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(2342, 1, '2020-05-18 20:23:57', '2020-05-19 00:23:57', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\nYou can skip your Instagram yoga gratitude break today, here\'s another one from Taiwanese Buddhist essayist Lin Qingxuan (林清玄). HSK 4-5. \r\n\r\nI threw up <a href=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/07/chinese-essays-seed-of-a-butterfly-lin-qingxuan/\">another essay of his</a> about butterflies a couple weeks ago, and if you read both of them, you\'ll start to get a sense of Lin\'s style, his wide-eyed marveling, how he rejoices at every little thing. \r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\n<strong>因... 而...</strong> [pinyin]yin1 ... er2 ...[/pinyin] - You\'ve probably already come across this sentence construction, but it bears pointing out: 因 in this case is 因为, \"because of ______\", and 而 is \"as a result ______\".\r\n\r\n<strong>生起</strong> [pinyin]sheng1 qi3[/pinyin] - You won\'t find this in the dictionary, and it\'s a little difficult because 生 has so many meanings. Depending on context, it can mean \"to give birth to\" as in (生孩子), or \"to grow\" (as in 生长), or \"be afflicted with\" a sickness (as in 生病), or it can just mean \"life\" (as in 生活). But in all of these definitions, there\'s a general sense of nothing expanding into something. So, if you understand 生起 that way, as an expansion or growth, the sentence will make sense.\r\n\r\n寄情 [pinyin]ji4 qing2[/pinyin] - This isn\'t in the pop-up dictionary, but this means \"to express one\'s feelings\" about something, usually in writing. \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.rain8.com/article/class4/201211/12523.htm\">Source here</a>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>感谢困难</h4>\r\n\r\n我做了一个梦。\r\n\r\n梦见我在街上问人：“请问您可不可以给我一些困难、一些挫折，一些痛苦？”\r\n\r\n所有的人都拒绝我，我着急地恳求别人：“那么，我雇用您，每小时五百元，请您给我一些折磨！”\r\n\r\n那些陌生人摇摇头，沉默地离开，我<span class=\"highlightText\">因</span>找不到愿意折磨我的人<span class=\"highlightText\">而</span>惊醒。\r\n\r\n我坐在床上发呆，是呀！困难，折磨，痛苦是多么珍贵！如果一切平顺，谁会静下来沉思，谁会<span class=\"highlightText\">生起</span>智慧，谁又能在平凡安逸的日子中超越自我、登上高峰呢？\r\n\r\n如果没有困难，谁又会谦卑地跪下来祈祷？谁又能相信有无边的宇宙？谁又能<span class=\"highlightText\">寄情</span>于来生呢？\r\n\r\n我深深地感谢着困难、挫折与痛苦。\r\n\r\n也深深地感恩那些曾经折磨过我的人，他们是多么慈悲呀！我并未花钱聘雇他们，他们却以宝贵的时间来考验我、提升我，为了增长我的智慧。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nI had a dream.\r\n\r\nI dreamed that I asked someone on the street: \"Excuse, me, can you give me some challenge, some setback, some pain?\" \r\n\r\nEveryone refused me, and anxiously I begged someone else: \"Then, I\'ll hire you, 500 RMB per hour, please torment me!\" \r\n\r\nThose strangers shook their heads, silently leaving, and as I was unable to find anyone to torment me, I woke with a start. \r\n\r\nI sat on the edge of my bed staring into space, yes! Challenges, torment, pain, how precious they are! If everything is going smoothly, who would settle down to ponder deeply, who would become wise, and who in their common and comfortable days would surpass selfishness, rise to higher heights? \r\n\r\nWithout difficulty, who would humbly kneel down and pray? Who could believe in the boundlessness of the universe? Who could express their feelings about the next life? \r\n\r\nI deeply thank difficulty, setbacks and pain. \r\n\r\nAnd I feel deep gratitude for those people who once tormented me, how merciful they are! I didn\'t even spend money to hire them, but they still used their precious time to come test me, elevate me, to grow my wisdom.\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Essay: 《感谢困难》Thanking Life\'s Challenges by Lin Qingxuan', 'You can skip your Instagram yoga gratitude break today, here\'s another one from Taiwanese Buddhist essayist Lin Qingxuan (林清玄). HSK 4-5. ', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2325-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-18 20:23:57', '2020-05-19 00:23:57', '', 2325, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/18/2325-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2343, 1, '2020-05-26 00:00:54', '2020-05-26 04:00:54', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communism Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of historical and modern CCP propaganda, speeches, stories, essays and songs.</p> \r\n\r\n<strong>Quick reminder:</strong> To maintain a polite, language learning-focused environment, political comments - positive, negative, or neutral - are not allowed, and will be deleted.\r\n\r\nThis song is a relic of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). The melody was adapted from an old farmer\'s folk song back in 1942, and became popular when Mao Zedong\'s (毛泽东) cult of personality was in full swing. This rousing anthem worships the glory of Chairman Mao (毛主席) - I\'m not actually sure \"rousing\" really covers how enthusiastic this song is, it kind of punches you in the eardrums with patriotic fervor. To be clear: this is not the official Chinese national anthem, but during the height of the Cultural Revolution it was kind of an unofficial national anthem, and most folks on mainland usually remember at least some of the lyrics. \r\n\r\nI often get requests from readers to add audio to my posts, and I can\'t do it because of time constraints, but since this was such a popular song, there are still lots of places you can listen to it. So, if you want to listen to the song with music and lyrics, <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GndAiU2qoDI\">you can check it out here</a> (and if that link breaks in the future, just look up 东方红 on Youtube, there are lots of vids). \r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nI had an impossible time trying to find actual beginner-level reading on Communism. Even the children\'s stories are pretty hard. To read this smoothly without looking anything up, you\'d have to be an advanced reader. But this song is great for HSK 3-4 readers who are willing to put in a bit of effort, because it\'s a good overview of all the entry-level Communist vocab, the lyrics are very repetitive and bite-sized, and there are enough beginner-level words here to point you in the right direction, so with some study, you can get this. However, because there\'s a lot to parse, I\'m going to do a lot of explaining.\r\n\r\nFirst, some critical Communist-themed vocab: \r\n \r\n<strong>毛泽东</strong> [pinyin]mao2 ze2 dong1[/pinyin] - Mao Zedong, the founder of modern China, who died in 1976\r\n\r\n<strong>毛主席</strong> [pinyin]mao2 zhu3 xi2[/pinyin] - Chairman Mao, Mao Zedong\'s official title\r\n\r\n<strong>大救星</strong> [pinyin]da4 jiu4 xing1[/pinyin] - You can probably figure out the general idea here by looking at each character individually. 大 is \"big\" or \"great\", 救 is \"to rescue\", and 星 is \"star\". All together, this means \"great savior\", one of the many worshipful terms used to describe Chairman Mao during the Cultural Revolution.\r\n\r\n<strong>共产党</strong> [pinyin]gong4 chan3 dang3[/pinyin] - The Communist Party (CCP)\r\n\r\n<strong>人民</strong> [pinyin]ren2 min2[/pinyin] - The People. This is used in almost every line of this song, so I won\'t highlight every instance. \r\n\r\n<strong>解放</strong> [pinyin]jie3 fang4[/pinyin] - Liberation\r\n\r\nThen, some grammatical points of order:\r\n\r\n<strong>了</strong> [pinyin]le / liao3[/pinyin] - If you listen to the audio, you\'ll notice that the singers pronounce 了 as <em>liao</em>, rather than <em>le</em>. This is just a colloquial pronunciation thing, the meaning of this grammar word has not changed.\r\n\r\n<strong>出了</strong> [pinyin]chu1 le / liao3[/pinyin] - Grammatically speaking, the most difficult part of these lyrics for me is translating 出了, because it\'s a little abstract. The full lyric is 中国出了个毛泽东, which I\'ll break down here:\r\n\r\n中国 - China\r\n出了 - ???\r\n个 - A / one\r\n毛泽东 - Mao Zedong\r\n\r\nWe know that 出 means \"to go out\", \"to issue forth\". It\'s present in the word 出生 [pinyin]chu1 sheng1[/pinyin], \"to be born\", and also present in the word 出现 [pinyin]chu1 xian4[/pinyin], \"to appear\". So, this lyric means something like \"Mao Zedong appeared in China\", or \"China gave birth to one Mao Zedong\", or \"Mao Zedong comes from China\". None of those translations feel exactly right, but you get the point.   \r\n\r\n<strong>为</strong> [pinyin]wei4[/pinyin] - Another tricky grammar point here is the use of 为. We see this being used in two ways, once just by itself, and once as 为了. These two uses have different definitions. When 为 is by itself before a noun, it means \"for (noun)\". As in \"for the people\". When it is 为了, before a verb, it means \"in order to (do something)\". \r\n\r\n<strong>得</strong> [pinyin]de2[/pinyin] - The definition of 得 being used here is \"to receive\". \r\n\r\n<strong>呼儿嗨哟</strong> [pinyin]hu1 er hei1 yo1[/pinyin] - Don\'t get tripped up on this, these aren\'t real words. These are just sounds that round out the song, as in the \"ooooh\" or \"la la la\", that you might hear in English songs. You might best translate this as \"Hurrah!\", a sound that expresses joy and victory.\r\n\r\nAlright, ready? Let\'s do this.\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>东方红</h4>\r\n东方红,太阳升 \r\n中国<span class=\"highlightText\">出了</span>个<span class=\"highlightText\">毛泽东</span>\r\n他<span class=\"highlightText\">为</span>人民谋幸福\r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">呼儿嗨哟</span>\r\n他是人民<span class=\"highlightText\">大救星</span>\r\n他<span class=\"highlightText\">为</span>人民谋幸福\r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">呼儿嗨哟</span>\r\n他是人民<span class=\"highlightText\">大救星</span>\r\n\r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">毛主席</span>爱人民 \r\n他是我们的带路人\r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">为了</span>建设新中国 \r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">呼儿嗨哟</span>\r\n领导我们向前进 \r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">为了</span>建设新中国\r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">呼儿嗨哟</span> \r\n领导我们向前进\r\n\r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">共产党</span>像太阳 \r\n照到哪里,那里亮\r\n哪里有了<span class=\"highlightText\">共产党</span>\r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">呼儿嗨哟</span>\r\n那里人民<span class=\"highlightText\">得</span><span class=\"highlightText\">解放</span>\r\n哪里有了<span class=\"highlightText\">共产党</span>\r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">呼儿嗨哟</span>\r\n那里人民<span class=\"highlightText\">得</span><span class=\"highlightText\">解放</span>\r\n\r\n东方红,太阳升 \r\n中国<span class=\"highlightText\">出了</span>个<span class=\"highlightText\">毛泽东</span>\r\n他<span class=\"highlightText\">为</span>人民谋幸福\r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">呼儿嗨哟</span>\r\n他是人民<span class=\"highlightText\">大救星</span>\r\n他<span class=\"highlightText\">为</span>人民谋幸福\r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">呼儿嗨哟</span>\r\n他是人民<span class=\"highlightText\">大救星</span> \r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">大救星</span>\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nThe East is Red, the sun is rising\r\nMao Zedong appeared in China\r\nHe is working for the People\'s prosperity\r\nHurrah!\r\nHe is the People\'s great savior \r\nHe is working for the People\'s prosperity\r\nHurrah!\r\nHe is the People\'s great savior \r\n\r\nChairman Mao loves the People\r\nHe is our guide\r\nIn order to build New China\r\nHurrah!\r\nHe leads us towards advancement\r\nIn order to build New China\r\nHurrah!\r\nHe leads us towards advancement\r\n\r\nThe Communist Party is like the sun\r\nWherever it shines, there is light\r\nWherever the Communist Party goes\r\nHurrah!\r\nThe People there receive liberation\r\nWherever the Communist Party goes\r\nHurrah!\r\nThe People there receive liberation\r\n\r\nThe east is red, the sun is rising\r\nMao Zedong appeared in China\r\nHe is working for the People\'s prosperity\r\nHurrah!\r\nHe is the People\'s great savior\r\nHe is working for the people\'s prosperity\r\nHurrah!\r\nHe is the People\'s great savior\r\nGreat savior\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Communist songs: 《东方红》- The East is Red', 'This song is a relic of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). The melody was adapted from an old farmer\'s folk song back in 1942, and became popular when Mao Zedong\'s (毛泽东) cult of personality was in full swing.', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'communist-songs-the-east-is-red', '', '', '2020-05-24 22:47:26', '2020-05-25 02:47:26', '', 0, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/?p=2343', 0, 'post', '', 5),
(2344, 1, '2020-05-19 02:07:03', '2020-05-19 06:07:03', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\nHad a complaint a few days ago that my fable about pretty birds was too political, so I figured I\'d give ya\'ll something solid to complain about. Break out your Little Red Books, it\'s Communist history week at CRP. \r\n\r\nThis song is a relic of the Cultural Revolution, published in YEAR when Mao Zedong\'s cult of personality was in full swing. This rousing anthem worships the glory of Chairman Mao, with over-the-top . To be clear: this is not the Chinese national anthem, but it was almost as popular back when it was released, and most folks on mainland usually remember at least some of the lyrics. If you want to listen to the song with music and lyrics, you can check it out here.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.rensheng5.com/xiaogushi/id-9965.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source here</a>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>东方红</h4>\r\n东方红太阳升 \r\n中国出了个毛泽东\r\n他为人民谋幸福\r\n呼儿嗨哟\r\n他是人民大救星 \r\n他为人民谋幸福\r\n呼儿嗨哟 \r\n他是人民大救星\r\n\r\n毛主席爱人民 \r\n他是我们的带路人\r\n为了建设新中国 \r\n呼儿嗨哟\r\n领导我们向前进 \r\n为了建设新中国\r\n呼儿嗨哟 \r\n领导我们向前进\r\n\r\n共产党像太阳 \r\n照到那里那里亮\r\n哪里有了共产党 \r\n呼儿嗨哟\r\n那里人民得解放 \r\n哪里有了共产党\r\n呼儿嗨哟 \r\n那里人民得解放\r\n\r\n东方红太阳升 \r\n中国出了个毛泽东\r\n他为人民谋幸福\r\n呼儿嗨哟\r\n他是人民大救星\r\n他为人民谋幸福\r\n呼儿嗨哟 \r\n他是人民大救星 \r\n大救星\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nThe East is Red, the sun is rising\r\nChina GAVE BIRTH to Mao Zedong\r\nHe is working for the people\'s prosperity\r\n<em>Hu er hei yo</em>\r\nHe is the People\'s great emancipator \r\nHe is working for the people\'s prosperity\r\n<em>Hu er hei yo</em>\r\nHe is the People\'s great emancipator \r\n\r\nChairman Mao loves the people\r\nHe is our guide\r\nIn order to build New China\r\n<em>Hu er hei yo</em>\r\nHe leads us towards advancement\r\nIn order to build New China\r\n<em>Hu er hei yo</em>\r\nHe leads us towards advancement\r\n\r\nThe Communist Party is like the sun\r\nWherever it shines, there is light\r\nWherever the Communist Party goes\r\n<em>Hu er hei yo</em>\r\nThe people there receive liberation\r\nWherever the Communist Party goes\r\n<em>Hu er hei yo</em>\r\nThe people there receive liberation\r\n\r\n东方红太阳升 \r\n中国出了个毛泽东\r\n他为人民谋幸福\r\n呼儿嗨哟\r\n他是人民大救星\r\n他为人民谋幸福\r\n呼儿嗨哟 \r\n他是人民大救星 \r\n大救星\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Communist songs: 《东方红》- The East is Red', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2343-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-19 02:07:03', '2020-05-19 06:07:03', '', 2343, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/19/2343-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2345, 1, '2020-05-19 03:23:09', '2020-05-19 07:23:09', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\nHad a complaint a few days ago that my fable about pretty birds was too political, so I figured I\'d give ya\'ll something more exciting to complain about. Break out your Little Red Books, it\'s Communist history week at CRP. \r\n\r\nThis song is a relic of the Cultural Revolution, published in YEAR when Mao Zedong\'s cult of personality was in full swing. This rousing anthem worships the glory of Chairman Mao, with over-the-top . To be clear: this is not the Chinese national anthem, but it was almost as popular back when it was released, and most folks on mainland usually remember at least some of the lyrics. If you want to listen to the song with music and lyrics, you can check it out here.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.rensheng5.com/xiaogushi/id-9965.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source here</a>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>东方红</h4>\r\n东方红太阳升 \r\n中国出了个毛泽东\r\n他为人民谋幸福\r\n呼儿嗨哟\r\n他是人民大救星 \r\n他为人民谋幸福\r\n呼儿嗨哟 \r\n他是人民大救星\r\n\r\n毛主席爱人民 \r\n他是我们的带路人\r\n为了建设新中国 \r\n呼儿嗨哟\r\n领导我们向前进 \r\n为了建设新中国\r\n呼儿嗨哟 \r\n领导我们向前进\r\n\r\n共产党像太阳 \r\n照到那里那里亮\r\n哪里有了共产党 \r\n呼儿嗨哟\r\n那里人民得解放 \r\n哪里有了共产党\r\n呼儿嗨哟 \r\n那里人民得解放\r\n\r\n东方红太阳升 \r\n中国出了个毛泽东\r\n他为人民谋幸福\r\n呼儿嗨哟\r\n他是人民大救星\r\n他为人民谋幸福\r\n呼儿嗨哟 \r\n他是人民大救星 \r\n大救星\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nThe East is Red, the sun is rising\r\nChina GAVE BIRTH to Mao Zedong\r\nHe is working for the people\'s prosperity\r\n<em>Hu er hei yo</em>\r\nHe is the People\'s great emancipator \r\nHe is working for the people\'s prosperity\r\n<em>Hu er hei yo</em>\r\nHe is the People\'s great emancipator \r\n\r\nChairman Mao loves the people\r\nHe is our guide\r\nIn order to build New China\r\n<em>Hu er hei yo</em>\r\nHe leads us towards advancement\r\nIn order to build New China\r\n<em>Hu er hei yo</em>\r\nHe leads us towards advancement\r\n\r\nThe Communist Party is like the sun\r\nWherever it shines, there is light\r\nWherever the Communist Party goes\r\n<em>Hu er hei yo</em>\r\nThe people there receive liberation\r\nWherever the Communist Party goes\r\n<em>Hu er hei yo</em>\r\nThe people there receive liberation\r\n\r\n东方红太阳升 \r\n中国出了个毛泽东\r\n他为人民谋幸福\r\n呼儿嗨哟\r\n他是人民大救星\r\n他为人民谋幸福\r\n呼儿嗨哟 \r\n他是人民大救星 \r\n大救星\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Communist songs: 《东方红》- The East is Red', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2343-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-19 03:23:09', '2020-05-19 07:23:09', '', 2343, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/19/2343-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2371, 1, '2020-05-22 22:40:44', '2020-05-23 02:40:44', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\nThis song is a relic of the Cultural Revolution, published in YEAR when Mao Zedong\'s cult of personality was in full swing. This rousing anthem worships the glory of Chairman Mao, with over-the-top . To be clear: this is not the Chinese national anthem, but it was almost as popular back when it was released, and most folks on mainland usually remember at least some of the lyrics. If you want to listen to the song with music and lyrics, you can check it out here.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.rensheng5.com/xiaogushi/id-9965.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source here</a>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>东方红</h4>\r\n东方红太阳升 \r\n中国出了个毛泽东\r\n他为人民谋幸福\r\n呼儿嗨哟\r\n他是人民大救星 \r\n他为人民谋幸福\r\n呼儿嗨哟 \r\n他是人民大救星\r\n\r\n毛主席爱人民 \r\n他是我们的带路人\r\n为了建设新中国 \r\n呼儿嗨哟\r\n领导我们向前进 \r\n为了建设新中国\r\n呼儿嗨哟 \r\n领导我们向前进\r\n\r\n共产党像太阳 \r\n照到那里那里亮\r\n哪里有了共产党 \r\n呼儿嗨哟\r\n那里人民得解放 \r\n哪里有了共产党\r\n呼儿嗨哟 \r\n那里人民得解放\r\n\r\n东方红太阳升 \r\n中国出了个毛泽东\r\n他为人民谋幸福\r\n呼儿嗨哟\r\n他是人民大救星\r\n他为人民谋幸福\r\n呼儿嗨哟 \r\n他是人民大救星 \r\n大救星\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nThe East is Red, the sun is rising\r\nChina GAVE BIRTH to Mao Zedong\r\nHe is working for the people\'s prosperity\r\n<em>Hu er hei yo</em>\r\nHe is the People\'s great emancipator \r\nHe is working for the people\'s prosperity\r\n<em>Hu er hei yo</em>\r\nHe is the People\'s great emancipator \r\n\r\nChairman Mao loves the people\r\nHe is our guide\r\nIn order to build New China\r\n<em>Hu er hei yo</em>\r\nHe leads us towards advancement\r\nIn order to build New China\r\n<em>Hu er hei yo</em>\r\nHe leads us towards advancement\r\n\r\nThe Communist Party is like the sun\r\nWherever it shines, there is light\r\nWherever the Communist Party goes\r\n<em>Hu er hei yo</em>\r\nThe people there receive liberation\r\nWherever the Communist Party goes\r\n<em>Hu er hei yo</em>\r\nThe people there receive liberation\r\n\r\n东方红太阳升 \r\n中国出了个毛泽东\r\n他为人民谋幸福\r\n呼儿嗨哟\r\n他是人民大救星\r\n他为人民谋幸福\r\n呼儿嗨哟 \r\n他是人民大救星 \r\n大救星\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Communist songs: 《东方红》- The East is Red', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2343-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-22 22:40:44', '2020-05-23 02:40:44', '', 2343, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/22/2343-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2346, 1, '2020-05-19 23:14:11', '2020-05-20 03:14:11', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\nIn this short story, a garden rake (草耙 - [pinyin]cao3 pa2[/pinyin]) teaches one stuck-up kid a lesson in humility. HSK 3-4.\r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\n父亲这儿 [pinyin]fu2 qin1 zhe4 er[/pinyin] - 父亲, as we know, means \"father\", and \"这儿\" usually means \"here\". But this phrase does not mean \"father is here\". In this case, 这儿 is colloquial Chinese meaning \"place\". So, 父亲这儿 means \"father\'s place\" - most often, \"place\" refers to someone\'s house, but it can also mean \"hometown\", or simply \"where someone is\". \r\n\r\n给我当个帮手 [pinyin]gei3 wo3 dang1 ge bang1 shou3[/pinyin] - You can probably figure this one out for yourself if you break down the meaning of each character: \r\n\r\n给 - Give\r\n我 - me\r\n当 - be / act as\r\n个 - a\r\n帮手 - helping hand\r\n\r\nThe difficulty here lies in the fact that both 给 and 当 are used simultaneously, since in English, we\'d only either say \"give me a helping hand\", or \"be my helping hand\", not \"give me be a helping hand\". But we can probably parse this a little better if we understand the definition of 给 not as \"give\", but as \"for\". In that case, the sentence becomes \"be a helping hand for me\". And that makes more sense.\r\n\r\n干活 [pinyin]gan1 huo2[/pinyin] - Beginners usually first see the character 活 in the word 生活, \"life\". But 活 in this case means \"labor\". So 干活 is \"to do labor\", usually labor done with the hands. It\'s also sometimes used derogatorily to describe mindless busywork, as in \"This isn\'t a career, it\'s just 干活.\" \r\n\r\nFinally, we\'ve got two idioms at the very end. Those are:\r\n\r\n恃才傲物 [pinyin]shi4 cai2 ao4 wu4[/pinyin] - To be conceited and contemptuous.\r\n\r\n夜郎自大 [pinyin]ye4 lang2 zi4 da4[/pinyin] - I\'ve actually got a whole post on this idiom <a href=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2012/11/01/story-behind-the-idiom-yelang-zi-da/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">here</a>, if you\'d like to dig deeper， but in essence, it means \"to think too highly of oneself\".  \r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>有学问的儿子</h4>\r\n\r\n上大学的儿子从城里回到农村，回到<span class=\"highlightText\">父亲这儿</span>。\r\n\r\n父亲说：“今天你和我一起去割草，你去拿草耙，<span class=\"highlightText\">给我当个帮手</span>。”\r\n\r\n可是儿子不愿<span class=\"highlightText\">干活</span>，他说：“我学的是科学，乡下人的<span class=\"highlightText\">活</span>我全都忘记了。草耙是什么样的东西?”\r\n\r\n他刚刚走进院子，就一脚踩在草耙上，草耙的把儿一下子打在他的脑门上。这时他终于想起了什么是草耙。\r\n\r\n做人不能忘本，更不能因为学了一点本事而<span class=\"highlightText\">恃才傲物</span>，<span class=\"highlightText\">夜郎自大</span>。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nA college student came back from the city to [his] village, returning to his father\'s place.\r\n\r\nHis father said, \"Today we\'re going to cut the grass, go get the rake, and be my helping hand.\" \r\n\r\nBut his son wasn\'t willing to do the work, and he said, \"I studied science, and I\'ve forgotten all [the particulars of] village work. What kind of thing is a rake?\" \r\n\r\n[The son] had just walked into the yard, when he trod upon the rake with his foot, and the rake\'s handle suddenly [sprung up and] hit him in the head. That\'s when he finally remembered was a rake was.\r\n\r\nPeople must not forget their roots, and moreover [they] shouldn\'t be full of themselves just because they\'ve learned a few things. \r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Children\'s Story: 有学问的儿子 - The Learned Son', 'In this short story, a garden rake (草耙 - [pinyin]cao3 pa2[/pinyin]) teaches one stuck-up kid a lesson in humility. HSK 3-4.', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2322-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-19 23:14:11', '2020-05-20 03:14:11', '', 2322, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/19/2322-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2347, 1, '2020-05-19 23:17:48', '2020-05-20 03:17:48', '[su_row]\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\nIn this short story, a garden rake (草耙 - [pinyin]cao3 pa2[/pinyin]) teaches one stuck-up kid a lesson in humility. HSK 3-4.\n\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\n<strong>父亲这儿</strong> [pinyin]fu4 qin zhe4 er[/pinyin] - 父亲, as we know, means \"father\", and \"这儿\" usually means \"here\". But this phrase does not mean \"father is here\". In this case, 这儿 is colloquial Chinese meaning \"place\". So, 父亲这儿 means \"father\'s place\" - most often, \"place\" refers to someone\'s house, but it can also mean \"hometown\", or simply \"where someone is\". \n\n<strong>给我当个帮手</strong> [pinyin]gei3 wo3 dang1 ge bang1 shou3[/pinyin] - You can probably figure this one out for yourself if you break down the meaning of each character: \n\n给 - Give\n我 - me\n当 - be / act as\n个 - a\n帮手 - helping hand\n\nThe difficulty here lies in the fact that both 给 and 当 are used simultaneously, since in English, we\'d only either say \"give me a helping hand\", or \"be my helping hand\", not \"give me be a helping hand\". But we can probably parse this a little better if we understand the definition of 给 not as \"give\", but as \"for\". In that case, the sentence becomes \"be a helping hand for me\". And that makes more sense.\n\n<strong>干活</strong> [pinyin]gan1 huo2[/pinyin] - Beginners usually first see the character 活 in the word 生活, \"life\". But 活 in this case means \"labor\". So 干活 is \"to do labor\", usually labor done with the hands. It\'s also sometimes used derogatorily to describe mindless busywork, as in \"This isn\'t a career, it\'s just 干活.\" \n\nFinally, we\'ve got two idioms at the very end. Those are:\n\n恃才傲物 [pinyin]shi4 cai2 ao4 wu4[/pinyin] - To be conceited and contemptuous.\n\n夜郎自大 [pinyin]ye4 lang2 zi4 da4[/pinyin] - I\'ve actually got a whole post on this idiom <a href=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2012/11/01/story-behind-the-idiom-yelang-zi-da/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">here</a>, if you\'d like to dig deeper， but in essence, it means \"to think too highly of oneself\".  \n[/su_column]\n[/su_row]\n\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\n[su_row]\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\n<h4>有学问的儿子</h4>\n\n上大学的儿子从城里回到农村，回到<span class=\"highlightText\">父亲这儿</span>。\n\n父亲说：“今天你和我一起去割草，你去拿草耙，<span class=\"highlightText\">给我当个帮手</span>。”\n\n可是儿子不愿<span class=\"highlightText\">干活</span>，他说：“我学的是科学，乡下人的<span class=\"highlightText\">活</span>我全都忘记了。草耙是什么样的东西?”\n\n他刚刚走进院子，就一脚踩在草耙上，草耙的把儿一下子打在他的脑门上。这时他终于想起了什么是草耙。\n\n做人不能忘本，更不能因为学了一点本事而<span class=\"highlightText\">恃才傲物</span>，<span class=\"highlightText\">夜郎自大</span>。\n</div>\n[/su_column]\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\nA college student came back from the city to [his] village, returning to his father\'s place.\n\nHis father said, \"Today we\'re going to cut the grass, go get the rake, and be my helping hand.\" \n\nBut his son wasn\'t willing to do the work, and he said, \"I studied science, and I\'ve forgotten all [the particulars of] village work. What kind of thing is a rake?\" \n\n[The son] had just walked into the yard, when he trod upon the rake with his foot, and the rake\'s handle suddenly [sprung up and] hit him in the head. That\'s when he finally remembered was a rake was.\n\nPeople must not forget their roots, and moreover [they] shouldn\'t be full of themselves just because they\'ve learned a few things. \n[/hide-this-part]\n[/su_column]\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Children\'s Story: 有学问的儿子 - The Learned Son', 'In this short story, a garden rake (草耙 - [pinyin]cao3 pa2[/pinyin]) teaches one stuck-up kid a lesson in humility. HSK 3-4.', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2322-autosave-v1', '', '', '2020-05-19 23:17:48', '2020-05-20 03:17:48', '', 2322, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/19/2322-autosave-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2348, 1, '2020-05-19 23:18:05', '2020-05-20 03:18:05', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\nIn this short story, a garden rake (草耙 - [pinyin]cao3 pa2[/pinyin]) teaches one stuck-up kid a lesson in humility. HSK 3-4.\r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\n<strong>父亲这儿</strong> [pinyin]fu4 qin zhe4 er[/pinyin] - 父亲, as we know, means \"father\", and \"这儿\" usually means \"here\". But this phrase does not mean \"father is here\". In this case, 这儿 is colloquial Chinese meaning \"place\". So, 父亲这儿 means \"father\'s place\" - most often, \"place\" refers to someone\'s house, but it can also mean \"hometown\", or simply \"where someone is\". \r\n\r\n<strong>给我当个帮手</strong> [pinyin]gei3 wo3 dang1 ge bang1 shou3[/pinyin] - You can probably figure this one out for yourself if you break down the meaning of each character: \r\n\r\n给 - Give\r\n我 - me\r\n当 - be / act as\r\n个 - a\r\n帮手 - helping hand\r\n\r\nThe difficulty here lies in the fact that both 给 and 当 are used simultaneously, since in English, we\'d only either say \"give me a helping hand\", or \"be my helping hand\", not \"give me be a helping hand\". But we can probably parse this a little better if we understand the definition of 给 not as \"give\", but as \"for\". In that case, the sentence becomes \"be a helping hand for me\". And that makes more sense.\r\n\r\n<strong>干活</strong> [pinyin]gan4 huo2[/pinyin] - Beginners usually first see the character 活 in the word 生活, \"life\". But 活 in this case means \"labor\". So 干活 is \"to do labor\", usually labor done with the hands. It\'s also sometimes used derogatorily to describe mindless busywork, as in \"This isn\'t a career, it\'s just 干活.\" \r\n\r\nFinally, we\'ve got two idioms at the very end. Those are:\r\n\r\n恃才傲物 [pinyin]shi4 cai2 ao4 wu4[/pinyin] - To be conceited and contemptuous.\r\n\r\n夜郎自大 [pinyin]ye4 lang2 zi4 da4[/pinyin] - I\'ve actually got a whole post on this idiom <a href=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2012/11/01/story-behind-the-idiom-yelang-zi-da/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">here</a>, if you\'d like to dig deeper， but in essence, it means \"to think too highly of oneself\".  \r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>有学问的儿子</h4>\r\n\r\n上大学的儿子从城里回到农村，回到<span class=\"highlightText\">父亲这儿</span>。\r\n\r\n父亲说：“今天你和我一起去割草，你去拿草耙，<span class=\"highlightText\">给我当个帮手</span>。”\r\n\r\n可是儿子不愿<span class=\"highlightText\">干活</span>，他说：“我学的是科学，乡下人的<span class=\"highlightText\">活</span>我全都忘记了。草耙是什么样的东西?”\r\n\r\n他刚刚走进院子，就一脚踩在草耙上，草耙的把儿一下子打在他的脑门上。这时他终于想起了什么是草耙。\r\n\r\n做人不能忘本，更不能因为学了一点本事而<span class=\"highlightText\">恃才傲物</span>，<span class=\"highlightText\">夜郎自大</span>。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nA college student came back from the city to [his] village, returning to his father\'s place.\r\n\r\nHis father said, \"Today we\'re going to cut the grass, go get the rake, and be my helping hand.\" \r\n\r\nBut his son wasn\'t willing to do the work, and he said, \"I studied science, and I\'ve forgotten all [the particulars of] village work. What kind of thing is a rake?\" \r\n\r\n[The son] had just walked into the yard, when he trod upon the rake with his foot, and the rake\'s handle suddenly [sprung up and] hit him in the head. That\'s when he finally remembered was a rake was.\r\n\r\nPeople must not forget their roots, and moreover [they] shouldn\'t be full of themselves just because they\'ve learned a few things. \r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Children\'s Story: 有学问的儿子 - The Learned Son', 'In this short story, a garden rake (草耙 - [pinyin]cao3 pa2[/pinyin]) teaches one stuck-up kid a lesson in humility. HSK 3-4.', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2322-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-19 23:18:05', '2020-05-20 03:18:05', '', 2322, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/19/2322-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2350, 1, '2020-05-25 00:00:33', '2020-05-25 04:00:33', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"] \r\nHad a complaint a few days ago that my <a href=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/18/chinese-childrens-fable-freedom-in-heaven/\">fable about a pretty bird</a> was too political, so I figured I\'d give ya\'ll something more exciting to complain about. Break out your Little Red Books, it\'s Communism Week at CRP. \r\n\r\nBecause Chinese Communism is an increasingly touchy international topic, a quick note: I am putting up these stories because they are historically, academically and linguistically interesting, not because I am promoting any political viewpoint. To maintain a pleasant, learning-focused environment, I don\'t allow political comments here. If you express your political opinions in the comments - positive, negative, or neutral - I will delete them. \r\n\r\nRight, so <a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lei_Feng\">Lei Feng</a> (雷锋) was a larger-than-life Communist people\'s folk hero. Though tales of his good deeds spread like wildfire and took on a mythic quality, he was actually a real person: a People\'s Liberation Army solider who lived from 1940-1962, dying at the age of 22 when he was struck by a falling telephone pole in the line of duty. But his legend never really waned: he is still considered the personification of Mao Zedong Thought and the ultimate socialist Boy Scout. He was held up by the Party propaganda machine as a person to emulate, someone with a perfect moral character and devotion to the socialist cause, so much so that children were encouraged to foster \"Lei Feng Spirit\" (雷锋精神).\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/chinese-reading-practice-communist-history-stories-folk-tales-lei-feng.jpeg\" alt=\"Learn Chinese Reading Intermediate Chinese Reader Lei Feng Vintage Communist Stories\" width=\"268\" height=\"348\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-2427\" />\r\n\r\nIn this post, I translate one of many, many stories about Lei Feng\'s general do-gooding. I chose this one because it\'s got all the best elements of a classic Lei Feng tale: over-the-top selflessness towards the common people, grand statements of loyalty to the Party, and all the rest.\r\n\r\n<h4>Some Language Stuff</h4>\r\nIf this is your first foray into Communist-themed reading, you\'ll learn a few new words that are common to writing from the 1940s-1970s: \r\n\r\n单位 [pinyin]dan1 wei4[/pinyin] - work unit\r\n解放军 [pinyin]jie3 fang4 jun1[/pinyin] - [People\'s] Liberation Army (PLA) \r\n同志 [pinyin]tong2 zhi4[/pinyin] - comrade \r\n毛主席 [pinyin]mao2 zhu3 xi2[/pinyin] - Chairman Mao\r\n党 [pinyin]dang3[/pinyin] - short for \"共产党\", the Party / the Communist Party.  \r\n\r\nThere are also a few names of places: Shenyang (沈阳), Liaoning (辽宁) and Jilin (吉林) - all places within northeastern China. \r\n\r\nThis post centers around good deeds that Lei Feng did while traveling around the northeast on army business. I had a little bit of trouble translating some of the travel-related sentences, because the way people talk about travel in Chinese is slightly different than the way we do in English. For one thing, if someone is traveling within China, the phrase 去外地 [pinyin]qu4 wai4 di4[/pinyin] is used. At first glance, \"去外地\" just means \"to go other places\", but this is specifically used to mean \"other places within China\", not \"other countries\". Trips outside of China are usually described as 去国外 or 去外国. Also, pay attention to the word 出差 [pinyin]chu1 chai1[/pinyin]. This specially means \"to travel on business\", as opposed to traveling for pleasure.\r\n\r\n<strong>想都没想</strong> [pinyin]xiang3 dou1 mei3 xiang3[/pinyin] - Phrase means \"without even thinking about it\" or \"without a second thought\". \r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E9%9B%B7%E9%94%8B/5569?fr=aladdin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source here</a>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>雷锋小故事</h4>\r\n从一九六一年开始，雷锋经常应邀去外地作报告，他出差的机会多了，为人民服务的机会也就多了。\r\n\r\n人们流传着这样一句话：“雷锋出差一千里，好事做了一火车。”\r\n\r\n有一次，雷锋外出，在<span class=\"highlightText\">沈阳</span>车站换车，出检票口的时候，他发现一群人围着一个背着小孩儿的中年妇女。原来这名妇女从<span class=\"highlightText\">辽宁</span>去<span class=\"highlightText\">吉林</span>看丈夫，一不小心把车票和钱都丢了 ，雷锋连忙用自己的津贴费买了一张去吉林的火车票塞到大嫂手里，大嫂眼含热泪地问：“小兄弟，你叫什么名字？住哪的？是哪个<span class=\"highlightText\">单位</span>的？”\r\n\r\n雷锋回答道：“我叫<span class=\"highlightText\">解放军</span>，家就住在中国。”\r\n\r\n五月的一天，雷锋冒雨去<span class=\"highlightText\">沈阳</span>。他为了赶早车，早晨5点多就起来，带了几个干馒头就披上雨衣上路了。路上，雷锋看见一位妇女背着一个小孩，手还牵着一个小女孩，正艰难地向车站走去。雷锋<span class=\"highlightText\">想都没想</span>，脱下身上的雨衣就披在大嫂身上，又抱起小女孩陪她们一起来到车站。上车后，雷锋见小女孩冷得直发抖，就把自己的贴身衬衣脱下来给她穿上。雷锋估计她们早饭没吃，就把自己带的馒头给她们吃。火车到了沈阳，天还在下雨，雷锋便把她们送到家里。\r\n\r\n那位妇女感激地说：“<span class=\"highlightText\">同志</span>，我可怎么感谢你呀！”\r\n\r\n雷锋说 ：“不要感谢我，应该感谢<span class=\"highlightText\">党</span>和<span class=\"highlightText\">毛主席</span>啊！”\r\n\r\n他在日记中写下了这样一段话：“我的一切都是<span class=\"highlightText\">党</span>给的，光荣应该归于<span class=\"highlightText\">党</span>，归于热情帮助我的<span class=\"highlightText\">同志</span>，至于我个人做的工作，那是太少了，我这么一点点贡献，比起对我的要求和期望还是非常不够的……” \r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nBeginning in 1961, Lei Feng was often invited to go to other cities to make reports, and [since] he had many opportunities to travel on business, he also had many opportunities to serve the people.   \r\n\r\nPeople often said [of him]: \"When Lei Feng travels for business, [he rides there] on a train of good deeds.\" \r\n\r\nOne time, [while] Lei Feng was out and about, he was changing trains at Shenyang station, and when he was at the ticket booth, he saw a group of people standing around a middle-aged woman who was carrying a small child on her back. Turns out this woman was going from Liaoning to Jilin to see her husband, and accidentally lost her ticket and her wallet, so Lei Feng quickly used his own allowance to buy a ticket to Jilin and pressed it into the woman\'s [lit: \"elder sister\'s\"] hand. Her eyes brimming with tears the woman [lit: elder sister] said: \"Little Brother, What is your name? Where do you live? What is your work unit?\" \r\n\r\nLei Feng answered: \"My name is Liberation Army, and China is my home.\" \r\n\r\nOne day in May, Lei Feng braved the rain to go to Shenyang. In order to catch the early train, he woke up at 5:00 A.M., took some dry steamed buns, put on his rain gear and set out upon the road. On the road, Lei Feng saw a woman carrying a small child on her back, and leading another little girl by the hand, and [she was] struggling towards the train station. Lei Feng didn\'t give it a second thought, he took off his own rain gear and draped it over the woman\'s body, picked up the little girl and accompanied them to the station. On the train, Lei Feng saw the little girl shivering from cold, so he took off the shirt on his back and gave it to her to wear. Lei Feng guessed that they hadn\'t eaten breakfast, so he took out the buns he had brought and gave them to the women. When the train reached Shenyang, it was still raining, and Lei Feng took the women to their home. \r\n\r\nThe women gratefully said: \"Comrade, how can I ever thank you?\" \r\n\r\nLei Feng said, \"You don\'t have to thank me, you should thank the Party and Chairman Mao!\"\r\n\r\nIn his diary, he wrote the following: \"Everything I have was given to me by the Party, and all glory should belong to the Party, should belong to those comrades who enthusiastically helped me. As for the work I\'ve done, it isn\'t very much, my tiny contributions don\'t measure up to what I need and hope [to give]....\"\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Communist folk tales:  The good deeds of Lei Feng', 'It\'s Communism Week at CRP! I\'m kicking off with some classic stories about the good deeds of Communist folk hero Lei Feng, the ultimate socialist Boy Scout. HSK 4-5.', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'communist-folk-tales-the-good-deeds-of-lei-feng', '', '', '2020-05-26 23:49:40', '2020-05-27 03:49:40', '', 0, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/?p=2350', 0, 'post', '', 1),
(2351, 1, '2020-05-19 23:50:22', '2020-05-20 03:50:22', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"] \r\nLei Feng was a larger-than-life Communist people\'s folk hero. Though tales of his good deeds spread like wildfire and took on a mythic quality, he was actually a real person: a People\'s Liberation Army solider who lived from 1940-1962, dying at the age of 22 when he was struck by a falling telephone pole in the line of duty. But his legend never really waned: he is still considered the living, breathing epitome of Mao Zedong Thought, and the ultimate socialist Boy Scout. \r\n\r\nThis is just one of many, many stories about Lei Feng\'s general do-gooding. I chose this one because it\'s got all the best elements of Lei Feng: selflessly helping the common people, grand statements of loyalty to the Party, and all the rest.\r\n\r\n<h4>Some Language Stuff</h4>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E9%9B%B7%E9%94%8B/5569?fr=aladdin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source here</a>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>雷锋小故事</h4>\r\n从一九六一年开始，雷锋经常应邀去外地作报告，他出差的机会多了，为人民服务的机会也就多了。\r\n\r\n人们流传着这样一句话：“雷锋出差一千里，好事做了一火车。”\r\n\r\n有一次，雷锋外出，在沈阳车站换车，出检票口的时候，他发现一群人围着一个背着小孩儿的中年妇女。原来这名妇女从辽宁去吉林看丈夫，一不小心把车票和钱都丢了 ，雷锋连忙用自己的津贴费买了一张去吉林的火车票塞到大嫂手里，大嫂眼含热泪地问：“小兄弟，你叫什么名字？住哪的？是哪个单位的？”\r\n\r\n雷锋回答道：“我叫解放军，家就住在中国。”\r\n\r\n五月的一天，雷锋冒雨去沈阳。他为了赶早车，早晨5点多就起来，带了几个干馒头就披上雨衣上路了。路上，雷锋看见一位妇女背着一个小孩，手还牵着一个小女孩，正艰难地向车站走去。雷锋想都没想，脱下身上的雨衣就披在大嫂身上，又抱起小女孩陪她们一起来到车站。上车后，雷锋见小女孩冷得直发抖，就把自己的贴身衬衣脱下来给她穿上。雷锋估计她们早饭没吃，就把自己带的馒头给她们吃。火车到了沈阳，天还在下雨，雷锋便把她们送到家里。\r\n\r\n那位妇女感激地说：“同志，我可怎么感谢你呀！”\r\n\r\n雷锋说 ：“不要感谢我，应该感谢党和毛主席啊！”\r\n\r\n他在日记中写下了这样一段话：“我的一切都是党给的，光荣应该归于党，归于热情帮助我的同志，至于我个人做的工作，那是太少了，我这么一点点贡献，比起对我的要求和期望还是非常不够的……” \r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\n从一九六一年开始，雷锋经常应邀去外地作报告，他出差的机会多了，为人民服务的机会也就多了。\r\n\r\n人们流传着这样一句话：“雷锋出差一千里，好事做了一火车。”\r\n\r\n有一次，雷锋外出，在沈阳车站换车，出检票口的时候，他发现一群人围着一个背着小孩儿的中年妇女。原来这名妇女从辽宁去吉林看丈夫，一不小心把车票和钱都丢了 ，雷锋连忙用自己的津贴费买了一张去吉林的火车票塞到大嫂手里，大嫂眼含热泪地问：“小兄弟，你叫什么名字？住哪的？是哪个单位的？”\r\n\r\n雷锋回答道：“我叫解放军，家就住在中国。”\r\n\r\n五月的一天，雷锋冒雨去沈阳。他为了赶早车，早晨5点多就起来，带了几个干馒头就披上雨衣上路了。路上，雷锋看见一位妇女背着一个小孩，手还牵着一个小女孩，正艰难地向车站走去。雷锋想都没想，脱下身上的雨衣就披在大嫂身上，又抱起小女孩陪她们一起来到车站。上车后，雷锋见小女孩冷得直发抖，就把自己的贴身衬衣脱下来给她穿上。雷锋估计她们早饭没吃，就把自己带的馒头给她们吃。火车到了沈阳，天还在下雨，雷锋便把她们送到家里。\r\n\r\n那位妇女感激地说：“同志，我可怎么感谢你呀！”\r\n\r\n雷锋说 ：“不要感谢我，应该感谢党和毛主席啊！”\r\n\r\n他在日记中写下了这样一段话：“我的一切都是党给的，光荣应该归于党，归于热情帮助我的同志，至于我个人做的工作，那是太少了，我这么一点点贡献，比起对我的要求和期望还是非常不够的……” \r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Communist folk tales:  The good deeds of Lei Feng', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2350-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-19 23:50:22', '2020-05-20 03:50:22', '', 2350, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/19/2350-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2352, 1, '2020-05-19 23:52:25', '2020-05-20 03:52:25', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"] \r\n<a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lei_Feng\">Lei Feng</a> was a larger-than-life Communist people\'s folk hero. Though tales of his good deeds spread like wildfire and took on a mythic quality, he was actually a real person: a People\'s Liberation Army solider who lived from 1940-1962, dying at the age of 22 when he was struck by a falling telephone pole in the line of duty. But his legend never really waned: he is still considered the living, breathing epitome of Mao Zedong Thought, and the ultimate socialist Boy Scout. He was held up by the Party propaganda machine as a person to emulate, someone with a perfect moral character and devotion to the socialist cause.\r\n\r\nIn this post, I translate one of many, many stories about Lei Feng\'s general do-gooding. I chose this one because it\'s got all the best elements of Lei Feng: over-the-top selflessness towards the common people, grand statements of loyalty to the Party, and all the rest.\r\n\r\n<h4>Some Language Stuff</h4>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E9%9B%B7%E9%94%8B/5569?fr=aladdin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source here</a>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>雷锋小故事</h4>\r\n从一九六一年开始，雷锋经常应邀去外地作报告，他出差的机会多了，为人民服务的机会也就多了。\r\n\r\n人们流传着这样一句话：“雷锋出差一千里，好事做了一火车。”\r\n\r\n有一次，雷锋外出，在沈阳车站换车，出检票口的时候，他发现一群人围着一个背着小孩儿的中年妇女。原来这名妇女从辽宁去吉林看丈夫，一不小心把车票和钱都丢了 ，雷锋连忙用自己的津贴费买了一张去吉林的火车票塞到大嫂手里，大嫂眼含热泪地问：“小兄弟，你叫什么名字？住哪的？是哪个单位的？”\r\n\r\n雷锋回答道：“我叫解放军，家就住在中国。”\r\n\r\n五月的一天，雷锋冒雨去沈阳。他为了赶早车，早晨5点多就起来，带了几个干馒头就披上雨衣上路了。路上，雷锋看见一位妇女背着一个小孩，手还牵着一个小女孩，正艰难地向车站走去。雷锋想都没想，脱下身上的雨衣就披在大嫂身上，又抱起小女孩陪她们一起来到车站。上车后，雷锋见小女孩冷得直发抖，就把自己的贴身衬衣脱下来给她穿上。雷锋估计她们早饭没吃，就把自己带的馒头给她们吃。火车到了沈阳，天还在下雨，雷锋便把她们送到家里。\r\n\r\n那位妇女感激地说：“同志，我可怎么感谢你呀！”\r\n\r\n雷锋说 ：“不要感谢我，应该感谢党和毛主席啊！”\r\n\r\n他在日记中写下了这样一段话：“我的一切都是党给的，光荣应该归于党，归于热情帮助我的同志，至于我个人做的工作，那是太少了，我这么一点点贡献，比起对我的要求和期望还是非常不够的……” \r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\n从一九六一年开始，雷锋经常应邀去外地作报告，他出差的机会多了，为人民服务的机会也就多了。\r\n\r\n人们流传着这样一句话：“雷锋出差一千里，好事做了一火车。”\r\n\r\n有一次，雷锋外出，在沈阳车站换车，出检票口的时候，他发现一群人围着一个背着小孩儿的中年妇女。原来这名妇女从辽宁去吉林看丈夫，一不小心把车票和钱都丢了 ，雷锋连忙用自己的津贴费买了一张去吉林的火车票塞到大嫂手里，大嫂眼含热泪地问：“小兄弟，你叫什么名字？住哪的？是哪个单位的？”\r\n\r\n雷锋回答道：“我叫解放军，家就住在中国。”\r\n\r\n五月的一天，雷锋冒雨去沈阳。他为了赶早车，早晨5点多就起来，带了几个干馒头就披上雨衣上路了。路上，雷锋看见一位妇女背着一个小孩，手还牵着一个小女孩，正艰难地向车站走去。雷锋想都没想，脱下身上的雨衣就披在大嫂身上，又抱起小女孩陪她们一起来到车站。上车后，雷锋见小女孩冷得直发抖，就把自己的贴身衬衣脱下来给她穿上。雷锋估计她们早饭没吃，就把自己带的馒头给她们吃。火车到了沈阳，天还在下雨，雷锋便把她们送到家里。\r\n\r\n那位妇女感激地说：“同志，我可怎么感谢你呀！”\r\n\r\n雷锋说 ：“不要感谢我，应该感谢党和毛主席啊！”\r\n\r\n他在日记中写下了这样一段话：“我的一切都是党给的，光荣应该归于党，归于热情帮助我的同志，至于我个人做的工作，那是太少了，我这么一点点贡献，比起对我的要求和期望还是非常不够的……” \r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Communist folk tales:  The good deeds of Lei Feng', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2350-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-19 23:52:25', '2020-05-20 03:52:25', '', 2350, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/19/2350-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
