There are thirteen works in the Classics category, sixteen in History, twenty-two in Philosophy, and twenty-six in Literature, making a total of seventy-seven titles. From today’s perspective, these are considered the essential books that one ought to read in China. If one is truly committed to scholarship, they are indispensable and must be studied. However, it would take at least ten years to complete reading them all, and acquiring the entire set would require no less than two hundred silver dollars. Yesterday I received your kind offer to gift me some books, but I dare not accept. For one thing, to receive a gift without actually reading it, or to read without deriving any benefit, would be a disservice to your generous intention; for another, since my brother’s financial situation is still rather tight, it would be unwise to waste resources needlessly. Although I previously suggested limiting such gifts to two or three strings of cash, upon further reflection, even this amount I respectfully decline. Nevertheless, fundamental questions of this nature cannot be ignored, so I have put down my thoughts in writing and am submitting them to you, hoping that you will enlighten me where I remain unclear and correct any points that are unwarranted. I would be most grateful.

To Brother Sheng,

Your younger brother, Ze Dong, with repeated bows.

Afternoon of February 29th

Printed from the manuscript.

Notes

[1] This letter does not indicate the year of composition. Its content is similar to two letters the author wrote to Xiao Zisheng in early 1916, both concerning the purchase and borrowing of books. Based on this, it is inferred that this letter may have been written in 1916. See Note [2] on page 17 of this book for information about Xiao Zisheng.

[2] Judging from the style of the text, there should have been a list of seventy-seven titles—divided into the Classics, History, Philosophy, and Literature categories—omitted from the extant manuscript.