Letter to Zhou Xiaozhou[1]
(August 1, 1959)

Deliver to Comrade Zhou Xiaozhou:

"To realize one's errors and turn back from the wrong path is what past sages approved; to return from not having gone far is what former codes esteemed"—these lines are from Qiu Chi's Letter to Chen Bozhi[2]. This letter may be read as a classical literary work. "Zhu Wei[3] shed blood against a brotherly friend, Zhang Xiu[4] turned his blade against a beloved son; the Han sovereign did not hold this as a grievance (suspicion), the Wei ruler treated them as if they were old friends"—two stories, the annotations can be consulted.

Mao Zedong
August 1st, 10 p.m.

[1] Zhou Xiaozhou, then alternate member of the CPC Central Committee and First Secretary of the Hunan Provincial Party Committee. In August 1959, at the Eighth Plenary Session of the Eighth CPC Central Committee, he was erroneously designated a member of the so-called "Peng Dehuai, Huang Kecheng, Zhang Wentian, Zhou Xiaozhou Anti-Party Clique." The "Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party Since the Founding of the People's Republic of China," adopted by the Sixth Plenary Session of the Eleventh CPC Central Committee on June 27, 1981, pointed out: "The resolution of the Eighth Plenary Session of the Eighth Central Committee concerning the so-called 'Peng Dehuai, Huang Kecheng, Zhang Wentian, Zhou Xiaozhou Anti-Party Clique' was completely erroneous."

[2] Qiu Chi, a man of the Liang dynasty in the Southern Dynasties, held office up to Attendant Gentleman of the Department of State Affairs. Skilled in poetry, rhapsodies, and prose, he once wrote "Letter to Chen Bozhi." Chen Bozhi, a man of the Liang dynasty in the Southern Dynasties, once served as General Pacifying the South for the Northern Wei. When Liang launched a northern expedition, Qiu Chi wrote to urge Chen to return to Liang. Chen later held office up to Gentleman Cavalier Attendant for Unrestricted Consultation.

[3] Zhu Wei, a man of the early Eastern Han. After Liu Xuan declared himself emperor, he was appointed Grand Marshal. He once advised Liu Xuan to kill Liu Xiu's eldest brother Liu Yan. After Liu Xiu declared himself emperor, he surrendered and held office up to Superintendent of the Lesser Treasury.

[4] Zhang Xiu, a subordinate general of Dong Zhuo during the Three Kingdoms period. Later he surrendered to Cao Cao, but soon rebelled and attacked Cao Cao again. Cao's army was defeated, and his eldest son Cao Ang died in the battle. When Cao Cao campaigned against Yuan Shao, Zhang Xiu surrendered once more, rendered meritorious service in the fierce fighting at Guandu, and was appointed General Who Destroys the Qiang.

Letter to Zhou Xiaozhou
If Kecheng[1] is interested, it may be given to him to read.

[1] Kecheng, i.e., Huang Kecheng, then Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, Secretary-General of the Central Military Commission, Chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army, and Vice Minister of National Defense. In August 1959, at the Eighth Plenary Session of the Eighth CPC Central Committee, he was erroneously designated a member of the so-called "Peng Dehuai, Huang Kecheng, Zhang Wentian, Zhou Xiaozhou Anti-Party Clique." The "Resolution on Certain Questions in the History of Our Party Since the Founding of the People's Republic of China," adopted by the Sixth Plenary Session of the Eleventh CPC Central Committee on June 27, 1981, pointed out: "The resolution of the Eighth Plenary Session of the Eighth Central Committee concerning the so-called 'Peng Dehuai, Huang Kecheng, Zhang Wentian, Zhou Xiaozhou Anti-Party Clique' was completely erroneous."