Author: sdcheung
Date: 08-10-09 01:10
Sherman David Cheung's
Personal recounting of
His Lineage...
Descended from the "Ching He" Lineage (Henan Province)
"Liang B'oi Hang, Li-Ng Gong, Ng-Fah (WuHua County), Guangdong, Zhongguet" Region...Shang San
(Shong Son <Hakka Dialect>, Nearest Major city...On-Liu/An-Liu
Generational Recount:
Sherman David Cheung (Zhang Su-Ming) of the 3rd generation of the Cheungs who immigrated “from China, to Hong Kong” and “from Hong Kong to the United States”
Sherman is also of the 21st generation of the Cheungs who settled down in Liang Buei Hang, Li-Ng Gong Ng-Fah (Wuhua County) "Hakka Dialect Speaking Village"... Further, Of Hsiang-Gung's Lineage (Sherman's Great great great Grandfather) 5 sons, Sherman and his Brother and his Father, Uncles and Cousins are of the 3rd House (Di Sam Fong, The Number 3 House/Branch)
He is also of the The 30th Generation of the Cheungs who immigrated from the North of China to the South of China during the Sung dynasty. (Chased into the Mountains of Guangdong by Mongols, whose ponies couldn't climb Mountains, Where the Hakkas (Northern Chinese) started an effective campaign of Guerilla warfare, which ended the Yuan-Mongol Dynasty 150 years later.)
The 44th Generation since Zhang Jiu-Ling, Tang Poet, and Statesmen (Tang Dynasty Poet, and Statesmen) From which I am descended from his first son.
the 72nd generation of the Cheungs since the Honorable Zhang Liang Tzu Fang (Zhang Liang), the co-Founder of the Han Dynasty
and the 151st since the Honorable Zhang Hui, The founder of the Zhang, Cheung, Tsong, Chong, Teoh, Tiu Family, son of the first emperor in the history of China, and the origin of all Cheungs
Our Ancestry
This article is based largely on the stories told by Mr. Kong-Kwan Cheung, our beloved Gung Gung. He is of the First Generation of the Cheungs who immigrated from the Southern part of China to Hong Kong and from Hong Kong to the United States. Gung Gung is also of the Nineteenth Generation of the Cheungs who settled down in a beautiful Hakka village called Li-Ng Gong in WuHua (Ng-Wah), GaungDong, China, The Twenty-eighth Generation of Cheung who Immigrated from the North to the South of China during the Sung Dynasty, The Seventieth Generation of Cheungs since the Honorable Liang Tzu-Fang Cheung, the co-founder of the Han Dynasty, and the One-Hundred-Forty-Ninth Generation of the Cheungs since the Honorable Hui Cheung, the son of the first Emperor in the history of China and the origin of all the Cheungs.
Our First Ancestor
It is our responsibility to tell our children where we come from, and it is their choices to select the right direction to go. But no matter which way they go or what they do, our Tradition will always be carried on by their very existence. For one day, they too will become a part of the root.
The First generation if the Cheungs traces all the way back to about 5000 years ago. The head of the First generation was the Honorable Hui Cheung. He was one of the Five sons of the first emperor of China. The Emperor was the first true leader of the Chinese people and a man with great vision. At that time, China had plenty of usable land but it’s population was extremely low. The Emperor wanted his sons to help develop the country. So, he gave each of them a different last name to proper. The Honorable Hui Cheung, who invented the “Bow-Arrow” as a weapon of hunting and warfare, was given the last name “Cheung”.
The Early Epoch
It is not too difficult to figure out how many generations were there since the Honorable Hui Cheung. Depending on whether a particular ancestor of ours was the First born or the Youngest child of his parents or ranked in-between, it probably took about 20 to 50 years for a new generation to be born. Thus over a period of 5000 years, our roots could consist of 100 to 250 generations. Indeed, we have 151 (152nd Generation in America was born in April 2003, to my Cousin Pam, but was just the female side of the family, us boys are still single) Generations since the Honorable Hui Cheung. Gung Gung is of the 149th Generation whereas Dr. Roland Cheung and his Brothers and Sisters are of the 150th Generation, and Dr. Raymond Cheung and His sister and cousins are of the 151st Generation.
The first 121 generations of our ancestry, which spanned the Early Epoch and the Expansion Epoch, resided in the Northern part China (Henan, Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Shandong). The remaining 30 Generations, which spanned the South-Bound Epoch and the Overseas Epoch, resided in the southern part of China and Overseas (USA, Taiwan, Canada, Hong Kong). The Names of the heads of these generations and, many instances, their positions and other pertinent information are written in our family tree. Some of them are members of royal families or dukes, and many of the others were top officials of their countries. Their Positions ranged from Mayor, General, Commander in Chief, to emperor designated historian for the nation, emperor’s advisor, cabinet memberof a dynasty, and prime minister.
The Early Epoch consisted of the first 79 generations of the Cheungs. Besides the Honorable Hui Cheung, the most notable head ancestor in the Early Epoch was Mr. Chung Cheung, also known as Kong-Ming Cheung. He is the 58th Generation of the Cheungs. He was a Master Scholar in the history of China. Even long after his death, his artistic way was frequently quoted. He was decorated many centuries later by an Emperor of the Yuan-Mongol Dynasty as the “King of the Art and Literature”.
