by Max Howell
“But there must be”, pleaded Helene.
“I would hope so too”, the father said, a sadness in his voice. “We must think about it for a time, examine every possibility. Perhaps we can think of something.”
“I hope so”, said Helene, “I love your son so very much.” Their hands came together, and she noticed that they both were shaking from the emotion of the evening.
She went on: “Let me ask a question. If we married, could we stay here in this town, or could we indeed even stay in China?”
The father paused once more: “I am sorry to say it, Helene, but I do not believe that either is a possibility in the present climate in China.”
“So Wei-min would have to leave China. Is that your opinion?”
“I regret to say it is!”
“Let us agree for a moment that Wei-min could indeed leave China. Is this a problem for the School, I mean?”
Wei-min broke in. “Father, I have never wanted anything other than to be with you and mother at the school.”
His father went on. “We know that, my son, but your mother and I have discussed this matter many times, and we feel you have abilities that should not be confined to the perimeter of this small school. We know you love us as much as we love you. In answer to your question, Helene, the work of this school would simply go on. It is not like it was in his grandmother’s time. Now the school is the responsibility of the state, not like it was in the old days, and they would simply provide a replacement. If it were possible for Wei-min to leave China, we would thoroughly approve. But, quite honestly, I cannot see how it can be done.”
Helene spoke once more. “We have accomplished a lot this evening, and I have appreciated your frankness. The die is now cast. The problem at least is clearly defined. Is it possible for Wei-min and me to be married, and can Wei-min be given permission to leave China? Those are the issues that have to be faced. Again, my thanks for the reception you have given us.”
“That is all right”, said the father, “but my wife and I would like to say we love you both and hope that fate will work in your favour.”
She went on. “Fate brought us together, let us hope that fate can keep us together.”
They said good-night to the parents, and continued their walk through the Mission grounds. But they could not, in their discussions, see a way clear to solve their dilemma.
In the ensuing months their problem occupied Helene’s mind day and night. Then one day a possible solution emerged, though it seemed on the surface to be somewhat of a long-shot.
In the time she had been at the archaeological dig in Beijing she had slowly but surely gained the complete respect of all the Chinese archaeologists, though they always had a certain reticence with respect to her that she perhaps would never be able to overcome. The leader of the ‘Peking Man’ dig was the famous Chinese archaeologist, Dr. Wang, and she had learned that he was also a very prominent and respected member of the Central Communist Party.
She asked to meet him in private, yet despite their excellent working relationship she could feel that he was decidedly uneasy in even agreeing to such a meeting.
She first of all informed Dr. Wang of the relationship of her own family with that of Lin Shi-an’s family for well over fifty years. Then she came to the crucial point.
“Dr. Wang”, she said carefully, “I have fallen in love with Wei-min, the son of that family.” She noticed there was an instant change in his expression, and his brow became furrowed. She went on however. “I would like to ask your help in this matter.”
He interrupted. “Dr. Luce, I can appreciate your dilemma, but I cannot see how I can be of any assistance in such a matter. My work in China is in archaeology, and I deal only with matters of archaeology, not with matters of the heart.”
“I understand completely, Dr. Wang. But please let me finish. I understand you have an important position in the Central Communist Party, as well as being the Director of Archaeology.”
“That is so”, replied Dr. Wang, “but I still cannot see how I can help.”
“I felt I should talk to you first, on this matter. I would like to ask consideration by the Chinese government on two fronts. First, I would request permission for Wei-min to be granted a Chinese passport. These are now available, though I understand completely they are rarely approved at this point in time. It will be then be up to the American authorities who are in Hong Kong to consider granting him a visa to the United States. My second request is that we be granted permission to marry in China.”
His expression did not change. “I appreciate your problem, Dr. Luce, but as I keep saying all this does not seem to be a matter that the Director of Archaeology should be involved in.”
She bowed respectfully. “Dr. Wang, I have not said much of my own work outside of the field of archaeology, but I am the sole Trustee and Director of the Henry Luce Foundation, which is one of the leading charitable institutions in the world. We have given millions of dollars throughout the years for assistance to the poor in countries like Venezuela, India and Peru, to mention but a few. It has occurred to me that the archaeological dig here in Beijing, which is your responsibility, is one of the most famous such sites in the world. What is needed in my opinion is a museum at the site, so that the Chinese people can visit here and see the wonder of your work. I also believe in the years to come that thousands of foreign tourists will be coming to China, and many would wish to see where ‘Peking Man’ was discovered.”
“We have planned such a museum, Dr. Luce, but our government has many more pressing financial needs at this time.”
“That is what I thought, Dr. Wang. As the Trustee of the Luce Foundation, I would guarantee five million dollars for a ‘Peking Man’ Museum and any other archaeological projects that you decree. With due respects, Dr. Wang, this would seem to be a fair trade, as we say in my country.”
