Silk Road Trip

4, 4+,3+ and I took a 17-day ‘Silk Road’ tour in China. I took 1600 pictures and selected around 300 to share with you. Here is the web site:

http://picasaweb.google.com/smiley.cheng/SilkRoadChina?authkey=dIq0T2n_O4o#

It was a wonderful tour that had inspired us all about our ancestor’s courage to explore the outside world and the hardship they had gone through to bring western culture back to China.

If you have chance we encourage you to take the same trip.

3.

My Speech at 3.1's Wedding

My wife, my family and I would like to express our gratitude to all of you for coming to celebrate this special occasion with us, especially those who have traveled a long distance. Thank you.

Adam: from childhood, you have always been a very independent and responsible individual. You studied hard and worked hard toward your goals. You were always busy at school and at work. After graduation, you spent much time traveling all over the World. We never needed to worry about you. But we have wondered when you would settle down? Since you met Natalie, we see how special you are as a couple and can see that your life is so much more enriched by being able to share it with her, your soul mate. Together, you are an exceptional duo and we couldn’t be happier that you have found each other.

Natalie: when you said ‘I do’ at the wedding ceremony earlier today, you may not have been aware that you have gained not only a new partner for life, but also a bunch of new relatives. To be exact, you now have extra 18 uncles, 19 aunties, and 32 cousins. Don’t be intimidated though - this is a very happy, warm and caring family and we are pleased to welcome you to the family, Natalie.

You may wonder how can you recognize each relative. Well, let me tell you about our scientific system. Take a look at the picture on the screen.

I am the 3rd oldest child, so my number is “3”, Jane is my ‘better-half’, hence the number “3-and-Half”, with Adam being our first child and Aisha, the second so their respective numbers are “3.1 and 3.2”.


These are some of your new ‘cousins’
Now, your new ‘Identity’ is “3.1-and-Half”.


Please join us to toast to the newlyweds!

The New Member of the 'Family'

Adam (3.1) and Dr. Natalie Sinyantoo got married at Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario on August 30, 2008.

We welcome our newest member of the ‘Family’ – 3.1-and-half, Natalie, welcome.

Prague/Czech Republic Trip

We spent an 8-day Conference/Vacation tour in Prague, Czech Republic. It was a wonderful trip. I took almost 400 pictures which had been sorted out and uploaded 198 photos to the following web site:

http://picasaweb.google.com/smiley.cheng/NewAlbum7808238PM?authkey=sTU6Qq5R0zU

Wish you could enjoy them.

3 & 3+

My Green Card Progress

I would like to share a good news:
the first stage of my green card application is done!

The lawyer notified me that my PERM was approved last week,
which was actually earlier than what I expected.
PERM is the most complicated part because
it involves recruitment.
I had to post ads for my own position
to get people to send their resumes in.
Then went through all the people applied to
this job and proved that I was the best.
Of course I'm the best!
Who else (American) with a Master degree
would get paid this low?

Anyway, I'm so glad that part is done.
The next step would be to apply for I-485 and I-140.
Before August 2007, application fee for I-485 was $395.
After that, it's $1010!!
It actually made me curse when I saw the document from the lawyer.
It's unbelievable. I can't think of any other thing
raised the price that much.

Well, the freedom is priceless, what can I say?
If I've met my boyfriend much earlier I could probably have
saved a lot of money. Just kidding. :)
My co-workers were joking about that I have to
eat cold pizza to get the green card.
( I told them that I hated cold pizza)
I guess I should start to practice. :P

7.1

廢墟旁，那一排排書包

看到一張網上的照片，救援人員從教室的廢墟裡撿起一個個小學生的書包排在一起， 等待家長的認領。有一個書包上，還放著同學們的照片。書包尤在，孩子們已去。此情此景，催人淚下。



叔叔
您來晚了
坍塌的橫梁
已壓斷老師
護我的
身軀
無邊的瓦礫
早堵住了
求生的
通道
我
淚已流干
我
已無力呼號
刺痛的雙腿
已漸漸麻木
傷口的鮮血
已停止了流淌
呼吸
已成為最大的奢侈
讓我再鼓一把勁
把這最后一絲空氣
吸掉

媽媽
我走了
留給您
我心愛的
書包
她曾盛滿
我的夢想
我的歡笑
那作業本上 的圈圈點點
是老師對我作文的褒獎
那鉛筆頭上的牙齒印
留著我做算術時的思考
那已經變薄的香橡皮
見證我點點滴滴的進步
那一本本卷邊的教科書
曾開啟我未來的憧憬
人生的希望
還有那
和爸媽的全家福
和同學的春游照
媽媽啊
活著
多好

書包
五彩的書包
曾承載
多少夢想
多少歡笑
為什么
大地要吞沒
這稚嫩的生命
為什么
急雨要打落
這未放的花苞
他們的人生
才剛剛起步
他們的理想
才張開翅膀
他們的父母
正走在
接孩子的路上
可一瞬間
他們都去了
廢墟旁
只留下
一排排書包

A New Poem on Sichuan Earthquake

One of my colleagues wrote this poem after having viewed the picture on line. I got his permission to translate it and share it with you.

