Conversation with Mao Huachu[1]

(July 1938)

Mao Zedong: "You’re so young and you’ve come all the same. You’d better go back!"

Mao Huachu: "Mother said there are books to read here."

Mao Zedong: "There are books to read here, but the enemy won’t let us study in peace and quiet. We still have to fight battles. The planes of Japanese imperialism may come to bomb Yan’an at any time. We have to run from the planes, we have to march, we live in cave dwellings, we eat millet and corn buns—can you endure all that?"

Mao Huachu: "I’ve herded cattle for landlords, I’ve begged for rice, I’ve sat in jail with Mother. I can endure it. I’m not afraid of hardship."

Mao Zedong: "Oh, so you’ve already endured hardship. In that case, I’ll write you a receipt and let you stay."

Mao Zedong: "However, you must remember: in the past you endured the hardship of the old society, you endured the hardship of oppression and exploitation by the landlords—that was class hardship. From today onward, you will be enduring hardship for the revolution. You must understand that revolution is a difficult and bitter undertaking. Only through arduous struggle can victory be won. Whether you study from now on, or work in the future, you must be the first to endure hardship…"

[1] Mao Huachu, a native of Shaoshan, Hunan, clan name Yuanhuai, courtesy name Shigu. Adopted son of Mao Zemin. This is part of the conversation when Mao Huachu first arrived in Yan’an and went to see Mao Zedong.