Chapter 35 Xiao Zisheng defends Mao 1926

Journalist: “You parted ways with Xiao Zisheng in 1921. Did you have any contact with him afterward?”

Mao: “Not really. But later on, I found out that he defended me in front of Yang Du. You know, Yang Du and Liang Qichao were of the same generation, 18 years older than me. They were both distinguished figures from Xiangtan, and people said we were the two great figures from Hunan— one advocating constitutional monarchy and the other following the path of the Russian Revolution, two extremes. Yang Du was highly talented, proud, and extraordinary. He had a strong sense of concern for the nation and based on Liang Qichao’s ‘Song of Young China,’ he composed the ‘Song of Young Hunan’:

‘If our great nation is to perish, it shall only be when the people of Hunan all die.’

His ambition deeply inspired me and had a significant impact on me. Yang Du was an elder statesman through four regimes, adapting to the changing times. Whether it was during the Qing Dynasty, Yuan Shikai’s rule, the Kuomintang, or the Communist Party, he maintained good relations. He had keen insights into political figures and became famous for writing elegiac couplets for them. His elegiac couplet for Sun Yat-sen was: ‘A hero accomplishes great things with unwavering determination. With a single-minded focus, they can change the world, they can achieve greatness.

Throughout history, success is often born out of countless setbacks, with tears shed for both the people and the nation.’”

Throughout Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary journey, full of hardships and the suffering of the people, he embodied the scars of the nation. The last line of the couplet means ‘Half crying for the people, half crying for the public.’ Isn’t that an accurate depiction of Sun Yat-sen’s path? Yang Du’s elegiac couplet is thought-provoking.”

Journalist: “Indeed, Yang Du was a remarkable talent!”

Mao: “After Yang Du’s failed support for Yuan Shikai’s attempt to become emperor, he joined the Kuomintang. In 1926, he joined the Beijing government as the Minister of Education. My best friend, Xiao Zisheng, was invited by him to work at the Ministry of Education. Xiao had several private conversations with Yang Du, and during one of those talks, they specifically discussed me. At that time, I had a poor reputation in society, and newspaper articles about me were mostly negative. Yang Du had never met me, so his impression of me was quite negative. I learned about this conversation from Xiao. In front of Yang Du, Xiao defended me honestly, which moved me.”

Journalist: “How did Xiao Zisheng defend you?”

Mao: “One day, while talking with Xiao, Yang Du warned him about his precarious situation. Yang Du said, ‘Zisheng, you are in a dangerous situation, better be careful. People say you have Communist tendencies, and some even claim that you are a spy for the Communist Party. It’s because your conversations always tend to be radical, and I’ve heard that you often praise Communist Party students. But the main reason is that you are Mao Zedong’s close friend, and I constantly hear you speaking positively about him. It’s as if you’re constantly endorsing him.’ Xiao defended himself, saying, ‘It’s true that Mao Zedong is my best friend, but I will never become a member of the Communist Party.’

Then Yang Du said, ‘But, my friend, how could you have such a good friend? I’ve heard that he lacks any sense of human compassion!’

Xiao defended himself, saying, ‘We were classmates, and he was willing to get close to me. We both enjoyed discussing things, and over time, naturally, we became very close friends. I admit that Mao Zedong sometimes displayed a potential for ruthlessness, but it cannot be said that he lacks all emotions and human compassion.’

Yang Du continued, ‘I read in the newspapers that he wanted to kill his father.’

Xiao countered, ‘Mao Zedong didn’t have a good relationship with his father, that’s true. But he had no reason to kill him.’

Yang Du then asked, ‘I also heard that his academic performance in school was poor. Is that true?’

Xiao recounted, ‘Overall, his academic performance wasn’t great, but he excelled in Chinese language and literature, and his grasp of history was also good.’

Yang Du further inquired, ‘Can he write articles? How is his handwriting?

Xiao said, ‘In school, composition was always his strongest subject, but his handwriting was very poor. He seemed to struggle with the art of calligraphy. His characters were always written big and quite messy.

Yang Du pressed on, ‘Does he have a solid foundation in classical literature and philosophy?’

Xiao replied, ‘Not necessarily. He hasn’t read many classical works, and he’s never been willing to study books in depth. But he’s adept at discussing issues and can write lengthy and hollow articles, which is a common practice among many scholars.’

Yang Du sighed in relief and said, ‘This is the first time I’ve heard someone speak positively about Mao Zedong. However, you must not spread such words indiscriminately, as it could be extremely dangerous and increase suspicions that you are a Communist Party suspect.’

Xiao earnestly replied, ‘Thank you for your advice. I know I won’t casually speak to anyone, but if the situation arises where I have no choice, I won’t lie either!’”

Journalist: “Listening to this, Xiao Zisheng really took risks to speak so fairly for you.”

Mao replied, “Yes, it’s not easy. Yang Du sincerely said to Xiao, ‘As the ancients said, calamity comes from the mouth. In this day and age, it’s best to speak less. Of course, between you and me, we can talk about anything.’ He then asked, ‘tell me, what your view on this Mao Zedong guy is? Does he have any real abilities, knowledge, talent, or potential?’

Xiao said, ‘That’s a difficult question to answer. From what I know, firstly, Mao Zedong is willing to put in the effort and meticulously plan anything he engages in. He is an outstanding strategist and organizer. Secondly, he has an exceptional accuracy in assessing the strength of the enemy. Thirdly, he can hypnotize his audience. He truly has astonishing persuasive power, and few people can remain unaffected by his words. If you agree with his views, you’re his friend; otherwise, you’re his enemy. It’s as simple as that. I have known him to be such a person for a long time. If you say he has talent, then he is a genius. Zhang Xianzhong and Li Zicheng, the two rebel leaders, had a similar talent. Liu Bang and Liu Xiu, the two emperors of the Han Dynasty, were also successful individuals. However, if their luck had been slightly worse, they would have become bandits. You expressed this idea very clearly in a poem mourning Yuan Shikai: ‘Success is like a king; failure is just an ordinary person.’ From ancient times, people have held the view that heroes always like to interfere in other people’s affairs. Heroes are the madmen of the world. They are always the root of chaos. If there were no madmen, the world would be peaceful.’”

Journalist: “Mr. Xiao’s words are excellent, so accurate.”

Mao: “Later, when I read Xiao’s memoirs recounting his conversation with Yang Du, I felt that he was honest, stating things as they were, without exaggeration or concealment. In 1929, Yang Du became a Communist Party member, introduced by Zhou Enlai, and he maintained direct contact with Zhou. Yang Du died prematurely at a young age, passing away in Shanghai in 1931 at the age of 56. He composed his own epitaph:

‘The emperor’s rule of wisdom is now a thing of the past to heal the people and save the country, successors will emerge.’”

Journalist: “It seems that Yang Du is not such an arrogant person after all.”