Rows of Backpacks near the Ruin



Uncle
You came too late
Collapsed beams
Broke my teacher’s body that had protected me
Tons of bricks and debris
Blocked our way out

My tears are dried
I
Had no more energy to yell
My injured legs
Becoming numb
The blood on my wound
Were all stopped flowing
The breath
Was a luxury to us
Let me try again
Hold on to this last bit of fresh air
Breathe in

Mom
As I am leaving
I left my favor backpack
It was filled with
My dreams
My laughs
Those red marks on my assignment books
Were the praises from my teacher
Those bite marks on the pencils
Were my pondering and searching
That getting smaller eraser
Imprinted my progresses
Those well used textbooks
Brought me many beautiful dreams
My hopes and wishes
And
That wonderful family portrait
And the pictures of picnic with my friends

Oh, Mom
How nice
To be living

Backpack
Those many colorful backpacks
It carried
So many of our dreams
Lots of our laughs and giggles
Why
Did ‘He’ take away
So many precious young lives
Why
That stormy weather
Destroyed those pretty flower buds
Their young lives
Were just starting
Their dreams
Were just forming
Their parents
Were on their way to meet with them
In a instant
They were all gone
At the ruin
Only left with
Rows of backpacks

《孩子快抓緊媽媽的手》

孩子，快
抓緊媽媽的手
去天堂的路
太黑了
媽媽怕你
碰了頭
快
抓緊媽媽的手
讓媽媽陪你走

媽媽
怕
天堂的路
太黑
我看不見你的手
自從
倒塌的牆
把陽光奪走
我再也看不見
你柔情的眸

孩子
你走吧
前面的路
再也沒有憂愁
沒有讀不完的課本
和爸爸的拳頭
你要記住
我和爸爸的模樣
來生還要一起走

媽媽
別擔憂
天堂的路有些擠
有很多同學朋友
我們說
不哭
哪一個人的媽媽都是我們的媽媽
媽媽
哪一個孩子都是媽媽的孩子
沒有我的日子
你把愛給活的孩子吧

媽媽
媽媽
你別哭
淚光照亮不了
我們的路
讓我們自己
慢慢的走
媽媽
我會記住你和爸爸的模樣
記住我們的約定
來生一起走！

Hold on to Mom's Hand, Child

Note: This is a poem written by someone in China during this Sichuan’s earthquake disaster.

Child, hurry
Hold on to Mom’s hand
Road to heaven
It’s very dark
Mom’s afraid
You would bump your head
Hurry
Hold on to Mom’s hand
I’m with you

Mom’s afraid
Road to heaven
It’s too dark
I can’t see your hand
Since
The walls fell
It took away the sunshine
I can’t see
Your tender loving stare

Child
Go right ahead
The road ahead of you
There are no more worries
Neither unfinished lessons
And Dad’s fists
Don’t forget
Your Mom and Dad
We’ll be together in our next life

Mom
Don’t worry
No matter how crowded the road to heaven
There are many friends and classmates
We pledged
Don’t cry
Everyone’s mom is our mom
Mom
Every child is your child
When I wasn’t by your side
Give your love to those children still alive

Mom
Mom
Don’t cry
Tears can’t show
Our way
Let ourselves
Find our way
Mom
I’ll always remember you and Dad
Remember our promises
We’ll be together forever!

A '007' Story - Chinese Style - II

Looking at the dishes on the dining table: ‘Dong-An Chicken (東安雞)’ – tender pieces of chicken with red pepper, green onion and yellow ginger – it looked so good even without tasting it yet; ‘Stir-fried Kidney with Onion (洋蔥炒腰花)’ – my favor; ‘Dong-Po Pork (東坡扣肉)’; ‘Stir-fried Bamboo Shots, Dried Mushroom and Preserved Cabbage (炒三冬)’ – 2 famous Hunan dishes; and a ‘Yellow Croaker with Preserved Vegetable Soup (黃魚鹹菜大湯)’.

After a few rounds of toast, Ya-Ping got up and walked into her bedroom to change, I asked the maid to bring us rice, but she stopped her to suggest we would have more drinks later. I was thinking if I should take the opportunity to get her drunk, send the maid away, look for the key, and find the envelope to finish my mission. On the second thought, this may not be the best strategy – I should not take advantage of her friendship to harm her health; or maybe she could take more drinks than I do which means I would get drunk before she does. If I only kept on asking her to drink and not drinking myself, it might arouse her suspicion. Different approaches made me indecisive. I also knew that there is no moral when it comes to spy work. I have to use whatever means to complete my mission, but the extreme measure is for real enemies. General Dai told me that we only suspected she works for Japanese, but found no evidence to substantiate. If she were a Japanese spy and I could succeed, it would show that I am more skillful; or she were not a spy, I could continue to be her close friend and it won’t affect my official duties.

When she came out of her room, she asked the maid to bring another bottle of Whisky. I stopped her and asked for rice instead. I said to her:
“We had enough wine tonight. You should not drink any more because of your health. Overdoing it would worsen your poor health. You should take easy.
“There is an old saying ‘Half-blossom flowers are the prettiest, so are half-drunk women (花未全開酒半酣)’.”
This convinced her not to drink any more.