She noticed that his expression had completely changed, and he stood up and enthusiastically shook her hand. “Dr. Luce, you are a most clever woman, you negotiate like the Chinese. Now let me summarise. The Luce Foundation will provide five million dollars to the Chinese Archaeological Society for a Museum of Peking Man if the Chinese government allows you to marry here and provide your husband with a Chinese passport. Is that correct?”
“That is correct, Dr. Wang. One other small point. The Chinese Government would recommend to the American authorities to consider granting my husband a visa to the United States, say a two-year visa.”
Dr. Wang stood up and shook her hand once more. “It would seem, Dr. Luce, that your requests viewed in this light are reasonable, considering your financial gift. It is all very unusual, but we Chinese are above all very pragmatic. I will certainly discuss it with the Party and let you know of their decision. I should also add that things move very slowly here in China, and a reply might take a few months. What is for certain is that we will recommend the extension of your present visa here, if this meets with your approval.” He smiled. “Perhaps you might even be able to assist us in planning our Museum. You may rest assured that I will do everything I can to meet your requests.”
She then called the American authorities in Hong Kong, and after a number of lengthy discussions and intervention by her lawyers she was assured that her husband-to-be would be granted a two-year visa if the Chinese government so recommended and agreed to Helene’s conditions.
It took some months, as Dr. Wang had predicted, before the final word came back. They were not only given permission to marry but the local authorities at Tengehow had been informed that such had the approval of the Communist Party and the couple could marry there. Then after filling out innumerable forms Wei-min was provided with a passport. With approval and a recommendation from the Communist Party, the American authorities immediately provided Wei-min with a two-year visa to the United States.
All through this Helene had been having discussions with Wei-min and his family, and they were completely surprised by the turn of events. They ha
d been brought up in a highly bureaucratic country in which there was little lee-way for individual expression. The way to live and survive in China at this time was to be faceless, to wear the same clothes, read the same books, have the same thoughts, be given the same education, sing the same songs of the good life and the revolution. It was beyond their expectations that exceptions would be made and that their wildest dreams such as these would ever be fulfilled.
In her visits to the Tengehow school Helene became even more increasingly aware of the regimentation and sameness of the Communist system. The little Red book was carried by all the children in the school and would be recited by them rote. The whole school would be brought out at times to do a five-minute exercise program that Chairman Mao supposedly performed daily. On and on it went. At first Helene had a certain admiration about it all, after all equality and fraternity were two important parts of the democratic triad. She was at first enthralled and then horrified at the school concerts, where the children sang only songs of the revolution and their dances stressed perfect timing and synchronised movements. Then it hit her. Chinese Communism was devoid of liberty. People could not say what they really thought, and one could not simply travel anywhere he wished. Individuality was lost in the desire for common good, meritorious as that was in certain respects.
Helene and Wei-min had to think for the first time of their future together when things started fitting into place.
“I have to admit I am worried, Helene”, Wei-min said, “as to whether I can adapt to the new life I would be faced with in the United States. What kind of work can I do? I have so little money, Helene, and it would certainly not be enough to be able to support us both. I am very anxious.”
“Wei-min”, Helene said, “I have given considerable thought about this over the past months. As you now know, even after my gift to the Chinese Archaeological Society I remain a very wealthy woman. Neither one of us has to work a single day the rest of our lives. But I could not simply do nothing in life, I need goals, I need to do things that are constructive, that I like to do, and I am certain you feel much the same. I would suggest we not worry about it unduly at this stage, but I might offer you a few possibilities for your consideration.”
She went on, and noticed that Wei-min was completely absorbed with what she was saying. “You are and have been a teacher, Wei-min, and you are a linguist. There will be a great interest in the United States in speaking Chinese. People are looking to the future, and from the business viewpoint a large part of that future is China. Markets will open up here and there in an unprecedented way, and command of the Chinese language will be essential. We could open up a private school for the teaching of Chinese.”
His eyes brightened. “I like that idea, Helene.”
“You could first of all learn the most modern techniques in the learning of a language. We can work together on that, and then set up a school at Berkeley, near the University of California campus. I have a lovely house in the Berkeley hills, near a famous rose garden that was built in the depression years by the unemployed. Once the school is running successfully you will be able to leave its management to your staff for periods of time. I have lived alone too long, Wei-min, and I want to be with you as much as possible. I will limit my archaeological work, but if I have a project you will then be able to come with me.”
“That is what I would like, Helen. It has taken too long to find you, and we should treasure every possible moment of our lives from now on.”
“There is one other thing, Wei-min. I would like you and I to run the Henry Luce Foundation together. Trusts have been set up in many countries of the world by my father, and the interest on money invested is what allows these charities for the poor and the uneducated to continue. It needs a certain amount of supervision and management, and that is something else we can do together. It will also allow you, Wei-min, to see more of the world as well. How does all this sound to you?”
“Helene, it is all as if I am dreaming, and if so I hope I shall never wake up. What you offer me is a new world, one that I could never possibly have envisioned, and it will be a new world with the one I love.” He leaned forward and took her in his arms. “I love you, Helene, I love you.”
