(October 29, 1954)
To Brothers Zicai and Tianmin:
Your letter of October 15 has been received.
I am sending one million yuan—121—in Renminbi
to help cover daily expenses. Should you encounter further difficulties in the future,
I will still do my best to assist. Please do not come to Beijing; it would save you the trouble
of traveling back and forth. Wishing you both good health.
Mao Zedong
October 29, 1954
Sichuan
Guo Zicai studied with Mao Zedong at the Jingwanzi Private School during their childhood
and later joined the New Army together in Changsha. After the founding of the People’s Republic,
he served as an accountant at the Jianzhong Bristle Factory in Xiangtan. Liu Tianmin, Guo Zicai’s wife,
took part in revolutionary activities under the influence of Mao Zedong and Yang Kaihui during the Great
Revolutionary Period. Following liberation, she devoted many years to primary education and was a member
of the Xiangtan Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
[2] The amount mentioned here is calculated in the Renminbi then in circulation. According to the exchange rate
for the new Renminbi issued by the People’s Bank of China starting March 1955, this sum is equivalent to 300 yuan
(new currency: 1 yuan equals 10,000 old yuan).