Featured by Frederick Floyd

Chapter 8 One Nine 1960
In 1960, Fu Cong was engaged to Mira, the daughter of the famous musician Menuhin, and Fu Lei and his wife were very pleased to receive the good news.

1960.1.10
child:

It's nice to see your comments abroad.Several of your characteristics have been unanimously recognized and applauded, such as your tone [pitch], your touch [handling], your attention to detail and pursuit of perfection, your understanding and style, have all been noted.Some people say that the first movement of Mozart's "No.20 Piano Concerto No. 595" (K.595) [Work No. [-]] is healthy [health], extrovert allegro [extrovert allegro]. Health, of course there is no problem, but "extrovert" (extrovert) may not necessarily be.Another criticism is that your expression of the third movement of K.[-] [Op. [-]] "His sensibility is more passive than creative [his (referring to you) emotion is passive, not creative]", is not the same as my It doesn't look the same to you either.It has also been said that you play some of the fast passages in Chopin's Ballades [Ballades] and Scherzo [Scherzo] so quickly that you prevent clarity of the work.This critic has said this about your two Chopin shows in March and October, what is the actual situation?Judging from the music descriptions and general comments in the program list, it seems that the British do not have a particularly sophisticated view of Mozart. There may be such scholars or artists who have not written articles.

Compared with the situation in France 30 years ago, the musical atmosphere in the UK is much more common.Of course, general does not necessarily mean high level, but quality starts with quantity after all.As soon as France leaves Paris, it seems closed and empty; unlike many second-class cities in the UK, there are many cultural and artistic activities.But this is from the surface; in fact, the level of the masses, how to respond, you have to ask the people you contact on the ground.Please let me know by letter.You have lived in Western Europe for a year, and you have also traveled for a year. I also want to know how you feel about the music scene in various countries.It's the playing field, so let's talk about it briefly.For example, what are the characteristics of the Festival Hall, which is famous for its sound effects, and so on.

Combining the requirements of the audience and your own learning, what aspects do you plan to develop in your program in the future?Do you feel that neither Schubert nor Mozart has received due attention at present, and you have special experience, so you focus on performing them?Your Prokofiev and Shostakovich sonatas have not yet been released. Is it true that the general British audience does not like to listen to modern works?What is the first Bartok concerto you practiced earlier?I heard that his concerto is the third most popular.You have practiced Beethoven first, do you still want to practice third?After playing the big works of Brahms, do you feel any change about the romantic school?Has there been some renewed affection for Schumann and Frank?Of course, people who have been engaged in music for a lifetime may have to change their attitudes towards those masters many times in their lives; I just want to know your views at this stage with these questions.

Recently, I casually read some music books.Some of the articles are solidly written and objective.A British writer said about Liszt, there is this passage: "We are not willing to believe that a girl who is painted and a little vulgar is as good as a sister who is plain and not beautiful; similarly, we are not easy to admit that Liszt A particularly splendid piano sonata would be as wonderful as a Schumann or a Brahms sonata in brown and gray." (See Heritage of Music-2nd Series p. 196 p. 196]) he goes on to affirm that it was the Puritan spirit of the English.He also said that the Liszt that everyone often played was his early works showing off his skills, giving people a kind of conditioned reflex. Hearing Liszt's name felt vulgar; Some of the later works are even more severe to the extreme.I think these words are quite reasonable.It is easy for a writer to be distorted by popular customs and buried by decades or even hundreds of years of prejudice.I have three episodes of that Heritage of Music, which are worth reading. The one on Chopin is also good, and the one on Bizet is even more exciting. The writer Martin Cooper [Martin Cooper] wrote in the "Daily Telegraph" on February [-] Criticize your article. The characters in "ji" are of different shades, so you need to read carefully, look through the dictionary more, and pay attention to the syntax.

