Letter Regarding Assistance to Elderly Figures in Hunan’s Education Circle to Wang Shudao〔1〕 (October 11, 1950) Comrade Shudao: Messrs. Zhang Cilun and Luo Yuankun are senior figures in Hunan’s education community, both now in their seventies. Throughout their lives they have dedicated themselves to teaching and have never done anything wrong. When I studied at Hunan No. 1 Normal School, Mr. Zhang was the principal and Mr. Luo taught history. I have learned that both gentlemen have large families and are living in extreme poverty. I propose that the Hunan Provincial Government grant each of them a monthly stipend of a certain amount of rice to help support their old age. Furthermore, according to a letter from Mr. Luo Yuankun, Mr. Yuan Zhongqian, who once taught me Chinese literature, has passed away, and his seventy-year-old wife is reportedly starving. I also request that the provincial government provide some assistance to her. Please consider these three cases—Zhang, Luo, and Dai—and let me know how you plan to handle them. In addition, please send someone to offer words of comfort to Messrs. Zhang and Luo. Both Zhang and Luo can be reached through Miaogao Peak Middle School. As for Mr. Dai, he resides in Xinhua; you can inquire about him from Mr. Luo. With best regards! Mao Zedong October 11 Based on the manuscript for publication. Included in Selected Letters of Mao Zedong. Notes 〔1〕 Wang Shudao, who at that time served as Chairman of the Hunan Provincial People’s Government.