate the party’s discipline, please cut off your relationship with the girl.”

Cao was sorry for the situation. He had not realized that revolution was hard for him. If he had not joined the revolution, it would have been easy for him to divorce his wife. But now he was a revolutionary. He must obey the party’s orders. However, Wu Simei was attractive to him. He could not live without her. Then, he recalled the parcel Zhang had entrusted to Yan the other day.

Yan had not mentioned the parcel at the meeting. What was that? Cao wondered. Then, Cao remarked:

“Zhang wants to bribe the Communists. I remember he gave something to you…”

Finding Yan glaring at him, he changed his tone of speech, “Dear sir, I know you’re a veteran revolutionary, and won’t be bribed. I hear that the leadership allows those comrades who suffer from arranged marriages to divorce their original wives.”

Yan replied in a plain tone, “That is for those old Red Army soldiers and leaders, not for you.”

Cao went on humbly, “I know I’m not qualified for that. Comrade Chen Jiagen is blessed with such a new marriage.”

Yan replied stiffly, “I’m not sure about the truth.”

Cao said with a smile, “it’s a funny story.’ He made himself a cup of tea, going on, “I heard the story from a comrade.” He gave an account of the marriage.

The other day, that comrade was assigned a task. The leader named Chen liked a girl in the entertainment team of the army. She had a boyfriend and he was in the army, too. The comrade told the leader the truth. He thought the leader had no reason to take the girl as his wife. That annoyed Chen, who cursed, “Fuck you! If I were in the battlefield, I would kill you.”

Cao’s friend was frightened. He had to complete his task. That was a revolutionary job. He wondered about its nature. There were arranged marriages between old comrades and young girls, and between handicapped soldiers and nurses.

The comrade came to the girl’s boyfriend, showing the latter’s love letter and asking, “Are you a revolutionary?” The man replied, “Yes.”

“Then why did you write this thing? It is full of capitalist ideas. Isn’t this dirty, ugly and reactionary?”

The young man was shocked at this. He thought it was his girlfriend’s fault for the situation. He got annoyed, and wrote a letter asking for the cut-off of the relationship with her. He even asked for joining the battles in North Korea as a volunteer soldier.

The girl read the letter and was heartbroken. Then, Cao’s friend persuaded her to follow the leader for the revolution. Thus, she agreed to the marriage.

Chen was delighted at the news. He urged the comrade to get the wedding done as quickly as possible.

The wedding was held in the canteen of the army. Many leaders and comrades joined it. Chen carried his young bride into the room.

Yan looked frustrated. Cao knew his secret with Zhang! Cao was now a leader, though he was mean. He might take advantage of this event for his benefits.

Cao noticed that Yan was taken aback. He uttered, “This is revolution. We can’t live without women.” Then, he laughed.

Yan asked, “Why do you laugh?”

Cao went on, “The funny thing is coming. Many leaders wanted to have a look at the bridal chamber. But Chen kicked the door closed. Then, the other people waited outside. In about an hour, Chen came out nervously, yelling, “Driver, come! Let’s go to the hospital!”

Yan asked, “Why did you tell this story?”

Cao replied, “I don’t mean anything serious. But you know I have no woman with me. I am your subordinate. Please help me to send a letter of application to the local government and divorce my wife.” Then, Cao knelt down before Yan.

Yan realized that this sweet-tongued man was mean. His bold attitude and behavior were much related to his knowledge of Yan’s contacts with Zhang. He knew he had to deal with Cao carefully. If Cao revealed the case to the others, Yan would be in trouble.

Yan said, “Ok. The leadership will help you, but you mentioned the parcel Zhang gave to me. What is it? Tell me!”

Cao knew he had won in this conflict. He did not want to hurt his relationship with Yan. Thus, he said, “Dear sir, I am a good man. I respect you. How can I slander you? I am not that mean!”

Yan thought he might have misunderstood Cao. He knew Chen’s marriage was a blow to the leaders’ face. Maybe Cao respected him, and so had told him the truth. Maybe he should help him with the divorce.

Then, Yan spoke seriously, “Ok. Wipe your tears. I’ll help you. But be careful with contacting the girl before your divorce is settled.”