Several people who commented on your playing mentioned that you were physically thin.This shows you how to maintain your body and get enough rest.Be sure to take a period this summer to go to summer vacation!I understand the reason why the letter said that the performances cannot be reduced, but unless it is forced by life, the contract for the next contract must be reduced by a reasonable number of performances compared to this one.If you want to conquer the world, you can't be in a hurry, you have to look at the long-term.It is more effective to fight decisive battles with full energy and energy than sporadic battles.What's more, you have to study, supplement the program, and pay attention to other aspects of self-cultivation; in addition, you must have sufficient rest!
You don't rely on any political and economic background, but rely solely on art to gain a foothold. This is also your minimum and primary responsibility to yourself, others, and the motherland!Of course it is excellent, but I hope you will persevere forever. I believe you will persevere, but the day to test you has not yet come.You have not encountered adversity so far.It really takes a poor and humble life to truly show that "poverty and humbleness cannot be moved"!Be prepared for danger in times of peace, exercise your will more.

The program list and so on will be sent at any time.Are there any comments from France and Belgium?Is your Steinway seven feet?Nine feet?In the past few weeks, I have been sick and busier, and I have suffered from severe colds and gastroenteritis for several days, so I am unable to write more.Be careful, take care of everything!

Dad January [-]

1960.8.5
child:

The two times my mother wrote to you, I didn't start writing because I was in poor health and lacked energy.There are very few times when I am not sick or have a headache, so I can only hurry up and do some work; I am exhausted after work, and I have no intention of doing other things.Of course, people will be full of diseases when they are old. There is only a difference between morning and evening, and there is absolutely no reason why it will come. Don't worry about me.I have always been very indifferent to life and death. I just do my best, live and work day by day, and only rest when the god of death comes one day and asks me to put down the pen.That's all.People who engage in art are always troubled, especially in such a big era for the old intellectuals.Although you are young, there are quite a few shortcomings of the old intellectuals you have acquired from me.But in your letters in the past four or five years, you always say that you forget all your troubles as soon as you start working; to be able to forget your worries at work like this is not bad.Within 24 hours, except for eating and sleeping, we always have more working time and less free time; so even if we are troubled, the time will not be too long, don’t you think?But work and rest should also be well adjusted: when you play music, your nerves and emotions are particularly tense, and you should take a complete rest after a year.Going to the countryside to live for ten or eight days during the summer vacation will not only benefit your body and mind, but also benefit your musical experience.What's more, if you ask about the bans when you enter the country, and ask about the customs when you enter the country, you should also experience and observe their customs and customs.It's not appropriate for Guan to be in London, or to be busy performing in various places, without any contact with reality.After seeing the letter, I immediately packed up my luggage and went out to rest, even for three to five days.

I am not surprised that you have recently specialized in Scarlatti and found many wonderful things in him.This is the inevitable result after you like Handel.In Scarlatti’s time, the Renaissance had already bloomed in the fields of painting and literature, and began to turn to music; people’s thoughts and feelings were demanding to be vented in another art, which required more direct stimulation of the senses, and was more ethereal and freer. One of the arts, that is, music, to meet their needs.Therefore, the musical works at that time were particularly vigorous and fresh, just like Botticelli in the paintings of the early Renaissance, and the rules of music were not as strict as those at the end of the eighteenth century, and talented writers could easily display their spirit.What's more, the European music tradition was still very weak in the seventeenth century, unlike painting and sculpture, which had reached their peak as early as ancient Greece (sculpture from the sixth to fourth centuries BC, painting from the first century BC to the first century AD ).A vast and virgin land was waiting to be cultivated by Scarlatti and his successors.As I write this, I think you should often go to the British Museum, where the art treasures can be said to be endlessly enjoyed in a lifetime; for your general (comprehensive) artistic accomplishment, you should also go there to learn more.

