The downward trend in mainland tourist arrivals is probably being welcomed by many in Hong Kong, but retailers are yearning for the return of the tuhao. Now listed in the Oxford English Dictionary, “tuhao” refers to the typically gauche parvenu from the mainland who think nothing of spending a fortune in a single afternoon.
One day, a vendor was hawking a huqin in a busy street and the price was an eye-popping million coins. Seeing the large crowd, Chen bought the stringed instrument and told everyone present to gather at his house the next day for a recital. When they arrived, Chen smashed the huqin to bits in front of his shocked guests, but took the opportunity to distribute his writings. He became an instant celebrity.
One of his later poems, On a Gate Tower at Youzhou, is required reading for most Chinese schoolchildren. Here’s a translation by Witter Bynner:
Where, before me, are the ages that have gone? / And where, behind me, are the coming generations? / I think of heaven and Earth, without limit, without end, / And I am all alone and my tears fall down.