about her Great, Great Grandfather
My grandfather’s name was Ran Peng-Fe. He was very intelligent from a young age, and gradually built up a successful business.
During the Warring States period of China (1920-1930) the city he lived in was under siege and the attacking warlord threatened to bombard the city. The people, frightened, elected my grandfather to negotiate with the attackers. In order to get out of the city my grandfather was lowered off the wall in a barrel. The negotiation was successful. As a result the city was saved and the locals were spared from war. He was later elected the Chair of the Bao-Ding Chamber of Commerce.
Grampa’s family lived at the hatchery so there was always some form of poultry at the table. Despite this, no cholesterol levels rose, and no salmonella occurred. For certain, the eggs and chickens were always fresh, since there was no middleman.
My great grandfather had five sons and two daughters. The eldest son became a police chief. The eldest daughter went to a university, and loved to draw. My grandfather Pai-Han, the third child, graduated from Bei-Yang University, and became one of China’s first engineers. He was in charge of designing and constructing a few railroads in China. My second great aunt was another of China’s first engineers, my third great uncle was an accountant, my fourth great uncle was a lawyer, and my fifth great uncle studied cotton in the He-Bei Institute of Science and Agriculture.
For if I were, both the sun and the moon
could pass in turn through my heart,
And I perhaps would reflect your ideal—
to spill soft luminescence
and blaze effulgent brilliance.
And when dark clouds overwhelm my heart,
As now, when it's overcast with despondency,
I no more remain in silence,
But instead, my heart shall express—
peals of deafening thunder
and flashes of silver lightening.
—Written by Ran Zheyan
Translated by Mimi Zhou