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(2373, 1, '2020-05-22 23:00:51', '2020-05-23 03:00:51', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"] \r\nHad a complaint a few days ago that my fable about pretty birds was too political, so I figured I\'d give ya\'ll something more exciting to complain about. Break out your Little Red Books, it\'s Communist Week at CRP. \r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lei_Feng\">Lei Feng</a> was a larger-than-life Communist people\'s folk hero. Though tales of his good deeds spread like wildfire and took on a mythic quality, he was actually a real person: a People\'s Liberation Army solider who lived from 1940-1962, dying at the age of 22 when he was struck by a falling telephone pole in the line of duty. But his legend never really waned: he is still considered the personification of Mao Zedong Thought and the ultimate socialist Boy Scout. He was held up by the Party propaganda machine as a person to emulate, someone with a perfect moral character and devotion to the socialist cause, so much so that children were encouraged to foster \"Lei Feng Spirit\" (雷锋精神).\r\n\r\nIn this post, I translate one of many, many stories about Lei Feng\'s general do-gooding. I chose this one because it\'s got all the best elements of a classic Lei Feng tale: over-the-top selflessness towards the common people, grand statements of loyalty to the Party, and all the rest.\r\n\r\n<h4>Some Language Stuff</h4>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E9%9B%B7%E9%94%8B/5569?fr=aladdin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source here</a>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>雷锋小故事</h4>\r\n从一九六一年开始，雷锋经常应邀去外地作报告，他出差的机会多了，为人民服务的机会也就多了。\r\n\r\n人们流传着这样一句话：“雷锋出差一千里，好事做了一火车。”\r\n\r\n有一次，雷锋外出，在沈阳车站换车，出检票口的时候，他发现一群人围着一个背着小孩儿的中年妇女。原来这名妇女从辽宁去吉林看丈夫，一不小心把车票和钱都丢了 ，雷锋连忙用自己的津贴费买了一张去吉林的火车票塞到大嫂手里，大嫂眼含热泪地问：“小兄弟，你叫什么名字？住哪的？是哪个单位的？”\r\n\r\n雷锋回答道：“我叫解放军，家就住在中国。”\r\n\r\n五月的一天，雷锋冒雨去沈阳。他为了赶早车，早晨5点多就起来，带了几个干馒头就披上雨衣上路了。路上，雷锋看见一位妇女背着一个小孩，手还牵着一个小女孩，正艰难地向车站走去。雷锋想都没想，脱下身上的雨衣就披在大嫂身上，又抱起小女孩陪她们一起来到车站。上车后，雷锋见小女孩冷得直发抖，就把自己的贴身衬衣脱下来给她穿上。雷锋估计她们早饭没吃，就把自己带的馒头给她们吃。火车到了沈阳，天还在下雨，雷锋便把她们送到家里。\r\n\r\n那位妇女感激地说：“同志，我可怎么感谢你呀！”\r\n\r\n雷锋说 ：“不要感谢我，应该感谢党和毛主席啊！”\r\n\r\n他在日记中写下了这样一段话：“我的一切都是党给的，光荣应该归于党，归于热情帮助我的同志，至于我个人做的工作，那是太少了，我这么一点点贡献，比起对我的要求和期望还是非常不够的……” \r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\n从一九六一年开始，雷锋经常应邀去外地作报告，他出差的机会多了，为人民服务的机会也就多了。\r\n\r\n人们流传着这样一句话：“雷锋出差一千里，好事做了一火车。”\r\n\r\n有一次，雷锋外出，在沈阳车站换车，出检票口的时候，他发现一群人围着一个背着小孩儿的中年妇女。原来这名妇女从辽宁去吉林看丈夫，一不小心把车票和钱都丢了 ，雷锋连忙用自己的津贴费买了一张去吉林的火车票塞到大嫂手里，大嫂眼含热泪地问：“小兄弟，你叫什么名字？住哪的？是哪个单位的？”\r\n\r\n雷锋回答道：“我叫解放军，家就住在中国。”\r\n\r\n五月的一天，雷锋冒雨去沈阳。他为了赶早车，早晨5点多就起来，带了几个干馒头就披上雨衣上路了。路上，雷锋看见一位妇女背着一个小孩，手还牵着一个小女孩，正艰难地向车站走去。雷锋想都没想，脱下身上的雨衣就披在大嫂身上，又抱起小女孩陪她们一起来到车站。上车后，雷锋见小女孩冷得直发抖，就把自己的贴身衬衣脱下来给她穿上。雷锋估计她们早饭没吃，就把自己带的馒头给她们吃。火车到了沈阳，天还在下雨，雷锋便把她们送到家里。\r\n\r\n那位妇女感激地说：“同志，我可怎么感谢你呀！”\r\n\r\n雷锋说 ：“不要感谢我，应该感谢党和毛主席啊！”\r\n\r\n他在日记中写下了这样一段话：“我的一切都是党给的，光荣应该归于党，归于热情帮助我的同志，至于我个人做的工作，那是太少了，我这么一点点贡献，比起对我的要求和期望还是非常不够的……” \r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Communist folk tales:  The good deeds of Lei Feng', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2350-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-22 23:00:51', '2020-05-23 03:00:51', '', 2350, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/22/2350-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2353, 1, '2020-05-19 23:57:49', '2020-05-20 03:57:49', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"] \r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communist History Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of CCP propaganda, and selected writings from China\'s old-school Communist heyday (1949-1976).</p> \r\n<a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lei_Feng\">Lei Feng</a> was a larger-than-life Communist people\'s folk hero. Though tales of his good deeds spread like wildfire and took on a mythic quality, he was actually a real person: a People\'s Liberation Army solider who lived from 1940-1962, dying at the age of 22 when he was struck by a falling telephone pole in the line of duty. But his legend never really waned: he is still considered the personification of Mao Zedong Thought and the ultimate socialist Boy Scout. He was held up by the Party propaganda machine as a person to emulate, someone with a perfect moral character and devotion to the socialist cause, so much so that children were encouraged to foster \"Lei Feng Spirit\" (雷锋精神).\r\n\r\nIn this post, I translate one of many, many stories about Lei Feng\'s general do-gooding. I chose this one because it\'s got all the best elements of a classic Lei Feng tale: over-the-top selflessness towards the common people, grand statements of loyalty to the Party, and all the rest.\r\n\r\n<h4>Some Language Stuff</h4>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E9%9B%B7%E9%94%8B/5569?fr=aladdin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source here</a>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>雷锋小故事</h4>\r\n从一九六一年开始，雷锋经常应邀去外地作报告，他出差的机会多了，为人民服务的机会也就多了。\r\n\r\n人们流传着这样一句话：“雷锋出差一千里，好事做了一火车。”\r\n\r\n有一次，雷锋外出，在沈阳车站换车，出检票口的时候，他发现一群人围着一个背着小孩儿的中年妇女。原来这名妇女从辽宁去吉林看丈夫，一不小心把车票和钱都丢了 ，雷锋连忙用自己的津贴费买了一张去吉林的火车票塞到大嫂手里，大嫂眼含热泪地问：“小兄弟，你叫什么名字？住哪的？是哪个单位的？”\r\n\r\n雷锋回答道：“我叫解放军，家就住在中国。”\r\n\r\n五月的一天，雷锋冒雨去沈阳。他为了赶早车，早晨5点多就起来，带了几个干馒头就披上雨衣上路了。路上，雷锋看见一位妇女背着一个小孩，手还牵着一个小女孩，正艰难地向车站走去。雷锋想都没想，脱下身上的雨衣就披在大嫂身上，又抱起小女孩陪她们一起来到车站。上车后，雷锋见小女孩冷得直发抖，就把自己的贴身衬衣脱下来给她穿上。雷锋估计她们早饭没吃，就把自己带的馒头给她们吃。火车到了沈阳，天还在下雨，雷锋便把她们送到家里。\r\n\r\n那位妇女感激地说：“同志，我可怎么感谢你呀！”\r\n\r\n雷锋说 ：“不要感谢我，应该感谢党和毛主席啊！”\r\n\r\n他在日记中写下了这样一段话：“我的一切都是党给的，光荣应该归于党，归于热情帮助我的同志，至于我个人做的工作，那是太少了，我这么一点点贡献，比起对我的要求和期望还是非常不够的……” \r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\n从一九六一年开始，雷锋经常应邀去外地作报告，他出差的机会多了，为人民服务的机会也就多了。\r\n\r\n人们流传着这样一句话：“雷锋出差一千里，好事做了一火车。”\r\n\r\n有一次，雷锋外出，在沈阳车站换车，出检票口的时候，他发现一群人围着一个背着小孩儿的中年妇女。原来这名妇女从辽宁去吉林看丈夫，一不小心把车票和钱都丢了 ，雷锋连忙用自己的津贴费买了一张去吉林的火车票塞到大嫂手里，大嫂眼含热泪地问：“小兄弟，你叫什么名字？住哪的？是哪个单位的？”\r\n\r\n雷锋回答道：“我叫解放军，家就住在中国。”\r\n\r\n五月的一天，雷锋冒雨去沈阳。他为了赶早车，早晨5点多就起来，带了几个干馒头就披上雨衣上路了。路上，雷锋看见一位妇女背着一个小孩，手还牵着一个小女孩，正艰难地向车站走去。雷锋想都没想，脱下身上的雨衣就披在大嫂身上，又抱起小女孩陪她们一起来到车站。上车后，雷锋见小女孩冷得直发抖，就把自己的贴身衬衣脱下来给她穿上。雷锋估计她们早饭没吃，就把自己带的馒头给她们吃。火车到了沈阳，天还在下雨，雷锋便把她们送到家里。\r\n\r\n那位妇女感激地说：“同志，我可怎么感谢你呀！”\r\n\r\n雷锋说 ：“不要感谢我，应该感谢党和毛主席啊！”\r\n\r\n他在日记中写下了这样一段话：“我的一切都是党给的，光荣应该归于党，归于热情帮助我的同志，至于我个人做的工作，那是太少了，我这么一点点贡献，比起对我的要求和期望还是非常不够的……” \r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Communist folk tales:  The good deeds of Lei Feng', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2350-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-19 23:57:49', '2020-05-20 03:57:49', '', 2350, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/19/2350-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2354, 1, '2020-05-27 00:00:40', '2020-05-27 04:00:40', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communism Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of historical and modern CCP propaganda, speeches, stories, essays and songs.</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Quick reminder:</strong> I am posting this because it is historically, linguistically, and academically interesting, not because I am promoting any political viewpoint. This website is a language learning resource. It is not a political platform. I like history, I don\'t like arguing. If you post your political opinion in the comments section – positive, negative, or neutral – I will delete it. Dinner tables rules, please.\r\n\r\nSocialist reformer Deng Xiaoping is regarded as one of the main architects of modern China. He was credited as the man responsible for opening up China\'s economy after the death of Mao Zedong in 1976. He was also given the unenviable task of figuring out how to approach the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the U.K. to China in 1997.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/chinese-reading-practice-advanced-speech-deng-xiaoping-hong-kong.jpeg\" alt=\"Chinese Reading Practice Advanced Speech Mandarin Learning Deng Xiaoping\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-2422\" />\r\n\r\nIn June, 1984, thirteen years before the Hong Kong handover, he gave this speech, addressing critics of the \"One Country, Two Systems\" （一个国家，两种制度）policy, which determined China\'s approach to the handover. The policy maintained that different political systems would concurrently be implemented under one government. In other words, that mainland China would remain socialist, and that Hong Kong would remain capitalist (until 2047, anyway), but both would be ultimately overseen by the CCP. It was a radical notion at the time, and it still is in many ways. His words here are a fascinating look into the past. \r\n\r\nWhat\'s most interesting about this piece to me is that in it, Deng is addressing critics of this policy on both sides of the line. One side of this criticism we are familiar with, and still often hear today: that \"One Country, Two Systems\" was simply trickery and that China intends to slowly erode Hong Kong\'s Democratic freedoms over time. If you read between the lines, however, you also get a sense of the criticisms that came from within China a the time: the idea that allowing Hong Kong to remain capitalist was a threat to mainland socialism, that One Country, Two Systems was too lenient, and that Hong Kongers were ill-equipped to manage their own government. Deng was stuck in the middle of these arguments, and this is his response to both. This speech is all the more interesting now because we are seeing how his policy is playing out 35 years later.  \r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nGrammatically, there isn\'t much here that\'s difficult for advanced readers, no colloquialisms, no literary sentence structures. But there is obviously quite a bit of high-level vocab, specifically a couple of words :\r\n\r\n<strong>特区政府</strong> [pinyin]te4 qu1 zheng4 fu3[/pinyin] - Special administrative regional government. An area of the country that has different rules of governance than other areas of the Chinese mainland.\r\n\r\n<strong>全国人民代表大会</strong> [pinyin]quan2 guo2 ren2 min2 dai4 biao3 da4 hui4[/pinyin] - The National People\'s Congress (NPC), China\'s national legislature.\r\n\r\n<strong>国务院</strong> [pinyin]guo2 wu4 yuan4[/pinyin] - The State Council, one of China\'s highest government bodies.\r\n\r\n<strong>政府工作报告</strong> [pinyin]zheng4 fu4 gong1 zuo4 bao4 gao4[/pinyin] - The government work report, a document published each year which outlines China\'s priorities for the following 12 months. The 2020 work report was just released last week. \r\n\r\n<strong>中英谈判</strong> [pinyin]zhong1 ying1 tan2 pan4[/pinyin] - Sino-British negotiations\r\n<a href=\"http://news.southcn.com/community/shzt/dxp/theory3/200407240281.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source here</a>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n\r\n中国政府为解决香港问题所采取的立场、方针、政策是坚定不移的。我们多次讲过，我国政府在一九九七年恢复行使对香港的主权后，香港现行的社会、经济制度不变，法律基本不变，生活方式不变，香港自由港的地位和国际贸易、金融中心的地位也不变，香港可以继续同其他国家和地区保持和发展经济关系。我们还多次讲过，北京除了派军队以外，不向香港<span class=\"highlightText\">特区政府</span>派出干部，这也是不会改变的。我们派军队是为了维护国家的安全，而不是去干预香港的内部事务。我们对香港的政策五十年不变，我们说这个话是算数的。\r\n\r\n我们的政策是实行“一个国家，两种制度”，具体说，就是在中华人民共和国内，十亿人口的大陆实行社会主义制度，香港、台湾实行资本主义制度。近几年来，中国一直在克服“左”的错误，坚持从实际出发，实事求是，来制定各方面工作的政策。经过五年半，现在已经见效了。正是在这种情况下，我们才提出用“一个国家，两种制度”的办法来解决香港和台湾问题。\r\n\r\n“一个国家，两种制度”，我们已经讲了很多次了，<span class=\"highlightText\">全国人民代表大会</span>已经通过了这个政策。有人担心这个政策会不会变，我说不会变。核心的问题，决定的因素，是这个政策对不对。如果不对，就可能变。如果是对的，就变不了。进一步说，中国现在实行对外开放、对内搞活经济的政策，有谁改得了？如果改了，中国百分之八十的人的生活就要下降，我们就会丧失人心。我们的路走对了，人民赞成，就变不了。\r\n\r\n我们对香港的政策长期不变，影响不了大陆的社会主义。中国的主体必须是社会主义，但允许国内某些区域实行资本主义制度，比如香港、台湾。大陆开放一些城市，允许一些外资进入，这是作为社会主义经济的补充，有利于社会主义社会生产力的发展。比如外资到上海去，当然不是整个上海都实行资本主义制度。深圳也不是，还是实行社会主义制度。中国的主体是社会主义。\r\n\r\n“一个国家，两种制度”的构想是我们根据中国自己的情况提出来的，而现在已经成为国际上注意的问题了。中国有香港、台湾问题，解决这个问题的出路何在呢？是社会主义吞掉台湾，还是台湾宣扬的“三民主义”吞掉大陆？谁也不好吞掉谁。如果不能和平解决，只有用武力解决，这对各方都是不利的。实现国家统一是民族的愿望，一百年不统一，一千年也要统一的。怎么解决这个问题，我看只有实行“一个国家，两种制度”。\r\n\r\n世界上一系列争端都面临着用和平方式来解决还是用非和平方式来解决的问题。总得找出个办法来，新问题就得用新办法来解决。香港问题的成功解决，这个事例可能为国际上许多问题的解决提供一些有益的线索。从世界历史来看，有哪个政府制定过我们这么开明的政策？从资本主义历史看，从西方国家看，有哪一个国家这么做过？我们采取“一个国家，两种制度”的办法解决香港问题，不是一时的感情冲动，也不是玩弄手法，完全是从实际出发的，是充分照顾到香港的历史和现实情况的。\r\n\r\n要相信香港的中国人能治理好香港。不相信中国人有能力管好香港，这是老殖民主义遗留下来的思想状态。鸦片战争以来的一个多世纪里，外国人看不起中国人，侮辱中国人。中华人民共和国建立后，改变了中国的形象。中国今天的形象，不是晚清政府、不是北洋军阀、也不是蒋氏父子创造出来的。是中华人民共和国改变了中国的形象。凡是中华儿女，不管穿什么服装，不管是什么立场，起码都有中华民族的自豪感。香港人也是有这种民族自豪感的。香港人是能治理好香港的，要有这个自信心。香港过去的繁荣，主要是以中国人为主体的香港人干出来的。中国人的智力不比外国人差，中国人不是低能的，不要总以为只有外国人才干得好。要相信我们中国人自己是能干得好的。所谓香港人没有信心，这不是香港人的真正意见。\r\n\r\n目前<span class=\"highlightText\">中英谈判</span>的内容还没有公布，很多香港人对中央政府的政策不了解，他们一旦真正了解了，是会完全有信心的。我们对解决香港问题所采取的政策，是<span class=\"highlightText\">国务院</span>总理在第六届<span class=\"highlightText\">全国人民代表大会</span>第二次会议的<span class=\"highlightText\">政府工作报告</span>中宣布的，是经大会通过的，是很严肃的事。如果现在还有人谈信心问题，对中华人民共和国、对中国政府没有信任感，那末，其他一切都谈不上了。我们相信香港人能治理好香港，不能继续让外国人统治，否则香港人也是决不会答应的。\r\n\r\n港人治港有个界线和标准，就是必须由以爱国者为主体的港人来治理香港。未来香港特区政府的主要成分是爱国者，当然也要容纳别的人，还可以聘请外国人当顾问。什么叫爱国者？爱国者的标准是，尊重自己民族，诚心诚意拥护祖国恢复行使对香港的主权，不损害香港的繁荣和稳定。只要具备这些条件，不管他们相信资本主义，还是相信封建主义，甚至相信奴隶主义，都是爱国者。我们不要求他们都赞成中国的社会主义制度，只要求他们爱祖国，爱香港。\r\n\r\n到一九九七年还有十三年，从现在起要逐步解决好过渡时期问题。在过渡时期中，一是不要出现大的波动、大的曲折，保持香港繁荣和稳定；二是要创造条件，使香港人能顺利地接管政府。香港各界人士要为此作出努力。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nThe position, principles and policies adopted by the Chinese government to resolve the Hong Kong issue are unwavering. We have said many times that after the restoration of our government\'s sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, the current social and economic system of Hong Kong will remain unchanged, the laws will remain basically unchanged, and [Hong Kong\'s] way of life will remain unchanged. The status of Hong Kong\'s free port as a center of international trade and finance will remain unchanged, and Hong Kong can continue to maintain and develop economic relations with other countries and regions. We have also said many times that Beijing will not send government cadres to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, except for troops, and this too will not change. We are sending troops to maintain national security, not to interfere in Hong Kong\'s internal affairs. Our policy towards Hong Kong has remained unchanged for 50 years, so we do not say this lightly.\r\n\r\nThe \"one country, two systems\" policy that we are implementing, speaking specifically, means that in the People\'s Republic of China, our one billion-strong population will implement the socialist system, but Hong Kong and Taiwan will have a capitalist system. In recent years, China has been overcoming the mistakes of the \"left\", insisting on proceeding from reality and seeking truth from facts, to formulate policies in all aspects of our work. After five and a half years, this is now paying off. It was precisely because of this situation that we proposed to use the \"one country, two systems\" approach to resolve the Hong Kong and Taiwan issues.\r\n\r\n\"One Country, Two Systems\", as we have said many times, has already been passed by the National People\'s Congress. Some people worry about whether or not this policy will change, I say it will not change. The core issue, the deciding factor, is whether this policy is right. If it is wrong, it may change. If it is right, it will not change. Furthermore, China has implemented a policy of opening up to the outside world and invigorating the economy at home. Who can change this? If it changes, the [quality of] life of 80% of China\'s people will decline, and we will lose our hearts. As long as our way is right, and the people approve, then it will not change.\r\n\r\nOur policy towards Hong Kong has remained unchanged for a long time, and it will not affect socialism on the mainland. China must always principally be socialist, but allow certain regions of the country to implement a capitalist system, such as Hong Kong and Taiwan. If the mainland opens up some cities and allows some foreign capital to enter, this is complementary to the socialist economy and is conducive to the development of socialist production. For example, if foreign capital [is allowed] into Shanghai, it is of course not the case that capitalism will be implemented throughout Shanghai. Shenzhen too, it will still implement the socialist system. China is principally socialist.\r\n\r\nThe concept of \"One Country, Two Systems\" was put forward by us in light of China\'s [domestic] situation, and it has now become a matter of international attention. China has issues with Hong Kong and Taiwan, where is the solution to these problems? Should socialism devour Taiwan, or should the \"Three People\'s Principles\" promoted by Taiwan devour the mainland? No one can devour anyone. If these [issues] cannot be resolved peacefully, they can only be solved by force, which is detrimental to all parties. The realization of national reunification is the desire of the people, even if we aren\'t unified in 100 years, we will be unified within 1000 years. As for how to solve this problem, I think the only [way] is the implementation of \"One Country, Two Systems\". \r\n\r\n[When considering how to solve many] of this world\'s disputes, we are faced with the issue of whether to resolve them by peaceful means or by non-peaceful means. A solution must always be found, and new problems require new solutions. The successful resolution of the Hong Kong issue may provide some useful clues [that may help to] resolve many international issues. From the perspective of world history, which government has formulated such enlightened policies? From the perspective of capitalist history, from the perspective of Western countries, which country has done this? We adopted the \"one country, two systems\" approach to resolve the Hong Kong issue not [based on] momentary emotional impulse or trickery, but entirely based on reality and with full consideration of Hong Kong\'s historical and actual [present] circumstances.\r\n\r\nWe must believe that the Chinese of Hong Kong can govern Hong Kong well. The belief that the Chinese do not have the ability to manage Hong Kong well is a state of mind left over from old colonialism. For more than a century since the Opium War, foreigners looked down on and insulted the Chinese. After the establishment of the People\'s Republic of China, the image of China has changed. China\'s image today was not created by the late Qing government, nor by the Northern Warlords, or by the Chiang Kai-shek and his son. It is the People\'s Republic of China that has changed China\'s image. All Chinese children, no matter what clothes they wear, no matter what their positions, [carry] the pride of the Chinese nation. Hong Kong people also [carry] this national pride. Hong Kong\'s people can manage Hong Kong well, we must have this self-confidence. Hong Kong\'s past prosperity was the work of Hong Kong\'s people who were principally Chinese. The intelligence of the Chinese is not lower than that of foreigners, the Chinese are not inferior, so don\'t always think that only foreign talents are [capable of] doing well. Believe that we Chinese can do well ourselves. Hong Kong\'s so-called lack of self-confidence, this is not really what Hong Kongers believe. \r\n\r\nAt present, no announcement has been made regarding the contents of the Sino-British negotiations. Many Hong Kong people do not understand the policies of the Central Government. Once they really understand it, they will be completely confident. Our policy regarding the resolution of the Hong Kong issue was announced by the Premier of the State Council in the Government Work Report of the second session of the Sixth National People\'s Congress. It was adopted by the General Assembly and is a very serious matter. If there are still those discussing the issue of confidence, those who have no sense of trust in the People\'s Republic of China, no sense of trust in the Chinese government, then nothing else can be said [at present]. We believe that Hong Kong people can govern Hong Kong well, we cannot continue to let foreigners rule, to anything else the people Hong Kong people will never agree.\r\n\r\nThere will be boundaries and standards for [the type of] Hong Kongers [that will] rule Hong Kong, that is, patriotic Hong Kongers must primarily govern Hong Kong. In the future, the main component of the Hong Kong SAR government will be patriots. Of course, other people must also be accommodated. Foreigners can also be hired as consultants. What is a patriot? A patriot respects his own nation and sincerely supports the motherland\'s restoration of its sovereignty over Hong Kong without compromising Hong Kong\'s prosperity and stability. As long as these conditions are met, whether they believe in capitalism, feudalism, or even slavery, they are all patriots. We do not require them all to approve of China\'s socialist system, only that they love the motherland and Hong Kong.\r\n\r\nThirteen years remain until 1997, and from now on issues arising during the transition period must be resolved gradually. During the transition period, one [issue] is to avoid major fluctuations and major twists and turns to maintain Hong Kong\'s prosperity and stability; the other is to create the conditions [necessary] for Hong Kong people to take over the government smoothly. People from all walks of life in Hong Kong must make efforts to this end.\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Political speech: Deng Xiaoping addresses the Hong Kong handover in 1984', 'In June, 1984, thirteen years before the Hong Kong handover, he gave this speech, addressing critics of the \"One Country, Two Systems\" （一个国家，两种制度）policy, which determined China\'s approach to the handover. The policy maintained that different political systems would concurrently be implemented under one government. In other words, that mainland China would remain socialist, and that Hong Kong would remain capitalist (until 2047, anyway), but both would be ultimately overseen by the CCP. It was a radical notion at the time, and it still is in many ways. His words here are a fascinating look into the past.', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'political-speech-deng-xiaoping-addresses-the-hong-kong-handover-in-1984', '', '', '2020-05-28 09:42:10', '2020-05-28 13:42:10', '', 0, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/?p=2354', 0, 'post', '', 8),
(2355, 1, '2020-05-20 01:26:33', '2020-05-20 05:26:33', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\nSocialist reformer Deng Xiaoping is regarded as one of the main architects of modern China. Hcredited as the main for opening up China\'s economy after the death of Mao Zedong in 1976. He was also given the unenviable task of figuring out how to re-integrate Hong Kong when .  \r\n\r\nIn June, 1984, thirteen years before the Hong Kong handover, he gave this speech, outlining China\'s views on the \"One Country, Two Systems\" policy - the experimental idea that different political systems could concurrently be implemented under one government. It was a radical notion at the time, and it still is in many ways. His words are a fascinating look into the past.\r\n\r\nBecause Hong Kong is such an incredibly sensitive topic, I feel the need to make some caveats here: I am posting this because it is historically, linguistically, and academically interesting, <em>not because I am promoting any political viewpoint</em>. This website is a language learning resource. It is not a political platform. I like history, I don\'t like arguing. If you post your political opinion in the comments section, I will delete it, whether it\'s angry, patriotic, or neutral. Dinner tables rules, please.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://news.southcn.com/community/shzt/dxp/theory3/200407240281.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source here</a>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n中国政府为解决香港问题所采取的立场、方针、政策是坚定不移的。我们多次讲过，我国政府在一九九七年恢复行使对香港的主权后，香港现行的社会、经济制度不变，法律基本不变，生活方式不变，香港自由港的地位和国际贸易、金融中心的地位也不变，香港可以继续同其他国家和地区保持和发展经济关系。我们还多次讲过，北京除了派军队以外，不向香港特区政府派出干部，这也是不会改变的。我们派军队是为了维护国家的安全，而不是去干预香港的内部事务。我们对香港的政策五十年不变，我们说这个话是算数的。\r\n\r\n　　我们的政策是实行“一个国家，两种制度”，具体说，就是在中华人民共和国内，十亿人口的大陆实行社会主义制度，香港、台湾实行资本主义制度。近几年来，中国一直在克服“左”的错误，坚持从实际出发，实事求是，来制定各方面工作的政策。经过五年半，现在已经见效了。正是在这种情况下，我们才提出用“一个国家，两种制度”的办法来解决香港和台湾问题。\r\n\r\n　　“一个国家，两种制度”，我们已经讲了很多次了，全国人民代表大会已经通过了这个政策。有人担心这个政策会不会变，我说不会变。核心的问题，决定的因素，是这个政策对不对。如果不对，就可能变。如果是对的，就变不了。进一步说，中国现在实行对外开放、对内搞活经济的政策，有谁改得了？如果改了，中国百分之八十的人的生活就要下降，我们就会丧失人心。我们的路走对了，人民赞成，就变不了。\r\n\r\n　　我们对香港的政策长期不变，影响不了大陆的社会主义。中国的主体必须是社会主义，但允许国内某些区域实行资本主义制度，比如香港、台湾。大陆开放一些城市，允许一些外资进入，这是作为社会主义经济的补充，有利于社会主义社会生产力的发展。比如外资到上海去，当然不是整个上海都实行资本主义制度。深圳也不是，还是实行社会主义制度。中国的主体是社会主义。\r\n\r\n　　“一个国家，两种制度”的构想是我们根据中国自己的情况提出来的，而现在已经成为国际上注意的问题了。中国有香港、台湾问题，解决这个问题的出路何在呢？是社会主义吞掉台湾，还是台湾宣扬的“三民主义”吞掉大陆？谁也不好吞掉谁。如果不能和平解决，只有用武力解决，这对各方都是不利的。实现国家统一是民族的愿望，一百年不统一，一千年也要统一的。怎么解决这个问题，我看只有实行“一个国家，两种制度”。世界上一系列争端都面临着用和平方式来解决还是用非和平方式来解决的问题。总得找出个办法来，新问题就得用新办法来解决。香港问题的成功解决，这个事例可能为国际上许多问题的解决提供一些有益的线索。从世界历史来看，有哪个政府制定过我们这么开明的政策？从资本主义历史看，从西方国家看，有哪一个国家这么做过？我们采取“一个国家，两种制度”的办法解决香港问题，不是一时的感情冲动，也不是玩弄手法，完全是从实际出发的，是充分照顾到香港的历史和现实情况的。\r\n\r\n　　要相信香港的中国人能治理好香港。不相信中国人有能力管好香港，这是老殖民主义遗留下来的思想状态。鸦片战争以来的一个多世纪里，外国人看不起中国人，侮辱中国人。中华人民共和国建立后，改变了中国的形象。中国今天的形象，不是晚清政府、不是北洋军阀、也不是蒋氏父子创造出来的。是中华人民共和国改变了中国的形象。凡是中华儿女，不管穿什么服装，不管是什么立场，起码都有中华民族的自豪感。香港人也是有这种民族自豪感的。香港人是能治理好香港的，要有这个自信心。香港过去的繁荣，主要是以中国人为主体的香港人干出来的。中国人的智力不比外国人差，中国人不是低能的，不要总以为只有外国人才干得好。要相信我们中国人自己是能干得好的。所谓香港人没有信心，这不是香港人的真正意见。目前中英谈判的内容还没有公布，很多香港人对中央政府的政策不了解，他们一旦真正了解了，是会完全有信心的。我们对解决香港问题所采取的政策，是国务院总理在第六届全国人民代表大会第二次会议的政府工作报告中宣布的，是经大会通过的，是很严肃的事。如果现在还有人谈信心问题，对中华人民共和国、对中国政府没有信任感，那末，其他一切都谈不上了。我们相信香港人能治理好香港，不能继续让外国人统治，否则香港人也是决不会答应的。\r\n\r\n　　港人治港有个界线和标准，就是必须由以爱国者为主体的港人来治理香港。未来香港特区政府的主要成分是爱国者，当然也要容纳别的人，还可以聘请外国人当顾问。什么叫爱国者？爱国者的标准是，尊重自己民族，诚心诚意拥护祖国恢复行使对香港的主权，不损害香港的繁荣和稳定。只要具备这些条件，不管他们相信资本主义，还是相信封建主义，甚至相信奴隶主义，都是爱国者。我们不要求他们都赞成中国的社会主义制度，只要求他们爱祖国，爱香港。\r\n\r\n　　到一九九七年还有十三年，从现在起要逐步解决好过渡时期问题。在过渡时期中，一是不要出现大的波动、大的曲折，保持香港繁荣和稳定；二是要创造条件，使香港人能顺利地接管政府。香港各界人士要为此作出努力。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\n\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Political speech: Deng Xiaoping addresses the Hong Kong handover in 1984', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2354-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-20 01:26:33', '2020-05-20 05:26:33', '', 2354, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/20/2354-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2356, 1, '2020-05-20 01:31:59', '2020-05-20 05:31:59', '', 'Politics & Communism', '', 'publish', 'closed', 'closed', '', 'politics', '', '', '2020-05-20 01:32:58', '2020-05-20 05:32:58', '', 0, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/?p=2356', 15, 'nav_menu_item', '', 0),
(2358, 1, '2020-05-20 03:04:47', '2020-05-20 07:04:47', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\nDoesn\'t it seem like humankind has a collective memory of some prehistoric natural disaster built into our DNA? So many cultures have ancient myths about close calls with total destruction, be it Noah\'s Ark, or the story of Atlantis, or in China\'s case, \"Nvwa Mends the Heavens\" (女娲补天). \r\n\r\nThis ancient myth is old, very old. The goddess Nvwa is not really part of any modern Buddhist or Taoist pantheon, she appears to come from shamanistic folk legends that predate these religions. Early versions of this myth were included in texts from the Western Han (206 BC – 9 AD), so the story of Nvwa has been floating around for at least 2000 years. There are two main myths regarding Nvwa, our post today is one of them. In the other one, she creates human beings out of mud and clay. \r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nAs always, I\'ve highlighted the proper nouns. We\'ve got the water god Gonggong (共工), the fire god Zhurong (祝融), Buzhou Mountain (不周山), and the heroine of our tale, the goddess Nvwa (女娲).\r\n\r\nI didn\'t see anything in here that might trip up advanced readers, probably just new vocab, but there was one weird thing: the placement of the character 晨 seems a little weird to me. It means \"morning\", as in 早晨, but I\'m only 80% sure I translated its usage in this context correctly. If you have more insight, let me know in the comments. \r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>女娲补天</h4>\r\n传说当人类繁衍起来后，忽然水神<span class=\"highlightText\">共工</span>和火神<span class=\"highlightText\">祝融</span>打起仗来，他们从天上一直打到地下，闹得到处不宁，结果祝融打胜了，但败了的共工不服，一怒之下，把头撞向<span class=\"highlightText\">不周山</span>。\r\n\r\n不周山崩裂了，撑支天地之间的大柱断折了，天倒下了半边，出现了一个大窟窿，地也陷成一道道大裂纹，山林烧起了大火，洪水从地底下喷涌出来，龙蛇猛兽也出来吞食人民。\r\n\r\n人类面临着空前大灾难。<span class=\"highlightText\">女娲</span>目睹人类遭到如此奇祸，感到无比痛苦，于是决心补天，以终止这场灾难。她选用各种各样的五色石子，架起火将它们熔化成浆，用这种石浆将残缺的天窟窿填好，随后又斩下一只大龟的四脚，当作四根柱子把倒塌的半边天支起来。\r\n\r\n女娲还擒杀了残害人民的黑龙，刹住了龙蛇的嚣张气焰。最后为了堵住洪水不再漫流，女娲还收集了大量芦草，把它们烧成灰，埋塞向四处铺开的洪流。\r\n\r\n经过女娲一番辛劳整治，苍天总算补上了，地填平了，水止住了，龙蛇猛兽佥欠迹了，人民又重新过着安乐的生活。但是这场特大的灾祸毕竟留下了痕迹。从此天还是有些向西北倾斜，因此太阳、月亮和众星<span class=\"highlightText\">晨</span>都很自然地归向西方，又因为地向东南倾斜，所以一切江河都往那里汇流。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nLegend has it that when humans had just begun to multiply [upon the earth], a great battle suddenly broke out between the water god Gonggong and the fire god Zhurong, disrupting tranquility in every quarter. In the end, Zhurong was victorious, but Gonggong would not accept his defeat, and in a fit of anger, smashed his head against Buzhou Mountain. \r\n\r\nBuzhou Mountain split apart, the giant pillars that held up the heavens were broken, and half of the sky caved in, leaving a large hole. Great cracks also appeared in the earth, the mountain forests went up in flame, floodwaters spurted forth from under the ground, and dragons and monsters came out and began devouring the people. \r\n\r\nMankind was facing an unprecedented catastrophe. When Nvwa witnessed the unexpected disaster that befell humanity, she was terribly agonized, and so she decided to patch up the sky, in order to put an end to the present calamity. She chose to use a selection of multi-colored stones, set a great fire to smelt them into a slurry, and used the smelted rock to paste over the hole in the firmament. Then she chopped the four feet off a giant tortoise, and used them as the four pillars to prop up half the heavens.\r\n\r\nNvwa also captured and slayed a great black dragon that was cruelly slaughtering human beings, putting a stop to the dragon\'s arrogance. Finally, in order to stem the floodwaters, Nvwa collected many reeds and grasses, burned them into ash, and stopped up the streams that were spreading in all directions. \r\n\r\nAfter Nvwa had toiled through the repairs, the sky was mended, the earth was even, the waters had been stopped, no trace remained of the dragons and monsters, and the people once again lived in peace and happiness. But of course, some vestiges of this huge calamity remained. From then on, the sky was slightly tilted to the northwest, and because of this the sun, moon and stars all naturally return to the west each morning, and also because the earth is tilted to the southeast, all of the rivers flow in that direction. \r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Mythology: 女娲补天 - Nvwa Mends the Heavens', 'Doesn\'t it seem like humankind has a collective memory of some prehistoric natural disaster built into our DNA? So many cultures have ancient myths about close calls with total destruction, be it Noah\'s Ark, or the story of Atlantis, or in China\'s case, \"Nvwa Mends the Heavens\" (女娲补天). ', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2327-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-20 03:04:47', '2020-05-20 07:04:47', '', 2327, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/20/2327-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2359, 1, '2020-05-20 18:58:17', '2020-05-20 22:58:17', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\nUpper-beginner, HSK 4.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.rensheng5.com/xiaogushi/id-9965.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source here</a>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>最可口的食物</h4>\r\n\r\n　在一个农场里养着很多动物。其中有一匹爱挑食的小马，它总是不满意农场主给它的食物。于是它决定去转一圈，看看别的动物们那儿有什么好吃的。\r\n　　\r\n　　它很快就发现了几只鸡正在愉快地吃着什么，上前一看，是谷子，它尝了一口，却马上又吐了出来，“一点味没有，不好吃！”说着就走了。\r\n　　\r\n　　不久它又看到一只狗在津津有味地啃着骨头，还有一只猫一边唱着歌一边撕咬着一条鱼。这些食物，它看了都害怕，那气味快使它呕吐。它赶紧走开了。\r\n　　\r\n　　走了好一会儿，小马有点渴了，它来到水塘边喝水。看到两只鸭子正在抢夺一条蚯蚓，蚯蚓被它们拉扯的又细又长，最后断成两截，两只鸭子狼吞虎咽地吃下了各自的半截，又开始寻找起来。看到这残忍的一幕，小马水也顾不上喝就跑开了，“真恐怖！”它说。\r\n　　\r\n　　跑了一大圈，它看到的动物吃的东西，都不合它的胃口，有的甚至还让它感得恶心。小马饥肠辘辘的回到马厩，才发现主人为它预备的草料，才是它最喜爱最可口的食物。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nThere was a farm where many animals were raised. Among them was one little hors that was very picky about his food, he was always unsatisfied with what the farmer gave him to eat. So he decided to go walk around, to see what yummy things the other animals had to eat. \r\n　　\r\nHe quickly discovered a few chickens happily eating something, so he went over to look, it was grain, so he tried a mouthful, but he spit out, \"[This] has no flavor, it\'s gross!\", he said and left.　\r\n　　\r\nNot long after he saw a dog gnawing on a bone with relish, and a cat singing a song while gobbling up a fish. Just looking at these foods frightened him, and the smell made him retch, so he quickly took his leave. 　\r\n　　\r\nAfter walking for a while, the little horse was a bit thirsty, so went to the pond ot drink. HE saw two ducks fighting over an earthworm, they stretched the earthworm out long and thin, and finally broke it into two pieces, and the two ducks each gobbled down their piece, and started looking about [for another]. Seeing this cruel scene, the little horse couldn\'t even keep down any water and quickly ran away, \"Truly horrifying!\" he said. \r\n　　\r\nHe ran all around, and everything he saw the other animals eating didn\'t suit his own tastes, and some even disgusted him. He returned to his pen with his stomach rumbling, and found that the grass master had prepared for him to eat, was his favorite delicious food after all.  \r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Children\'s Story: 最可口的食物 - The most appetizing meal', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2331-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-20 18:58:17', '2020-05-20 22:58:17', '', 2331, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/20/2331-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2360, 1, '2020-05-20 19:09:06', '2020-05-20 23:09:06', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\nThis is upper-beginner, bordering on intermediate, HSK 4.\r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nQuite a bit of the harder vocab in this piece revolves around eating. We\'ve got  津津有味, to eat something with joyous relish, 啃, to gnaw on, 狼吞虎咽, to fiercely gobble something up, and 饥肠辘辘, to be so hungry one\'s stomach is rumbling. \r\n\r\n爱挑食\r\n\r\n转一圈\r\n\r\n一幕\r\n\r\n那儿\r\n\r\n顾不上\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.rensheng5.com/xiaogushi/id-9965.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source here</a>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>最可口的食物</h4>\r\n\r\n　在一个农场里养着很多动物。其中有一匹<span class=\"highlightText\">爱挑食</span>的小马，它总是不满意农场主给它的食物。于是它决定去转<span class=\"highlightText\">一圈</span>，看看别的动物们<span class=\"highlightText\">那儿</span>有什么好吃的。\r\n　　\r\n　　它很快就发现了几只鸡正在愉快地吃着什么，上前一看，是谷子，它尝了一口，却马上又吐了出来，“一点味没有，不好吃！”说着就走了。\r\n　　\r\n　　不久它又看到一只狗在<span class=\"highlightText\">津津有味</span>地<span class=\"highlightText\">啃</span>着骨头，还有一只猫一边唱着歌一边<span class=\"highlightText\">撕咬</span>着一条鱼。这些食物，它看了都害怕，那气味快使它呕吐。它赶紧走开了。\r\n　　\r\n　　走了好一会儿，小马有点渴了，它来到水塘边喝水。看到两只鸭子正在抢夺一条蚯蚓，蚯蚓被它们拉扯的又细又长，最后断成两截，两只鸭子<span class=\"highlightText\">狼吞虎咽</span>地吃下了各自的半截，又开始寻找起来。看到这残忍的<span class=\"highlightText\">一幕</span>，小马水也<span class=\"highlightText\">顾不上</span>喝就跑开了，“真恐怖！”它说。\r\n　　\r\n　　跑了<span class=\"highlightText\">一大圈</span>，它看到的动物吃的东西，都不合它的胃口，有的甚至还让它感得恶心。小马饥肠辘辘的回到马厩，才发现主人为它预备的草料，才是它最喜爱最可口的食物。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nThere was a farm where many animals were raised. Among them was one little horse that was very picky about his food, he was always unsatisfied with what the farmer gave him to eat. So he decided to go walk around, to see what yummy things the other animals had to eat. \r\n　　\r\nHe quickly discovered a few chickens happily eating something, so he went over to look, it was grain, so he tried a mouthful, but he spit out, \"[This] has no flavor, it\'s gross!\", he said and left.　\r\n　　\r\nNot long after he saw a dog gnawing on a bone with relish, and a cat singing a song while tearing into a fish. Just looking at these foods frightened him, and the smell made him retch, so he quickly took his leave. 　\r\n　　\r\nAfter walking for a while, the little horse was a bit thirsty, so he went to the pond to drink some water. He saw two ducks fighting over an earthworm, they stretched the earthworm out long and thin, and finally broke it into two pieces, and the two ducks each gobbled down their piece, and started looking about [for another]. Seeing this cruel scene, the little horse couldn\'t even stand to drink any water and quickly ran away, \"Truly horrifying!\" he said. \r\n　　\r\nHe ran all around, and everything he saw the other animals eating didn\'t suit his own tastes, and some even disgusted him. He returned to his pen with his stomach rumbling, and found that the grass master had prepared for him to eat was his favorite delicious food after all.  \r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Children\'s Story: 最可口的食物 - The most appetizing meal', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2331-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-20 19:09:06', '2020-05-20 23:09:06', '', 2331, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/20/2331-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
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(2419, 1, '2020-05-26 23:04:40', '2020-05-27 03:04:40', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\nSocialist reformer Deng Xiaoping is regarded as one of the main architects of modern China. He was credited as the man responsible for opening up China\'s economy after the death of Mao Zedong in 1976. He was also given the unenviable task of figuring out how to approach the.   \r\n\r\nIn June, 1984, thirteen years before the Hong Kong handover, he gave this speech, outlining China\'s views on the \"One Country, Two Systems\" （一个国家，两种制度）policy， which maintained that different political systems could concurrently be implemented under one government. It was a radical notion at the time, and it still is in many ways. His words are a fascinating look into the past.\r\n\r\nBecause Hong Kong is such an incredibly sensitive topic, I feel the need to make some caveats here: I am posting this because it is historically, linguistically, and academically interesting, not because I am promoting any political viewpoint. This website is a language learning resource. It is not a political platform. I like history, I don\'t like arguing. If you post your political opinion in the comments section, I will delete it. Dinner tables rules, please.\r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\n全国人民代表大会\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://news.southcn.com/community/shzt/dxp/theory3/200407240281.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source here</a>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n\r\n中国政府为解决香港问题所采取的立场、方针、政策是坚定不移的。我们多次讲过，我国政府在一九九七年恢复行使对香港的主权后，香港现行的社会、经济制度不变，法律基本不变，生活方式不变，香港自由港的地位和国际贸易、金融中心的地位也不变，香港可以继续同其他国家和地区保持和发展经济关系。我们还多次讲过，北京除了派军队以外，不向香港特区政府派出干部，这也是不会改变的。我们派军队是为了维护国家的安全，而不是去干预香港的内部事务。我们对香港的政策五十年不变，我们说这个话是算数的。\r\n\r\n我们的政策是实行“一个国家，两种制度”，具体说，就是在中华人民共和国内，十亿人口的大陆实行社会主义制度，香港、台湾实行资本主义制度。近几年来，中国一直在克服“左”的错误，坚持从实际出发，实事求是，来制定各方面工作的政策。经过五年半，现在已经见效了。正是在这种情况下，我们才提出用“一个国家，两种制度”的办法来解决香港和台湾问题。\r\n\r\n“一个国家，两种制度”，我们已经讲了很多次了，全国人民代表大会已经通过了这个政策。有人担心这个政策会不会变，我说不会变。核心的问题，决定的因素，是这个政策对不对。如果不对，就可能变。如果是对的，就变不了。进一步说，中国现在实行对外开放、对内搞活经济的政策，有谁改得了？如果改了，中国百分之八十的人的生活就要下降，我们就会丧失人心。我们的路走对了，人民赞成，就变不了。\r\n\r\n我们对香港的政策长期不变，影响不了大陆的社会主义。中国的主体必须是社会主义，但允许国内某些区域实行资本主义制度，比如香港、台湾。大陆开放一些城市，允许一些外资进入，这是作为社会主义经济的补充，有利于社会主义社会生产力的发展。比如外资到上海去，当然不是整个上海都实行资本主义制度。深圳也不是，还是实行社会主义制度。中国的主体是社会主义。\r\n\r\n“一个国家，两种制度”的构想是我们根据中国自己的情况提出来的，而现在已经成为国际上注意的问题了。中国有香港、台湾问题，解决这个问题的出路何在呢？是社会主义吞掉台湾，还是台湾宣扬的“三民主义”吞掉大陆？谁也不好吞掉谁。如果不能和平解决，只有用武力解决，这对各方都是不利的。实现国家统一是民族的愿望，一百年不统一，一千年也要统一的。怎么解决这个问题，我看只有实行“一个国家，两种制度”。\r\n\r\n世界上一系列争端都面临着用和平方式来解决还是用非和平方式来解决的问题。总得找出个办法来，新问题就得用新办法来解决。香港问题的成功解决，这个事例可能为国际上许多问题的解决提供一些有益的线索。从世界历史来看，有哪个政府制定过我们这么开明的政策？从资本主义历史看，从西方国家看，有哪一个国家这么做过？我们采取“一个国家，两种制度”的办法解决香港问题，不是一时的感情冲动，也不是玩弄手法，完全是从实际出发的，是充分照顾到香港的历史和现实情况的。\r\n\r\n要相信香港的中国人能治理好香港。不相信中国人有能力管好香港，这是老殖民主义遗留下来的思想状态。鸦片战争以来的一个多世纪里，外国人看不起中国人，侮辱中国人。中华人民共和国建立后，改变了中国的形象。中国今天的形象，不是晚清政府、不是北洋军阀、也不是蒋氏父子创造出来的。是中华人民共和国改变了中国的形象。凡是中华儿女，不管穿什么服装，不管是什么立场，起码都有中华民族的自豪感。香港人也是有这种民族自豪感的。香港人是能治理好香港的，要有这个自信心。香港过去的繁荣，主要是以中国人为主体的香港人干出来的。中国人的智力不比外国人差，中国人不是低能的，不要总以为只有外国人才干得好。要相信我们中国人自己是能干得好的。所谓香港人没有信心，这不是香港人的真正意见。目前中英谈判的内容还没有公布，很多香港人对中央政府的政策不了解，他们一旦真正了解了，是会完全有信心的。我们对解决香港问题所采取的政策，是国务院总理在第六届全国人民代表大会第二次会议的政府工作报告中宣布的，是经大会通过的，是很严肃的事。如果现在还有人谈信心问题，对中华人民共和国、对中国政府没有信任感，那末，其他一切都谈不上了。我们相信香港人能治理好香港，不能继续让外国人统治，否则香港人也是决不会答应的。\r\n\r\n港人治港有个界线和标准，就是必须由以爱国者为主体的港人来治理香港。未来香港特区政府的主要成分是爱国者，当然也要容纳别的人，还可以聘请外国人当顾问。什么叫爱国者？爱国者的标准是，尊重自己民族，诚心诚意拥护祖国恢复行使对香港的主权，不损害香港的繁荣和稳定。只要具备这些条件，不管他们相信资本主义，还是相信封建主义，甚至相信奴隶主义，都是爱国者。我们不要求他们都赞成中国的社会主义制度，只要求他们爱祖国，爱香港。\r\n\r\n到一九九七年还有十三年，从现在起要逐步解决好过渡时期问题。在过渡时期中，一是不要出现大的波动、大的曲折，保持香港繁荣和稳定；二是要创造条件，使香港人能顺利地接管政府。香港各界人士要为此作出努力。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nThe position, principles and policies adopted by the Chinese government to resolve the Hong Kong issue are unwavering. We have said many times that after the restoration of our government\'s sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, the current social and economic system of Hong Kong will remain unchanged, the laws will remain basically unchanged, and [Hong Kong\'s] way of life will remain unchanged. The status of Hong Kong\'s free port as a center of international trade and finance will remain unchanged, and Hong Kong can continue to maintain and develop economic relations with other countries and regions. We have also said many times that Beijing will not send government cadres to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, except for troops, and this too will not change. We are sending troops to maintain national security, not to interfere in Hong Kong\'s internal affairs. Our policy towards Hong Kong has remained unchanged for 50 years, so we say this with [great] calculation.\r\n\r\nThe \"one country, two systems\" policy that we are implementing, speaking specifically, means that in the People\'s Republic of China, our one billion-strong population will implement the socialist system, but Hong Kong and Taiwan will have a capitalist system. In recent years, China has been overcoming the mistakes of the \"left\", insisting on proceeding from reality and seeking truth from facts, to formulate policies in all aspects of our work. After five and a half years, this is now paying off. It was precisely because of this situation that we proposed to use the \"one country, two systems\" approach to resolve the Hong Kong and Taiwan issues.\r\n\r\n\"One country, Two systems\", as we have said many times, has already been passed by the National People\'s Congress. Some people worry about whether or not this policy will change, I say it will not change. The core issue, the deciding factor, is whether this policy is right. If it is wrong, it may change. If it is right, it will not change. Furthermore, China has implemented a policy of opening up to the outside world and invigorating the economy at home. Who can change this? If it changes, the [quality of] life of 80% of China\'s people will decline, and we will lose our hearts. As long as our way is right, and the people approve, then it will not change.\r\n\r\nOur policy towards Hong Kong has remained unchanged for a long time, and it will not affect socialism on the mainland. China must always principally be socialist, but allow certain regions of the country to implement a capitalist system, such as Hong Kong and Taiwan. If the mainland opens up some cities and allows some foreign capital to enter, this is complementary to the socialist economy and is conducive to the development of socialist production. For example, if foreign capital [is allowed] into Shanghai, it is of course not the case that capitalism will be implemented throughout Shanghai. Shenzhen too, it will still implement the socialist system. China is principally socialist.\r\n\r\nThe concept of \"One Country, Two Systems\" was put forward by us in light of China\'s [domestic] situation, and it has now become a matter of international attention. China has issues with Hong Kong and Taiwan, where is the solution to these problems? Should socialism devour Taiwan, or should the \"Three People\'s Principles\" promoted by Taiwan devour the mainland? No one can devour anyone. If these [issues] cannot be resolved peacefully, they can only be solved by force, which is detrimental to all parties. The realization of national reunification is the desire of the people, and though we will not be reunified in one hundred years, we must also be unified in one thousand years. As for how to solve this problem, I think the only [way] is the implementation of \"One Country, Two Systems\". \r\n\r\n[When considering how to solve many] of this world\'s disputes, we are faced with the issue of whether to resolve them by peaceful means or by non-peaceful means. A solution must always be found, and new problems require new solutions. The successful resolution of the Hong Kong issue may provide some useful clues [that may help to] resolve many international issues. From the perspective of world history, which government has formulated such enlightened policies? From the perspective of capitalist history, from the perspective of Western countries, which country has done this? We adopted the \"one country, two systems\" approach to resolve the Hong Kong issue not [based on] momentary emotional impulse or trickery, but entirely based on reality and with full consideration of Hong Kong\'s historical and actual [present] circumstances.\r\n\r\nWe must believe that the Chinese of Hong Kong can govern Hong Kong well. The belief that the Chinese do not have the ability to manage Hong Kong well is a state of mind left over from old colonialism. For more than a century since the Opium War, foreigners looked down on and insulted the Chinese. After the establishment of the People\'s Republic of China, the image of China has changed. China\'s image today was not created by the late Qing government, nor by the Northern Warlords, or by the Chiang Kai-shek and his son. It is the People\'s Republic of China that has changed China\'s image. All Chinese children, no matter what clothes they wear, no matter what their positions, [carry] the pride of the Chinese nation. Hong Kong people also [carry] this national pride. Hong Kong\'s people can manage Hong Kong well, we must have this self-confidence. Hong Kong\'s past prosperity was the work of Hong Kong\'s people who were principally Chinese. The intelligence of the Chinese is not lower than that of foreigners, the Chinese are not inferior, so don\'t always think that only foreign talents are [capable of] doing well. Believe that we Chinese can do well ourselves. The [false idea] that Hong Kong people have no self-confidence, this is not the real opinion of Hong Kong people. \r\n\r\nAt present, no announcement has been made regarding the contents of the Sino-British negotiations. Many Hong Kong people do not understand the policies of the Central Government. Once they really understand it, they will be completely confident. Our policy regarding the resolution of the Hong Kong issue was announced by the Premier of the State Council in the Government Work Report of the second session of the Sixth National People\'s Congress. It was adopted by the General Assembly and is a very serious matter. If there are still those discussing the issue of confidence, those who have no sense of trust in the People\'s Republic of China, no sense of trust in the Chinese government, then nothing else can be said [at present]. We believe that Hong Kong people can govern Hong Kong well, we cannot continue to let foreigners rule, to anything else the people Hong Kong people will never agree.\r\n\r\nThere will be boundaries and standards for [the type of] Hong Kongers [that will] rule Hong Kong, that is, patriotic Hong Kongers must primarily govern Hong Kong. In the future, the main component of the Hong Kong SAR government will be patriots. Of course, other people must also be accommodated. Foreigners can also be hired as consultants. What is a patriot? A patriot respects his own nation and sincerely supports the motherland\'s restoration of its sovereignty over Hong Kong without compromising Hong Kong\'s prosperity and stability. As long as these conditions are met, whether they believe in capitalism, feudalism, or even slavery, they are all patriots. We do not require them all to approve of China\'s socialist system, only that they love the motherland and Hong Kong.\r\n\r\nThirteen years remain until 1997, and from now on issues arising during the transition period must be resolved gradually. During the transition period, one [issue] is to avoid major fluctuations and major twists and turns to maintain Hong Kong\'s prosperity and stability; the other is to create the conditions [necessary] for Hong Kong people to take over the government smoothly. People from all walks of life in Hong Kong must make efforts to this end.\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Political speech: Deng Xiaoping addresses the Hong Kong handover in 1984', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2354-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-26 23:04:40', '2020-05-27 03:04:40', '', 2354, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/26/2354-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2420, 1, '2020-05-26 23:30:05', '2020-05-27 03:30:05', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communism Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of historical and modern CCP propaganda, speeches, stories, essays and songs.