Expansion Epoch
The Expansion Epoch began with the Eightieth Generation of the Cheungs and ended at the 121st Generation. The head of the 80th Generation was the Honorable Liang Cheung, also known as Tzu-Fang Cheung. He was co-founder of the Han Dynasty. He served as the chief advisor of the emperor, second only to him. In his era, he was the most influential person of his country. With his great wisdom and vision, he actually reshaped the history of China. Because of his extraordinary achievement and his contribution to Chinese culture, his offspring’s honored him as the Father of the Expansion Epoch of the Cheungs. Thus counting from the Honorable Hui Cheung, Gung Gung is of the 149th Generation whereas he is of the 70th Generation since the Honorable Liang Tzu-Fang Cheung.
Besides the Honorable Liang Cheung, the most notable head ancestor in the Expansion Epoch is Mr. Chiu-Ling Cheung, (Zhang Jiu-Ling) adored by his offsprings as Ch’u-Kong Gung. He is of the 108th Generation since the Honorable Hui Cheung and the 29th Generation since the Honorable Liang Tzu-Fang Cheung, He was prime minister of the Tang Dynasty. He authored a famous philosophical book the greatly promoted and upgraded the way of life of the Chinese people for centuries. The words taught in his book was publicly endorsed by the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty and referred to by the Chinese people as the “Ch’u-Kong Way”.
About Zhang Jiuling
Zhang Jiuling, was a virtuous minister who was born in 678 A.D. in The city of Qu-Jiang, Shao Zhou (Shaoguan), is the pride of the Hakka people. His forefather four generations ago was a native of Fanyang in Hebei province, and after he was appointed as official assistant of Shaozhou government by the royal court, his family moved from the north to Shaozhou city. Hence, Zhang Jiuling is one of the Hakka people. Nowadays, besides the descendants in Shixin, Shaoguan, another lineage is dated back to Zhang's grandson after fourteen generations, Zhang Huasun (Zhang Fa-Sun "-Suen") in ShangHang"xian", Fujian. There are more descendants in the seven counties of Meizhou (Wuhua, XingNing, Dapu, Jiaoling, Pingyuan, Meixian and Meizhou City) and even Jiexi and Fengshun.
Zhang Jiuling had made great contribution in the history, not only assisting the Tang Dynasty emperor Xuanzong for 24 years, but also initiating the "Kaiyuan's Spirit" during the Tang dynasty. His spirit has certain influences on his descendants.
South-Bound Epoch
The South-Bound Epoch began with the 122nd Generation of the Cheungs and ended at the 148th Generation. During the Sung Dynasty, our ancestors immigrated from the North to the South of China. This was Pioneered by Mr. Fa-Suen Cheung, also known as Fuh-Wann Cheung, of the 122nd Generation since the Honorable Hui Cheung, and the 43rd Generation since the Honorable Liang Tzu-Fang Cheung. He lead the Cheungs to settle down in ShangHang (ShongHon), Fujian. Since then, all of our ancestors resided in the South. (Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangxi, Sichuan)
Mr. Fa-Suen Cheung was a great Philosopher. He was one of the well-respected Emperor-designated Scholars in his time. He was best known in his effort in the promoting of the “Art of Patience”: “Before you lose your temper, write down the word ‘patience’ a hundred time, if you still feel the same way afterwards, then go ahead and do it.”
(Sherman's Note: I wonder what happens if I just cut and paste “Patience” a hundred times, would that work?)
Because of his contribution to education and humanity, his offsprings honored him as the Father of the South-Bound Generation of the Cheung. Accordingly, Gung Gung is of the 149th Generation since the Honorable Hui Cheung and the 70th Generation since the Honorable Liang Tzu-Fang Cheung, Is also of the 28th South-Bound Generation of the Cheungs.
The Li-Ng Gong Hakka Branch (Li-Ng Gong Hakga Pai)
During the Ming Dynasty, there was a terrible turmoil at home. At that time, Mr. Hung-Shiu Cheung of the 11th South-Bound Generation of the Cheungs had just passed away. He was survived by his wife, Madam Leh Tzu Po (Lok Tzu Po), and their only child, Mr. Yi-Tzong Cheung. Mr Hung-Shiu Cheung was the only son of his parents and thus, Mr. Yi-Tzong Cheung who was then just a little boy, became the only remaining seed of the family. Madam Leh Tzu Po fled home with her son, Yi-Tzong, and settled down in Li-Ng Gong, a Beautiful scenic village in WuHua County (Ng-Fah). Being a New comer of the Village, Life was very tough since the majority of the Local people was very unfriendly and exclusive to Outsiders. Lok Tzu Po, managed to survive with courage, dignity, and perseverance. With many years of hard work and savings, she finally became very rich and was well respected by the villagers. She then ordered the remains of her Husband, Mr. Hung-Shiu Cheung, from ShongHon and Buried him in Li-Ng Gong. She also Honored her father-in-law, Mr. Ming-Fuh Cheung of the Tenth South-Bound Generation as the Father of the Li-Ng Gong Hakka Generations of the Cheungs. Thus Gung Gung, who is of the 28th South-Bound Generation, is also of the 19th Li-Ng Gong Hakka Generation of the Cheungs (19 resulted from subtracting 9 from 28). It follows that Dr. Roland Cheung and his Brothers and Sisters are of the 20th Li-Ng Gong Hakka Generation of the Cheungs and Dr. Raymond Cheung and His Sister and Cousins (such as Sherman) are of the 21st Li-Ng Gong Hakka Generation of the Cheungs. Our Ancestors resided in Li-Ng Gong starting somewhere in the Ming Dynasty, through the Manchu-Ching Dynasty until the Chinese Republic.
