Chapter 77 Target Wang Shiwei for criticism 1942

Journalist: “Who did you target first when ‘rectifying’ people?”

Mao: “First, I targeted Wang Shiwei. He was a representative of the young writers. Wang Shiwei had translated the works of Engels and Trotsky. On March 13th, Yan’an’s Liberation Daily serialized his essay, ‘Wild Lily Flower.’ As soon as I read it, I took notice. In his writing, Wang Shiwei stated:

‘The youth in Yan’an are somewhat listless and uncomfortable. Why is that? We suffer from malnutrition, we lack vitamins. Life in Yan’an is too monotonous, too dull, lacking entertainment. These points are not without reason. However, the youth in Yan’an are engaged in the revolution with a spirit of sacrifice, not to pursue material satisfaction and happiness. The youth in Yan’an are disappointed with the hierarchical system and the lack of ‘love and warmth’ within the revolutionary ranks. They are often labeled as petit bourgeois egalitarianism. In fact, the Party does exhibit some form of special treatment. They focus only on their own special interests and seem indifferent to the comrades below, regardless of whether their health is good or bad, whether they are sick or even dead. It’s all like a flock of black crows, talking about class solidarity but lacking even a trace of sympathy. There are very few who genuinely care and protect the young cadres.’”

Journalist: “Wang Shiwei said that the youth were disappointed with the party’s hierarchical system and that the party was becoming increasingly privileged?”

Mao: “Yes, as the serialization of ‘Wild Lily Flower’ continued, Wang Shiwei became more outspoken. He said, ‘Some people say, yes, we have a hierarchical system, and it is rational. We are not proponents of egalitarianism. But when clothes are divided into three colors and food into five categories, it may not necessarily be necessary or rational.

If those who are sick cannot even have a sip of noodle soup and young students can only have two meals of thin porridge a day, while on the other hand, some healthy high-ranking individuals enjoy unnecessary and irrational privileges, it makes the lower ranks see them as different. Not only is there a lack of love, but it also creates unease.’”

Journalist: “Wang Shiwei clearly stated that the hierarchical system was irrational. How did you react when you read those words?”

Mao: “When I read those words, I slammed the newspaper on my desk and exclaimed loudly, ‘Is Wang Shiwei in command here, or is it Marx?’ I immediately called the Liberation Daily. The newspaper faced rectification.

When the newspaper stopped publishing, Wang Shiwei began writing even sharper thoughts on the wall newspaper. At that time, I allowed wall newspapers to exist, providing an outlet for young intellectuals and allowing me to monitor the situation. However, wall newspapers had limited readership and were easily erased: blown away by the wind, washed away by the rain, unlike printed materials that could be preserved. Wang Shiwei loudly called on the wall newspaper, ‘The righteous forces within the Party must be brought into play, and the evil forces must be eliminated. ’ ‘We must first examine our own bones. Ask yourself: Are your bones problematic? Do you dare to speak up against the ‘big shots,’ especially your ‘superiors?’ Osteopathy is a form of evil force. We must have the largest and strongest bones.’ I could see that Wang Shiwei was not only opposing the privileged hierarchy but also inciting rebellion.”

Journalist: “Indeed! Wang Shiwei wanted people to uphold righteousness and have strong bones.”

Mao: “Yes, Wang Shiwei’s wall newspaper was pasted on cloth and hung outside the South Gate. People flocked from all directions, in an unending stream, to read those few lines that expressed what they wanted to say but dared not. Wang Shiwei became a hero in everyone’s hearts. One night, holding a lantern, I went to see Wang Shiwei’s wall newspaper. I saw the excited crowd, all eager to read his wall newspaper, paying no attention to me. I felt the immense attraction of Wang Shiwei. He was declaring himself a king, ruling in Yan’an. He became the supreme commander, and we had suffered defeats. I immediately decided to take harsh measures against him.”

Journalist: “Wow, everyone was reading what Wang Shiwei wrote and not paying attention to you. Did you lose your appeal?”

Mao: “Yes, feeling cornered and unable to argue, I had no choice but to accuse Wang Shiwei of being a ‘Trotskyist.’ Wang Shiwei had privately made some comments about Trotsky and Stalin, saying Trotsky was a ‘genius’ and that Stalin was not lovable as a human being. He also mentioned that the Soviet Union’s purge of the party ‘created countless crimes.’ These remarks were taken out of context and used to criticize him. Wang Shiwei was arrested and subjected to severe punishment. He was mentally devastated, like a robot.”

Journalist: “So, you just arrested whoever you wanted, and Wang Shiwei was one of them?”

Mao: “Yes. In 1944, journalists from the Kuomintang-controlled areas came to Yan’an for interviews. Wang Shiwei was brought out to meet the journalists, but what they saw was a robot. Journalist Wei Jingmeng asked him questions, and Wang Shiwei repeated, ‘I am a Trotskyist. I attacked Chairman Mao and should be executed. Chairman Maois magnanimous, and I am infinitely grateful for his mercy.’ Journalist Zhao Chao Gu noticed that his manner of speaking was completely like giving a speech, and when he mentioned his mistakes, his tone became harsh. Wang Shiwei’s words in front of the journalists were all scripted. In 1947, when the Communist Party evacuated from Yan’an, Wang Shiwei was taken to Shanxi and secretly executed along the way. On a dark night, he was hacked to death and thrown into a dry well. He was 41 years old.”

Journalist: “So, Wang Shiwei was killed and thrown into a well like that?”

Mao: “Yes, Kang Sheng carried out the execution. I was in Shaanxi at that time.”