To the Esteemed Director Tang:  Recently, at your department’s kind invitation, I had the honor of meeting with Chief He of your department. During our conversation, it was mentioned that your department had received notification from the Provincial Assembly, accompanied by a letter allegedly sent to the Assembly, claiming that Comrade Ze Dong had recently convened representatives of various public organizations at the library, incited certain military units to attack and destroy the Provincial Assembly, and that the signatories were Cao Ren, Wang Fuxing, Long Jianxun, and Wang Ren.  As for the earlier “raising of flags” incident in the Provincial Assembly, I had already informed Chief He in detail about the personal grievances involved; further inquiry would readily confirm this. Taking advantage of that occasion, malicious slanderers falsely attributed the act to Comrade Ze Dong. Now they are again alleging that he intends to overthrow the Provincial Assembly.  Comrade Ze Dong is currently engaged in teaching and is deeply committed to his studies. He has no interest whatsoever in engaging in reckless or impulsive actions driven by momentary impulses or base motives. With regard to Hunan’s self-governance, however, he has consistently maintained, both theoretically and practically, that it bears upon the very life, death, honor, and disgrace of the people of Hunan. He has also actively participated, alongside others, in efforts to advance this cause—in particular, through his proposals for drafting a provincial constitution. These proposals have always been entirely public and transparent, containing not the slightest element of secrecy. Nevertheless, a group of individuals of confused mind have brazenly conflated these constitutional proposals with the citizens’ parade on Double Tenth Day, seeking to discredit him. Those who harbor resentment toward Comrade Ze Dong, because their own ambitions have been thwarted over minor matters, have seized this opportunity to fabricate charges and spread false accusations. One attempt failed; another has now been made.  In order to assume full responsibility, Comrade Ze Dong hereby solemnly declares the following:  First, it is true that, concerning the issue of drafting a constitution for Hunan, Comrade Ze Dong was dissatisfied with the Provincial Assembly. Second, it is absolutely untrue that he ever raised flags or plotted to destroy the Provincial Assembly. Regarding the constitutional question, there were indeed legitimate grounds for his dissatisfaction with the Assembly, and he would be perfectly willing to express those views directly to the members themselves. However, since no such acts as raising flags or plotting to destroy the Assembly ever occurred, it is simply impossible to claim that they did.  Lately, human hearts have grown treacherous, truth and falsehood are increasingly blurred, and irresponsible rumors abound. At the same time, those who spread such calumnies lack the courage to face others openly. Your department, entrusted with maintaining discipline and order and with the duty to root out evil and expose falsehoods, bears a special responsibility in this regard. We earnestly request that you promptly and strictly apprehend and punish those who fabricate and disseminate slanderous allegations, so as to serve as a deterrent against this pernicious trend.  Furthermore, as a free citizen of New Hunan, Comrade Ze Dong enjoys the protection of the law: no one may, under any circumstances, infringe upon his person or his reputation in the slightest degree. Since these slanderers have already resorted to fabrication once, we cannot be sure that they will not do so again—perhaps three or four times—or that they will not shift their tactics in an effort to achieve their aims. Therefore, we fervently urge your department to enforce strict disciplinary measures, to suppress wrongdoing and safeguard the good, for the benefit not only of Comrade Ze Dong but of all citizens.  Respectfully submitted.  Mao Zedong, Principal of the Primary School Affiliated to the First Normal School  November 3, Year 9