As a footnote, it is of interest to mention that the first name “Yi-Tzong”, of the only son of Madam Leh Tzu Po has a special meaning in Chinese. It means beneficial to your ancestors, or blessing your ancestors. In Chinese tradition, it is of utmost importance to carry on your root by nurturing your offsprings.
In the case of Yi-Tzong, this only remaining seed of his father, had proliferated into a giant tree. We should be grateful to Madam Leh Tzu Po, who willingly assumed the painstaking responsibility as the head of the 11th South-Bound Generation of the Cheungs. She being young and evidently, extremely talented and capable, could have orphaned our ancestor, remarried and lived a comfortable life.
The Overseas Epoch
The Overseas Epoch began with the 149th Generation of the Cheungs. The Father of the Overseas Epoch is Mr. Kong-Kwan Cheung, Our beloved Gung Gung. He took his Family out of China to settle down in Cheung Chau, Hong Kong on September 1st, 1949 and Later on immigrated to the United States on April 3rd, 1974. Gung Gung is/was (circa July 11th 1993) living with Po Po (Died July 2, 1996) (My Grandmother, My second Grandmother, who is Uncle Fan-Bill’s Mother, was living in Hong Kong) in Anna Erika, Staten Island, New York.
The Children, Grand Children, and Great Grand Children of Gung Gung are living in the United States, Hong Kong, Taiwan and China.
Stories about our NEAR Ancestors:
Hwan-Yi Cheung, 13th Li-Ng Gong Hakka Generation
Mr. Hwan-Yi Cheung, Being respectfully referred to as Hwan-Yi Gung,
was the Great Grandfather of the Great Grandfather of Gung Gung. He
was married to Madame Koo, and Madame Hu and had seven sons, Chun-
Cheng was the second to the youngest.
Chun-Cheng Cheung, 14th Li-Ng Gong Hakka Generation
Mr. Chun-Cheng Cheung, being respectfully referred to as Chun-Cheng
Gung, was the grandfather of the great grandfather of Gung Gung. He
was married to Madam Liaw, and had 2 sons. Jin-Fue was th eyounger
one.
My great great great "great" Grandfather...
Jin-Fue Cheung, 15th Li-Ng Kong Hakka Generation
Mr Jin-Fue Cheung, being respectfully referred to as Hsiang Gung, was the father of the great grandfather of Gung Gung <My grandfather>. He was married to Madam Chen and had Three sons. Yi-Kuang was the Youngest (We're descended from, the 3rd "House")
Hsiang Gung was not well educated because his parents could not afford to pay for his tuition. However, he was determined to study whenever he could, and he did that throughout his life. he was extremely honest, Highly Motivated, and hard working. he started a small business selling goods to people in a nearby Hakka city called MeiXian. becaus ehe was so honest, he was often cheated by others during trading. He ended having to sell the only real estate a small piece of land just large enough for building a stand-alone rest room) left by his ancestors in order to support his family. Yet, he never was regretted that he should always be honest. He often said, " I can sleep more peacefully after being cheated by others rather than cheating others." One time, Just before the new year day, there was a heavy rain in the village that last for a month. All the fireworks ordered by other businessmen were moist and water damaged. But Hsiang Gung, gaurding his shipment carefully all the way himself, managed to keep his stock of fireworks in good shape. His store turned out to be the only place from which people could get good fireworks for the new year. Since then, his business grew exponentially, and he became one of the richest in the village of Li-Ng Gong.
There is a Heartwarming story about Hsiang Gung frequently told by his offsprings. One day not long after Hsiang Gung first started his small business, he walked home early in the morning from MeiXian. The Distance was several times longer than going from Albany to Troy, New York, and there were no Highways nor well paved roads. Having spending several days trading goods in MeiXian and barely making enough money to support his family, he decided to walk home without spending a penny for food.
(Note: This reminded us of Gung Gung when he first settled down in Cheung Chau, a small beautiful island about 8 miles away from Hong Kong in order to save money for his family. Guess where this spirit of love came from. )
After hours and hours of travelling, Hsiang Gung became so exhausted that he actually fainted in a remote area. After he woke up, h efound a single-bean peanut in his pocket, and that gave him all the energy he needed to continue his Journey. At sunset, h efinally reached a small hill just outside his village. having walked all day without food, he was starving and about to collapse. He was so Happy that finally home wa sonly a couple miles away. He was eager to see his family, At the same moment that he felt relieved, the most terrifying thing happened. He saw a big tiger standing at a spot less than a minute running distance. In those days, many villagers were eaten by tigers, including the eldest daughter-in-law of our beloved Madam Lok Tze Po. To them the tiger was the most single scariest thing in life, with no time for a second thought, Hsiang Gung opened his umbrella and rotated the stem as fast a she could make it. While hiding behind the rotating umbrella, he ran all the way home alive. He fell down on the floor inside his house unconscious but still yelling "TIGER,TIGER,TIGER!!" he was indeed a very brave and nice man. God Certainly was looking out for him.