</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Quick reminder:</strong> I am posting this because it is historically, linguistically, and academically interesting, not because I am promoting any political viewpoint. This website is a language learning resource. It is not a political platform. I like history, I don\'t like arguing. If you post your political opinion in the comments section – positive, negative, or neutral – I will delete it. Dinner tables rules, please.\r\n\r\nSocialist reformer Deng Xiaoping is regarded as one of the main architects of modern China. He was credited as the man responsible for opening up China\'s economy after the death of Mao Zedong in 1976. He was also given the unenviable task of figuring out how to approach the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the U.K. to China in 1997.\r\n\r\nIn June, 1984, thirteen years before the Hong Kong handover, he gave this speech, addressing critics of the \"One Country, Two Systems\" （一个国家，两种制度）policy, which determined China\'s approach to the handover. The policy maintained that different political systems would concurrently be implemented under one government. In other words, that mainland China would remain socialist, and that Hong Kong would remain capitalist, but both would be ultimately overseen by the CCP. It was a radical notion at the time, and it still is in many ways. His words here are a fascinating look into the past. \r\n\r\nWhat\'s most interesting about this piece to me is that in it, Deng is addressing critics of this policy on both sides of the line. One side of this criticism we are familiar with, and still often hear today: that \"One Country, Two Systems\" was simply trickery and that China intends to slowly erode Hong Kong\'s Democratic freedoms over time. If you read between the lines, however, you also get a sense of the criticisms that came from within China a the time: the idea that allowing Hong Kong to remain capitalist was a threat to mainland socialism, that One Country, Two Systems was too lenient, and that Hong Kongers were ill-equipped to manage their own government. Deng was stuck in the middle of these arguments, and this is his response to both. This speech is all the more interesting now because we are seeing how his policy is playing out 35 years later.  \r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nGrammatically, there isn\'t much here that\'s difficult for advanced readers, no colloquialisms, no literary sentence structures. But there is obviously quite a bit of high-level vocab, specifically a couple of words :\r\n\r\n<strong>特区政府</strong> [pinyin]te4 qu1 zheng4 fu3[/pinyin] - Special administrative regional government. An area of the country that has different rules of governance than other areas of the Chinese mainland.\r\n\r\n<strong>全国人民代表大会</strong> [pinyin]quan2 guo2 ren2 min2 dai4 biao3 da4 hui4[/pinyin] - The National People\'s Congress (NPC), China\'s national legislature.\r\n\r\n<strong>国务院</strong> [pinyin]guo2 wu4 yuan4[/pinyin] - The State Council, one of China\'s highest government bodies.\r\n\r\n<strong>政府工作报告</strong> [pinyin]zheng4 fu4 gong1 zuo4 bao4 gao4[/pinyin] - The government work report, a document published each year which outlines China\'s priorities for the following 12 months. The 2020 work report was just released last week. \r\n\r\n<strong>中英谈判</strong> [pinyin]zhong1 ying1 tan2 pan4[/pinyin] - Sino-British negotiations\r\n<a href=\"http://news.southcn.com/community/shzt/dxp/theory3/200407240281.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source here</a>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n中国政府为解决香港问题所采取的立场、方针、政策是坚定不移的。我们多次讲过，我国政府在一九九七年恢复行使对香港的主权后，香港现行的社会、经济制度不变，法律基本不变，生活方式不变，香港自由港的地位和国际贸易、金融中心的地位也不变，香港可以继续同其他国家和地区保持和发展经济关系。我们还多次讲过，北京除了派军队以外，不向香港<span class=\"highlightText\">特区政府</span>派出干部，这也是不会改变的。我们派军队是为了维护国家的安全，而不是去干预香港的内部事务。我们对香港的政策五十年不变，我们说这个话是算数的。\r\n\r\n我们的政策是实行“一个国家，两种制度”，具体说，就是在中华人民共和国内，十亿人口的大陆实行社会主义制度，香港、台湾实行资本主义制度。近几年来，中国一直在克服“左”的错误，坚持从实际出发，实事求是，来制定各方面工作的政策。经过五年半，现在已经见效了。正是在这种情况下，我们才提出用“一个国家，两种制度”的办法来解决香港和台湾问题。\r\n\r\n“一个国家，两种制度”，我们已经讲了很多次了，<span class=\"highlightText\">全国人民代表大会</span>已经通过了这个政策。有人担心这个政策会不会变，我说不会变。核心的问题，决定的因素，是这个政策对不对。如果不对，就可能变。如果是对的，就变不了。进一步说，中国现在实行对外开放、对内搞活经济的政策，有谁改得了？如果改了，中国百分之八十的人的生活就要下降，我们就会丧失人心。我们的路走对了，人民赞成，就变不了。\r\n\r\n我们对香港的政策长期不变，影响不了大陆的社会主义。中国的主体必须是社会主义，但允许国内某些区域实行资本主义制度，比如香港、台湾。大陆开放一些城市，允许一些外资进入，这是作为社会主义经济的补充，有利于社会主义社会生产力的发展。比如外资到上海去，当然不是整个上海都实行资本主义制度。深圳也不是，还是实行社会主义制度。中国的主体是社会主义。\r\n\r\n“一个国家，两种制度”的构想是我们根据中国自己的情况提出来的，而现在已经成为国际上注意的问题了。中国有香港、台湾问题，解决这个问题的出路何在呢？是社会主义吞掉台湾，还是台湾宣扬的“三民主义”吞掉大陆？谁也不好吞掉谁。如果不能和平解决，只有用武力解决，这对各方都是不利的。实现国家统一是民族的愿望，一百年不统一，一千年也要统一的。怎么解决这个问题，我看只有实行“一个国家，两种制度”。\r\n\r\n世界上一系列争端都面临着用和平方式来解决还是用非和平方式来解决的问题。总得找出个办法来，新问题就得用新办法来解决。香港问题的成功解决，这个事例可能为国际上许多问题的解决提供一些有益的线索。从世界历史来看，有哪个政府制定过我们这么开明的政策？从资本主义历史看，从西方国家看，有哪一个国家这么做过？我们采取“一个国家，两种制度”的办法解决香港问题，不是一时的感情冲动，也不是玩弄手法，完全是从实际出发的，是充分照顾到香港的历史和现实情况的。\r\n\r\n要相信香港的中国人能治理好香港。不相信中国人有能力管好香港，这是老殖民主义遗留下来的思想状态。鸦片战争以来的一个多世纪里，外国人看不起中国人，侮辱中国人。中华人民共和国建立后，改变了中国的形象。中国今天的形象，不是晚清政府、不是北洋军阀、也不是蒋氏父子创造出来的。是中华人民共和国改变了中国的形象。凡是中华儿女，不管穿什么服装，不管是什么立场，起码都有中华民族的自豪感。香港人也是有这种民族自豪感的。香港人是能治理好香港的，要有这个自信心。香港过去的繁荣，主要是以中国人为主体的香港人干出来的。中国人的智力不比外国人差，中国人不是低能的，不要总以为只有外国人才干得好。要相信我们中国人自己是能干得好的。所谓香港人没有信心，这不是香港人的真正意见。\r\n\r\n目前<span class=\"highlightText\">中英谈判</span>的内容还没有公布，很多香港人对中央政府的政策不了解，他们一旦真正了解了，是会完全有信心的。我们对解决香港问题所采取的政策，是<span class=\"highlightText\">国务院</span>总理在第六届<span class=\"highlightText\">全国人民代表大会</span>第二次会议的<span class=\"highlightText\">政府工作报告</span>中宣布的，是经大会通过的，是很严肃的事。如果现在还有人谈信心问题，对中华人民共和国、对中国政府没有信任感，那末，其他一切都谈不上了。我们相信香港人能治理好香港，不能继续让外国人统治，否则香港人也是决不会答应的。\r\n\r\n港人治港有个界线和标准，就是必须由以爱国者为主体的港人来治理香港。未来香港特区政府的主要成分是爱国者，当然也要容纳别的人，还可以聘请外国人当顾问。什么叫爱国者？爱国者的标准是，尊重自己民族，诚心诚意拥护祖国恢复行使对香港的主权，不损害香港的繁荣和稳定。只要具备这些条件，不管他们相信资本主义，还是相信封建主义，甚至相信奴隶主义，都是爱国者。我们不要求他们都赞成中国的社会主义制度，只要求他们爱祖国，爱香港。\r\n\r\n到一九九七年还有十三年，从现在起要逐步解决好过渡时期问题。在过渡时期中，一是不要出现大的波动、大的曲折，保持香港繁荣和稳定；二是要创造条件，使香港人能顺利地接管政府。香港各界人士要为此作出努力。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nThe position, principles and policies adopted by the Chinese government to resolve the Hong Kong issue are unwavering. We have said many times that after the restoration of our government\'s sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, the current social and economic system of Hong Kong will remain unchanged, the laws will remain basically unchanged, and [Hong Kong\'s] way of life will remain unchanged. The status of Hong Kong\'s free port as a center of international trade and finance will remain unchanged, and Hong Kong can continue to maintain and develop economic relations with other countries and regions. We have also said many times that Beijing will not send government cadres to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, except for troops, and this too will not change. We are sending troops to maintain national security, not to interfere in Hong Kong\'s internal affairs. Our policy towards Hong Kong has remained unchanged for 50 years, so we say this with [great] calculation.\r\n\r\nThe \"one country, two systems\" policy that we are implementing, speaking specifically, means that in the People\'s Republic of China, our one billion-strong population will implement the socialist system, but Hong Kong and Taiwan will have a capitalist system. In recent years, China has been overcoming the mistakes of the \"left\", insisting on proceeding from reality and seeking truth from facts, to formulate policies in all aspects of our work. After five and a half years, this is now paying off. It was precisely because of this situation that we proposed to use the \"one country, two systems\" approach to resolve the Hong Kong and Taiwan issues.\r\n\r\n\"One Country, Two Systems\", as we have said many times, has already been passed by the National People\'s Congress. Some people worry about whether or not this policy will change, I say it will not change. The core issue, the deciding factor, is whether this policy is right. If it is wrong, it may change. If it is right, it will not change. Furthermore, China has implemented a policy of opening up to the outside world and invigorating the economy at home. Who can change this? If it changes, the [quality of] life of 80% of China\'s people will decline, and we will lose our hearts. As long as our way is right, and the people approve, then it will not change.\r\n\r\nOur policy towards Hong Kong has remained unchanged for a long time, and it will not affect socialism on the mainland. China must always principally be socialist, but allow certain regions of the country to implement a capitalist system, such as Hong Kong and Taiwan. If the mainland opens up some cities and allows some foreign capital to enter, this is complementary to the socialist economy and is conducive to the development of socialist production. For example, if foreign capital [is allowed] into Shanghai, it is of course not the case that capitalism will be implemented throughout Shanghai. Shenzhen too, it will still implement the socialist system. China is principally socialist.\r\n\r\nThe concept of \"One Country, Two Systems\" was put forward by us in light of China\'s [domestic] situation, and it has now become a matter of international attention. China has issues with Hong Kong and Taiwan, where is the solution to these problems? Should socialism devour Taiwan, or should the \"Three People\'s Principles\" promoted by Taiwan devour the mainland? No one can devour anyone. If these [issues] cannot be resolved peacefully, they can only be solved by force, which is detrimental to all parties. The realization of national reunification is the desire of the people, and though we will not be reunified in one hundred years, we must also be unified in one thousand years. As for how to solve this problem, I think the only [way] is the implementation of \"One Country, Two Systems\". \r\n\r\n[When considering how to solve many] of this world\'s disputes, we are faced with the issue of whether to resolve them by peaceful means or by non-peaceful means. A solution must always be found, and new problems require new solutions. The successful resolution of the Hong Kong issue may provide some useful clues [that may help to] resolve many international issues. From the perspective of world history, which government has formulated such enlightened policies? From the perspective of capitalist history, from the perspective of Western countries, which country has done this? We adopted the \"one country, two systems\" approach to resolve the Hong Kong issue not [based on] momentary emotional impulse or trickery, but entirely based on reality and with full consideration of Hong Kong\'s historical and actual [present] circumstances.\r\n\r\nWe must believe that the Chinese of Hong Kong can govern Hong Kong well. The belief that the Chinese do not have the ability to manage Hong Kong well is a state of mind left over from old colonialism. For more than a century since the Opium War, foreigners looked down on and insulted the Chinese. After the establishment of the People\'s Republic of China, the image of China has changed. China\'s image today was not created by the late Qing government, nor by the Northern Warlords, or by the Chiang Kai-shek and his son. It is the People\'s Republic of China that has changed China\'s image. All Chinese children, no matter what clothes they wear, no matter what their positions, [carry] the pride of the Chinese nation. Hong Kong people also [carry] this national pride. Hong Kong\'s people can manage Hong Kong well, we must have this self-confidence. Hong Kong\'s past prosperity was the work of Hong Kong\'s people who were principally Chinese. The intelligence of the Chinese is not lower than that of foreigners, the Chinese are not inferior, so don\'t always think that only foreign talents are [capable of] doing well. Believe that we Chinese can do well ourselves. Hong Kong\'s so-called lack of self-confidence, this is not really what Hong Kongers believe. \r\n\r\nAt present, no announcement has been made regarding the contents of the Sino-British negotiations. Many Hong Kong people do not understand the policies of the Central Government. Once they really understand it, they will be completely confident. Our policy regarding the resolution of the Hong Kong issue was announced by the Premier of the State Council in the Government Work Report of the second session of the Sixth National People\'s Congress. It was adopted by the General Assembly and is a very serious matter. If there are still those discussing the issue of confidence, those who have no sense of trust in the People\'s Republic of China, no sense of trust in the Chinese government, then nothing else can be said [at present]. We believe that Hong Kong people can govern Hong Kong well, we cannot continue to let foreigners rule, to anything else the people Hong Kong people will never agree.\r\n\r\nThere will be boundaries and standards for [the type of] Hong Kongers [that will] rule Hong Kong, that is, patriotic Hong Kongers must primarily govern Hong Kong. In the future, the main component of the Hong Kong SAR government will be patriots. Of course, other people must also be accommodated. Foreigners can also be hired as consultants. What is a patriot? A patriot respects his own nation and sincerely supports the motherland\'s restoration of its sovereignty over Hong Kong without compromising Hong Kong\'s prosperity and stability. As long as these conditions are met, whether they believe in capitalism, feudalism, or even slavery, they are all patriots. We do not require them all to approve of China\'s socialist system, only that they love the motherland and Hong Kong.\r\n\r\nThirteen years remain until 1997, and from now on issues arising during the transition period must be resolved gradually. During the transition period, one [issue] is to avoid major fluctuations and major twists and turns to maintain Hong Kong\'s prosperity and stability; the other is to create the conditions [necessary] for Hong Kong people to take over the government smoothly. People from all walks of life in Hong Kong must make efforts to this end.\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Political speech: Deng Xiaoping addresses the Hong Kong handover in 1984', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2354-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-26 23:30:05', '2020-05-27 03:30:05', '', 2354, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/26/2354-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2421, 1, '2020-05-26 23:32:18', '2020-05-27 03:32:18', '[su_row]\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communism Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of historical and modern CCP propaganda, speeches, stories, essays and songs.</p>\n\n<strong>Quick reminder:</strong> I am posting this because it is historically, linguistically, and academically interesting, not because I am promoting any political viewpoint. This website is a language learning resource. It is not a political platform. I like history, I don\'t like arguing. If you post your political opinion in the comments section – positive, negative, or neutral – I will delete it. Dinner tables rules, please.\n\nSocialist reformer Deng Xiaoping is regarded as one of the main architects of modern China. He was credited as the man responsible for opening up China\'s economy after the death of Mao Zedong in 1976. He was also given the unenviable task of figuring out how to approach the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the U.K. to China in 1997.\n\n\n\nIn June, 1984, thirteen years before the Hong Kong handover, he gave this speech, addressing critics of the \"One Country, Two Systems\" （一个国家，两种制度）policy, which determined China\'s approach to the handover. The policy maintained that different political systems would concurrently be implemented under one government. In other words, that mainland China would remain socialist, and that Hong Kong would remain capitalist, but both would be ultimately overseen by the CCP. It was a radical notion at the time, and it still is in many ways. His words here are a fascinating look into the past. \n\nWhat\'s most interesting about this piece to me is that in it, Deng is addressing critics of this policy on both sides of the line. One side of this criticism we are familiar with, and still often hear today: that \"One Country, Two Systems\" was simply trickery and that China intends to slowly erode Hong Kong\'s Democratic freedoms over time. If you read between the lines, however, you also get a sense of the criticisms that came from within China a the time: the idea that allowing Hong Kong to remain capitalist was a threat to mainland socialism, that One Country, Two Systems was too lenient, and that Hong Kongers were ill-equipped to manage their own government. Deng was stuck in the middle of these arguments, and this is his response to both. This speech is all the more interesting now because we are seeing how his policy is playing out 35 years later.  \n\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\nGrammatically, there isn\'t much here that\'s difficult for advanced readers, no colloquialisms, no literary sentence structures. But there is obviously quite a bit of high-level vocab, specifically a couple of words :\n\n<strong>特区政府</strong> [pinyin]te4 qu1 zheng4 fu3[/pinyin] - Special administrative regional government. An area of the country that has different rules of governance than other areas of the Chinese mainland.\n\n<strong>全国人民代表大会</strong> [pinyin]quan2 guo2 ren2 min2 dai4 biao3 da4 hui4[/pinyin] - The National People\'s Congress (NPC), China\'s national legislature.\n\n<strong>国务院</strong> [pinyin]guo2 wu4 yuan4[/pinyin] - The State Council, one of China\'s highest government bodies.\n\n<strong>政府工作报告</strong> [pinyin]zheng4 fu4 gong1 zuo4 bao4 gao4[/pinyin] - The government work report, a document published each year which outlines China\'s priorities for the following 12 months. The 2020 work report was just released last week. \n\n<strong>中英谈判</strong> [pinyin]zhong1 ying1 tan2 pan4[/pinyin] - Sino-British negotiations\n<a href=\"http://news.southcn.com/community/shzt/dxp/theory3/200407240281.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source here</a>\n[/su_column]\n[/su_row]\n\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\n[su_row]\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\n中国政府为解决香港问题所采取的立场、方针、政策是坚定不移的。我们多次讲过，我国政府在一九九七年恢复行使对香港的主权后，香港现行的社会、经济制度不变，法律基本不变，生活方式不变，香港自由港的地位和国际贸易、金融中心的地位也不变，香港可以继续同其他国家和地区保持和发展经济关系。我们还多次讲过，北京除了派军队以外，不向香港<span class=\"highlightText\">特区政府</span>派出干部，这也是不会改变的。我们派军队是为了维护国家的安全，而不是去干预香港的内部事务。我们对香港的政策五十年不变，我们说这个话是算数的。\n\n我们的政策是实行“一个国家，两种制度”，具体说，就是在中华人民共和国内，十亿人口的大陆实行社会主义制度，香港、台湾实行资本主义制度。近几年来，中国一直在克服“左”的错误，坚持从实际出发，实事求是，来制定各方面工作的政策。经过五年半，现在已经见效了。正是在这种情况下，我们才提出用“一个国家，两种制度”的办法来解决香港和台湾问题。\n\n“一个国家，两种制度”，我们已经讲了很多次了，<span class=\"highlightText\">全国人民代表大会</span>已经通过了这个政策。有人担心这个政策会不会变，我说不会变。核心的问题，决定的因素，是这个政策对不对。如果不对，就可能变。如果是对的，就变不了。进一步说，中国现在实行对外开放、对内搞活经济的政策，有谁改得了？如果改了，中国百分之八十的人的生活就要下降，我们就会丧失人心。我们的路走对了，人民赞成，就变不了。\n\n我们对香港的政策长期不变，影响不了大陆的社会主义。中国的主体必须是社会主义，但允许国内某些区域实行资本主义制度，比如香港、台湾。大陆开放一些城市，允许一些外资进入，这是作为社会主义经济的补充，有利于社会主义社会生产力的发展。比如外资到上海去，当然不是整个上海都实行资本主义制度。深圳也不是，还是实行社会主义制度。中国的主体是社会主义。\n\n“一个国家，两种制度”的构想是我们根据中国自己的情况提出来的，而现在已经成为国际上注意的问题了。中国有香港、台湾问题，解决这个问题的出路何在呢？是社会主义吞掉台湾，还是台湾宣扬的“三民主义”吞掉大陆？谁也不好吞掉谁。如果不能和平解决，只有用武力解决，这对各方都是不利的。实现国家统一是民族的愿望，一百年不统一，一千年也要统一的。怎么解决这个问题，我看只有实行“一个国家，两种制度”。\n\n世界上一系列争端都面临着用和平方式来解决还是用非和平方式来解决的问题。总得找出个办法来，新问题就得用新办法来解决。香港问题的成功解决，这个事例可能为国际上许多问题的解决提供一些有益的线索。从世界历史来看，有哪个政府制定过我们这么开明的政策？从资本主义历史看，从西方国家看，有哪一个国家这么做过？我们采取“一个国家，两种制度”的办法解决香港问题，不是一时的感情冲动，也不是玩弄手法，完全是从实际出发的，是充分照顾到香港的历史和现实情况的。\n\n要相信香港的中国人能治理好香港。不相信中国人有能力管好香港，这是老殖民主义遗留下来的思想状态。鸦片战争以来的一个多世纪里，外国人看不起中国人，侮辱中国人。中华人民共和国建立后，改变了中国的形象。中国今天的形象，不是晚清政府、不是北洋军阀、也不是蒋氏父子创造出来的。是中华人民共和国改变了中国的形象。凡是中华儿女，不管穿什么服装，不管是什么立场，起码都有中华民族的自豪感。香港人也是有这种民族自豪感的。香港人是能治理好香港的，要有这个自信心。香港过去的繁荣，主要是以中国人为主体的香港人干出来的。中国人的智力不比外国人差，中国人不是低能的，不要总以为只有外国人才干得好。要相信我们中国人自己是能干得好的。所谓香港人没有信心，这不是香港人的真正意见。\n\n目前<span class=\"highlightText\">中英谈判</span>的内容还没有公布，很多香港人对中央政府的政策不了解，他们一旦真正了解了，是会完全有信心的。我们对解决香港问题所采取的政策，是<span class=\"highlightText\">国务院</span>总理在第六届<span class=\"highlightText\">全国人民代表大会</span>第二次会议的<span class=\"highlightText\">政府工作报告</span>中宣布的，是经大会通过的，是很严肃的事。如果现在还有人谈信心问题，对中华人民共和国、对中国政府没有信任感，那末，其他一切都谈不上了。我们相信香港人能治理好香港，不能继续让外国人统治，否则香港人也是决不会答应的。\n\n港人治港有个界线和标准，就是必须由以爱国者为主体的港人来治理香港。未来香港特区政府的主要成分是爱国者，当然也要容纳别的人，还可以聘请外国人当顾问。什么叫爱国者？爱国者的标准是，尊重自己民族，诚心诚意拥护祖国恢复行使对香港的主权，不损害香港的繁荣和稳定。只要具备这些条件，不管他们相信资本主义，还是相信封建主义，甚至相信奴隶主义，都是爱国者。我们不要求他们都赞成中国的社会主义制度，只要求他们爱祖国，爱香港。\n\n到一九九七年还有十三年，从现在起要逐步解决好过渡时期问题。在过渡时期中，一是不要出现大的波动、大的曲折，保持香港繁荣和稳定；二是要创造条件，使香港人能顺利地接管政府。香港各界人士要为此作出努力。\n</div>\n[/su_column]\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\nThe position, principles and policies adopted by the Chinese government to resolve the Hong Kong issue are unwavering. We have said many times that after the restoration of our government\'s sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, the current social and economic system of Hong Kong will remain unchanged, the laws will remain basically unchanged, and [Hong Kong\'s] way of life will remain unchanged. The status of Hong Kong\'s free port as a center of international trade and finance will remain unchanged, and Hong Kong can continue to maintain and develop economic relations with other countries and regions. We have also said many times that Beijing will not send government cadres to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, except for troops, and this too will not change. We are sending troops to maintain national security, not to interfere in Hong Kong\'s internal affairs. Our policy towards Hong Kong has remained unchanged for 50 years, so we say this with [great] calculation.\n\nThe \"one country, two systems\" policy that we are implementing, speaking specifically, means that in the People\'s Republic of China, our one billion-strong population will implement the socialist system, but Hong Kong and Taiwan will have a capitalist system. In recent years, China has been overcoming the mistakes of the \"left\", insisting on proceeding from reality and seeking truth from facts, to formulate policies in all aspects of our work. After five and a half years, this is now paying off. It was precisely because of this situation that we proposed to use the \"one country, two systems\" approach to resolve the Hong Kong and Taiwan issues.\n\n\"One Country, Two Systems\", as we have said many times, has already been passed by the National People\'s Congress. Some people worry about whether or not this policy will change, I say it will not change. The core issue, the deciding factor, is whether this policy is right. If it is wrong, it may change. If it is right, it will not change. Furthermore, China has implemented a policy of opening up to the outside world and invigorating the economy at home. Who can change this? If it changes, the [quality of] life of 80% of China\'s people will decline, and we will lose our hearts. As long as our way is right, and the people approve, then it will not change.\n\nOur policy towards Hong Kong has remained unchanged for a long time, and it will not affect socialism on the mainland. China must always principally be socialist, but allow certain regions of the country to implement a capitalist system, such as Hong Kong and Taiwan. If the mainland opens up some cities and allows some foreign capital to enter, this is complementary to the socialist economy and is conducive to the development of socialist production. For example, if foreign capital [is allowed] into Shanghai, it is of course not the case that capitalism will be implemented throughout Shanghai. Shenzhen too, it will still implement the socialist system. China is principally socialist.\n\nThe concept of \"One Country, Two Systems\" was put forward by us in light of China\'s [domestic] situation, and it has now become a matter of international attention. China has issues with Hong Kong and Taiwan, where is the solution to these problems? Should socialism devour Taiwan, or should the \"Three People\'s Principles\" promoted by Taiwan devour the mainland? No one can devour anyone. If these [issues] cannot be resolved peacefully, they can only be solved by force, which is detrimental to all parties. The realization of national reunification is the desire of the people, and though we will not be reunified in one hundred years, we must also be unified in one thousand years. As for how to solve this problem, I think the only [way] is the implementation of \"One Country, Two Systems\". \n\n[When considering how to solve many] of this world\'s disputes, we are faced with the issue of whether to resolve them by peaceful means or by non-peaceful means. A solution must always be found, and new problems require new solutions. The successful resolution of the Hong Kong issue may provide some useful clues [that may help to] resolve many international issues. From the perspective of world history, which government has formulated such enlightened policies? From the perspective of capitalist history, from the perspective of Western countries, which country has done this? We adopted the \"one country, two systems\" approach to resolve the Hong Kong issue not [based on] momentary emotional impulse or trickery, but entirely based on reality and with full consideration of Hong Kong\'s historical and actual [present] circumstances.\n\nWe must believe that the Chinese of Hong Kong can govern Hong Kong well. The belief that the Chinese do not have the ability to manage Hong Kong well is a state of mind left over from old colonialism. For more than a century since the Opium War, foreigners looked down on and insulted the Chinese. After the establishment of the People\'s Republic of China, the image of China has changed. China\'s image today was not created by the late Qing government, nor by the Northern Warlords, or by the Chiang Kai-shek and his son. It is the People\'s Republic of China that has changed China\'s image. All Chinese children, no matter what clothes they wear, no matter what their positions, [carry] the pride of the Chinese nation. Hong Kong people also [carry] this national pride. Hong Kong\'s people can manage Hong Kong well, we must have this self-confidence. Hong Kong\'s past prosperity was the work of Hong Kong\'s people who were principally Chinese. The intelligence of the Chinese is not lower than that of foreigners, the Chinese are not inferior, so don\'t always think that only foreign talents are [capable of] doing well. Believe that we Chinese can do well ourselves. Hong Kong\'s so-called lack of self-confidence, this is not really what Hong Kongers believe. \n\nAt present, no announcement has been made regarding the contents of the Sino-British negotiations. Many Hong Kong people do not understand the policies of the Central Government. Once they really understand it, they will be completely confident. Our policy regarding the resolution of the Hong Kong issue was announced by the Premier of the State Council in the Government Work Report of the second session of the Sixth National People\'s Congress. It was adopted by the General Assembly and is a very serious matter. If there are still those discussing the issue of confidence, those who have no sense of trust in the People\'s Republic of China, no sense of trust in the Chinese government, then nothing else can be said [at present]. We believe that Hong Kong people can govern Hong Kong well, we cannot continue to let foreigners rule, to anything else the people Hong Kong people will never agree.\n\nThere will be boundaries and standards for [the type of] Hong Kongers [that will] rule Hong Kong, that is, patriotic Hong Kongers must primarily govern Hong Kong. In the future, the main component of the Hong Kong SAR government will be patriots. Of course, other people must also be accommodated. Foreigners can also be hired as consultants. What is a patriot? A patriot respects his own nation and sincerely supports the motherland\'s restoration of its sovereignty over Hong Kong without compromising Hong Kong\'s prosperity and stability. As long as these conditions are met, whether they believe in capitalism, feudalism, or even slavery, they are all patriots. We do not require them all to approve of China\'s socialist system, only that they love the motherland and Hong Kong.\n\nThirteen years remain until 1997, and from now on issues arising during the transition period must be resolved gradually. During the transition period, one [issue] is to avoid major fluctuations and major twists and turns to maintain Hong Kong\'s prosperity and stability; the other is to create the conditions [necessary] for Hong Kong people to take over the government smoothly. People from all walks of life in Hong Kong must make efforts to this end.\n[/hide-this-part]\n[/su_column]\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Political speech: Deng Xiaoping addresses the Hong Kong handover in 1984', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2354-autosave-v1', '', '', '2020-05-26 23:32:18', '2020-05-27 03:32:18', '', 2354, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/26/2354-autosave-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
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(2423, 1, '2020-05-26 23:32:22', '2020-05-27 03:32:22', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communism Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of historical and modern CCP propaganda, speeches, stories, essays and songs.</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Quick reminder:</strong> I am posting this because it is historically, linguistically, and academically interesting, not because I am promoting any political viewpoint. This website is a language learning resource. It is not a political platform. I like history, I don\'t like arguing. If you post your political opinion in the comments section – positive, negative, or neutral – I will delete it. Dinner tables rules, please.\r\n\r\nSocialist reformer Deng Xiaoping is regarded as one of the main architects of modern China. He was credited as the man responsible for opening up China\'s economy after the death of Mao Zedong in 1976. He was also given the unenviable task of figuring out how to approach the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the U.K. to China in 1997.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/chinese-reading-practice-advanced-speech-deng-xiaoping-hong-kong.jpeg\" alt=\"Chinese Reading Practice Advanced Speech Mandarin Learning Deng Xiaoping\" width=\"225\" height=\"225\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-2422\" />\r\n\r\nIn June, 1984, thirteen years before the Hong Kong handover, he gave this speech, addressing critics of the \"One Country, Two Systems\" （一个国家，两种制度）policy, which determined China\'s approach to the handover. The policy maintained that different political systems would concurrently be implemented under one government. In other words, that mainland China would remain socialist, and that Hong Kong would remain capitalist, but both would be ultimately overseen by the CCP. It was a radical notion at the time, and it still is in many ways. His words here are a fascinating look into the past. \r\n\r\nWhat\'s most interesting about this piece to me is that in it, Deng is addressing critics of this policy on both sides of the line. One side of this criticism we are familiar with, and still often hear today: that \"One Country, Two Systems\" was simply trickery and that China intends to slowly erode Hong Kong\'s Democratic freedoms over time. If you read between the lines, however, you also get a sense of the criticisms that came from within China a the time: the idea that allowing Hong Kong to remain capitalist was a threat to mainland socialism, that One Country, Two Systems was too lenient, and that Hong Kongers were ill-equipped to manage their own government. Deng was stuck in the middle of these arguments, and this is his response to both. This speech is all the more interesting now because we are seeing how his policy is playing out 35 years later.  \r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nGrammatically, there isn\'t much here that\'s difficult for advanced readers, no colloquialisms, no literary sentence structures. But there is obviously quite a bit of high-level vocab, specifically a couple of words :\r\n\r\n<strong>特区政府</strong> [pinyin]te4 qu1 zheng4 fu3[/pinyin] - Special administrative regional government. An area of the country that has different rules of governance than other areas of the Chinese mainland.\r\n\r\n<strong>全国人民代表大会</strong> [pinyin]quan2 guo2 ren2 min2 dai4 biao3 da4 hui4[/pinyin] - The National People\'s Congress (NPC), China\'s national legislature.\r\n\r\n<strong>国务院</strong> [pinyin]guo2 wu4 yuan4[/pinyin] - The State Council, one of China\'s highest government bodies.\r\n\r\n<strong>政府工作报告</strong> [pinyin]zheng4 fu4 gong1 zuo4 bao4 gao4[/pinyin] - The government work report, a document published each year which outlines China\'s priorities for the following 12 months. The 2020 work report was just released last week. \r\n\r\n<strong>中英谈判</strong> [pinyin]zhong1 ying1 tan2 pan4[/pinyin] - Sino-British negotiations\r\n<a href=\"http://news.southcn.com/community/shzt/dxp/theory3/200407240281.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source here</a>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n中国政府为解决香港问题所采取的立场、方针、政策是坚定不移的。我们多次讲过，我国政府在一九九七年恢复行使对香港的主权后，香港现行的社会、经济制度不变，法律基本不变，生活方式不变，香港自由港的地位和国际贸易、金融中心的地位也不变，香港可以继续同其他国家和地区保持和发展经济关系。我们还多次讲过，北京除了派军队以外，不向香港<span class=\"highlightText\">特区政府</span>派出干部，这也是不会改变的。我们派军队是为了维护国家的安全，而不是去干预香港的内部事务。我们对香港的政策五十年不变，我们说这个话是算数的。\r\n\r\n我们的政策是实行“一个国家，两种制度”，具体说，就是在中华人民共和国内，十亿人口的大陆实行社会主义制度，香港、台湾实行资本主义制度。近几年来，中国一直在克服“左”的错误，坚持从实际出发，实事求是，来制定各方面工作的政策。经过五年半，现在已经见效了。正是在这种情况下，我们才提出用“一个国家，两种制度”的办法来解决香港和台湾问题。\r\n\r\n“一个国家，两种制度”，我们已经讲了很多次了，<span class=\"highlightText\">全国人民代表大会</span>已经通过了这个政策。有人担心这个政策会不会变，我说不会变。核心的问题，决定的因素，是这个政策对不对。如果不对，就可能变。如果是对的，就变不了。进一步说，中国现在实行对外开放、对内搞活经济的政策，有谁改得了？如果改了，中国百分之八十的人的生活就要下降，我们就会丧失人心。我们的路走对了，人民赞成，就变不了。\r\n\r\n我们对香港的政策长期不变，影响不了大陆的社会主义。中国的主体必须是社会主义，但允许国内某些区域实行资本主义制度，比如香港、台湾。大陆开放一些城市，允许一些外资进入，这是作为社会主义经济的补充，有利于社会主义社会生产力的发展。比如外资到上海去，当然不是整个上海都实行资本主义制度。深圳也不是，还是实行社会主义制度。中国的主体是社会主义。\r\n\r\n“一个国家，两种制度”的构想是我们根据中国自己的情况提出来的，而现在已经成为国际上注意的问题了。中国有香港、台湾问题，解决这个问题的出路何在呢？是社会主义吞掉台湾，还是台湾宣扬的“三民主义”吞掉大陆？谁也不好吞掉谁。如果不能和平解决，只有用武力解决，这对各方都是不利的。实现国家统一是民族的愿望，一百年不统一，一千年也要统一的。怎么解决这个问题，我看只有实行“一个国家，两种制度”。\r\n\r\n世界上一系列争端都面临着用和平方式来解决还是用非和平方式来解决的问题。总得找出个办法来，新问题就得用新办法来解决。香港问题的成功解决，这个事例可能为国际上许多问题的解决提供一些有益的线索。从世界历史来看，有哪个政府制定过我们这么开明的政策？从资本主义历史看，从西方国家看，有哪一个国家这么做过？我们采取“一个国家，两种制度”的办法解决香港问题，不是一时的感情冲动，也不是玩弄手法，完全是从实际出发的，是充分照顾到香港的历史和现实情况的。\r\n\r\n要相信香港的中国人能治理好香港。不相信中国人有能力管好香港，这是老殖民主义遗留下来的思想状态。鸦片战争以来的一个多世纪里，外国人看不起中国人，侮辱中国人。中华人民共和国建立后，改变了中国的形象。中国今天的形象，不是晚清政府、不是北洋军阀、也不是蒋氏父子创造出来的。是中华人民共和国改变了中国的形象。凡是中华儿女，不管穿什么服装，不管是什么立场，起码都有中华民族的自豪感。香港人也是有这种民族自豪感的。香港人是能治理好香港的，要有这个自信心。香港过去的繁荣，主要是以中国人为主体的香港人干出来的。中国人的智力不比外国人差，中国人不是低能的，不要总以为只有外国人才干得好。要相信我们中国人自己是能干得好的。所谓香港人没有信心，这不是香港人的真正意见。\r\n\r\n目前<span class=\"highlightText\">中英谈判</span>的内容还没有公布，很多香港人对中央政府的政策不了解，他们一旦真正了解了，是会完全有信心的。我们对解决香港问题所采取的政策，是<span class=\"highlightText\">国务院</span>总理在第六届<span class=\"highlightText\">全国人民代表大会</span>第二次会议的<span class=\"highlightText\">政府工作报告</span>中宣布的，是经大会通过的，是很严肃的事。如果现在还有人谈信心问题，对中华人民共和国、对中国政府没有信任感，那末，其他一切都谈不上了。我们相信香港人能治理好香港，不能继续让外国人统治，否则香港人也是决不会答应的。\r\n\r\n港人治港有个界线和标准，就是必须由以爱国者为主体的港人来治理香港。未来香港特区政府的主要成分是爱国者，当然也要容纳别的人，还可以聘请外国人当顾问。什么叫爱国者？爱国者的标准是，尊重自己民族，诚心诚意拥护祖国恢复行使对香港的主权，不损害香港的繁荣和稳定。只要具备这些条件，不管他们相信资本主义，还是相信封建主义，甚至相信奴隶主义，都是爱国者。我们不要求他们都赞成中国的社会主义制度，只要求他们爱祖国，爱香港。\r\n\r\n到一九九七年还有十三年，从现在起要逐步解决好过渡时期问题。在过渡时期中，一是不要出现大的波动、大的曲折，保持香港繁荣和稳定；二是要创造条件，使香港人能顺利地接管政府。香港各界人士要为此作出努力。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nThe position, principles and policies adopted by the Chinese government to resolve the Hong Kong issue are unwavering. We have said many times that after the restoration of our government\'s sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, the current social and economic system of Hong Kong will remain unchanged, the laws will remain basically unchanged, and [Hong Kong\'s] way of life will remain unchanged. The status of Hong Kong\'s free port as a center of international trade and finance will remain unchanged, and Hong Kong can continue to maintain and develop economic relations with other countries and regions. We have also said many times that Beijing will not send government cadres to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, except for troops, and this too will not change. We are sending troops to maintain national security, not to interfere in Hong Kong\'s internal affairs. Our policy towards Hong Kong has remained unchanged for 50 years, so we say this with [great] calculation.\r\n\r\nThe \"one country, two systems\" policy that we are implementing, speaking specifically, means that in the People\'s Republic of China, our one billion-strong population will implement the socialist system, but Hong Kong and Taiwan will have a capitalist system. In recent years, China has been overcoming the mistakes of the \"left\", insisting on proceeding from reality and seeking truth from facts, to formulate policies in all aspects of our work. After five and a half years, this is now paying off. It was precisely because of this situation that we proposed to use the \"one country, two systems\" approach to resolve the Hong Kong and Taiwan issues.\r\n\r\n\"One Country, Two Systems\", as we have said many times, has already been passed by the National People\'s Congress. Some people worry about whether or not this policy will change, I say it will not change. The core issue, the deciding factor, is whether this policy is right. If it is wrong, it may change. If it is right, it will not change. Furthermore, China has implemented a policy of opening up to the outside world and invigorating the economy at home. Who can change this? If it changes, the [quality of] life of 80% of China\'s people will decline, and we will lose our hearts. As long as our way is right, and the people approve, then it will not change.\r\n\r\nOur policy towards Hong Kong has remained unchanged for a long time, and it will not affect socialism on the mainland. China must always principally be socialist, but allow certain regions of the country to implement a capitalist system, such as Hong Kong and Taiwan. If the mainland opens up some cities and allows some foreign capital to enter, this is complementary to the socialist economy and is conducive to the development of socialist production. For example, if foreign capital [is allowed] into Shanghai, it is of course not the case that capitalism will be implemented throughout Shanghai. Shenzhen too, it will still implement the socialist system. China is principally socialist.\r\n\r\nThe concept of \"One Country, Two Systems\" was put forward by us in light of China\'s [domestic] situation, and it has now become a matter of international attention. China has issues with Hong Kong and Taiwan, where is the solution to these problems? Should socialism devour Taiwan, or should the \"Three People\'s Principles\" promoted by Taiwan devour the mainland? No one can devour anyone. If these [issues] cannot be resolved peacefully, they can only be solved by force, which is detrimental to all parties. The realization of national reunification is the desire of the people, and though we will not be reunified in one hundred years, we must also be unified in one thousand years. As for how to solve this problem, I think the only [way] is the implementation of \"One Country, Two Systems\". \r\n\r\n[When considering how to solve many] of this world\'s disputes, we are faced with the issue of whether to resolve them by peaceful means or by non-peaceful means. A solution must always be found, and new problems require new solutions. The successful resolution of the Hong Kong issue may provide some useful clues [that may help to] resolve many international issues. From the perspective of world history, which government has formulated such enlightened policies? From the perspective of capitalist history, from the perspective of Western countries, which country has done this? We adopted the \"one country, two systems\" approach to resolve the Hong Kong issue not [based on] momentary emotional impulse or trickery, but entirely based on reality and with full consideration of Hong Kong\'s historical and actual [present] circumstances.\r\n\r\nWe must believe that the Chinese of Hong Kong can govern Hong Kong well. The belief that the Chinese do not have the ability to manage Hong Kong well is a state of mind left over from old colonialism. For more than a century since the Opium War, foreigners looked down on and insulted the Chinese. After the establishment of the People\'s Republic of China, the image of China has changed. China\'s image today was not created by the late Qing government, nor by the Northern Warlords, or by the Chiang Kai-shek and his son. It is the People\'s Republic of China that has changed China\'s image. All Chinese children, no matter what clothes they wear, no matter what their positions, [carry] the pride of the Chinese nation. Hong Kong people also [carry] this national pride. Hong Kong\'s people can manage Hong Kong well, we must have this self-confidence. Hong Kong\'s past prosperity was the work of Hong Kong\'s people who were principally Chinese. The intelligence of the Chinese is not lower than that of foreigners, the Chinese are not inferior, so don\'t always think that only foreign talents are [capable of] doing well. Believe that we Chinese can do well ourselves. Hong Kong\'s so-called lack of self-confidence, this is not really what Hong Kongers believe. \r\n\r\nAt present, no announcement has been made regarding the contents of the Sino-British negotiations. Many Hong Kong people do not understand the policies of the Central Government. Once they really understand it, they will be completely confident. Our policy regarding the resolution of the Hong Kong issue was announced by the Premier of the State Council in the Government Work Report of the second session of the Sixth National People\'s Congress. It was adopted by the General Assembly and is a very serious matter. If there are still those discussing the issue of confidence, those who have no sense of trust in the People\'s Republic of China, no sense of trust in the Chinese government, then nothing else can be said [at present]. We believe that Hong Kong people can govern Hong Kong well, we cannot continue to let foreigners rule, to anything else the people Hong Kong people will never agree.\r\n\r\nThere will be boundaries and standards for [the type of] Hong Kongers [that will] rule Hong Kong, that is, patriotic Hong Kongers must primarily govern Hong Kong. In the future, the main component of the Hong Kong SAR government will be patriots. Of course, other people must also be accommodated. Foreigners can also be hired as consultants. What is a patriot? A patriot respects his own nation and sincerely supports the motherland\'s restoration of its sovereignty over Hong Kong without compromising Hong Kong\'s prosperity and stability. As long as these conditions are met, whether they believe in capitalism, feudalism, or even slavery, they are all patriots. We do not require them all to approve of China\'s socialist system, only that they love the motherland and Hong Kong.\r\n\r\nThirteen years remain until 1997, and from now on issues arising during the transition period must be resolved gradually. During the transition period, one [issue] is to avoid major fluctuations and major twists and turns to maintain Hong Kong\'s prosperity and stability; the other is to create the conditions [necessary] for Hong Kong people to take over the government smoothly. People from all walks of life in Hong Kong must make efforts to this end.\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Political speech: Deng Xiaoping addresses the Hong Kong handover in 1984', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2354-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-26 23:32:22', '2020-05-27 03:32:22', '', 2354, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/26/2354-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2424, 1, '2020-05-26 23:40:47', '2020-05-27 03:40:47', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communism Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of historical and modern CCP propaganda, speeches, stories, essays and songs.</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Quick reminder:</strong> I am posting this because it is historically, linguistically, and academically interesting, not because I am promoting any political viewpoint. This website is a language learning resource. It is not a political platform. I like history, I don\'t like arguing. If you post your political opinion in the comments section – positive, negative, or neutral – I will delete it. Dinner tables rules, please.\r\n\r\nSocialist reformer Deng Xiaoping is regarded as one of the main architects of modern China. He was credited as the man responsible for opening up China\'s economy after the death of Mao Zedong in 1976. He was also given the unenviable task of figuring out how to approach the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the U.K. to China in 1997.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/chinese-reading-practice-advanced-speech-deng-xiaoping-hong-kong.jpeg\" alt=\"Chinese Reading Practice Advanced Speech Mandarin Learning Deng Xiaoping\" width=\"225\" height=\"225\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2422\" />\r\n\r\nIn June, 1984, thirteen years before the Hong Kong handover, he gave this speech, addressing critics of the \"One Country, Two Systems\" （一个国家，两种制度）policy, which determined China\'s approach to the handover. The policy maintained that different political systems would concurrently be implemented under one government. In other words, that mainland China would remain socialist, and that Hong Kong would remain capitalist, but both would be ultimately overseen by the CCP. It was a radical notion at the time, and it still is in many ways. His words here are a fascinating look into the past. \r\n\r\nWhat\'s most interesting about this piece to me is that in it, Deng is addressing critics of this policy on both sides of the line. One side of this criticism we are familiar with, and still often hear today: that \"One Country, Two Systems\" was simply trickery and that China intends to slowly erode Hong Kong\'s Democratic freedoms over time. If you read between the lines, however, you also get a sense of the criticisms that came from within China a the time: the idea that allowing Hong Kong to remain capitalist was a threat to mainland socialism, that One Country, Two Systems was too lenient, and that Hong Kongers were ill-equipped to manage their own government. Deng was stuck in the middle of these arguments, and this is his response to both. This speech is all the more interesting now because we are seeing how his policy is playing out 35 years later.  \r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nGrammatically, there isn\'t much here that\'s difficult for advanced readers, no colloquialisms, no literary sentence structures. But there is obviously quite a bit of high-level vocab, specifically a couple of words :\r\n\r\n<strong>特区政府</strong> [pinyin]te4 qu1 zheng4 fu3[/pinyin] - Special administrative regional government. An area of the country that has different rules of governance than other areas of the Chinese mainland.\r\n\r\n<strong>全国人民代表大会</strong> [pinyin]quan2 guo2 ren2 min2 dai4 biao3 da4 hui4[/pinyin] - The National People\'s Congress (NPC), China\'s national legislature.\r\n\r\n<strong>国务院</strong> [pinyin]guo2 wu4 yuan4[/pinyin] - The State Council, one of China\'s highest government bodies.\r\n\r\n<strong>政府工作报告</strong> [pinyin]zheng4 fu4 gong1 zuo4 bao4 gao4[/pinyin] - The government work report, a document published each year which outlines China\'s priorities for the following 12 months. The 2020 work report was just released last week. \r\n\r\n<strong>中英谈判</strong> [pinyin]zhong1 ying1 tan2 pan4[/pinyin] - Sino-British negotiations\r\n<a href=\"http://news.southcn.com/community/shzt/dxp/theory3/200407240281.