Your previous views on British critics were too harsh.Good critics are as rare as good performers; most can only be mediocre "professional critics".But a few of the reviews that were sent back were really on point.For example, "New Light from the East" (New Light from the East) written by JH Elliot [Elliot] on the Manchester Guardian ["Manchester Guardian"] on May [-] said that you do not fully accept the Western music tradition, And there is a fresh and unprecedented point of view.He also said that when you leave the Western tradition, you always replace it with something better; and even the strictest defenders of Western culture do not feel that there is something "perverse" or "absurd" in your departure from the Western tradition, showing off your novelty. .This is a real understanding of your characteristics.If you can express Western music with Eastern thoughts and feelings, and still be accepted by the strictest Western defenders, it means that you have indeed made some new contributions to Western music.I am very happy for it.Not to mention that this is also one of the manifestations of the dominance of the east wind over the west wind, and it is the responsibility that Chinese artists should fulfill to world culture; only artists of different races can instill a part of the art without compromising the integrity of a particular art. When new blood enters, the world's culture will become richer, more complete, and more brilliant.Hope you continue on this path!There is also a review written by Allan Biggs on the Hastings Observer ["Hastings Observer"] on January [-], which shows that he was sincerely moved and wrote it without holes in the whole text The praises, pointing out the good points everywhere.It seems that he is a very old man, because he said that among the thousands of pianists he has heard in his life, only Pachmann [Pachmann] and Moiseiwitsch [Moiseiwitsch] have the same charm as you . Pachmann has been dead for so many years, and he must be a pale old man who has heard "thousands" of pianists.The review on your record is also well written.

The Chinese to be written is not Westernized, only more writing.When writing, you must make a draft and revise it carefully.There is no other way.In particular, tick out the words that are optional or not.

It is of course comforting for us to be able to make a living in a foreign country without running through the doors of the rich and powerful.I believe you will stick to it.This kind of arrogance is also one of the most beautiful traditions of Chinese artists, and it is worth setting an example for the West.But don't forget an old saying: when the year is cold, you will know the pines and cypresses, and then you will wither.You haven't passed the test of "Suihan", so you have to be more vigilant to yourself!Everything is precious!Do take care of it!

Dad August [-], [-]
1960.8.29
Dear children:
The good news reported on August [-] filled us with unspeakable joy and excitement.You have embarked on a new stage in your life journey and started to take on new responsibilities. We would like to congratulate you, bless you, and encourage you.I hope you will learn the most profound lesson in the art of life with the same perseverance, confidence, and piety as you do with the art of music.May you be as successful in this art as you are in the musical art!Whenever any problem or distress arises, ask one or two honest and experienced middle-aged and elderly people for advice. (You have been in London for a year and eight months, so you should have such an old friend?) Think carefully, and then decide, Don't just act on impulse: as long as you can do these things, we will be at ease.

The requirements for a life partner, just like the requirements for everything in life, should not be too strict.There are always positive and negative sides to things: if you chase you too urgently, you feel that the burden is heavy;Meek people can sometimes appear cowardly, strong and almost authoritarian.Too many fantasies are unrealistic, and the capable housekeeper's wife feels tacky.Where are the people who have only strengths but no weaknesses?Is there any perfect person or thing in the world?Ask yourself, how perfect is yourself?You must have considered this type of question more than once.I think the most important thing is the essential kindness, the kindness of nature, and the open mind.With these three things, others can be cultivated gradually; and with these three things, even big or small disturbances in the future will not turn into tragedies.Being an artist's wife is harder than being anyone's wife; if you don't understand this in advance, even if you know "too strict with others and too lenient with yourself", it is not easy to learn to be wise, considerate, and tolerant.As long as you can solve the trivial matters of life for you, and at the same time you are interested in your career, you don't have to expect extravagant studies on learning, etc. for the time being, it depends on your life after marriage.Both sides should first learn mutual respect, understanding and tolerance.