My great great great Grandfather...
Yi-Kuang Cheung, 16th Li-Ng Gong Generation
Mr. Yi-Kuang Cheung, Being respectfully referred to as Siao-Choo Gung, was the great grandfather of Gung Gung (My Grandfather). He was married to Madam Lee and Madam Koo and had 5 sons. Bing Hung was the second to youngest.
Siao-Choo Gung was a well educated scholar, dedicated all his life to education and asserting human rights for his villagers. At the time, it was an extremely difficult task to talk about human rights since there was no well established constitutions or laws in the Ching Dynasty. One could easily get executed for doing that, But, Siao-Choo Gung was never discouraged in the course of fighting for Human Rights. He Firmly committed himself to asserting dignity and values of Human Beings, and believed the only source of true happiness is helping others. He was remembered and adored by his villagers and people from the near-by cities long after he passed away.
Many heartwarming stories of Siao-Choo Gung were told by his offsprings, as recorded in Gung Gung's autobiography. Only a typical one is quoted here.
This particular story was about the famous Wei Salt Case. In older days, salt was very expensive although it is such an essential item in cooking. During the Ching Dynasty, an official position called "Salt Transportation Ambassador" was established to regulate and impose heavy tax on the trading of salt. At that time, two types of salt were available to the villagers of Li-Ng Gong. These were the Wei salt and and the Chaou salt, with the former type being of much higher quality than the latter. Unfortunately, there was no direct distribution of Wei salt in Li-Ng Gong. The Villagers had to travel to a nearby city called On- Liu to get it. But they were willing to do so because of the fine quality of the product. Almost all of the villagers had been doing this for years and they were happy.
Then came a new Salt Ambassador who wanted to make a big profit by forcing local people to buy the Chaou salt. The Ambassador actually ordered the police to periodically search every household in Li-ng Gong to make sure no one was using the Wei salt. This Unreasonable practise disturbed all the villagers and created numerous headaches and turmoil. Siao-Choo Gung teamed up the local people and presented the case to the local government. But they were getting nowhere as the local government was apparently sharing the profit with the Salt Ambassador. Yet, Siao-Choo Gung was determined. He secretly hunted for evidence and, after overcoming many hurdles, he finally reached the Emperor-Designated Judge who happened to be travelling in the South. The Judge ordered a hearing to be conducted by himself, the local gov't, and the Salt Ambassador. Siao-Choo Gung, who represented the local people in the vicinity of Li-Ng Gong, was Illegaly put in jail by the local gov't the night before the hearing. He was badly beaten by the turnkeys and was told that if he would not admit being anti-emperor, he would be murdered.
On the day of the hearing, they put a guillotine around his neck and had two executioners holding sharp swords stood behind him as if he were traitor. Throughout the hearing, his life was repeatedly threatened as the local gov't and the Salt Ambassador were accusing him of teaming up the villagers to Overturn the Emperor. But Siao-Choo Gung remained calm, well poised, and assertive. He debated confidently and presented the case extremely well, with reasons and convincing evidence. The Emperor-Designated Judge, who was initially on the Salt Ambassador's side, was greatly impressed by the performance of Siao-Choo Gung, particularly by his scholarly tone and his speech, that turned out to be so clear and concise. Gradually inclining toward the people's side, The Judge finally realized the corruption of the local gov't and the Office of the Salt Ambassador. (These local officials were later on, fired and prosecuted.) The people of Li-Ng Gong and of the nearby cities were granted permission to enjoy the Wei Salt.
When the Wei Salt case was reported to the Emperor of the Ching Dynsaty, The Emperor immediately awarded Siao-Choo Gung a royal plaque, "Practitioner of Scholarship", one of the highest honors that a citizen at that time could ever receive. Siao-Choo Gung was also offered a top official position but he humbly declined. Being the Founder of the "I - Hong study center" in Li-Ng Gong, he preferred to devote his life in educating the local people. Nevertheless, he was frequently invited by local and national officials as a special guest or speaker during banquets or other events.
Shermans’ Great Great Grandfather
Bing-Hung Cheung, 17th Li-Ng Gong Hakka Generation
Mr. Bing-Hung Cheung, also known as Bal-Ling Cheung and respectfully referred to, by his Offspring’s as Shiu-Lu Gung was the Grandfather of Gung Gung (Sherman’s Grandfather). He was married to Madam Hsu and Madam Tzeng and had Six sons. Madam Hsu gave birth to Chin-Tong, also known as Yeung-Wai, who was the 3rd son of Shiu-Lu Gung.