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source here</a>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n中国政府为解决香港问题所采取的立场、方针、政策是坚定不移的。我们多次讲过，我国政府在一九九七年恢复行使对香港的主权后，香港现行的社会、经济制度不变，法律基本不变，生活方式不变，香港自由港的地位和国际贸易、金融中心的地位也不变，香港可以继续同其他国家和地区保持和发展经济关系。我们还多次讲过，北京除了派军队以外，不向香港<span class=\"highlightText\">特区政府</span>派出干部，这也是不会改变的。我们派军队是为了维护国家的安全，而不是去干预香港的内部事务。我们对香港的政策五十年不变，我们说这个话是算数的。\r\n\r\n我们的政策是实行“一个国家，两种制度”，具体说，就是在中华人民共和国内，十亿人口的大陆实行社会主义制度，香港、台湾实行资本主义制度。近几年来，中国一直在克服“左”的错误，坚持从实际出发，实事求是，来制定各方面工作的政策。经过五年半，现在已经见效了。正是在这种情况下，我们才提出用“一个国家，两种制度”的办法来解决香港和台湾问题。\r\n\r\n“一个国家，两种制度”，我们已经讲了很多次了，<span class=\"highlightText\">全国人民代表大会</span>已经通过了这个政策。有人担心这个政策会不会变，我说不会变。核心的问题，决定的因素，是这个政策对不对。如果不对，就可能变。如果是对的，就变不了。进一步说，中国现在实行对外开放、对内搞活经济的政策，有谁改得了？如果改了，中国百分之八十的人的生活就要下降，我们就会丧失人心。我们的路走对了，人民赞成，就变不了。\r\n\r\n我们对香港的政策长期不变，影响不了大陆的社会主义。中国的主体必须是社会主义，但允许国内某些区域实行资本主义制度，比如香港、台湾。大陆开放一些城市，允许一些外资进入，这是作为社会主义经济的补充，有利于社会主义社会生产力的发展。比如外资到上海去，当然不是整个上海都实行资本主义制度。深圳也不是，还是实行社会主义制度。中国的主体是社会主义。\r\n\r\n“一个国家，两种制度”的构想是我们根据中国自己的情况提出来的，而现在已经成为国际上注意的问题了。中国有香港、台湾问题，解决这个问题的出路何在呢？是社会主义吞掉台湾，还是台湾宣扬的“三民主义”吞掉大陆？谁也不好吞掉谁。如果不能和平解决，只有用武力解决，这对各方都是不利的。实现国家统一是民族的愿望，一百年不统一，一千年也要统一的。怎么解决这个问题，我看只有实行“一个国家，两种制度”。\r\n\r\n世界上一系列争端都面临着用和平方式来解决还是用非和平方式来解决的问题。总得找出个办法来，新问题就得用新办法来解决。香港问题的成功解决，这个事例可能为国际上许多问题的解决提供一些有益的线索。从世界历史来看，有哪个政府制定过我们这么开明的政策？从资本主义历史看，从西方国家看，有哪一个国家这么做过？我们采取“一个国家，两种制度”的办法解决香港问题，不是一时的感情冲动，也不是玩弄手法，完全是从实际出发的，是充分照顾到香港的历史和现实情况的。\r\n\r\n要相信香港的中国人能治理好香港。不相信中国人有能力管好香港，这是老殖民主义遗留下来的思想状态。鸦片战争以来的一个多世纪里，外国人看不起中国人，侮辱中国人。中华人民共和国建立后，改变了中国的形象。中国今天的形象，不是晚清政府、不是北洋军阀、也不是蒋氏父子创造出来的。是中华人民共和国改变了中国的形象。凡是中华儿女，不管穿什么服装，不管是什么立场，起码都有中华民族的自豪感。香港人也是有这种民族自豪感的。香港人是能治理好香港的，要有这个自信心。香港过去的繁荣，主要是以中国人为主体的香港人干出来的。中国人的智力不比外国人差，中国人不是低能的，不要总以为只有外国人才干得好。要相信我们中国人自己是能干得好的。所谓香港人没有信心，这不是香港人的真正意见。\r\n\r\n目前<span class=\"highlightText\">中英谈判</span>的内容还没有公布，很多香港人对中央政府的政策不了解，他们一旦真正了解了，是会完全有信心的。我们对解决香港问题所采取的政策，是<span class=\"highlightText\">国务院</span>总理在第六届<span class=\"highlightText\">全国人民代表大会</span>第二次会议的<span class=\"highlightText\">政府工作报告</span>中宣布的，是经大会通过的，是很严肃的事。如果现在还有人谈信心问题，对中华人民共和国、对中国政府没有信任感，那末，其他一切都谈不上了。我们相信香港人能治理好香港，不能继续让外国人统治，否则香港人也是决不会答应的。\r\n\r\n港人治港有个界线和标准，就是必须由以爱国者为主体的港人来治理香港。未来香港特区政府的主要成分是爱国者，当然也要容纳别的人，还可以聘请外国人当顾问。什么叫爱国者？爱国者的标准是，尊重自己民族，诚心诚意拥护祖国恢复行使对香港的主权，不损害香港的繁荣和稳定。只要具备这些条件，不管他们相信资本主义，还是相信封建主义，甚至相信奴隶主义，都是爱国者。我们不要求他们都赞成中国的社会主义制度，只要求他们爱祖国，爱香港。\r\n\r\n到一九九七年还有十三年，从现在起要逐步解决好过渡时期问题。在过渡时期中，一是不要出现大的波动、大的曲折，保持香港繁荣和稳定；二是要创造条件，使香港人能顺利地接管政府。香港各界人士要为此作出努力。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nThe position, principles and policies adopted by the Chinese government to resolve the Hong Kong issue are unwavering. We have said many times that after the restoration of our government\'s sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, the current social and economic system of Hong Kong will remain unchanged, the laws will remain basically unchanged, and [Hong Kong\'s] way of life will remain unchanged. The status of Hong Kong\'s free port as a center of international trade and finance will remain unchanged, and Hong Kong can continue to maintain and develop economic relations with other countries and regions. We have also said many times that Beijing will not send government cadres to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, except for troops, and this too will not change. We are sending troops to maintain national security, not to interfere in Hong Kong\'s internal affairs. Our policy towards Hong Kong has remained unchanged for 50 years, so we say this with [great] calculation.\r\n\r\nThe \"one country, two systems\" policy that we are implementing, speaking specifically, means that in the People\'s Republic of China, our one billion-strong population will implement the socialist system, but Hong Kong and Taiwan will have a capitalist system. In recent years, China has been overcoming the mistakes of the \"left\", insisting on proceeding from reality and seeking truth from facts, to formulate policies in all aspects of our work. After five and a half years, this is now paying off. It was precisely because of this situation that we proposed to use the \"one country, two systems\" approach to resolve the Hong Kong and Taiwan issues.\r\n\r\n\"One Country, Two Systems\", as we have said many times, has already been passed by the National People\'s Congress. Some people worry about whether or not this policy will change, I say it will not change. The core issue, the deciding factor, is whether this policy is right. If it is wrong, it may change. If it is right, it will not change. Furthermore, China has implemented a policy of opening up to the outside world and invigorating the economy at home. Who can change this? If it changes, the [quality of] life of 80% of China\'s people will decline, and we will lose our hearts. As long as our way is right, and the people approve, then it will not change.\r\n\r\nOur policy towards Hong Kong has remained unchanged for a long time, and it will not affect socialism on the mainland. China must always principally be socialist, but allow certain regions of the country to implement a capitalist system, such as Hong Kong and Taiwan. If the mainland opens up some cities and allows some foreign capital to enter, this is complementary to the socialist economy and is conducive to the development of socialist production. For example, if foreign capital [is allowed] into Shanghai, it is of course not the case that capitalism will be implemented throughout Shanghai. Shenzhen too, it will still implement the socialist system. China is principally socialist.\r\n\r\nThe concept of \"One Country, Two Systems\" was put forward by us in light of China\'s [domestic] situation, and it has now become a matter of international attention. China has issues with Hong Kong and Taiwan, where is the solution to these problems? Should socialism devour Taiwan, or should the \"Three People\'s Principles\" promoted by Taiwan devour the mainland? No one can devour anyone. If these [issues] cannot be resolved peacefully, they can only be solved by force, which is detrimental to all parties. The realization of national reunification is the desire of the people, and though we will not be reunified in one hundred years, we must also be unified in one thousand years. As for how to solve this problem, I think the only [way] is the implementation of \"One Country, Two Systems\". \r\n\r\n[When considering how to solve many] of this world\'s disputes, we are faced with the issue of whether to resolve them by peaceful means or by non-peaceful means. A solution must always be found, and new problems require new solutions. The successful resolution of the Hong Kong issue may provide some useful clues [that may help to] resolve many international issues. From the perspective of world history, which government has formulated such enlightened policies? From the perspective of capitalist history, from the perspective of Western countries, which country has done this? We adopted the \"one country, two systems\" approach to resolve the Hong Kong issue not [based on] momentary emotional impulse or trickery, but entirely based on reality and with full consideration of Hong Kong\'s historical and actual [present] circumstances.\r\n\r\nWe must believe that the Chinese of Hong Kong can govern Hong Kong well. The belief that the Chinese do not have the ability to manage Hong Kong well is a state of mind left over from old colonialism. For more than a century since the Opium War, foreigners looked down on and insulted the Chinese. After the establishment of the People\'s Republic of China, the image of China has changed. China\'s image today was not created by the late Qing government, nor by the Northern Warlords, or by the Chiang Kai-shek and his son. It is the People\'s Republic of China that has changed China\'s image. All Chinese children, no matter what clothes they wear, no matter what their positions, [carry] the pride of the Chinese nation. Hong Kong people also [carry] this national pride. Hong Kong\'s people can manage Hong Kong well, we must have this self-confidence. Hong Kong\'s past prosperity was the work of Hong Kong\'s people who were principally Chinese. The intelligence of the Chinese is not lower than that of foreigners, the Chinese are not inferior, so don\'t always think that only foreign talents are [capable of] doing well. Believe that we Chinese can do well ourselves. Hong Kong\'s so-called lack of self-confidence, this is not really what Hong Kongers believe. \r\n\r\nAt present, no announcement has been made regarding the contents of the Sino-British negotiations. Many Hong Kong people do not understand the policies of the Central Government. Once they really understand it, they will be completely confident. Our policy regarding the resolution of the Hong Kong issue was announced by the Premier of the State Council in the Government Work Report of the second session of the Sixth National People\'s Congress. It was adopted by the General Assembly and is a very serious matter. If there are still those discussing the issue of confidence, those who have no sense of trust in the People\'s Republic of China, no sense of trust in the Chinese government, then nothing else can be said [at present]. We believe that Hong Kong people can govern Hong Kong well, we cannot continue to let foreigners rule, to anything else the people Hong Kong people will never agree.\r\n\r\nThere will be boundaries and standards for [the type of] Hong Kongers [that will] rule Hong Kong, that is, patriotic Hong Kongers must primarily govern Hong Kong. In the future, the main component of the Hong Kong SAR government will be patriots. Of course, other people must also be accommodated. Foreigners can also be hired as consultants. What is a patriot? A patriot respects his own nation and sincerely supports the motherland\'s restoration of its sovereignty over Hong Kong without compromising Hong Kong\'s prosperity and stability. As long as these conditions are met, whether they believe in capitalism, feudalism, or even slavery, they are all patriots. We do not require them all to approve of China\'s socialist system, only that they love the motherland and Hong Kong.\r\n\r\nThirteen years remain until 1997, and from now on issues arising during the transition period must be resolved gradually. During the transition period, one [issue] is to avoid major fluctuations and major twists and turns to maintain Hong Kong\'s prosperity and stability; the other is to create the conditions [necessary] for Hong Kong people to take over the government smoothly. People from all walks of life in Hong Kong must make efforts to this end.\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Political speech: Deng Xiaoping addresses the Hong Kong handover in 1984', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2354-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-26 23:40:47', '2020-05-27 03:40:47', '', 2354, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/26/2354-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2425, 1, '2020-05-26 23:41:17', '2020-05-27 03:41:17', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communism Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of historical and modern CCP propaganda, speeches, stories, essays and songs.</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Quick reminder:</strong> I am posting this because it is historically, linguistically, and academically interesting, not because I am promoting any political viewpoint. This website is a language learning resource. It is not a political platform. I like history, I don\'t like arguing. If you post your political opinion in the comments section – positive, negative, or neutral – I will delete it. Dinner tables rules, please.\r\n\r\nSocialist reformer Deng Xiaoping is regarded as one of the main architects of modern China. He was credited as the man responsible for opening up China\'s economy after the death of Mao Zedong in 1976. He was also given the unenviable task of figuring out how to approach the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the U.K. to China in 1997.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/chinese-reading-practice-advanced-speech-deng-xiaoping-hong-kong.jpeg\" alt=\"Chinese Reading Practice Advanced Speech Mandarin Learning Deng Xiaoping\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-2422\" />\r\n\r\nIn June, 1984, thirteen years before the Hong Kong handover, he gave this speech, addressing critics of the \"One Country, Two Systems\" （一个国家，两种制度）policy, which determined China\'s approach to the handover. The policy maintained that different political systems would concurrently be implemented under one government. In other words, that mainland China would remain socialist, and that Hong Kong would remain capitalist, but both would be ultimately overseen by the CCP. It was a radical notion at the time, and it still is in many ways. His words here are a fascinating look into the past. \r\n\r\nWhat\'s most interesting about this piece to me is that in it, Deng is addressing critics of this policy on both sides of the line. One side of this criticism we are familiar with, and still often hear today: that \"One Country, Two Systems\" was simply trickery and that China intends to slowly erode Hong Kong\'s Democratic freedoms over time. If you read between the lines, however, you also get a sense of the criticisms that came from within China a the time: the idea that allowing Hong Kong to remain capitalist was a threat to mainland socialism, that One Country, Two Systems was too lenient, and that Hong Kongers were ill-equipped to manage their own government. Deng was stuck in the middle of these arguments, and this is his response to both. This speech is all the more interesting now because we are seeing how his policy is playing out 35 years later.  \r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nGrammatically, there isn\'t much here that\'s difficult for advanced readers, no colloquialisms, no literary sentence structures. But there is obviously quite a bit of high-level vocab, specifically a couple of words :\r\n\r\n<strong>特区政府</strong> [pinyin]te4 qu1 zheng4 fu3[/pinyin] - Special administrative regional government. An area of the country that has different rules of governance than other areas of the Chinese mainland.\r\n\r\n<strong>全国人民代表大会</strong> [pinyin]quan2 guo2 ren2 min2 dai4 biao3 da4 hui4[/pinyin] - The National People\'s Congress (NPC), China\'s national legislature.\r\n\r\n<strong>国务院</strong> [pinyin]guo2 wu4 yuan4[/pinyin] - The State Council, one of China\'s highest government bodies.\r\n\r\n<strong>政府工作报告</strong> [pinyin]zheng4 fu4 gong1 zuo4 bao4 gao4[/pinyin] - The government work report, a document published each year which outlines China\'s priorities for the following 12 months. The 2020 work report was just released last week. \r\n\r\n<strong>中英谈判</strong> [pinyin]zhong1 ying1 tan2 pan4[/pinyin] - Sino-British negotiations\r\n<a href=\"http://news.southcn.com/community/shzt/dxp/theory3/200407240281.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source here</a>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n中国政府为解决香港问题所采取的立场、方针、政策是坚定不移的。我们多次讲过，我国政府在一九九七年恢复行使对香港的主权后，香港现行的社会、经济制度不变，法律基本不变，生活方式不变，香港自由港的地位和国际贸易、金融中心的地位也不变，香港可以继续同其他国家和地区保持和发展经济关系。我们还多次讲过，北京除了派军队以外，不向香港<span class=\"highlightText\">特区政府</span>派出干部，这也是不会改变的。我们派军队是为了维护国家的安全，而不是去干预香港的内部事务。我们对香港的政策五十年不变，我们说这个话是算数的。\r\n\r\n我们的政策是实行“一个国家，两种制度”，具体说，就是在中华人民共和国内，十亿人口的大陆实行社会主义制度，香港、台湾实行资本主义制度。近几年来，中国一直在克服“左”的错误，坚持从实际出发，实事求是，来制定各方面工作的政策。经过五年半，现在已经见效了。正是在这种情况下，我们才提出用“一个国家，两种制度”的办法来解决香港和台湾问题。\r\n\r\n“一个国家，两种制度”，我们已经讲了很多次了，<span class=\"highlightText\">全国人民代表大会</span>已经通过了这个政策。有人担心这个政策会不会变，我说不会变。核心的问题，决定的因素，是这个政策对不对。如果不对，就可能变。如果是对的，就变不了。进一步说，中国现在实行对外开放、对内搞活经济的政策，有谁改得了？如果改了，中国百分之八十的人的生活就要下降，我们就会丧失人心。我们的路走对了，人民赞成，就变不了。\r\n\r\n我们对香港的政策长期不变，影响不了大陆的社会主义。中国的主体必须是社会主义，但允许国内某些区域实行资本主义制度，比如香港、台湾。大陆开放一些城市，允许一些外资进入，这是作为社会主义经济的补充，有利于社会主义社会生产力的发展。比如外资到上海去，当然不是整个上海都实行资本主义制度。深圳也不是，还是实行社会主义制度。中国的主体是社会主义。\r\n\r\n“一个国家，两种制度”的构想是我们根据中国自己的情况提出来的，而现在已经成为国际上注意的问题了。中国有香港、台湾问题，解决这个问题的出路何在呢？是社会主义吞掉台湾，还是台湾宣扬的“三民主义”吞掉大陆？谁也不好吞掉谁。如果不能和平解决，只有用武力解决，这对各方都是不利的。实现国家统一是民族的愿望，一百年不统一，一千年也要统一的。怎么解决这个问题，我看只有实行“一个国家，两种制度”。\r\n\r\n世界上一系列争端都面临着用和平方式来解决还是用非和平方式来解决的问题。总得找出个办法来，新问题就得用新办法来解决。香港问题的成功解决，这个事例可能为国际上许多问题的解决提供一些有益的线索。从世界历史来看，有哪个政府制定过我们这么开明的政策？从资本主义历史看，从西方国家看，有哪一个国家这么做过？我们采取“一个国家，两种制度”的办法解决香港问题，不是一时的感情冲动，也不是玩弄手法，完全是从实际出发的，是充分照顾到香港的历史和现实情况的。\r\n\r\n要相信香港的中国人能治理好香港。不相信中国人有能力管好香港，这是老殖民主义遗留下来的思想状态。鸦片战争以来的一个多世纪里，外国人看不起中国人，侮辱中国人。中华人民共和国建立后，改变了中国的形象。中国今天的形象，不是晚清政府、不是北洋军阀、也不是蒋氏父子创造出来的。是中华人民共和国改变了中国的形象。凡是中华儿女，不管穿什么服装，不管是什么立场，起码都有中华民族的自豪感。香港人也是有这种民族自豪感的。香港人是能治理好香港的，要有这个自信心。香港过去的繁荣，主要是以中国人为主体的香港人干出来的。中国人的智力不比外国人差，中国人不是低能的，不要总以为只有外国人才干得好。要相信我们中国人自己是能干得好的。所谓香港人没有信心，这不是香港人的真正意见。\r\n\r\n目前<span class=\"highlightText\">中英谈判</span>的内容还没有公布，很多香港人对中央政府的政策不了解，他们一旦真正了解了，是会完全有信心的。我们对解决香港问题所采取的政策，是<span class=\"highlightText\">国务院</span>总理在第六届<span class=\"highlightText\">全国人民代表大会</span>第二次会议的<span class=\"highlightText\">政府工作报告</span>中宣布的，是经大会通过的，是很严肃的事。如果现在还有人谈信心问题，对中华人民共和国、对中国政府没有信任感，那末，其他一切都谈不上了。我们相信香港人能治理好香港，不能继续让外国人统治，否则香港人也是决不会答应的。\r\n\r\n港人治港有个界线和标准，就是必须由以爱国者为主体的港人来治理香港。未来香港特区政府的主要成分是爱国者，当然也要容纳别的人，还可以聘请外国人当顾问。什么叫爱国者？爱国者的标准是，尊重自己民族，诚心诚意拥护祖国恢复行使对香港的主权，不损害香港的繁荣和稳定。只要具备这些条件，不管他们相信资本主义，还是相信封建主义，甚至相信奴隶主义，都是爱国者。我们不要求他们都赞成中国的社会主义制度，只要求他们爱祖国，爱香港。\r\n\r\n到一九九七年还有十三年，从现在起要逐步解决好过渡时期问题。在过渡时期中，一是不要出现大的波动、大的曲折，保持香港繁荣和稳定；二是要创造条件，使香港人能顺利地接管政府。香港各界人士要为此作出努力。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nThe position, principles and policies adopted by the Chinese government to resolve the Hong Kong issue are unwavering. We have said many times that after the restoration of our government\'s sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, the current social and economic system of Hong Kong will remain unchanged, the laws will remain basically unchanged, and [Hong Kong\'s] way of life will remain unchanged. The status of Hong Kong\'s free port as a center of international trade and finance will remain unchanged, and Hong Kong can continue to maintain and develop economic relations with other countries and regions. We have also said many times that Beijing will not send government cadres to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, except for troops, and this too will not change. We are sending troops to maintain national security, not to interfere in Hong Kong\'s internal affairs. Our policy towards Hong Kong has remained unchanged for 50 years, so we say this with [great] calculation.\r\n\r\nThe \"one country, two systems\" policy that we are implementing, speaking specifically, means that in the People\'s Republic of China, our one billion-strong population will implement the socialist system, but Hong Kong and Taiwan will have a capitalist system. In recent years, China has been overcoming the mistakes of the \"left\", insisting on proceeding from reality and seeking truth from facts, to formulate policies in all aspects of our work. After five and a half years, this is now paying off. It was precisely because of this situation that we proposed to use the \"one country, two systems\" approach to resolve the Hong Kong and Taiwan issues.\r\n\r\n\"One Country, Two Systems\", as we have said many times, has already been passed by the National People\'s Congress. Some people worry about whether or not this policy will change, I say it will not change. The core issue, the deciding factor, is whether this policy is right. If it is wrong, it may change. If it is right, it will not change. Furthermore, China has implemented a policy of opening up to the outside world and invigorating the economy at home. Who can change this? If it changes, the [quality of] life of 80% of China\'s people will decline, and we will lose our hearts. As long as our way is right, and the people approve, then it will not change.\r\n\r\nOur policy towards Hong Kong has remained unchanged for a long time, and it will not affect socialism on the mainland. China must always principally be socialist, but allow certain regions of the country to implement a capitalist system, such as Hong Kong and Taiwan. If the mainland opens up some cities and allows some foreign capital to enter, this is complementary to the socialist economy and is conducive to the development of socialist production. For example, if foreign capital [is allowed] into Shanghai, it is of course not the case that capitalism will be implemented throughout Shanghai. Shenzhen too, it will still implement the socialist system. China is principally socialist.\r\n\r\nThe concept of \"One Country, Two Systems\" was put forward by us in light of China\'s [domestic] situation, and it has now become a matter of international attention. China has issues with Hong Kong and Taiwan, where is the solution to these problems? Should socialism devour Taiwan, or should the \"Three People\'s Principles\" promoted by Taiwan devour the mainland? No one can devour anyone. If these [issues] cannot be resolved peacefully, they can only be solved by force, which is detrimental to all parties. The realization of national reunification is the desire of the people, and though we will not be reunified in one hundred years, we must also be unified in one thousand years. As for how to solve this problem, I think the only [way] is the implementation of \"One Country, Two Systems\". \r\n\r\n[When considering how to solve many] of this world\'s disputes, we are faced with the issue of whether to resolve them by peaceful means or by non-peaceful means. A solution must always be found, and new problems require new solutions. The successful resolution of the Hong Kong issue may provide some useful clues [that may help to] resolve many international issues. From the perspective of world history, which government has formulated such enlightened policies? From the perspective of capitalist history, from the perspective of Western countries, which country has done this? We adopted the \"one country, two systems\" approach to resolve the Hong Kong issue not [based on] momentary emotional impulse or trickery, but entirely based on reality and with full consideration of Hong Kong\'s historical and actual [present] circumstances.\r\n\r\nWe must believe that the Chinese of Hong Kong can govern Hong Kong well. The belief that the Chinese do not have the ability to manage Hong Kong well is a state of mind left over from old colonialism. For more than a century since the Opium War, foreigners looked down on and insulted the Chinese. After the establishment of the People\'s Republic of China, the image of China has changed. China\'s image today was not created by the late Qing government, nor by the Northern Warlords, or by the Chiang Kai-shek and his son. It is the People\'s Republic of China that has changed China\'s image. All Chinese children, no matter what clothes they wear, no matter what their positions, [carry] the pride of the Chinese nation. Hong Kong people also [carry] this national pride. Hong Kong\'s people can manage Hong Kong well, we must have this self-confidence. Hong Kong\'s past prosperity was the work of Hong Kong\'s people who were principally Chinese. The intelligence of the Chinese is not lower than that of foreigners, the Chinese are not inferior, so don\'t always think that only foreign talents are [capable of] doing well. Believe that we Chinese can do well ourselves. Hong Kong\'s so-called lack of self-confidence, this is not really what Hong Kongers believe. \r\n\r\nAt present, no announcement has been made regarding the contents of the Sino-British negotiations. Many Hong Kong people do not understand the policies of the Central Government. Once they really understand it, they will be completely confident. Our policy regarding the resolution of the Hong Kong issue was announced by the Premier of the State Council in the Government Work Report of the second session of the Sixth National People\'s Congress. It was adopted by the General Assembly and is a very serious matter. If there are still those discussing the issue of confidence, those who have no sense of trust in the People\'s Republic of China, no sense of trust in the Chinese government, then nothing else can be said [at present]. We believe that Hong Kong people can govern Hong Kong well, we cannot continue to let foreigners rule, to anything else the people Hong Kong people will never agree.\r\n\r\nThere will be boundaries and standards for [the type of] Hong Kongers [that will] rule Hong Kong, that is, patriotic Hong Kongers must primarily govern Hong Kong. In the future, the main component of the Hong Kong SAR government will be patriots. Of course, other people must also be accommodated. Foreigners can also be hired as consultants. What is a patriot? A patriot respects his own nation and sincerely supports the motherland\'s restoration of its sovereignty over Hong Kong without compromising Hong Kong\'s prosperity and stability. As long as these conditions are met, whether they believe in capitalism, feudalism, or even slavery, they are all patriots. We do not require them all to approve of China\'s socialist system, only that they love the motherland and Hong Kong.\r\n\r\nThirteen years remain until 1997, and from now on issues arising during the transition period must be resolved gradually. During the transition period, one [issue] is to avoid major fluctuations and major twists and turns to maintain Hong Kong\'s prosperity and stability; the other is to create the conditions [necessary] for Hong Kong people to take over the government smoothly. People from all walks of life in Hong Kong must make efforts to this end.\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Political speech: Deng Xiaoping addresses the Hong Kong handover in 1984', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2354-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-26 23:41:17', '2020-05-27 03:41:17', '', 2354, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/26/2354-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
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(2426, 1, '2020-05-26 23:47:35', '2020-05-27 03:47:35', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communism Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of historical and modern CCP propaganda, speeches, stories, essays and songs.</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Quick reminder:</strong> I am posting this because it is historically, linguistically, and academically interesting, not because I am promoting any political viewpoint. This website is a language learning resource. It is not a political platform. I like history, I don\'t like arguing. If you post your political opinion in the comments section – positive, negative, or neutral – I will delete it. Dinner tables rules, please.\r\n\r\nSocialist reformer Deng Xiaoping is regarded as one of the main architects of modern China. He was credited as the man responsible for opening up China\'s economy after the death of Mao Zedong in 1976. He was also given the unenviable task of figuring out how to approach the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the U.K. to China in 1997.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/chinese-reading-practice-advanced-speech-deng-xiaoping-hong-kong.jpeg\" alt=\"Chinese Reading Practice Advanced Speech Mandarin Learning Deng Xiaoping\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-2422\" />\r\n\r\nIn June, 1984, thirteen years before the Hong Kong handover, he gave this speech, addressing critics of the \"One Country, Two Systems\" （一个国家，两种制度）policy, which determined China\'s approach to the handover. The policy maintained that different political systems would concurrently be implemented under one government. In other words, that mainland China would remain socialist, and that Hong Kong would remain capitalist (until 2047, anyway), but both would be ultimately overseen by the CCP. It was a radical notion at the time, and it still is in many ways. His words here are a fascinating look into the past. \r\n\r\nWhat\'s most interesting about this piece to me is that in it, Deng is addressing critics of this policy on both sides of the line. One side of this criticism we are familiar with, and still often hear today: that \"One Country, Two Systems\" was simply trickery and that China intends to slowly erode Hong Kong\'s Democratic freedoms over time. If you read between the lines, however, you also get a sense of the criticisms that came from within China a the time: the idea that allowing Hong Kong to remain capitalist was a threat to mainland socialism, that One Country, Two Systems was too lenient, and that Hong Kongers were ill-equipped to manage their own government. Deng was stuck in the middle of these arguments, and this is his response to both. This speech is all the more interesting now because we are seeing how his policy is playing out 35 years later.  \r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nGrammatically, there isn\'t much here that\'s difficult for advanced readers, no colloquialisms, no literary sentence structures. But there is obviously quite a bit of high-level vocab, specifically a couple of words :\r\n\r\n<strong>特区政府</strong> [pinyin]te4 qu1 zheng4 fu3[/pinyin] - Special administrative regional government. An area of the country that has different rules of governance than other areas of the Chinese mainland.\r\n\r\n<strong>全国人民代表大会</strong> [pinyin]quan2 guo2 ren2 min2 dai4 biao3 da4 hui4[/pinyin] - The National People\'s Congress (NPC), China\'s national legislature.\r\n\r\n<strong>国务院</strong> [pinyin]guo2 wu4 yuan4[/pinyin] - The State Council, one of China\'s highest government bodies.\r\n\r\n<strong>政府工作报告</strong> [pinyin]zheng4 fu4 gong1 zuo4 bao4 gao4[/pinyin] - The government work report, a document published each year which outlines China\'s priorities for the following 12 months. The 2020 work report was just released last week. \r\n\r\n<strong>中英谈判</strong> [pinyin]zhong1 ying1 tan2 pan4[/pinyin] - Sino-British negotiations\r\n<a href=\"http://news.southcn.com/community/shzt/dxp/theory3/200407240281.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source here</a>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n\r\n中国政府为解决香港问题所采取的立场、方针、政策是坚定不移的。我们多次讲过，我国政府在一九九七年恢复行使对香港的主权后，香港现行的社会、经济制度不变，法律基本不变，生活方式不变，香港自由港的地位和国际贸易、金融中心的地位也不变，香港可以继续同其他国家和地区保持和发展经济关系。我们还多次讲过，北京除了派军队以外，不向香港<span class=\"highlightText\">特区政府</span>派出干部，这也是不会改变的。我们派军队是为了维护国家的安全，而不是去干预香港的内部事务。我们对香港的政策五十年不变，我们说这个话是算数的。\r\n\r\n我们的政策是实行“一个国家，两种制度”，具体说，就是在中华人民共和国内，十亿人口的大陆实行社会主义制度，香港、台湾实行资本主义制度。近几年来，中国一直在克服“左”的错误，坚持从实际出发，实事求是，来制定各方面工作的政策。经过五年半，现在已经见效了。正是在这种情况下，我们才提出用“一个国家，两种制度”的办法来解决香港和台湾问题。\r\n\r\n“一个国家，两种制度”，我们已经讲了很多次了，<span class=\"highlightText\">全国人民代表大会</span>已经通过了这个政策。有人担心这个政策会不会变，我说不会变。核心的问题，决定的因素，是这个政策对不对。如果不对，就可能变。如果是对的，就变不了。进一步说，中国现在实行对外开放、对内搞活经济的政策，有谁改得了？如果改了，中国百分之八十的人的生活就要下降，我们就会丧失人心。我们的路走对了，人民赞成，就变不了。\r\n\r\n我们对香港的政策长期不变，影响不了大陆的社会主义。中国的主体必须是社会主义，但允许国内某些区域实行资本主义制度，比如香港、台湾。大陆开放一些城市，允许一些外资进入，这是作为社会主义经济的补充，有利于社会主义社会生产力的发展。比如外资到上海去，当然不是整个上海都实行资本主义制度。深圳也不是，还是实行社会主义制度。中国的主体是社会主义。\r\n\r\n“一个国家，两种制度”的构想是我们根据中国自己的情况提出来的，而现在已经成为国际上注意的问题了。中国有香港、台湾问题，解决这个问题的出路何在呢？是社会主义吞掉台湾，还是台湾宣扬的“三民主义”吞掉大陆？谁也不好吞掉谁。如果不能和平解决，只有用武力解决，这对各方都是不利的。实现国家统一是民族的愿望，一百年不统一，一千年也要统一的。怎么解决这个问题，我看只有实行“一个国家，两种制度”。\r\n\r\n世界上一系列争端都面临着用和平方式来解决还是用非和平方式来解决的问题。总得找出个办法来，新问题就得用新办法来解决。香港问题的成功解决，这个事例可能为国际上许多问题的解决提供一些有益的线索。从世界历史来看，有哪个政府制定过我们这么开明的政策？从资本主义历史看，从西方国家看，有哪一个国家这么做过？我们采取“一个国家，两种制度”的办法解决香港问题，不是一时的感情冲动，也不是玩弄手法，完全是从实际出发的，是充分照顾到香港的历史和现实情况的。\r\n\r\n要相信香港的中国人能治理好香港。不相信中国人有能力管好香港，这是老殖民主义遗留下来的思想状态。鸦片战争以来的一个多世纪里，外国人看不起中国人，侮辱中国人。中华人民共和国建立后，改变了中国的形象。中国今天的形象，不是晚清政府、不是北洋军阀、也不是蒋氏父子创造出来的。是中华人民共和国改变了中国的形象。凡是中华儿女，不管穿什么服装，不管是什么立场，起码都有中华民族的自豪感。香港人也是有这种民族自豪感的。香港人是能治理好香港的，要有这个自信心。香港过去的繁荣，主要是以中国人为主体的香港人干出来的。中国人的智力不比外国人差，中国人不是低能的，不要总以为只有外国人才干得好。要相信我们中国人自己是能干得好的。所谓香港人没有信心，这不是香港人的真正意见。\r\n\r\n目前<span class=\"highlightText\">中英谈判</span>的内容还没有公布，很多香港人对中央政府的政策不了解，他们一旦真正了解了，是会完全有信心的。我们对解决香港问题所采取的政策，是<span class=\"highlightText\">国务院</span>总理在第六届<span class=\"highlightText\">全国人民代表大会</span>第二次会议的<span class=\"highlightText\">政府工作报告</span>中宣布的，是经大会通过的，是很严肃的事。如果现在还有人谈信心问题，对中华人民共和国、对中国政府没有信任感，那末，其他一切都谈不上了。我们相信香港人能治理好香港，不能继续让外国人统治，否则香港人也是决不会答应的。\r\n\r\n港人治港有个界线和标准，就是必须由以爱国者为主体的港人来治理香港。未来香港特区政府的主要成分是爱国者，当然也要容纳别的人，还可以聘请外国人当顾问。什么叫爱国者？爱国者的标准是，尊重自己民族，诚心诚意拥护祖国恢复行使对香港的主权，不损害香港的繁荣和稳定。只要具备这些条件，不管他们相信资本主义，还是相信封建主义，甚至相信奴隶主义，都是爱国者。我们不要求他们都赞成中国的社会主义制度，只要求他们爱祖国，爱香港。\r\n\r\n到一九九七年还有十三年，从现在起要逐步解决好过渡时期问题。在过渡时期中，一是不要出现大的波动、大的曲折，保持香港繁荣和稳定；二是要创造条件，使香港人能顺利地接管政府。香港各界人士要为此作出努力。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nThe position, principles and policies adopted by the Chinese government to resolve the Hong Kong issue are unwavering. We have said many times that after the restoration of our government\'s sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, the current social and economic system of Hong Kong will remain unchanged, the laws will remain basically unchanged, and [Hong Kong\'s] way of life will remain unchanged. The status of Hong Kong\'s free port as a center of international trade and finance will remain unchanged, and Hong Kong can continue to maintain and develop economic relations with other countries and regions. We have also said many times that Beijing will not send government cadres to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, except for troops, and this too will not change. We are sending troops to maintain national security, not to interfere in Hong Kong\'s internal affairs. Our policy towards Hong Kong has remained unchanged for 50 years, so we say this with [great] calculation.\r\n\r\nThe \"one country, two systems\" policy that we are implementing, speaking specifically, means that in the People\'s Republic of China, our one billion-strong population will implement the socialist system, but Hong Kong and Taiwan will have a capitalist system. In recent years, China has been overcoming the mistakes of the \"left\", insisting on proceeding from reality and seeking truth from facts, to formulate policies in all aspects of our work. After five and a half years, this is now paying off. It was precisely because of this situation that we proposed to use the \"one country, two systems\" approach to resolve the Hong Kong and Taiwan issues.\r\n\r\n\"One Country, Two Systems\", as we have said many times, has already been passed by the National People\'s Congress. Some people worry about whether or not this policy will change, I say it will not change. The core issue, the deciding factor, is whether this policy is right. If it is wrong, it may change. If it is right, it will not change. Furthermore, China has implemented a policy of opening up to the outside world and invigorating the economy at home. Who can change this? If it changes, the [quality of] life of 80% of China\'s people will decline, and we will lose our hearts. As long as our way is right, and the people approve, then it will not change.\r\n\r\nOur policy towards Hong Kong has remained unchanged for a long time, and it will not affect socialism on the mainland. China must always principally be socialist, but allow certain regions of the country to implement a capitalist system, such as Hong Kong and Taiwan. If the mainland opens up some cities and allows some foreign capital to enter, this is complementary to the socialist economy and is conducive to the development of socialist production. For example, if foreign capital [is allowed] into Shanghai, it is of course not the case that capitalism will be implemented throughout Shanghai. Shenzhen too, it will still implement the socialist system. China is principally socialist.\r\n\r\nThe concept of \"One Country, Two Systems\" was put forward by us in light of China\'s [domestic] situation, and it has now become a matter of international attention. China has issues with Hong Kong and Taiwan, where is the solution to these problems? Should socialism devour Taiwan, or should the \"Three People\'s Principles\" promoted by Taiwan devour the mainland? No one can devour anyone. If these [issues] cannot be resolved peacefully, they can only be solved by force, which is detrimental to all parties. The realization of national reunification is the desire of the people, and though we will not be reunified in one hundred years, we must also be unified in one thousand years. As for how to solve this problem, I think the only [way] is the implementation of \"One Country, Two Systems\". \r\n\r\n[When considering how to solve many] of this world\'s disputes, we are faced with the issue of whether to resolve them by peaceful means or by non-peaceful means. A solution must always be found, and new problems require new solutions. The successful resolution of the Hong Kong issue may provide some useful clues [that may help to] resolve many international issues. From the perspective of world history, which government has formulated such enlightened policies? From the perspective of capitalist history, from the perspective of Western countries, which country has done this? We adopted the \"one country, two systems\" approach to resolve the Hong Kong issue not [based on] momentary emotional impulse or trickery, but entirely based on reality and with full consideration of Hong Kong\'s historical and actual [present] circumstances.\r\n\r\nWe must believe that the Chinese of Hong Kong can govern Hong Kong well. The belief that the Chinese do not have the ability to manage Hong Kong well is a state of mind left over from old colonialism. For more than a century since the Opium War, foreigners looked down on and insulted the Chinese. After the establishment of the People\'s Republic of China, the image of China has changed. China\'s image today was not created by the late Qing government, nor by the Northern Warlords, or by the Chiang Kai-shek and his son. It is the People\'s Republic of China that has changed China\'s image. All Chinese children, no matter what clothes they wear, no matter what their positions, [carry] the pride of the Chinese nation. Hong Kong people also [carry] this national pride. Hong Kong\'s people can manage Hong Kong well, we must have this self-confidence. Hong Kong\'s past prosperity was the work of Hong Kong\'s people who were principally Chinese. The intelligence of the Chinese is not lower than that of foreigners, the Chinese are not inferior, so don\'t always think that only foreign talents are [capable of] doing well. Believe that we Chinese can do well ourselves. Hong Kong\'s so-called lack of self-confidence, this is not really what Hong Kongers believe. \r\n\r\nAt present, no announcement has been made regarding the contents of the Sino-British negotiations. Many Hong Kong people do not understand the policies of the Central Government. Once they really understand it, they will be completely confident. Our policy regarding the resolution of the Hong Kong issue was announced by the Premier of the State Council in the Government Work Report of the second session of the Sixth National People\'s Congress. It was adopted by the General Assembly and is a very serious matter. If there are still those discussing the issue of confidence, those who have no sense of trust in the People\'s Republic of China, no sense of trust in the Chinese government, then nothing else can be said [at present]. We believe that Hong Kong people can govern Hong Kong well, we cannot continue to let foreigners rule, to anything else the people Hong Kong people will never agree.\r\n\r\nThere will be boundaries and standards for [the type of] Hong Kongers [that will] rule Hong Kong, that is, patriotic Hong Kongers must primarily govern Hong Kong. In the future, the main component of the Hong Kong SAR government will be patriots. Of course, other people must also be accommodated. Foreigners can also be hired as consultants. What is a patriot? A patriot respects his own nation and sincerely supports the motherland\'s restoration of its sovereignty over Hong Kong without compromising Hong Kong\'s prosperity and stability. As long as these conditions are met, whether they believe in capitalism, feudalism, or even slavery, they are all patriots. We do not require them all to approve of China\'s socialist system, only that they love the motherland and Hong Kong.\r\n\r\nThirteen years remain until 1997, and from now on issues arising during the transition period must be resolved gradually. During the transition period, one [issue] is to avoid major fluctuations and major twists and turns to maintain Hong Kong\'s prosperity and stability; the other is to create the conditions [necessary] for Hong Kong people to take over the government smoothly. People from all walks of life in Hong Kong must make efforts to this end.\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Political speech: Deng Xiaoping addresses the Hong Kong handover in 1984', 'In June, 1984, thirteen years before the Hong Kong handover, he gave this speech, addressing critics of the \"One Country, Two Systems\" （一个国家，两种制度）policy, which determined China\'s approach to the handover. The policy maintained that different political systems would concurrently be implemented under one government. In other words, that mainland China would remain socialist, and that Hong Kong would remain capitalist (until 2047, anyway), but both would be ultimately overseen by the CCP. It was a radical notion at the time, and it still is in many ways. His words here are a fascinating look into the past.', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2354-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-26 23:47:35', '2020-05-27 03:47:35', '', 2354, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/26/2354-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2427, 1, '2020-05-26 23:48:58', '2020-05-27 03:48:58', '', 'Learn Chinese Reading Intermediate Chinese Reader Lei Feng Vintage Communist Stories', '', 'inherit', 'open', 'closed', '', 'chinese-reading-practice-communist-history-stories-folk-tales-lei-feng', '', '', '2020-05-26 23:49:29', '2020-05-27 03:49:29', '', 2350, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/chinese-reading-practice-communist-history-stories-folk-tales-lei-feng.jpeg', 0, 'attachment', 'image/jpeg', 0),
