Explore Chapter 8 of '老张的哲学' with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
Villagers are utterly indifferent to whether the city flies dragon flags, five-color flags, or Japanese flags. They pay little attention to whether an emperor, president, or empress holds power. City dwellers, however, are vastly different. Walking on the streets, sitting in tea houses, or sleeping at home, they feel as if they have gained some authority. Those educated in schools, sitting on bamboo chairs in parks, holding newspapers and reciting in balanced phrases, are even more convinced without doubt that they are the masters of the nation. Never mind duties and obligations. Anyway, the masters of the nation have opportunities to get rich and be promoted, to add wealth to wealth and rank to rank. Who dares say my thoughts are wrong? Who dares say I have no authority? Rice is more expensive, soldiers are more numerous, taxes are heavier. What does it matter? That’s the villagers’ business, that’s the villagers’ business!
Beijing Self-Government Advocacy Association, Beijing Self-Government Cooperative Association, Beijing Self-Government Listening Association, Beijing Self-Government Advancement Association... Black signs with white characters, white signs with green characters, green signs with red characters, no less dazzling than the signs for Wang Mazi, Wan Mazi, Wang Mazi in newly opened markets... All hung gloriously in main streets and important lanes. In the countryside, though not as colorful, large signs for the Suburban Self-Government Action Association are also hung at village heads and ends. Though villagers cannot read, they can guess:
One said, "Second Brother! Recruiting soldiers again! A big sign is erected at the village head, see it?"
Two, three, four, up to seven or eight, they couldn't figure out whether it was for recruiting soldiers or making a foreign cemetery. But they had a way to comfort themselves. One of these seven or eight, Carpenter Yang, concluded that the sign with incomprehensible black characters was made of locust wood. Old Uncle Wang initially insisted it was willow wood. After several appraisals and due to his faith in Carpenter Yang, it was determined to be locust wood. Then they dispersed satisfied.
A few days later, the people of Erlang Town told each other in astonishment and novelty, "Tomorrow, the Guanli Erlang Temple will hold a meeting. Lao Zhang, Sun Ba, and government officials will all attend, along with countless respectable people from the city. Lao Zhang and Sun Ba are our representatives here..."
This news became the topic of conversation for the townspeople under the willow shade after dinner, during their sunset gatherings. Old Uncle Wang spoke with great respect toward Sun Ba and Lao Zhang:
"After all, gentlemen and scholars have watches to wear, so they should wear watches. But what can we wear?"
"Old Uncle Wang! Although Chu San has never played with a watch, he tells time more accurately than a watch. Whether cloudy or sunny, he never delays matters. Those with watches can't avoid staying up late and getting up late, missing things. Those without watches can also take the lead in everything."
Old Uncle Wang also agreed with Chu San's opinion. So they discussed going to Guanli tomorrow to see the excitement. The sun gradually played behind the western hills. A light veil of evening mist gently enveloped the earth. That was the time for the watchless villagers to go to bed.
The next day, indeed, several patrol soldiers stood early outside the Erlang Temple. Lao Zhang and Sun Ba both wore linen gowns and new satin shoes, walking in and out. Lao Zhang held his face high. He pressed down hard with his feet on the freshly oiled red leather soles, making a light creaking sound.
"The one in front is Sun Ba, the one behind is Lao Zhang," said the villagers standing outside the temple, pointing. Then the two came out again, and the villagers whispered to each other, "This time, the front is Lao Zhang, the back is Sun Ba." Lao Zhang lightly twisted his neck. He swept his eyes left and right, as if seeing something, yet as if not. It was in the manner of a grand marshal reviewing troops.
City people arrived one after another. The patrol soldiers kept shouting, "Make way! Make way! It's crowded here, hindering the representatives' comings and goings! Go home and see if anyone has died! What does the Self-government Association meeting have to do with you! Go! Go!"
The villagers also laughed silently to themselves, realizing, "Indeed, the Self-government Association doesn't give us a peck of rice. Why bother serving as unpaid street guards here!" So they gradually dispersed. Only a group of children remained, still vying to admire the splendor of the various representatives.
The important figures were: Northern Suburb Education Inspector Nan Feisheng, North City Salvation Army Officer Long Shugu, Retired Garrison Officer Sun Zhanyuan (Sun Ba's uncle), North City Chamber of Commerce President Li Shandong, and Lao Zhang, Sun Ba. The rest were probably the undercover supporters of the various representatives.
It is said that in parliament, such undercover supporters are called political parties. In citizen groups, they are called claqueurs. Some disreputable Beijing people also call claqueurs "stinky-foot supporters." In short, undercover supporters are those who obey someone's command, waiting to take action in group movements.
Everyone sat down, whispering to each other. They discussed family matters, national affairs, and world events all at once. No one could remember how to conduct the meeting. But Old Garrison Officer Sun couldn't bear it anymore. He stood up to say, "Gentlemen! What should be done, do it! Don't just stare blankly and waste time!"
Upon hearing Old Garrison Officer Sun's unpleasant words, Nan Feisheng's subordinates immediately wanted to make comments. Nan Feisheng gave a glance. So those who were about to speak swallowed their words whole. Nan Feisheng then stood up and said:
After Sun Ba finished speaking, all of Nan Feisheng's subordinates clapped and shouted, "Agree! Agree!" The others hadn't finished discussing family, national, and world affairs. Hearing the applause, they asked, "What are we doing now?" Before they could find out, they saw Nan Feisheng had already stepped onto the podium. He bowed deeply to everyone.
Nan Feisheng didn't pay attention, but his subordinates couldn't bear it. Immediately, seven or eight stood up, shaking their heads, glaring, hands on hips. They asked:
"Gentlemen, please sit down. We are here for public, not private, matters. Why argue over trivialities?" The chairman still spoke in a high tone, two words at a time.
The left and right factions sat down inexplicably, but their mouths didn't rest. "I'll beat you to death! You dare! Your father is not a good man! Your father is a hundred times not a good man!..."
"Gentlemen!" Old Garrison Officer Sun was truly angry. "My Sun family uncle and nephew are local gentlemen. We borrowed the temple for the venue. We notified the local authorities to send troops for security. We prepared the tea and snacks. Want to fight? This is clearly shaming my Sun family's face! As for fighting, when I was garrison officer, I treated fighting like eating honey. Anyone who dares to challenge, come at me, old man!" Old Garrison Officer Sun's face turned red like a sliced watermelon. His hands trembled. He said as he walked out, "Eighth Master? Let's go! The meeting is off! Go!"
The undercover supporters from all sides shouted agreement. Then from the left corner, "We nominate Nan Feisheng!" From the right corner... "Long Shugu!" And so on: Zhang Mingde, Sun Zhanyuan, Sun Ding, Li Fucai. Probably all those with undercover supporters were nominated as drafting committee members. The chairman, hearing each shout from below, said "passed" one by one. The nominated people all smiled at the crowd. Only Old Garrison Officer Sun, upon hearing everyone shout Sun Zhanyuan, got even angrier. "Sun Zhanyuan, sitting at home like a little emperor. What kind of representative is that!"
The chairman ordered the bell rung to adjourn the meeting. The crowd had no heart to listen to Old Garrison Officer Sun speak and walked out one after another. They casually wrapped the pastries in their handkerchiefs. Some ate as they walked. Later, Sun Ba checked the utensils and heard that two teacups were missing.