It is dangerous for the other party to regard you as her whole world, but it is also very precious!Now that you have noticed it, you will definitely wake her up slowly; it is better to insinuate rather than raise it directly, and make her feel that it is to maintain her independence of personality and expand her worldview.If you have already thought of Olivier's story, tell her to read the book once or twice, paying special attention to that episode.Know only love, love, love like Jacqueline! [Love, love, love! ] is just a character in a fairy tale, in the real world not only can't get love, she can't even live a life, because she knows nothing, has nothing, and loves nothing except love.How can such a narrow world look like a world!How can such a one-sided outlook on life lead to happiness!Regardless of men or women, only by focusing on career, learning, and art, and putting aside the small ego as much as possible, can we be happy and feel that life is meaningful.Inexperienced girls often have an absurd dream, thinking that the emotional climax during the love period can also be maintained after marriage.This is a delusion that violates the laws of nature.There is an old saying, "The friendship between gentlemen is as light as water"; there is another saying, "Husband and wife respect each other like guests."It can be seen that only calm, reserved, and gentle feelings can last; the meaning of another sentence is that the husband and wife are completely a relationship of confidantes and friends, which is what we call lifelong partners.Before getting married, both parties can deeply understand and reach a certain point, which will lay the most reliable foundation for the future and avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and pains.

You are a man whose art is his life, a man who puts truth, justice, personality, etc. above all else, and a man who finds pleasure in his work; I tried my best to instill in the other party.I just want to remind you a few points: First, the most powerful argument in the world is practical action, and the most effective education is to lead by example; don't ask others for what you can't do; Change your own.Second, never forget the many strict mistakes I made when educating you.If my past mistakes could save you from the same mistakes, my guilt would be lessened; and your sufferings will not be in vain if you do not inflict them on others.In general, even if you teach others, don't give people the feeling of "being a good teacher".Most of Honorina's misfortune (do you remember the novella by Balzac) is her own fault, and a small part is also because her husband's attitude of educating her has hurt her self-esteem.Anyone who has an unhappy childhood is particularly vulnerable (there are also those who have been trained to be extremely strong, but only a few), and are extremely sensitive. When you think back to yourself, you will know how to treat your lover delicate [gentle], how to discreet [careful] .

I believe that you take love issues more seriously than before; in this period of trial, I hope you will treat everything with a more serious attitude, especially to cultivate a loyal, solemn and reverent attitude towards the responsibilities after marriage !

Convey my best wishes to Zamira, I would love to correspond with her. (Please tell me if she can speak French well. It is more convenient for me to write French than English.) Also, please convey our respect and admiration to her father.

Wish you all the best and take care!
Dad August 29, [-]
Dear Satoshi:

I am so happy to receive your good news today. My dream of being a mother has finally come true.It is a matter of course that male colleges should marry and female colleges should marry. I hope you and Zamira will have a happy marriage, and our worries for our children will come to an end.She is beautiful, smart, and gentle, and she is the most suitable for you; I often say that the person you are looking for must have such conditions, because the union between me and your father, and our ability to live in peace is a very obvious example.As long as you really know each other and understand each other, even if you suffer some grievances, you don't care about it.In the final analysis, after all, I also have mistakes.I hope you will not be too demanding, don't take things too seriously, be approachable, and always give people a sense of caring and cordiality.Especially for your life partner, don't be half-hearted, be consistent.As long as you truly love each other, tolerate each other, and forgive each other, the inevitable small twists and turns will soon disappear.Especially you have many shortcomings, you are too much like your father, as long as you have self-knowledge, your lover will be happy.One more thing to remind you, don’t miss your childhood first love in the future. They have already become a family. meaningful.Dad has already said a lot, and they are all based on experience. We have walked on the journey of life for decades, not only combining our own experiences, but also seeing a lot of joys and sorrows among friends, so I try to tell you as much as possible. , the purpose is to hope that you will always be happy.

HMV sent ten albums, spent more than 25 yuan in taxes on August 75, and received them smoothly.All good records, Min lucky enough to set out tonight, almost finished listening to them all, we all enjoyed it immensely.You still haven't received the record you made yourself, so you have to negotiate it yourself.Although you are not satisfied with the irrigation, it is precious to us, and should be collected as your achievements at a certain stage.The French papers were also received yesterday, which is great, boy, we are very happy.I lost sleep over it last night and was hoping to see pictures of you and Zamira!Min left in the middle of the night tonight, a total of 20 days before and after, and read a short article with her father, which was also very hasty.His lumbago was caused by the cold after labor, and he hurt his tendons. He asked a massage doctor to push him more than a dozen times, and he is better now.I am eager to send the letter, so I won't talk much about it.

