Inscription for the Title of the Magazine *Literary Assault* [1]
of the Cultural Association of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region
(September 17, 1938)
Literary Assault
I have written down a few characters. I wonder if they can be used? [2]
The masthead inscribed by Mao Zedong for *Literary Assault*.

[1] *Literary Assault* was first published in mid-September 1938. Initially, two issues were produced in mimeographed form, after which it was changed to letterpress printing and six issues were published, ceasing in June 1939. This was the earliest literary magazine to emerge in Yan’an, born under Mao Zedong’s support and encouragement. Mao Zedong inscribed its masthead.
[2] Xi Dinghuai wrote a letter to Mao Zedong, requesting that Mao Zedong inscribe the banner heading for the magazine *Literary Assault*. The letter stated: “Everyone’s wish is to ask you to inscribe a banner heading... We hope you will dash it off for us at once.” In his reply, Mao Zedong inscribed the four characters “Wen Yi Tu Ji” (Literary Assault) and said: “I have written down a few characters. I wonder if they can be used?”