We went to ‘Li-Do (麗都)’ Dancing Club after the dinner. ‘Li-Do’ Club had mirrored walls so every dancer could see themselves while circling the dance floor. It looked like a ‘merry-go-round’. Many small gardens surrounded the dancing floor that makes you feel you were dancing in a huge beautiful garden. We then moved to ‘Hsien-Lok-S (仙樂斯)’ where they had the best band in town with very comfortable sofas under dim lights – most suitable for young couples. We took a table close to the stage, not dancing much. She used her pretty watery eyes to stare at me, showing me her deep passion toward me. I talked to her softly to soothe her little sadness and brought her some cheer. We left the club when the band was playing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ – the theme song from the movie ‘Waterloo Bridge (魂斷藍橋)’ and got a cab to take her home. At her building, she held my hand to say goodbye:
“It is late and I have to get up early tomorrow to shop. It had been a long day and I am exhausted, so are you. You should get back to your hotel and rest.”
In order to finish my assignment, I had to hold on any possible opportunity, so I said to her:
“It is too late to find a cab at this hour. Could I stay at your place and sleep on the sofa tonight?”
But she brushed me off and told me that there was a cab company just around the corner where I could find a cab. She also reminded me not to forget our affection to each other. I had no choice but to wish her a goodnight. I said that I would call her the next day.

Returned to the hotel room, I was thinking about what had been happening between us – her deep passion and my impasse in fulfilling my mission. Counting the days General Dai had been gone and there were only 48 hours left. It was the first field mission General Dai assigned me and I should not fail. I regret that I got caught by my own emotions, not be able to get Ya-Ping drunk to steal that document.

Further analysis made me regret that I didn’t get to know her better, to understand her real identity to find a better way to achieve my mission. I finally decided that I should try to accomplish the task the next day.

I woke up at 9 and went out shopping for personal items, and returned to hotel by noon. A quarter passed 12, Ya-Ping called, asking me if I was mad at her having turned me down the night prior? I replied:
“Not only I wasn’t mad at you, but admire your cool head for not getting us step out of bound.”
She invited me over for lunch, which pleased me and gave me another chance to try to get my hand on that envelope.

I was sitting at her dining table half-an-hour later to enjoy our lunch. We chatted on the sofa afterward. She told me what were her plans for the day – watching the movie ‘La Traviata (茶花女)’ at ‘Da-Guan-Ming (大光明)’ Theater; having tea at ‘Fei-Da (飛達)’ Coffee Shop; Dinning at ‘Tao-Lok-Chun (陶樂春)’ Restaurant for Szechwan cuisine; followed by taking a stroll at ‘French Park’; and then accompanying her to ‘Bai-Lok-Men’ Club.

At the theater, Ya-Ping was touched and sobbing by the scene that the father of the main actor went to his son’s girlfriend’s apartment to break up their relationship, I handed her a handkerchief and a cigarette from my newly bought ‘Longine’ gold cigarette case and lit it for her. I took the purse from her hand and said to her:
“I just learned how to smoke, but have no urge and not using this case much. I would like you to have it as a souvenir.”
I opened the purse and stick the case into it.

We found a quiet corner table at ‘Fei-Da’ and ordered coffee and hotdogs. We chitchatted and laughed as if there were only two of us in existence. It was 6 o’clock when I checked my wristwatch. I asked her if we should go for dinner?

At ‘Tao-Lok-Chun’, I asked her why did she choose this restaurant? She said:
“You told me that you heard about me at this restaurant when we first met. I wanted to see if any guests here would mention any other pretty dancer so I could introduce you to her so you could have another friend.”
I knew she was teasing me, but we had lovely time at the dinner. I always liked Szechwan cuisine. I felt lucky that our relationship became more personal.

At ‘French Park’, we sat on the grass, leaning on each other, talking softly, and admiring the clear, starred sky. She put her two fingers on my mouth when I tried to say something, signaling me to enjoy the quiet and beautiful surroundings.

It was getting a bit chilly after half-an-hour, I suggested we should head back to the Dancing Club and she agreed.

After two dances, she urged me to leave. I asked her why. She said:
“I have to entertain other quests and I don’t want you get jealous.”
She saw me off at the door; I asked if I could see her the next day. She said to wait for her call at ‘New Asia’.

It was near 10 when I got back to the hotel. Someone was knocking on the door when I was ready for bath. I took out my pistol on right hand and opened the door with my left slowly. It was a female colleague who brought me a General Dai’s letter from Hung-Chou. The letter stated:
“Shiu-Yuan (my real name): I finished my business mostly, but still need 3, 4 days before coming back to Shanghai. How is your assignment coming along? You should use your brain to complete this mission, not by force; especially you have to separate your personal emotion from the work and not bringing on any extra baggage. Wish you luck.”
I was relieved after having read the letter. I felt lucky that I didn’t get Ya-Ping drunk at my birthday celebration to get the document; now I have a few extra days to finish my mission. Maybe I could plan better to accomplish this duty.

I went out to run some errands the next morning. 5 minutes after returning to my room, I got Ya-Ping’s phone call, asking me if I had decided when to leave? Whether I would like to meet with her today? I told her that I haven’t decided when to leave yet, maybe in a few days; I would also be delighted to see her today. We set the time and location. While I was waiting for her reply, an idea popped up in my head:
“Since you cooked so well, could I come to your place for dinner tonight? But not too elaborate, please.”
She gladly accepted my self-invitation and asked me to come early, like 4 o’clock.

