line.
Mao Zedong
Letter to Zhang Youcheng
(July 7, 1952)

Source: Shuxin, p. 438.

According to the source, Zhang Youcheng was a friend of Mao's in his youth.

bl
me that] there is a shortage of grain and the hogs are not worth much n one)
Have things improved somewhat in recent months? I have also received all
letters sent to me by members of the Wen family.’ At your convenient
please tell them [that I have received their letters) and convey my reg as
them. It is because of the shortage of grain that there has been a prohibition
[the consumption and manufacturing of] liquor in the villages. After th

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possible to learn much about the conditions in our native village. [You 0

JULY — SEPTEMBER 1952 / 271

tharvest] the ban may be lifted, and you will be able to drink a little.
in responses and with my wishes for your health and safety!
Mao Zedong
July 7, 1952

Notes

1 See text Oct. 15, 1949, note 1, for an explanation of our translation of the term xiong used in

Chinese here.
74 See texts May 7, 1950, and May 12, 1950.