To all members:

Our society's publications are divided into two categories: "Members' Correspondence Collection" and "Society Affairs Report." While the Society Affairs Report, which describes public service conditions, 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, if it can be made public, should have its original and fair copy sent to our society for inclusion in the fourth and subsequent issues of the Correspondence Collection. Manuscripts not selected for publication will not be returned. Manuscripts that have been published can be returned if a request for their return is made. Please send manuscripts to Mr. Mao Zedong at Wenhua Booksellers, Chaozong Street, Changsha.

Xinmin Society

Meaning and Regulations of Publication

The first collection contains many old letters from one or two years ago, but they are quite important to the society, as most relate to the progress and development of group undertakings. Regarding the work-study program in France, this collection can only include Mr. Cai's letters to various members. We hope Mr. Cai will send the important letters from various members to him for selection and printing. The publication of the Correspondence Collection aims to unite the spirit of our comrades and discuss methods for self-cultivation, establishing oneself, and transforming the world. Publication is irregular, but approximately one issue can be produced every two months. While the personal character of our comrades and society affairs should be absolutely open, they should not be ostentatious. Therefore, the Correspondence Collection is primarily for each member to receive one copy, with dozens of extra copies printed for interested comrades outside the society. Because the society is extremely poor, both members and non-members must pay a small printing fee. After each issue containing letters discussing problems is published, we hope all members will offer further criticism and discussion, making the Correspondence Collection a forum for members, becoming richer, deeper, and more progressive with each issue, which would be excellent.

Letter to Tao Yi

※ "Allied Forces"

※ "Distribution of Comrades"

※ "Self-Study University"

※ "Women's Work-Study Program in Russia"

Mr. Siyong:

(Beginning omitted)

I believe we need to form a noble, pure, courageous, and diligent group of comrades. In the preparatory stage, our comrades should all harbor a "desire for outward development." I have quite a few thoughts on this issue. I feel that many people talk about transformation, but it is merely a vague goal. To what extent should this transformation reach (i.e., the ultimate goal)? What methods should be used to achieve it? Where should oneself or comrades begin? There are very few detailed studies on these questions. Perhaps there are some for individuals, but for groups, for common goals, there are fewer. Although an individual may have a plan, such as "how I will study," "how to prepare," "how to destroy," "how to build," many fall into error. The reason for error is that it is based on an individual's meditation. While such meditation may seem good to an individual, it often proves impractical in society. This is a drawback. No matter how good a method an individual conceives, the knowledge is limited to that one person, and the research, preparation, and execution are limited to that one person. This phenomenon is "everyone fighting for themselves," it is "random fighting," it is "expending effort with little success," it is "most uneconomical." To remedy this drawback, there is one method: "collective discussion." Collective discussion has two points: 1. Discuss common goals; 2. Discuss common methods. Once the goals and methods are discussed, then discuss how to implement the methods. Only with such collective discussion will there be collective research (referring to academics), collective preparation, collective destruction, and collective construction in the future. Only then can concrete results be achieved. "Random fighting" leads to failure and is most ineffective. Collective discussion and collective action are "allied forces," "allied armies," which can guarantee victory and conquest. We must strictly avoid random fighting; we must organize allied forces and fight together.

The aforementioned issue is a major one. There is still another very important issue, which is the "distribution of overseas study or work." If we want to achieve a certain goal (transformation), we must pay attention to appropriate methods. Among these methods, one is how people are distributed. In this era of "scarcity of talent," it is most important to be economical with talent. Otherwise, there will be duplication, accumulation, and waste. Several comrades in Paris are determined to recruit people to Paris. It is good to attract people to Paris; however, attracting too many comrades there may be a mistake. Our comrades should be dispersed to various parts of the world for investigation; people should go to every corner of the earth, not accumulate in one place. It is best for one person or a few people to take responsibility for opening up one area. The "fronts" in all areas must be opened. People should go to all areas to be pioneers.

Dozens of us met very late, and the time since we met is short (the Xinmin Society was founded in April of the seventh year), so we have not been able to thoroughly study these issues (or perhaps have not studied them at all). Even I, who have always been very ignorant and untalented, have rarely studied them. This trip, observing various situations and meeting some people, and pondering some matters, has made me feel that these issues are very worthy of study. Many people elsewhere are just like me, having not studied them. It is truly regrettable that they are all in the dark! You are a very intelligent and ambitious person; what are your thoughts on what I have stated here? I expect you may have seen it long before me.