“And I love you, Wei-min.”
When the passport and visa were finally in Wei-min’s hands, they made their wedding plans. They agreed that it would be at the designated building for weddings in the nearby town. Known as the wedding palace, it was certainly no palace, but more of a registration office where everyone was married in a civil service.
So they were indeed married, in the presence of Wei-min’s parents. They did not have to purchase a wedding ring, for Helene felt that her own ring, given by Wei-min’s grandmother as a love ring, was all that she wanted, and their wedding present was a beautifully framed photograph of Wei-min’s mother and her Australian lover, resplendent in his navy whites. She did not know such a photograph existed, but Lin Shi-an had kept it all those years. When they came out of the wedding palace they were met by hundreds of smiling children, who applauded them as they walked back to the school.
When they arrived at the school, Wei-min’s parents excused themselves and left to stay with friends in the town. His father said: “We knew you two would like to be alone, and to spend your first night together in the room where Helene’s grandparents slept.”
They thanked the parents, and watched them as they walked back to the town. After they had disappeared in the distance, they embraced and went together, somewhat nervously, to the bedroom. There they made passionate love, and fell to sleep in one another’s arms.
After a few days they farewelled Wei-min’s parents at the railway station. Everyone was crying as the train departed, each wondering if and when they would ever see each other again. The parents remained at the station, waving, until the train was completely out of sight.
CHAPTER 11.
THE FAMILY UNITED
From Peking they took a small China Airlines plane to Hong Kong, Wei-min confessing to her that he had never been on an aeroplane before. They stayed in Hong Kong for some five days, long enough for him to discard forever his drab Mao suit and be fitted out with western clothes. It was all somewhat new to him, staying in a hotel, eating in sophisticated restaurants, and taking in the tourist sights.
Wei-min said to Helene early on: “I actually am a country boy, you know, but I really feel like a country boy here. Thank goodness I spent some years at Oxford going to University, or I would be in a complete state of shock. Is it as crowded as this in the United States?”
“Not where we are going, Wei-min. Only New York is anything like this. We are going to California, sunny California, and you will be able to walk freely without feeling squashed by these hordes of people.”
“I can hardly wait”, said Wei-min. “I must confess my mind is still in a whirl. I keep wondering what will happen next, what my beautiful organiser has in store for me. Are there any more surprises?”
“I think everything would be somewhat of a surprise to you, Wei-min, but there is nothing, I feel, that you will not be able to handle. But there is one more major surprise for you.”
“What? I can see a very devilish look in your eyes.”
“I have not said anything about this, Wei-min, but a thought occurred to me when your parents gave us that wedding present of the photograph of your grandmother and her Australian lover. You are on a two-year visa to the United States with a Chinese passport, and you will not be able to leave the United States as the visa would be invalidated. In theory you can apply for citizenship anywhere in that time period. I will consult my own lawyers and endeavour to hurry up your American citizenship. Your dear wife has some very good connections, as you saw in obtaining the visa from Hong Kong. When you get your citizenship I would like to take you to Australia, to search out the family of your grandfather. He had parents, obviously, and maybe there were also brothers. If they in turn had children you will perhaps get to meet them. Do you
know your grandfather’s name?”
“I can never forget it, Helene, for my grandmother told me many times to memorise it. His name was Lieutenant Robert Pride. It is a wonderful idea of yours, Helene. Maybe it is a bit far-fetched, but what a thrill it would be if we could actually uncover his family.”
“Then so be it, Wei-min. Somehow I feel fate is with us, and our love ring will lead us to your other family to complete the circle. Your grandfather came from Australia to China and fell in love with your grandmother. We will go from China to the USA and later on to Australia to search for your family”
“How do you say it in English, Helene? The whole prospect sends pins and needles in my body. Does that make sense?”
“It does, Wei-min, I understand how you feel. So the die is cast, and that shall be our overall plan.”
They travelled from Hong Kong via Pan American Airlines to San Francisco, stopping first at Hawaii. As in Hong Kong, Helene had made arrangements to stay there for seven days. She selected a hotel right on Waikiki beach, and their apartment looked directly over the ocean.
As soon as they walked in to their hotel room and looked towards the beach Wei-min said: “This is like paradise. You may not believe me, but I have scarcely heard of Hawaii. We were not taught much about geography in school. I did not know any country could be so beautiful.”
Honolulu was a definite culture shock for Wei-min, the mode of life there being in stark contrast to what he had ever experienced. His world experiences were Oxford and Tengehow and a short time in Hong Kong. In Hawaii people wore shorts, coloured shirts and sandals, and everything seemed to be at a measured, leisurely pace. Helene felt it was important for Wei-min to adapt to the new way of life he was experiencing, and decided that they would stay at Waikiki for another two weeks. As each day went by she observed that Wei-min was becoming more relaxed and at ease in what had been initially such an alien environment. As well, it was a perfect honeymoon for them. They walked the beach daily hand in hand, ate overlooking the sea, and made love at night.