Letter to Zhou Shizhao¹

(March 19, 1951)

Brother Dunyuan²:

Your letter of March 14 has been received, thank you. The letter of January 29 and the signed letter from the students have also been received. Your three plans are very good. Entering the research institute is very meaningful; you can settle your mind and study for a few months. After completing your studies, going to the Northeast and East China for an inspection tour is also excellent. The third plan may encounter some difficulties, but if implemented two or three years later, it might be achievable.

I am staying in the countryside, not ill, solely for recuperation, and will not go into the city for the time being. Let us talk more when we meet.

Wishing you well!

Mao Zedong
March 19

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¹ Zhou Shizhao, courtesy name Dunyuan, was a classmate of Mao Zedong at the Hunan First Normal School. At the time of this letter, he served as the principal of the Hunan First Normal School.

² "Brother Dunyuan" is a translation of 悖元兄, where 兄 denotes a respectful form of address for a male peer or friend, not necessarily a blood relation.