To all members:

Our society's publications are divided into two categories: "Members' Correspondence Collection" and "Society Affairs Report." The Society Affairs Report, which describes the state of society affairs, is published twice a year. The Members' Correspondence Collection serves as a forum for members to express their views and engage in discussions. All correspondence between members, regardless of whether it is new or old, long or short, and suitable for public dissemination, is requested to be sent in its original or transcribed form to the society. This will facilitate its inclusion in the fourth and subsequent issues of the Correspondence Collection. Unpublished manuscripts can be returned. Published manuscripts can also be returned if a request for their return is made. Please send manuscripts to Mr. Mao Zedong at the Changsha Cultural Book Society.

The Xinmin Society

Preface

This is the "Second Collection" of the Xinmin Society Members' Correspondence Collection. It contains twenty-eight letters from members, the most important of which are as follows: Xiang Jingyu's letter discussing a plan for women's development; a letter discussing the issue of women studying in France through work-study programs and the issue of connecting with female comrades; Ouyang Yang's letter discussing the common spirit of the Xinmin Society; Mao Zedong's letter advocating that the Xinmin Society should adopt a latent attitude; Xiao Zizhang's report on the living conditions of male and female comrades in France; Yi Lirong's letter advocating that our actions should be prepared; Luo Ao'jie's letter hoping that the society will resist vulgar customs and value the highest values; Mao Zedong's letter discussing Hunan's autonomy and advocating that society members should form an association based on doctrine; Zhang Guoji's letter discussing the progress of society affairs; a report on the situation of Hunan people in Nanyang; Mao Zedong's letter discussing the attitude that Hunan people should take towards going to Nanyang, hoping that society members will go to Nanyang to promote cultural movements and Nanyang nation-building movements; Zhang Guoji's account of strange stories from Nanyang; Luo Xuezan's letter hoping that society members will pay attention to physical exercise, eliminate four kinds of delusions, and solve family problems; Mao Zedong's letter advocating the organization of an anti-marriage alliance. The above letters are beneficial to the cultivation of body and mind, beneficial to the discussion of academic issues and the study of problems, or beneficial to the progress of society affairs, and all of them can arouse the interest of members in group life. The remaining letters, whether discussing progress or retreat, discussing matters, or reporting personal situations, are all recorded here to give a general idea.

Editor, January 20, 1920

Letter to Xiang Jingyu

※The Hunan Question

Your letter arrived long ago, but I have been unable to reply promptly. I hope you will understand! Last winter in Shanghai, you, sister, were the first to speak out generously about the Hunan issue. Over the past year, I and Mengbo and others have also indirectly exerted our efforts, but without much effect. Education has not been implemented, the people's intelligence has not been enlightened, and the majority of Hunan people are still asleep. Those who are called intellectuals have absolutely no theoretical plans. I and Mengbo advocate Hunan's autonomy as a nation, separating it from the unprogressive northern provinces and the southern provinces with different situations, breaking up the empty and unorganized Great China, and directly joining hands with the enlightened nations of the world. However, very few people understand this. When the issue of autonomy arose, the atmosphere was extremely bleak. The saying that a free Hunan revolutionary government should convene a Hunan People's Constitutional Conference to formulate a Hunan Constitution to build a new Hunan gained some momentum, but the majority of people were baffled, or even greatly surprised, and regarded it as bizarre. The minds of Hunan people are not clear, they have no ideals, and no long-term plans. I have seen through this in the past few months. The political circles are deeply stagnant and extremely corrupt. It can be said that there is absolutely no hope for political reform. The only way for us is to ignore everything, open up a new path, and create a new environment. Education is my profession. I have already made up my mind to stay in Hunan for two years. However, working prevents me from studying, which is too much of a sacrifice for myself. Women's education in Hunan Province has made very little progress (and the same is true for men's education). I hope you can lead a large number of female comrades to go abroad. Saving one more person means saving one more person. I wish you

Progress!

Please give my regards to Aunt Jianhao and Sister Xuxi.

