Comrades Lin Ke, Gao Zhi, Zilong, Li Yinqiao, Wang Jingxian, Xiao Feng, and Wang Dongxing—all seven of you, read this carefully. Except for Wang Dongxing, the six of you are to go down, not to Shandong, but instead to the Xinyang Prefecture.[^1] Conditions there are beginning to improve, and with relief grain available, it should be better for your health. I have prepared a medical kit for each of you, and I will have my head nurse give you a briefing on how to use the medicines. The climate in the Huai River basin is warmer, better than Shandong. On January 2, go to Beijing for a two-week training course to ensure you are fully mentally prepared. Comrade Wang Dongxing is asked to make the preparations. If you are very hungry, I will send you some beef and mutton.

Mao Zedong
December 26, my birthday. Next year I will be 67 years old—old, while you have great prospects ahead.

[^1]: Lin Ke was then serving as a secretary in Mao Zedong’s office. Gao Zhi was then serving as Mao Zedong’s confidential secretary. Zilong, namely Ye Zilong, was then serving as director of the Confidential Office of the General Office of the Central Committee of the CPC and as Mao Zedong’s secretary. Li Yinqiao was then serving as Mao Zedong’s chief bodyguard. Wang Jingxian was then serving as deputy director of the Security Bureau of the General Office of the Central Committee of the CPC. Xiao Feng refers to Feng Yaosong, who was then a bodyguard of Mao Zedong. Wang Dongxing was then serving as director of the Security Bureau of the General Office of the Central Committee of the CPC.
[^2]: Later, the Henan Provincial Committee of the CPC arranged for Lin Ke and the other five to go to the Xuchang Prefecture.