Conversation with Zhu Shuchu[1]

(June 14, 1938)

I

Politics is the most fundamental and the most important. The large-scale development of mass education work must be accompanied by politics that serves the common people; all methods of implementation are secondary. The question of politics is primarily a question of attitude toward the people—whether you want to be friends with the common folk or stand above them and oppress them. As long as you get close to them, become one with them, they will naturally trust you.

II

The character of the peasants has two aspects. One is dark, such as selfishness and self-interest, ignorance and conservatism, and so on. Lu Xun’s "The True Story of Ah Q" is a work devoted entirely to depicting that dark side. The other is bright, such as being zealous for public interests and righteousness, brave and ready for sacrifice, and so on. Throughout their lives, they embody these two contradictory aspects of character. The function of politics lies precisely in arousing the initiative of this bright side, gradually overcoming their dark side, and realizing democratic politics. What is now being implemented in the Border Region is precisely this kind of democratic politics. In the War of Resistance, we have aroused the initiative of the broad masses of peasants. With that, why worry about having no one to go to the front lines, why worry about having no money for the war effort!

[1] On the evening of June 14, 1938, Mao Zedong met with Zhu Shuchu, who had been sent by the Mass Education Association to visit Yan’an. Part I is an excerpt from Mao’s conversation when the discussion turned from mass education work to political issues; Part II is an excerpt from Mao’s conversation concerning the peasants.