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Saturday, 10 December

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Saturday, 10 December

 

I woke up in the morning and studied English, using Thomas De Quincey’s Confessions of An English Opium Eater (1821).

The chef, Lu Guozhi(呂國治), went to hospital because of a leg ailment this morning. He should have spoken to us about it, and got a good substitute worker first before going to hospital. This has made life extremely difficult for us. Therefore, we employed Chef Huang to take his place for one month. It certainly will have a bad effect on business.

In the evening, Guo Zhijie (郭子杰) visited me with Professor Chen Shouyi (陳受頤)[1]. Chen has been teaching in an American university for thirty years. This year he is on sabbatical. He has taken the time to stay longer in the Far East and Europe. Recently he stayed in Taipei for one and a half months. He had talked to various sides and found that they are quite positive towards me. Chen Cheng asked him to talk to me when he went to France, and extended his invitation to visit Taipei. It would also be fine if it is not a long stay.

Additionally, Chen Cheng asked Professor Chen to urge Sun Fo to pass by Taipei on his return to the United States. I told Professor Chen my official and personal difficulties. He also said that when he was in Taipei, Zhang Qun, Chen Cheng and Chiang Ching-kuo and others all felt that it was not easy to advise Chiang, therefore they wanted me to return. I also have the same feelings as them. Though Wang Chonghui is a diplomatic veteran, he is gradually getting unable to catch up with the changes in the global diplomatic trends. Also, though he is adept in diplomacy towards Britain and the United States, he had rarely studied the conditions of the Soviet side. He is getting older and weak. Furthermore, because of his character, I doubt that he could bring about a positive impact on Chiang. But I have thought again and again, and I find that as I am of a humble status, my words would not be convincing. Also, what I want to say from my conscience are things that people are unwilling to hear. Therefore, I am hesitant and indecisive. Professor Chen also thinks likewise. Now Sun Fo lives in the western part of the United States, which is close to Professor Chen’s home. Therefore, they are quite close to each other. Sun Fo has mentioned me to him and was quite positive to me. I was slightly relieved.

[1] According to the latter paragraphs of 1955 Diary, Professor Chen should be Chen Shouyi(1899-1977). Chen Shouyi was a Cantonese. He had studied in Lingnan and Chicago Universities and was an expert of Chinese literature and culture.