esponsibility for bring about the third cooperation. Leaders from both sides will find it
easier to talk the matter over since they know each other well, having formerly been
schoolmates and close friends. I find it really hard for me to subscribe to those views
which describe cooperation as “surrender”, “humiliating”, “suffering losses” or “being
duped”. In reviewing history or looking ahead to the future, one should be public-minded
and put the interests of the country and the nation above all. Why harp on the narrow
interest of a party? Such remarks as “unifying China with the Three People’s Principles”
are regarded by all thinking people as unrealistic, deceptive and ostrich-like. People of our
generation know the true meaning of the Three People’s Principles quiet well and there is
no need to argue about it. Neither is there any need to dwell on such assertions as Taiwan’s
“economic prosperity, democracy and easy livelihood”, the truth of which all gentlemen in
Taiwan must be quiet aware of. To my mind, if you, for the sake of your party, shoulder
the historic task and, going with the stream, take part in peace talks for our national
reunification, the two parties will be able to coexist for a long time to come, supervising
each other and making a common effort to revitalize China. Otherwise, content as you are
with your present rule over the tight eastern corner, how can such a situation be expected
to last for long? This is a question already on the minds of thinking people. It is a matter of
survival or extinction for the Kuomintang and I hope you will think it over again.
Recently I was profoundly moved when I read one of your writings in which you
expressed the “longing for my father’s soul to return to the homeland and be among the
forefathers”. The remains of your father, now still temporarily placed at Cihu, shall, upon
national reunification, be immediately moved to the final resting place in Fenghua, Nanjing
or Lushan in fulfilment of your filial whishes. You recently said, “Filial devotion should be
expanded into national devotion to the country.” Well said! Why don’t you apply it to the
great cause of national reunification? As far as the country and the nation are concerned,
you will have fulfilled the task imposed on you and your father by history; as far as you
yourself are concerned, this will be an expression of both loyalty and filial piety. Other
how could you account for yourself after your passing away? I hope you will think more
about it.
Dear brother, the frustrations marking your lifetime are by no means predestined. You
yourself alone are master of your own fate. Merits and demerits to be recorded in history
hinge on the decision made in a moment. The present international situation is capricious.
Throughout Taiwan people of all strata are talking about their future. Time does not stay
and brief is the day. A long night invites bad dreams; time and tide wait for no man. I hope
you, my brother, will make a wise choice and repair the house before it rains. “Vast is the ^_^本^_^作^_^品^_^由^_^^_^網^_^提^_^供^_^下^_^載^_^與^_^在^_^線^_^閱^_^讀^_^
expanse of sky and water. What are you waiting for, staying away from home?”
The longing for old friends grows with age. If it suits your convenience, I will pack
and go on a visit to Taibei to consult our elders. “For all the disasters the brotherhood has
remained; a smile at meeting and enmity is banished.” When I look south towards the
distant horizon, my heart cannot help going out to my compatriots there. No word is
enough to express what I wish to say. It is hoped that you will take good care of yourself. I
am looking forward to a reply from you.
Please convey my regards to your mothers as well as to Fang-Liang, Wei-Kuo and the
children.
Best wishes to you.
Liao Chengzhi
注释
(1)“咫尺之隔，竟成海天之遥”的原译为No one ever expected that a strip of water should have
become so vast a distance，未充分表达原文的感叹语气以及“海天之遥”与当时两岸的关系。现改译为Who would have expected that