Epilogue:
After our last post, on Sunday, November 29, 2009 we had the distinct privilege to be invited by Yang Xianyi's daughter to attend his funeral. We were driven there by Weili Fan and husband, Jerry Zhang along with their daughter, Mollie. Weili had originally introduced me to Yang Lao. The funeral was open to the public and held at a site where many Chinese dignitaries receive their final farewell, however it can now be rented by the public. The funeral was arranged by the International Writers's Association. Family and friends met in a small room and had a private viewing of the body. The viewing hall was filled with flowers. As the public filed in to view, one could hear "Danny Boy", "On The Bonny Banks of Loch Lomond", and "Auld Lang Syne", Xianyi's favorite songs, playing in the background. The body was then removed and presumably cremated and friends and family were encouraged to carry the flowers to the crematorium for burning. The press and TV were present and there were individual messages from every politburo member with the exception of Premier, Hu Jintao.
This appears to be the passing of a unique era in Chinese history and it was interesting to get a glimpse of it and an honor to have met this important and brave man.
Now we will try to read his translation of "A Dream of Red Mansions".
Philip and Astri