Arriving at her door promptly, she had an apron on and was busy in the kitchen. The maid went back into the kitchen after answered the door. I was searching and looking while sitting on the sofa, trying to figure out the distance between the living room and the bedroom; whether it might raise any suspicion if I walked into the bedroom? The maid was still busy herself between rooms so I couldn’t find proper moment to move. Ya-Ping came out of kitchen to sit with me when her preparation was done. She told me the dishes she prepared and guaranteed that I won’t be disappointed. We chatted and listened a few records. She went back to the kitchen at 5:30. I wanted to seize the moment, so I asked her if she had any wine. She said that there were Whisky and Brandy; I told her that those are strong liquor and maybe we should have some table wine instead like Shao-Sing (紹興酒). I gave the maid some money and asked her to buy some. When the maid left, I quickly walked into the bedroom and got hold of what I was looking for and it only took me a couple of minutes. I walked to the kitchen and said:
“It smelled so good. Could I take a peek?”
“No, the kitchen is small and dirty. Wait until I finish. Stay in the living room, please.” She yelled toward me while stir-frying the dish in the wok.
I didn’t mean to check on the dishes, just to make conversation with her to see if she had noticed that I went into the bedroom. I was relieved to see that she showed no sign of awareness.

I used an excuse of meeting a business associate to excuse myself after we had our dinner and desert. I told her that I would come to Bai-Lok-Men later to see her.

Back to my room, I couldn’t wait to check the envelope I took from Ya-Ping’s place. The words of ‘Top Secret, Keep It Safe.’ were written on the cover and it didn’t look like a female’s handwriting. I would wait for General Dai to check the contents when he returns from the trip. This was the tenth day from the day I had received my order. I wished that General Dai could be here at the time. If the content wasn’t important I could return it to its original place without Ya-Ping’s noticing it missing.

I met General Dai at train station when he arrived back from Hung-Chou. He moved to Mr. Chen’s house, a colleague. He called me into his room, asking me about my assignment. I reported to him the whole process in detail and handed him the envelope. He read the writing on the cover and checked the seals on the back, but left it on the desk without opening it. It puzzled me why didn’t he open this important document right away. I said:
“I got this envelope the day before yesterday and didn’t feel appropriate to open it myself and leave it to you. Why don’t you open it? Sir.”
“I have some urgent matter to tend to right now. Come back here at 7 tonight to dine with me. We will deal with it then.”
While he was putting his hat on, he turned and said to me:
“I am quite satisfied that you have ably completed the mission I assigned you. Maybe you could take more in the future. We will talk about it later.”

I arrived at Chen’s residence at 6:45 and General Dai wasn’t home until 7:10. A thirty-something young man came with him.
“This is Mr. Sun who is a local field agent.” General Dai introduced him to me. He then asked him:
“How come Miss Yean Bing (燕冰) isn’t here yet? Go give her a call.”
I was wondering who is that Miss Yean? Each time General Dai comes to Shanghai, it was always I who had accompanied him and I don’t recall to have met anyone named Yean Bing. Could that be a new recruit? I wondered.
Sun returned to report that she was already on her way. Soon, the doorbell sounded and Sun went to answer the door. Watch from afar I saw a poised young lady, dressed plainly. When she walked into the room, I was shocked to see that it was Ya-Ping. She was also surprised to see me there and turned her puzzled eyes toward General Dai.
“Don’t be alarmed. I can assure you that we are all colleagues here. I am starved. Let’s eat and talk later.” General Dai tried to clear the air.

I was still in the dark and had faintest idea what was going on. She is a dancer at Bai-Lok-Men, and a possible Japanese spy, and now one of our own? Fortunately our boss is right here. Could it be a special drama he had directed and arranged?
The host, Mr. and Mrs. Chen were out; there were only four of us at the dinning table. Ya-Ping, lowering her head, peeked at me, blushingly, from time to time.

We went to the living room after the supper. General Dai gave the instruction to the maid:
“If anyone were looking for Mr. and Mrs. Chen, just tell them that they were out and not available. You can retire now and don’t let anyone disturb us.”

Pointing at me, he turned to Ya-Ping:
“This is Mr. Cheng, my personal assistant. A very hard working individual, very smart and diligent. I used my business trip to Hung-Chou to test his field ability, so gave him this assignment to steal that envelope from the chest drawer in your bedroom. I deliberately lied to him that you were a Japanese spy to keep him alert. During those ten days, he was able to get close to you and finish his mission. I am very satisfied and quite impressed.”
General Dai got up and walked to the bedroom to retreat that envelope, putting it on the coffee table. When Ya-Ping saw the envelope, she said:
“It can’t be the one. Before I left tonight, I saw the envelope Mr. Sun gave me when I took a medicine out of the chest drawer. I didn’t lose it.”
General Dai smiled at her:
“Do you still remember the hidden marks on the envelope?”
“Yes, there are three seals in the back cover and Mr. Sun’s writing on the front cover – Top Secret, Keep It Safe.”
General Dai showed her the envelope to check if it is the one? He also waved Mr. Sun over to check. Both of them nodded after checking. Ya-Ping then said:
“How about the one in my drawer?”
General Dai replied:
“This showed Mr. Cheng’s excellent skill. He replaced the real one by a similar envelope so you wouldn’t notice. You could take this one back to compare. There are no writings on the front cover of the envelope in your drawer since Mr. Cheng only noticed the seals on the back cover and didn’t see the writings on the front cover when he first saw the envelope. Now you should all know the purpose of this training. But I am very proud of your performance as well – you controlled your emotion well. Although you developed feeling toward Cheng, you kept your cool, not stepping over the line. You also kept this envelope very tightly in the drawer close to your bed, locked it and kept the key in your purse all times. This is a good approach. However you had a small lapse to let Cheng get hold the key and steal the envelope. Maybe this is a good lesson to you.”

