Comrade Tian Jiaying:

(1) The article *Investigation Work*[2] — please send one copy each to Chen Boda and Hu Qiaomu[3], with a note stating that I have asked them to make revisions (both in wording and in content).

(2) I have informed Chen and Hu that, like you, each of them is to lead an investigation group, making three groups in total. Each group shall have six members, plus the group leader, making seven people per group. The group leaders shall be Chen, Hu, and Tian. The groups are to be formed within today, tomorrow, and the day after. Every member must be of a high professional level; those of a low level are not to be included. Each person is to be issued one copy of *Investigation Work* (spring 1930 edition) for discussion.

(3) You are to go to Zhejiang, Hu to Hunan, and Chen to Guangdong. The task is to conduct rural investigations. The six group members are to be divided into two subgroups, with one person serving as subgroup leader and two as members. Chen, Hu, and you shall serve as the overall group leaders. One subgroup (three people) shall investigate the poorest production brigade, and the other subgroup shall investigate the best production brigade. Middle-ranking brigades are not to be investigated. The duration shall be ten to fifteen days. Afterward, proceed to Guangdong, where the three groups shall go together to meet with me and report to me. Then, move into Guangzhou city to conduct industrial investigations, which will require another month, making a total of two months including the previous period. All are to spend the Spring Festival in Guangdong.

Mao Zedong
4:00 p.m., January 20

This letter is to be shown to all twenty-one members of the three groups for discussion — this is of the utmost importance!!!
Mao Zedong, postscript

Manuscript of Mao Zedong’s letter to Tian Jiaying.