To Yi Lirong[1]

(August 14, 1936)

Brother Yunshan:

It was still five years ago that I learned from Wenliang[2] that you, my brother, had not yet forgotten the enemy. At that time I wrote you a letter; I do not know whether it reached your hands. Recently someone came and I learned that you are engaged in mass work and have shown an intention to cooperate. I was extremely glad to hear this. In the present situation, without resisting Japan there is no way to survive; without cooperation there is no way to resist Japan. That the united front can win the support of the whole nation shows where the trend lies. Your difficulties and inner sufferings are fully understood by me, your younger brother. Yet the present is not to be compared with the past. To save the nation and to save oneself, there is no other way than to turn sincerely to the revolutionary work of resisting Japan. I wonder whether this opinion can win your complete approval, brother? In the Shanghai workers' movement, the two parties, the Guomindang and the Gongchandang, should establish a united front to jointly deal with imperialism and the traitors. I deeply hope that you, my brother, will strive to bring this about. If there are further concrete measures, I hope we can establish secret contact and correspond regularly. Are you still in touch with the couple Li Heming and Wang Huiwu[3]? I have read Li's translations and writings and feel great sympathy for him. When convenient, please convey my regards to him; it would be even better if we could establish friendly correspondence. I have heard that around you there are many former old colleagues; I cherish them deeply in my memory and hope you will also convey my regards to them. I hope you can develop a

[1] Yi Lirong (1898–1997), childhood name Runsan, sometimes written as Yunshan, a native of Xiangtan, Hunan. In his early years he joined the Xinmin Xuehui, and together with Mao Zedong and others founded the Changsha Cultural Bookstore, where he served as manager. In 1936 he was working in a trade union in Shanghai controlled by the Guomindang.

[2] Wenliang, i.e., Xu Wenliang, Yi Lirong's brother-in-law. Before 1923 he worked at the Changsha Cultural Bookstore. In 1931 he went to the Jiangxi Soviet Area and died a martyr soon afterward.

[3] Li Heming, i.e., Li Da, at that time a professor at Beiping University. Wang Huiwu, at that time working at Zhongguo University in Beiping.

collective force beneficial to the country and beneficial to the people.

Is Wenxuan[1] still by your side? Is she well? I send my regards to her as well. Your younger brother's body is as before, but his spirit is better than before. Tempered through ten years of hardship, I can still report with some comfort. Writing in haste, I cannot exhaust all I wish to say. Respectfully wishing you good health.

Yang Ziren[2]

August 14

[1] Wenxuan, i.e., Xu Wenxuan, Yi Lirong's wife. In her early years she joined the Xinmin Xuehui and worked as an accountant at the Changsha Cultural Bookstore.

[2] Yang Ziren, i.e., Mao Zedong.