General Dai then gave her $200 reward for her and me to share for a job well done and a day off. He said to us when we were ready to leave:
“Shiu-Yuan and I will leave for Nanjing the day after tomorrow. You should also finish your business here and head back to your station in Beijing. You will receive a new assignment soon. You two would only have tonight and tomorrow, so enjoy, you two. Oh, keep this envelope as a souvenir.”

General Dai always treated his staff well. He would reward you when you successfully completed a mission – some cash and a few days of holidays. It really made people willing to work for him and devote themselves to the tasks without any complaints.

After Mr. Sun said goodbye to us, Ya-Ping and I left the house. Once we were out of the door, Ya-Ping ran, I had to run after her. I caught her and held her arms. She turned toward me with furious eyes. I pushed her into a cab that had just unloaded a passenger. Asking her where should we go to talk, she didn’t answer, so I asked the driver take us to DDS Coffee Shop.

She still had a long face when we sat down; I asked her why was she so mad?
“While I spent time to shop and cook for you, to go out with you, to keep you company, and to fall for you; you were just working on your assignment. Are you happy now that you had accomplished your mission on my expenses?
“You embarrassed me and made me look like a fool in front of my superior. Are you satisfied?”
“Please listen to me, Ya-Ping. After you have listened to my explanation if you still feel that I had done something to harm you, then be mad at me and punish me.
“I want you to know that I had no idea that we are colleagues. All I was told was you are a dancer at Bai-Lok-Men and likely a spy for Japanese agency. Stealing that envelope from you was just my assignment and I never intended to harm you. For example, at that birthday dinner you gave me, I didn’t get you drunk because I didn’t want to jeopardize your health. Didn’t that show you how much I really cared about you?
“Although I succeeded and you felt you had failed, you shouldn’t. Even General Dai had praised you on your behavior and conduct.”

Her face was gradually softened. She asked me when did I open her drawer because she had no clue what had happened. I explained:
“I held your purse for a little while when you were sobbing at ‘Da-Guan-Ming’ Theater. I took an imprint of the key when I went to men’s room and made a duplicate that night. When I sent your maid to buy a bottle of wine and you were busy in the kitchen, I went into your bedroom, unlocked the drawer and swapped the envelope with an identical one I prepared ahead of time.”

Suddenly she took the ‘Longine’ cigarette case out of her purse and said:
“Is this also your tool? Maybe you should keep it as a memento.”
“No, it is not a tool. I meant to give it to you as a souvenir. Take a look inside. I had inscribed some words: ‘To my dearest sister - Ping, from Juo-Yean’.”
I could see that she was touched when she checked the writing and returned the case into her purse.

I asked for her contact address in Beijing and she was silent. She told me that she would in the next few months try to dissolve the engagement to her fiancé that was arranged by parents of both families and asked General Dai to transfer her to Nanjing to work or to Hung-Chou for more trainings. She would then look me up and I should not get in touch with her before then.
“I joined the Bureau in Beijing not long ago. I was assigned to investigate a Japanese officer in Tianjing. He was transferred to Shanghai about 6 month ago and I was ordered to follow him, so I came to Shanghai and used dancer at Bai-Lok-Men as my cover. Now that guy was transferred again so General Dai asked me to return to Beijing.

That was the last goodbye I said to her at her door that night and never saw her again.

* * * * *

During those Sino-Japanese War years, each time I was in the area of Beijing-Tianjing, I enquired about Ya-Ping with no result. After the War, I was the Head of Personnel Division and returned to Nanjing, I sought through all the records and never saw any file on ‘Yean-Bing’, even those secret photos of some staff. She was like an angel dropped from the sky and vanished in thin air. All I had was my fond memory of her.

A '007' Story - Chinese Style - I

In memory of my Dad

Note: In his early years, Dad worked for Nationalist’s government fighting against Japanese and Puppet Government formed by the traitor Won Jin-Wei (汪精衛). He was assigned to station in Shanghai, which had fallen into Enemy hands. The mission was very dangerous and hundreds of compatriot young men and women were sacrificed. This is a story written by my Dad in Chinese and was published in 4 magazines in Taiwan and Hong Kong (the Chinese version of Reader’s Digest.) Dad seldom talked to his children about his work. From this little story, we felt proud of his achievement and are honored to have him as our father.


General Dai was given the task to establish a Central Intelligence Bureau in 1932. Before that there was never such a unit in the government. Hence General Dai recruited and trained many young people to meet the need and carry out many important missions. From 1932 to 1945, the year we won the Sino-Japanese War, more than twenty thousand personnel had worked for the Bureau. Depending on individual’s duties and assigned tasks, their trainings varied. Sometimes they were trained individually, or in a small group or in a class. Most of the trainings were done in secluded locations and in secret. Each failed or succeeded mission was discussed with all so they could learn from the experience. There was also the so-called ‘Opportunity Training’ when you were assigned a mission and you were trained ‘on the job’.

During those 13 years when I worked for General Dai, I never participated group trainings, but I had many ‘Opportunity Trainings’. This is the story that occurred during one of such trainings.