Shiu-Lu Gung was born in 1854 near the end of the Ching Dynasty. He passed away in the Winter of 1935 at the age of 82. He was a true scholar, very knowledgeable, gentle, kind, honest, diligent and quiet. When he was young, he was tutored by, a famous teacher. After passing the National Scholar Examination with top honors, he served as a teaching assistant for his Father, Siao-Choo Gung, at I-Hong Study Center. Later on he assumed his father’s position as Director of the Center. He was also the co-founder of the “Three River School” and served as the first dean of the school.
The School, nicely located near 3 different rivers, i.e., The Man-Yiang Ho, Mei-Lin Ho, and Chou Gong, was regarded as one of the best higher education institutes on the south at that time. Many notable scholars graduated from the school.
Like his father, Shiu-Lu Gung was very talented, popular, and well respected by his peers. However his personality was quite different from his father. While his father (i.e., Siao-Choo Gung) was very Out-spoken, Shiu-Lu Gung was very quiet. In a group meeting, he usually listened very carefully, sat quietly, and seldom participated in any debate. He waited until the very end of the meeting before he spoke. In a warm and soft spoken tone, he was able to pin-point the key issues in a well-organized manner. By Integrating the various viewpoints expressed by others during the course of debate, he usually came up with the best solution, In doing so, he gave credit to each participant and as a result, everyone was happy. Thus he was often treated by his peers to be the person who should make the final decision.
Shiu-Lu Gung was a great educator. He was not only extremely patient and devoted in teaching others, but also constantly tried to teach and improve himself. On the first day of each New Year, he would make up a notebook by binding draft papers together. (At the time, notebooks were not readily available.) He would write one page of diary every day. Each time he wrote down what he did during the day. He would critically evaluate his own deeds, especially the things he teaches his students, and determined what needed to be improved. After that, he would plan for the tasks that he ought to do in the next day. He kept up this practice consistently throughout his life
<Sherman's Note: This reminds me of the Franklin Day Planner. Modern day Palm Pilots and Blackberries>
Madam Hsu the wife of Shiu-Lu Gung and the Grandmother of Gung Gung, was only One year younger than her husband. She was thin and beautiful. Although her personality was quite strong, she was very kind. She was extremely capable and effective in managing her household and financial matters. The first thing she did after she got married to Shiu-Lu Gung was to sell her personal Jewelry and investing the money in real estate. She saved every penny to help support and educate their eight children and managed to be quite well off.
Shermans’ Great Grandfather
Chin-Tong Cheung, 18th Li-Ng Gong Hakka Generation
Mr. Chin-Tong Cheung, was also known as Yeung-Wai Cheung and respectfully referred to by his offsprings as Lee-Chou Gong, was the father of Gung Gung (Gong Gong, Fotios’ Grandfather). He was married to Madam Lai and Madam Koo and had four sons. Gung Gung was the eldest and was given birth to by Madam Lai (ie. The Senior branch of the family)
Lee-Chou Gung was born on July 11th 1878, 34 years before the end of the Ching Dynasty. He passed away in the summer of 1937 at the age of 60 (After eating a bad watermelon). Like his Father and his Grandfather. Lee-Chou Gung was a well poised scholar. He was open-minded and very creative. He learned Chinese literature directly from his father since he was a toddler. At the age of only 10, He was already able to help grade homework problems for his father, who was then the Director of I-Hong Study Center. As he got older, he served as a substitute teacher for his father. Most students he taught were more than 10 year solder than him. Yet he was such a good speaker that his students actually found him very convincing and were happy to learn from him. At the age of 14, he skipped several grades and attended the same class with one of his uncles. Later on, he helped establish the Wu Bin Middle School in MeiXian City, MeiZhou County, Guangdong Province.
Shortly after Gung Gung was born, Lee-Chou Gung, went to Japan to study Engineering. He was the first member of the Cheungs who went abroad. He joined the “Chinese Revolution Force” in 1905 while he was an Engineering student in Tokyo, Japan, and had a One-On-One private meeting with the leader of the Revolution Force, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen (Who was also a Hakka Chinese, Like Lee-Chou Gung…Giving proof to the Chinese saying, “Wherever there is a Hakka around, there will always be a revolution “ i.e., National Revolution, Communist Revolution), who later became the founder of the Chinese Republic 1912-1949, Since then, he quietly <clandestinely> supported the Revolution Force all his life.
After completing his engineering study, Lee-Chou Gung returned home from Japan, he started to promote science and engineering, and established the first family industry. He invented special kinds of paper-making machines and sewing machine, and opened several factories in Li-Ng Gong and On-Liu. Working diligently and innovatively, he brought in raw Materials (Cotton and Wood Pulp), Processing them using his machines, and then sold the products (Cloths and Papers).
While he was doing well with his manufacturing business, a new situation arose. Because of his reputation, educational background, and knowledge about both the Eastern and Western culture, he was unanimously nominated to head the “3 River School”. Times had changed and people began to realize the importance of western culture, international affairs, and modern thinking. Being brought up in a scholarly family and recognizing the importance of education in waking up the young people and changing the structure of the country, he accepted the nomination with pleasure. So he gave up his factories and returned to an academic setting without the slightest hesitation. He made many changes in the school system and strengthened the educational quality of the Institute by upgrading the curriculum.
