inframarginal economics |
|
楊小凱教授紀念專號 A Tribute on the Day Xiaokai Passed Away
I met Xiaokai in 1979 when both he and I were working/studying in Beijing. One day, he went to Economic Institute of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) to attend a roundtable on China's economic reform. Among all the attendees, Yu Guangyuan, Sun Yefang, Dong Fureng and Liu Guoguang were at the meeting. I was working at the Department of National Economy of Economic Institute, I went to the meeting with all of my other colleagues. I cannot remember how Xiaokai found a seat by my side, but remember that we had a few exchanges at the meeting and he asked me whether he could chat with me after the meeting. The meeting was very inspiring and exciting. When Xiaokai came to my office, both he and I were still pretty "high." Starting from China's rural reform, our conversation was very congenial. From my side, I talked about econometrics, Western and Chinese history of economic thought (Professor Wang Zhi-Zhu of Wuhan University was my advisor) and my life experience in the countryside and Tibet. He presented his ideas about how to use "Kong-zhi Lun" method to study the national economy, comparative political systems such as monarchies, parliamentary and presidential governments and stories about Napoleon and the unremitting opposition to the French Revolution. He told me his family background and his "Where Is China Heading To" and the after ... His superb intelligence, insightful thoughts and legendary life experiences presented me a shadow of my late father. Our first conversation lasted for a very long time and we became very good friends. On behalf of my friend, I'd like to use this opportunity to express my profound gratitude to my Alma Mater, Wuhan University, and all people such as Liu Dao-Yu, Huang Xun-teng and Hu Chun-fang who have generously paved convenient steps for Xiaokai's professional expansion. I have to admit that I am not in Xiaokai's field of economics and I never took a course in political science. This automatically disqualifies me to eulogize Xiaokai's contribution in economics and politics. On the other hand, as his friend, I would like to tell few stories that may develop the portrait of him as a real person. Let's return to the story about my first conversation with Xiaokai. He told me that he wanted to do research and teach in a university but he did not have a college degree. He could not find a job in Beijing as he did not have Beijing metropolitan registration (Hu4 Kou3). I expressed my concern for him and decided to help him as much as I could. Despite the fact that I was drowning in my books, numbers and econometric models, I made myself socialize with some graduate students at the Economic Institute. After meeting Xiaokai, I quickly plotted a scheme to help both Xiaokai and a female friend among those graduate students. She was from a government official family and she started worrying about finding a boyfriend. Using as many affirmative and glaring adjectives as possible, I talked to her about Xiaokai and asked her whether she would like to date Xiaokai. To my satisfaction, she agreed. Then I proudly told Xiaokai about my match-making scheme when he came to my office again (my office was also my dorm). I told him this perhaps was the best solution to resolve his "Hu Kou" problem so that he could legally live in Beijing. Well, I was not a successful match-maker due to the conventional asymmetric information problem. He thanked me and passionately told me about his love story with Xiaojuan. I was moved yet puzzled for this traditionally incompatible pair: How would this just-out-of teenage girl put up her life with a newly released prisoner who was 10 years older than her? How would this man, fully of intelligence and wisdom, build his life with a girl with very little education? It was a mystery. However, when I first met Xiaojuan during their honeymoon in Beijing, the mystery was resolved: the love between Xiaokai and Xiaojuan was genuine and of providence. Xiaojuan was beautiful: her face reminded me of Marilyn Monroe. She had an augmentable and infectiously happy personality and yet she was very smart. When we met that first time, she almost recited all Xiaokai's ideas and thoughts. I was amazed. Per Xiaokai's request, the three of us went to a photographic studio and had a photograph taken together. I was drawn into this passionate couple and became one of their family friends. Life can be full of challenges, but Xiaokai and Xiaojuan made a complete family and three beautiful children. Xiaokai told me the meaning of the name of his beloved daughter when I was visiting the family at Wuhan University. Later when he was at Yale, he proudly told me that he named his youngest son after James Tobin. It was not easy task for them to accomplish so much together. Behind Xiaokai's flushing and glorious publications and presentations, it was a long tortuous path. Akin to most of our immigrants, they came here with nearly nothing but hope. I remember that it was a financially daunting task when they were preparing for the birth of James. I remember Xiaojuan had to earn her family living while getting her accounting degree and supporting Xiaokai's study and deeply devoted research. Remember the well-known phrase from Liu Xiao-qing, "It is tough to be a woman, but even tougher to be a famous woman"? Nevertheless, Liu Xiao-qing would never whine again if she would hear from Xiaojuan, "It is tough to be a wife, but even tougher to be the wife of famed man." No one but Xiaokai could know and appreciate the sacrifice that Xiaojuan had endured in their 25 years together. Since Xiaokai sent me the Holiday Greeting email, we had many email and phone call exchanges. He told me that he did not want to die but he was prepared and felt peaceful about his death. At the same time, he felt at fault because he could not save enough so that Xiaojuan and three children would have comfortable lives if he passed away. He told me that Xiaojuan would never ask for any financial support, therefore, it was his responsibility to call for help. The last conversation with Xiaokai was extremely emotional for me: he totally lost his voice but he struggled to use his air-flow from his throat. He told me "I need your help, Liu Ying." As friends, we are grieving over the loss of Xiaokai. His dedication to his ambition of making profound impact on economic theory and to the ideal of freedom was unmatched. At the same time, his devotion, passion and loyalty to his beloved wife and children were unchallenged. As he passed away one month ago today, I would like to share the following email with you and hope his last will as a passionate husband and father would be honored. Liu Ying -----Original Message-----
超邊際經濟學網站 www.inframarginal.org
|
© INFRAMARGINAL ECONOMICS --- ALL RIGHT RESERVED |