I was transferred from Shanghai to Nanjing in 1935 to work along side of General Dai. In the following spring, I traveled with General Dai to Shanghai and stayed in New Asia Hotel on Szechwan Road. Besides the 26-storey International Hotel, New Asia was the best new hotel in town. Most guests were foreigners or wealthy businessmen. We had two rooms on the third floor. General Dai called me to his room one night, handed me a $500 money draft and gave me his order:
“This cheque is for your special mission. Your target is a beautiful and popular young lady dancer named ‘Ya-Ping (雅萍)’ at ‘Bai-Lok-Men Dancing Club (百樂門舞廳)’. Based on our months’ investigation, we think she is a Japanese spy. We also discovered that she has a brown envelope containing important document, and sealed with special red seals, hidden in the chest drawer of her bedroom.
“I am leaving for Hungchou tomorrow for about 10 days. You should stay here and try to get close to this lady and steal that document inside the envelope.”
After a small pause, I told General Dai:
“I have worked for the Bureau for almost three years and had lived in this city almost a year, but I have never had chance to learn how to dance. I mostly work inside the Bureau and seldom had field missions. I don’t normally have any opportunity to social and I usually dress very casual and am not sure if I could accomplish the assigned mission. There are only ten short days, is it possible to assign the mission to another more experienced colleague?”
General Dai said:
“Put aside your worries that could all be overcome. Use some of the money I gave you to buy a few suits from Yuan-An Department Store. You could also take dancing lessons from a dancing school in foreign district to learn some simple dances. Although you didn’t work on the field in the past, but you had seen and heard many other colleagues’ missions so you should have very good knowledge. I am counting on you to be a leader in the near future so you should get your feet wet to gain some field experience.”
I finally accepted the assigned duty. I wanted to satisfy my own curiosity to see if I have the ability to accomplish the mission and to repay General Dai’s trust on me.

* * * * *

I bought a couple of new suits from the store and went to that dancing school in foreign district. The owners of the school were a thirty-something German couple who both spoke fluent Shanghaiese. After a few simple questions, I started my first lesson. Although I had never learned to dance, with my love of music, I had feel for the rhythm. I was anxious to achieve my mission so I worked hard to learn the basic steps. After a couple days of lessons (three one-hour lessons a day) I could dance some simple steps.

On the third day, I walked into Bai-Lok-Men Dancing Club around 9 that evening.
There were many Dancing Clubs in Shanghai that were classified into four different categories. Only 4 clubs belonged to the ‘first-class’ – Bai-Lok-Men (百樂門), Li-Do (麗都), Sien-Lo-Shi (仙樂斯), and Broadway (大都會). Each dollar buys 3 tickets, and it cost $5 an hour to have a lady dancer sitting at your table. For ‘second-class’ clubs, $1 buys 5 tickets; at the ‘third-class’ clubs it buys 7 tickets. At the lowest clubs you get 15 tickets for each dollar, but no live band, just record music.

Most dancing clubs had polished wax dancing floor, only Bai-Lok-Men had springy wooden floor. And it had a special glass circular dancing area in front of the stage surrounded by tables and seats with dimmed light that were more suitable for couples to chat privately. All their dancing ladies were quite pretty and young. Most famous Shanghai’s female socialites came from this club.

General Dai told me that Bai-Lok-Men’s ladies not only could drink, but could also smoke and chat. Although I never smoked, I bought a ‘Longine’ brand gold cigarette case with a built-in lighter in case there was a need.

I also prepared a speech about my identity: I am 28-year old single, came from a wealthy Jiangshi family, my family owns a fabric company and a jewelry store. My father asked me to explore the possible market in Shanghai. I made up a name for myself – Chang Ruoshui (張若水).

The busiest hour at the club starts from 10 p.m. and I arrived at the club around 9:25. There weren’t many patrons and I could find a well-lit table next to the dancing floor so I could observe and to be seen. I asked if there is a lady dancer named ‘Ya-Ping’, the ‘Da-Ben (大班)’ (Head Waiter) answered:
“Yes. But she is our most popular dancer and usually comes late with an old customer. Would you like a different lady?”
“No. I can wait. When she comes, would you mind to let me know?”
He nodded and left.

When the music started, a few couples got into the dancing floor. They all danced well that made me scare. I had no idea how tall ‘Ya-Ping’ is and if my dancing skill is good enough. After a little while, I calmed down and thought it was a mission I had to accomplish regardless how awful was my dancing. If she were too tall for me, I would find an excuse to chat with her more and dance less.

While I was in deep thought, I heard some stir: “Miss Ya-Ping is here.” I turned my head to the entranceway and saw a beautiful, well-dressed young lady walking toward the dressing room at the right side of the stage. The Da-Ben came over and said:
“That is Miss Ya-Ping. Another guest had already purchased her time tonight, but she could sit with you for a few minutes if you so wish.”
I nodded.

I saw Ya-Ping dancing on the floor. She is a bit taller than me (with high heels), has a very pretty face, with little makeup, big watery eyes, straight nose, silky skin. Wearing a ‘Chipao’ she looked very noble and stood out among the busy crowd.

When the Da-Ben brought her to my table in 15 minutes, she asked me with a bright smile:
“How are you, Sir? Have we ever met before? Is it the first time you ask for me?”
“My name is Chang. Yes, it is the first time to meet you.
“As of why I asked for you, you won’t believe it if I told you.
“Last night I had dinner with an old friend at ‘Tao-Lok-Chun’, I overheard a conversation a table next to ours. They mentioned that there is a very beautiful lady dancer named ‘Ya-Ping’ at ‘Bai-Lok’Men’. So those two words – ‘Ya-Ping’ and “Bai-Lok-Men’ – were stuck in my mind. Since it is my first trip to Shanghai and I am learning how to dance, hence I came here and asked for you.”

