Tom: Old Dali (July 28)

Old Dali (July 28) · Jul 29, 10:40 AM

Today I found He Liyi, Mr. China’s Son—it took about nine hours. From the hostel I took a public bus to Xiaguan. From Xiaguan north station I found a bus to Jianchuan. In Jianchuan I hired a minibus to take me to Shanbaodian Village, No. 37. I’ve left out all the detail about how I never quite knew where I was going, or where Mr. He was supposed to be. At No. 37 I met his wife—she’s living here because she doesn’t like city life, and he is living in the city because he doesn’t like country life, it seems. With stumbling Chinese and help from my driver (including a dropped call from his mobile phone), I discover the present location of Mr. He. He’s back in Xiaguan. I return the way I came—via a three hour bus-ride—and meet his son Lujiang outside the tration station.

Mr. He, Sr. lives in a fifth floor rooftop apartment in Xiaguan, nearby to the train station. He has a garden kept with flowers, cucumbers, tomatoes, and eggplant. His son has built a couple room and a small kitchen here. They invite me to sit for tea and Mr. He, Sr. welcomes me to his house. Despite his age—78—and some hearing loss, Mr. He is very happy and vigorous. While Lujiang is preparing a simple dinner, Liyi and I chat. He shows me the garden, which reminds me of how cleverly he had to work to survive the Cultural Revolution. His room is small—one bunk, a desk with a Lenovo laptop computer connected to the outside world through a 56k modem, and a bookcase populated with English language dictionaries, novels, and non-fiction. He helps me send an email back to Merrilee in Rhode Island.

After dinner the old Mr. He walks me down to the bus stop in a rush; if it’s not too late, I may be able to catch a bus number 8 back to Old Dali. He takes my hand as we walk quickly, and his grip is still strong. It’s not too late for the last bus. He presses bus money into my hands, thanks me whole-heartedly for the visit, and I say goodbye.

Remarkable.

* * *

Sometimes we want “the rest of the story”. So I found Mr. He’s homepage. He has certainly lived through some interesting times. I assume that you read his book?
— Ferdbirfel Jul 31, 11:22 AM #
Before I left. Merrilee gave me a copy. It’s remarkable in what he went through—the Communist revolution, the labor camps, the Cultural Revolution, and finally a teaching career—and it’s also remarkable for his style—self-taught English, untranslated, and very honest about his personal feelings and relationships.

I apologize for leaving so much out—these entries are written mainly to remind me in a couple decades. I also heavily sterilize them for public consumption.
— Tom Aug 5, 10:44 AM #
Hello,

He Liyi is a friend of my grandparents. they lost contact with him in 2003 just after the death of his son. I am trying so hard to find an address, e-mail address or contact phone number to get in touch with him as i am going to that part of China this summer. If you could send me an e-mail I would be happy to prove the connection between He Liyi and my Grandparents. Thanks for your time
— Edd Deverill Mar 19, 10:23 AM #
Hi Tom! I’m on a search for Mr. He Liyi for the WWII Fulbright project I’m doing in China right now. I know this post is about 5 years old, but could you tell me how you found Mr. He? I’ve been trying to find a way to contact him via email, but none of the addresses I’ve found are working! I’m going to Xiaguan in 2 days for 2 days, so I hope to see him then. Feel free to say no. I’m hoping to share pictures of US Flying Tigers with him and talk about how the American miliary prescence influenced him.
— Jessica Apr 16, 11:28 AM #

http://tom.spacing-guild.net/2006/08/01/lijiang-july-29

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