Annotations to the Editor’s Note Attached to the Reprint in Wenyi Bao of “A Brief Discussion on Dream of the Red Chamber and Other Matters”
(October 1954)
Young Communist League members, one twenty-three years old, the other twenty-six.
Ill
They are merely minor figures. Question
[1]
This remark was written beside the byline “Li Xi Fan and Lan Pu” at the end of the article “On ‘A Brief Discussion on Dream of the Red Chamber’ and Other Matters.”
[2]
This sentence was directed against the phrase in Wenyi Bao’s editor’s note: “Its authors are two young people who have just begun to study classical Chinese literature.”

Annotations to the Editor’s Note Attached to the Reprint in Wenyi Bao of “A Brief Discussion on Dream of the Red Chamber and Other Matters”
It is nothing more than an immature trial piece.
Il l
Four
As for the shortcomings of these two young men, we must never be lenient.
A very mature essay, yet it is rashly refuted.
J2J
Five
We should not acknowledge that Yu Pingbo’s views are correct.
The issue is not one of greater depth or thoroughness, but rather of criticizing erroneous ideas.
JJJ
[l]
The editor’s note in Wenyi Bao stated: “They have attempted to offer a critique, from a scientific standpoint, of Mr. Yu Pingbo’s views as presented in his essay ‘A Brief Discussion on Dream of the Red Chamber.’” Mao Zedong drew two vertical lines next to the word “attempted” and wrote this annotation.
[2]
These two remarks were made in response to the sentence in Wenyi Bao’s editor’s note: “The authors’ opinions clearly still lack sufficient thoroughness and comprehensiveness.”
[3]
In its editor’s note, Wenyi Bao remarked on one occasion: “By reprinting this article, we hope to stimulate discussion among all, so that we may gain a deeper and more accurate understanding of this great masterpiece, Dream of the Red Chamber.” On another occasion, it noted: “Only through continued, in-depth research by everyone can our understanding become both deeper and more comprehensive.” Mao Zedong drew two vertical lines and placed a question mark next to the phrases “a deeper and more accurate understanding” and “a deeper and more comprehensive understanding,” adding these two annotations respectively.