Your brother, Zedong

November 25, Year 9

Letter to Ouyang Ze

※The Society Should Adopt a Latent Attitude

Mr. Yu:

I agree with all four points of the common spirit. I also extremely agree that membership should not be limited by provincial boundaries. Not only provincial boundaries, but also national boundaries should not be limited. The reason why I said that in Beijing is because the Xinmin Society does not yet have a deep and solid foundation. At this time, it is appropriate to pay attention to the connection of existing comrades, with morality as the center, mutually encouraging and understanding each other, so that everyone is like biological brothers and sisters. Then, we can proceed to connect with comrades all over China, and then connect with comrades all over the world, to jointly seek solutions to various human problems. I believe that everything must pay attention to the foundation. I have seen many groups, like inexperienced stores, that have not yet prepared their goods, but have already hung up their signs high and advertised everywhere. As a result, they cannot avoid failure and cannot avoid "falling." The Bansongyuan meeting all advocated that the society's progress should adopt a "latent attitude." I am twelve points in favor of this, and you, brother, are also one of those in favor. The comrades in Changsha also have the same idea. I think this is a good phenomenon for the Xinmin Society. A cause that can be great and lasting is built on this "latent attitude."

I received your letter in Shanghai. I have forwarded it to Peng, Zhou, Lao, and Wei. I returned to Hunan in July. I missed you very much, but I was unable to reply. I hope you will understand! I trust you are doing well. I forgot whether you are in Fontainebleau or Montargis? Please tell me in your next letter. Recently, I have been extremely tired. I traveled to Pingxiang and wrote this letter while returning. Words cannot fully express my meaning.

Your brother, Zedong

November 25, Year 9, on the way back from Pingxiang

Comments on Yi Lirong's Letter

This letter from Lirong, discussing our methods of action, advocating that we should be prepared, is extremely loyal and sincere. My opinion has been specifically expressed in my letters to Sister Tao Siyong and Brother Zhou Dunzhi, and I have also spoken to Lirong several times in person on the way back to Hunan. I feel that last year's movement to drive out Zhang and this year's autonomy movement, in the eyes of our group, are really not political movements that we should implement. The significance of our participation in these two movements is that the movement to drive out Zhang was simply to resist Zhang Jingyao, a powerful figure who was too unacceptable. The autonomy movement was simply to hope that Hunan could specifically establish a method (the Hunan Constitution) to create a better environment in Hunan, so that we could realize our specific preparations within this environment. To put it thoroughly, both of these movements are only expedient measures to deal with the current environment, and are definitely not our fundamental propositions. Our propositions are far beyond these movements. Speaking of this, it is true, as Lirong wrote, that "preparation" is important, but how should we "prepare"? This still needs to be studied. Last year in Beijing, Chen Zanzhou was skeptical about "driving out Zhang." He said that since we believe in cosmopolitanism and fundamental transformation, we should not pay attention to the current small problems and small facts, and we should not "drive out Zhang." His words are certainly reasonable, but my opinion is slightly different. The movement to "drive out Zhang" and the autonomy movement, etc., are also a means to achieve fundamental transformation, and are the most economical and effective means to deal with the "current environment." But there is one condition, that is, we should always (from the initiation to the conclusion of this movement) stand in the position of "promoting" it. To put it clearly, we must never jump onto the political stage to become the authorities. I believe that the Xinmin Society members should adopt several methods of action in the future: one is to go abroad, which can be divided into two types. One is to specialize in academic research and create more scholars with a solid foundation, as advocated by Luo Rongxi and Xiao Zisheng. The other is to engage in plans and organizations for fundamental transformation and establish a foundation for transformation, as advocated by Cai Hesen's Communist Party. One is not to go abroad, which is also divided into two types. One is to study in schools in the province and in the country, of course, taking studying and accumulating energy as the foundation. The other is to engage in social movements, which can initiate and implement various valuable social movements and social undertakings from various aspects. As for political movements that are considered the most economical and effective, such as the "autonomy movement" and the "universal suffrage movement," they can also do their best to promote them from the sidelines, but be sure not to be contaminated by the habits of the old society, and especially do not forget our fundamental common ideals and plans. As for Lirong's saying about uniting comrades, it is naturally very important, but our union is a mutual union. Personalities must be open, and goals must be common. We must never allow ourselves to have a true comrade who is not in his proper place.

