Talk with Ding Ling[1]

(August 15, 1937)

This work is important, and it is also very good for you. Going to the front will allow you to get close to the troops, close to the masses, propagate the Party’s policies, and expand the Party’s influence. Organizationally, in Yan’an it falls under the Military Commission; once at the front, it will be under the General Political Department. Before setting out, whatever you need, go to Comrade Xiao Jinguang. For propaganda work, ask the Central Propaganda Department. The organizational structure can be kept rather small. For you several leading comrades, you may be called head of the regiment, or you may be called director. Under you, there is no need to set up “departments” or “sections”; I think calling them “units” will do. In propaganda, we must achieve what the masses love to see and hear, and we must aim for popularization. Nowadays many people talk about new wine in old bottles. I think new wine in new bottles and new wine in old bottles are both acceptable, as long as they benefit the War of Resistance. You write articles and cannot act in plays, but you can provide leadership. If you have never done it before, you can learn. There are several people in the regiment whose personal histories and political backgrounds have not been clarified; this does not matter. In the course of work, you can gradually get to know them. Do not be prejudiced against them, do not draw conclusions lightly, and you must help them. With these several people, you will have things to do.

[1] Ding Ling was then serving as director of the Northwest Front Service Corps. Mao Zedong showed great concern for the work of the Northwest Front Service Corps. This is part of Mao Zedong’s talk with Ding Ling concerning the Northwest Front Service Corps.