Letter to Zhang Shushi1
(November 18, 1947)
Comrade Shushi:
I received your letter of October 17. Legal work is a branch of the Central
Committee’s newly established leadership work. You and several other comrades
are making great efforts with it, and this cannot be regarded as “idly staying at
home.” In the future, when the situation has developed further, it will be necessary
to go outside and work. Now, however, we are amid an intense war and it does
not yet seem the right time for older people to go out. Because law is rooted in
human sensibilities, it is essential to collect concrete data on each of the Liberated
Areas. Regarding my opinion on the draft constitution, I have asked comrades
Wang [Ming] and Xie [Juezai]2 to convey it to you, so I will avoid repetition. I am
in very good shape—thank you for asking. I hope you will take very good care of
yourself in this cold weather. I respectfully await your reply.
Wishing you the very best!
Mao Zedong
Our source for this letter is Mao Zedong shuxin xuanji, p. 292, where it is reproduced
from the original copy preserved in the Central Archives.

--- Notes

1.  Zhang Shushi (1884–1971, born in Suining, Jiangsu) was a member of the Legal
Committee of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.

2.  Wang Ming, born Chen Shaoyu (1904–1974, native of Anhui) was director of the
Central Committee’s Legal Committee. Xie Juezai (1884–1971, born in Ningxiang, Hunan)
was one of the people in charge of the Legal Committee.
DOI:  10.4324/9781315719436-54