Zedong

Reply to Xiao Zizhang's Letter

Brother Zizhang:

I have received the letters and photos you sent me along the way. Thank you very much for your kindness. I have not sent you a single letter, I am very sorry. The results of the "Bansongyuan Meeting" have been brought to Europe by him and Zanzhou, etc. The situation of the "Montargis Meeting" has been sent back to Asia by you and Zisheng. Zisheng has even returned to China himself and will be seen soon. This is truly joyful! I trust you are doing well now and are still in school. I believe that you should study a subject in France, choosing at least one that suits your nature, and you must study this subject thoroughly. I have recently felt that common sense alone is unreliable. I deeply regret that my knowledge is not specialized. In the past two years, I have been disturbed by affairs and have not been able to work hard on my studies. I deeply regret this. I hope you can teach me. The society's publications are divided into two categories: "Correspondence Collection" and "Society Affairs Report." The Correspondence Collection can publish at least three collections this year. Please find a way to collect new and old letters from friends in France and mail them to "Changsha Cultural Book Society" to be handed over to me as materials for the fourth and fifth collections. I would be very grateful. (Please tell Nuoyou to write to Changsha Cultural Book Society for future correspondence.)

Your brother, Zedong

Letter to Luo Ao'jie

※Betraying the Hunan Question

※Betraying the Association of Doctrine

※The Hunan Question

※The Association of Doctrine

※Student Self-Determination

Brother Zhanglong:

I received your letter yesterday. Re-reading your letter of July 25, I realized that I did not reply to a single word in your letter in my letter yesterday. I am truly sorry. Now I reply again with the following main points. Although I do not oppose piecemeal solutions, I do not approve of solutions that treat the head when it hurts and the foot when it hurts without a doctrine. I advocate that Hunan people should not be involved in foreign affairs, but should focus on improving Hunan Province alone. There are two meanings to this: one is that China is too large, and the feelings, interests, and level of intelligence of each province are too uneven. There is no way to start improving it. From Kang Liang's reform to Sun Huang's revolution (both of which have their own considerable value and should be discussed separately), they have only worked on this organization, and the results have all ended in failure. We should quickly change our approach and start with small organizations in each province. If the small organizations in Hunan are good, we should advocate for the whole country. If the small organizations in each province are good, we don't have to worry about the overall organization of the country being bad. The other is that Hunan's geography and people's nature are both very promising. Mixed in with the overall organization of the country, it not only wears away its special characteristics, but also hinders progress. Independence and autonomy can establish a more progressive method (the Hunan Constitution), which can internally solemnly and beautifully protect its rivers and mountains, and externally directly join hands with the enlightened nations of the world to jointly transform the world. The provinces of the whole country can also be inspired to evolve as a result. Therefore, I directly advocate that Hunan should stand on its own as a nation, that Hunan should be completely autonomous, that it should not be interfered with by external forces in the slightest, and that it should no longer be burdened by the useless "China." This is indeed an important means to advance to an overall solution, and it is not the same as the so-called piecemeal solution that is actually painless and ineffective. I did not fully express this meaning in my previous letter, and I now supplement it here.

What you, brother, call the good and powerful morale of the gentry is indeed important. The bad atmosphere in China is too deep and too thick. We must be vigilant and create a powerful new atmosphere in order to transform it. I think this atmosphere must have a group of people who are diligent and determined, and especially a "doctrine" that everyone commonly believes in. Without a doctrine, an atmosphere cannot be created. I think our society should not simply be a gathering of people or a combination of emotions, but should become a combination of doctrines. The doctrine is like a flag. When the flag is raised, everyone will have something to look forward to and know where to go. What do you think, brother?

The "Society Affairs Report" is dedicated to recording society affairs and does not contain argumentative texts. We have not yet started writing it. Roughly one issue per quarter is enough. In addition, we will publish a special collection of members' correspondence as a forum for members to discuss and consult with each other. Do you have any correspondence between members, whether new or old? Please check and send it to me.

"Xiang River" has not yet been published, partly because I am busy, and partly because it is not good to publish it casually. Whether it will be published or not is still under consideration.

I am currently doing some work at the Chengnan Affiliated Elementary School this term, mixed with other affairs. I have very little time for self-study. Reading the words "Years pass easily and cannot be recovered" and "Thoughts and academics are gradually becoming rigid" makes me shudder. When I returned to Hunan, I originally wanted to read the newspaper for one hour and read books for two hours every day, no matter what, but I have not been able to put it into practice. I think I will be busy this winter, but from next year onwards, I must put this condition into practice. As for the study program, I have a little bit of it, and I will tell you later.