The above words are still abstract; let's be more practical:

Members of the Xinmin Society, or members of the Xudan Society, should regularly hold discussion meetings to discuss our common goals and the methods to achieve them. The overseas study and work of a member should be subject to appropriate distribution, taking on a part of the responsibility, as a conscious and organized activity. Regarding destinations, there should be a plan: how to open up a new situation there? How to attract or gain new comrades? How to create one's own new life? This applies to you, to Mr. Wei Guolao and others, to other comrades in Changsha and those who have already gone abroad, and I myself also intend to follow suit in the future.

The above are some general ideas; below I will write some random trivialities.

I strongly approve of our member Zhang Tianji's plan to go to Nanyang. It's also excellent that Xiao Zizhang and more than ten others in Shanghai are preparing to go to France! Peng Huang and several others organizing a work-study mutual aid group in Shanghai is also a good thing. Peng Huang and I do not intend to go to France. An Dun is going to Russia. He Shuheng wants to stay in France, but I advised him not to, suggesting Russia instead. My own plan is to go to Shanghai in a week. After the Hunan affairs are settled, I will return to Changsha. I want to form a "Free Research Society" (or perhaps called a Self-Study University) with comrades, planning for one or two years to thoroughly understand the outlines of ancient and modern Chinese and foreign scholarship, to serve as a tool for overseas investigation (otherwise, one cannot investigate). Then, we will organize a team to go to Russia for work-study. As for women going to Russia, there are no obstacles; I anticipate that Russian female comrades will be especially welcoming. A "Women's Work-Study Society for Russia," following the "Women's Work-Study Society for France," is not impossible. I am discussing this matter (going to Russia) with Mr. Li Dazhao and others. It is said that Mr. Tang Shoujun, a professor at Fudan University in Shanghai (formerly the principal of the Commercial College), also intends to go. My mind is filled with joy and hope for this matter, so I am specifically telling you! It seems you once mentioned that Mr. Yang Runyu joined our society. Recently, I reread an old Dagongbao and saw his writings; they are truly excellent! What is Mr. Yang doing recently? Can you tell me if you have time? Today, four new members joined the Women's Work-Study Group in Daotian. Before its establishment, the group had eight members in total, with six from Hunan, one Korean, and one Russian, which I find very interesting! But what will their future achievements be? It depends on their abilities and moral strength; perhaps it will ultimately fail (the men's group can probably be said to have already failed). At Beijing Women's Higher Normal School, the students show a very active and spontaneous spirit, but the faculty side is inevitably dark. I received a letter from Mr. Li Yichun saying that she will teach a class at Zhounan; I wonder if she has arrived yet? More later.

Mao Zedong

September 2nd in Beijing

Letter to Zhou Shizhao

※ The issue of prioritizing domestic study versus overseas study

※ Preparatory work for group undertakings

※ Self-Study University

My dear brother Zhun Yuan:

Upon receiving Mr. Zhang Wenliang's letter, I was shocked to learn of your mother's passing. This is a painful stage in life. For those of us who have been away for a long time and unable to fulfill our filial duties, the pain of "wishing to repay kindness but being unable to" is particularly acute. In this regard, your situation and mine are quite similar!

Earlier, you sent me a long letter. I am very sorry, I lost it before finishing it, but the general meaning of your letter was largely clear. I imagine that you are currently at home, surely planning your future endeavors. I very much hope that my plans and your plans can be completely consistent, so that our actions can also be consistent. I now feel that you are truly someone who loves me and can truly benefit me. If our plans and actions can be consistent, that would be excellent.

I am now very eager to discuss my thoughts with you, and I will write them down below. Some of them may have been discussed with you before.

I believe that there is no "necessity to study in a specific place"; the words "going abroad" are merely a "fad" for many people. Tens, even hundreds of thousands of Chinese have gone abroad, but very few have truly excelled. What about the majority? They are still "confused," still "bewildered." This is concrete evidence. I once asked Mr. Hu Shizhi and Mr. Li Shaoxi about this, and they both agreed with my opinion. Hu Shizhi even wrote an essay titled "Against Studying Abroad."

Therefore, I intend not to go abroad for now, but to temporarily study the outlines of various disciplines domestically. I believe that temporary domestic study has the following advantages:

1. Reading translations is much faster than reading originals, allowing for more knowledge to be gained in a shorter time.

2. World civilization is divided into Eastern and Western streams, and Eastern civilization occupies half of world civilization. However, Eastern civilization can be said to be Chinese civilization. We intend to first study the main points of our country's ancient and modern theories and systems, and then go abroad to the West for study, so that we have something to compare.

3. If we want to contribute even a little to the current world, we certainly cannot escape the "Chinese" territory. Regarding the situation within this territory, we must conduct practical investigations and research. If this work is left until after returning from abroad, due to personal and living circumstances, it may be difficult. It is better to do it now; firstly, there are no difficulties as mentioned above, and secondly, we can carry some experience to the West, which can be used for comparison during investigations.

