Chinese Literature

“Ha! Ha!”

Director Chen followed with a few added formalities. Then Shao-pu started to bring out the food.

“Please help yourselves!”

The chopsticks and spoons sank into the food and it was swept up as in a hurricane. Uncle Yun-pu and Shao-pu, who acted as waiters, stood by respectfully, on either side, their eyes fixed on the delicacies spread out.

Their mouths watered, and they had to swallow hard, as they watched the guests chew up large pieces of fat pork with great relish. At length Shao-pu almost broke down in tears, he was so overcome by an intense craving for just one little taste. If Uncle Yun-pu had not been around, he would have gone to the table and snatched up a piece of meat for himself.

For half an hour they stood watching excitedly as if on a battlefield. Then all was over. The guests had finished their meal. Shao-pu cleared the table and went off to make tea. The guests walked around a bit, and then gathered around the table again.

With bowed head, Uncle Yun-pu stood by the door, waiting respectfully for the guests to begin the conversation.

“Well, Yun-pu, now the meal is over, what is it you want to say? You can tell us now.”

“Myr. Ho, Mr. Li and Mr. Chen, I’m sure you must know about all my difficulties. Yun-pu can only beg of you... .”

“But this year’s harvest is good.”

“That’s true, Mr. Ho. Yes, it is.”

“Then what is it you want to say?”

“TJ want to beg of you... .”

“Well, go-ahead and say it.”

“Honestly, it was very hard for us last year, and for the time being we still suffer from it. My family, both old and young, must eat everyday. I have no way of making money, but must depend on what I get from the land. I would like to ask Mr. Ho and Mr. Li... .”

“And what is your wish?”

‘T can only ask Mr. Ho to be lenient and cut down on the rent just a little. And I beseech Mr. Ho to be kind and merciful in regard to the seed grain and beans I borrowed this year and last ... and Mr. Li, I beg you... .”

“Oh, I see. Now I fully understand what you mean. You only want us to collect a smaller amount of grain from you, is that it? But Yunpu, you should also realize that last year everybody suffered from the

flood. Perhaps it was harder for us than for you, and therefore it is harder for us to get over it. Our expenses are at least thirty times . greater than yours, but who will earn extra money for us? We have to » depend on the grain we get from rent.... As for the beans I loaned

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