(2428, 1, '2020-05-26 23:49:40', '2020-05-27 03:49:40', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"] \r\nHad a complaint a few days ago that my <a href=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/18/chinese-childrens-fable-freedom-in-heaven/\">fable about a pretty bird</a> was too political, so I figured I\'d give ya\'ll something more exciting to complain about. Break out your Little Red Books, it\'s Communism Week at CRP. \r\n\r\nBecause Chinese Communism is an increasingly touchy international topic, a quick note: I am putting up these stories because they are historically, academically and linguistically interesting, not because I am promoting any political viewpoint. To maintain a pleasant, learning-focused environment, I don\'t allow political comments here. If you express your political opinions in the comments - positive, negative, or neutral - I will delete them. \r\n\r\nRight, so <a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lei_Feng\">Lei Feng</a> (雷锋) was a larger-than-life Communist people\'s folk hero. Though tales of his good deeds spread like wildfire and took on a mythic quality, he was actually a real person: a People\'s Liberation Army solider who lived from 1940-1962, dying at the age of 22 when he was struck by a falling telephone pole in the line of duty. But his legend never really waned: he is still considered the personification of Mao Zedong Thought and the ultimate socialist Boy Scout. He was held up by the Party propaganda machine as a person to emulate, someone with a perfect moral character and devotion to the socialist cause, so much so that children were encouraged to foster \"Lei Feng Spirit\" (雷锋精神).\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/chinese-reading-practice-communist-history-stories-folk-tales-lei-feng.jpeg\" alt=\"Learn Chinese Reading Intermediate Chinese Reader Lei Feng Vintage Communist Stories\" width=\"268\" height=\"348\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-2427\" />\r\n\r\nIn this post, I translate one of many, many stories about Lei Feng\'s general do-gooding. I chose this one because it\'s got all the best elements of a classic Lei Feng tale: over-the-top selflessness towards the common people, grand statements of loyalty to the Party, and all the rest.\r\n\r\n<h4>Some Language Stuff</h4>\r\nIf this is your first foray into Communist-themed reading, you\'ll learn a few new words that are common to writing from the 1940s-1970s: \r\n\r\n单位 [pinyin]dan1 wei4[/pinyin] - work unit\r\n解放军 [pinyin]jie3 fang4 jun1[/pinyin] - [People\'s] Liberation Army (PLA) \r\n同志 [pinyin]tong2 zhi4[/pinyin] - comrade \r\n毛主席 [pinyin]mao2 zhu3 xi2[/pinyin] - Chairman Mao\r\n党 [pinyin]dang3[/pinyin] - short for \"共产党\", the Party / the Communist Party.  \r\n\r\nThere are also a few names of places: Shenyang (沈阳), Liaoning (辽宁) and Jilin (吉林) - all places within northeastern China. \r\n\r\nThis post centers around good deeds that Lei Feng did while traveling around the northeast on army business. I had a little bit of trouble translating some of the travel-related sentences, because the way people talk about travel in Chinese is slightly different than the way we do in English. For one thing, if someone is traveling within China, the phrase 去外地 [pinyin]qu4 wai4 di4[/pinyin] is used. At first glance, \"去外地\" just means \"to go other places\", but this is specifically used to mean \"other places within China\", not \"other countries\". Trips outside of China are usually described as 去国外 or 去外国. Also, pay attention to the word 出差 [pinyin]chu1 chai1[/pinyin]. This specially means \"to travel on business\", as opposed to traveling for pleasure.\r\n\r\n<strong>想都没想</strong> [pinyin]xiang3 dou1 mei3 xiang3[/pinyin] - Phrase means \"without even thinking about it\" or \"without a second thought\". \r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E9%9B%B7%E9%94%8B/5569?fr=aladdin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source here</a>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>雷锋小故事</h4>\r\n从一九六一年开始，雷锋经常应邀去外地作报告，他出差的机会多了，为人民服务的机会也就多了。\r\n\r\n人们流传着这样一句话：“雷锋出差一千里，好事做了一火车。”\r\n\r\n有一次，雷锋外出，在<span class=\"highlightText\">沈阳</span>车站换车，出检票口的时候，他发现一群人围着一个背着小孩儿的中年妇女。原来这名妇女从<span class=\"highlightText\">辽宁</span>去<span class=\"highlightText\">吉林</span>看丈夫，一不小心把车票和钱都丢了 ，雷锋连忙用自己的津贴费买了一张去吉林的火车票塞到大嫂手里，大嫂眼含热泪地问：“小兄弟，你叫什么名字？住哪的？是哪个<span class=\"highlightText\">单位</span>的？”\r\n\r\n雷锋回答道：“我叫<span class=\"highlightText\">解放军</span>，家就住在中国。”\r\n\r\n五月的一天，雷锋冒雨去<span class=\"highlightText\">沈阳</span>。他为了赶早车，早晨5点多就起来，带了几个干馒头就披上雨衣上路了。路上，雷锋看见一位妇女背着一个小孩，手还牵着一个小女孩，正艰难地向车站走去。雷锋<span class=\"highlightText\">想都没想</span>，脱下身上的雨衣就披在大嫂身上，又抱起小女孩陪她们一起来到车站。上车后，雷锋见小女孩冷得直发抖，就把自己的贴身衬衣脱下来给她穿上。雷锋估计她们早饭没吃，就把自己带的馒头给她们吃。火车到了沈阳，天还在下雨，雷锋便把她们送到家里。\r\n\r\n那位妇女感激地说：“<span class=\"highlightText\">同志</span>，我可怎么感谢你呀！”\r\n\r\n雷锋说 ：“不要感谢我，应该感谢<span class=\"highlightText\">党</span>和<span class=\"highlightText\">毛主席</span>啊！”\r\n\r\n他在日记中写下了这样一段话：“我的一切都是<span class=\"highlightText\">党</span>给的，光荣应该归于<span class=\"highlightText\">党</span>，归于热情帮助我的<span class=\"highlightText\">同志</span>，至于我个人做的工作，那是太少了，我这么一点点贡献，比起对我的要求和期望还是非常不够的……” \r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nBeginning in 1961, Lei Feng was often invited to go to other cities to make reports, and [since] he had many opportunities to travel on business, he also had many opportunities to serve the people.   \r\n\r\nPeople often said [of him]: \"When Lei Feng travels for business, [he rides there] on a train of good deeds.\" \r\n\r\nOne time, [while] Lei Feng was out and about, he was changing trains at Shenyang station, and when he was at the ticket booth, he saw a group of people standing around a middle-aged woman who was carrying a small child on her back. Turns out this woman was going from Liaoning to Jilin to see her husband, and accidentally lost her ticket and her wallet, so Lei Feng quickly used his own allowance to buy a ticket to Jilin and pressed it into the woman\'s [lit: \"elder sister\'s\"] hand. Her eyes brimming with tears the woman [lit: elder sister] said: \"Little Brother, What is your name? Where do you live? What is your work unit?\" \r\n\r\nLei Feng answered: \"My name is Liberation Army, and China is my home.\" \r\n\r\nOne day in May, Lei Feng braved the rain to go to Shenyang. In order to catch the early train, he woke up at 5:00 A.M., took some dry steamed buns, put on his rain gear and set out upon the road. On the road, Lei Feng saw a woman carrying a small child on her back, and leading another little girl by the hand, and [she was] struggling towards the train station. Lei Feng didn\'t give it a second thought, he took off his own rain gear and draped it over the woman\'s body, picked up the little girl and accompanied them to the station. On the train, Lei Feng saw the little girl shivering from cold, so he took off the shirt on his back and gave it to her to wear. Lei Feng guessed that they hadn\'t eaten breakfast, so he took out the buns he had brought and gave them to the women. When the train reached Shenyang, it was still raining, and Lei Feng took the women to their home. \r\n\r\nThe women gratefully said: \"Comrade, how can I ever thank you?\" \r\n\r\nLei Feng said, \"You don\'t have to thank me, you should thank the Party and Chairman Mao!\"\r\n\r\nIn his diary, he wrote the following: \"Everything I have was given to me by the Party, and all glory should belong to the Party, should belong to those comrades who enthusiastically helped me. As for the work I\'ve done, it isn\'t very much, my tiny contributions don\'t measure up to what I need and hope [to give]....\"\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Communist folk tales:  The good deeds of Lei Feng', 'It\'s Communism Week at CRP! I\'m kicking off with some classic stories about the good deeds of Communist folk hero Lei Feng, the ultimate socialist Boy Scout. HSK 4-5.', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2350-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-26 23:49:40', '2020-05-27 03:49:40', '', 2350, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/26/2350-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2429, 1, '2020-05-27 00:45:09', '2020-05-27 04:45:09', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communism Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of historical and modern CCP propaganda, speeches, stories, essays and songs.</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Quick reminder:</strong> I am posting this because it is historically, linguistically, and academically interesting, not because I am promoting any political viewpoint. This website is a language learning resource. It is not a political platform. I like history, I don\'t like arguing. If you post your political opinion in the comments section – positive, negative, or neutral – I will delete it. Dinner tables rules, please.\r\n\r\nSocialist reformer Deng Xiaoping is regarded as one of the main architects of modern China. He was credited as the man responsible for opening up China\'s economy after the death of Mao Zedong in 1976. He was also given the unenviable task of figuring out how to approach the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the U.K. to China in 1997.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/chinese-reading-practice-advanced-speech-deng-xiaoping-hong-kong.jpeg\" alt=\"Chinese Reading Practice Advanced Speech Mandarin Learning Deng Xiaoping\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-2422\" />\r\n\r\nIn June, 1984, thirteen years before the Hong Kong handover, he gave this speech, addressing critics of the \"One Country, Two Systems\" （一个国家，两种制度）policy, which determined China\'s approach to the handover. The policy maintained that different political systems would concurrently be implemented under one government. In other words, that mainland China would remain socialist, and that Hong Kong would remain capitalist (until 2047, anyway), but both would be ultimately overseen by the CCP. It was a radical notion at the time, and it still is in many ways. His words here are a fascinating look into the past. \r\n\r\nWhat\'s most interesting about this piece to me is that in it, Deng is addressing critics of this policy on both sides of the line. One side of this criticism we are familiar with, and still often hear today: that \"One Country, Two Systems\" was simply trickery and that China intends to slowly erode Hong Kong\'s Democratic freedoms over time. If you read between the lines, however, you also get a sense of the criticisms that came from within China a the time: the idea that allowing Hong Kong to remain capitalist was a threat to mainland socialism, that One Country, Two Systems was too lenient, and that Hong Kongers were ill-equipped to manage their own government. Deng was stuck in the middle of these arguments, and this is his response to both. This speech is all the more interesting now because we are seeing how his policy is playing out 35 years later.  \r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nGrammatically, there isn\'t much here that\'s difficult for advanced readers, no colloquialisms, no literary sentence structures. But there is obviously quite a bit of high-level vocab, specifically a couple of words :\r\n\r\n<strong>特区政府</strong> [pinyin]te4 qu1 zheng4 fu3[/pinyin] - Special administrative regional government. An area of the country that has different rules of governance than other areas of the Chinese mainland.\r\n\r\n<strong>全国人民代表大会</strong> [pinyin]quan2 guo2 ren2 min2 dai4 biao3 da4 hui4[/pinyin] - The National People\'s Congress (NPC), China\'s national legislature.\r\n\r\n<strong>国务院</strong> [pinyin]guo2 wu4 yuan4[/pinyin] - The State Council, one of China\'s highest government bodies.\r\n\r\n<strong>政府工作报告</strong> [pinyin]zheng4 fu4 gong1 zuo4 bao4 gao4[/pinyin] - The government work report, a document published each year which outlines China\'s priorities for the following 12 months. The 2020 work report was just released last week. \r\n\r\n<strong>中英谈判</strong> [pinyin]zhong1 ying1 tan2 pan4[/pinyin] - Sino-British negotiations\r\n<a href=\"http://news.southcn.com/community/shzt/dxp/theory3/200407240281.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source here</a>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n\r\n中国政府为解决香港问题所采取的立场、方针、政策是坚定不移的。我们多次讲过，我国政府在一九九七年恢复行使对香港的主权后，香港现行的社会、经济制度不变，法律基本不变，生活方式不变，香港自由港的地位和国际贸易、金融中心的地位也不变，香港可以继续同其他国家和地区保持和发展经济关系。我们还多次讲过，北京除了派军队以外，不向香港<span class=\"highlightText\">特区政府</span>派出干部，这也是不会改变的。我们派军队是为了维护国家的安全，而不是去干预香港的内部事务。我们对香港的政策五十年不变，我们说这个话是算数的。\r\n\r\n我们的政策是实行“一个国家，两种制度”，具体说，就是在中华人民共和国内，十亿人口的大陆实行社会主义制度，香港、台湾实行资本主义制度。近几年来，中国一直在克服“左”的错误，坚持从实际出发，实事求是，来制定各方面工作的政策。经过五年半，现在已经见效了。正是在这种情况下，我们才提出用“一个国家，两种制度”的办法来解决香港和台湾问题。\r\n\r\n“一个国家，两种制度”，我们已经讲了很多次了，<span class=\"highlightText\">全国人民代表大会</span>已经通过了这个政策。有人担心这个政策会不会变，我说不会变。核心的问题，决定的因素，是这个政策对不对。如果不对，就可能变。如果是对的，就变不了。进一步说，中国现在实行对外开放、对内搞活经济的政策，有谁改得了？如果改了，中国百分之八十的人的生活就要下降，我们就会丧失人心。我们的路走对了，人民赞成，就变不了。\r\n\r\n我们对香港的政策长期不变，影响不了大陆的社会主义。中国的主体必须是社会主义，但允许国内某些区域实行资本主义制度，比如香港、台湾。大陆开放一些城市，允许一些外资进入，这是作为社会主义经济的补充，有利于社会主义社会生产力的发展。比如外资到上海去，当然不是整个上海都实行资本主义制度。深圳也不是，还是实行社会主义制度。中国的主体是社会主义。\r\n\r\n“一个国家，两种制度”的构想是我们根据中国自己的情况提出来的，而现在已经成为国际上注意的问题了。中国有香港、台湾问题，解决这个问题的出路何在呢？是社会主义吞掉台湾，还是台湾宣扬的“三民主义”吞掉大陆？谁也不好吞掉谁。如果不能和平解决，只有用武力解决，这对各方都是不利的。实现国家统一是民族的愿望，一百年不统一，一千年也要统一的。怎么解决这个问题，我看只有实行“一个国家，两种制度”。\r\n\r\n世界上一系列争端都面临着用和平方式来解决还是用非和平方式来解决的问题。总得找出个办法来，新问题就得用新办法来解决。香港问题的成功解决，这个事例可能为国际上许多问题的解决提供一些有益的线索。从世界历史来看，有哪个政府制定过我们这么开明的政策？从资本主义历史看，从西方国家看，有哪一个国家这么做过？我们采取“一个国家，两种制度”的办法解决香港问题，不是一时的感情冲动，也不是玩弄手法，完全是从实际出发的，是充分照顾到香港的历史和现实情况的。\r\n\r\n要相信香港的中国人能治理好香港。不相信中国人有能力管好香港，这是老殖民主义遗留下来的思想状态。鸦片战争以来的一个多世纪里，外国人看不起中国人，侮辱中国人。中华人民共和国建立后，改变了中国的形象。中国今天的形象，不是晚清政府、不是北洋军阀、也不是蒋氏父子创造出来的。是中华人民共和国改变了中国的形象。凡是中华儿女，不管穿什么服装，不管是什么立场，起码都有中华民族的自豪感。香港人也是有这种民族自豪感的。香港人是能治理好香港的，要有这个自信心。香港过去的繁荣，主要是以中国人为主体的香港人干出来的。中国人的智力不比外国人差，中国人不是低能的，不要总以为只有外国人才干得好。要相信我们中国人自己是能干得好的。所谓香港人没有信心，这不是香港人的真正意见。\r\n\r\n目前<span class=\"highlightText\">中英谈判</span>的内容还没有公布，很多香港人对中央政府的政策不了解，他们一旦真正了解了，是会完全有信心的。我们对解决香港问题所采取的政策，是<span class=\"highlightText\">国务院</span>总理在第六届<span class=\"highlightText\">全国人民代表大会</span>第二次会议的<span class=\"highlightText\">政府工作报告</span>中宣布的，是经大会通过的，是很严肃的事。如果现在还有人谈信心问题，对中华人民共和国、对中国政府没有信任感，那末，其他一切都谈不上了。我们相信香港人能治理好香港，不能继续让外国人统治，否则香港人也是决不会答应的。\r\n\r\n港人治港有个界线和标准，就是必须由以爱国者为主体的港人来治理香港。未来香港特区政府的主要成分是爱国者，当然也要容纳别的人，还可以聘请外国人当顾问。什么叫爱国者？爱国者的标准是，尊重自己民族，诚心诚意拥护祖国恢复行使对香港的主权，不损害香港的繁荣和稳定。只要具备这些条件，不管他们相信资本主义，还是相信封建主义，甚至相信奴隶主义，都是爱国者。我们不要求他们都赞成中国的社会主义制度，只要求他们爱祖国，爱香港。\r\n\r\n到一九九七年还有十三年，从现在起要逐步解决好过渡时期问题。在过渡时期中，一是不要出现大的波动、大的曲折，保持香港繁荣和稳定；二是要创造条件，使香港人能顺利地接管政府。香港各界人士要为此作出努力。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nThe position, principles and policies adopted by the Chinese government to resolve the Hong Kong issue are unwavering. We have said many times that after the restoration of our government\'s sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, the current social and economic system of Hong Kong will remain unchanged, the laws will remain basically unchanged, and [Hong Kong\'s] way of life will remain unchanged. The status of Hong Kong\'s free port as a center of international trade and finance will remain unchanged, and Hong Kong can continue to maintain and develop economic relations with other countries and regions. We have also said many times that Beijing will not send government cadres to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, except for troops, and this too will not change. We are sending troops to maintain national security, not to interfere in Hong Kong\'s internal affairs. Our policy towards Hong Kong has remained unchanged for 50 years, so we say this with [great] calculation.\r\n\r\nThe \"one country, two systems\" policy that we are implementing, speaking specifically, means that in the People\'s Republic of China, our one billion-strong population will implement the socialist system, but Hong Kong and Taiwan will have a capitalist system. In recent years, China has been overcoming the mistakes of the \"left\", insisting on proceeding from reality and seeking truth from facts, to formulate policies in all aspects of our work. After five and a half years, this is now paying off. It was precisely because of this situation that we proposed to use the \"one country, two systems\" approach to resolve the Hong Kong and Taiwan issues.\r\n\r\n\"One Country, Two Systems\", as we have said many times, has already been passed by the National People\'s Congress. Some people worry about whether or not this policy will change, I say it will not change. The core issue, the deciding factor, is whether this policy is right. If it is wrong, it may change. If it is right, it will not change. Furthermore, China has implemented a policy of opening up to the outside world and invigorating the economy at home. Who can change this? If it changes, the [quality of] life of 80% of China\'s people will decline, and we will lose our hearts. As long as our way is right, and the people approve, then it will not change.\r\n\r\nOur policy towards Hong Kong has remained unchanged for a long time, and it will not affect socialism on the mainland. China must always principally be socialist, but allow certain regions of the country to implement a capitalist system, such as Hong Kong and Taiwan. If the mainland opens up some cities and allows some foreign capital to enter, this is complementary to the socialist economy and is conducive to the development of socialist production. For example, if foreign capital [is allowed] into Shanghai, it is of course not the case that capitalism will be implemented throughout Shanghai. Shenzhen too, it will still implement the socialist system. China is principally socialist.\r\n\r\nThe concept of \"One Country, Two Systems\" was put forward by us in light of China\'s [domestic] situation, and it has now become a matter of international attention. China has issues with Hong Kong and Taiwan, where is the solution to these problems? Should socialism devour Taiwan, or should the \"Three People\'s Principles\" promoted by Taiwan devour the mainland? No one can devour anyone. If these [issues] cannot be resolved peacefully, they can only be solved by force, which is detrimental to all parties. The realization of national reunification is the desire of the people, even if we aren\'t unified in 100 years, we will be unified within 1000 years. As for how to solve this problem, I think the only [way] is the implementation of \"One Country, Two Systems\". \r\n\r\n[When considering how to solve many] of this world\'s disputes, we are faced with the issue of whether to resolve them by peaceful means or by non-peaceful means. A solution must always be found, and new problems require new solutions. The successful resolution of the Hong Kong issue may provide some useful clues [that may help to] resolve many international issues. From the perspective of world history, which government has formulated such enlightened policies? From the perspective of capitalist history, from the perspective of Western countries, which country has done this? We adopted the \"one country, two systems\" approach to resolve the Hong Kong issue not [based on] momentary emotional impulse or trickery, but entirely based on reality and with full consideration of Hong Kong\'s historical and actual [present] circumstances.\r\n\r\nWe must believe that the Chinese of Hong Kong can govern Hong Kong well. The belief that the Chinese do not have the ability to manage Hong Kong well is a state of mind left over from old colonialism. For more than a century since the Opium War, foreigners looked down on and insulted the Chinese. After the establishment of the People\'s Republic of China, the image of China has changed. China\'s image today was not created by the late Qing government, nor by the Northern Warlords, or by the Chiang Kai-shek and his son. It is the People\'s Republic of China that has changed China\'s image. All Chinese children, no matter what clothes they wear, no matter what their positions, [carry] the pride of the Chinese nation. Hong Kong people also [carry] this national pride. Hong Kong\'s people can manage Hong Kong well, we must have this self-confidence. Hong Kong\'s past prosperity was the work of Hong Kong\'s people who were principally Chinese. The intelligence of the Chinese is not lower than that of foreigners, the Chinese are not inferior, so don\'t always think that only foreign talents are [capable of] doing well. Believe that we Chinese can do well ourselves. Hong Kong\'s so-called lack of self-confidence, this is not really what Hong Kongers believe. \r\n\r\nAt present, no announcement has been made regarding the contents of the Sino-British negotiations. Many Hong Kong people do not understand the policies of the Central Government. Once they really understand it, they will be completely confident. Our policy regarding the resolution of the Hong Kong issue was announced by the Premier of the State Council in the Government Work Report of the second session of the Sixth National People\'s Congress. It was adopted by the General Assembly and is a very serious matter. If there are still those discussing the issue of confidence, those who have no sense of trust in the People\'s Republic of China, no sense of trust in the Chinese government, then nothing else can be said [at present]. We believe that Hong Kong people can govern Hong Kong well, we cannot continue to let foreigners rule, to anything else the people Hong Kong people will never agree.\r\n\r\nThere will be boundaries and standards for [the type of] Hong Kongers [that will] rule Hong Kong, that is, patriotic Hong Kongers must primarily govern Hong Kong. In the future, the main component of the Hong Kong SAR government will be patriots. Of course, other people must also be accommodated. Foreigners can also be hired as consultants. What is a patriot? A patriot respects his own nation and sincerely supports the motherland\'s restoration of its sovereignty over Hong Kong without compromising Hong Kong\'s prosperity and stability. As long as these conditions are met, whether they believe in capitalism, feudalism, or even slavery, they are all patriots. We do not require them all to approve of China\'s socialist system, only that they love the motherland and Hong Kong.\r\n\r\nThirteen years remain until 1997, and from now on issues arising during the transition period must be resolved gradually. During the transition period, one [issue] is to avoid major fluctuations and major twists and turns to maintain Hong Kong\'s prosperity and stability; the other is to create the conditions [necessary] for Hong Kong people to take over the government smoothly. People from all walks of life in Hong Kong must make efforts to this end.\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Political speech: Deng Xiaoping addresses the Hong Kong handover in 1984', 'In June, 1984, thirteen years before the Hong Kong handover, he gave this speech, addressing critics of the \"One Country, Two Systems\" （一个国家，两种制度）policy, which determined China\'s approach to the handover. The policy maintained that different political systems would concurrently be implemented under one government. In other words, that mainland China would remain socialist, and that Hong Kong would remain capitalist (until 2047, anyway), but both would be ultimately overseen by the CCP. It was a radical notion at the time, and it still is in many ways. His words here are a fascinating look into the past.', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2354-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-27 00:45:09', '2020-05-27 04:45:09', '', 2354, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/27/2354-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
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(2435, 1, '2020-05-28 09:42:10', '2020-05-28 13:42:10', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communism Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of historical and modern CCP propaganda, speeches, stories, essays and songs.</p>\r\n\r\n<strong>Quick reminder:</strong> I am posting this because it is historically, linguistically, and academically interesting, not because I am promoting any political viewpoint. This website is a language learning resource. It is not a political platform. I like history, I don\'t like arguing. If you post your political opinion in the comments section – positive, negative, or neutral – I will delete it. Dinner tables rules, please.\r\n\r\nSocialist reformer Deng Xiaoping is regarded as one of the main architects of modern China. He was credited as the man responsible for opening up China\'s economy after the death of Mao Zedong in 1976. He was also given the unenviable task of figuring out how to approach the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the U.K. to China in 1997.\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/chinese-reading-practice-advanced-speech-deng-xiaoping-hong-kong.jpeg\" alt=\"Chinese Reading Practice Advanced Speech Mandarin Learning Deng Xiaoping\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-2422\" />\r\n\r\nIn June, 1984, thirteen years before the Hong Kong handover, he gave this speech, addressing critics of the \"One Country, Two Systems\" （一个国家，两种制度）policy, which determined China\'s approach to the handover. The policy maintained that different political systems would concurrently be implemented under one government. In other words, that mainland China would remain socialist, and that Hong Kong would remain capitalist (until 2047, anyway), but both would be ultimately overseen by the CCP. It was a radical notion at the time, and it still is in many ways. His words here are a fascinating look into the past. \r\n\r\nWhat\'s most interesting about this piece to me is that in it, Deng is addressing critics of this policy on both sides of the line. One side of this criticism we are familiar with, and still often hear today: that \"One Country, Two Systems\" was simply trickery and that China intends to slowly erode Hong Kong\'s Democratic freedoms over time. If you read between the lines, however, you also get a sense of the criticisms that came from within China a the time: the idea that allowing Hong Kong to remain capitalist was a threat to mainland socialism, that One Country, Two Systems was too lenient, and that Hong Kongers were ill-equipped to manage their own government. Deng was stuck in the middle of these arguments, and this is his response to both. This speech is all the more interesting now because we are seeing how his policy is playing out 35 years later.  \r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nGrammatically, there isn\'t much here that\'s difficult for advanced readers, no colloquialisms, no literary sentence structures. But there is obviously quite a bit of high-level vocab, specifically a couple of words :\r\n\r\n<strong>特区政府</strong> [pinyin]te4 qu1 zheng4 fu3[/pinyin] - Special administrative regional government. An area of the country that has different rules of governance than other areas of the Chinese mainland.\r\n\r\n<strong>全国人民代表大会</strong> [pinyin]quan2 guo2 ren2 min2 dai4 biao3 da4 hui4[/pinyin] - The National People\'s Congress (NPC), China\'s national legislature.\r\n\r\n<strong>国务院</strong> [pinyin]guo2 wu4 yuan4[/pinyin] - The State Council, one of China\'s highest government bodies.\r\n\r\n<strong>政府工作报告</strong> [pinyin]zheng4 fu4 gong1 zuo4 bao4 gao4[/pinyin] - The government work report, a document published each year which outlines China\'s priorities for the following 12 months. The 2020 work report was just released last week. \r\n\r\n<strong>中英谈判</strong> [pinyin]zhong1 ying1 tan2 pan4[/pinyin] - Sino-British negotiations\r\n<a href=\"http://news.southcn.com/community/shzt/dxp/theory3/200407240281.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source here</a>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n\r\n中国政府为解决香港问题所采取的立场、方针、政策是坚定不移的。我们多次讲过，我国政府在一九九七年恢复行使对香港的主权后，香港现行的社会、经济制度不变，法律基本不变，生活方式不变，香港自由港的地位和国际贸易、金融中心的地位也不变，香港可以继续同其他国家和地区保持和发展经济关系。我们还多次讲过，北京除了派军队以外，不向香港<span class=\"highlightText\">特区政府</span>派出干部，这也是不会改变的。我们派军队是为了维护国家的安全，而不是去干预香港的内部事务。我们对香港的政策五十年不变，我们说这个话是算数的。\r\n\r\n我们的政策是实行“一个国家，两种制度”，具体说，就是在中华人民共和国内，十亿人口的大陆实行社会主义制度，香港、台湾实行资本主义制度。近几年来，中国一直在克服“左”的错误，坚持从实际出发，实事求是，来制定各方面工作的政策。经过五年半，现在已经见效了。正是在这种情况下，我们才提出用“一个国家，两种制度”的办法来解决香港和台湾问题。\r\n\r\n“一个国家，两种制度”，我们已经讲了很多次了，<span class=\"highlightText\">全国人民代表大会</span>已经通过了这个政策。有人担心这个政策会不会变，我说不会变。核心的问题，决定的因素，是这个政策对不对。如果不对，就可能变。如果是对的，就变不了。进一步说，中国现在实行对外开放、对内搞活经济的政策，有谁改得了？如果改了，中国百分之八十的人的生活就要下降，我们就会丧失人心。我们的路走对了，人民赞成，就变不了。\r\n\r\n我们对香港的政策长期不变，影响不了大陆的社会主义。中国的主体必须是社会主义，但允许国内某些区域实行资本主义制度，比如香港、台湾。大陆开放一些城市，允许一些外资进入，这是作为社会主义经济的补充，有利于社会主义社会生产力的发展。比如外资到上海去，当然不是整个上海都实行资本主义制度。深圳也不是，还是实行社会主义制度。中国的主体是社会主义。\r\n\r\n“一个国家，两种制度”的构想是我们根据中国自己的情况提出来的，而现在已经成为国际上注意的问题了。中国有香港、台湾问题，解决这个问题的出路何在呢？是社会主义吞掉台湾，还是台湾宣扬的“三民主义”吞掉大陆？谁也不好吞掉谁。如果不能和平解决，只有用武力解决，这对各方都是不利的。实现国家统一是民族的愿望，一百年不统一，一千年也要统一的。怎么解决这个问题，我看只有实行“一个国家，两种制度”。\r\n\r\n世界上一系列争端都面临着用和平方式来解决还是用非和平方式来解决的问题。总得找出个办法来，新问题就得用新办法来解决。香港问题的成功解决，这个事例可能为国际上许多问题的解决提供一些有益的线索。从世界历史来看，有哪个政府制定过我们这么开明的政策？从资本主义历史看，从西方国家看，有哪一个国家这么做过？我们采取“一个国家，两种制度”的办法解决香港问题，不是一时的感情冲动，也不是玩弄手法，完全是从实际出发的，是充分照顾到香港的历史和现实情况的。\r\n\r\n要相信香港的中国人能治理好香港。不相信中国人有能力管好香港，这是老殖民主义遗留下来的思想状态。鸦片战争以来的一个多世纪里，外国人看不起中国人，侮辱中国人。中华人民共和国建立后，改变了中国的形象。中国今天的形象，不是晚清政府、不是北洋军阀、也不是蒋氏父子创造出来的。是中华人民共和国改变了中国的形象。凡是中华儿女，不管穿什么服装，不管是什么立场，起码都有中华民族的自豪感。香港人也是有这种民族自豪感的。香港人是能治理好香港的，要有这个自信心。香港过去的繁荣，主要是以中国人为主体的香港人干出来的。中国人的智力不比外国人差，中国人不是低能的，不要总以为只有外国人才干得好。要相信我们中国人自己是能干得好的。所谓香港人没有信心，这不是香港人的真正意见。\r\n\r\n目前<span class=\"highlightText\">中英谈判</span>的内容还没有公布，很多香港人对中央政府的政策不了解，他们一旦真正了解了，是会完全有信心的。我们对解决香港问题所采取的政策，是<span class=\"highlightText\">国务院</span>总理在第六届<span class=\"highlightText\">全国人民代表大会</span>第二次会议的<span class=\"highlightText\">政府工作报告</span>中宣布的，是经大会通过的，是很严肃的事。如果现在还有人谈信心问题，对中华人民共和国、对中国政府没有信任感，那末，其他一切都谈不上了。我们相信香港人能治理好香港，不能继续让外国人统治，否则香港人也是决不会答应的。\r\n\r\n港人治港有个界线和标准，就是必须由以爱国者为主体的港人来治理香港。未来香港特区政府的主要成分是爱国者，当然也要容纳别的人，还可以聘请外国人当顾问。什么叫爱国者？爱国者的标准是，尊重自己民族，诚心诚意拥护祖国恢复行使对香港的主权，不损害香港的繁荣和稳定。只要具备这些条件，不管他们相信资本主义，还是相信封建主义，甚至相信奴隶主义，都是爱国者。我们不要求他们都赞成中国的社会主义制度，只要求他们爱祖国，爱香港。\r\n\r\n到一九九七年还有十三年，从现在起要逐步解决好过渡时期问题。在过渡时期中，一是不要出现大的波动、大的曲折，保持香港繁荣和稳定；二是要创造条件，使香港人能顺利地接管政府。香港各界人士要为此作出努力。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nThe position, principles and policies adopted by the Chinese government to resolve the Hong Kong issue are unwavering. We have said many times that after the restoration of our government\'s sovereignty over Hong Kong in 1997, the current social and economic system of Hong Kong will remain unchanged, the laws will remain basically unchanged, and [Hong Kong\'s] way of life will remain unchanged. The status of Hong Kong\'s free port as a center of international trade and finance will remain unchanged, and Hong Kong can continue to maintain and develop economic relations with other countries and regions. We have also said many times that Beijing will not send government cadres to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, except for troops, and this too will not change. We are sending troops to maintain national security, not to interfere in Hong Kong\'s internal affairs. Our policy towards Hong Kong has remained unchanged for 50 years, so we do not say this lightly.\r\n\r\nThe \"one country, two systems\" policy that we are implementing, speaking specifically, means that in the People\'s Republic of China, our one billion-strong population will implement the socialist system, but Hong Kong and Taiwan will have a capitalist system. In recent years, China has been overcoming the mistakes of the \"left\", insisting on proceeding from reality and seeking truth from facts, to formulate policies in all aspects of our work. After five and a half years, this is now paying off. It was precisely because of this situation that we proposed to use the \"one country, two systems\" approach to resolve the Hong Kong and Taiwan issues.\r\n\r\n\"One Country, Two Systems\", as we have said many times, has already been passed by the National People\'s Congress. Some people worry about whether or not this policy will change, I say it will not change. The core issue, the deciding factor, is whether this policy is right. If it is wrong, it may change. If it is right, it will not change. Furthermore, China has implemented a policy of opening up to the outside world and invigorating the economy at home. Who can change this? If it changes, the [quality of] life of 80% of China\'s people will decline, and we will lose our hearts. As long as our way is right, and the people approve, then it will not change.\r\n\r\nOur policy towards Hong Kong has remained unchanged for a long time, and it will not affect socialism on the mainland. China must always principally be socialist, but allow certain regions of the country to implement a capitalist system, such as Hong Kong and Taiwan. If the mainland opens up some cities and allows some foreign capital to enter, this is complementary to the socialist economy and is conducive to the development of socialist production. For example, if foreign capital [is allowed] into Shanghai, it is of course not the case that capitalism will be implemented throughout Shanghai. Shenzhen too, it will still implement the socialist system. China is principally socialist.\r\n\r\nThe concept of \"One Country, Two Systems\" was put forward by us in light of China\'s [domestic] situation, and it has now become a matter of international attention. China has issues with Hong Kong and Taiwan, where is the solution to these problems? Should socialism devour Taiwan, or should the \"Three People\'s Principles\" promoted by Taiwan devour the mainland? No one can devour anyone. If these [issues] cannot be resolved peacefully, they can only be solved by force, which is detrimental to all parties. The realization of national reunification is the desire of the people, even if we aren\'t unified in 100 years, we will be unified within 1000 years. As for how to solve this problem, I think the only [way] is the implementation of \"One Country, Two Systems\". \r\n\r\n[When considering how to solve many] of this world\'s disputes, we are faced with the issue of whether to resolve them by peaceful means or by non-peaceful means. A solution must always be found, and new problems require new solutions. The successful resolution of the Hong Kong issue may provide some useful clues [that may help to] resolve many international issues. From the perspective of world history, which government has formulated such enlightened policies? From the perspective of capitalist history, from the perspective of Western countries, which country has done this? We adopted the \"one country, two systems\" approach to resolve the Hong Kong issue not [based on] momentary emotional impulse or trickery, but entirely based on reality and with full consideration of Hong Kong\'s historical and actual [present] circumstances.\r\n\r\nWe must believe that the Chinese of Hong Kong can govern Hong Kong well. The belief that the Chinese do not have the ability to manage Hong Kong well is a state of mind left over from old colonialism. For more than a century since the Opium War, foreigners looked down on and insulted the Chinese. After the establishment of the People\'s Republic of China, the image of China has changed. China\'s image today was not created by the late Qing government, nor by the Northern Warlords, or by the Chiang Kai-shek and his son. It is the People\'s Republic of China that has changed China\'s image. All Chinese children, no matter what clothes they wear, no matter what their positions, [carry] the pride of the Chinese nation. Hong Kong people also [carry] this national pride. Hong Kong\'s people can manage Hong Kong well, we must have this self-confidence. Hong Kong\'s past prosperity was the work of Hong Kong\'s people who were principally Chinese. The intelligence of the Chinese is not lower than that of foreigners, the Chinese are not inferior, so don\'t always think that only foreign talents are [capable of] doing well. Believe that we Chinese can do well ourselves. Hong Kong\'s so-called lack of self-confidence, this is not really what Hong Kongers believe. \r\n\r\nAt present, no announcement has been made regarding the contents of the Sino-British negotiations. Many Hong Kong people do not understand the policies of the Central Government. Once they really understand it, they will be completely confident. Our policy regarding the resolution of the Hong Kong issue was announced by the Premier of the State Council in the Government Work Report of the second session of the Sixth National People\'s Congress. It was adopted by the General Assembly and is a very serious matter. If there are still those discussing the issue of confidence, those who have no sense of trust in the People\'s Republic of China, no sense of trust in the Chinese government, then nothing else can be said [at present]. We believe that Hong Kong people can govern Hong Kong well, we cannot continue to let foreigners rule, to anything else the people Hong Kong people will never agree.\r\n\r\nThere will be boundaries and standards for [the type of] Hong Kongers [that will] rule Hong Kong, that is, patriotic Hong Kongers must primarily govern Hong Kong. In the future, the main component of the Hong Kong SAR government will be patriots. Of course, other people must also be accommodated. Foreigners can also be hired as consultants. What is a patriot? A patriot respects his own nation and sincerely supports the motherland\'s restoration of its sovereignty over Hong Kong without compromising Hong Kong\'s prosperity and stability. As long as these conditions are met, whether they believe in capitalism, feudalism, or even slavery, they are all patriots. We do not require them all to approve of China\'s socialist system, only that they love the motherland and Hong Kong.\r\n\r\nThirteen years remain until 1997, and from now on issues arising during the transition period must be resolved gradually. During the transition period, one [issue] is to avoid major fluctuations and major twists and turns to maintain Hong Kong\'s prosperity and stability; the other is to create the conditions [necessary] for Hong Kong people to take over the government smoothly. People from all walks of life in Hong Kong must make efforts to this end.\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Political speech: Deng Xiaoping addresses the Hong Kong handover in 1984', 'In June, 1984, thirteen years before the Hong Kong handover, he gave this speech, addressing critics of the \"One Country, Two Systems\" （一个国家，两种制度）policy, which determined China\'s approach to the handover. The policy maintained that different political systems would concurrently be implemented under one government. In other words, that mainland China would remain socialist, and that Hong Kong would remain capitalist (until 2047, anyway), but both would be ultimately overseen by the CCP. It was a radical notion at the time, and it still is in many ways. His words here are a fascinating look into the past.', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2354-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-28 09:42:10', '2020-05-28 13:42:10', '', 2354, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/28/2354-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2430, 1, '2020-05-28 00:09:37', '2020-05-28 04:09:37', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communism Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of historical and modern CCP propaganda, speeches, stories, essays and songs.</p> \r\n\r\n<strong>Quick reminder:</strong> To maintain a polite, language learning-focused environment, political comments – positive, negative, or neutral – are not allowed, and will be deleted. Dinner table rules, please.\r\n\r\nZhu De (朱德 [pinyin]zhu1 de2[/pinyin]) is an early Communist folk hero, and the founder of the People\'s Liberation Army (解放军 [pinyin]jie3 fang4 jun1[/pinyin]), also called the Red Army (红军 [pinyin]hong2 jun1[/pinyin]). He was applauded as a people\'s general, and this popular revolutionary story - in which Zhu De helps his regiment carry grain (粮食 [pinyin]liang2 shi[/pinyin]) up a mountain on a carrying pole (扁担 [pinyin]bian3 dan[/pinyin]) - shows his willingness to toil alongside the common soldiers. The story spawned many popular posters of him, like this one:\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/chinese-reading-practice-communist-language-learning-zhude-carrying-pole.jpeg\" alt=\"Beginner Chinese Reading Practice Exercises: Communist Folk Stories Revolutionary Heroes\" width=\"425\" height=\"500\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2387\" /> \r\n\r\nZhe De is a revolutionary from the early days of Chinese Communism. For those who don\'t know their CCP history: modern China was founded in 1949, but for the 20-odd years before that, the Red Army was fighting various wars for control of the country. Zhu De was instrumental in these wars, and after 1949, he became a key Party leader and politician. This story is set in the early days of the wars, in 1928. It\'s crazy to think that Zhu De, who was born in 1886 and died in 1976, lived to be 90 years old, but spent three or four decades of his life doing nothing but fighting battles. Considering how many people died in those wars, or were purged in political upheavals afterwards, this guy was a real survivor. \r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nThis is an example of a story that will look much harder on first glance than it actually is. That\'s because some of the vocab is intermediate, but the sentence structure is beginner. The intermediate vocab is also used repetitively, so once you look up the tougher words, you\'ll immediately have an opportunity to see them again in the text. The first two sentences are much rougher than the rest, because they\'re almost entirely made up of intermediate words, so push through those and it\'ll be easier going from there. If you break the sentences down patiently, and you are at HSK 3 or up, I promise you can get through this. \r\n\r\nWe have a few proper names here: \r\n朱德同志 [pinyin]zhu1 de2 tong2 zhi4[/pinyin] - Comrade Zhu De \r\n红军 [pinyin]hong2 jun1[/pinyin] - the Red Army\r\n井冈山 [pinyin]jing3 gang1 shan1[/pinyin] - Jinggang Mountain \r\n\r\nWe also have some military words: \r\n队伍 [pinyin]dui4 wu[/pinyin] - troops \r\n敌人 [pinyin]di2 ren2[/pinyin] - enemy\r\n战士们 [pinyin]zhan4 shi4 men[/pinyin] - soldier \r\n打仗 [pinyin]da3 zhang4[/pinyin] - to fight a war\r\n\r\nAnother word that comes up quite a bit is 粮食 [pinyin]liang2 shi[/pinyin] - Also just 粮 [pinyin]liang2[/pinyin]. This is a general term for \"grain\", could be wheat, rice, millet, oats, or whatever.\r\n\r\nAnd one phrase that might be a little hard to understand:\r\n\r\n<strong>争着去</strong> [pinyin]zheng1 zhe qu4[/pinyin] - 争 means \"to fight\" or \"to struggle\", 着 is a present-tense grammar word, and 去 means \"go\" or \"leave\". At first glance, 争着去 looks like it means \"fighting in order to leave someplace\", but it\'s not. In this case, it\'s describing a group of people pushing and shoving to be the first to volunteer to go somewhere. Imagine a group of soldiers asked to undertake a hard mission - one person says, \"I\'ll go!\" and someone else says, \"No, choose me, I\'ll go!\". This is 争着去. \r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>朱德的扁担</h4>\r\n1928年，<span class=\"highlightText\">朱德同志</span>带领一支<span class=\"highlightText\">红军队伍</span>到<span class=\"highlightText\">井冈山</span>。山上是<span class=\"highlightText\">红军</span>，山下不远就是<span class=\"highlightText\">敌人</span>。\r\n \r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">井冈山</span>上粮食不多，常常要派一些人到山下的田园去挑粮。<span class=\"highlightText\">井冈山</span>离田园很远，山高路窄，非常难走。可是每次挑粮大家都<span class=\"highlightText\">争着去</span>。\r\n \r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">朱德同志</span>也跟<span class=\"highlightText\">战士们</span>一起去挑粮。他穿着草鞋，挑起满满的一担粮食，跟大家一起爬山。白天挑粮，晚上还常常整夜整夜地学习怎样跟<span class=\"highlightText\">敌人打仗</span>。大家觉得他要做的工作太多，就把他那根扁担藏了起来。可是<span class=\"highlightText\">朱德同志</span>又找到了一根扁担，写上“<span class=\"highlightText\">朱德</span>扁担，不要拿走”八个大字。大家见了，更敬爱<span class=\"highlightText\">朱德同志</span>，不好意思再藏他的扁担了。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nIn 1928, Comrade Zhu De lead a detachment of Red Army troops to Jinggang Mountain. The Red Army was on the mountain, but down the mountain not far away was the enemy. \r\n \r\nNot much grain was produced on Jinggang Mountain, so [they] often had to send a few people down to the fields below to tote back some grain. Jinggang Mountain was far from the fields, the mountain was high and the roads were narrow, it was very hard going. But each time grain had to be carried back, everyone fought to be the one to go.\r\n \r\nComrade Zhu De also went along with the soldiers to carry grain. He wore grass shoes, carrying a pole packed full of grain, and climbed the mountain with everybody else. During the day [he] carried grain, and during the evening he often spent the whole night studying how to make war on the enemy. Everyone felt he had too much work to do, so they took his carrying pole and hid it. But Comrade Zhu De found another carrying pole, and wrote 8 big words on it: \"Zhu Du\'s carrying pole, please don\'t take it\". Everyone saw this, and loved and respected Comrade Zhu De even more, and were too ashamed to hide his carrying pole again. \r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Communist folk tales: 《朱德的扁担》- Zhu De\'s Carrying Pole', 'Zhu De (朱德) is an early Communist folk hero, and the founder of the People\'s Liberation Army (解放军), also called the Red Army (红军). This popular revolutionary story highlights his willingness to toil alongside the rank and file soldiers. HSK 3-4. ', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2366-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-28 00:09:37', '2020-05-28 04:09:37', '', 2366, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/28/2366-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2432, 1, '2020-05-28 00:15:48', '2020-05-28 04:15:48', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communism Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of historical and modern CCP propaganda, speeches, stories, essays and songs.</p> \r\n\r\n<strong>Quick reminder:</strong> To maintain a polite, language learning-focused environment, political comments – positive, negative, or neutral – are not allowed, and will be deleted. Dinner table rules, please.\r\n\r\nZhu De (朱德 [pinyin]zhu1 de2[/pinyin]) is an early Communist folk hero, and the founder of the People\'s Liberation Army (解放军 [pinyin]jie3 fang4 jun1[/pinyin]), also called the Red Army (红军 [pinyin]hong2 jun1[/pinyin]). He was applauded as a people\'s general, and this popular revolutionary story - in which Zhu De helps his regiment carry grain (粮食 [pinyin]liang2 shi[/pinyin]) up a mountain on a carrying pole (扁担 [pinyin]bian3 dan[/pinyin]) - shows his willingness to toil alongside the common soldiers. The story spawned many popular posters of him, like this one:\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/chinese-reading-practice-communist-language-learning-zhude-carrying-pole.jpeg\" alt=\"Beginner Chinese Reading Practice Exercises: Communist Folk Stories Revolutionary Heroes\" width=\"425\" height=\"500\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2387\" /> \r\n\r\nZhe De is a revolutionary from the early days of Chinese Communism. For those who don\'t know their CCP history: modern China was founded in 1949, but for the 20-odd years before that, the Red Army was fighting various wars for control of the country. Zhu De was instrumental in these wars, and after 1949, he became a key Party leader and politician. This story is set in the early days of the wars, in 1928. It\'s crazy to think that Zhu De, who was born in 1886 and died in 1976, lived to be 90 years old, but spent three or four decades of his life doing nothing but fighting battles. Considering how many people died in those wars, or were purged in political upheavals afterwards, this guy was a real survivor. \r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nThis is an example of a story that will look much harder on first glance than it actually is. That\'s because some of the vocab is intermediate, but the sentence structure is beginner. The intermediate vocab is also used repetitively, so once you look up the tougher words, you\'ll immediately have an opportunity to see them again in the text. The first two sentences are much rougher than the rest, because they\'re almost entirely made up of intermediate words, so push through those and it\'ll be easier going from there. If you break the sentences down patiently, and you are at HSK 3 or up, I promise you can get through this. \r\n\r\nWe have a few proper names here: \r\n朱德同志 [pinyin]zhu1 de2 tong2 zhi4[/pinyin] - Comrade Zhu De \r\n红军 [pinyin]hong2 jun1[/pinyin] - the Red Army\r\n井冈山 [pinyin]jing3 gang1 shan1[/pinyin] - Jinggang Mountain \r\n\r\nWe also have some military words: \r\n队伍 [pinyin]dui4 wu[/pinyin] - troops \r\n敌人 [pinyin]di2 ren2[/pinyin] - enemy\r\n战士们 [pinyin]zhan4 shi4 men[/pinyin] - soldier \r\n打仗 [pinyin]da3 zhang4[/pinyin] - to fight a war\r\n\r\nAnother word that comes up quite a bit is 粮食 [pinyin]liang2 shi[/pinyin] - Also just 粮 [pinyin]liang2[/pinyin]. This is a general term for \"grain\", could be wheat, rice, millet, oats, or whatever.\r\n\r\nAnd one phrase that might be a little hard to understand:\r\n\r\n<strong>争着去</strong> [pinyin]zheng1 zhe qu4[/pinyin] - 争 means \"to fight\" or \"to struggle\", 着 is a present-tense grammar word, and 去 means \"go\" or \"leave\". At first glance, 争着去 looks like it means \"fighting in order to leave someplace\", but it\'s not. In this case, it\'s describing a group of people pushing and shoving to be the first to volunteer to go somewhere. Imagine a group of soldiers asked to undertake a hard mission - one person says, \"I\'ll go!\" and someone else says, \"No, choose me, I\'ll go!\". This is 争着去. \r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>朱德的扁担</h4>\r\n1928年，<span class=\"highlightText\">朱德同志</span>带领一支<span class=\"highlightText\">红军队伍</span>到<span class=\"highlightText\">井冈山</span>。山上是<span class=\"highlightText\">红军</span>，山下不远就是<span class=\"highlightText\">敌人</span>。\r\n \r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">井冈山</span>上粮食不多，常常要派一些人到山下的田园去挑粮。<span class=\"highlightText\">井冈山</span>离田园很远，山高路窄，非常难走。可是每次挑粮大家都<span class=\"highlightText\">争着去</span>。\r\n \r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">朱德同志</span>也跟<span class=\"highlightText\">战士们</span>一起去挑粮。他穿着草鞋，挑起满满的一担粮食，跟大家一起爬山。白天挑粮，晚上还常常整夜整夜地学习怎样跟<span class=\"highlightText\">敌人打仗</span>。大家觉得他要做的工作太多，就把他那根扁担藏了起来。可是<span class=\"highlightText\">朱德同志</span>又找到了一根扁担，写上“<span class=\"highlightText\">朱德</span>扁担，不要拿走”八个大字。大家见了，更敬爱<span class=\"highlightText\">朱德同志</span>，不好意思再藏他的扁担了。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nIn 1928, Comrade Zhu De lead a detachment of Red Army troops to Jinggang Mountain. The Red Army was on the mountain, but down the mountain not far away was the enemy. \r\n \r\nThere wasn\'t much grain on Jinggang Mountain, so [they] often had to send a few people down to the fields below to tote back some grain. Jinggang Mountain was far from the fields, the mountain was high and the roads were narrow, it was very hard going. But each time grain had to be carried back, everyone fought to be the one to go.\r\n \r\nComrade Zhu De also went along with the soldiers to carry grain. He wore grass shoes, carrying a pole packed full of grain, and climbed the mountain with everybody else. During the day [he] carried grain, and during the evening he often spent the whole night studying how to make war on the enemy. Everyone felt he had too much work to do, so they took his carrying pole and hid it. But Comrade Zhu De found another carrying pole, and wrote 8 big words on it: \"Zhu Du\'s carrying pole, please don\'t take it\". Everyone saw this, and loved and respected Comrade Zhu De even more, and were too ashamed to hide his carrying pole again. \r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Communist folk tales: 《朱德的扁担》- Zhu De\'s Carrying Pole', 'Zhu De (朱德) is an early Communist folk hero, and the founder of the People\'s Liberation Army (解放军), also called the Red Army (红军). This popular revolutionary story highlights his willingness to toil alongside the rank and file soldiers. HSK 3-4. ', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2366-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-28 00:15:48', '2020-05-28 04:15:48', '', 2366, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/28/2366-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2431, 1, '2020-05-28 00:12:10', '2020-05-28 04:12:10', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communism Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of historical and modern CCP propaganda, speeches, stories, essays and songs.</p> \r\n\r\n<strong>Quick reminder:</strong> To maintain a polite, language learning-focused environment, political comments – positive, negative, or neutral – are not allowed, and will be deleted. Dinner table rules, please.