March 1920: Li Dazhao founded the Marxist Theory Study Society at Peking University; May 1920: Chen Duxiu established the Marxist Study Society in Shanghai. Photo shows some members of the Marxist Theory Study Society.

Enclosed please find two copies of the “Conditions for the Reconstruction of Hunan.”86 There are quite a few points in it that need to be seriously reconsidered. I, your
younger brother, do not really understand just how we should reform our province of
Hunan in the future. Moreover, since it is a province within China, it would not be
easy for Hunan to establish its independence, unless the whole situation changes in
future, and our status becomes like that of an American or German state. Judging
from China’s present overall situation, anyone with the slightest degree of awareness
ought to start, as you, sir, have said, with “radical solutions.” It is best to ignore the
fluctuations of the current situation and let them play themselves out. Such begging for
chewed-up meat from a tiger’s mouth never leads to very great benefits, even though we
may be assured that “it can be done.” This time, however, we are already on the tiger’s
back, and if we are not even able to accomplish the “second best”—which is actually
“the best” in China’s current situation—then we should be ashamed of ourselves.
As you, sir, are a person who thoroughly understands Hunanese affairs, I respectfully ask you carefully to consider each point in the proposal, adding or deleting as
appropriate, and to let me have your instructions. I can then take the revised version
with me to Shanghai and act accordingly. I eagerly await your reply.
Your humble fellow-villager
Mao Zedong