Back
in 2000, when I gave a seminar in UK , I got a temporary library card
to visit the British Library. After the seminar, I went to the library. The
librarian in charge of the Chinese reference books section was an old English gentleman.
He asked me what particular books I wanted to read. I told him I wanted to do a
little research on Shao Yong’s work. He took my business card and asked me to
write my name in Chinese on it. I wrote:
余
若
愚
He
put his thumbs up, “What a good name!” He then wrote with beautiful calligraphy:
and
asked, “Which way do you like me to address you?”
I
looked into his eyes, which was blinking with wisdom and humor. We burst into
silent laughter together.
“You
must be a sinologist.” I said.
“No,”
he shook his head with his grey hair almost dancing, “I am just a lover of
Chinese culture. Sinologists are westerners who do research work on ancient
Chinese the western way. I don’t like the flavor and that is why I am not one.”
“I
love to enjoy Chinese culture through books, visiting China and
communicate with Chinese scholars.” He added.
He
then showed me my seat and asked me to visit other places of the library, “Come
back in 1 hour, and the books you want will be on your desk. We have the
complete Si Ku Quan Shu 四庫全書
and Shao Yong’s work is in the Zi section Shu Shu Category子部 術數類.”