Happy!And say hello to Zamira!
Mom August 29th
1960.11.13
Dear children:
I sent you and Mira a letter on October 22nd. I think you read it when you came back from Sweden? ——The day before yesterday (November [-]) sent a French translation of "Chairman Mao's Poems", an English translation of Guan Hanqing's (Yuan) "Selected Plays", a volume of Cao Yu's "Sunrise", Feng Yuanjun's "Chinese Classics" A Brief History of Literature" (four volumes in one pack, all for Mira); Chen Laolian's "Flowers, Birds, Grasses and Insects", ten pieces in total, five photographs of Huang Binhong's ink brush landscape album pages, and two sets of paper scores, a total of twenty Zhang, two enlarged photos of me and my mother (photographed by a friend), and made a package together: all of the above are registered and sent by post, transferred from the Soviet Union, and are expected to arrive in London around December [-].Chen Laolian's "Book of Flowers, Birds, Grasses and Insects" was printed in [-]. It is the best woodcut watermarking technique and the selection of works is the best. Among them, you can choose six copies, together with the cover and typing instructions, and send them to Mira Dad, express our hearts.The remaining four can be kept to decorate your new home in the future.Huang's works are all in original size, and they were made by friends who specialize in photography, which took a lot of effort.Some other note books can also be hung with a small glass frame.Because domestic paper is very tight, the printing run is very small, and it is hard to get, so please do not give it away casually; only those who really love and understand art can give one or two (referring to the sheet music).Woodcut watermarking is the closest to the original work among all reproduction techniques, and the cost is huge, so please cherish it.When Westerners give gifts, especially works of art, less is more valuable, so Mira's father gave six pieces of Chen Laolian more than enough.This is not stingy, but it is in line with foreign practice, and it also takes into account that our supply is not easy.

"Selected Dunhuang Murals" (a kind of woodcut watermark, not a kind of lithographic foreign paper) Do you still have it with you?I still have a complete set of three episodes, and I can send you if you want.But it was out of print in [-] (the number of woodblock prints was limited, and the block was broken later, so it could no longer be printed), and it is even more precious, so you have to cherish it. (If you want to see the letter!)

After looking at this photo, I think Mira is even more beautiful. She has plumper flesh than when she was in Switzerland. I think it is because of her recovery.From her letter, we can feel that she is gentle, innocent and serious at the same time, and she is serious about people and things.For your future, she officially went to study economics, which is touching.However, the way of housekeeping is mainly concerned with common sense [common sense], dealing with people and handling money, etc., everything is done reasonably, with a plan and a budget.You should be content, child, for such a companion will do you a great deal.Now you are experiencing the happiest period of your life, you are engaged, your spirit has sustenance, you only have the sweetness of love, and you have no family responsibilities: you don’t want to be “blessed and unaware”!Looking at your photos, your body does not seem to be in bad condition, and your spirit is also calm. We are very comforted.Mira knows music very well and loves literature and art. You must get along very well.In terms of daily work and rest nutrition adjustment, listen to her more, don't look at her young, women are more practical than us men in some things, their intuition is often correct, and any young girl With the instinct of maternal love, some advice for your physical and mental health should be accepted more.I hope you have a good temper. Don’t be like me, and use my bad temper as your warning.I am most afraid of giving you a bad influence in this respect.If you can prevent your father's shortcomings from developing on you, that is the best repayment you can give to your father, and you have also fulfilled a great responsibility to your next generation.

How much I would like to hear your opinion on your performance, especially the pieces or passages that have been criticized by others, such as the longest comment on your Bach [Bach] on September 26 in Norway, I want to know your own view.There is also a previous letter asking you what dissatisfaction you have with the four Ballades ["Ballade"] that have been filmed.Don't let your dad get too far behind in music, so I want you to talk about these issues.

