Thursday, 3 April

I had a long talk with Xie Gengmin. He has the same fear that Dr. Wang Chonghui may not be able to do well in his new duty which needs closer relations with the Generalissimo. Out shopping with Yukun.

At 7.00 p.m. invited to dinner at Dr. Wang Chonghui’s house. General Wu Tiecheng and Gan Naiguang remained behind. After the other guests had left we had quite a pleasant chat until midnight when Tiecheng put it frankly to Dr.Wang Chonghui whether the latter meant to accept the new post as a step to get out, or he really wanted to do something. The question was embarrassing for Dr. Wang Chonghui so he said he could only reply to it by quoting a phrase from the The Four Books viz “well asked”. Gan told us a great deal about how things are handled at the Party Headquarters and the activities of various “great men” around the Generalissimo. They were extremely interesting. Some day when he is in a position to write them out, it will be the most amusing book of the century. Wu Tiecheng suggested I should join the diplomatic service again. I replied I have no objections provided I am put in a post where I can really do something for the Government. He is extremely friendly and really wants to help me. Before he left he told Dr. Wang Chonghui that he must have me as his guest the next time I come to Chungking. I feel very grateful to him.