Letter to Zhou Shizhao [1]
(November 24, 1955)

Brother Beiyuan:

I received your letter quite some time ago. I have carefully read your major work and all the accompanying documents, and I am deeply grateful! As for the calligraphy you requested, I have yet to fulfill your request. I presume you are not in urgent need of it there; might I suggest we wait a bit longer? What do you think? Have you been traveling around lately? It would be best to make several trips each year, even if only for two or three weeks at a time. I recently went out on a short trip myself and found my mind much clearer afterward. When you do go out, do not limit yourself to schools—take the opportunity to see other things as well. We can discuss this further.

Wishing you continued good health in your teaching.
Mao Zedong
November 24, 1955

[1] Zhou Shizhao, with the courtesy name Beiyuan, was at that time the Deputy Director of the Hunan Provincial Department of Education and also the principal of the First Normal School of Hunan Province.

The manuscript of Mao Zedong’s letter to Zhou Shizhao.