Speaking of Hunan education, I really want to cry but have no tears. I have two hopes for Hunan education: one is that all the sinful educators who still exist will die, but this hope cannot be realized. The other is that students will have self-determination. My only hope lies in this. No wonder people say that "Hunan students' thoughts are childish" (Shen Zhongjiu's words). No one has ever provided them with thoughts, nor have they ever developed their own thoughts through self-determination. How can their thoughts not be childish? I hope you will send me a letter from time to time!

Your brother, Zedong

(November 25, Year 9)

Letter to Qinwen (Li Si'an) (November 25, 1920)

Sister Qinwen:

I received your letter in August. Later, I also received a long letter from you in Singapore, as well as some printed materials. Thank you very much for your kindness. I was busy and did not reply immediately. I hope you can forgive me. "Xiang River" has not yet been published. Although there are some people with lofty ideals in Hunan who are engaged in practical transformation, don't think that it can be done well with a few articles. Although great men are not very consolidated, small men (politicians) are very consolidated. I think the best way to deal with them is to ignore them and let us think of other ways, create other environments, make long-term preparations, and make precise plans. When strength is cultivated, the effect will naturally be seen. There is no need to compete with them for a day's length. Do you think so? I trust you are busy with your affairs. I advise you to always have time to read some new books and newspapers. And I hope you can continue to examine yourself and be able to know your shortcomings. I have already forwarded your previous letter to Jixu, and he has read it. I hope you will tell me about your recent situation when you have time.

Your brother, Zedong

November 25

Letter to Zhang Guoji (November 25, 1920)

※Society Affairs Issues

※The Attitude that Hunan People Should Take Towards Going to Nanyang

※The Nanyang Cultural Movement and the Nanyang Nation-Building Movement

Brother Yisheng:

I have received both letters one after another. I am very sorry for not replying for a long time! I generally agree with the six items you mentioned regarding society affairs. For the first item, publishing a society journal, it has now been decided to publish two types: Members' Correspondence Collection and Society Affairs Report. For the second item, the admission of members should be taken seriously. For the third item, there should be no distinction between men and women, old and young, etc., in the admission of members. During the summer, I met with Kunfu, Zanzhou, Zizhang, Yinbo, Wangcheng, Yun Guang, Dunyang, Jiru, Yusheng, etc., in Bansongyuan in Shanghai, and then discussed with the Changsha members after returning to Changsha. Most of them believe that the admission of members should prepare the following three conditions: (1) purity, (2) sincerity, (3) upwardness, and must be introduced by five people, passed by the evaluation department, and then solemnly notified to all members, which is exactly in line with your proposal. (Comrades in Nanyang should of course be contacted.) For the fourth item, the determination of the society's location is also an important matter. We will soon find a suitable location for the society in Changsha. The establishment of books and newspapers is related to the research of members. Changsha, Paris, and Nanyang should be equipped separately. The expenses can be "shared" by members in various places. For the fifth item, the fundraising of funds, I believe that as long as the annual membership fees are paid in full, ordinary expenses are enough. In addition, only the printing of the Correspondence Collection and the Society Affairs Report requires funds, but it is not much, and it can be temporarily shared by members. The member directory will be printed in the Society Affairs Report, and one copy can be printed this year. The organization of the Nanyang Correspondence Agency is extremely important. However, I have an opinion on Hunan people going to Nanyang, that is, Hunan people going to Nanyang should learn from Mr. Li Shizeng and others' intention of introducing students to France, taking cosmopolitanism instead of adopting a colonial policy. Cosmopolitanism is the doctrine of wishing oneself well and also wishing others well. In other words, it is the doctrine of wishing everyone well. Colonial policy is the doctrine of only wishing oneself well and not wishing others well. In other words, it is the policy of harming others to benefit oneself. If it is cosmopolitanism, there is no place where one cannot accommodate oneself. Li Shizeng and others are an example. If it is a colonial policy, then there is no place where one can accommodate oneself. The Japanese are an example. Nanyang's culture is closed. Hunan people who go to Nanyang should take it as their responsibility to develop culture. If you, brothers, can carry out a new cultural movement in Nanyang, so that the new culture that has emerged in the country can converge in Nanyang, the people of Nanyang (not just the overseas Chinese) will benefit greatly. In addition, the Nanyang nation-building movement urgently needs to be launched. If people with lofty ideals engage in this movement, saving millions of helpless people from fire and water and ascending to a comfortable life, what could be greater than this great cause? I believe that many of our members should go to Nanyang to do educational movements and cultural movements. When they are effective, they should then contact overseas Chinese scholars and people from all walks of life to advocate nation-building and world harmony, which must be based on the self-determination of the people of various places. If the people of Nanyang can have self-determination, it is a condition for promoting world harmony. I hope you will communicate with me from time to time when you have time.

