Letter to Peng Shilin
(March 31, 1954)

Source: Shuxin, pp. 479-480,

According to the source, Peng is a native of Xiangtan xian, Hunan Pravine t
native xian, During the periud of the “Great Revolution” (1925-1927, a kth
Revolutionary Civil War period), Peng was principal of the Women's Voedt
of Qingxi xiang, Xiangtan xian, and gave Mao assistance when Mao way
in revolutionary activities in this area.

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ql ink

r. Shilin:

I have read with respect your letter of March 9, 1954. Since you have
excosted Your matter (0 my friend Mao Yizhu,' my intervention should no
jonge De needed. In general I am a bit reluctant to express my thoughts and
feelings 0" behalf of the friends of my native village and my relatives in rec-

tion letters; occasionally I do it, but that is extremely rare. When

_ Li Shuging and my friend Wen Yunchang’ asked me [for recommendapons}, | had to turn them down. They resolved their problem by finding some-

jelse] to entrust the matters with. I know that you are encountering some
financial difficulties, and you can tell me about them. It would not be difficult
for me to give you some further assistance in the area of [living] expenses, I
hope you will, however, forgive me for my [unsatisfying] response.

My regards.

Mao Zedong
March 31, 1954

Notes

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