Home, Sweet Home

Three score years ago, my father died. Sixty years later, I come to his resting-place to make sacrifice to him. Why is it that I have come so late?

 

When I was four years old, my father died. My mother and I struggled through the hardships of life. She did whatever she could to bring me up and educate me. When I reached my adulthood, she said to me:

 

Your father was an upright official. He had an open hand when helping others. He enjoyed the company of friends. Though we were poor, he never tried to accumulate wealth. He told me, ‘I will not let money be my burden.’ When he died, he left virtually nothing. What was in my mind that made me overcome the difficulties through the years’ hardship? For I have something that your father had wished you to know.”

 

“A year before your father and I married, your grandfather died. So, I did not have the chance in servitude to your grandmother. Yet, I know your father must be very filial to his mother. I remember when it came to the New Year, when every household gave sacrifice to the dead. Your father always said, ‘What’s the use of making a sacrifice with a feast? It would give me more comfort if mother was still alive and we shared much more course meals.’ When we had dinner, he would be in tears, saying, ‘We used to live in poverty. Now we are better off. But what’s use of all the comfort without my mother?’ At the beginning, I thought your father wouldn’t think of your grandmother so much with the passage of time. But each year, he would shed tears. From this, I knew that your father must have been very filial in servitude to your grandmother.”

 

“Being an official, your father often studied the court documents deep into night. Once he sighed again and again. I asked him why. He told me, ‘This guy has committed a crime and is going to be executed. I have tried to save his life. If he deserves death, there would be no regrets for both him and me. What’s more, sometimes, after careful studies, I can prove that he does not deserve so severe a punishment and I can save him. Though there are people like me who do their utmost to put right the wrong, but the odds always exist that many would be wronged. But, in this world, some people are anxious to put death the lives of those they don’t like. ‘”

 

“When your father turned and saw me, with you in my arms. He sighed, ‘The foretellers said that my days are numbered. If their words are true, I will be unable to see my son grow up, you must tell him my words when he grows up.’”

 

“Your father must have wanted you to know: with regard to one’s duty to parents, he needs not make them live a luxurious life, but he must have a devoted heart. As to helping those in need, he is impossible to help large numbers of people, but he must be kind and generous. I heard your father saying these again and again to young people, so I remembered them and could tell you these. I don’t know how your father conducted affairs outside, but I do know at home, he did whatever he thought right and never wore any pretence. He was straightforward and a man of principle. With the tie of blood, I know you would inherit these qualities from your father. I have nothing else to tell you except what you father wanted you to know. ”

 

Hearing these, I was in tears. I would keep those words in mind forever.

 

My father was young when my grandfather died. He was anxious to learn and passed an examination and became an official in Sizhou and Mianzhou. Then he was promoted to Taizhou. He died at the age of fifty-nine and was buried in Shuang-Gang. My mother was born to a wealthy and distinguished family. But since my family began to experience economic difficulty, she began to live a thrifty life. Later on, she never enjoyed luxurious life even though we became well off. She used to say, “My son is not the kind the person who sacrifices his principles to please the authority. I have to be thrifty to save for the rainy days.” Later I became a sour eye of the authority and our conditions became worse. Yet, my mother said, “Your family has always been poor and I have got used to it. As far as you can bear it with equanimity, I can do the same. ”

 

Twenty years after my father’s death, I became an official. Another twelve years later, I was promoted with the privilege to glorify my parents. Another ten years later, I became a minister in charge of appointing officials. During this period, my mother died at the age of seventy-two. Another eight years later, I became the Prime Minister and I was in the position for several years. Since I became a minister, my parents were honored again and again. (Note from the translator: Honoring one’s parents was the privilege of high rank official at that time.)

 

I cried and said, “Blessed are those who do good, whether it comes sooner or later. It is the rule of the universe. My parents always had helped others. They should be blessed. Although they did not enjoy much in their lifetime, but they were given honors to glorify later generations. ” So I wrote this article to show that, although I did not have much talent, I was given a high post in the court of the emperor, there is reason behind! There is reason behind!

 

The time is April 1070.

 

Author: Ou Yangxiu