Chapter 19 The “Study and Work Movement in France 1918-1919

Mao: “About a week after the gathering, Xiao received a reply from Yang Huaizhong (“Old Master” Yang) on a personal postcard. Yang was fond of writing postcards, and his message was brief. He said, ‘Received your letter yesterday, and today I visited President Cai Jieming (Cai Jieming Chinese style Aka of Cai Yuanpei). Cai is the president of the ‘Huafa Education Association,’ and the ‘Frugal Study Association’ has been formed as part of the study and work program in France. If you wish to go to France for study and work, your wish will be fulfilled.’ Xiao was overjoyed and immediately sought me out. I, too, was ecstatic and felt elated after seeing the postcard. Then, Xiao went across the river to meet with Cai Hesen. When Cai saw the postcard, he exclaimed, ‘The plan is successful!’ Cai Hesen’s wife, Xiang Jingyu, also decided to go to France.”

Journalist: “Having the assistance of Yang Changji was crucial, right?”

Mao: “Indeed. The next day, during the meeting, everyone saw the postcard from Yang Huai Zhong. It was like winning the lottery, and everyone started dreaming of going to France. Suddenly, everyone could afford to visit the capital! Xiao said, ‘Our first step is to go to Beiping (now Beijing) to meet with Yang Huai Zhong and President Cai Jieming. We will leave for Beiping next week. Is there anyone willing to go together? Who needs train fare? Since only Xiao has a stable income from teaching, Cai Hesen, and I are eager to go to Beiping, but Xiao is concerned that we might not be able to afford the train fare.’”

Journalist: “So Xiao was willing to cover the train fare to Beijing?”

Mao: “Yes. Before Yang Huai Zhong went to teach in Beiping, his influence was subtle. It was not only due to his lectures and discussions, but also because he had previously studied abroad, which subconsciously made us consider the possibility of going abroad. He had taught in Changsha for six years and was ultimately hired as a professor at “Beida” (Peking University). We also wanted to follow in his footsteps. Without his help, how could we have realized our plans?
In the late July or early August of 1918, the ten of us went to Beiping.

Xiao Zisheng, Xiong Guangzu, Zhang Kundi, and I were among the first group to arrive. Mr. Yang Huai Zhong warmly allowed us to stay at his house until later when we rented a small house with two rooms near Peking University in Sanyanjing Hutong.”

Journalist: “Oh, you initially stayed at Mr. Yang’s house and later rented a small house.”

Mao: “Yes. We used one room in the house for studying and the other room for sleeping. The sleeping area was a long-heated brick bed, where we slept together to keep warm, while we didn’t light a fire underneath. There was only a small stove in the room for cooking. Beijing’s winters were extremely cold, and the seven of us had only one coat. When the temperature dropped significantly, we took turns wearing it when going outside. By the end of the year, the number of coats increased from one to three, but I never managed to get one for myself.”

Journalist: “Having only one coat for seven people must have been tough!”

Mao: “Indeed. Mr. Cai Jieming, the President of Peking University, was granted the title of Hanlin (Highest ranked scholar) by the emperor. He had also studied philosophy in Germany and participated in the revolution upon returning to China. After the establishment of the Republic of China, he became the first Minister of Education. Later, he went abroad to study education in France. Upon his return, he was appointed as the President of the National Peking University.

After visiting President Cai, Xiao went to meet with Secretary-General Li Yuying with the introduction letter given by President Cai. He explained our plan to study in France, and Mr. Li showed great concern for us. He advised us to save some money before going to France because the cost of living in France was higher than in Japan. He emphasized the importance of learning to live frugally. Over 100 people had already gone to France, and the results were quite successful. Li also said, ‘Hunan people are known for their diligence and hard work. It would be best for you to start learning French and acquire some skills, such as painting or general craftsmanship. The Great War will soon come to an end, and when that happens, you can embark on your journey. If you follow the plan step by step, you will undoubtedly achieve great success.”

Journalist: “So, that’s how you received specific guidance on how to go to France?”

Mao: “Yes. When Xiao returned, he faithfully conveyed everything Mr.

Li Yuying had said to everyone. Mr. Li’s optimistic views greatly excited us. He was astute and thoughtful. Unlike President Cai Jieming, who embodied the traditional Chinese gentleman, Mr. Li Yuying was a Chinese who had studied abroad for a long time. President Cai was like a university professor, while Mr. Li was more like a revolutionary. Mr. Li advocated freedom of thought and the concept of Great Unity, and we agreed with his principles.

After that, Xiao Zisheng, Cai Hesen, and Xiong Guangzu immediately arranged courses for learning French and acquiring practical skills, expecting all members of the New People’s Study Society to attend.”

Journalist: “So, you began learning French, acquiring skills, and making concrete preparations.”

Mao: “Yes. One day, Cai Hesen, Xiao Zisheng, and I discussed our grand plan. Xiao said, ‘The Great War will soon come to an end, and France will emerge victorious. They will embark on massive reconstruction efforts, and there will be a shortage of labor. The members of our New People’s Study Society will be encouraged and will go to France to study. Just think about how many students are eagerly hoping to go abroad, but they lack the funds to do so. With the work-study program, they can make it happen. One thousand, ten thousand people can go. In the future, when they bring back the knowledge they have acquired, it will greatly benefit China.’ Cai Hesen also excitedly said, ‘Yes, let’s do our best to promote our movement so that more people can go to France!’”

Journalist: “Xiao had ambitious aspirations, indeed!”

Mao: “Yes, at that time we all listened to him. Before departing for France, there were two important issues that still needed to be resolved. First, the travel expenses to France had to be greatly reduced. Second, upon arrival in France, students would need money for accommodation and living expenses until they found employment, and we would rely on assistance from the ‘Huafa Education Association.’ President Cai Jieming and Mr. Li Yuying had several lengthy discussions with Xiao Zisheng and carefully considered the matter. Finally, the French steamship company agreed to offer us a special discounted rate, placing us in the fourth-class category, with a fee of only 100 Chinese dollars (while the regular third-class fare was over 300 dollars). After arriving in France, the ‘Huafa Education Association’ took care of us, arranging for students to enroll in French-language schools and assisting in finding suitable jobs. The Association covered the students’ expenses and enrollment fees.

With these assurances, we intensified our efforts. Initially, there were only 40 students in the French preparatory class, but soon the second and third classes were opened successively, and the number of students exceeded 400.”

Journalist: “Your plan developed rapidly! In a short period, you went from 40 students to 400.”

Mao: “Yes! In November 1918, the First World War came to an end, and we all had the idea that it wouldn’t be long before we boarded the ship to France! Xiao Zisheng was appointed as the secretary of the ‘Huafa Education Association,’ responsible for handling the work-study affairs. In early 1919, Xiao and Mr. Li Yuying traveled to Shanghai together and then proceeded to Paris.

The domestic work-study program made excellent progress, and within a year, over 2,000 students had arrived in France. Hunan performed the best with over 500 students, followed by Sichuan and Guangdong with approximately 300 students each. Jiangsu and Zhejiang had around 200 students each. Other provinces had fewer numbers. These students were assigned to schools throughout France and most of them found jobs in factories. Among them, about 20 individuals became key leaders in my future administration, such as Zhou Enlai, Li Weihan, Li Fuchun, Li Lisan, Chen Yi, Nuo Shushi, Xu Teli, and Cai Chang, among others. Many of them, after returning to China, took up important positions as government ministers, diplomats, local officials, university professors, artists, and industrial leaders.”

Journalist: “Your achievements and contributions are truly significant.”