Letter to Tian Jiaying [1]
(December 29, 1964)
Comrade Tian Jiaying:
Recently, after reading the biography of Emperor Zhuangzong of Later Tang in the “History of the Five Dynasties,” specifically the account of the Battle of Sanchuigang, I recalled having read in my youth a historical ode, though I have forgotten which dynasty it belonged to and who its author was. Would you be so kind as to look into this matter and let me know? I would greatly appreciate it!
Mao Zedong
December 29th

“San Chuigang”
A Poem:
Heroes rose on horseback from the Shatuo lands; what could be done when the Zhu Liang forces were so mighty?
With but one hand it was hard to sustain the Tang realm; even with fortified cities he still held the mountains and rivers of Jin.
Amidst the changing winds and clouds, where are those extraordinary sons? Before the drums and horns, tears of old age flow abundantly.
On the desolate road by San Chuigang, people to this day sing songs of a hundred years past.
This poem praises Li Keyong [3] and his son.

[1]
Tian Jiaying was at that time the deputy director of the Political Research Office of the CPC Central Committee and Mao Zedong’s secretary.
[2]
The poem “San Chuigang” was written by Yan Suicheng, a poet of the Qing dynasty.
[3]
Li Keyong was a member of the Shatuo tribe during the Tang dynasty and was once enfeoffed as the Prince of Jin. Later, his son Li Cunxu established the Later Tang dynasty, and Li Keyong was posthumously honored as the Great Ancestor.