After having listened to my story, she showed a little doubt in her eyes, but didn’t say anything, just smiled.

When blues music was played, suddenly I had the courage to ask her for a dance even if I might embarrass myself. It was she who led me through the whole dance. Once the music stopped, the Da-Ben came over to take her to another table and she apologized and thanked me. Since I only had a few days left, I had to find every possible way to get close to her, so I asked her for lunch the next day. But she turned me down because she already had other engagements. I finally told her that I would still come to the club to see her the next evening.

I wore a different suit the next night and went for a movie after the supper and then strode to the Club. While enjoying the night scenery, I was pondering what should I say to her to impress her that night.

I sat at the same table as the night before and asked the Da-Ben if Ya-Ping had arrived. He answered that she was already there and had asked if I had come. I asked the Da-Ben to invite her over.

A few minutes later, Ya-Ping came over. She wore a plainer dress with a sweater with light makeup. Clean, fresh, and elegant.

To save the time, I asked her for a date the next day after our first dance and she consented. We would meet at 1 o’clock at a Coffee Shop on Shia-Fei Road (霞飛路), and then have dinner and movie.

I was too excited to sleep when I returned to the hotel and cleaned up myself. General Dai gave me 10 days for the mission and five days had already passed. The next day’s meeting with Ya-Ping would take the whole day and I didn’t know when I would have the chance to get into her residence to lay my hand on that document that we were after? I couldn’t worry too much and decided to concentrate on having a good date the next day. I fell to sleep.

I was at DDS Coffee Shop near noon the next day. Ya-Ping arrived 5 passed one. She had a bit more makeup; wearing a burgundy color Chipao with a short coat, looked so pretty and it turned everyone’s head in the Shop when she walked in.

We chatted a bit before lunch. I told her about my life story.
“Mr. Chang, do you mind tell me your first name?” She asked.
“No, not at all. Even you don’t ask, I was going to tell you anyway. My name is Ruo-Shui Chang.”
“That is a very nice name. Does it have any special meaning?”
“My original name was ‘Ruo-Shu (若虛)’ and the middle name is ‘Juo-Yean (竹庵)’. It came from ‘Ju-Ben-Shu-Sin (竹本虛心) - Bamboo is hollow’. I was devastated when the girl friend of my first love left me at college. After a painful period my heart became serene (心若止水) and I decided not to fall in love again (古井重波). I changed my name from ‘Ruo-Shu’ to ‘Ruo-Shui’.” I replied.
“Mr. Chang, why not, you are still young and there are plenty of life ahead of you.” She sounded so caring.
“Yes, maybe you are right. With a pretty lady like you, it might relight my fire.”

We chatted like this happily for quite a while. We went to see a movie at Cathy Theatre after the lunch. But she turned down my offer to take her home instead she asked me if I would be at Club that night? I gave her a affirmative reply.

Although we had only met 3 times, the distance between us was drawing closer, especially after having spent 4-hour together this afternoon. However she hadn’t hinted where she lives that worried me. How would I get into her place to finish my mission? I thought. I still had 4 days left, and I would find a way.

Having waited for an hour at the Club that night, Ya-Ping showed up with a guest. She came to my table after 20 minutes. Her walk was a bit wobbly that suggested me that she had been drinking. She didn’t say a word to me except staring at me.
“Why did you come to work with your present condition? You should stay home and rest.”
She looked at my concerned face and said to me:
“Would you please buy my remaining hours and take me home?”

That was the opportunity I had been waiting for, so I immediately called the Da-Ben and told him that I would buy Ya-Ping’s remaining hours that night. Ya-Ping asked me to wait for her at the front door and went to say goodbye to her other guests. In 5 minutes, we were on our way to her place at 1412 Shia-Fei Road, in a hired cab.

The building was a 7-storey apartment complex. I helped her into Unit 313 on the third floor. It was a spacious apartment – one bedroom, a living room, a kitchen plus a bathroom.

I laid her on the bed, took off her shoes and poured her a glass of hot water. She said:
“Do you know why I asked you to buy my hours and take me home?
“The guest who brought me to the Club tonight had ill intention. He tried to get me drunk and wanted to buy my hours when we came back to the Club. I was alarmed and told him that I had already promised another guest the rest of the night to drive him away.
“Thanks very much for bringing me home and taking care of me. Otherwise I might be in big trouble. My maid went home for her sick Mom the day before yesterday. Would you mind to entertain yourself while I am taking a bath?
“Could you go home after I have finished washing up? I apologize that you have to see me in such a awful condition the first time you come to my place.”

When she walked out of the bathroom with a bathrobe, it was close to midnight. She felt heavy-headed and went back to bed. She fetched a chain of keys out of her purse and handed it to me:
“Would you mind open that drawer and find me the bottle of sleeping pills?”
I saw the envelope that I was looking for in the drawer, backside up with red seals on each end. I wanted to check more carefully so I stayed in front of the chest, back to her, and asked:
“Why are there so many bottles here, are you feeling all right?” I sounded concerned.
“It is a long story. I will tell you someday. Please give me a couple of sleeping tablets?” she sighed.

The chest was close to the bed and she was staring at me so I couldn’t do much to the envelope. I locked the drawer and returned the keys to her purse.

