Chapter 28 New People’s Study Society to Self-Study University 1921-1923
(28-30 years old)

Journalist: “How did you later establish the Self-Study University?”

Mao: “It all started around March-April 1921 when Xiao Zisheng returned to Changsha and discussed the plan for the Self-Study University with me. Seizing the opportunity, I quickly brought them together to fulfill my purpose. I proposed to transform the ‘Chuan Shan Study Society’ into the ‘Self-Study University,’ and everyone agreed, with Xiao as the chief planner. Xiao believed that the concept of the Self-Study University was close to an ideal system as it emphasized self-study, resembling the ancient Chinese academies. There were no fixed study hours nor teachers, only a rich collection of reference books and some experimental equipment. The main focus was on organizing student gatherings and discussions.

Xiao also delivered several speeches on this topic, and the response was extremely enthusiastic. He also sought opinions from the academic and educational circles in Beijing and Shanghai, receiving positive feedback. The president of Peking University, Cai Yuanpei, and the master of Chinese studies, Zhang Taiyan, personally wrote beautiful endorsements, expressing their support for the Self-Study University plan. Wu Zhihui also sent a lengthy letter analyzing the feasibility of the Self-Study University. Wu Zhihui was a well-known scholar and reformist.”

Journalist: “Oh, so it was Xiao Zisheng who came up with the idea, and several masters supported it. Where was the Self-Study University located?”

Mao: “The Self-Study University was established at the premises of the Chuan Shan Study Society, located on Zhongshan East Road in Changsha. Originally, it was the shrine of Zeng Guofan, built in 1875. The place was quite spacious. In 1914, the Chuan Shan Study Society was founded in the shrine to study and promote the ideas of Wang Chuan Shan. By 1921, there were already over 50 members of the New People’s Study Society living there, and when Xiao returned to Changsha, he also squeezed in there.

I based on my lecture ‘A Self-Study University’ in 1920 and drafted the ‘Charter of Hunan’s First Self-Study University’ with the approval of Mr. Hu Shih. On August 16, 1921, I published the ‘Organizational Outline of Hunan Self-Study University’ in the Hunan ‘Dagongbao’ newspaper and drafted the ‘Declaration of Establishment of Hunan Self-Study University.’

In September 1921, along with He Shuheng and others, I announced the opening of Hunan Self-Study University. He Minfan, the former president of the Chuan Shan Study Society, became the president, and I served as the dean of academic affairs. By then, Xiao Zisheng had already returned to France, so I organized it based on the needs of the Communist Party. In November 1922, Li Da was invited to serve as the president, and Li Weihan, Xia Minghan, and others studied and taught there. Hunan Self-Study University became a place dedicated to studying and propagating Marxism – Leninism, which was completely different from the expectations of Xiao Zisheng and others.
Journalist: “Oh, with Xiao Zisheng gone to France, you had free rein, and the Self-Study University became a platform for propagating Marxism- Leninism.”

Mao: “That’s right. In November 1923, Hunan Self-Study University was closed down by the Governor of Hunan Province, Zhao Hengti, on the grounds of ‘misleading teachings.’ Subsequently, in November 1923, Li Weihan, He Shuheng, Yi Lirong, Luo Zonghan, and I established the Xiangjiang School in Changsha, Hunan, for the Party. Most of the students from Hunan Self-Study University transferred to the Xiangjiang School.

In 1938, the Chuan Shan Study Society building was destroyed by Wenxi Great Fire (1938 Changsha Great Fire), but it was reconstructed on the original site in 1954. The reconstructed building restored my and He Shuheng’s bedroom, the office of the Hunan Student Union, the Self-Study University Library, and provided information about my experiences at the Self-Study University, as well as photographs and biographies of some individuals who had studied there. In 1964, it was opened for public visits.”