[To be] read by Liu, Zhou, and Deng. Send to Comrade Kang Sheng,[2] and discuss with Mr. Zhang. First, publish according to the original plan; second, as suggested by Mr. Zhang, allow one, two, or three years for revision, and then print. One of the two may be chosen.

Mao Zedong
May 17, 1966

[1] *Liu Wen Zhi Yao* (Essentials of Liu Zongyuan’s Writings) is a work by Zhang Shizhao, a member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and Director of the Central Research Institute of Culture and History, devoted to the study of the collected works of the Tang dynasty writer Liu Zongyuan. In 1965, Zhang Shizhao sent the manuscript to Mao Zedong for review. On July 18 of the same year, Mao Zedong replied with his opinions and on August 5 forwarded the manuscript to Kang Sheng for reading. On January 12, 1966, Mao Zedong returned the manuscript, together with Kang Sheng’s opinions and letter, to Zhang Shizhao. On May 10, Zhang Shizhao wrote to Mao Zedong proposing that the publication of *Liu Wen Zhi Yao* be postponed for the time being. In the letter he said: “In recent days I have read detailed reports in various newspapers about the Great Cultural Revolution, and my thinking has unexpectedly been greatly shaken. Upon carefully re-examining my own writing work, I feel that *Liu Wen Zhi Yao*, recently submitted to Zhonghua Book Company for publication, should be withdrawn and re-inspected.” After revision by the author, *Liu Wen Zhi Yao* was published by Zhonghua Book Company in 1971.

[2] Kang Sheng, at that time an alternate member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a secretary of the Central Secretariat.