With Increasing visibility, He was elected member of the House of representatives in GuangDong province and began to be involve with politics. Gung Gung was already a well educated young adult at that time.
Madam Fung-Chiu Lai, the wife of Lee-Chou Gung and mother of Gung Gung, was born on October 10, 1881. She was the only child of her parents. Her father was a Rich and Honest businessman while her mother was a decent lady with a very warm and kind personality. Living in a simple family, she was a very happy and beloved child. After she was married to Lee-Chou Gung, however she had to change her lifestyle drastically, as Lee-Chou Gung was living with his parents and other immediate relatives. Before Marriage, Madam Lai was treated like a princess, by her parents at home. After the marriage, She had to work very hard to fit in and survive in the Big Family. In spite of this, she was able to stand up gracefully and face the challenge. She managed her household and financial matters wisely and effectively, and turned out to be an excellent mother as well as a beloved daughter-in-law of Lee-Chou Gung’s parents.
On the 24th of April according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar, Nine years before the Establishment of the Chinese Nationalist Republic (KMT), Corresponding to May 20th, 1903, she gave birth to Gung Gung. At that time she was 22.
Sherman's Grandfather
Kong-Kwan Cheung, 19th Li-Ng Gong Hakka Generation
Mr. Kong-Kwan Cheung, Also known as Chao-Tse Cheung, and being respectfully referred to by his Offsprings as Gung Gung.
Gung Gung was born on May 20th, 1903, (April 24, 1903, according to the Lunar Calendar) in the beautiful Hakka Village called Li-Ng Gong, Liang Buei Hang, in Wuhua (Ng Fah) County, GuangDong Province, China. He was the eldest son of Mr. And Mrs. Yeung-Wai Cheung. Being an extremely talented youngster, he enrolled at I-Hong Study Center at the age of 5, learning Chinese Literature Directly from his grandfather Mr. Bal-Ling Cheung (Shiu-Lu Gung) who was director of the center.
In 1919, Gung Gung enrolled in Guang Yi Middle School in MeiXian. This middle school, founded and operated by an American Baptist Church, was at the time the best Middle School in the WuHua-Xinning-MeiXian-Taipu County Area (i.e., HakkaStan, China) (it is interesting to note that Gung Gung’s Grandfather Mr. Bal-Ling Cheung had become a Christian at that time-The First Cheung to ever become a Christian). While at Guang-Yi, Gung Gung had the opportunity to study Science and Western Culture. Because of His superior skills in written communication, he was elected the editor-in- chief of the official school magazine, the “Voice of Guang Yi”. He Graduated from Guang Yi in the summer of 1924 as the veledictorian with a special honor award.
In fall of 1924, Gung Gung enrolled in Ling-Nan University to study “Current History”. Because of exceptional academic achievement, he was the only freshman who was invited to stay in the dormitory for upperclassmen.
Beginning in his second semester at Ling-Nan University, he served as the “Student Monthly” Magazine. Unfortunately, due to domestic turmoil and financial problems at Home, Gung Gung was ordered by his father to quit school after he successfully completed his sophomore year at Lingnan in the summer of 1926. In the following two and a half years, he assumed a number of positions in Canton (Guangzhou), a large city in Guangdong Province, first as head of the “Political Weekly” for the Canton Political Party and finally as a member of the secretarial staff in the Guangdong Province Political Headquarters. Having acquired enough money to pay for the tuition at Ling-Nan University, Gung Gung returned to complete his remaining course work in a year and a half. He received his B.A. Degree from Ling Nan in July 1930.
In the years after graduating from Ling-Nan University, Gung Gung worked at seven political offices and finally became the head of the Political Training Office in the Edcuation and Training Division of Guangdong province in Canton. The Division was in charge of training military officers. Gung Gung served as the head of the Political Training Office until he became the Governor of Yong Yuen County (a ½ Hakka County) in 1935. As a Governor, He made numerous changes to promote the social and economic development of his county.
However, By 1937, war had erupted between Japan and China. Concerned about the safety of his family, Gung Gung resigned his position as a governor and returned to his hometown, Li-Ng Gong.
From 1937 to 1945, Gung Gung spent most of his time in On Liu, a small city near his hometown, serving the local people in various capacities. He was the Chief of the Feng Dou Lou, an establishment in charge of revising and updating the family history of all the Cheungs in Wuhua and the surrounding counties.
The Feng Dou Lou is also referred to here….
((2) ±i¤EÄÖ Zhang Jiu Ling 678AD to 740AD)
Zhang Jiu Ling was born in 678AD in Qu Jiang county (¦±¦¿¿¤) in the
present day Province of Guangdong (¼sªFÙ). In 733AD he was appointed
the Prime Minister by Li Long Ji (§õ©°ò) who was the grandson of
Empress Wu or Wu Ze Tian (ªZ«h¤Ñ). Some high-ranking officials
wheedled Li Long Ji into having Zhang Jiu Ling dismissed as Prime
Minister in 736AD. Emperor Li Long Ji had Zhang Jiu Ling banished
back to his hometown. Zhang Jiu Ling died in 740AD.
