Chapter 53 Letter to Guo Moruo[1]

(November 21, 1944) Mo Ruo brother: Big show read.I don't dare to praise too much, but I should study hard to meet the expectations of my old friends.After breaking up in Wuchang, I was in the work pile all day long and had no chance to study and study, so I feel envious of your achievements.Your "Jiashen Three Hundred Years Ceremony" [2], we treat it as a rectification document.A small victory is pride, a big victory is even more proud, and you suffer losses again and again. How to avoid this kind of problem is really worth noting.It would be very beneficial if you could write an article about the experience of the Taiping Army in a big way; but if you dare not make a formal proposal, I'm afraid it will be too tiring for you.I watched "Before and After Anyway" [3] recently, and it was almost exactly the same as what I experienced in Hunan at that time. It was an immature bourgeois revolution, and that kind of ending was inevitable.The war of resistance against Japan should have matured. The international conditions are very good, and the country depends on our efforts.Although I am conscientious, I am afraid of making mistakes, but I may not know where the mistakes come from; if you see any mistakes and shortcomings, I hope you will let me know at any time.Your historical theories and historical dramas are of great benefit to the Chinese people, only a little is not too much, and your energy will never be wasted. I hope you will continue to work hard.After Comrade Enlai's arrival, we should have learned of the recent situation here, so I will not list them one by one.We all want to meet you, is there any chance?

Wishing you health, happiness and refreshment! Mao Zedong on In Yan'an, November 21, 1944 According to the "Selected Letters of Mao Zedong" published by People's Publishing House in 1983. -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ note [1] Guo Moruo, see note [2] on page 89 of this volume. [2] "Jiashen Three Hundred Years Ceremony" is a famous historical work published by Guo Moruo in Chongqing's "Xinhua Daily" in March 1944.The article describes the process of Li Zicheng's peasant uprising army invading Beijing and overthrowing the Ming Dynasty at the end of the Ming Dynasty. Several leaders were corrupted and sectarian struggles broke out, leading to failure.On April 12, 1944, Mao Zedong said at a senior cadre meeting in Yan'an: "Recently, we have printed Guo Moruo's article on Li Zicheng, and we are also asking comrades to draw lessons from it, so as not to repeat the mistake of being proud of victory."

[3] "Anyway, Before and After" is a work written by Guo Moruo in 1929 reflecting his life experience from 1910 to 1911. It was published by Shanghai Modern Book Company in August 1929. "Anyway", refers to the Revolution of 1911.