I brought her a glass of water to take the pills, turned on the table lamp and shut the room light. I gave her my address and phone number and promised to come back to check on her at noon the next day. If she felt sick, she should call me and I would come over and take her to a doctor.

* * * * *

It was a long day and it took me awhile to fall in sleep. When I woke up the next day, the sun was high up on the sky. The phone rang when I was about to wash up myself. It was Ya-Ping.
“I have some business to take care of this morning, and I won’t make it back by noon. I am feeling much better this morning, and you don’t have to come to my place. I will meet you at DDS Coffee Shop around 5 o’clock.”

She was already waiting for me when I reached the Coffee Shop. She didn’t wear any makeup, seemed a little pale, but looked cheerful. While she was making a phone call at the phone booth, I was thinking that I only have 3 days left before General Dai comes back. I need to find a way to finish my assignment. I asked her when she returned:
“Could I take you out to dinner tomorrow night?”
“Didn’t you treat me to lunch yesterday? You don’t have to waste money to dine out again.”
“I have two good reasons to invite you to dinner - my Dad asked me to go back home soon; and it is my 28th birthday tomorrow. I feel lonely if I spend it by myself. You are the only female friend I have in Shanghai. I wish you wouldn’t turn me down.”
“All right, I would say yes then. But you have to let me treat you so I could celebrate your birthday and say goodbye to you at the same time.” She said cheerfully.
“Okay. But only if we could eat in at your place, just a home-cooked meal, nothing fancy. You told me you were from Dong-An, Hunan (湖南東安) and I heard that place is famous for its ‘Dong-An chicken’.”
“All right, I will do my best. However my maid isn’t back yet, hope that you don’t mind my cooking though.”
She then said she would take the night off so she could get up early the next morning to shop at the market. I should meet her at her place around 6.

I arrived at her place promptly. A young girl answered the door; I guessed that she must be Ya-Ping’s maid and came back a day earlier.

I handed the bundle of carnations and the box of chocolate to her and walked into the living room. On top of the big table there was a birthday cake with 28 little candles and the writing:
“To Brother Juo, Happy Birthday and Longevity, from Sister Ping.”
I was touched and happy.

Walking toward the kitchen, I saw Ya-Ping was busy cooking. She asked me to wait at the living room, and the dinner will be ready in half-an-hour.
I turned on the radio and Chou-Hseun’s (周璇) top hit song ‘Tien-Ya-Ge-Luu (天涯歌女)’ was playing. I turned up the volume and sought for her purse for the key to the chest, but nowhere to be found. Although Ya-Ping was in the kitchen, the maid was in and out of the kitchen, the bedroom and the living room so I couldn’t do more thorough search.
Ya-Ping came out of the kitchen. She was wearing a flower-pattern short winter jacket and a pair of pants with an apron, and a pair of pretty embroidered slipper. Even without any makeup, she had rosy cheeks, bright, shiny, and healthy looking face.
“I’ll be with you in a minute. Let me get changed first.” She rushed into her bedroom.
A few minutes later she came out. She had changed into a Chipao with small plum flowers pattern. She sat by my side, took my hands, and said:
“Happy birthday. Wishing you many more happy days ahead, more prosperous business deals and a joyful life. And a safe journey home.”
The stream of well wishes warmed my heart and made me very happy. Candles, cake, flowers, a beautiful lady, and the fresh spring air painted a very attractive picture. I wondered if I was dreaming, but General Dai’s assigned mission was still lodged in my mind – I have to find a way to get hold of that document.

We sat at the dinning table, she raised the wine glass to give me a toast, I emptied mine without a blink of eyes. She was surprised at how well I could drink. I filled my glass and raised it to her:
“Thanks for your warm wishes and your caring. Let me wish you forever beautiful and happy.”
She took my glass and drank half of it, and then returned it to me. She then gestured her half-filled glass to signal another toast. We both drank our wine. Seeing her love-filled eyes, I was wondering if she was hinting me something more special than just a birthday wish.
When she asked the maid bring a knife to cut the cake, I stopped her:
“May I try those nice-looking and smelling dishes that you cooked before eating the cake? I could also enjoy those nice words you wrote on the cake a bit longer.”
“You, silly. Those words are already deeply imprinted in my heart and it will never be erased. According to western custom, we always taste the cake before the dinner. How about a small piece, okay?”

My body was suddenly warmed from the heart to the toes. What did I do to deserve this lovely lady’s passion and care?

After a few rounds of toasts, her cheeks turned red and her smile brighten, she got up to go to the bedroom to change. I asked the maid to clear the table, but she stopped her, seemed to suggest we would drink more later.

I was pondering how could I get her drunk and get the maid away from the bedroom and the living room so I would have chance to go near the chest drawer to get the document.

A Note to Our Youth Group

I will post a few stories about my dad so you would get to know your grandpa/granduncle better.

First couple were written in Chinese by himself and published on a few magazines in Taiwan/Hong Kong. I translated them so for those of you with limited Chinese language would be able to read.

Enjoy them.

First Words

With 9's suggestion, I created this web site for all of us.

I name it 'Cheng-Chao-Yuan Garden', it means for us to plant, to cultivate, to nurture, and to enjoy.

It is available to all of us - Cheng-Chao-Yuan Family! Show us your news, your stories, your plans, even your ambitions. Let us all share what you have and what you are going to do. Your laugh, your pain, your joy, and your sadness.

We are a big family, we should support each other. 

Let our 'Garden' flourish!