Downloads (in pdf): 純文字版 Memoir without photos (1.2MB) / 完整圖文版 Memoir with photos (5.4MB)
我喜歡給兩個兒子講述我爸爸和爺爺的故事，他們傳奇的經歷足以寫成小說，所以我覺得兒子們會喜歡聽。我講爸爸和爺爺故事的另一個原因，是因為我敬佩他們，我希望兒子們也以他們為榮。
在15歲之前，我跟爺爺一起住。聽爺爺說，他在1889年生於清朝，9歲時僅攜分文，隻身從鄉下(應該是東莞石排吧)出香港，先當苦力（正值罕見的“回南”天氣，幫人拉車把腐爛的蔬菜、水果倒入大海），有了錢，再擺地攤做小生意，然後開了間名為“桃園煥記”的水果零售店，最後經營“樂園”批發果檯。我很佩服這個年幼就自立離家、白手興家的小孩子。聼說爺爺一生中大起大落，曾經幾次失去家財，他曾被“天仙局”【注】詐騙，也在抗日戰爭中和解放時失去大量財產。在我的印象中，爺爺很聰明，他跟朋友下棋勝多敗少；他很好勝，喜歡羸。爺爺很有情趣、講求享受，“樂園”一名充分反映出他祟尚樂趣的人生觀。他喜歡上酒樓、上照相館、叫外賣等，在當時算是奢侈的消費了。爺爺很有自信，他喜歡告訴我們他的“威水”（值得驕傲的意思）史，包括他樂於助人的往事。我很喜歡聽，我尤其喜歡聽他講他教頭哥哥（爺爺的哥哥是武術師父）的事蹟。
爸爸生於1920年。他讀書成績優異﹐曾就讀於中山大學﹐攻教育心理學。在抗戰時積極宣傳抗日，有一次被日軍擒獲，以為死。他說當時有一個中國人跟日軍說了些日本話（不知道他們說了些甚麼），最後日軍釋放了他。如果他當年遇害，今天也就沒有我了。我很敬佩爸爸的承擔和犧牲精神，他放棄自己醉心的教育事業去幫助爺爺做生意，這生意養活了一家16口。他一生勞碌，心力俱疲，但仍然能積極地面對人生。他的積極態度，至今仍留存在他每一個子女身上。爸爸一生成就甚多，但從不炫耀。他聰明能幹，生意帳目清晰，字體工整，在同輩中爸爸的英文數一數二。他又勇於接受新事物，為佔商機，他是第一個在香港中央市場棄用信劄、改用電傳訂貨的人，開同業之先河。
我在給兒子們講以上的故事後，發覺對自己出生前爸爸和爺爺的事蹟所知不多，所以我向叔叔和姑姐們請教。今天看見這許多文章彙集成編，實在喜出望外！因為這彙編除了記載我爸爸和爺爺的事蹟，還記載了叔叔、姑姐和兄弟姊妹們的生活、才華、關係和感想。很感激眾人踴躍投稿，尤其感激滿祥叔寫作之餘細心整輯！我希望這彙編只是一個開始，以後家族成員不吝寫作，記錄更多的往事和感想。
這彙編記錄了寶貴的家庭往事，但這不單是一輯家庭卷軸，它也記錄了20世紀30年代以後南中國的社會面貌，十分珍貴。我希望讀者們與我一樣，喜歡彙編裏的文章。
我明白家族成員不一定都會中文，所以我以中、英文並序，家族中英語成員縱使不會閱讀，至少也知道有此彙編。
2011年12月31日
英國科爾切斯特
【注】 天仙局，即“天衣無縫”的詐騙佈置，最完美的是被騙者於受害後也不知被佈局欺騙。例如：1. 民國初年的廣東、而直至1960年代至1970年代香港大酒樓晚上宴席之前多設有雀局及牌局，參與者多被蒙騙也不自知。2. 先物色對象，再設睹局行使騙術。現在多以訂購貨物為名，相約於境外見面，稱時間尚早，說有二世祖（好逸惡勞的第二代富家子弟）敗家好賭，但賭術不精，最好給他教訓。爺爺被邀教訓一個“敗家仔”，要把他全部家財贏去，再還給他，到最後才知道自己才是被騙的人，家財盡失。
【注】 曾煥 (1889-1972) / 曾日中 (1920-1997)
I enjoy telling my children stories about my late father and grandfather. My father and grandfather lived extraordinary lives, which were dramatic enough to be turned into a novel. So I assume that my children would like these stories. There is another reason why I tell my children stories about my father and grandfather: I adore them. I hope my children will be proud of them too.
I spent the first 15 years of my life living with my grandfather. Grandfather was born in the Qing Dynasty, in the year 1889. He told me that he went to Hong Kong when he was 9 (note that old-fashioned Chinese count from one, so 9 could in fact be 8) with hardly any money in his pocket. He started as a coolie in Hong Kong. With a small amount of capital, he started trading. Gradually he developed the wholesale business which he named "Lok Yuen" (which literally means "Happy Garden"). I am amazed by this young boy who left home at 9 and started a business from nothing. From what I heard from different sources, grandfather lost his fortune a few times in his life, due to swindle, the Second World War and the taking-over of China by the Communist party. My impression of grandfather is that he was very intelligent. He beat everyone in Chinese chess; he was highly competitive and he liked to win. He loved fun. The name "Lok Yuen" fully reflects my grandfather's aspiration. He loved eating out, visiting photo studios and having takeaways delivered -- luxuries at the time. He was also a proud man. He loved telling us his proud experience, including how he helped others generously. I found his stories fascinating. I particularly like his stories about his brother, who was a martial art instructor.
My father was born in 1920. As an outstanding student, he chose to study Educational Psychology in Zhongshan University. He was an active member of the resistance during the Second World War. He was once captured by the Japanese army; he thought that he was doomed. He said a Chinese man spoke to the army officials in Japanese, which he didn't understand. That could have saved him; he was released. Had he been killed then, I wouldn't be here today. My father was a true leader. I am always amazed by how much he took onto his shoulder. He altruistically gave up his beloved studies to help grandfather run his business, which fed a family of 16. He had a hard life, but played the cards that he was dealt positively; his positive attitude remains a legacy to his children. My father has achieved a lot, yet he was extremely modest. He was highly intelligent and competent. He kept an immaculate business account with his graceful handwriting. His English was excellent for his generation. He was innovative. He was the first man in the Central Market of Hong Kong to abandon letters, and use telex to order goods. That gave him an edge over his competitors (by shortening the lead time by over a week).
When I told my children about my father and grandfather, I realised how little I knew about my family history before I was born. Craved to know more, I asked my senior to tell me more. I got more than I expected. Apart from my father and grandfather's stories, this collection records the experience, talents, relations and emotions among my uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters. I thank everyone who contributed to this collection. In particular, I thank Uncle Mooncheung for organising this collection, in addition to writing a large part of it. I hope this collection is only a start. I hope more people will contribute to later editions of this collection.
This collection is a valuable record of our family history. But it is more than a family record. It also provides a valuable record of life in Southern China from the 1930s. I hope everyone enjoys reading it as much as I do.
I understand that some members of the family may not read Chinese. To inform our English-speaking members of this collection, even if they are unable to read it, I am writing this preface in both Chinese and English.
TSANG, Ping Kwan Edward
Colchester, England, 2011.12.31
Link: 曾氏家族 Tsang's Family Group on facebook
Maintained by
Edward Tsang; Last updated 2015.07.29