In the August issue of the monthly magazine "Music and Musicians", there is an article by the American composer Copland [Copland] on the creation of American music. I think he has not touched the key point at all.He never mentioned that Americans are a mixture of English, French, German, Dutch, Italian, and Spanish nationalities; it takes a long period of time for a mixed nation to produce new culture, especially new music, and it is by no means as Copland said. It is said that the way can be played only from the rhythm of jazz [jazz] or the music of the Indians.The establishment of the national school of music and the expression of local scenery depend on the formation of the entire national spirit.Italian, Spanish, French, British, German, Dutch... Many nationalities in Europe are also mixed from more and earlier nationalities since the seventh century.Didn't they all form their own unique spiritual outlook after a very long period of time (a period of integration and convergence), and then after a long period of time, they blossomed and borne fruit in various arts?

Don't miss the opportunity to look upon great things in London. Museums and parks are equally important to you.

Winter is the busiest time for you. Some things I ask you or you want to tell me, you might as well write them down in a notebook one after another, and copy them together when writing letters. Isn’t it convenient and complete?
Attached is the introduction about Huang Binhong, which can be kept properly. When the copy arrives, it can be taken out and reread by Mira, so that she can get a preliminary concept of Chinese painting.

Take care of everything, get plenty of rest, and don't overwork!
Dad November [-], [-]
1960.11.26
Dear children:
Since Mira corresponded with us, it seems that you have a secretary and write less yourself.Knowing that you are busy, nervous and tired, I don't blame you.But there are some artistic issues that you have to talk about yourself.If you don’t talk about it, the spiritual and artistic communication between you and me will be interrupted, and I will feel even more lonely in this lonely environment.Nobody else exchanges musical opinions with me except you.And although I am aging day by day, I still want to blow the wind outside more.We mentored you when you were a child, and today you can't just sit back and watch Dad lag behind in a certain department of art!
I didn't expect your wedding date to be so close, which caught us off guard.Mom has been out all day shopping for gifts for Mira and your mother-in-law.But maybe Mira's can only be sent first, and another package will be sent next month.See Letter to Mira for details.Mother always thinks it a pity that the gift doesn't arrive in London before your wedding.The previous letter asked if you had "Selected Dunhuang Murals", and now I will give it to you as a wedding souvenir for you two (I will send a printed matter next week).

My child, you have now officially entered an important stage of your life, and you must have seriously considered all aspects: we Chinese treat marriage—the so-called lifelong event—much more solemnly than Westerners, and you are no exception; But between husband and wife, Westerners are much gentler and more delicate than us. They really have the style of our ancients who treat each other with respect (of course, there are many hypocrisy and deceitful ones). I should have learned a little bit in a month.As for the financial aspect, probably you must have proper plans and arrangements.There is one more thing, my mother and I were arguing endlessly and did not approve of my proposal.I think you are all still young, especially Mira. It is enough to learn how to manage the family within a year or two after the first marriage. Do you need to consider delaying having children for a year or two so as to reduce her burden and let her have more time? Take it easy?My mother objected, saying that it is better to have a baby early, and I would rather have birth control later.But if I say later, it is only one or two years later, not ten or eight years; it is up to me to say or not, and it is up to you to listen or not; if you know everything, you can talk endlessly, and this is the case among friends, let alone parents and children!What taboo?dont you agree?I'm just expressing my opinion, the decision rests with you.And even if I don't say it, maybe you guys have already discussed this issue.Mira was right, you should go out and rest for a week.I always feel that if you leave the piano, immerse yourself in nature, and meditate more, it will benefit your understanding and feeling of music more.People need to jump out of the cage of ego from time to time in order to have new feelings, new views, and more correct self-criticism.

