100 Common Mistakes in Mahjong

Author: Wang Chenghuai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: Misfortune may befall in an instant; happiness may come unexpectedly. Li Haifeng offended Ai Fangcheng over mahjong, and Ai used a report as evidence. No matter how much research you do on Western diplomats, he deliberately retaliated, sending Li Haifeng to the remote and impoverished West African country of Dahomey. This transfer was intended as a punishment to humble his arrogance, and some malicious people couldn’t help but mock him, saying, "So you’re really being sent to ‘America,’ but to Dahomey?" Li Haifeng, though magnanimous, was deeply angered by the contrast between the slogan of promoting merit and the corrupt personnel system. His heart burned with, truly embodying the spirit of "small officials have no servility, low positions do not bow." His attitude grew even more defiant, responding with the lines: "Don’t talk nonsense; witness the world turning upside down!" and "The giant Kunpeng spreads its wings for ninety thousand miles, stirring the whirlwind and soaring under the blue sky, looking down at the human cities." Li Haifeng soared to great heights, flying across the sky, the Earth rotating, clouds rolling, the plane passing through Bangkok, Athens, and Rome—each stop more prosperous than the last, each city grander than the previous. But as soon as the plane crossed the Mediterranean, it was met with desolation. Though Li Haifeng had lofty ambitions and exceptional talent, his heart cooled upon stepping foot in the small West African country.
After arriving in Dahomey, the standard bureaucrat "Crystal Ball" Yuan ambassador treated him with the principle of "avoiding trouble abroad, doing as little as possible, and staying idle until you’re paid off." People from the embassy and the agricultural team gathered to play mahjong together. This was because the ruling Chiang family, entrenched in Taiwan, was in decline, with no bright future. The officials, both military and civilian, were bored and sought immediate pleasure. Moreover, former Finance Minister Kong Xiangxi of the Nationalist Party openly stated, "Playing mahjong can reveal a person’s character—if they don’t get upset when losing, they must have good self-control and can hold important positions. When selecting talent, let everyone play mahjong." With this justification, the Chiang regime’s civil servants played mahjong day and night, oblivious to Chiang the baldhead’s succession plans.
By the end of the year, Li Haifeng, unable to adapt to the system, was transferred back to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to tradition, those transferred before their term was up were considered stubborn and unworthy. Anyone who associated with them was seen as sympathizing with the stubborn and challenging authority. Some even mocked Li Haifeng, whispering behind his back, using his exclusion and difficulties as a way to curry favor with those in power and show their own superiority. Soon, "travel incidents" and "mahjong incidents" followed one after another, shrouding the situation in darkness. It was clear that Li Haifeng’s frustration was undeniable!
Li Haifeng was assigned to the Central and South American Department as a Third Secretary. Under the leadership of the young and arrogant Deputy Director, he spent his days organizing documents. The Deputy Director, relying on his connections to the disgraced Chiang Kai-shek through his Hefei lineage, acted arrogantly within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. One day, he accidentally burned his fish and came to the office full of anger, deciding to take pity on’s Li Haifeng as a venting target. His eyes blazing with fury, he roared, "How many documents have you organized?" "Report to the Deputy Director, the documents are already finished, and I’ve just started organizing the South American ones." "No need to lie,"