\r\n\r\nZhu De (朱德 [pinyin]zhu1 de2[/pinyin]) is an early Communist folk hero, and the founder of the People\'s Liberation Army (解放军 [pinyin]jie3 fang4 jun1[/pinyin]), also called the Red Army (红军 [pinyin]hong2 jun1[/pinyin]). He was applauded as a people\'s general, and this popular revolutionary story - in which Zhu De helps his regiment carry grain (粮食 [pinyin]liang2 shi[/pinyin]) up a mountain on a carrying pole (扁担 [pinyin]bian3 dan[/pinyin]) - shows his willingness to toil alongside the common soldiers. The story spawned many popular posters of him, like this one:\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/chinese-reading-practice-communist-language-learning-zhude-carrying-pole.jpeg\" alt=\"Beginner Chinese Reading Practice Exercises: Communist Folk Stories Revolutionary Heroes\" width=\"425\" height=\"500\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2387\" /> \r\n\r\nZhe De is a revolutionary from the early days of Chinese Communism. For those who don\'t know their CCP history: modern China was founded in 1949, but for the 20-odd years before that, the Red Army was fighting various wars for control of the country. Zhu De was instrumental in these wars, and after 1949, he became a key Party leader and politician. This story is set in the early days of the wars, in 1928. It\'s crazy to think that Zhu De, who was born in 1886 and died in 1976, lived to be 90 years old, but spent three or four decades of his life doing nothing but fighting battles. Considering how many people died in those wars, or were purged in political upheavals afterwards, this guy was a real survivor. \r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nThis is an example of a story that will look much harder on first glance than it actually is. That\'s because some of the vocab is intermediate, but the sentence structure is beginner. The intermediate vocab is also used repetitively, so once you look up the tougher words, you\'ll immediately have an opportunity to see them again in the text. The first two sentences are much rougher than the rest, because they\'re almost entirely made up of intermediate words, so push through those and it\'ll be easier going from there. If you break the sentences down patiently, and you are at HSK 3 or up, I promise you can get through this. \r\n\r\nWe have a few proper names here: \r\n朱德同志 [pinyin]zhu1 de2 tong2 zhi4[/pinyin] - Comrade Zhu De \r\n红军 [pinyin]hong2 jun1[/pinyin] - the Red Army\r\n井冈山 [pinyin]jing3 gang1 shan1[/pinyin] - Jinggang Mountain \r\n\r\nWe also have some military words: \r\n队伍 [pinyin]dui4 wu[/pinyin] - troops \r\n敌人 [pinyin]di2 ren2[/pinyin] - enemy\r\n战士们 [pinyin]zhan4 shi4 men[/pinyin] - soldier \r\n打仗 [pinyin]da3 zhang4[/pinyin] - to fight a war\r\n\r\nAnother word that comes up quite a bit is 粮食 [pinyin]liang2 shi[/pinyin] - Also just 粮 [pinyin]liang2[/pinyin]. This is a general term for \"grain\", could be wheat, rice, millet, oats, or whatever. In this story, Zhu De\'s troops go down the mountain to 挑粮 [pinyin]tiao1 liang2[/pinyin], or \"gather grain\".\r\n\r\nAnd one phrase that might be a little hard to understand:\r\n\r\n<strong>争着去</strong> [pinyin]zheng1 zhe qu4[/pinyin] - 争 means \"to fight\" or \"to struggle\", 着 is a present-tense grammar word, and 去 means \"go\" or \"leave\". At first glance, 争着去 looks like it means \"fighting in order to leave someplace\", but it\'s not. In this case, it\'s describing a group of people pushing and shoving to be the first to volunteer to go somewhere. Imagine a group of soldiers asked to undertake a hard mission - one person says, \"I\'ll go!\" and someone else says, \"No, choose me, I\'ll go!\". This is 争着去. \r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>朱德的扁担</h4>\r\n1928年，<span class=\"highlightText\">朱德同志</span>带领一支<span class=\"highlightText\">红军队伍</span>到<span class=\"highlightText\">井冈山</span>。山上是<span class=\"highlightText\">红军</span>，山下不远就是<span class=\"highlightText\">敌人</span>。\r\n \r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">井冈山</span>上粮食不多，常常要派一些人到山下的田园去挑粮。<span class=\"highlightText\">井冈山</span>离田园很远，山高路窄，非常难走。可是每次挑粮大家都<span class=\"highlightText\">争着去</span>。\r\n \r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">朱德同志</span>也跟<span class=\"highlightText\">战士们</span>一起去挑粮。他穿着草鞋，挑起满满的一担粮食，跟大家一起爬山。白天挑粮，晚上还常常整夜整夜地学习怎样跟<span class=\"highlightText\">敌人打仗</span>。大家觉得他要做的工作太多，就把他那根扁担藏了起来。可是<span class=\"highlightText\">朱德同志</span>又找到了一根扁担，写上“<span class=\"highlightText\">朱德</span>扁担，不要拿走”八个大字。大家见了，更敬爱<span class=\"highlightText\">朱德同志</span>，不好意思再藏他的扁担了。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nIn 1928, Comrade Zhu De lead a detachment of Red Army troops to Jinggang Mountain. The Red Army was on the mountain, but down the mountain not far away was the enemy. \r\n \r\nNot much grain was produced on Jinggang Mountain, so [they] often had to send a few people down to the fields below to tote back some grain. Jinggang Mountain was far from the fields, the mountain was high and the roads were narrow, it was very hard going. But each time grain had to be carried back, everyone fought to be the one to go.\r\n \r\nComrade Zhu De also went along with the soldiers to carry grain. He wore grass shoes, carrying a pole packed full of grain, and climbed the mountain with everybody else. During the day [he] carried grain, and during the evening he often spent the whole night studying how to make war on the enemy. Everyone felt he had too much work to do, so they took his carrying pole and hid it. But Comrade Zhu De found another carrying pole, and wrote 8 big words on it: \"Zhu Du\'s carrying pole, please don\'t take it\". Everyone saw this, and loved and respected Comrade Zhu De even more, and were too ashamed to hide his carrying pole again. \r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Communist folk tales: 《朱德的扁担》- Zhu De\'s Carrying Pole', 'Zhu De (朱德) is an early Communist folk hero, and the founder of the People\'s Liberation Army (解放军), also called the Red Army (红军). This popular revolutionary story highlights his willingness to toil alongside the rank and file soldiers. HSK 3-4. ', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2366-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-28 00:12:10', '2020-05-28 04:12:10', '', 2366, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/28/2366-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2433, 1, '2020-05-28 09:23:18', '2020-05-28 13:23:18', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communism Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of historical and modern CCP propaganda, speeches, stories, essays and songs.</p> \r\n\r\n<strong>Quick reminder:</strong> To maintain a polite, language learning-focused environment, political comments – positive, negative, or neutral – are not allowed, and will be deleted. Dinner table rules, please.\r\n\r\nWe\'ve really made the rounds on communist folk tales this week: we\'ve had a story about Zhu De, founder of the Red Army, one about socialist boy scout Lei Feng, and now, we\'re going to read one about the man himself, Mao Zedong. I didn\'t start out the week intending to illustrate a point, but a theme has definitely emerged. Taken as a whole, these stories underscore the friendly, paternalistic role that China\'s founding fathers were painted into at the time, described in populist stories as almost mythical, proletarian helpers of the common folk. Today\'s story drives that home.\r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\n怎么回事?\r\n代耕队长\r\n下地\r\n两竿\r\n接着\r\n丢了个眼色\r\n撞个满怀\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>《水缸的秘密》</h4>\r\n杨大娘是红军家属。大儿子参加红军以后，家里少了一个劳动力，里里外外什么事都要她自己操心。\r\n\r\n1933年7月的一个傍晚，杨大娘浇完菜园，回家准备挑水做饭。她刚拿起扁担，却发现水缸里的水满满的。大娘奇怪了：前天水缸满，昨天水缸满，今天水缸又满了。这是怎么回事？她问小儿子：“下午你挑水了吗？”\r\n\r\n11岁的儿子摇头说：“我没挑。”\r\n\r\n杨大娘越想越觉得奇怪，就跑到田头问代耕队长：“我屋里那口水缸，天天都满满的。是你派人给我家挑水了吧？”\r\n\r\n“没有啊，”代耕队长也感到奇怪， “真有这样的事？”\r\n\r\n正说着，二婶也提着菜蓝子走过来说：“是啊，我屋里的水缸也是干了又会满，不知道是谁在做好事。”\r\n\r\n代耕队长笑笑说：“毛主席主张调查研究，你们该去调查调查呀！”\r\n\r\n杨大娘和二婶觉得这话有道理，俩人商量了一阵，就各自回家了。\r\n\r\n第二天，杨大娘擦桌子、洗衣服，不到下午，满满一缸水就用完了。她故意不去挑，也不下地干活，拿起一双鞋底，坐在门口，和二婶一起纳起鞋底来。她俩四只耳朵听动静，两双眼睛观八方，边做针线活，边搞起“调查”来。\r\n\r\n太阳离西山只有两竿高的时候，杨大娘忽然听见屋里的后门响了，接着又听到水桶铁钩碰撞的声音。她俩惊喜地互相丢了个眼色，不约而同地喊了出来：“这回捉到了！”说着站起身就往屋里跑。\r\n\r\n杨大娘刚进门，差点跟一个挑着水桶的人撞个满怀。她抬头一看，见这人身材高大魁梧，穿一身红军制服，正冲着她和二婶笑。望着他那双明亮的大眼睛，她觉得很面熟，但是又记不起在什么地方见过。二婶一下就认出来了：“呀，这不是毛主席吗！”\r\n\r\n二婶拉着毛主席坐下，杨大娘赶忙端上一碗茶，说：“毛主席，你来这里不久，可处处爱护体贴老百姓，叫我们怎么感谢你呀！”\r\n\r\n毛主席喝着茶，和两位红军家属聊起家常来，问她们：生活有没有困难？房子漏雨不漏雨？小孩子在小学的功课好不好？一直谈到天擦黑，毛主席又要去挑水，非要把水缸挑满不可。杨大娘拗不过，只好答应了。 \r\n\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nAunt Yang was from a Red Army family. After her elder son went to join the Red Army, there was one less laborer at home, so she had to look after everything herself.\r\n\r\nOne night in July 1933, Aunt Yang had finished irrigating the vegetable garden, and returned home to fetch water for cooking. She had just picked up the carrying pole, when she noticed that the water jug was [already] full. Auntie thought this was strange: two days ago the water jug was full, yesterday the water jug was full, and now today the water jug was full again. How could this be? She asked her son, \"Did you fetch water this afternoon?\" \r\n\r\nHer 11-year-old son shook his head and said, \"I didn\'t fetch it.\"\r\n\r\nThe more Auntie Yang thought about it the more strange it seemed, so she ran to the field and asked the head contract laborer: \"The water jug in my rooms, they\'re full every day. Did you send someone to fetch water for our family?\" \r\n\r\n\"I didn\'t,\" the head contract laborer also thought this was strange, \"Did that really happen?\"\r\n\r\nJust as he said this, Second Brother\'s Wife walked over carrying a vegetable basket and said: \"Yes, the water jug in my room also fills up as soon as it goes dry, I don\'t know who\'s doing these good deeds.\"  \r\n\r\nThe head contract laborer smiled and said, \"Chairman Mao encourages us to investigate and research, you two should look into it!\" \r\n\r\nAuntie Yang and Second Brother\'s Wife thought what he said made sense, so they discussed it for a bit, and then each went back to their homes. \r\n\r\nThe second day, Auntie Yang wiped the table, washed the clothes, and before the afternoon had come, all the water in the full water jug had been used up. She purposefully didn\'t go fetch any more, nor did she go to the fields to work, but took up a pair of shoe soles, and sitting by the door with Second Brothers Wife, began to stitch the soles. The two of them listened with four ears for any sounds of movement, and with two pairs of eyes looked about in all directions, sewing while \"investigating\".\r\n\r\nWhen the sun [had sunk close] to the western mountains, Auntie Yang suddenly heard the back door of the house make a sound, and soon after she heard the iron hook of the water pot clang. Pleasantly excited, they winked at each other, and shouted in unison, \"We\'ve got him this time!\" As they spoke they stood up and ran into the house. \r\n\r\nAs soon as Auntie Yang entered the house, she almost ran smack into the person who was fetching water. She lifted her head up to look, and saw this person was tall and stalwart, wearing the uniform of the Red Army, and was smiling at her and Second Brother\'s Wife. Looking at that pair of big, bright eyes, she thought he seemed a little familiar, but she couldn\'t remember where she\'d seen him before. [But] Second Brother\'s Wife recognized him: \"Ah! If it isn\'t Chairman Mao!\" \r\n\r\nSecond Brother\'s Wife pulled Chairman Mao into a seat, and Auntie Yang quickly brought some tea and said, \"Chairman Mao, you haven\'t been [in town] long, but everywhere you go you are caring and considerate towards the common people, tell us how can we ever thank you!\"  \r\n\r\nChairman Mao drank his tea, and chatted with the two [ladies] from Red Army families about their daily lives, asking them: \"Are there any difficulties in your lives? Is your [roof] leaking water? How\'s your children\'s primary schoolwork?\" They talked until darkness swept over the sky, and then Chairman Mao once again made to go fetch water, insisting on filling the water jugs again. Auntie Yang couldn\'t talk him out of it, and she had to agree.\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Communist folk tales: 《水缸的秘密》- The secret of the water jug', 'Zhu De (朱德) is an early Communist folk hero, and the founder of the People\'s Liberation Army (解放军), also called the Red Army (红军). This popular revolutionary story highlights his willingness to toil alongside the rank and file soldiers. HSK 3-4. ', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2416-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-28 09:23:18', '2020-05-28 13:23:18', '', 2416, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/28/2416-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
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(2434, 1, '2020-05-28 09:40:52', '2020-05-28 13:40:52', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communism Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of historical and modern CCP propaganda, speeches, stories, essays and songs.</p> \r\n\r\n<strong>Quick reminder:</strong> To maintain a polite, language learning-focused environment, political comments – positive, negative, or neutral – are not allowed, and will be deleted. Dinner table rules, please.\r\n\r\nWe\'ve really made the rounds on communist folk tales this week: we\'ve had a story about Zhu De, founder of the Red Army, one about socialist boy scout Lei Feng, and now, we\'re going to read one about the man himself, Chairman Mao (毛主席). I didn\'t start out the week intending to illustrate a point, but a theme has definitely emerged. Taken as a whole, these stories underscore the friendly, paternalistic role that China\'s founding fathers were painted into at the time, described in populist stories as almost mythical, proletarian helpers of the common folk. Today\'s tale is no exception. \r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nQuite a few colloquial turns of phrase here, so let\'s walk through them: \r\n\r\n怎么回事? - Means \"How can that be?\" or \"What\'s going on here?\"\r\n\r\n代耕队长 - 代耕 is not in the dictionary, but basically, when a farming family doesn\'t have enough human labor to cultivate their fields, or when a farmer has to go away during harvest season, they will contract with a 代耕, a laborer who farms in their stead. 队, as you probably know means \"team\" and 长 means \"captain\" or \"leader\" or \"chief\". So, 代耕队长 is the head of the team contracted to help this family farm their land. \r\n\r\n下地 - To go down to the fields (usually to farm). \r\n\r\n两竿 - 竿 literally means \"pole\", like a rod or staff. But it\'s also used to describe how far the sun has risen or set. It\'s not a standard measurement, it\'s more of a generalized measure, so \"两竿 from the mountains\" means that the sun isn\'t very far above the mountains (either rising or setting).\r\n\r\n接着 - \r\n\r\n丢了个眼色 - To shoot someone a knowing look, or to give them a wink. \r\n\r\n撞个满怀 - 撞 means to \"run into\" or \"bump up against\", 满 means \"full\" or \"fully\", and 怀, in this case, means \"(a person\'s) chest\". Altogether, this means to \"bump someone full in the chest\", or in better English, to \"run smack into someone\". \r\n\r\n非...不可 - . This sentence structure underpins a popular Chinese meme about Facebook. The English word \"Facebook\" sounds a lot like the Chinese phrase 非死不可 - \"to insist on dropping dead\" or \"to be forced to drop dead\". So, Facebook is sometimes jokingly referred to this way within China. \r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>《水缸的秘密》</h4>\r\n杨大娘是红军家属。大儿子参加红军以后，家里少了一个劳动力，里里外外什么事都要她自己操心。\r\n\r\n1933年7月的一个傍晚，杨大娘浇完菜园，回家准备挑水做饭。她刚拿起扁担，却发现水缸里的水满满的。大娘奇怪了：前天水缸满，昨天水缸满，今天水缸又满了。这是怎么回事？她问小儿子：“下午你挑水了吗？”\r\n\r\n11岁的儿子摇头说：“我没挑。”\r\n\r\n杨大娘越想越觉得奇怪，就跑到田头问代耕队长：“我屋里那口水缸，天天都满满的。是你派人给我家挑水了吧？”\r\n\r\n“没有啊，”代耕队长也感到奇怪， “真有这样的事？”\r\n\r\n正说着，二婶也提着菜蓝子走过来说：“是啊，我屋里的水缸也是干了又会满，不知道是谁在做好事。”\r\n\r\n代耕队长笑笑说：“毛主席主张调查研究，你们该去调查调查呀！”\r\n\r\n杨大娘和二婶觉得这话有道理，俩人商量了一阵，就各自回家了。\r\n\r\n第二天，杨大娘擦桌子、洗衣服，不到下午，满满一缸水就用完了。她故意不去挑，也不下地干活，拿起一双鞋底，坐在门口，和二婶一起纳起鞋底来。她俩四只耳朵听动静，两双眼睛观八方，边做针线活，边搞起“调查”来。\r\n\r\n太阳离西山只有两竿高的时候，杨大娘忽然听见屋里的后门响了，接着又听到水桶铁钩碰撞的声音。她俩惊喜地互相丢了个眼色，不约而同地喊了出来：“这回捉到了！”说着站起身就往屋里跑。\r\n\r\n杨大娘刚进门，差点跟一个挑着水桶的人撞个满怀。她抬头一看，见这人身材高大魁梧，穿一身红军制服，正冲着她和二婶笑。望着他那双明亮的大眼睛，她觉得很面熟，但是又记不起在什么地方见过。二婶一下就认出来了：“呀，这不是毛主席吗！”\r\n\r\n二婶拉着毛主席坐下，杨大娘赶忙端上一碗茶，说：“毛主席，你来这里不久，可处处爱护体贴老百姓，叫我们怎么感谢你呀！”\r\n\r\n毛主席喝着茶，和两位红军家属聊起家常来，问她们：生活有没有困难？房子漏雨不漏雨？小孩子在小学的功课好不好？一直谈到天擦黑，毛主席又要去挑水，非要把水缸挑满不可。杨大娘拗不过，只好答应了。 \r\n\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nAunt Yang was from a Red Army family. After her elder son went to join the Red Army, there was one less laborer at home, so she had to look after everything herself.\r\n\r\nOne night in July 1933, Aunt Yang had finished irrigating the vegetable garden, and returned home to fetch water for cooking. She had just picked up the carrying pole, when she noticed that the water jug was [already] full. Auntie thought this was strange: two days ago the water jug was full, yesterday the water jug was full, and now today the water jug was full again. How could this be? She asked her son, \"Did you fetch water this afternoon?\" \r\n\r\nHer 11-year-old son shook his head and said, \"I didn\'t fetch it.\"\r\n\r\nThe more Auntie Yang thought about it the more strange it seemed, so she ran to the field and asked the head contract laborer: \"The water jug in my rooms, they\'re full every day. Did you send someone to fetch water for our family?\" \r\n\r\n\"I didn\'t,\" the head contract laborer also thought this was strange, \"Did that really happen?\"\r\n\r\nJust as he said this, Second Brother\'s Wife walked over carrying a vegetable basket and said: \"Yes, the water jug in my room also fills up as soon as it goes dry, I don\'t know who\'s doing these good deeds.\"  \r\n\r\nThe head contract laborer smiled and said, \"Chairman Mao encourages us to investigate and research, you two should look into it!\" \r\n\r\nAuntie Yang and Second Brother\'s Wife thought what he said made sense, so they discussed it for a bit, and then each went back to their home. \r\n\r\nThe second day, Auntie Yang wiped the table, washed the clothes, and before the afternoon had come, all the water in the full water jug had been used up. She purposefully didn\'t go fetch any more, nor did she go to the fields to work, but took up a pair of shoe soles, and sitting by the door with Second Brothers Wife, began to stitch the soles. The two of them listened with all four ears for any sounds of movement, and with two pairs of eyes looked about in all directions, sewing while \"investigating\".\r\n\r\nWhen the sun [had sunk close] to the western mountains, Auntie Yang suddenly heard the back door of the house make a sound, and soon after she heard the iron hook of the water pot clang. Pleasantly excited, they shot each other a knowing look, and shouted in unison, \"We\'ve got him this time!\" As they spoke they stood up and ran into the house. \r\n\r\nAs soon as Auntie Yang entered the house, she almost ran smack into the person who was fetching water. She lifted her head up to look, and saw this person was tall and stalwart, wearing the uniform of the Red Army, and was smiling at her and Second Brother\'s Wife. Looking at that pair of big, bright eyes, she thought he seemed a little familiar, but she couldn\'t remember where she\'d seen him before. [But] Second Brother\'s Wife recognized him: \"Ah! If it isn\'t Chairman Mao!\" \r\n\r\nSecond Brother\'s Wife pulled Chairman Mao into a seat, and Auntie Yang quickly brought some tea and said, \"Chairman Mao, you haven\'t been [in town] long, but everywhere you go, you are caring and considerate towards the common people, tell us how can we ever thank you!\"  \r\n\r\nChairman Mao drank his tea, and chatted with the two [ladies] from Red Army families about their daily lives, asking them: \"Are there any difficulties in your lives? Is your [roof] leaking water? How\'s your children\'s primary schoolwork?\" They talked until darkness swept over the sky, and then Chairman Mao once again made to go fetch water, insisting on filling the water jugs again. Auntie Yang couldn\'t talk him out of it, and she had to agree.\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Communist folk tales: 《水缸的秘密》- The secret of the water jug', 'Last but not least, a classic revolution-era story about the man himself, Chairman Mao. HSK 4-5.', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2416-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-28 09:40:52', '2020-05-28 13:40:52', '', 2416, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/28/2416-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2436, 1, '2020-05-28 09:43:55', '2020-05-28 13:43:55', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communism Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of historical and modern CCP propaganda, speeches, stories, essays and songs.</p> \r\n\r\n<strong>Quick reminder:</strong> To maintain a polite, language learning-focused environment, political comments – positive, negative, or neutral – are not allowed, and will be deleted. Dinner table rules, please.\r\n\r\nZhu De (朱德 [pinyin]zhu1 de2[/pinyin]) is an early Communist folk hero, and the founder of the People\'s Liberation Army (解放军 [pinyin]jie3 fang4 jun1[/pinyin]), also called the Red Army (红军 [pinyin]hong2 jun1[/pinyin]). He was applauded as a people\'s general, and this popular revolutionary story - in which Zhu De helps his regiment carry grain (粮食 [pinyin]liang2 shi[/pinyin]) up a mountain on a carrying pole (扁担 [pinyin]bian3 dan[/pinyin]) - shows his willingness to toil alongside the common soldiers. The story spawned many popular posters of him, like this one:\r\n\r\n<img src=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/chinese-reading-practice-communist-language-learning-zhude-carrying-pole.jpeg\" alt=\"Beginner Chinese Reading Practice Exercises: Communist Folk Stories Revolutionary Heroes\" width=\"425\" height=\"500\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2387\" /> \r\n\r\nZhu De is a revolutionary from the early days of Chinese Communism. For those who don\'t know their CCP history: modern China was founded in 1949, but for the 20-odd years before that, the Red Army was fighting various wars for control of the country. Zhu De was instrumental in these wars, and after 1949, he became a key Party leader and politician. This story is set in the early days of the wars, in 1928. It\'s crazy to think that Zhu De, who was born in 1886 and died in 1976, lived to be 90 years old, but spent three or four decades of his life doing nothing but fighting battles. Considering how many people died in those wars, or were purged in political upheavals afterwards, this guy was a real survivor. \r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nThis is an example of a story that will look much harder on first glance than it actually is. That\'s because some of the vocab is intermediate, but the sentence structure is beginner. The intermediate vocab is also used repetitively, so once you look up the tougher words, you\'ll immediately have an opportunity to see them again in the text. The first two sentences are much rougher than the rest, because they\'re almost entirely made up of intermediate words, so push through those and it\'ll be easier going from there. If you break the sentences down patiently, and you are at HSK 3 or up, I promise you can get through this. \r\n\r\nWe have a few proper names here: \r\n朱德同志 [pinyin]zhu1 de2 tong2 zhi4[/pinyin] - Comrade Zhu De \r\n红军 [pinyin]hong2 jun1[/pinyin] - the Red Army\r\n井冈山 [pinyin]jing3 gang1 shan1[/pinyin] - Jinggang Mountain \r\n\r\nWe also have some military words: \r\n队伍 [pinyin]dui4 wu[/pinyin] - troops \r\n敌人 [pinyin]di2 ren2[/pinyin] - enemy\r\n战士们 [pinyin]zhan4 shi4 men[/pinyin] - soldier \r\n打仗 [pinyin]da3 zhang4[/pinyin] - to fight a war\r\n\r\nAnother word that comes up quite a bit is 粮食 [pinyin]liang2 shi[/pinyin] - Also just 粮 [pinyin]liang2[/pinyin]. This is a general term for \"grain\", could be wheat, rice, millet, oats, or whatever.\r\n\r\nAnd one phrase that might be a little hard to understand:\r\n\r\n<strong>争着去</strong> [pinyin]zheng1 zhe qu4[/pinyin] - 争 means \"to fight\" or \"to struggle\", 着 is a present-tense grammar word, and 去 means \"go\" or \"leave\". At first glance, 争着去 looks like it means \"fighting in order to leave someplace\", but it\'s not. In this case, it\'s describing a group of people pushing and shoving to be the first to volunteer to go somewhere. Imagine a group of soldiers asked to undertake a hard mission - one person says, \"I\'ll go!\" and someone else says, \"No, choose me, I\'ll go!\". This is 争着去. \r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>朱德的扁担</h4>\r\n1928年，<span class=\"highlightText\">朱德同志</span>带领一支<span class=\"highlightText\">红军队伍</span>到<span class=\"highlightText\">井冈山</span>。山上是<span class=\"highlightText\">红军</span>，山下不远就是<span class=\"highlightText\">敌人</span>。\r\n \r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">井冈山</span>上粮食不多，常常要派一些人到山下的田园去挑粮。<span class=\"highlightText\">井冈山</span>离田园很远，山高路窄，非常难走。可是每次挑粮大家都<span class=\"highlightText\">争着去</span>。\r\n \r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">朱德同志</span>也跟<span class=\"highlightText\">战士们</span>一起去挑粮。他穿着草鞋，挑起满满的一担粮食，跟大家一起爬山。白天挑粮，晚上还常常整夜整夜地学习怎样跟<span class=\"highlightText\">敌人打仗</span>。大家觉得他要做的工作太多，就把他那根扁担藏了起来。可是<span class=\"highlightText\">朱德同志</span>又找到了一根扁担，写上“<span class=\"highlightText\">朱德</span>扁担，不要拿走”八个大字。大家见了，更敬爱<span class=\"highlightText\">朱德同志</span>，不好意思再藏他的扁担了。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nIn 1928, Comrade Zhu De lead a detachment of Red Army troops to Jinggang Mountain. The Red Army was on the mountain, but down the mountain not far away was the enemy. \r\n \r\nThere wasn\'t much grain on Jinggang Mountain, so [they] often had to send a few people down to the fields below to tote back some grain. Jinggang Mountain was far from the fields, the mountain was high and the roads were narrow, it was very hard going. But each time grain had to be carried back, everyone fought to be the one to go.\r\n \r\nComrade Zhu De also went along with the soldiers to carry grain. He wore grass shoes, carrying a pole packed full of grain, and climbed the mountain with everybody else. During the day [he] carried grain, and during the evening he often spent the whole night studying how to make war on the enemy. Everyone felt he had too much work to do, so they took his carrying pole and hid it. But Comrade Zhu De found another carrying pole, and wrote 8 big words on it: \"Zhu Du\'s carrying pole, please don\'t take it\". Everyone saw this, and loved and respected Comrade Zhu De even more, and were too ashamed to hide his carrying pole again. \r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Communist folk tales: 《朱德的扁担》- Zhu De\'s Carrying Pole', 'Zhu De (朱德) is an early Communist folk hero, and the founder of the People\'s Liberation Army (解放军), also called the Red Army (红军). This popular revolutionary story highlights his willingness to toil alongside the rank and file soldiers. HSK 3-4. ', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2366-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-28 09:43:55', '2020-05-28 13:43:55', '', 2366, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/28/2366-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2437, 1, '2020-05-28 10:26:21', '2020-05-28 14:26:21', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communism Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of historical and modern CCP propaganda, speeches, stories, essays and songs.</p> \r\n\r\n<strong>Quick reminder:</strong> To maintain a polite, language learning-focused environment, political comments – positive, negative, or neutral – are not allowed, and will be deleted. Dinner table rules, please.\r\n\r\nWe\'ve really made the rounds on Communist folk tales this week: we\'ve had a story about Zhu De, founder of the Red Army, one about socialist boy scout Lei Feng, and now, we\'re going to read one about the man himself, Chairman Mao (毛主席). I didn\'t start out the week intending to illustrate a point, but a theme has definitely emerged. Taken as a whole, these stories underscore the friendly, paternalistic role that China\'s founding fathers were painted into at the time, described in populist stories as almost mythical, proletarian helpers of the common folk. Today\'s tale is no exception. \r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nQuite a few colloquial turns of phrase here, so let\'s walk through them: \r\n\r\n怎么回事? - Means \"How can that be?\" or \"What\'s going on here?\"\r\n\r\n代耕队长 - 代耕 is not in the dictionary, but basically, when a farming family doesn\'t have enough human labor to cultivate their fields, or when a farmer has to go away during harvest season, they will contract with a 代耕, a laborer who farms in their stead. 队, as you probably know means \"team\" and 长 means \"captain\" or \"leader\" or \"chief\". So, 代耕队长 is the head of the team contracted to help this family farm their land. \r\n\r\n下地 - To go down to the fields (usually to farm). \r\n\r\n两竿 - 竿 literally means \"pole\", like a rod or staff. But it\'s also used to describe how far the sun has risen or set. It\'s not a standard measurement, it\'s more of a generalized measure, so \"两竿 from the mountains\" means that the sun isn\'t very far above the mountains (either rising or setting).\r\n\r\n接着 - \r\n\r\n丢了个眼色 - To shoot someone a knowing look, or to give them a wink. \r\n\r\n撞个满怀 - 撞 means to \"run into\" or \"bump up against\", 满 means \"full\" or \"fully\", and 怀, in this case, means \"(a person\'s) chest\". Altogether, this means to \"bump someone full in the chest\", or in better English, to \"run smack into someone\". \r\n\r\n非...不可 - . This sentence structure underpins a popular Chinese meme about Facebook. The English word \"Facebook\" sounds a lot like the Chinese phrase 非死不可 - \"to insist on dropping dead\" or \"to be forced to drop dead\". So, Facebook is sometimes jokingly referred to this way within China. \r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>《水缸的秘密》</h4>\r\n杨大娘是红军家属。大儿子参加红军以后，家里少了一个劳动力，里里外外什么事都要她自己操心。\r\n\r\n1933年7月的一个傍晚，杨大娘浇完菜园，回家准备挑水做饭。她刚拿起扁担，却发现水缸里的水满满的。大娘奇怪了：前天水缸满，昨天水缸满，今天水缸又满了。这是怎么回事？她问小儿子：“下午你挑水了吗？”\r\n\r\n11岁的儿子摇头说：“我没挑。”\r\n\r\n杨大娘越想越觉得奇怪，就跑到田头问代耕队长：“我屋里那口水缸，天天都满满的。是你派人给我家挑水了吧？”\r\n\r\n“没有啊，”代耕队长也感到奇怪， “真有这样的事？”\r\n\r\n正说着，二婶也提着菜蓝子走过来说：“是啊，我屋里的水缸也是干了又会满，不知道是谁在做好事。”\r\n\r\n代耕队长笑笑说：“毛主席主张调查研究，你们该去调查调查呀！”\r\n\r\n杨大娘和二婶觉得这话有道理，俩人商量了一阵，就各自回家了。\r\n\r\n第二天，杨大娘擦桌子、洗衣服，不到下午，满满一缸水就用完了。她故意不去挑，也不下地干活，拿起一双鞋底，坐在门口，和二婶一起纳起鞋底来。她俩四只耳朵听动静，两双眼睛观八方，边做针线活，边搞起“调查”来。\r\n\r\n太阳离西山只有两竿高的时候，杨大娘忽然听见屋里的后门响了，接着又听到水桶铁钩碰撞的声音。她俩惊喜地互相丢了个眼色，不约而同地喊了出来：“这回捉到了！”说着站起身就往屋里跑。\r\n\r\n杨大娘刚进门，差点跟一个挑着水桶的人撞个满怀。她抬头一看，见这人身材高大魁梧，穿一身红军制服，正冲着她和二婶笑。望着他那双明亮的大眼睛，她觉得很面熟，但是又记不起在什么地方见过。二婶一下就认出来了：“呀，这不是毛主席吗！”\r\n\r\n二婶拉着毛主席坐下，杨大娘赶忙端上一碗茶，说：“毛主席，你来这里不久，可处处爱护体贴老百姓，叫我们怎么感谢你呀！”\r\n\r\n毛主席喝着茶，和两位红军家属聊起家常来，问她们：生活有没有困难？房子漏雨不漏雨？小孩子在小学的功课好不好？一直谈到天擦黑，毛主席又要去挑水，非要把水缸挑满不可。杨大娘拗不过，只好答应了。 \r\n\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nAunt Yang was from a Red Army family. After her elder son went to join the Red Army, there was one less laborer at home, so she had to look after everything herself.\r\n\r\nOne night in July 1933, Aunt Yang had finished irrigating the vegetable garden, and returned home to fetch water for cooking. She had just picked up the carrying pole, when she noticed that the water jug was [already] full. Auntie thought this was strange: two days ago the water jug was full, yesterday the water jug was full, and now today the water jug was full again. How could this be? She asked her son, \"Did you fetch water this afternoon?\" \r\n\r\nHer 11-year-old son shook his head and said, \"I didn\'t fetch it.\"\r\n\r\nThe more Auntie Yang thought about it the more strange it seemed, so she ran to the field and asked the head contract laborer: \"The water jug in my rooms, they\'re full every day. Did you send someone to fetch water for our family?\" \r\n\r\n\"I didn\'t,\" the head contract laborer also thought this was strange, \"Did that really happen?\"\r\n\r\nJust as he said this, Second Brother\'s Wife walked over carrying a vegetable basket and said: \"Yes, the water jug in my room also fills up as soon as it goes dry, I don\'t know who\'s doing these good deeds.\"  \r\n\r\nThe head contract laborer smiled and said, \"Chairman Mao encourages us to investigate and research, you two should look into it!\" \r\n\r\nAuntie Yang and Second Brother\'s Wife thought what he said made sense, so they discussed it for a bit, and then each went back to their home. \r\n\r\nThe second day, Auntie Yang wiped the table, washed the clothes, and before the afternoon had come, all the water in the full water jug had been used up. She purposefully didn\'t go fetch any more, nor did she go to the fields to work, but took up a pair of shoe soles, and sitting by the door with Second Brothers Wife, began to stitch the soles. The two of them listened with all four ears for any sounds of movement, and with two pairs of eyes looked about in all directions, sewing while \"investigating\".\r\n\r\nWhen the sun [had sunk close] to the western mountains, Auntie Yang suddenly heard the back door of the house make a sound, and soon after she heard the iron hook of the water pot clang. Pleasantly excited, they shot each other a knowing look, and shouted in unison, \"We\'ve got him this time!\" As they spoke they stood up and ran into the house. \r\n\r\nAs soon as Auntie Yang entered the house, she almost ran smack into the person who was fetching water. She lifted her head up to look, and saw this person was tall and stalwart, wearing the uniform of the Red Army, and was smiling at her and Second Brother\'s Wife. Looking at that pair of big, bright eyes, she thought he seemed a little familiar, but she couldn\'t remember where she\'d seen him before. [But] Second Brother\'s Wife recognized him: \"Ah! If it isn\'t Chairman Mao!\" \r\n\r\nSecond Brother\'s Wife pulled Chairman Mao into a seat, and Auntie Yang quickly brought some tea and said, \"Chairman Mao, you haven\'t been [in town] long, but everywhere you go, you are caring and considerate towards the common people, tell us how can we ever thank you!\"  \r\n\r\nChairman Mao drank his tea, and chatted with the two [ladies] from Red Army families about their daily lives, asking them: \"Are there any difficulties in your lives? Is your [roof] leaking water? How\'s your children\'s primary schoolwork?\" They talked until darkness swept over the sky, and then Chairman Mao once again made to go fetch water, insisting on filling the water jugs again. Auntie Yang couldn\'t talk him out of it, and she had to agree.\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Communist folk tales: 《水缸的秘密》- The secret of the water jug', 'Last but not least, a classic revolution-era story about the man himself, Chairman Mao. HSK 4-5.', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2416-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-28 10:26:21', '2020-05-28 14:26:21', '', 2416, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/28/2416-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2438, 1, '2020-05-28 22:55:29', '2020-05-29 02:55:29', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communism Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of historical and modern CCP propaganda, speeches, stories, essays and songs.</p> \r\n\r\n<strong>Quick reminder:</strong> To maintain a polite, language learning-focused environment, political comments – positive, negative, or neutral – are not allowed, and will be deleted. Dinner table rules, please.\r\n\r\nWe\'ve really made the rounds on Communist folk tales this week: we\'ve had a story about Zhu De, founder of the Red Army, one about socialist boy scout Lei Feng, and now, we\'re going to read one about the man himself, Chairman Mao (毛主席). I didn\'t start out the week intending to illustrate a point, but a theme has definitely emerged. Taken as a whole, these stories underscore the friendly, paternalistic role that China\'s founding fathers were painted into at the time, described in populist stories as approachable, proletarian helpers of the common folk. Today\'s tale is no exception. \r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nQuite a few colloquial turns of phrase here, so let\'s walk through them: \r\n\r\n<strong>怎么回事?</strong> [pinyin]zen3 me hui2 shi4[/pinyin] - Means \"How can that be?\" or \"What\'s going on here?\"\r\n\r\n<strong>代耕队长</strong> [pinyin]dai4 geng1 dui4 zhang3[/pinyin] - When a farming family doesn\'t have enough human labor to cultivate their fields, especially when a farmer has to go away to fight a war during harvest season, a 代耕 is a laborer that farms in their stead. 队, as you probably know means \"team\" and 长 means \"captain\" or \"leader\" or \"chief\". So, 代耕队长 is the head of the team helping this family farm their land in the absence of the male head of household (in this case, the eldest son). \r\n\r\n<strong>下地</strong> [pinyin]xia4 di4[/pinyin] - To go down to the fields (usually to farm). \r\n\r\n<strong>两竿</strong> [pinyin]liang2 gan1[/pinyin] - 竿 literally means \"pole\", like a rod or staff. But it\'s also used to describe how far the sun has risen or set. It\'s not a standard measurement, it\'s more of a generalized measure, so \"两竿 from the mountains\" means that the sun isn\'t very far above the mountains (either rising or setting).\r\n\r\n<strong>接着</strong> [pinyin]jie1 zhe[/pinyin] - Means \"after that...\", or \"And then...\"\r\n\r\n<strong>丢了个眼色</strong> [pinyin]diu1 le ge yan3 se4[/pinyin] - To shoot someone a knowing look, or to give them a wink. \r\n\r\n<strong>撞个满怀</strong> [pinyin]zhuang4 ge man3 huai2[/pinyin] - 撞 means to \"run into\" or \"bump up against\", 满 means \"full\" or \"fully\", and 怀, in this case, means \"(a person\'s) chest\". Altogether, this means to \"bump someone full in the chest\", or in better English, to \"run smack into someone\". \r\n\r\n<strong>非...不可</strong> [pinyin]fei1 ... bu4 ke3[/pinyin] - This means \"must\", \"have no choice but to\", or \"to insist on doing\". Whatever action goes where the ... are is the action that must be done, like \"弟弟<strong>非</strong>要妈妈抱<strong>不可</strong>\" - \"little brother insists on having mother hold him\". This sentence structure underpins a popular Chinese meme about Facebook. The English word \"Facebook\" sounds a lot like the Chinese phrase 非死不可: \"insist on dropping dead\". So, Facebook is sometimes jokingly referred to this way within China. \r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>《水缸的秘密》</h4>\r\n杨大娘是红军家属。大儿子参加红军以后，家里少了一个劳动力，里里外外什么事都要她自己操心。\r\n\r\n1933年7月的一个傍晚，杨大娘浇完菜园，回家准备挑水做饭。她刚拿起扁担，却发现水缸里的水满满的。大娘奇怪了：前天水缸满，昨天水缸满，今天水缸又满了。这是怎么回事？她问小儿子：“下午你挑水了吗？”\r\n\r\n11岁的儿子摇头说：“我没挑。”\r\n\r\n杨大娘越想越觉得奇怪，就跑到田头问代耕队长：“我屋里那口水缸，天天都满满的。是你派人给我家挑水了吧？”\r\n\r\n“没有啊，”代耕队长也感到奇怪， “真有这样的事？”\r\n\r\n正说着，二婶也提着菜蓝子走过来说：“是啊，我屋里的水缸也是干了又会满，不知道是谁在做好事。”\r\n\r\n代耕队长笑笑说：“毛主席主张调查研究，你们该去调查调查呀！”\r\n\r\n杨大娘和二婶觉得这话有道理，俩人商量了一阵，就各自回家了。\r\n\r\n第二天，杨大娘擦桌子、洗衣服，不到下午，满满一缸水就用完了。她故意不去挑，也不下地干活，拿起一双鞋底，坐在门口，和二婶一起纳起鞋底来。她俩四只耳朵听动静，两双眼睛观八方，边做针线活，边搞起“调查”来。\r\n\r\n太阳离西山只有两竿高的时候，杨大娘忽然听见屋里的后门响了，接着又听到水桶铁钩碰撞的声音。她俩惊喜地互相丢了个眼色，不约而同地喊了出来：“这回捉到了！”说着站起身就往屋里跑。\r\n\r\n杨大娘刚进门，差点跟一个挑着水桶的人撞个满怀。她抬头一看，见这人身材高大魁梧，穿一身红军制服，正冲着她和二婶笑。望着他那双明亮的大眼睛，她觉得很面熟，但是又记不起在什么地方见过。二婶一下就认出来了：“呀，这不是毛主席吗！”\r\n\r\n二婶拉着毛主席坐下，杨大娘赶忙端上一碗茶，说：“毛主席，你来这里不久，可处处爱护体贴老百姓，叫我们怎么感谢你呀！”\r\n\r\n毛主席喝着茶，和两位红军家属聊起家常来，问她们：生活有没有困难？房子漏雨不漏雨？小孩子在小学的功课好不好？一直谈到天擦黑，毛主席又要去挑水，非要把水缸挑满不可。杨大娘拗不过，只好答应了。 \r\n\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nAunt Yang was from a Red Army family. After her elder son went to join the Red Army, there was one less laborer at home, so she had to look after everything herself.\r\n\r\nOne night in July 1933, Aunt Yang had finished irrigating the vegetable garden, and returned home to fetch water for cooking. She had just picked up the carrying pole, when she noticed that the water jug was [already] full. Auntie thought this was strange: two days ago the water jug was full, yesterday the water jug was full, and now today the water jug was full again. How could this be? She asked her son, \"Did you fetch water this afternoon?\" \r\n\r\nHer 11-year-old son shook his head and said, \"I didn\'t fetch it.\"\r\n\r\nThe more Auntie Yang thought about it the more strange it seemed, so she ran to the field and asked the head contract laborer: \"The water jug in my rooms, they\'re full every day. Did you send someone to fetch water for our family?\" \r\n\r\n\"I didn\'t,\" the head contract laborer also thought this was strange, \"Did that really happen?\"\r\n\r\nJust as he said this, Second Brother\'s Wife walked over carrying a vegetable basket and said: \"Yes, the water jug in my room also fills up as soon as it goes dry, I don\'t know who\'s doing these good deeds.\"  \r\n\r\nThe head contract laborer smiled and said, \"Chairman Mao encourages us to investigate and research, you two should look into it!\" \r\n\r\nAuntie Yang and Second Brother\'s Wife thought what he said made sense, so they discussed it for a bit, and then each went back to their home. \r\n\r\nThe second day, Auntie Yang wiped the table, washed the clothes, and before the afternoon had come, all the water in the full water jug had been used up. She purposefully didn\'t go fetch any more, nor did she go to the fields to work, but took up a pair of shoe soles, and sitting by the door with Second Brothers Wife, began to stitch the soles. The two of them listened with all four ears for any sounds of movement, and with two pairs of eyes looked about in all directions, sewing while \"investigating\".\r\n\r\nWhen the sun [had sunk close] to the western mountains, Auntie Yang suddenly heard the back door of the house make a sound, and soon after she heard the iron hook of the water pot clang. Pleasantly excited, they shot each other a knowing look, and shouted in unison, \"We\'ve got him this time!\" As they spoke they stood up and ran into the house. \r\n\r\nAs soon as Auntie Yang entered the house, she almost ran smack into the person who was fetching water. She lifted her head up to look, and saw this person was tall and stalwart, wearing the uniform of the Red Army, and was smiling at her and Second Brother\'s Wife. Looking at that pair of big, bright eyes, she thought he seemed a little familiar, but she couldn\'t remember where she\'d seen him before. [But] Second Brother\'s Wife recognized him: \"Ah! If it isn\'t Chairman Mao!\" \r\n\r\nSecond Brother\'s Wife pulled Chairman Mao into a seat, and Auntie Yang quickly brought some tea and said, \"Chairman Mao, you haven\'t been [in town] long, but everywhere you go, you are caring and considerate towards the common people, tell us how can we ever thank you!\"  \r\n\r\nChairman Mao drank his tea, and chatted with the two [ladies] from Red Army families about their daily lives, asking them: \"Are there any difficulties in your lives? Is your [roof] leaking water? How\'s your children\'s primary schoolwork?\" They talked until darkness swept over the sky, and then Chairman Mao once again made to go fetch water, insisting on filling the water jugs again. Auntie Yang couldn\'t talk him out of it, and she had to agree.\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Communist folk tales: 《水缸的秘密》- The secret of the water jug', 'Our last Communist-themed post for the week: a classic revolutionary-era story about the man himself, Chairman Mao. HSK 4-5.', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2416-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-28 22:55:29', '2020-05-29 02:55:29', '', 2416, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/28/2416-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2439, 1, '2020-05-28 23:30:46', '2020-05-29 03:30:46', '[su_row]\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communism Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of historical and modern CCP propaganda, speeches, stories, essays and songs.</p> \n\n<strong>Quick reminder:</strong> To maintain a polite, language learning-focused environment, political comments – positive, negative, or neutral – are not allowed, and will be deleted. Dinner table rules, please.\n\nWe\'ve really made the rounds on Communist folk tales this week: we\'ve had <a href=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/28/communist-folk-tales-zhu-des-carrying-pole/\">a story about Zhu De</a>, founder of the Red Army, <a href=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/25/communist-folk-tales-the-good-deeds-of-lei-feng/\">one about socialist boy scout Lei Feng</a>, and now, we\'re going to read one about the man himself, Chairman Mao (毛主席). I didn\'t start out the week intending to illustrate a point, but a theme has definitely emerged. Taken as a whole, these stories underscore the friendly, paternalistic role that China\'s founding fathers were painted into at the time, described in populist stories as approachable, proletarian helpers of the common folk. Today\'s tale really drives that one home.\n\nWe also get a taste of the exaggeration that often surrounds autocratic leaders. The last bit of the story describes Mao as \"tall and stalwart\". Mao Zedong was around 5\'8\" (1.72-1.75m), not a short man, but not an exceptionally tall one either. \n\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\nThe way characters are named in this story is quite Chinese: they\'re mostly referred to by their title or place in society. First, the characters: we\'ve got Auntie Yang (杨大娘). 大娘 means \"wife of father\'s elder brother\", but it can also just be used as a polite way to refer to an older woman, and it\'s unclear which definition is being used here. We\'v deal with 二婶: 婶 means \"wife of father\'s younger brother\", but can also just be a polite form of address. The thing is, in Chinese societies, especially rural communities, the difference doesn\'t really demand clarification. \n\nWe\'ve also got <strong>代耕队长</strong> [pinyin]dai4 geng1 dui4 zhang3[/pinyin]. When a farming family doesn\'t have enough human labor to cultivate their fields, especially when a farmer has to go away to fight a war during harvest season, a 代耕 is a laborer that farms in their stead. 队, as you probably know means \"team\" and 长 means \"captain\" or \"leader\" or \"chief\". So, 代耕队长 is the head of the team helping this family farm their land in the absence of the male head of household (in this case, the eldest son). \n\nAnd of course, there\'s Chairman Mao (毛泽东).\n\nSome other points:\n\n<strong>怎么回事?</strong> [pinyin]zen3 me hui2 shi4[/pinyin] - Means \"How can that be?\" or \"What\'s going on here?\"\n\n<strong>下地</strong> [pinyin]xia4 di4[/pinyin] - To go down to the fields (usually to farm). \n\n<strong>两竿</strong> [pinyin]liang2 gan1[/pinyin] - 竿 literally means \"pole\", like a rod or staff. But it\'s also used to describe how far the sun has risen or set. It\'s not a standard measurement, it\'s more of a generalized measure, so \"两竿 from the mountains\" means that the sun isn\'t very far above the mountains (either rising or setting).\n\n<strong>接着</strong> [pinyin]jie1 zhe[/pinyin] - Means \"after that...\", or \"And then...\"\n\n<strong>丢了个眼色</strong> [pinyin]diu1 le ge yan3 se4[/pinyin] - To shoot someone a knowing look, or to give them a wink. \n\n<strong>撞个满怀</strong> [pinyin]zhuang4 ge man3 huai2[/pinyin] - 撞 means to \"run into\" or \"bump up against\", 满 means \"full\" or \"fully\", and 怀, in this case, means \"(a person\'s) chest\". Altogether, this means to \"bump someone full in the chest\", or in better English, to \"run smack into someone\". \n\n<strong>非...不可</strong> [pinyin]fei1 ... bu4 ke3[/pinyin] - This means \"must\", \"have no choice but to\", or \"to insist on doing\", like \"弟弟<strong>非</strong>要妈妈抱<strong>不可</strong>\", or \"little brother insists on having mother hold him\". This sentence structure underpins a popular Chinese meme about Facebook. The English word \"Facebook\" sounds a lot like the Chinese phrase 非死不可: \"insist on dropping dead\". So, Facebook is sometimes jokingly referred to this way within China. \n[/su_column]\n[/su_row]\n\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\n[su_row]\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\n<h4>《水缸的秘密》</h4>\n<span class=\"highlightText\">杨大娘</span>是红军家属。大儿子参加红军以后，家里少了一个劳动力，里里外外什么事都要她自己操心。\n\n1933年7月的一个傍晚，杨大娘浇完菜园，回家准备挑水做饭。她刚拿起扁担，却发现水缸里的水满满的。大娘奇怪了：前天水缸满，昨天水缸满，今天水缸又满了。这是<span class=\"highlightText\">怎么回事</span>？她问小儿子：“下午你挑水了吗？”\n\n11岁的儿子摇头说：“我没挑。”\n\n杨大娘越想越觉得奇怪，就跑到田头问<span class=\"highlightText\">代耕队长</span>：“我屋里那口水缸，天天都满满的。是你派人给我家挑水了吧？”\n\n“没有啊，”代耕队长也感到奇怪， “真有这样的事？”\n\n正说着，<span class=\"highlightText\">二婶</span>也提着菜蓝子走过来说：“是啊，我屋里的水缸也是干了又会满，不知道是谁在做好事。”\n\n代耕队长笑笑说：“毛主席主张调查研究，你们该去调查调查呀！”\n\n杨大娘和二婶觉得这话有道理，俩人商量了一阵，就各自回家了。\n\n第二天，杨大娘擦桌子、洗衣服，不到下午，满满一缸水就用完了。她故意不去挑，也不下地干活，拿起一双鞋底，坐在门口，和二婶一起纳起鞋底来。她俩四只耳朵听动静，两双眼睛观八方，边做针线活，边搞起“调查”来。\n\n太阳离西山只有两竿高的时候，杨大娘忽然听见屋里的后门响了，<span class=\"highlightText\">接着</span>又听到水桶铁钩碰撞的声音。她俩惊喜地互相<span class=\"highlightText\">丢了个眼色</span>，不约而同地喊了出来：“这回捉到了！”说着站起身就往屋里跑。\n\n杨大娘刚进门，差点跟一个挑着水桶的人<span class=\"highlightText\">撞个满怀</span>。她抬头一看，见这人身材高大魁梧，穿一身红军制服，正冲着她和二婶笑。望着他那双明亮的大眼睛，她觉得很面熟，但是又记不起在什么地方见过。二婶一下就认出来了：“呀，这不是<span class=\"highlightText\">毛主席</span>吗！”\n\n二婶拉着毛主席坐下，杨大娘赶忙端上一碗茶，说：“毛主席，你来这里不久，可处处爱护体贴老百姓，叫我们怎么感谢你呀！”\n\n毛主席喝着茶，和两位红军家属聊起家常来，问她们：生活有没有困难？房子漏雨不漏雨？小孩子在小学的功课好不好？一直谈到天擦黑，毛主席又要去挑水，<span class=\"highlightText\">非</span>要把水缸挑满<span class=\"highlightText\">不可</span>。杨大娘拗不过，只好答应了。 \n\n</div>\n[/su_column]\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\nAunt Yang was from a Red Army family. After her elder son went to join the Red Army, there was one less laborer at home, so she had to look after everything herself.\n\nOne night in July 1933, Aunt Yang had finished irrigating the vegetable garden, and returned home to fetch water for cooking. She had just picked up the carrying pole, when she noticed that the water jug was [already] full. Auntie thought this was strange: two days ago the water jug was full, yesterday the water jug was full, and now today the water jug was full again. How could this be? She asked her son, \"Did you fetch water this afternoon?\" \n\nHer 11-year-old son shook his head and said, \"I didn\'t fetch it.\"\n\nThe more Auntie Yang thought about it the more strange it seemed, so she ran to the field and asked the head contract laborer: \"The water jug in my rooms, they\'re full every day. Did you send someone to fetch water for our family?\" \n\n\"I didn\'t,\" the head contract laborer also thought this was strange, \"Did that really happen?\"\n\nJust as he said this, Second Brother\'s Wife walked over carrying a vegetable basket and said: \"Yes, the water jug in my room also fills up as soon as it goes dry, I don\'t know who\'s doing these good deeds.\"  \n\nThe head contract laborer smiled and said, \"Chairman Mao encourages us to investigate and research, you two should look into it!\" \n\nAuntie Yang and Second Brother\'s Wife thought what he said made sense, so they discussed it for a bit, and then each went back to their home. \n\nThe second day, Auntie Yang wiped the table, washed the clothes, and before the afternoon had come, all the water in the full water jug had been used up. She purposefully didn\'t go fetch any more, nor did she go to the fields to work, but took up a pair of shoe soles, and sitting by the door with Second Brothers Wife, began to stitch the soles. The two of them listened with all four ears for any sounds of movement, and with two pairs of eyes looked about in all directions, sewing while \"investigating\".\n\nWhen the sun [had sunk close] to the western mountains, Auntie Yang suddenly heard the back door of the house make a sound, and soon after she heard the iron hook of the water pot clang. Pleasantly excited, they shot each other a knowing look, and shouted in unison, \"We\'ve got him this time!\" As they spoke they stood up and ran into the house. \n\nAs soon as Auntie Yang entered the house, she almost ran smack into the person who was fetching water. She lifted her head up to look, and saw this person was tall and stalwart, wearing the uniform of the Red Army, and was smiling at her and Second Brother\'s Wife. Looking at that pair of big, bright eyes, she thought he seemed a little familiar, but she couldn\'t remember where she\'d seen him before. [But] Second Brother\'s Wife recognized him: \"Ah! If it isn\'t Chairman Mao!\" \n\nSecond Brother\'s Wife pulled Chairman Mao into a seat, and Auntie Yang quickly brought some tea and said, \"Chairman Mao, you haven\'t been [in town] long, but everywhere you go, you are caring and considerate towards the common people, tell us how can we ever thank you!\"  \n\nChairman Mao drank his tea, and chatted with the two [ladies] from Red Army families about their daily lives, asking them: \"Are there any difficulties in your lives? Is your [roof] leaking water? How\'s your children\'s primary schoolwork?\" They talked until darkness swept over the sky, and then Chairman Mao once again made to go fetch water, insisting on filling the water jugs again. Auntie Yang couldn\'t talk him out of it, and she had to agree.\n[/hide-this-part]\n[/su_column]\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Communist folk tales: 《水缸的秘密》- The secret of the water jug', 'Our last Communist-themed post for the week: a classic revolutionary-era story about the man himself, Chairman Mao. HSK 4-5.', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2416-autosave-v1', '', '', '2020-05-28 23:30:46', '2020-05-29 03:30:46', '', 2416, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/28/2416-autosave-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