In the Ming Dynasty (©ú´Â 1368AD to 1644AD) during the reign of Zhu
Hou Zhao (¦«p·Ó) or Emperor Wu Zong (ªZ©vÓ«Ò), the people of Qu
Jiang erected a memorial hall called "Qu Jiang Feng Du Lou ¦±¦¿·«×¼
Ó" in honour of Zhang Jiu Ling. The couplet on the front door was
written by Hai Ru (®ü·ç 1514AD to 1587AD), the contemporary
statesman and scholar at that time. Here is the couplet:
·í¤µÓ«ÇÂù¤h¡M
Dang Jin Huang Shi Wu Shuang Shi
¦Û¥j¤Ñ«n²Ä¤@¤H¡C
Zi Gu Tian Nan Di Yi Ren.)
About Zhang Jiuling
Zhang Jiuling, was a virtuous minister who was born in 678 A.D. in The city of Qu Jiang, Shao Zhou (Shaoguan), is the pride of the Hakka people. His forefather four generations ago was a native of Fanyang in Hebei province, and after he was appointed as official assistant of Shaozhou government by the royal court, his family moved from the north to Shaozhou city. Hence, Zhang Jiuling is one of the Hakka people. Nowadays, besides the descendants in Shixin, Shaoguan, another lineage is dated back to Zhang's grandson after fourteen generations, Zhang Huasun (Zhang Fa-Sun "-Suen") in ShangHang"xian", Fujian. There are more descendants in the seven counties of Meizhou (Wuhua, XingNing, Dapu, Jiaoling, Pingyuan, Meixian and Meizhou City) and even Jiexi and Fengshun.
Zhang Jiuling had made great contribution in the history, not only assisting the Tang Dynasty emperor Xuanzong for 24 years, but also initiating the "Kaiyuan's Spirit" during the Tang dynasty. His spirit has certain influences on his descendants.
This occupation, which involved a large number of families and tedious research of local literature, was viewed by the local people as one of the most important, challenging, and respectable tasks at that time. Simultaneously, Gung Gung practiced Chinese Medicine, curing and helping numerous patients. Because of his many good deeds and his scholarly achievements, he gradually emerged as the leader of the local people. Often he was the one who made the final decision for the local people on various matters. With help from his family members, he also invested in real estate, acquiring many lands and properties in Li-Ng Gong. Needless to say, he had established a small “kingdom” in the vicinity of his hometown. Had China not fallen into the hands of the Communists, Gung Gung would have been in great shape.
In 1945, following the surrender of the Japanese, the Communists in China became increasingly aggressive and active. Gung Gung sensed the danger of living in a rural part of the country-Province, as there was no way to learn about the current events and new developments elsewhere. With Great determination, he gave up his comfortable position in his hometown and moved to Canton-Guangzhou, where he was then employed by the Guangdong Shih Yeh Company. Two years later, He managed to moved his entire family out of Li-Ng Gong to live with him in Guangzhou-Canton, which allowed for quick escape to Hong Kong. That turned out to be an extremely wise decision as the Communists took over China in less than two years.
On September 1st, 1949, in the midst of the Communist takeover of China, Gung Gung fled the country with his family, leaving behind all the lands and properties he had owned in his hometown. Gung Gung was practically broke when he and his family arrived in Cheung Chau, a small island in the New Territories of Hong Kong. Renting the ground floor of a small house in Ling Yuen, the family was forced to live off of a meagerly income that Gung Gung mustered by making matchboxes for a local factory. Everyday, in order to subsidize their meals, his children had to go to different marketplaces to search for fish and vegetables that were discarded by local fishermen and farmers. Life was indeed very tough at that time. Fortunately, February 1951, Gung Gung found a teaching position at Shiu San Middle School in Hong Kong. Although his salary was very low, it was a turning point. Two years later, Gung Gung found a second Job as an English Secretary for Kang Nan Company. In the meantime, he made additional income by writing a book on “New Economic Theory” for Mr. Sheu-Wan Chan, an Influential person in Hong Kong. As Gung Gung began making more income, he was able to rent a house in Tai Choi Yuen for his family and send all his family to school.
In 1954, after more than a year of careful planning and intensive preparation, an Elementary school was finally established in Cheung Chau by Gung Gung and his supporters. Gung Gung resigned his teaching position at Shiu San Middle School and became the first principal of the new school. Under the leadership of Gung Gung, this Elementary School , now known as the “Cheung Chau Fisheries Joint Association Public School”, soon became one of the best in Cheung Chau. (Dr. Fan-Bill Cheung, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University, was amongst those who graduated from this fine elementary school…Shermans' 5th Uncle)
By Fall of 1954, Gung Gung was making a rather comfortable income and thus rented a house in a beautiful place on top of a hill called “Cheung Lee Choi Yuen”. He and his family remained there until moving to the United States in 1974.
From 1954 to 1973, Gung Gung Devoted his time enhancing the educational quality and well being of HIS school. First he conducted various fund raising activities to obtain enough money to put up a new building for his school. The Building Project was started in 1958 and completed in 1960. Second he successfully recruited the best elementary school teachers for his school. (Many of them are still teaching at the same school today.) Third, he introduced many innovative teaching techniques and promoted the various ideas of intellectual thought. He personally served as a mentor for those students with exceptionally High IQs. Gung Gung usually worked 10 to 12 hours a day and seven days a week When he retired in August 1973, He received a special honor from the Hong Kong Education Department, citing him as the most outstanding elementary school principal in the history of Hong Kong.