Your brother, Zedong

November 25, Year 9

Letter to Luo Xuezan

※Develop the Habit of Reading and Playing in Parallel

※Theoretical Errors

※Anti-Marriage Alliance

Brother Rongxi:

In your letter of July 14, the points you discussed are thorough. The body is indeed a big problem. You said that Chinese scholars sacrifice their bodies for learning because the environment of family, society, and school is too bad. This is the reason from the objective aspect, which is indeed correct. There is also a reason from the subjective aspect, which is psychological inertia. For example, if reading becomes a habit, they will keep talking about it without knowing how to rest. According to the laws of hygiene, one should rest for one minute after using the brain for one hour. However, I often do not rest for three or four hours in a row, or even day and night. It is not because I enjoy it, but because I am tired but do not want to give up. I think the bodies of Chinese laborers are not weak, and only the bodies of scholars are weak. To correct this problem, the social aspect must create a good environment. The individual aspect must develop the habit of combining work and study, or at least develop the habit of reading and playing in parallel. My life is really too hard. When Mr. Huaizhong was alive, he repeatedly advised me to control my momentum and rest more, but I could never believe his words. Now I have decided to live in the city for two months, and I must live in the countryside for one week. This time, I went to Pingxiang for rest. In the future, I plan to travel once every two months.

The four delusions are described most thoroughly. I wish I could print 400 million copies of your words and give one to every Chinese person. Emotional life is originally very important in the human body, but emotions should not be used to discuss matters. Using a part to generalize the whole is a spatial misrecognition. Using a moment to generalize the permanent is a temporal misrecognition. Using the subjective to generalize the objective is an emotional and spatial combined misrecognition. All four are committing theoretical errors. I have recently had fierce debates with friends, and they all fall within the scope of the four. I am confident that I have fewer errors in the latter three. However, I am quite unable to avoid the emotional item. However, my emotions are not the examples you mentioned, but the problem of people. I often feel that if someone stands in the realm of speech, I will not admire him, or if I find that he has shortcomings in his personality, I will not trust the arguments he makes. Abandoning words because of people, I know that this is a shortcoming of mine, and I will correct it in the future. I often make mistakes when I am happy or excited when I speak, but I know that these are mistakes, so-called knowing and deliberately committing them (also when writing).

I heard that the "Work-Study Aspiration Society" has been changed to the "Work-Study World Society." I know little about the details. Please send me a letter telling me about the organization, progress, and affairs, etc. The correspondence has not yet arrived. I can handle the exchange of newspapers. Please send the manuscripts one after another (send them to Changsha Cultural Book Society to be handed over to me).

The marriage system based on capitalism is absolutely unacceptable. In theory, it is using the law to protect the most unreasonable rape and prohibit the most reasonable free love. In fact, the countless complaints of men and women all over the world are all found under this marriage system. I think many people have already talked about opposing the marriage system, but no one has put it into practice. The reason why it is not put into practice is just "fear." I heard about the "Xiang-Cai Alliance" and was delighted. Xiang and Cai have already broken the "fear" and put into practice not wanting marriage. I think we should just follow Xiang and Cai as leaders and organize an "Anti-Marriage Alliance." Those who already have marriage contracts should dissolve their marriage contracts (I oppose humanitarianism). Those who do not have marriage contracts should put into practice not wanting marriage contracts. Once the alliance is formed, the members of the alliance will immediately form an alliance army. At first, they only take a negative attitude. Externally, they "defend" against our enemies who oppose us, and internally, they properly manage the internal order, so that all members of the alliance practice the covenant of "abolishing marriage." Later, they can take a positive attitude and begin to "propagate" to the world and begin to "attack" our enemies who oppose us, so that all mankind can be liberated from the marriage system and be included in the alliance as a member of the alliance. My words seem like a joke, but in fact, those "family misfortunes" that you feel more and more cannot be avoided without using this ridiculous method. If no one agrees with my method, my "one-person alliance" has already been formed. I feel that all men and women under the marriage system are just a "rape group." I have already declared that I do not want to join this rape group. If you do not agree with my opinion, please write down your opposing opinion. I wish you progress.

Your brother, Zedong

November 26, Year 9