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(2441, 1, '2020-05-28 23:26:34', '2020-05-29 03:26:34', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communism Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of historical and modern CCP propaganda, speeches, stories, essays and songs.</p> \r\n\r\n<strong>Quick reminder:</strong> To maintain a polite, language learning-focused environment, political comments – positive, negative, or neutral – are not allowed, and will be deleted. Dinner table rules, please.\r\n\r\nWe\'ve really made the rounds on Communist folk tales this week: we\'ve had <a href=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/28/communist-folk-tales-zhu-des-carrying-pole/\">a story about Zhu De</a>, founder of the Red Army, <a href=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/25/communist-folk-tales-the-good-deeds-of-lei-feng/\">one about socialist boy scout Lei Feng</a>, and now, we\'re going to read one about the man himself, Chairman Mao (毛主席). I didn\'t start out the week intending to illustrate a point, but a theme has definitely emerged. Taken as a whole, these stories underscore the friendly, paternalistic role that China\'s founding fathers were painted into at the time, described in populist stories as approachable, proletarian helpers of the common folk. Today\'s tale really drives that one home.\r\n\r\nWe also get a taste of the exaggeration that often surrounds autocratic leaders. The last bit of the story describes Mao as \"tall and stalwart\". Mao Zedong was around 5\'8\" (1.72-1.75m), not a short man, but not an exceptionally tall one either. \r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nThe way characters are named in this story is quite Chinese: they\'re mostly referred to by their title or place in society. First, the characters: we\'ve got Auntie Yang (杨大娘). 大娘 means \"wife of father\'s elder brother\", but it can also just be used as a polite way to refer to an older woman, and it\'s unclear which definition is being used here. Same deal with 二婶: 婶 means \"wife of father\'s younger brother\", but can also just be a polite form of address. The thing is, in Chinese societies, especially rural communities, the difference doesn\'t really demand clarification. \r\n\r\nWe\'ve also got <strong>代耕队长</strong> [pinyin]dai4 geng1 dui4 zhang3[/pinyin]. When a farming family doesn\'t have enough human labor to cultivate their fields, especially when a farmer has to go away to fight a war during harvest season, a 代耕 is a laborer that farms in their stead. 队, as you probably know means \"team\" and 长 means \"captain\" or \"leader\" or \"chief\". So, 代耕队长 is the head of the team helping this family farm their land in the absence of the male head of household (in this case, the eldest son). \r\n\r\nAnd of course, there\'s Chairman Mao (毛泽东).\r\n\r\nSome other points:\r\n\r\n<strong>怎么回事?</strong> [pinyin]zen3 me hui2 shi4[/pinyin] - Means \"How can that be?\" or \"What\'s going on here?\"\r\n\r\n<strong>下地</strong> [pinyin]xia4 di4[/pinyin] - To go down to the fields (usually to farm). \r\n\r\n<strong>两竿</strong> [pinyin]liang2 gan1[/pinyin] - 竿 literally means \"pole\", like a rod or staff. But it\'s also used to describe how far the sun has risen or set. It\'s not a standard measurement, it\'s more of a generalized measure, so \"两竿 from the mountains\" means that the sun isn\'t very far above the mountains (either rising or setting).\r\n\r\n<strong>接着</strong> [pinyin]jie1 zhe[/pinyin] - Means \"after that...\", or \"And then...\"\r\n\r\n<strong>丢了个眼色</strong> [pinyin]diu1 le ge yan3 se4[/pinyin] - To shoot someone a knowing look, or to give them a wink. \r\n\r\n<strong>撞个满怀</strong> [pinyin]zhuang4 ge man3 huai2[/pinyin] - 撞 means to \"run into\" or \"bump up against\", 满 means \"full\" or \"fully\", and 怀, in this case, means \"(a person\'s) chest\". Altogether, this means to \"bump someone full in the chest\", or in better English, to \"run smack into someone\". \r\n\r\n<strong>非...不可</strong> [pinyin]fei1 ... bu4 ke3[/pinyin] - This means \"must\", \"have no choice but to\", or \"to insist on doing\", like \"弟弟<strong>非</strong>要妈妈抱<strong>不可</strong>\", or \"little brother insists on having mother hold him\". This sentence structure underpins a popular Chinese meme about Facebook. The English word \"Facebook\" sounds a lot like the Chinese phrase 非死不可: \"insist on dropping dead\". So, Facebook is sometimes jokingly referred to this way within China. \r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>《水缸的秘密》</h4>\r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">杨大娘</span>是红军家属。大儿子参加红军以后，家里少了一个劳动力，里里外外什么事都要她自己操心。\r\n\r\n1933年7月的一个傍晚，杨大娘浇完菜园，回家准备挑水做饭。她刚拿起扁担，却发现水缸里的水满满的。大娘奇怪了：前天水缸满，昨天水缸满，今天水缸又满了。这是<span class=\"highlightText\">怎么回事</span>？她问小儿子：“下午你挑水了吗？”\r\n\r\n11岁的儿子摇头说：“我没挑。”\r\n\r\n杨大娘越想越觉得奇怪，就跑到田头问<span class=\"highlightText\">代耕队长</span>：“我屋里那口水缸，天天都满满的。是你派人给我家挑水了吧？”\r\n\r\n“没有啊，”代耕队长也感到奇怪， “真有这样的事？”\r\n\r\n正说着，<span class=\"highlightText\">二婶</span>也提着菜蓝子走过来说：“是啊，我屋里的水缸也是干了又会满，不知道是谁在做好事。”\r\n\r\n代耕队长笑笑说：“毛主席主张调查研究，你们该去调查调查呀！”\r\n\r\n杨大娘和二婶觉得这话有道理，俩人商量了一阵，就各自回家了。\r\n\r\n第二天，杨大娘擦桌子、洗衣服，不到下午，满满一缸水就用完了。她故意不去挑，也不下地干活，拿起一双鞋底，坐在门口，和二婶一起纳起鞋底来。她俩四只耳朵听动静，两双眼睛观八方，边做针线活，边搞起“调查”来。\r\n\r\n太阳离西山只有两竿高的时候，杨大娘忽然听见屋里的后门响了，<span class=\"highlightText\">接着</span>又听到水桶铁钩碰撞的声音。她俩惊喜地互相<span class=\"highlightText\">丢了个眼色</span>，不约而同地喊了出来：“这回捉到了！”说着站起身就往屋里跑。\r\n\r\n杨大娘刚进门，差点跟一个挑着水桶的人<span class=\"highlightText\">撞个满怀</span>。她抬头一看，见这人身材高大魁梧，穿一身红军制服，正冲着她和二婶笑。望着他那双明亮的大眼睛，她觉得很面熟，但是又记不起在什么地方见过。二婶一下就认出来了：“呀，这不是<span class=\"highlightText\">毛主席</span>吗！”\r\n\r\n二婶拉着毛主席坐下，杨大娘赶忙端上一碗茶，说：“毛主席，你来这里不久，可处处爱护体贴老百姓，叫我们怎么感谢你呀！”\r\n\r\n毛主席喝着茶，和两位红军家属聊起家常来，问她们：生活有没有困难？房子漏雨不漏雨？小孩子在小学的功课好不好？一直谈到天擦黑，毛主席又要去挑水，<span class=\"highlightText\">非</span>要把水缸挑满<span class=\"highlightText\">不可</span>。杨大娘拗不过，只好答应了。 \r\n\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nAunt Yang was from a Red Army family. After her elder son went to join the Red Army, there was one less laborer at home, so she had to look after everything herself.\r\n\r\nOne night in July 1933, Aunt Yang had finished irrigating the vegetable garden, and returned home to fetch water for cooking. She had just picked up the carrying pole, when she noticed that the water jug was [already] full. Auntie thought this was strange: two days ago the water jug was full, yesterday the water jug was full, and now today the water jug was full again. How could this be? She asked her son, \"Did you fetch water this afternoon?\" \r\n\r\nHer 11-year-old son shook his head and said, \"I didn\'t fetch it.\"\r\n\r\nThe more Auntie Yang thought about it the more strange it seemed, so she ran to the field and asked the head contract laborer: \"The water jug in my rooms, they\'re full every day. Did you send someone to fetch water for our family?\" \r\n\r\n\"I didn\'t,\" the head contract laborer also thought this was strange, \"Did that really happen?\"\r\n\r\nJust as he said this, Second Brother\'s Wife walked over carrying a vegetable basket and said: \"Yes, the water jug in my room also fills up as soon as it goes dry, I don\'t know who\'s doing these good deeds.\"  \r\n\r\nThe head contract laborer smiled and said, \"Chairman Mao encourages us to investigate and research, you two should look into it!\" \r\n\r\nAuntie Yang and Second Brother\'s Wife thought what he said made sense, so they discussed it for a bit, and then each went back to their home. \r\n\r\nThe second day, Auntie Yang wiped the table, washed the clothes, and before the afternoon had come, all the water in the full water jug had been used up. She purposefully didn\'t go fetch any more, nor did she go to the fields to work, but took up a pair of shoe soles, and sitting by the door with Second Brothers Wife, began to stitch the soles. The two of them listened with all four ears for any sounds of movement, and with two pairs of eyes looked about in all directions, sewing while \"investigating\".\r\n\r\nWhen the sun [had sunk close] to the western mountains, Auntie Yang suddenly heard the back door of the house make a sound, and soon after she heard the iron hook of the water pot clang. Pleasantly excited, they shot each other a knowing look, and shouted in unison, \"We\'ve got him this time!\" As they spoke they stood up and ran into the house. \r\n\r\nAs soon as Auntie Yang entered the house, she almost ran smack into the person who was fetching water. She lifted her head up to look, and saw this person was tall and stalwart, wearing the uniform of the Red Army, and was smiling at her and Second Brother\'s Wife. Looking at that pair of big, bright eyes, she thought he seemed a little familiar, but she couldn\'t remember where she\'d seen him before. [But] Second Brother\'s Wife recognized him: \"Ah! If it isn\'t Chairman Mao!\" \r\n\r\nSecond Brother\'s Wife pulled Chairman Mao into a seat, and Auntie Yang quickly brought some tea and said, \"Chairman Mao, you haven\'t been [in town] long, but everywhere you go, you are caring and considerate towards the common people, tell us how can we ever thank you!\"  \r\n\r\nChairman Mao drank his tea, and chatted with the two [ladies] from Red Army families about their daily lives, asking them: \"Are there any difficulties in your lives? Is your [roof] leaking water? How\'s your children\'s primary schoolwork?\" They talked until darkness swept over the sky, and then Chairman Mao once again made to go fetch water, insisting on filling the water jugs again. Auntie Yang couldn\'t talk him out of it, and she had to agree.\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Communist folk tales: 《水缸的秘密》- The secret of the water jug', 'Our last Communist-themed post for the week: a classic revolutionary-era story about the man himself, Chairman Mao. HSK 4-5.', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2416-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-28 23:26:34', '2020-05-29 03:26:34', '', 2416, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/28/2416-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2440, 1, '2020-05-28 23:24:50', '2020-05-29 03:24:50', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communism Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of historical and modern CCP propaganda, speeches, stories, essays and songs.</p> \r\n\r\n<strong>Quick reminder:</strong> To maintain a polite, language learning-focused environment, political comments – positive, negative, or neutral – are not allowed, and will be deleted. Dinner table rules, please.\r\n\r\nWe\'ve really made the rounds on Communist folk tales this week: we\'ve had <a href=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/28/communist-folk-tales-zhu-des-carrying-pole/\">a story about Zhu De</a>, founder of the Red Army, <a href=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/25/communist-folk-tales-the-good-deeds-of-lei-feng/\">one about socialist boy scout Lei Feng</a>, and now, we\'re going to read one about the man himself, Chairman Mao (毛主席). I didn\'t start out the week intending to illustrate a point, but a theme has definitely emerged. Taken as a whole, these stories underscore the friendly, paternalistic role that China\'s founding fathers were painted into at the time, described in populist stories as approachable, proletarian helpers of the common folk. Today\'s tale really drives that one home.\r\n\r\nWe also get a taste of the exaggeration that often surrounds autocratic leaders. The last bit of the story describes Mao as \"tall and stalwart\". Mao Zedong was around 5\'8\" (1.72-1.75m), not a short man, but not an exceptionally tall one either. \r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nThe way characters are named in this story is quite Chinese: they\'re mostly referred to by their title or place in society. First, the characters: we\'ve got Auntie Yang (杨大娘). 大娘 means \"wife of father\'s elder brother\", but it can also just be used as a polite way to refer to an older woman, and it\'s unclear which definition is being used here. Same deal with 二婶: 婶 means \"wife of father\'s younger brother\", but can also just be a polite form of address. The thing is, in Chinese societies, especially rural communities, the difference doesn\'t really demand clarification. \r\n\r\nWe\'ve also got <strong>代耕队长</strong> [pinyin]dai4 geng1 dui4 zhang3[/pinyin]. When a farming family doesn\'t have enough human labor to cultivate their fields, especially when a farmer has to go away to fight a war during harvest season, a 代耕 is a laborer that farms in their stead. 队, as you probably know means \"team\" and 长 means \"captain\" or \"leader\" or \"chief\". So, 代耕队长 is the head of the team helping this family farm their land in the absence of the male head of household (in this case, the eldest son). \r\n\r\nAnd of course, there\'s Chairman Mao (毛泽东).\r\n\r\nSome other points:\r\n\r\n<strong>怎么回事?</strong> [pinyin]zen3 me hui2 shi4[/pinyin] - Means \"How can that be?\" or \"What\'s going on here?\"\r\n\r\n<strong>下地</strong> [pinyin]xia4 di4[/pinyin] - To go down to the fields (usually to farm). \r\n\r\n<strong>两竿</strong> [pinyin]liang2 gan1[/pinyin] - 竿 literally means \"pole\", like a rod or staff. But it\'s also used to describe how far the sun has risen or set. It\'s not a standard measurement, it\'s more of a generalized measure, so \"两竿 from the mountains\" means that the sun isn\'t very far above the mountains (either rising or setting).\r\n\r\n<strong>接着</strong> [pinyin]jie1 zhe[/pinyin] - Means \"after that...\", or \"And then...\"\r\n\r\n<strong>丢了个眼色</strong> [pinyin]diu1 le ge yan3 se4[/pinyin] - To shoot someone a knowing look, or to give them a wink. \r\n\r\n<strong>撞个满怀</strong> [pinyin]zhuang4 ge man3 huai2[/pinyin] - 撞 means to \"run into\" or \"bump up against\", 满 means \"full\" or \"fully\", and 怀, in this case, means \"(a person\'s) chest\". Altogether, this means to \"bump someone full in the chest\", or in better English, to \"run smack into someone\". \r\n\r\n<strong>非...不可</strong> [pinyin]fei1 ... bu4 ke3[/pinyin] - This means \"must\", \"have no choice but to\", or \"to insist on doing\". Whatever action goes where the ... are is the action that must be done, like \"弟弟<strong>非</strong>要妈妈抱<strong>不可</strong>\" - \"little brother insists on having mother hold him\". This sentence structure underpins a popular Chinese meme about Facebook. The English word \"Facebook\" sounds a lot like the Chinese phrase 非死不可: \"insist on dropping dead\". So, Facebook is sometimes jokingly referred to this way within China. \r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>《水缸的秘密》</h4>\r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">杨大娘</span>是红军家属。大儿子参加红军以后，家里少了一个劳动力，里里外外什么事都要她自己操心。\r\n\r\n1933年7月的一个傍晚，杨大娘浇完菜园，回家准备挑水做饭。她刚拿起扁担，却发现水缸里的水满满的。大娘奇怪了：前天水缸满，昨天水缸满，今天水缸又满了。这是<span class=\"highlightText\">怎么回事</span>？她问小儿子：“下午你挑水了吗？”\r\n\r\n11岁的儿子摇头说：“我没挑。”\r\n\r\n杨大娘越想越觉得奇怪，就跑到田头问<span class=\"highlightText\">代耕队长</span>：“我屋里那口水缸，天天都满满的。是你派人给我家挑水了吧？”\r\n\r\n“没有啊，”代耕队长也感到奇怪， “真有这样的事？”\r\n\r\n正说着，<span class=\"highlightText\">二婶</span>也提着菜蓝子走过来说：“是啊，我屋里的水缸也是干了又会满，不知道是谁在做好事。”\r\n\r\n代耕队长笑笑说：“毛主席主张调查研究，你们该去调查调查呀！”\r\n\r\n杨大娘和二婶觉得这话有道理，俩人商量了一阵，就各自回家了。\r\n\r\n第二天，杨大娘擦桌子、洗衣服，不到下午，满满一缸水就用完了。她故意不去挑，也不下地干活，拿起一双鞋底，坐在门口，和二婶一起纳起鞋底来。她俩四只耳朵听动静，两双眼睛观八方，边做针线活，边搞起“调查”来。\r\n\r\n太阳离西山只有两竿高的时候，杨大娘忽然听见屋里的后门响了，<span class=\"highlightText\">接着</span>又听到水桶铁钩碰撞的声音。她俩惊喜地互相<span class=\"highlightText\">丢了个眼色</span>，不约而同地喊了出来：“这回捉到了！”说着站起身就往屋里跑。\r\n\r\n杨大娘刚进门，差点跟一个挑着水桶的人<span class=\"highlightText\">撞个满怀</span>。她抬头一看，见这人身材高大魁梧，穿一身红军制服，正冲着她和二婶笑。望着他那双明亮的大眼睛，她觉得很面熟，但是又记不起在什么地方见过。二婶一下就认出来了：“呀，这不是<span class=\"highlightText\">毛主席</span>吗！”\r\n\r\n二婶拉着毛主席坐下，杨大娘赶忙端上一碗茶，说：“毛主席，你来这里不久，可处处爱护体贴老百姓，叫我们怎么感谢你呀！”\r\n\r\n毛主席喝着茶，和两位红军家属聊起家常来，问她们：生活有没有困难？房子漏雨不漏雨？小孩子在小学的功课好不好？一直谈到天擦黑，毛主席又要去挑水，<span class=\"highlightText\">非</span>要把水缸挑满<span class=\"highlightText\">不可</span>。杨大娘拗不过，只好答应了。 \r\n\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nAunt Yang was from a Red Army family. After her elder son went to join the Red Army, there was one less laborer at home, so she had to look after everything herself.\r\n\r\nOne night in July 1933, Aunt Yang had finished irrigating the vegetable garden, and returned home to fetch water for cooking. She had just picked up the carrying pole, when she noticed that the water jug was [already] full. Auntie thought this was strange: two days ago the water jug was full, yesterday the water jug was full, and now today the water jug was full again. How could this be? She asked her son, \"Did you fetch water this afternoon?\" \r\n\r\nHer 11-year-old son shook his head and said, \"I didn\'t fetch it.\"\r\n\r\nThe more Auntie Yang thought about it the more strange it seemed, so she ran to the field and asked the head contract laborer: \"The water jug in my rooms, they\'re full every day. Did you send someone to fetch water for our family?\" \r\n\r\n\"I didn\'t,\" the head contract laborer also thought this was strange, \"Did that really happen?\"\r\n\r\nJust as he said this, Second Brother\'s Wife walked over carrying a vegetable basket and said: \"Yes, the water jug in my room also fills up as soon as it goes dry, I don\'t know who\'s doing these good deeds.\"  \r\n\r\nThe head contract laborer smiled and said, \"Chairman Mao encourages us to investigate and research, you two should look into it!\" \r\n\r\nAuntie Yang and Second Brother\'s Wife thought what he said made sense, so they discussed it for a bit, and then each went back to their home. \r\n\r\nThe second day, Auntie Yang wiped the table, washed the clothes, and before the afternoon had come, all the water in the full water jug had been used up. She purposefully didn\'t go fetch any more, nor did she go to the fields to work, but took up a pair of shoe soles, and sitting by the door with Second Brothers Wife, began to stitch the soles. The two of them listened with all four ears for any sounds of movement, and with two pairs of eyes looked about in all directions, sewing while \"investigating\".\r\n\r\nWhen the sun [had sunk close] to the western mountains, Auntie Yang suddenly heard the back door of the house make a sound, and soon after she heard the iron hook of the water pot clang. Pleasantly excited, they shot each other a knowing look, and shouted in unison, \"We\'ve got him this time!\" As they spoke they stood up and ran into the house. \r\n\r\nAs soon as Auntie Yang entered the house, she almost ran smack into the person who was fetching water. She lifted her head up to look, and saw this person was tall and stalwart, wearing the uniform of the Red Army, and was smiling at her and Second Brother\'s Wife. Looking at that pair of big, bright eyes, she thought he seemed a little familiar, but she couldn\'t remember where she\'d seen him before. [But] Second Brother\'s Wife recognized him: \"Ah! If it isn\'t Chairman Mao!\" \r\n\r\nSecond Brother\'s Wife pulled Chairman Mao into a seat, and Auntie Yang quickly brought some tea and said, \"Chairman Mao, you haven\'t been [in town] long, but everywhere you go, you are caring and considerate towards the common people, tell us how can we ever thank you!\"  \r\n\r\nChairman Mao drank his tea, and chatted with the two [ladies] from Red Army families about their daily lives, asking them: \"Are there any difficulties in your lives? Is your [roof] leaking water? How\'s your children\'s primary schoolwork?\" They talked until darkness swept over the sky, and then Chairman Mao once again made to go fetch water, insisting on filling the water jugs again. Auntie Yang couldn\'t talk him out of it, and she had to agree.\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Communist folk tales: 《水缸的秘密》- The secret of the water jug', 'Our last Communist-themed post for the week: a classic revolutionary-era story about the man himself, Chairman Mao. HSK 4-5.', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2416-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-28 23:24:50', '2020-05-29 03:24:50', '', 2416, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/28/2416-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2442, 1, '2020-05-28 23:31:11', '2020-05-29 03:31:11', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">It\'s Communism Week at CRP. All this week, we\'re learning Chinese through the lens of historical and modern CCP propaganda, speeches, stories, essays and songs.</p> \r\n\r\n<strong>Quick reminder:</strong> To maintain a polite, language learning-focused environment, political comments – positive, negative, or neutral – are not allowed, and will be deleted. Dinner table rules, please.\r\n\r\nWe\'ve really made the rounds on Communist folk tales this week: we\'ve had <a href=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/28/communist-folk-tales-zhu-des-carrying-pole/\">a story about Zhu De</a>, founder of the Red Army, <a href=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/25/communist-folk-tales-the-good-deeds-of-lei-feng/\">one about socialist boy scout Lei Feng</a>, and now, we\'re going to read one about the man himself, Chairman Mao (毛主席). I didn\'t start out the week intending to illustrate a point, but a theme has definitely emerged. Taken as a whole, these stories underscore the friendly, paternalistic role that China\'s founding fathers were painted into at the time, described in populist stories as approachable, proletarian helpers of the common folk. Today\'s tale really drives that one home.\r\n\r\nWe also get a taste of the exaggeration that often surrounds autocratic leaders. The last bit of the story describes Mao as \"tall and stalwart\". Mao Zedong was around 5\'8\" (1.72-1.75m), not a short man, but not an exceptionally tall one either. \r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nThe way characters are named in this story is quite Chinese: they\'re mostly referred to by their title or place in society. First, the characters: we\'ve got Auntie Yang (杨大娘). 大娘 means \"wife of father\'s elder brother\", but it can also just be used as a polite way to refer to an older woman, and it\'s unclear which definition is being used here. We\'ve also got Second Brother\'s Wife (二婶), and same deal: 婶 means \"wife of father\'s younger brother\", but can also just be a polite form of address. The thing is, in Chinese societies, especially rural communities, the difference doesn\'t really demand clarification. \r\n\r\nWe\'ve also got <strong>代耕队长</strong> [pinyin]dai4 geng1 dui4 zhang3[/pinyin]. When a farming family doesn\'t have enough human labor to cultivate their fields, especially when a farmer has to go away to fight a war during harvest season, a 代耕 is a laborer that farms in their stead. 队, as you probably know means \"team\" and 长 means \"captain\" or \"leader\" or \"chief\". So, 代耕队长 is the head of the team helping this family farm their land in the absence of the male head of household (in this case, the eldest son). \r\n\r\nAnd of course, there\'s Chairman Mao (毛泽东).\r\n\r\nSome other points:\r\n\r\n<strong>怎么回事?</strong> [pinyin]zen3 me hui2 shi4[/pinyin] - Means \"How can that be?\" or \"What\'s going on here?\"\r\n\r\n<strong>下地</strong> [pinyin]xia4 di4[/pinyin] - To go down to the fields (usually to farm). \r\n\r\n<strong>两竿</strong> [pinyin]liang2 gan1[/pinyin] - 竿 literally means \"pole\", like a rod or staff. But it\'s also used to describe how far the sun has risen or set. It\'s not a standard measurement, it\'s more of a generalized measure, so \"两竿 from the mountains\" means that the sun isn\'t very far above the mountains (either rising or setting).\r\n\r\n<strong>接着</strong> [pinyin]jie1 zhe[/pinyin] - Means \"after that...\", or \"And then...\"\r\n\r\n<strong>丢了个眼色</strong> [pinyin]diu1 le ge yan3 se4[/pinyin] - To shoot someone a knowing look, or to give them a wink. \r\n\r\n<strong>撞个满怀</strong> [pinyin]zhuang4 ge man3 huai2[/pinyin] - 撞 means to \"run into\" or \"bump up against\", 满 means \"full\" or \"fully\", and 怀, in this case, means \"(a person\'s) chest\". Altogether, this means to \"bump someone full in the chest\", or in better English, to \"run smack into someone\". \r\n\r\n<strong>非...不可</strong> [pinyin]fei1 ... bu4 ke3[/pinyin] - This means \"must\", \"have no choice but to\", or \"to insist on doing\", like \"弟弟<strong>非</strong>要妈妈抱<strong>不可</strong>\", or \"little brother insists on having mother hold him\". This sentence structure underpins a popular Chinese meme about Facebook. The English word \"Facebook\" sounds a lot like the Chinese phrase 非死不可: \"insist on dropping dead\". So, Facebook is sometimes jokingly referred to this way within China. \r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>《水缸的秘密》</h4>\r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">杨大娘</span>是红军家属。大儿子参加红军以后，家里少了一个劳动力，里里外外什么事都要她自己操心。\r\n\r\n1933年7月的一个傍晚，杨大娘浇完菜园，回家准备挑水做饭。她刚拿起扁担，却发现水缸里的水满满的。大娘奇怪了：前天水缸满，昨天水缸满，今天水缸又满了。这是<span class=\"highlightText\">怎么回事</span>？她问小儿子：“下午你挑水了吗？”\r\n\r\n11岁的儿子摇头说：“我没挑。”\r\n\r\n杨大娘越想越觉得奇怪，就跑到田头问<span class=\"highlightText\">代耕队长</span>：“我屋里那口水缸，天天都满满的。是你派人给我家挑水了吧？”\r\n\r\n“没有啊，”代耕队长也感到奇怪， “真有这样的事？”\r\n\r\n正说着，<span class=\"highlightText\">二婶</span>也提着菜蓝子走过来说：“是啊，我屋里的水缸也是干了又会满，不知道是谁在做好事。”\r\n\r\n代耕队长笑笑说：“毛主席主张调查研究，你们该去调查调查呀！”\r\n\r\n杨大娘和二婶觉得这话有道理，俩人商量了一阵，就各自回家了。\r\n\r\n第二天，杨大娘擦桌子、洗衣服，不到下午，满满一缸水就用完了。她故意不去挑，也不下地干活，拿起一双鞋底，坐在门口，和二婶一起纳起鞋底来。她俩四只耳朵听动静，两双眼睛观八方，边做针线活，边搞起“调查”来。\r\n\r\n太阳离西山只有两竿高的时候，杨大娘忽然听见屋里的后门响了，<span class=\"highlightText\">接着</span>又听到水桶铁钩碰撞的声音。她俩惊喜地互相<span class=\"highlightText\">丢了个眼色</span>，不约而同地喊了出来：“这回捉到了！”说着站起身就往屋里跑。\r\n\r\n杨大娘刚进门，差点跟一个挑着水桶的人<span class=\"highlightText\">撞个满怀</span>。她抬头一看，见这人身材高大魁梧，穿一身红军制服，正冲着她和二婶笑。望着他那双明亮的大眼睛，她觉得很面熟，但是又记不起在什么地方见过。二婶一下就认出来了：“呀，这不是<span class=\"highlightText\">毛主席</span>吗！”\r\n\r\n二婶拉着毛主席坐下，杨大娘赶忙端上一碗茶，说：“毛主席，你来这里不久，可处处爱护体贴老百姓，叫我们怎么感谢你呀！”\r\n\r\n毛主席喝着茶，和两位红军家属聊起家常来，问她们：生活有没有困难？房子漏雨不漏雨？小孩子在小学的功课好不好？一直谈到天擦黑，毛主席又要去挑水，<span class=\"highlightText\">非</span>要把水缸挑满<span class=\"highlightText\">不可</span>。杨大娘拗不过，只好答应了。 \r\n\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nAunt Yang was from a Red Army family. After her elder son went to join the Red Army, there was one less laborer at home, so she had to look after everything herself.\r\n\r\nOne night in July 1933, Aunt Yang had finished irrigating the vegetable garden, and returned home to fetch water for cooking. She had just picked up the carrying pole, when she noticed that the water jug was [already] full. Auntie thought this was strange: two days ago the water jug was full, yesterday the water jug was full, and now today the water jug was full again. How could this be? She asked her son, \"Did you fetch water this afternoon?\" \r\n\r\nHer 11-year-old son shook his head and said, \"I didn\'t fetch it.\"\r\n\r\nThe more Auntie Yang thought about it the more strange it seemed, so she ran to the field and asked the head contract laborer: \"The water jug in my rooms, they\'re full every day. Did you send someone to fetch water for our family?\" \r\n\r\n\"I didn\'t,\" the head contract laborer also thought this was strange, \"Did that really happen?\"\r\n\r\nJust as he said this, Second Brother\'s Wife walked over carrying a vegetable basket and said: \"Yes, the water jug in my room also fills up as soon as it goes dry, I don\'t know who\'s doing these good deeds.\"  \r\n\r\nThe head contract laborer smiled and said, \"Chairman Mao encourages us to investigate and research, you two should look into it!\" \r\n\r\nAuntie Yang and Second Brother\'s Wife thought what he said made sense, so they discussed it for a bit, and then each went back to their home. \r\n\r\nThe second day, Auntie Yang wiped the table, washed the clothes, and before the afternoon had come, all the water in the full water jug had been used up. She purposefully didn\'t go fetch any more, nor did she go to the fields to work, but took up a pair of shoe soles, and sitting by the door with Second Brothers Wife, began to stitch the soles. The two of them listened with all four ears for any sounds of movement, and with two pairs of eyes looked about in all directions, sewing while \"investigating\".\r\n\r\nWhen the sun [had sunk close] to the western mountains, Auntie Yang suddenly heard the back door of the house make a sound, and soon after she heard the iron hook of the water pot clang. Pleasantly excited, they shot each other a knowing look, and shouted in unison, \"We\'ve got him this time!\" As they spoke they stood up and ran into the house. \r\n\r\nAs soon as Auntie Yang entered the house, she almost ran smack into the person who was fetching water. She lifted her head up to look, and saw this person was tall and stalwart, wearing the uniform of the Red Army, and was smiling at her and Second Brother\'s Wife. Looking at that pair of big, bright eyes, she thought he seemed a little familiar, but she couldn\'t remember where she\'d seen him before. [But] Second Brother\'s Wife recognized him: \"Ah! If it isn\'t Chairman Mao!\" \r\n\r\nSecond Brother\'s Wife pulled Chairman Mao into a seat, and Auntie Yang quickly brought some tea and said, \"Chairman Mao, you haven\'t been [in town] long, but everywhere you go, you are caring and considerate towards the common people, tell us how can we ever thank you!\"  \r\n\r\nChairman Mao drank his tea, and chatted with the two [ladies] from Red Army families about their daily lives, asking them: \"Are there any difficulties in your lives? Is your [roof] leaking water? How\'s your children\'s primary schoolwork?\" They talked until darkness swept over the sky, and then Chairman Mao once again made to go fetch water, insisting on filling the water jugs again. Auntie Yang couldn\'t talk him out of it, and she had to agree.\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Communist folk tales: 《水缸的秘密》- The secret of the water jug', 'Our last Communist-themed post for the week: a classic revolutionary-era story about the man himself, Chairman Mao. HSK 4-5.', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2416-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-28 23:31:11', '2020-05-29 03:31:11', '', 2416, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/28/2416-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2444, 1, '2020-05-28 23:51:12', '2020-05-29 03:51:12', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n\r\nxxx\r\n\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nxxx\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>xxx</h4>\r\n　　从前，在郑县这个地方，住着一个名叫卜子的人。\r\n\r\n　　他平时很不讲究穿着，经常是穿着一身破烂的衣服就出去了。\r\n\r\n　　有一天，他还是和平时一样穿着一条又脏又破的裤子去街上赶集去了，走到集上，很多人都在看他的破裤子，他自己觉得很难堪，于是便走进一家布铺买来一块布头，回到家叫妻子为他做一条新裤子。\r\n\r\n　　卜妻量量尺寸，问他：“这条裤子做成什么式样啊?”\r\n\r\n　　卜子随口回答：“我能要什么样式的，就照老样子做呗！”\r\n\r\n　　妻子以为丈夫喜欢那种又脏又破衣服的款式，寻思着：他是不是觉得穿这种裤子很舒服，而且这一条裤子不够穿，所以叫我再做一条？不管那么多了，先按照丈夫的意思做好再说。\r\n\r\n　　卜妻就认认真真地仿照老裤子的模样，这里戳几个破洞，那里抹一摊油，弄得皱皱巴巴、破破烂烂的。花费了不少工夫，总算完成了。\r\n\r\n　　她把裤子捧到卜子面前，得意地说：“满意吧?同老裤子一样的样式。”\r\n\r\n　　说话一定要说清楚，马虎不得，尤其是大事情，如果一句话没交代清楚，很可能使自己倾家荡产。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\n从前，在郑县这个地方，住着一个名叫卜子的人。\r\n\r\n　　他平时很不讲究穿着，经常是穿着一身破烂的衣服就出去了。\r\n\r\n　　有一天，他还是和平时一样穿着一条又脏又破的裤子去街上赶集去了，走到集上，很多人都在看他的破裤子，他自己觉得很难堪，于是便走进一家布铺买来一块布头，回到家叫妻子为他做一条新裤子。\r\n\r\n　　卜妻量量尺寸，问他：“这条裤子做成什么式样啊?”\r\n\r\n　　卜子随口回答：“我能要什么样式的，就照老样子做呗！”\r\n\r\n　　妻子以为丈夫喜欢那种又脏又破衣服的款式，寻思着：他是不是觉得穿这种裤子很舒服，而且这一条裤子不够穿，所以叫我再做一条？不管那么多了，先按照丈夫的意思做好再说。\r\n\r\n　　卜妻就认认真真地仿照老裤子的模样，这里戳几个破洞，那里抹一摊油，弄得皱皱巴巴、破破烂烂的。花费了不少工夫，总算完成了。\r\n\r\n　　她把裤子捧到卜子面前，得意地说：“满意吧?同老裤子一样的样式。”\r\n\r\n　　说话一定要说清楚，马虎不得，尤其是大事情，如果一句话没交代清楚，很可能使自己倾家荡产。\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Short story: A new pair of pants', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2443-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-28 23:51:12', '2020-05-29 03:51:12', '', 2443, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/28/2443-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2445, 1, '2020-05-28 23:51:26', '2020-05-29 03:51:26', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n\r\nxxx\r\nhttp://www.rensheng5.com/xiaogushi/id-6042.html\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nxxx\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>xxx</h4>\r\n　　从前，在郑县这个地方，住着一个名叫卜子的人。\r\n\r\n　　他平时很不讲究穿着，经常是穿着一身破烂的衣服就出去了。\r\n\r\n　　有一天，他还是和平时一样穿着一条又脏又破的裤子去街上赶集去了，走到集上，很多人都在看他的破裤子，他自己觉得很难堪，于是便走进一家布铺买来一块布头，回到家叫妻子为他做一条新裤子。\r\n\r\n　　卜妻量量尺寸，问他：“这条裤子做成什么式样啊?”\r\n\r\n　　卜子随口回答：“我能要什么样式的，就照老样子做呗！”\r\n\r\n　　妻子以为丈夫喜欢那种又脏又破衣服的款式，寻思着：他是不是觉得穿这种裤子很舒服，而且这一条裤子不够穿，所以叫我再做一条？不管那么多了，先按照丈夫的意思做好再说。\r\n\r\n　　卜妻就认认真真地仿照老裤子的模样，这里戳几个破洞，那里抹一摊油，弄得皱皱巴巴、破破烂烂的。花费了不少工夫，总算完成了。\r\n\r\n　　她把裤子捧到卜子面前，得意地说：“满意吧?同老裤子一样的样式。”\r\n\r\n　　说话一定要说清楚，马虎不得，尤其是大事情，如果一句话没交代清楚，很可能使自己倾家荡产。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\n从前，在郑县这个地方，住着一个名叫卜子的人。\r\n\r\n　　他平时很不讲究穿着，经常是穿着一身破烂的衣服就出去了。\r\n\r\n　　有一天，他还是和平时一样穿着一条又脏又破的裤子去街上赶集去了，走到集上，很多人都在看他的破裤子，他自己觉得很难堪，于是便走进一家布铺买来一块布头，回到家叫妻子为他做一条新裤子。\r\n\r\n　　卜妻量量尺寸，问他：“这条裤子做成什么式样啊?”\r\n\r\n　　卜子随口回答：“我能要什么样式的，就照老样子做呗！”\r\n\r\n　　妻子以为丈夫喜欢那种又脏又破衣服的款式，寻思着：他是不是觉得穿这种裤子很舒服，而且这一条裤子不够穿，所以叫我再做一条？不管那么多了，先按照丈夫的意思做好再说。\r\n\r\n　　卜妻就认认真真地仿照老裤子的模样，这里戳几个破洞，那里抹一摊油，弄得皱皱巴巴、破破烂烂的。花费了不少工夫，总算完成了。\r\n\r\n　　她把裤子捧到卜子面前，得意地说：“满意吧?同老裤子一样的样式。”\r\n\r\n　　说话一定要说清楚，马虎不得，尤其是大事情，如果一句话没交代清楚，很可能使自己倾家荡产。\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Short story: A new pair of pants', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2443-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-28 23:51:26', '2020-05-29 03:51:26', '', 2443, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/28/2443-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2446, 1, '2020-06-03 00:00:15', '2020-06-03 04:00:15', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\nA young man tries to copy the way people walk in another city, but only succeeds in making a fool of himself. The idiom 邯郸学步, which this story illustrates, is used to refers to copying what others do, and loses themselves in the process. HSK 3-4.\r\n\r\n<strong>Example usage:</strong> 学习外国经验,不能<strong>邯郸学步</strong>,连我们自己成功的经验都丢了。\r\n<strong>Translation:</strong> When learning from the experience of other countries, you can\'t simply copy slavishly, or even the experience of our own successes will be lost. \r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.hydcd.com/cy/gushi/0236hd.htm\">Source here</a>\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nCouple of proper nouns here, especially place names you\'ve probably never seen before, because this story is set over two thousand years ago in the Warring States period (475-221 BC), so the places mentioned no longer exist. We\'ve got the State of Zhao (赵国), we\'ve got the Zhao capital of Handan (邯郸), and we\'ve got the State of Yan (燕国). \r\n\r\nOne of the words that comes up frequently here is 姿态 [pinyin]zi1 tai4[/pinyin], also 姿势 [pinyin]zi1 shi4[/pinyin], which both basically mean \"posture\" or \"pose\", the way someone\'s body is positioned or the way they carry themselves. \r\n\r\nAnother important word is 模仿 [pinyin]mo2 fang3[/pinyin], to imitate. \r\n\r\nUnderstand those words, and you\'ll get the gist of the story. \r\n\r\nOne sentence structure to look out for is 受到...的影响. This means \"to be influenced by... .\" So, you could say 受到妈妈的影响, or \"She is influenced by her mother.\" The thing that our protagonist here is influenced by is a little harder to understand, but I will leave it up to you to sort it out. If you can\'t, ask in the comments. \r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>邯郸学步</h4>\r\n据说，<span class=\"highlightText\">赵国</span>的首都<span class=\"highlightText\">邯郸</span>的人走路的<span class=\"highlightText\">姿态</span>很好看，动作非常好看。\r\n\r\n<span class=\"highlightText\">燕国</span>有一个少年听到这个传说，非常羡慕<span class=\"highlightText\">邯郸</span>人，就走了很远的路去<span class=\"highlightText\">赵国</span>，想学习<span class=\"highlightText\">邯郸</span>人走路的方法。刚开始，他整天站在街头，仔细研究每个人走路的<span class=\"highlightText\">姿态</span>，再慢慢<span class=\"highlightText\">模仿</span>他们，可是都没有成功。\r\n\r\n后来，他想可能是<span class=\"highlightText\">受到</span>过去走路习惯<span class=\"highlightText\">的影响</span>，所以，他决定要忘掉以前走路的方法。从那时候起，他更专心研究<span class=\"highlightText\">邯郸</span>人走路的<span class=\"highlightText\">姿势</span>，不过，再怎么努力他还是学不会，最后他只好放弃。\r\n\r\n可是，因为他把以前走路的方法忘掉了，已经不知道该怎么走路，只好一路爬着回去。当别人看到他的样子，都忍不住笑他。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nIt is said that in Handan, the capital of the State of Zhao, the people there walk with a beautiful posture, and their movements are very lovely to look upon. \r\n\r\nIn the State of Yan, there was a youth who heard this legend, and he envied the people of Handan, so he went to the far-away State of Zhao, thinking to study the way Handan people walked.At first, he stood on the street the whole day, carefully researching the walking posture of everyone pedestrian, and slowly [trying to] imitate them, but he didn\'t succeed.\r\n\r\nLater, he thought perhaps he had been influenced by his old way of walking, so, he decided to forget how he used to walk. From that time forward, he studied the walking posture of Handan people even harder, but no matter how hard he studied he still couldn\'t learn it, and finally he had to give up.   \r\n\r\nHowever, because he had forgotten his old way of walking, he couldn\'t walk at all, and he had to crawl back [home]. When other saw him this way, they couldn\'t help but laugh at him. \r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Story behind the idiom:  邯郸学步 - Making oneself ridiculous by slavishly imitating others', 'A young man tries to copy the way people walk in the city of Handan (邯郸), but only succeeds in making a fool of himself. HSK 3-4.', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'story-behind-the-idiom-%e9%82%af%e9%83%b8%e5%ad%a6%e6%ad%a5-making-oneself-ridiculous-by-slavishly-imitating-others', '', '', '2020-06-02 06:23:56', '2020-06-02 10:23:56', '', 0, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/?p=2446', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(2448, 1, '2020-05-29 00:04:36', '2020-05-29 04:04:36', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n\r\nxxx\r\nhttp://www.hydcd.com/cy/gushi/0236hd.htm\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nxxx\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>xxx</h4>\r\n　　　据说，赵国的首都邯郸的人走路的姿态很好看，动作非常好看。\r\n\r\n　　燕国有一个少年听到这个传说，非常羡慕邯郸人，就走了很远的路去赵国，想学习邯郸人走路的方法。刚开始，他整天站在街头，仔细研究每个人走路的姿态，再慢慢模仿他们，可是都没有成功。\r\n\r\n后来，他想可能是受到过去走路习惯的影响，所以，他决定要忘掉以前走路的方法。从那时候起，他更专心研究邯郸人走路的姿势，不过，再怎么努力他还是学不会，最后他只好放弃。\r\n\r\n可是，因为他把以前走路的方法忘掉了，已经不知道该怎么走路，只好一路爬着回去。当别人看到他的样子，都忍不住笑他。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nx x x\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Story behind the idiom:  邯郸学步 - Making oneself ridiculous by slavishly imitating others', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2446-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-29 00:04:36', '2020-05-29 04:04:36', '', 2446, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/29/2446-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2447, 1, '2020-05-29 00:01:25', '2020-05-29 04:01:25', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n\r\nxxx\r\nhttp://www.hydcd.com/cy/gushi/0236hd.htm\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nxxx\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>xxx</h4>\r\n　　　据说，赵国的首都邯郸的人走路的姿态很好看，动作非常优雅、轻快。\r\n　　燕国有一个少年听到这个传说，非常羡慕邯郸人，就走了很远的路去赵国，想学习邯郸人走路的方法。刚开始，他整天站在街头，仔细研究每个人走路的姿态，再慢慢模仿他们，可是都没有成功。后来，他想可能是受到过去走路习惯的影响，所以，他决定要忘掉以前走路的方法。从那时候起，他更专心研究邯郸人走路的姿势，不过，再怎么努力他还是学不会，最后他只好放弃。可是，因为他把以前走路的方法忘得一干二净，已经不知道该怎么走路，只好一路爬着回去。当别人看到他的样子，都忍不住笑他。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\n　据说，赵国的首都邯郸的人走路的姿态很好看，动作非常优雅、轻快。\r\n　　燕国有一个少年听到这个传说，非常羡慕邯郸人，就走了很远的路去赵国，想学习邯郸人走路的方法。刚开始，他整天站在街头，仔细研究每个人走路的姿态，再慢慢模仿他们，可是都没有成功。后来，他想可能是受到过去走路习惯的影响，所以，他决定要忘掉以前走路的方法。从那时候起，他更专心研究邯郸人走路的姿势，不过，再怎么努力他还是学不会，最后他只好放弃。可是，因为他把以前走路的方法忘得一干二净，已经不知道该怎么走路，只好一路爬着回去。当别人看到他的样子，都忍不住笑他。\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Story behind the idiom:  邯郸学步 - Making oneself ridiculous by slavishly imitating others', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2446-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-29 00:01:25', '2020-05-29 04:01:25', '', 2446, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/29/2446-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2449, 1, '2020-06-05 00:00:04', '2020-06-05 04:00:04', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n\r\nxxx\r\nhttps://baike.baidu.com/item/%E7%8B%90%E5%81%87%E8%99%8E%E5%A8%81/4816479\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nxxx\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>xxx</h4>\r\n　　在茂密的森林里，有一只老虎正在寻找食物。一只狐狸从老虎身边窜过。老虎扑过去，把狐狸逮住了。\r\n狐狸眼珠子骨碌一转，扯着嗓子问老虎：“你敢吃我？”\r\n“为什么不敢？”老虎一愣。\r\n“老天爷派我来管你们百兽，你吃了我，就是违抗了老天爷的命令。我看你有多大的胆子！”\r\n老虎被蒙住了，松开了爪子。\r\n狐狸摇了摇尾巴，说：“我带你到百兽面前走一趟，让你看看我的威风。”\r\n老虎跟着狐狸朝森林深处走去。狐狸神气活现，摇头摆尾；老虎半信半疑，东张西望。\r\n森林里的野猪啦，小鹿啦，兔子啦，看见狐狸大摇大摆地走过来，跟往常很不一样，都很纳闷。再往狐狸身后一看，呀，一只大老虎！大大小小的野兽吓得撒腿就跑。\r\n老虎信以为真。其实他受骗了。原来，狐狸是借着老虎的威风把百兽吓跑的。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nx x x\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Story behind the idiom:  狐假虎威 - Using powerful connections to intimidate others', '', 'draft', 'open', 'open', '', '', '', '', '2020-05-29 00:16:06', '2020-05-29 04:16:06', '', 0, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/?p=2449', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(2450, 1, '2020-05-29 00:16:06', '2020-05-29 04:16:06', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n\r\nxxx\r\nhttps://baike.baidu.com/item/%E7%8B%90%E5%81%87%E8%99%8E%E5%A8%81/4816479\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nxxx\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>xxx</h4>\r\n　　在茂密的森林里，有一只老虎正在寻找食物。一只狐狸从老虎身边窜过。老虎扑过去，把狐狸逮住了。\r\n狐狸眼珠子骨碌一转，扯着嗓子问老虎：“你敢吃我？”\r\n“为什么不敢？”老虎一愣。\r\n“老天爷派我来管你们百兽，你吃了我，就是违抗了老天爷的命令。我看你有多大的胆子！”\r\n老虎被蒙住了，松开了爪子。\r\n狐狸摇了摇尾巴，说：“我带你到百兽面前走一趟，让你看看我的威风。”\r\n老虎跟着狐狸朝森林深处走去。狐狸神气活现，摇头摆尾；老虎半信半疑，东张西望。\r\n森林里的野猪啦，小鹿啦，兔子啦，看见狐狸大摇大摆地走过来，跟往常很不一样，都很纳闷。再往狐狸身后一看，呀，一只大老虎！大大小小的野兽吓得撒腿就跑。\r\n老虎信以为真。其实他受骗了。原来，狐狸是借着老虎的威风把百兽吓跑的。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nx x x\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Story behind the idiom:  狐假虎威 - Using powerful connections to intimidate others', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2449-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-29 00:16:06', '2020-05-29 04:16:06', '', 2449, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/29/2449-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2451, 1, '2020-06-04 00:00:19', '2020-06-04 04:00:19', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n\r\nThere are a zillion variations on this story, and no real \"original\". Many of the details change from version to version, but certain details remain the same. \r\n\r\nThis myth is so famous that it has spawned . \r\nhttps://www.5068.com/gs/sxwqn/482143.html\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nxxx\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>《八仙过海》</h4>\r\n　有一天，八仙向西王母拜寿回来，腾云驾雾从东海上空经过，只见海上波涛汹涌，白浪滔天，煞是壮观。于是，八仙决定到海面上玩一玩。\r\n\r\n　　吕洞宾说：“大家把自己的宝物扔到海面上，借着它渡过大海，比一比谁更有神通，怎么样?”\r\n\r\n　　铁拐李首先对这一建议表示欢迎，他兴致昂扬地说：“好啊!大家先看我的!”便把拐杖投向海中，拐杖像一条小船漂浮在水面，铁拐李一个筋斗，翻立在拐杖上。\r\n\r\n　　接着汉钟离把他的芭蕉扇丢到海上，跳下去站在上面。\r\n\r\n　　接着，其他几位仙人也各显神通，张果老倒骑着毛驴，吕洞宾踏着雌雄宝剑，韩湘子坐着萧，何仙姑乘着花篮，蓝采和站在拍板上，曹国舅踩着玉版，都在海面上漂浮了起来。\r\n\r\n　　八仙安稳地顺着汹涌的波浪漂去，这与腾云驾雾感觉大不相同，别有一番新的刺激和情调，大家玩得好不快意。\r\n\r\n　　这时，曹国舅突然用手指向右边，并高声喊道： “大家看啊!那里有座海市蜃楼!”\r\n\r\n　　大家转头一看，只见一座仙山渐渐地从海里升起，山上有树木，有楼房，一会儿就升到半空中，慢慢地变成天边的浮云，一转眼，那浮云又被风吹散了。\r\n\r\n　　韩湘子说：“我们真是眼福不浅!蜃气是海里蛟龙嘘出来的气体 ，百年难得一见啊!”\r\n\r\n　　突然 ，蓝采和从他们当中消失了。大家远近观望，一边找一边喊，可就是不见蓝采和的踪迹，张果老猜说：\r\n\r\n　　“可能是东海龙王作怪，他不欢迎我们在他的海上大显神通，把蓝采和抓到龙宫去了，走 我们一起到龙宫要人去!”\r\n\r\n　　大家来到龙宫，婉言请求龙王放人。龙王蛮不讲理，不但不肯，还派自己的几个儿子带领虾兵蟹将追杀八仙。八仙只得用随身的法宝当武器，抵抗虾兵蟹将，经过一场激烈的战斗之后，龙王的两个太子被八仙杀死了。\r\n\r\n　　龙王一听，自己的两个儿子被八仙杀了，真是悲愤至极，商请南海、西海、北海龙王来帮忙。龙王的不依不饶，把八仙也给惹火了。铁拐李用酒葫芦把海水吸光，其余几位仙人将泰山搬了过来，往东海一扔，东海立刻变成了一座高 。\r\n\r\n　　双方打得天昏地暗，日月无光，把太上老君、如来佛和观世音也惊动了，他们全都赶来调解。调解的结果是，由蓝采和送东海龙王两片玉版，作为杀两位太子的补偿泰山则由观世音负责搬回原处。\r\n\r\n　　因为这一场纠纷，八仙被玉皇大帝降级一等。从此，八仙再也不敢到外面惹是生非了。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nx x x\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Mythology:  八仙过海 - The Eight Immortals Cross the Sea', '', 'draft', 'open', 'open', '', '', '', '', '2020-05-29 01:09:00', '2020-05-29 05:09:00', '', 0, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/?p=2451', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(2452, 1, '2020-05-29 01:04:11', '2020-05-29 05:04:11', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n\r\nThere are a zillion variations on this story, and no real \"original\". Many of the details change from version to version, but certain details remain the same. \r\n\r\nThis myth is so famous that it has spawned . \r\nhttps://www.5068.com/gs/sxwqn/482143.html\r\n<h4>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nxxx\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>《八仙过海》</h4>\r\n　有一天，八仙向西王母拜寿回来，腾云驾雾从东海上空经过，只见海上波涛汹涌，白浪滔天，煞是壮观。于是，八仙决定到海面上玩一玩。\r\n\r\n　　吕洞宾说：“大家把自己的宝物扔到海面上，借着它渡过大海，比一比谁更有神通，怎么样?”\r\n\r\n　　铁拐李首先对这一建议表示欢迎，他兴致昂扬地说：“好啊!大家先看我的!”便把拐杖投向海中，拐杖像一条小船漂浮在水面，铁拐李一个筋斗，翻立在拐杖上。\r\n\r\n　　接着汉钟离把他的芭蕉扇丢到海上，跳下去站在上面。\r\n\r\n　　接着，其他几位仙人也各显神通，张果老倒骑着毛驴，吕洞宾踏着雌雄宝剑，韩湘子坐着萧，何仙姑乘着花篮，蓝采和站在拍板上，曹国舅踩着玉版，都在海面上漂浮了起来。\r\n\r\n　　八仙安稳地顺着汹涌的波浪漂去，这与腾云驾雾感觉大不相同，别有一番新的刺激和情调，大家玩得好不快意。\r\n\r\n　　这时，曹国舅突然用手指向右边，并高声喊道： “大家看啊!那里有座海市蜃楼!”\r\n\r\n　　大家转头一看，只见一座仙山渐渐地从海里升起，山上有树木，有楼房，一会儿就升到半空中，慢慢地变成天边的浮云，一转眼，那浮云又被风吹散了。\r\n\r\n　　韩湘子说：“我们真是眼福不浅!蜃气是海里蛟龙嘘出来的气体 ，百年难得一见啊!”\r\n\r\n　　突然 ，蓝采和从他们当中消失了。大家远近观望，一边找一边喊，可就是不见蓝采和的踪迹，张果老猜说：\r\n\r\n　　“可能是东海龙王作怪，他不欢迎我们在他的海上大显神通，把蓝采和抓到龙宫去了，走 我们一起到龙宫要人去!”\r\n\r\n　　大家来到龙宫，婉言请求龙王放人。龙王蛮不讲理，不但不肯，还派自己的几个儿子带领虾兵蟹将追杀八仙。八仙只得用随身的法宝当武器，抵抗虾兵蟹将，经过一场激烈的战斗之后，龙王的两个太子被八仙杀死了。\r\n\r\n　　龙王一听，自己的两个儿子被八仙杀了，真是悲愤至极，商请南海、西海、北海龙王来帮忙。龙王的不依不饶，把八仙也给惹火了。铁拐李用酒葫芦把海水吸光，其余几位仙人将泰山搬了过来，往东海一扔，东海立刻变成了一座高 。\r\n\r\n　　双方打得天昏地暗，日月无光，把太上老君、如来佛和观世音也惊动了，他们全都赶来调解。调解的结果是，由蓝采和送东海龙王两片玉版，作为杀两位太子的补偿泰山则由观世音负责搬回原处。\r\n\r\n　　因为这一场纠纷，八仙被玉皇大帝降级一等。从此，八仙再也不敢到外面惹是生非了。\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\nx x x\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Mythology:  八仙过海 - The Eight Immortals Cross the Sea', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2451-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-29 01:04:11', '2020-05-29 05:04:11', '', 2451, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/29/2451-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
