Explore Chapter 15 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.
Lao Zhang had initially intended to write a letter to Long Shugu informing him of the election plans. But then it occurred to him that aside from the election, he also needed to speak with Long Shugu in person. Moreover, walking into the city instead of taking a carriage would save at least three cents in postage. Thus, he decided to embark on a short journey.
Long Shugu lived on Old Drum Tower Street. The shorter route for Lao Zhang would have been through Desheng Gate. However, having overeaten at breakfast, he knew he would grow thirsty on the road with no tea in sight. It would be better to follow the city wall eastward and enter through Anding Gate; when thirst struck, he could always scoop up a handful of water from the moat. How convenient that would be, he thought, and so decided to take that path.
The ancient, imposing city wall was dotted with stunted trees, their branches thick and short. Some bore half-red dates of the 'tiger-eye' variety, swaying in the breeze and luring wild birds to flit up and down, pecking at the fruit. Below the wall stretched a wide earthen road, rutted with cart tracks over half a foot deep. By the wall's base, golden wild chrysanthemums still bloomed, adding to the scene's quiet depth. The clear, shallow water of the moat floated a few white ducks, their feet a bright yellow, casting circles of golden light upon the surface.
When thirsty, Lao Zhang drank from the moat; when hot, he rested under a willow tree. The autumn scenery before him seemed as if reflected in a poorly lit camera obscura, leaving no lasting impression. His gaze kept drifting to the water, where small fish darted up and down, creating little ripples. He often fancied that someone on the wall was tossing copper coins into the river, making the water ripple in circles. With Lao Zhang's cleverness, he soon realized it was merely the fish at play-yet he still glanced back time and again!
Long Shugu's residence faced west, with a small red-lacquered door, its center panel black and inscribed in gold. On the left panel: 'May God Utter Only Good Tidings'; on the right: 'May Jesus Safeguard Our Peace.' On the left doorframe hung a small plaque that read 'Salvation Army Long.'
Long Shugu happened to be at home and ushered Lao Zhang into the main room. Lao Zhang elaborated on the election matters in detail. Long Shugu said nothing, tacitly consenting.
After discussing the election, Lao Zhang brought up Long Shugu's debt. Officer Long merely offered vague assurances, promising swift repayment but setting no definite date. Though Lao Zhang grew impatient, Long Shugu's calm and measured responses left him no opening to vent his frustration.
Suddenly, a light, crisp clatter of leather shoes echoed in the courtyard. Long Feng-Officer Long's daughter-entered with several friends. Seeing Lao Zhang in the main room, they all retreated to the east room to chat and laugh.
"Is the young lady still in school?" Lao Zhang watched them with his eyes-those piggy little eyes-all the way to the east room, then posed the question.
"If I had such a fine daughter, I, Lao Zhang, could live out my days without a care for food or clothing. Alas, I lack that fortune," Lao Zhang said mournfully.
"We who are devout cannot sell our daughters for personal gain!" Long Shugu said sternly, assuming the dignity of God's representative.
"Old Long! You mustn't look at it from just one angle! In terms of religion, I understand it as well as you do. Your situation has improved vastly over the past three years. Why? God's grace! And this fine daughter of yours? Also God's grace! What God bestows, you have the right to manage. If He gives you money, you spend it freely. So why not place the daughter He gave you with a good family and reap some benefits for yourself? Whether you worship Buddha or Jesus, it boils down to the same thing: seeking earthly rewards. That's the essence of religion, the way I see it. Don't you agree?"
"That debt of yours never gets paid off-not because you can't, but because you won't!" Lao Zhang jabbed again.
"Look, with such a fine daughter, if you find her a husband, you'll receive at least a thousand yuan in betrothal gifts. Wouldn't that clear your debt? Clear the debt, then use her influence to secure an official post for yourself. Isn't that a way out? Besides, accepting betrothal gifts is common practice-it's not selling your daughter. If you'd rather starve with a cake in your hand, there's nothing I can do!"
Lao Zhang stood up and paced the room with his hands behind his back, occasionally stepping near the doors or windows to peek into Miss Long's room.
"You must also consider my perspective. Who can stand watching solid silver coins vanish into thin air? Think it over. Let's meet another day. If you follow my advice, I won't take a cent-I'll help for free!"
Once he was some distance away, Lao Zhang chuckled to himself. "Another eighty percent in the bag-excellent!" Overjoyed, he hurried to the eastern part of the city to see Nan Feisheng, hoping to glean any moves Nan might be making regarding the Self-government Association election. When they met, Nan Feisheng said not a word about association affairs, so Lao Zhang did not bring it up.
Fortunately, Nan Feisheng invited Lao Zhang to stay for dinner. Lao Zhang ate another feast so lavish it seemed as if grain rained from heaven and ghosts wailed at night. Afterward, he hastily took his leave, clutching his round belly, and squeezed out of Anding Gate with a sigh at every few steps.