In addition to educating the youngsters in his school, Gung Gung also tried his best to educate his own Children. He often told his colleagues that the best investment one can make is to invest in educating one’s kids. Therefore, Gung Gung spent every penny he had to educate his Children, and, as a result, he was virtually broke by the time he retired. As a refugee from China with no money, he managed not only to raise up his children but also to seek the best educational opportunity for each of them. Among his Children, Two are Medical Doctors (One OB/GYN "Retires" and One Urologist), One received a PH.D in Physics (and is presently a pastor in New York’s Chinatown), One received a PH.D in Mechanical Engineering, One Received a M.S. in Chemistry, One Received a B.A. in Literature, and One Received a B.S. in Civil Engineering (My 4th Uncle, Uncle William, who still lives in Hong Kong), Today many of his grandchildren are either medical Doctors, engineers, social activists, or Students of Top Universities.
On April 3, 1974, eight months after retirement, Gung Gung moved to the United States to live in South Bend, Indiana, with one of his Children, Dr. Franklin Cheung (Shermans' Father) Since that time, he has been writing a large number of Poems, Essays and Monographs. One of the earlier monographs that he had written was his autobiography, which was completed on his 73rd Birthday on June 3, 1975, (April 24, 1975, according to the lunar Calendar). On May 7th, 1977, Shortly after the kidney surgery of his First wife (Po Po, my Grandmother), Gung Gung moved to an adult retirement home, Anna Erika, in Staten Island, New York, where he and Po Po have remained to this time.
Gung Gung was baptized a Christian on December 19, 1971, in the Cheung Chau Baptist Church, On Cheung Chau Island, Hong Kong. Since moving to Anna Erika in 1977, he has served as translator during Church services until May 1992. Even having gone through so much in life and now at age 91, Gung Gung is still very strong and young at heart. He stands firm in his Faith although his physical health has begun to wane.
Gung Gung is a good example of what was told in the Holy Scriptures: “Therefore do not lose heart. Though Outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we Fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what Is seen is temporary, what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
In Summary, Gung Gung is a Protestant Christian, a Scholar, an Educator, and a Great Father and Grandfather. We wish him a wonderful 91st Birthday.
6/6/93
Since the time of Gung Gung ‘s Grandfather Mr. Bal-Ling Cheung the first Cheung ever to become a Christian, the Cheung family has received a special blessing from God. It traces back to the early 1950’s, shortly after China was taken over by the Communists. Gung Gung and his family were living in Ling Yuen, Cheung Chau, when they first heard about the gospel from Pastor Wan-Lu Cheung. At that time, Pastor Wan-Lu was already in his early 80’s. However, he was very perseverent, kind, gentle, and patient. He visited the family almost everyday to teach them the love of God. It was because of him that the family started to attend Sunday services in the Cheung Chau Baptist Church. Eventually, every family member was baptized. God delivered Gung Gung and his family not only from the Communists, but also from their sins.
Gung Gung was virtually broke when he retired in 1973, as he spent all his savings to educate his children. Yet, in Christ, he has always been very rich because he was full of hope and love. Today, all his Children and Grandchildren come to him from every corner of the world because of his love. The amazing grace of God was clearly revealed to the members of the Cheung Family during the hospitalization of Gung Gung from February 23 to March 24 this year <1993>. On a respirator in the Intensive Care Unit, Gung Gung was so weak and Ill due to suffering Asthma-Induced Heart Failure, Kidney Failure, and Liver Failure. No one, not even the doctors in the Staten Island University Hospital, thought he could completely recover. As his beloved Children and his Grandchild (Sherman, since I was the only one to visit him day in day out, while his other Grandchildren went about their lives off the island), we stood quietly at his bedside in both Body and Spirit, wishing we could somehow take all of his suffering for him and praying for his full recovery. At a time like that, there was nothing a human being could do, But as a Christian. One can always turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and God, our Heavenly Father for help. If we stand firm in our faith, God will do for us what would otherwise not be possible. The Prompt recovery of Gung Gung was a witness to his amazing grace.
What happened to Gung Gung during his difficult Journey in the hospital was nicely described in Holy Scripture:
"Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation." Psalm 91:14-16
Praise the Lord for his Promise. Praise the Lord for the wonderful love he revealed to us. May God Bless Gung Gung and Po Po. May the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, th e love of God. And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all.
Sherman's Note: Gung Gung, that is, my Grandfather, fell asleep in the Lord, on July 11th, 1993, He fell asleep in his Physical sleep, at 4 am in the morning, Due to complications of his Asthma, The Heat Wave we had that summer, and the failure of Anna Erika to provide Individual Room Air Conditioners. I miss Him, and Memory Eternal To Him. ., But Pox on Anna Erika Home for Adults for that Blunder of not supplying rooms with A/C, especially in the 90's and the era of Global warming.
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