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(2453, 1, '2020-06-02 00:00:57', '2020-06-02 04:00:57', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">In the <a href=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/tag/novels/\">Novels</a> series, I get you started reading the first few paragraphs of classic Chinese fiction. If you like the beginning, you can <a href=\"https://amzn.to/3cq55ea\">buy the book</a> and keep reading.</p> \r\n\r\n<strong>Super challenge time:</strong> this is the longest and most difficult read I\'ve ever posted. Long, because I wanted to put up the entire first chapter. Difficult, because... well, I explain below. Wang Shuo has been called \"China\'s Kerouac\", I might lean more towards \"China\'s Bukowski\", and as such, this piece is not appropriate for children. There is some swearing and (very) mild sexual content - you have been warned. \r\n\r\n<a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wang_Shuo\">Wang Shuo (王朔)</a> is the bad boy of contemporary Chinese writers, a real controversial figure, and his work, which centers around the dark underbelly of Beijing in the 1970s and 80s, spawned its own genre of \"hooligan\" fiction. This isn\'t the organized, moneyed mob fiction of Hong Kong, this is the small-scale thievery that reflects urban life on the mainland right after the Cultural Revolution, when the country just started opening up to international trade and society was a mess. Wang Shuo\'s plots are so ugly, dark and brutal that he has been called a \"spiritual pollutant\" by the powers that be.  \r\n\r\nThis is the complete first chapter of his book <em>Hot and Cold, Measure for Measure</em>, or 《一半是火焰，一半是海水》. The book contains several short novellas, but the namesake work is only around 90 pages long in total. I\'m just about to finish reading it. The plot is horrendously depressing: the story of a thug who casually seduces a young high school girl with a bright future, breaks her down with his callousness until she becomes a prostitute and eventually kills herself, which sets off another chain of events. The extremely relatable realism with which Wang Shuo describes her destruction will have any woman who has ever been involved with a bad-news boyfriend cringing. \r\n\r\nThis chapter sets up the rest of the book in two main scenes: One, we meet the protagonist as he is in the middle of a scam he often runs. I\'m going to explain the nature of the scam here because it\'s confusing unless you spent time in China twenty years ago. Basically, the protagonist works with a gang that includes a friend of his (named 方方) and a few prostitutes (mainly one lady named 亚红). During this time in China, it was very common for prostitutes to work in and around hotels, they would push their cards under the door of hotel rooms, or cold-call the room to ask if services were required. Prostitution was illegal, but this still happened all the time. The protagonist and his friend wait until one of the prostitutes in the gang have landed a client. Then complicit hotel staff (named 卫宁) calls the gang, who burst into the room dressed like policemen and demand money as a \"fine\" from the hotel guest, and take the prostitute out as if they are arresting her. So this is where the book starts, with a phone call from a corrupt staff member at the hotel\'s front desk to the gangsters, telling them which rooms the prostitutes are in with their clients.\r\n\r\nIn the second half of the chapter, the protagonist goes about the next day of his life doing some errands, and eventually meets and has a conversation with this girl whose life he will later ruin. She is spunky but naive, daring and precocious in the way that young people can be when they think they can handle themselves, but haven\'t yet encountered real danger or darkness in their lives. \r\n\r\n<h3>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nLinguistically speaking, this is one of the hardest Chinese books I\'ve ever read, because it\'s full of underworld colloquialisms, and like a lot of great fiction, some of the things that happen aren\'t clearly spelled out, they\'re only suggested and you have to read between the lines. This chapter isn\'t too bad, but subsequent chapters are pretty heavy on that stuff. I\'m going to explain some of the slang used here that isn\'t in the dictionary. \r\n\r\nFirst, though, a couple of proper nouns: 白茹 is a brand of car, the old Chinese name for a Peugeot. Peugeot\'s official Chinese name is 标致, but the cars were being imported into China probably before the company released an official Chinese name for them, so since 白茹 kind of sounds like \"Peugeot\", this is probably just the Chinese-ified brand name given by locals. Happened with quite a few brands back then. 燕都 is the name of a hotel. \r\n\r\n<strong>野鸽</strong> [pinyin]ye3 ge1[/pinyin] - 鸽 means \"dove\", but here it is slang for \"prostitute\". 野, as you probably know from the word 野生, means \"wild\" or \"untamed\". 野鸽 refers to a prostitute that is not working for the gang. In the first paragraph, 野 is used by itself, this is what it\'s referring to.\r\n\r\n<strong>小子</strong> [pinyin]xiao3 zi[/pinyin] - This is a derogatory way to refer to someone. It translates to something like, \"little shit\". \r\n\r\n<strong>他妈</strong> [pinyin]ta1 ma1[/pinyin] - Usually 他妈的, the swear word \"fuck\" or \"fucking\", but not referring to the sexual act itself, just used for emphasis, as in \"What the fuck are you doing here?\"\r\n\r\n<strong>没劲</strong> [pinyin]mei2 jin4[/pinyin] - This usually means \"no energy\", but in this case, it means \"uninteresting\" or \"dull\". \r\n\r\n<strong>倒霉蛋</strong> [pinyin]dao3 mei2 dan4[/pinyin] - \"Unfortunate guy\", in this case probably better translated as \"sucker\", as it\'s referring to people who were scammed by this gang.\r\n\r\n<strong>三联单</strong> [pinyin]san1 lian2 dan1[/pinyin] - An invoice that has three copies (one of those old white / pink / yellow carbon-copied invoices). In this chapter, the protagonist gets one from a medical clinic, and it is not made clear here what is being done with it, except that it\'s clearly being used in some kind of dishonest dealing.\r\n\r\n<strong>四胜三和五负</strong> [pinyin]si4 sheng4 san1 he2 wu3 fu4[/pinyin] - This phrase is being used in relation to a game of Go. Literally: \"To win four (games), tie three, and lose five\". Here just means \"to win a few and lose a few\". \r\n\r\n<strong>小毛头</strong> [pinyin]xiao3 mao2 tou[/pinyin] - \"Little boy\", used as an insult here.\r\n\r\n<strong>丫头</strong> [pinyin]ya1 tou[/pinyin] - \"Girl\", usually with overtones of naivety, in this case used insultingly / dismissively. \r\n\r\n<strong>凑人</strong> [pinyin]cou4 ren2[/pinyin] - A casual phrase meaning \"to get some people together\" for a party or activity.\r\n\r\n<strong>来劲</strong> [pinyin]lai2 jin4[/pinyin] - To be annoying, to pester or hassle someone. \r\n \r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>《一半是火焰，一半是海水》第一章</h4>\r\n	\r\n“喂，两对都进房了。房间号927、1208，还有一只<span class=\"highlightText\">野</span>的，进了1713.”\r\n\r\n“知道了。” \r\n\r\n我放下电话，马上穿上西服外套，提起书包，招呼正在看电视的<span class=\"highlightText\">方方</span>，三步并作两步跑下楼。我那辆花四千元买来的旧<span class=\"highlightText\">“白茹”</span>车停在街角便道上。我们坐进车里，把汽车迅速地开上马路，直驶远处灯火辉煌的<span class=\"highlightText\">“燕都”</span>大饭店。在饭店旁边的一条林荫道上，我招手停在一溜轿车的后边，下了车“乒乓”关好门，快步加入一群刚从一辆大旅行车下来的日本游客中间，走进“燕都”饭店富丽堂皇的大厅。彬彬有礼地站在总服务台里的<span class=\"highlightText\">卫宁</span>不易察觉地给我们使个眼声：一切正常。我和方方走进盥洗室，打开皮包，拿出两套警服换上，走出盥洗室，沿安全楼梯爬上去。爬到第九层，我们都是气喘吁吁，待呼吸均匀了，我们走向服务台，坐着的服务员抬头诧异地看我们。\r\n\r\n“我们是公安局的，请开927房间。”\r\n\r\n服务员顺从地拎起一串钥匙领着我们走向长廊尽头的一间客房。“里边有客人。”服务员看到门上挂的“请勿打扰”的小牌，回头对我说。\r\n\r\n“知道，打开锁。”我命令道。\r\n\r\n服务员钮开锁，站在一旁。\r\n\r\n“你回去吧。”方方粗鲁地挥手避开服务员。\r\n\r\n服务员消逝在走廊的另一端，我和方方立即开门冲了进去……我和方方带着<span class=\"highlightText\">亚红</span>出来，皮包里塞着几千崭新的钞票，神情严肃地走服务台进了电梯间，方方和亚红忍不住笑起来。\r\n\r\n“你们笑什么，真<span class=\"textHighlight\">他妈没劲</span>。”我说着也忍不住笑了，对亚红说：“你在楼下酒吧等会儿，我们还得上去收拾12层那小子。”我们把电梯开到底层，让亚红出去，又开上12层。\r\n\r\n十五分钟后，我们换下警服带着另一个姑娘在酒吧找到亚红，一起喝了杯酒，亚红挽着方方先出去。我给总服务台的卫宁打了电话，告诉他事已办完，十七层那只<span class=\"highlightText\">野鸽</span>让她舒舒服服睡一宿，早晨报警。我挽着另一个姑娘坦然走出饭店。方方已经把“白茹”发动了，我们一上车就开走了。\r\n\r\n早晨，我被电话铃吵醒，睡在我旁边的亚红接了电话，告诉我，卫宁说那两个受到我们讹诈的<span class=\"highlightText\">倒霉蛋</span>已经结了房钱走了，那只野鸽也被在大门等着的警察塞上车抓走了。亚红翻身又睡了。我却睡不着，一支接一支地抽起烟。阳光从厚重的窗帘后倾泄出来，我轻轻走到窗前，从窗帘缝隙看了会儿外面车水马龙，阳光明媚的街道，把窗帘拉严。我不喜欢晴朗的早晨，看到成千上万的人兴冲冲地去上班、上学，我就感到形孤影单。白天我没有什么事可干，也没什么人等我，我的朋友们都在睡觉。我又抽了五支烟，看了看日历，然后穿衣服，洗脸刷牙，走出我住的这套公寓。我走过街角停放的“自茹”车，径直走向公共汽车站。尽管上班高峰已过，车内还是十分拥挤。一个坐着的中年男人下车，我刚要坐下，看到一个抱小孩的年轻妇女，便呼招她过来。\r\n\r\n\"谢谢。\" 年轻妇女坐下后，又逗弄着小孩说：\"谢谢叔叔。\"\r\n\r\n\"谢谢叔叔。\"\r\n\r\n我冲小孩笑笑，小孩从衣兜里掏出一块彩纸包装的巧克力，剥开纸刚要往嘴里填，看我瞅着他，举起巧克力给我。\r\n\r\n\"不要，叔叔不吃。\"\r\n\r\n\"吃吧，没事。\"\r\n\r\n\"真的不吃，叔叔要下车了。\"\r\n\r\n我挤下车，沿街走了一站，到单位医务室要了张\"<span class=\"highlightText\">三联单</span>\"，打电话约了一肝不太好的朋友去医院替我抽了一管血。又在商业区的两个储蓄所把我昨晚挣的那笔钱分别用我去世父母的名字存了进去，然后去邮局给一个交钱即可注册入学，不须考试的函授大学汇了报名款和一年的学费。我报的专业是法律。办完这些事，我到一家人不太多的豪华餐厅吃午饭。这家餐厅菜做的十分讲究，我看着漂亮的图案喝了不少红酒，又吃了几个浇了巧克力汁的冰淇淋，下午才走出餐厅，在报亭买当天所有的日报和晚报，坐在电报局等长途电话的排椅上细细测览。黄昏时我给家里打了个电话，方方接的。我们聊了会儿，他正在和卫宁下围棋，卫宁一早前来了，他们下了一天棋，他<span class=\"highlightText\">四胜三和五负</span>，晚上准备<span class=\"highlightText\">凑人</span>撞麻将。我告诉他我晚点回去，就挂了电话。\r\n\r\n暮春时节，树木草地都绿遍了，花丛怒放。我走进一个举办晚间音乐会的公园，在音乐亭前等退票。一个老人送了我一张，我又转送给一对只有一张票的青年伴侣，坚决不要他们加倍的票款。在高大、油漆剥落的廊柱间，我看到一美丽少女坐以汉白玉石台上看书，悬在空中的两条长腿互相勾着脚，一翘一翘。她一手棒书，一手从放在身旁的一个袋袋中抓瓜子磕，吐出的皮儿拢成一堆，嘴里哼着歌，间或翻一页书，悠闲自在，楚楚动人。我悄悄走到她身后，踮脚看那本使她入迷的书。是一本很深奥的文艺理论著作，我一目十行地看了一会儿，索然无味，正要转身走开，忽听女孩说：\r\n\r\n“看不懂吧。”她仰起脸，笑吟吟地望着我。\r\n\r\n我脸红了，感到不知所措，因为我还会脸红。片刻，我镇静下来，说：\"就是学生，这会儿在公司看书也有点装模作样。”“我在这儿坐了一下午了，你瞧，我看了多少。\"\r\n\r\n她快速地把看过一页数捻了一遍，我捏捏那厚厚的一迭，联想到书的内容，怀疑地问：\"你看这么快？\"\r\n\r\n\"我也看不懂呗，就看得快。\"\r\n\r\n我们都笑了。\"不看了。\" 女孩把书撂到一旁。“你有事吗”她问我。\r\n\r\n\"没有。\" 我说：\"没人约我。\"\r\n\r\n\"聊聊？\"\r\n\r\n\"聊聊。\"\r\n\r\n我在她旁边坐，她把瓜子袋推给我。我不大会磕瓜子，磕得皮瓤唾液一塌糊涂。\r\n\r\n\"瞧我。\" 女孩示范性地磕了一个瓜子，洁白的贝齿一闪，我下意识地闭紧自己被烟熏得黑黄的牙齿。女孩倒没注意，晃悠着腿四处张望。“你是哪个学校的”我注意到她里面毛衣上别着一枚校徽。女孩龇齿咬着瓜子看着我笑起来。\r\n\r\n\"这就叫\'套瓷\'吧。\" 女孩说：\"下边你该说自己是哪个学校的，我们两校挨得如何近，没准天天能碰见……\"\r\n\r\n\"你看我象学生吗？” 我说：\"我是劳改释放犯，现在还靠敲诈勒索为生。\"\r\n\r\n\"我才不管你是什么呢。\" 女孩笑着瞅着自己的脚尖，似乎那儿有什么好玩可笑的，\"你是什么我都无所谓。\"\r\n\r\n我半天没说话，女孩也没说话，只是美滋滋地看着天边夕阳消逝后迅即黯淡下来，却又不失瑰丽的云彩：“那块云象马克思、那块象海盗，象吗，你说象吗”\r\n\r\n\"你多大了？\" 女孩转过头看我，仔仔细细打量了我一遍：\"你，过去没怎么跟女孩接触过吧。\"\r\n\r\n\"没有。\" 我面不改声色心不跳地骗她。\r\n\r\n\"我早看出来了，小男孩！刚才我看书时就看见你远远地，想过来搭讪又胆怯，怕我臊你一顿是不是？\"\r\n\r\n\"我和一百多个女的睡过觉。\"\r\n\r\n女孩放声笑起来，笑得那么肆无忌惮，那么开心。\r\n\r\n\"你笑起来，\" 我说：\"跟个傻丫头似的。\"\r\n\r\n女孩一下不笑了，悻悻地白了我一眼：\"我不说你，你也别说我了。实话告诉你，我已经谈了一年多恋爱了。”女孩又笑了，有几分得意。\r\n\r\n\"是你的傻冒同学吧？\"\r\n\r\n\"他才不傻呢，是学生会干部。\"\r\n\r\n\"那还不傻傻得已经没法练了。\"\r\n\r\n\"哼，你这种只被爸爸妈妈吻过的<span class=\"highlightText\">小毛头</span>也<span class=\"highlightText\">配</span>说他。\"\r\n\r\n\"我要是他，就敢跟你睡觉。\" 我微笑地说：\"他敢吗？\"\r\n\r\n尽管天色已经很暗了，我也察觉得出女孩的脸排红了：\"他很尊重我。\"\r\n\r\n我哧笑：\"嘁，尊重，别说了，咱甭说了。你也别装傻了。\"\r\n\r\n女孩闷了半天没吭声。我吹起口哨，叼起一支烟，把烟盒递给她，她摇摇头。\r\n\r\n\"又完了不是？\" 我取笑她，\"敢在光天化日之下看书，不会抽烟，时髦半截。\"\r\n\r\n\"你别来劲。\" 女孩不服地说，\"给我一支！\"\r\n\r\n我把嘴上的烟给她，她抽了一口，\"呼\"地全吹了出去。我伸胳膊搭在她肩上，她哆嗦了一下，并没拒绝。我把她搂过来，她近在咫尺地看看我，拔拉掉我的胳膊，强笑着说：\r\n\r\n\"我有点儿信你和一百多个女人睡过觉了。\"\r\n\r\n\"干吗有点信，就应该信。知道我外号叫什么吗？老枪！\" 我听到完完全全收拾书的声音，恶意地笑着说：“我叫你害怕了。”\r\n\r\n\"才没有呢。\" 女孩站起来：“我只是该走了。”\r\n\r\n\"敢告诉我你叫什么，住哪儿吗？\"\r\n\r\n女孩跳下石台，亮晶晶的眼睛在黑暗中闪烁，笑着说：\"啊哈！我还以为你能始终不同凡响，闹了半天，也落了俗套。\"\r\n\r\n\"好，我俗。你走吧。哎，\" 我叫住她：\"咱们要是再见了，就得算朋友了吧？\"\r\n\r\n\"算朋友。\" 女孩笑着走了。\r\n\r\n我笑眯眯地在石台上坐了一会儿，也跳下石台走了。\r\n\r\n <a href=\"https://amzn.to/3cq55ea\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Buy the book on Amazon</a>.\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\n\"Hey, both pairs just went into their rooms, the room numbers are 927, 1208, and there\'s one other [that isn\'t part of our gang], went into 1713.\" \r\n\r\n\"Got it.\" \r\n\r\nI put down the phone, immediately put on my suit jacket, picked up my book bag, and called to Fangfang who was watching TV, and we ran down the stairs two at a time. The “Peugeot” car I paid 4000 RMB for was parked on the corner of the street. We got in the car, and drove quickly onto the road, and drove directly towards the brilliant lights of the Yandu Hotel. On a shady street next to the hotel, I waved to stop behind a row of cars, our doors closed with a <em>ping pang</em>, and we quickly stepped in to intermingle with a group of Japanese tourists that had just gotten off a tour bus, walking [among them] into the Yandu Hotel\'s resplendent lobby. Courteously standing behind the main service counter, Weining surreptitiously shot us a look: everything was normal. Fangfang and I walked into the washroom, opened the leather bag, took out two police uniforms and changed into them, walked out of the washroom, and took the emergency exit stairs up. We climbed to the 9th floor, both of us huffing and puffing, and waiting until our breath came easier, then we walked towards the [floor\'s] service counter. The service personnel sitting there raised his head and looked at us astonished. \r\n\r\n\"We\'re the police, please open room 927.\" \r\n\r\nThe staff compliantly lifted out a chain of keys and lead us to a room at the end of the long hall. \r\n\r\n\"There\'s a guest inside.\" The staff saw the \"do not disturb\" sign hung on the door, and said looking back at us. \r\n\r\n\"We know, open the lock.\" I ordered. \r\n\r\nThe service staff twisted open the lock, and stood to one side.\r\n\r\n\"Get back,\" Fangfang roughly waved away the staffer. \r\n\r\nThe staff disappeared down another hallway, and Fangfang and I immediately opened the door and charged inside.... Fangfang and I walked out with Yahong, our leather bag stuffed full of a few thousand fresh bank notes, and with serious expressions entered the elevator next to the service desk, then Fangfang and Yahong could [no longer] suppress their laughter. \r\n\r\n\"What are you two laughing at, what the fuck is so funny [lit: it\'s really fucking uninteresting].\" But as I spoke I couldn\'t help laughing myself, and I said to Yahong, \"Wait in the bar downstairs for a bit, we\'ve still got to go grab up those little shits on the 12th floor.\" We took the elevator to the lower floor, let Yahong out, then went back up to 12.  　\r\n\r\nFifteen minutes later, we changed out of our police clothes and took the second girl to the bar to find Yahong, had some drinks together, and Yahong left on Fangfang\'s arm. I gave Weining at the main service desk a call, told him it was done, and to let the hooker on the 17th floor sleep soundly for the night, then call the [real] cops [on her] in the morning. With the other girl on my arm I walked casually out of the hotel. Fangfang had already started up the Peugeot, and he drove off as soon as we got in.\r\n\r\nIn the morning, I was woken up by a phone call, and Yahong who had been sleeping by my side answered it. She told me: Weining said that the two sorry suckers that we\'d scammed had already paid for the rooms and left, the other prostitute had been taken away by the cops that were waiting at the main entrance. Yahong rolled over and went back to sleep. I couldn\'t fall asleep again, [so I just] smoked one cigarette after another. Sunlight was spilling at an angle through the thick curtains, and I walked quietly to the window, looking out through the crack in the curtains onto the flow of people and traffic outside, the sun shining brightly on the street, and pulled the curtains firmly shut. I don\'t like the early morning, seeing people in their hundreds and thousands rush to work, to school, makes me feel like an isolated shadow. I don\'t have anything to do during the day, and no one\'s waiting for me, my friends are all asleep. I smoked another five cigarettes, looked at the calendar, then put on my clothes, washed my face and brushed my teeth, and walked out of the apartment where I was staying. I walked past the Peugot parked at the corner, and walked straight to the bust stop. Even though rush hour was already over, the bus was still pretty packed. One guy who was sitting down got off the bus, and I was just about to sit [in his place], when I saw a young woman carrying a small child, and called her to sit.\r\n\r\n\"Thank you.\" After the young woman sat down, she cutely said to the kid: \"Thank the uncle.\"　\r\n\r\n\"Thank you uncle.\"\r\n\r\nI smiled at the kid, and he fished a piece of chocolate wrapped in colored paper out of his pocket, ripped open the packet and was about to stuff it into his mouth, saw me watching him, and held up the chocolate to me.\r\n\r\n\"No thanks, uncle doesn\'t want it.\" \r\n\r\n\"Have it, it\'s nothing.\" \r\n\r\n\"No, really, uncle\'s got to get off.\" \r\n\r\nI pushed my way off the bus, walked along the road as far as the next stop, arrive an infirmary and asked for asked for a triplicate invoice, then called an acquaintance to go to the hospital and get some blood drawn in my place. At two [separate] savings banks in the business district I deposited the money I\'d gotten last night under my dead parents\' names, then I went to the post office and sent a tuition payment to a correspondence university where you didn\'t have to take a test to register, just pay. I registered to major in law. Once I\'d finished these things, I went to eat lunch at a fine dining restaurant where there weren\'t too many patrons. The food at this restaurant was exquisite. I drank no small measure of wine while looking at the lovely picture [menu], ate a few ice creams drizzled with chocolate sauce, left the restaurant in the afternoon, bought the morning and evening papers at the news stand, and sat on the long-distance call waiting bench in the telegraph office and browsed them thoroughly. I called the house around dusk, Fangfang picked up. We talked for a while, he\'d just been playing Go with Weining. Weining had come over earlier, they\'d been playing Go all day, he won a few, tied a few and lost a few，and tonight they were planning to get some people together for a Majiang game. I told him I\'d be back that night, and hung up the phone.\r\n\r\nIt was late spring, the trees and grasses had turned green, the flowers bloomed in profusion. I went into a park where they\'d organized an evening music event, and waited in line to return my ticket. An old man had given me one ticket, I ended up re-gifting it to a young couple who only had one, refused their offer to make up the difference. Between the huge, green-painted pillars, I saw a beautiful young woman sitting on the marble platform reading a book, her two long legs hanging in the air hooked at the ankles, swinging up [and down]. She was holding a book in one hand, and was picking sunflower seeds out of the bag at her side with the other, the shells she\'d spit out had amassed into a pile, she was humming a song, turning a page now and then, leisurely and unrestrained, delicate and lovely. I quietly walked up behind her, and stood on tiptoe to look at the book that had fascinated her so. It was a profound works of literary theory, I skimmed it for bit, [found it] dull and insipid, and I was just about to turn around and leave, when I suddenly heard the girl say:\r\n\r\n\"You don\'t understand it, huh?\" she turned up her face, looking at me with a smile. \r\n\r\nMy face turned red, and I felt at a loss that I [was still capable of] getting embarrassed. After a moment, I settled down, and said: \"You\'re just a student, sitting here in the park reading is a bit of affectation.\" \r\n\r\n\"I\'ve been sitting here all afternoon, look here you, see how much I\'ve read.\"\r\n\r\nShe quickly flipped through all the pages she\'d read, and I pinched that thick stack, and thinking back on the contents, asked doubtfully, \"You read that quickly?\" \r\n\r\n\"I don\'t understand it either, but I read it quickly.\" \r\n\r\nWe both smiled. \"I\'m done reading.\" The girl put the book to one side. \"You have somewhere to be?\" she asked me. \r\n\r\n\"No,\" I said. \"No appointments.\" \r\n\r\n\"[Shall we] chat [for a bit]?\"\r\n\r\n\"Let\'s chat.\" \r\n\r\nI sat down next to her, and she pushed the bag of sunflower seeds over to me. I didn\'t really know how to crack the sunflower seeds [with my teeth], and [when I tried] spittle went everywhere.\r\n\r\n\"Watch me.\" The girl demonstrated with a single sunflower seed, her pure white teeth flashing, and I subconsciously closed my mouth over my own tobacco smoke-yellowed teeth. But she didn\'t notice, swinging her legs in all directions. \"What school are you from?\" I noticed there was a school emblem on her inside sweater. Biting down on a sunflower seed, the girl looked at me and smiled. \r\n\r\n\"That\'s called \'cottoning up\',\" she said. \"Next you\'ll probably say whatever school you\'re from, and that our schools are so close to each other, maybe we can run into each other every day...\" \r\n\r\n\"You think I look like a student?\" I said. \"I\'m a criminal freed from the work camps, I extort people for a living.\"\r\n\r\n\"I don\'t care what you are,\" the girl said, smiling and looking at her toes, as if there was something amusing there. \"Whatever you are is nothing to me.\" \r\n\r\nI didn\'t speak for a while, and the girl didn\'t speak either, just looked on, pleased, as the evening light disappeared on the horizon and the sky quickly dimmed, but didn\'t lose its magnificent clouds: \"That cloud looks like Marx, that one looks like a pirate, doesn\'t it, don\'t you think so?\" \r\n\r\n\"How old are you?\" the girl turned her head to look at me, carefully looking me over. \"You, doesn\'t look like you\'ve been with that many women.\" \r\n\r\n\"I haven\'t,\" I said, lying to her without a change in expression or a thump of the heart. \r\n\r\n\"I could tell right away, little boy! As I was reading my book just now, I saw you standing far away, wanting to talk to me but also timid, afraid I\'d curse you, huh?\"　\r\n\r\n\"[Actually,] I\'ve slept with over 100 women.\"\r\n\r\nThe girl let loose a laugh, unbridled and amused. \r\n\r\n\"You laugh,\" I said, \"like a dumb chick.\"　　\r\n\r\nShe suddenly stopped laughing, angrily throwing me a scornful glance, \"I didn\'t criticize you, don\'t criticize me. Truthfully speaking, I\'ve already been with someone for a year.\" The girl smiled again, quite satisfied with herself. \r\n\r\n\"Is it one of your idiot classmates?\" 　\r\n\r\n\"He\'s not an idiot, he\'s a cadre in the student union.\"　　\r\n\r\n\"Then he\'s stupid beyond measure.\"　\r\n\r\n\"Huh, a little baby like you who\'s only been kissed by his parents doesn\'t deserve to speak of him.\"　\r\n\r\n\"If I was him, I\'d already have had the courage to sleep with you,\" I said, smiling lightly. \"Has he dared?\"　　\r\n\r\nAlthough the sky was already gloomy, I perceived the girl\'s face reddening, \"He respects me.\" \r\n\r\nI tittered, \"Oh, respect, don\'t even, no need for us to talk about that. And no need for you to play dumb.\"  \r\n\r\nThe girl sat there vexed for a while saying nothing. I started whistling, started sucking on a cigarette, passed her the cigarette pack, she shook her head. \r\n\r\n\"Busted again, aren\'t you?\" I teased her, \"willing to read a book in broad daylight, but can\'t smoke cigarettes, [guess you\'re] only half-fashionable.\"\r\n\r\n\"Don\'t be obnoxious.\" Still, unwilling to be conquered, she said, \"Give me one!\"\r\n\r\nI passed her the cigarette that was in my mouth, she took a puff, and <em>heng</em>, blew it all out. I stretched an arm around her shoulder, she trembled a second, but didn\'t refuse. I pulled her near to me, she looked at me from close up, pushed my arm off, and with a forced smile said: \r\n\r\n\"I might believe a little that you\'ve slept with over 100 women.\" \r\n\r\n\"What are you doing only \'believing a little\', you ought to just believe. You want to know what they call me? The Old Pistol.\"　I heard her grabbing up all of her books, and said with a nasty smile, \"I think you\'re scared.\" \r\n\r\n\"Well, I\'m not.\" The girl stood up: \"I should probably go.\"\r\n\r\n\"Do you dare tell me your name, or where you live?\"　\r\n\r\nThe girl jumped off the platform, her bright, crystal eyes flashed in the darkness, and she said smiling, \"Ah ha! I thought maybe you weren\'t like everyone else, [talking shit] half the day, but then sinking into mediocrity.\"　　\r\n\r\n\"Fine, I\'m mediocre. Go. Hey,\" I called her to stop, \"If we meet again, let\'s consider ourselves friends.\"\r\n\r\n\"Sure, friends,\" she said, and smiling, left.　\r\n\r\nI sat for a while on the platform smiling genially, then I too jumped down and left. 　\r\n\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Novels: Start reading Chinese gangster novel 《一半是火焰，一半是海水》by Wang Shuo', 'In my most challenging post yet, you\'ll read the first chapter of controversial literary bad boy Wang Shuo\'s dark plunge into the criminal underbelly of Beijing. HSK 6+, not suitable for children.', 'publish', 'open', 'open', '', 'novels-start-reading-chinese-gangster-novel-by-wang-shuo', '', '', '2020-06-02 00:13:34', '2020-06-02 04:13:34', '', 0, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/?p=2453', 0, 'post', '', 0),
(2454, 1, '2020-05-29 01:32:29', '2020-05-29 05:32:29', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">In the <a href=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/tag/novels/\">Novels</a> series, I get you started reading the first few paragraphs of classic Chinese fiction. If you like the beginning, you can <a href=“https://amzn.to/2zEEBIo\">buy the book</a> and keep reading.</p> \r\n\r\nWang Shuo\'s novels spawned their own genre of \"gangster\" fiction. This isn\'t the organized mob fiction of Hong Kong, this is the dark, small-scale thievery and. His novels are so ugly, dark and brutal that his work was banned in China for many years, and he was called \"scourge of society\". \r\n\r\nThis is the complete first chapter of . I just finished reading this novella. It\'s horrendously depressing: the story of a thug who casually seduces a young high school girl with a bright future, breaks her down with his callousness until she becomes a prostitute and eventually kills herself. The realism with which Wang Shuo describes this woman\'s destruction will resonate with any woman who has ever been involved with a bad-news boyfriend. \r\n\r\nThis chapter sets up the rest of the book in two scenes: One, we meet the protagonist as he is in the middle of the scam he usually runs, and I\'m going to explain what that is because it\'s a weird one: he works with a gang that includes a friend of his and a few prostitutes. During this time in China, it was very common for prostitutes to work in and around hotels, they would push their cards under the door of hotel rooms, or cold-call the room to ask if services were required. This was illegal, but it happened all the time, I can still remember having cards pushed under my hotel room doors in the early 2000s. NAME and his friend wait until one of the prostitutes in the gang have landed a client. Then complicit hotel staff calls NAME and his gang, who show up dressed like policemen and demand money as a \"fine\" from the hotel guest. So this is where the book starts, with a phone call from the corrupt front desk of the hotel to the gangsters. \r\n\r\nIn the second half of the chapter, NAME goes about the next day of his life, and eventually runs across and has a conversation with this girl, 吴迪, whose life he will later dismantle. She is spunky but naive, daring and precocious in the way that young people can be when they think they can handle themselves, but haven\'t yet encountered real danger or darkness in their lives.\r\n\r\n<h3>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nLinguistically speaking, this is one of the hardest Chinese books I\'ve ever read, because it\'s full, full, full of underworld and colloquial slang, and like a lot of great fiction, some of the things that happen aren\'t clearly spelled out, they\'re only suggested and you have to read between the lines. I read it very slowly, 5-10 pages in a sitting. \r\n \r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>《赡养人类》第一章</h4>\r\n	\r\n　　“喂，两对都进房了。房间号927、1208，还有一只野的，进了1713.”\r\n\r\n　　“知道了。”我放下电话，马上穿上西服外套，提起书包，招呼正在看电视的方方，三步并作两步跑下楼。我那辆花四千元买来的旧“白茹”车停在街角便道上。我们坐进车里，把汽车迅速地开上马路，直驶远处灯火辉煌的“燕都”大饭店。在饭店旁边的一条林荫道上，我招手停在一溜轿车的后边，下了车“乒乓”关好门，快步加入一群刚从一辆大旅行车下来的日本游客中间，走进“燕都”饭店富丽堂皇的大厅。彬彬有礼地站在总服务台里的卫宁不易察觉地给我们使个眼声：一切正常。我和方方走进盥洗室，打开皮包，拿出两套警服换上，走出盥洗室，沿安全楼梯爬上去。爬到第九层，我们都是气喘吁吁，待呼吸均匀了，我们走向服务台，坐着的服务员抬头诧异地看我们。“我们是公安局的，请开927房间。”\r\n\r\n　　服务员顺从地拎起一串钥匙领着我们走向长廊尽头的一间客房。“里边有客人。”服务员看到门上挂的“请勿打扰”的小牌，回头对我说。“知道，打开锁。”我命令道。\r\n\r\n　　服务员钮开锁，站在一旁。\r\n\r\n　　“你回去吧。”方方粗鲁地挥手避开服务员。\r\n\r\n　　服务员消逝在走廊的另一端，我和方方立即开门冲了进去……我和方方带着亚红出来，皮包里塞着几千崭新的钞票，神情严肃地走服务台进了电梯间，方方和亚红忍不住笑起来。\r\n\r\n　　“你们笑什么，真他妈没劲。”我说着也忍不住笑了，对亚红说：“你在楼下酒吧等会儿，我们还得上去收拾12层那小子。”我们把电梯开到底层，让亚红出去，又开上12层。\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n　　十五分钟后，我们换下警服带着另一个姑娘在酒吧找到亚红，一起喝了杯酒，亚红挽着方方先出去。我给总服务台的卫宁打了电话，告诉他事已办完，十七层那只野鸽让她舒舒服服睡一宿，早晨报警。我挽着另一个姑娘坦然走出饭店。方方已经把“白茹”发动了，我们一上车就开走了。\r\n\r\n　　早晨，我被电话铃吵醒，睡在我旁边的亚红接了电话，告诉我，卫宁说那两个受到我们讹诈的倒霉蛋已经结了房钱走了，那只野鸽也被在大门等着的警察塞上车抓走了。亚红翻身又睡了。我却睡不着，一支接一支地抽起烟。阳光从厚重的窗帘后倾泄出来，我轻轻走到窗前，从窗帘缝隙看了会儿外面车水马龙，阳光明媚的街道，把窗帘拉严。我不喜欢晴朗的早晨，看到成千上万的人兴冲冲地去上班、上学，我就感到形孤影单。白天我没有什么事可干，也没什么人等我，我的朋友们都在睡觉。我又抽了五支烟，看了看日历，然后穿衣服，洗脸刷牙，走出我住的这套公寓。我走过街角停放的“自茹”车，径直走向公共汽车站。尽管上班高峰已过，车内还是十分拥挤。一个坐着的中年男人下车，我刚要坐下，看到一个抱小孩的年轻妇女，便呼招她过来。\r\n\r\n　　“谢谢。”年轻妇女坐下后，又逗弄着小孩说：“谢谢叔叔。”\r\n\r\n　　“谢谢叔叔。”我冲小孩笑笑，小孩从衣兜里掏出一块彩纸包装的巧克力，剥开纸刚要往嘴里填，看我瞅着他，举起巧克力给我。\r\n\r\n　　“不要，叔叔不吃。”“吃吧，没事。”“真的不吃，叔叔要下车了。”\r\n\r\n　　我挤下车，沿街走了一站，到单位医务室要了张“三联单”，打电话约了一肝不太好的朗友去医院替我抽了一管血。又在商业区的两个储蓄所把我昨晚挣的那笔钱分别用我去世父母的名字存了进去，然后去邮局给一个交钱即可注册入学，不须考试的函授大学汇了报名款和一年的学费。我报的专业是法律。办完这些事，我到一家人不太多的豪华餐厅吃午饭。这家餐厅菜做的十分讲究，我看着漂亮的图案喝了不少红酒，又吃了几个浇了巧克力汁的冰淇淋，下午才走出餐厅，在报亭买当天所有的日报和晚报，坐在电报局等长途电话的排椅上细细测览。黄昏时我给家里打了个电话，方方接的。我们聊了会儿，他正在和卫宁下围棋，卫宁一早前来了，他们下了一天棋，他四胜三和五负，晚上准备凑人撞麻将。我告诉他我晚点回去，就挂了电话。\r\n\r\n　　暮春时节，树木草地都绿遍了，花丛怒放。我走进一个举办晚间音乐会的公园，在音乐亭前等退票。一个老人送了我一张，我又转送给一对只有一张票的青年伴侣，坚决不要他们加倍的票款。在高大、油漆剥落的廊柱间，我看到一美丽少女坐以汉白玉石台上看书，悬在空中的两条长腿互相勾着脚，一翘一翘。她一手棒书，一手从放在身旁的一个袋袋中抓瓜子磕，吐出的皮儿拢成一堆，嘴里哼着歌，间或翻一页书，悠闲自在，楚楚动人。我悄悄走到她身后，踮脚看那本使她入迷的书。是一本很深奥的文艺理论著作，我一目十行地看了一会儿，索然无味，正要转身走开，忽听女孩说：\r\n\r\n　　“看不懂吧。”她仰起脸，笑吟吟地望着我。\r\n\r\n　　我脸红了，感到不知所措，因为我还会脸红。片刻，我镇静下来，说：“就是学生，这会儿在公司看书也有点装模作样。”“我在这儿坐了一下午了，你瞧，我看了多少。”\r\n\r\n　　她快速地把看过一页数捻了一遍，我捏捏那厚厚的一迭，联想到书的内容，怀疑地问：“你看这么快”\r\n\r\n　　“我也看不懂呗，就看得快。”\r\n\r\n　　我们都笑了。“不看了。”女孩把书撂到一旁。“你有事吗”她问我。“没有。”我说：“没人约我。”“聊聊？”“聊聊。”我在她旁边坐，她把瓜子袋推给我。我不大会磕瓜子，磕得皮瓤唾液一塌糊涂。\r\n\r\n　　“瞧我。”女孩示范性地磕了一个瓜子，洁白的贝齿一闪，我下意识地闭紧自己被烟熏得黑黄的牙齿。女孩倒没注意，晃悠着腿四处张望。“你是哪个学校的”我注意到她里面毛衣上别着一枚校徽。女孩龇齿咬着瓜子看着我笑起来。\r\n\r\n　　“这就叫‘套瓷’吧。”女孩说：“下边你该说自己是哪个学校的，我们两校挨得如何近，没准天天能碰见……”\r\n\r\n　　“你看我象学生吗”我说：“我是劳改释放犯，现在还靠敲诈勒索为生。”“我才不管你是什么呢。”女孩笑着瞅着自己的脚尖，似乎那儿有什么好玩可笑的，“你是什么我都无所谓。”\r\n\r\n　　我半天没说话，女孩也没说话，只是美滋滋地看着天边夕阳消逝后迅即黯淡下来，却又不失瑰丽的云彩：“那块云象马克思、那块象海盗，象吗，你说象吗”\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n　　“你多大了”女孩转过头看我，仔仔细细打量了我一遍：“你，过去没怎么跟女孩接触过吧。”“没有。”我面不改声色心不跳地骗她。\r\n\r\n　　“我早看出来了，小男孩！刚才我看书时就看见你远远地，想过来搭讪又胆怯，怕我臊你一顿是不是”\r\n\r\n　　“我和一百多个女的睡过觉。”\r\n\r\n　　女孩放声笑起来，笑得那么肆无忌惮，那么开心。\r\n\r\n　　“你笑起来，”我说：“跟个傻丫头似的。”\r\n\r\n　　女孩一下不笑了，悻悻地白了我一眼：“我不说你，你也别说我了。实话告诉你，我已经谈了一年多恋爱了。”女孩又笑了，有几分得意。“是你的傻冒同学吧？”\r\n\r\n　　“他才不傻呢，是学生会干部。”\r\n\r\n　　“那还不傻傻得已经没法练了。”\r\n\r\n　　“哼，你这种只被爸爸妈妈吻过的小毛头也配说他。”\r\n\r\n　　“我要是他，就敢跟你睡觉。”我微笑地说：“他敢吗”\r\n\r\n　　尽管天色已经很暗了，我也察觉得出女孩的脸排红了：“他很尊重我。”我哧笑：“嘁，尊重，别说了，咱甭说了。你也别装傻了。”\r\n\r\n　　女孩闷了半天没吭声。我吹起口哨，叼起一支烟，把烟盒递给她，她摇摇头。“”又完了不是“我取笑她，”敢在光天化日之下看书，不会抽烟，时髦半截。“”你别来劲。“女孩不服地说，”给我一支！“\r\n\r\n　　我把嘴上的烟给她，她抽了一口，“呼”地全吹了出去。我伸胳膊搭在她肩上，她哆嗦了一下，并没拒绝。我把她搂过来，她近在咫尺地看看我，拔拉掉我的胳膊，强笑着说：\r\n\r\n　　“我有点儿信你和一百多个女人睡过觉了。”\r\n\r\n　　“干吗有点信，就应该信。知道我外号叫什么吗老枪！”\r\n\r\n　　我听到完完全全收拾书的声音，恶意地笑着说：“我叫你害怕了。”“才没有呢。”女孩站起来：“我只是该走了。”\r\n\r\n　　“敢告诉我你叫什么，住哪儿吗”\r\n\r\n　　女孩跳下石台，亮晶晶的眼睛在黑暗中闪烁，笑着说：“啊哈！我还以为你能始终不同凡响，闹了半天，也落了俗套。”\r\n\r\n　　“好，我俗。你走吧。哎，”我叫住她：“咱们要是再见了，就得算朋友了吧”“算朋友”女孩笑着走了。\r\n\r\n　　我笑眯眯地在石台上坐了一会儿，也跳下石台走了。\r\nBy <a href=\"https://amzn.to/2zEEBIo\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">paperback</a> or <a href=\"https://amzn.to/2Z7Japj\">Kindle</a>.\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\n\r\n\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Novels: Start reading Chinese gangster novel 《赡养人类》by Wang Shuo', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2453-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-29 01:32:29', '2020-05-29 05:32:29', '', 2453, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/29/2453-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0),
(2455, 1, '2020-05-29 02:16:05', '2020-05-29 06:16:05', '[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"yes\" class=\"\"]\r\n<p style=\"padding:25px; margin-bottom: 20px; font-style: italic; background-color:#ffeaee;\">In the <a href=\"http://chinesereadingpractice.com/tag/novels/\">Novels</a> series, I get you started reading the first few paragraphs of classic Chinese fiction. If you like the beginning, you can <a href=“https://amzn.to/2zEEBIo\">buy the book</a> and keep reading.</p> \r\n\r\nWang Shuo\'s novels spawned their own genre of \"gangster\" fiction. This isn\'t the organized, moneyed mob fiction of Hong Kong, this is the dark, small-scale thievery reflective of the mainland in the late 1970s and early 1980s, right after the Cultural Revolution when the country just started opening up to international trade and society was a mess. Wang Shuo writes about the dirty underbelly of Beijing, and his novels are so ugly, dark and brutal that his work was banned in China for many years, and he was called \"scourge of society\". \r\n\r\nThis is the complete first chapter of , . The whole book is only around 90 pages long in total. I just finished reading it. The plot is horrendously depressing: the story of a thug who casually seduces a young high school girl with a bright future, breaks her down with his callousness until she becomes a prostitute and eventually kills herself, which sets off another dark chain of events. The extremely relatable realism with which Wang Shuo describes this woman\'s destruction will have any woman who has ever been involved with a bad-news boyfriend cringing. \r\n\r\nThis chapter sets up the rest of the book in two scenes: One, we meet the protagonist as he is in the middle of the scam he usually runs, and I\'m going to explain what that is because it\'s confusing unless you spent time in China twenty years ago: he works with a gang that includes a friend of his and a few prostitutes. During this time in China, it was very common for prostitutes to work in and around hotels, they would push their cards under the door of hotel rooms, or cold-call the room to ask if services were required. This was illegal, but it happened all the time, I can still remember having cards pushed under my hotel room doors in the early 2000s, sometimes five different cards a night. NAME and his friend wait until one of the prostitutes in the gang have landed a client. Then complicit hotel staff calls NAME and his gang, who burst into the room dressed like policemen and demand money as a \"fine\" from the hotel guest. So this is where the book starts, with a phone call from the corrupt front desk of the hotel to the gangsters. \r\n\r\nIn the second half of the chapter, NAME goes about the next day doing some errands, and eventually runs across and has a conversation with this girl, Wudi (吴迪), whose life he will later ruin. She is spunky but naive, daring and precocious in the way that young people can be when they think they can handle themselves, but haven\'t yet encountered real danger or darkness in their lives.\r\n\r\n<h3>Some language stuff</h4>\r\nLinguistically speaking, this is one of the hardest Chinese books I\'ve ever read, because it\'s full, full, full of underworld and colloquial slang and swear words, and like a lot of great fiction, some of the things that happen aren\'t clearly spelled out, they\'re only suggested and you have to read between the lines. I read it very slowly, 5-10 pages in a sitting. \r\n \r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]\r\n\r\n<div class=\"readingPassage\">\r\n[su_row]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n<div id=\"chinesetext\">\r\n<h4>《一半是火焰，一半是海水》第一章</h4>\r\n	\r\n　　“喂，两对都进房了。房间号927、1208，还有一只野的，进了1713.”\r\n\r\n　　“知道了。” 我放下电话，马上穿上西服外套，提起书包，招呼正在看电视的方方，三步并作两步跑下楼。我那辆花四千元买来的旧“白茹”车停在街角便道上。我们坐进车里，把汽车迅速地开上马路，直驶远处灯火辉煌的“燕都”大饭店。在饭店旁边的一条林荫道上，我招手停在一溜轿车的后边，下了车“乒乓”关好门，快步加入一群刚从一辆大旅行车下来的日本游客中间，走进“燕都”饭店富丽堂皇的大厅。彬彬有礼地站在总服务台里的卫宁不易察觉地给我们使个眼声：一切正常。我和方方走进盥洗室，打开皮包，拿出两套警服换上，走出盥洗室，沿安全楼梯爬上去。爬到第九层，我们都是气喘吁吁，待呼吸均匀了，我们走向服务台，坐着的服务员抬头诧异地看我们。“我们是公安局的，请开927房间。”\r\n\r\n　　服务员顺从地拎起一串钥匙领着我们走向长廊尽头的一间客房。“里边有客人。”服务员看到门上挂的“请勿打扰”的小牌，回头对我说。“知道，打开锁。”我命令道。\r\n\r\n　　服务员钮开锁，站在一旁。\r\n\r\n　　“你回去吧。”方方粗鲁地挥手避开服务员。\r\n\r\n　　服务员消逝在走廊的另一端，我和方方立即开门冲了进去……我和方方带着亚红出来，皮包里塞着几千崭新的钞票，神情严肃地走服务台进了电梯间，方方和亚红忍不住笑起来。\r\n\r\n　　“你们笑什么，真他妈没劲。”我说着也忍不住笑了，对亚红说：“你在楼下酒吧等会儿，我们还得上去收拾12层那小子。”我们把电梯开到底层，让亚红出去，又开上12层。\r\n\r\n　　十五分钟后，我们换下警服带着另一个姑娘在酒吧找到亚红，一起喝了杯酒，亚红挽着方方先出去。我给总服务台的卫宁打了电话，告诉他事已办完，十七层那只野鸽让她舒舒服服睡一宿，早晨报警。我挽着另一个姑娘坦然走出饭店。方方已经把“白茹”发动了，我们一上车就开走了。\r\n\r\n　　早晨，我被电话铃吵醒，睡在我旁边的亚红接了电话，告诉我，卫宁说那两个受到我们讹诈的倒霉蛋已经结了房钱走了，那只野鸽也被在大门等着的警察塞上车抓走了。亚红翻身又睡了。我却睡不着，一支接一支地抽起烟。阳光从厚重的窗帘后倾泄出来，我轻轻走到窗前，从窗帘缝隙看了会儿外面车水马龙，阳光明媚的街道，把窗帘拉严。我不喜欢晴朗的早晨，看到成千上万的人兴冲冲地去上班、上学，我就感到形孤影单。白天我没有什么事可干，也没什么人等我，我的朋友们都在睡觉。我又抽了五支烟，看了看日历，然后穿衣服，洗脸刷牙，走出我住的这套公寓。我走过街角停放的“自茹”车，径直走向公共汽车站。尽管上班高峰已过，车内还是十分拥挤。一个坐着的中年男人下车，我刚要坐下，看到一个抱小孩的年轻妇女，便呼招她过来。\r\n\r\n　　“谢谢。”年轻妇女坐下后，又逗弄着小孩说：“谢谢叔叔。”\r\n\r\n　　“谢谢叔叔。”我冲小孩笑笑，小孩从衣兜里掏出一块彩纸包装的巧克力，剥开纸刚要往嘴里填，看我瞅着他，举起巧克力给我。\r\n\r\n　　“不要，叔叔不吃。”“吃吧，没事。”“真的不吃，叔叔要下车了。”\r\n\r\n　　我挤下车，沿街走了一站，到单位医务室要了张“三联单”，打电话约了一肝不太好的朗友去医院替我抽了一管血。又在商业区的两个储蓄所把我昨晚挣的那笔钱分别用我去世父母的名字存了进去，然后去邮局给一个交钱即可注册入学，不须考试的函授大学汇了报名款和一年的学费。我报的专业是法律。办完这些事，我到一家人不太多的豪华餐厅吃午饭。这家餐厅菜做的十分讲究，我看着漂亮的图案喝了不少红酒，又吃了几个浇了巧克力汁的冰淇淋，下午才走出餐厅，在报亭买当天所有的日报和晚报，坐在电报局等长途电话的排椅上细细测览。黄昏时我给家里打了个电话，方方接的。我们聊了会儿，他正在和卫宁下围棋，卫宁一早前来了，他们下了一天棋，他四胜三和五负，晚上准备凑人撞麻将。我告诉他我晚点回去，就挂了电话。\r\n\r\n　　暮春时节，树木草地都绿遍了，花丛怒放。我走进一个举办晚间音乐会的公园，在音乐亭前等退票。一个老人送了我一张，我又转送给一对只有一张票的青年伴侣，坚决不要他们加倍的票款。在高大、油漆剥落的廊柱间，我看到一美丽少女坐以汉白玉石台上看书，悬在空中的两条长腿互相勾着脚，一翘一翘。她一手棒书，一手从放在身旁的一个袋袋中抓瓜子磕，吐出的皮儿拢成一堆，嘴里哼着歌，间或翻一页书，悠闲自在，楚楚动人。我悄悄走到她身后，踮脚看那本使她入迷的书。是一本很深奥的文艺理论著作，我一目十行地看了一会儿，索然无味，正要转身走开，忽听女孩说：\r\n\r\n　　“看不懂吧。”她仰起脸，笑吟吟地望着我。\r\n\r\n　　我脸红了，感到不知所措，因为我还会脸红。片刻，我镇静下来，说：“就是学生，这会儿在公司看书也有点装模作样。”“我在这儿坐了一下午了，你瞧，我看了多少。”\r\n\r\n　　她快速地把看过一页数捻了一遍，我捏捏那厚厚的一迭，联想到书的内容，怀疑地问：“你看这么快”\r\n\r\n　　“我也看不懂呗，就看得快。”\r\n\r\n　　我们都笑了。“不看了。”女孩把书撂到一旁。“你有事吗”她问我。“没有。”我说：“没人约我。”“聊聊？”“聊聊。”我在她旁边坐，她把瓜子袋推给我。我不大会磕瓜子，磕得皮瓤唾液一塌糊涂。\r\n\r\n　　“瞧我。”女孩示范性地磕了一个瓜子，洁白的贝齿一闪，我下意识地闭紧自己被烟熏得黑黄的牙齿。女孩倒没注意，晃悠着腿四处张望。“你是哪个学校的”我注意到她里面毛衣上别着一枚校徽。女孩龇齿咬着瓜子看着我笑起来。\r\n\r\n　　“这就叫‘套瓷’吧。”女孩说：“下边你该说自己是哪个学校的，我们两校挨得如何近，没准天天能碰见……”\r\n\r\n　　“你看我象学生吗”我说：“我是劳改释放犯，现在还靠敲诈勒索为生。”“我才不管你是什么呢。”女孩笑着瞅着自己的脚尖，似乎那儿有什么好玩可笑的，“你是什么我都无所谓。”\r\n\r\n　　我半天没说话，女孩也没说话，只是美滋滋地看着天边夕阳消逝后迅即黯淡下来，却又不失瑰丽的云彩：“那块云象马克思、那块象海盗，象吗，你说象吗”\r\n\r\n　　“你多大了”女孩转过头看我，仔仔细细打量了我一遍：“你，过去没怎么跟女孩接触过吧。”“没有。”我面不改声色心不跳地骗她。\r\n\r\n　　“我早看出来了，小男孩！刚才我看书时就看见你远远地，想过来搭讪又胆怯，怕我臊你一顿是不是”\r\n\r\n　　“我和一百多个女的睡过觉。”\r\n\r\n　　女孩放声笑起来，笑得那么肆无忌惮，那么开心。\r\n\r\n　　“你笑起来，”我说：“跟个傻丫头似的。”\r\n\r\n　　女孩一下不笑了，悻悻地白了我一眼：“我不说你，你也别说我了。实话告诉你，我已经谈了一年多恋爱了。”女孩又笑了，有几分得意。“是你的傻冒同学吧？”\r\n\r\n　　“他才不傻呢，是学生会干部。”\r\n\r\n　　“那还不傻傻得已经没法练了。”\r\n\r\n　　“哼，你这种只被爸爸妈妈吻过的小毛头也配说他。”\r\n\r\n　　“我要是他，就敢跟你睡觉。”我微笑地说：“他敢吗”\r\n\r\n　　尽管天色已经很暗了，我也察觉得出女孩的脸排红了：“他很尊重我。”我哧笑：“嘁，尊重，别说了，咱甭说了。你也别装傻了。”\r\n\r\n　　女孩闷了半天没吭声。我吹起口哨，叼起一支烟，把烟盒递给她，她摇摇头。“”又完了不是“我取笑她，”敢在光天化日之下看书，不会抽烟，时髦半截。“”你别来劲。“女孩不服地说，”给我一支！“\r\n\r\n　　我把嘴上的烟给她，她抽了一口，“呼”地全吹了出去。我伸胳膊搭在她肩上，她哆嗦了一下，并没拒绝。我把她搂过来，她近在咫尺地看看我，拔拉掉我的胳膊，强笑着说：\r\n\r\n　　“我有点儿信你和一百多个女人睡过觉了。”\r\n\r\n　　“干吗有点信，就应该信。知道我外号叫什么吗老枪！”\r\n\r\n　　我听到完完全全收拾书的声音，恶意地笑着说：“我叫你害怕了。”“才没有呢。”女孩站起来：“我只是该走了。”\r\n\r\n　　“敢告诉我你叫什么，住哪儿吗”\r\n\r\n　　女孩跳下石台，亮晶晶的眼睛在黑暗中闪烁，笑着说：“啊哈！我还以为你能始终不同凡响，闹了半天，也落了俗套。”\r\n\r\n　　“好，我俗。你走吧。哎，”我叫住她：“咱们要是再见了，就得算朋友了吧”“算朋友”女孩笑着走了。\r\n\r\n　　我笑眯眯地在石台上坐了一会儿，也跳下石台走了。\r\nBy <a href=\"https://amzn.to/2zEEBIo\" target=\"blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">paperback</a> or <a href=\"https://amzn.to/2Z7Japj\">Kindle</a>.\r\n</div>\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[su_column size=\"1/2\" center=\"no\" class=\"\"]\r\n[hide-this-part morelink=\"Show English translation\"]\r\n　　“喂，两对都进房了。房间号927、1208，还有一只野的，进了1713.”\r\n\r\n　　“知道了。” 我放下电话，马上穿上西服外套，提起书包，招呼正在看电视的方方，三步并作两步跑下楼。我那辆花四千元买来的旧“白茹”车停在街角便道上。我们坐进车里，把汽车迅速地开上马路，直驶远处灯火辉煌的“燕都”大饭店。在饭店旁边的一条林荫道上，我招手停在一溜轿车的后边，下了车“乒乓”关好门，快步加入一群刚从一辆大旅行车下来的日本游客中间，走进“燕都”饭店富丽堂皇的大厅。彬彬有礼地站在总服务台里的卫宁不易察觉地给我们使个眼声：一切正常。我和方方走进盥洗室，打开皮包，拿出两套警服换上，走出盥洗室，沿安全楼梯爬上去。爬到第九层，我们都是气喘吁吁，待呼吸均匀了，我们走向服务台，坐着的服务员抬头诧异地看我们。“我们是公安局的，请开927房间。”\r\n\r\n　　服务员顺从地拎起一串钥匙领着我们走向长廊尽头的一间客房。“里边有客人。”服务员看到门上挂的“请勿打扰”的小牌，回头对我说。“知道，打开锁。”我命令道。\r\n\r\n　　The service staff twisted open the lock, and stood to one side.\r\n\r\n　　\"Go back,\" Fangfang roughly waved away the staffer. \r\n\r\n　　The service staff disappeared down another hallway, and Fangfang and I immediately opened the door and charged inside.... 服务员消逝在走廊的另一端，我和方方立即开门冲了进去……我和方方带着亚红出来，皮包里塞着几千崭新的钞票，神情严肃地走服务台进了电梯间，方方和亚红忍不住笑起来。\r\n\r\n　　“你们笑什么，真他妈没劲。”我说着也忍不住笑了，对亚红说：“你在楼下酒吧等会儿，我们还得上去收拾12层那小子。”我们把电梯开到底层，让亚红出去，又开上12层。\r\n\r\n　　十五分钟后，我们换下警服带着另一个姑娘在酒吧找到亚红，一起喝了杯酒，亚红挽着方方先出去。我给总服务台的卫宁打了电话，告诉他事已办完，十七层那只野鸽让她舒舒服服睡一宿，早晨报警。我挽着另一个姑娘坦然走出饭店。方方已经把“白茹”发动了，我们一上车就开走了。\r\n\r\n　　早晨，我被电话铃吵醒，睡在我旁边的亚红接了电话，告诉我，卫宁说那两个受到我们讹诈的倒霉蛋已经结了房钱走了，那只野鸽也被在大门等着的警察塞上车抓走了。亚红翻身又睡了。我却睡不着，一支接一支地抽起烟。阳光从厚重的窗帘后倾泄出来，我轻轻走到窗前，从窗帘缝隙看了会儿外面车水马龙，阳光明媚的街道，把窗帘拉严。我不喜欢晴朗的早晨，看到成千上万的人兴冲冲地去上班、上学，我就感到形孤影单。白天我没有什么事可干，也没什么人等我，我的朋友们都在睡觉。我又抽了五支烟，看了看日历，然后穿衣服，洗脸刷牙，走出我住的这套公寓。我走过街角停放的“自茹”车，径直走向公共汽车站。尽管上班高峰已过，车内还是十分拥挤。一个坐着的中年男人下车，我刚要坐下，看到一个抱小孩的年轻妇女，便呼招她过来。\r\n\r\n　　“谢谢。”年轻妇女坐下后，又逗弄着小孩说：“谢谢叔叔。”\r\n\r\n　　“谢谢叔叔。”我冲小孩笑笑，小孩从衣兜里掏出一块彩纸包装的巧克力，剥开纸刚要往嘴里填，看我瞅着他，举起巧克力给我。\r\n\r\n　　“不要，叔叔不吃。”“吃吧，没事。”“真的不吃，叔叔要下车了。”\r\n\r\n　　我挤下车，沿街走了一站，到单位医务室要了张“三联单”，打电话约了一肝不太好的朗友去医院替我抽了一管血。又在商业区的两个储蓄所把我昨晚挣的那笔钱分别用我去世父母的名字存了进去，然后去邮局给一个交钱即可注册入学，不须考试的函授大学汇了报名款和一年的学费。我报的专业是法律。办完这些事，我到一家人不太多的豪华餐厅吃午饭。这家餐厅菜做的十分讲究，我看着漂亮的图案喝了不少红酒，又吃了几个浇了巧克力汁的冰淇淋，下午才走出餐厅，在报亭买当天所有的日报和晚报，坐在电报局等长途电话的排椅上细细测览。黄昏时我给家里打了个电话，方方接的。我们聊了会儿，他正在和卫宁下围棋，卫宁一早前来了，他们下了一天棋，他四胜三和五负，晚上准备凑人撞麻将。我告诉他我晚点回去，就挂了电话。\r\n\r\n　　暮春时节，树木草地都绿遍了，花丛怒放。我走进一个举办晚间音乐会的公园，在音乐亭前等退票。一个老人送了我一张，我又转送给一对只有一张票的青年伴侣，坚决不要他们加倍的票款。在高大、油漆剥落的廊柱间，我看到一美丽少女坐以汉白玉石台上看书，悬在空中的两条长腿互相勾着脚，一翘一翘。她一手棒书，一手从放在身旁的一个袋袋中抓瓜子磕，吐出的皮儿拢成一堆，嘴里哼着歌，间或翻一页书，悠闲自在，楚楚动人。我悄悄走到她身后，踮脚看那本使她入迷的书。是一本很深奥的文艺理论著作，我一目十行地看了一会儿，索然无味，正要转身走开，忽听女孩说：\r\n\r\n　　“看不懂吧。”她仰起脸，笑吟吟地望着我。\r\n\r\n　　我脸红了，感到不知所措，因为我还会脸红。片刻，我镇静下来，说：“就是学生，这会儿在公司看书也有点装模作样。”“我在这儿坐了一下午了，你瞧，我看了多少。”\r\n\r\n　　她快速地把看过一页数捻了一遍，我捏捏那厚厚的一迭，联想到书的内容，怀疑地问：“你看这么快”\r\n\r\n\"I also don\'t understand it, but I read it quickly.\" \r\n\r\nWe both smiled. \"I\'m done reading.\" The girl put the book to one side. \r\n\r\n\"You have somewhere to be?\" she asked me. \r\n\r\n\"No,\" I said. \"No appointments.\" \r\n\r\n\"[Shall we] chat [for a bit]?\"\r\n\r\n\"Let\'s chat.\" \r\n\r\nI sat down next to her, and she pushed the bag of sunflower seeds over to me. I didn\'t really know how to crack the sunflower seeds [with my teeth], and [when I tried] spittle went everywhere.\r\n\r\n\"Watch me.\" The girl demonstrated with a single sunflower seed, her pure white teeth flashing, and I subconsciously closed my mouth over my own tobacco smoke-yellowed teeth. But she didn\'t notice, swinging her legs in all directions. \"What school are you from?\" I noticed there was a school emblem on her inside sweater. Biting down on a sunflower seed, the girl looked at me and smiled. \r\n\r\n\"That\'s called \'cottoning up\',\" she said. \"Next you\'ll probably say whatever school you\'re from, and that our schools are so close to each other, maybe we can run into each other every day...\" \r\n\r\n\"Do you think I look like a student?\" I said. \"I\'m a criminal freed from the work camps, I extort people for a living.\"\r\n\r\n\"I don\'t care what you are,\" the girl said, smiling and looking at her toes, as if there was something amusing there. \"Whatever you are is nothing to me.\" \r\n\r\nI didn\'t speak for a while, and the girl didn\'t speak either, just looked on, pleased, 我半天没说话，女孩也没说话，只是美滋滋地看着天边夕阳消逝后迅即黯淡下来，却又不失瑰丽的云彩：“那块云象马克思、那块象海盗，象吗，你说象吗”\r\n\r\n\"How old are you?\" the girl turned her head to look at me, carefully looking me over. \"You, doesn\'t look like you\'ve been with that many women.\" \r\n\r\n\"Nope,\" I said, lying to her without a change in expression or a thump of the heart. \r\n\r\n\"I could tell right away, little boy! As I was reading my book just now, I saw you standing far away, wanting to talk to me but also timid, afraid I\'d curse you, huh?\"　\r\n\r\n\"[Actually,] I\'ve slept with over 100 women.\"\r\n\r\nThe girl let loose a laugh, an unbridled laugh, so amused. \r\n\r\n\"You laugh,\" I said, \"Like a dumb chick.\"　　\r\n\r\nThe girl suddenly stopped laughing, angrily throwing me a scornful glance, \"I didn\'t criticize you, don\'t criticize me. Truthfully speaking, I\'ve already been with someone for a year.\" The girl smiled again, quite self-satisfied. \r\n\r\n\"Is it one of your idiot classmates?\" 　\r\n\r\n\"He\'s not an idiot, he\'s a cadre in the student union.\"　　\r\n\r\n\"Then he\'s stupid beyond measure.\"　\r\n\r\n\"Huh, a little baby like you who\'s only been kissed by his parents doesn\'t deserve to speak of him.\"　\r\n\r\n\"If I was him, I\'d already have had the courage to bed you,\" I said, smiling lightly. \"Has he dared?\"　　\r\n\r\n　　尽管天色已经很暗了，我也察觉得出女孩的脸排红了：“他很尊重我。”我哧笑：“嘁，尊重，别说了，咱甭说了。你也别装傻了。”\r\n\r\n　　女孩闷了半天没吭声。我吹起口哨，叼起一支烟，把烟盒递给她，她摇摇头。“”又完了不是“我取笑她，”敢在光天化日之下看书，不会抽烟，时髦半截。“”你别来劲。“女孩不服地说，”给我一支！“\r\n\r\n　　我把嘴上的烟给她，她抽了一口，“呼”地全吹了出去。我伸胳膊搭在她肩上，她哆嗦了一下，并没拒绝。我把她搂过来，她近在咫尺地看看我，拔拉掉我的胳膊，强笑着说：\r\n\r\n　　“我有点儿信你和一百多个女人睡过觉了。”\r\n\r\n　　“干吗有点信，就应该信。知道我外号叫什么吗老枪！”\r\n\r\n　　我听到完完全全收拾书的声音，恶意地笑着说：“我叫你害怕了。”“才没有呢。”女孩站起来：“我只是该走了。”\r\n\r\n\"Do you dare tell me your name, or where you live?\"　\r\n\r\nThe girl jumped off the platform, her bright, crystal eyes flashed in the darkness, and she said smiling, \"Ah ha! I thought maybe you weren\'t like everyone else, making trouble half the day, but then sinking into mediocrity.\"　　\r\n\r\n\"Fine, I\'m mediocre. Go. Hey,\" I called her to stop, \"If we meet again, let\'s consider ourselves friends.\"\r\n\r\n\"Sure, friends,\" she said, and smiling, left.　\r\n\r\nI 　　我笑眯眯地在石台上坐了一会儿，也跳下石台走了。\r\n\r\n[/hide-this-part]\r\n[/su_column]\r\n[/su_row]</div>', 'Novels: Start reading Chinese gangster novel 《一半是火焰，一半是海水》by Wang Shuo', '', 'inherit', 'closed', 'closed', '', '2453-revision-v1', '', '', '2020-05-29 02:16:05', '2020-05-29 06:16:05', '', 2453, 'http://chinesereadingpractice.com/2020/05/29/2453-revision-v1/', 0, 'revision', '', 0);