To be honest, I still do not have a relatively clear concept of various doctrines and theories. I want to extract the essence of Chinese and foreign, ancient and modern theories from translations and contemporary newspapers and magazines, so that each forms a clear concept. It would be even better if I could compile what I have extracted into a book when I have time. Therefore, I consider the first point of the three listed above to be even more important.

The above is from the perspective of "individual" and "knowledge." Below, I will discuss it from the perspective of "group" and "action":

We cannot escape social life, and we are all preparing to achieve something in the future. Therefore, we should now work together with our comrades to do some preparatory work. I see that many people do not pay much attention to this, but I believe it is a very important issue. It should not be a casual, unintentional, or laissez-faire preparation; rather, it must be intentional, organized, and well-prepared. Only in this way can it be economical and produce greater results in a shorter time (a hundred years of life). I think (1) uniting comrades, and (2) establishing necessary foundational undertakings within economically feasible limits for the future, are two things we must pay close attention to now.

Of the two layers mentioned above (individual aspect and group aspect), the first should be primary and the second secondary. The first should occupy most of the time; the second a small part. The total time is set at three years (at most), and the location is Changsha.

Therefore, I do not agree with your points about Paris, Nanyang, and Beijing, but I strongly agree with your proposal to "stay in Changsha."

I think we should create a new life in Changsha. We can invite comrades, rent a house, and establish a self-study university (this name was coined by Mr. XXX). In this university, we will practice communal living. The methods for obtaining living expenses can be set as follows:

1. Teaching classes. (Six to ten hours per person per week)

2. Submitting articles. (Academic papers or news articles)

3. Compiling books. (Compiling one or several books that can be sold)

4. Manual labor. (This item is mainly for non-consumption, such as self-cooking and self-washing)

All income will be communal. Those who earn more will subsidize those who earn less, until consumption is met. I think if the two of us decide to do this, He Shuheng and Shao Panqing might also join. This organization could also be called a "Work-Study Mutual Aid Group." The most important thing in this organization is to establish an "Academic Discussion Group," which should hold academic discussions at least two or three times a week.

The above is about temporarily staying in China for study. However, I am not absolutely against studying abroad; in fact, I advocate a major policy of studying abroad. I believe that some of us should all experience the "craze" of going abroad. I believe Russia is the world's foremost civilized country. I think in two or three years, we should organize a team to visit Russia. This is a matter for later; for now, it need not be mentioned.

Publishing a magazine, I think, is very difficult. If the self-study university succeeds, and self-study yields results, we can consider publishing a magazine depending on the circumstances (many people here speak of reviving the Xiangjiang Review). The rest of the society's affairs will be discussed in person, so I won't say much for now. When you have time, please send a brief letter.

Your younger brother, Zedong

March 14, 1920

No. 99 Beichang Street, Beijing

Letter to Luo Xuezhan

Brother Rongxi,

I have received your letter and read it many times. Reading it again today, I am especially moved. There is nothing you said that I disagree with. I have decided on a method of study, which I need not explain for now, but I will certainly act on your words. Your spirit of striving is very admirable. Your current environment is excellent for extensive observation and profound thinking. I heard that you have left school and are working in a factory. From this, you can understand the conditions in Western factories and also experience what Tolstoy called "the true joy of life derived from labor." I very much want to work now. In Shanghai, Mr. Li Sheng (Shuixian) Bian advised me to enter a factory, and I was quite moved. I now feel that a life solely using the mouth and brain is an extremely苦 (bitter) life. I think there must be a period where I dedicate myself to physical labor. Mr. Li Shengxian, a normal school student, worked as an ironworker in the Jiangnan Shipyard, and surprisingly, after one or two months, he became proficient in all aspects of ironworking. From having no wages, he gradually earned twelve yuan per month. He is currently residing at No. 2 Yuyang Li, French Concession, Shanghai, helping Mr. Chen Zhongfu and others organize the machinists' union. You can correspond with him. Qimin is at the Zhounan Girls' School in Taian Li. Dunyuan is at the popular newspaper on Liwen Street. Xiangtan education is utterly corrupt. Those in the provincial capital have organized the "Xiangtan Education Promotion Association" to promote it, but it has not yet had much effect. The First Normal School's Xiangtan Student Development Association will also undertake some initiatives. Your letter has not yet been forwarded, but it will be soon. All the manuscripts you sent along the way have been published in the Xiangnan Daily, so there is no need to forward them for reading. I have already replied to this letter once, and now I am adding my recent thoughts here.

Your younger brother, Zedong

November 26, Year 9