Comrade Xiao Jun:

I have received and read both of your letters, and the books you asked for have
been sent. Because I have had little contact with you in the past and do not know
you well, there are certain things I have wanted to say to you, but then again I was
afraid that, if my words went deeper than our friendship warrants, they would do
you no good or even give rise to hard feelings, so I refrained from saying them at
the time. There are very many bad things going on in Yan'an, and the ones you
mentioned to me all merit attention and should all be corrected. But I would advise
you at the same time to pay attention to certain of your own shortcomings, to
refrain from thinking in absolute terms, to be patient, to take care of your relationships with others, and to force yourself deliberately to examine your own weaknesses. This is the only way to have a future and to "settle down and get on with
one's life." Otherwise you will never be at ease, and that involves great suffering.
You are an extremely frank and straightforward person, and I feel at ease with you,
which is why I have made these suggestions. If you agree, I should like to talk with
you again. Respectfully wishing you all the best!