Do you think about late Beethoven differently than before?Is it closer in thought, or, on the contrary, farther away?What points do you agree with and disagree with on the views of general critics on Schubert and Beethoven? ——They always think your Mozart is too delicate, what do you think?
Not much to write, I wish you a happy marriage and happiness!Our hearts are always with you both!
Dad, Mom, on the evening of November 26, [-]
1960.12.2
Dear Satoshi:

Knowing that your wedding date has been confirmed, we have been thinking about the day every day with excitement and excitement.You are happy, and we are also happy.The so-called close relationship of flesh and blood, the so-called deep love for children, only parents who truly love their children can deeply understand the taste of it.We are often immersed in the memories, revisiting your life, thinking about your obese and fat baby, naughty and cute childhood, tenacious and troublesome teenager, until half-baked to Romania, set off to participate in the Until Chopin’s competition: the strict family education I received in my childhood, the hard work in my youth, the hard work after going abroad, and today’s few achievements are really like scenes in a movie, vividly remembered, how much bitterness was included and what joy!Now you have reached the climax of your life, which is also the happiest stage in your life, and you have started to start a family and start a business.Why don't we as parents burst into tears with joy!Especially for mothers, when you think about your son’s food, food, and trivial matters around him, you will no longer feel lonely when you have such an ideal Mira to take care of him.Lovely Mira, although we can only get to know each other through correspondence, we already feel that she is kind, gentle and considerate, (she said that her letter will never replace you, you see how much she knows how to be a parent! ) is definitely not a vain and pompous girl.This is your good fortune, and it also shows that you have good vision.In the end, I have to remind a few words: I hope that apart from loving each other, you two will always respect each other and discuss everything, and never act arbitrarily.Life should be serious, regular, and restrained; in terms of economy, there must be a planned budget, and money must be used appropriately.Of course, life is always learning, and mistakes are inevitable. As long as you accept the lesson, you will go deeper.

What we feel most regretful is that we didn't fulfill our duties as parents, we couldn't do something for you, and we couldn't attend your wedding because of the fly in the ointment.The date is so rushed that I was caught off guard and didn't know what to buy for you.There are very strict restrictions on sending parcels, and you can only choose from a very small range.I ran for two days in a row, divided the things into two packages, and finally sent them out smoothly.Send a package directly to your mother-in-law, with two pieces of brocade inside: one with large gold flowers on a black background for Madame Menuhin, and one with small green flowers for Myra.One package to send to the club, one piece of "Waiko crepe" material inside, and a Chinese cheongsam for Mira (preferably made of clips, with a lining). When making it, you can ask Chinese friends for design, or you might as well ask Ende.If Mira doesn't like cheongsam, then she can make skirts or simple robes.A pair of light green round embroidered pillows, a pair of light red satin pillows, a pair of antique embroidered sleeves (for small tablecloths, the most beautiful placed under glass, must avoid dust), a velvet flower (not ideal).These small gifts of Chinese products are nothing, they can only complement the decoration of your new house.Things are less and more thoughtful, I think you will like it. "Selected Dunhuang Murals" will not be mailed in a month, because the customs believes that two packages have been sent at a time, which is too much, so they can only be brought back on the spot.I hope that some watermarked pictures of Chen Laolian that we sent earlier (on November [-]th) can be received before your wedding, and they can be framed and hung immediately.Chinese people's homes should have some Chinese flavor, don't you think so?

When Mira sent me an invitation yesterday, I was both happy and ashamed. Many of the things that should be done by us have been done to the Menuhin couple, which is really unjustifiable.I don't know which Chinese friends you invite?Ender's uncle, I must have been invited.He has helped you in the past, don't forget that.The most important thing to pay attention to when sending invitations, sometimes you will offend people if you omit them.Please think about it carefully.I am very glad that Mira agreed to tell us the details of your marriage (of course it will take a long time), and let us share the joy, which is a great comfort.

I'm afraid you are only a few days away from your wedding when you receive our letter, and you are very busy!Stop writing here.I wish you newly married happiness and health!
mom december [-]

(End of this chapter)