Li Da was one of the founders of the Chinese Communist Party and a leading Marxist theorist, ranking after Chen Duxiu and Zhang Guotao. In the 1920s, he temporarily left the Party but remained committed to Marxist-Leninist theory. After rejoining the Party in 1949 through Liu Shaoqi’s introduction, he devoted himself to education, serving as President of Wuhan University. At the start of the Cultural Revolution in 1966, he was persecuted and died due to the abuse.

Decades after Mao’s death, he reflected on Li Da’s early support for him and felt guilt over failing to save him during the Cultural Revolution. The Jade Emperor arranged for Li Da’s spirit to meet Mao.

Mao began: “I never expected the Cultural Revolution would lead to your death. I feel deep remorse. You dedicated your life to the revolution, studying Marxist theory, contributing greatly, and committed no error. I failed to save you, and that is my selfishness.”

Li Da recounted: “At the start of the Cultural Revolution in 1966, I was criticized for two months, suffering severe stomach bleeding. In July, I heard you were swimming in Wuhan, and asked my wife to send you a letter for help, but she said you were constantly accompanied, so nothing could be done. I also had my secretary deliver a plea, but nothing happened. In August, during the ten-thousand-person meeting, I collapsed, coughed up blood, and died two days later. Before passing, I told my wife: ‘After this movement ends, we’ll go to Beijing and appeal to Mao.’”

Mao responded: “I bear responsibility for your death. Wang Renmin asked me three times what to do with you. I finally instructed: criticize you on campus, but don’t name you or report it publicly. I specifically told Wang: ‘Do not let Li Da die; take care of him.’ But once the movement began, it spiraled out of control. In 1980, you were posthumously rehabilitated, and in 1996 your ashes were moved from Wuhan to Beijing’s Babaoshan Cemetery.”

Li Da continued: “All my life I supported you and never spoke against you. Historians visiting me only sought factual accounts. I told the truth about the Party’s early days: you weren’t a Party member, only a Communist Youth League member, attending the first congress as a non-voting participant. My statements may have caused some displeasure. I also privately voiced critiques during the Great Leap Forward, opposing ‘peak theory.’”

Mao: “At that time, I had become the red sun of the Party. Your historical accounts were truthful but too frank. In our system, the honest often suffer.”

Li: “I was a straightforward scholar. I studied in Japan from 1913, returned in 1920, stayed at Chen Duxiu’s home to help organize the Communist group. You claimed to be a founder; I clarified the facts, causing you some loss of face. Later, I continued teaching, serving as principal at Hunan University and Wuhan University, always supporting education and theory.”

Mao: “You helped me greatly in the early years, sending works in philosophy, economics, and sociology. I read your sociology ten times—your intellect was invaluable. I invited you to Yan’an, but you stayed teaching in Nationalist areas.”

Li: “I quietly critiqued the Great Leap Forward in 1958. I warned you when you had a fever of 40°C: ‘Don’t overpush people; this could lead to disaster.’ You ignored me then, favoring Lin Biao’s flattery instead.”

Li concluded: “Runzhi, you must truly reflect, rectify all your crimes, and confess to the people.”

Mao perfunctorily replied: “You are right. I must fully repent and seek the Jade Emperor’s forgiveness to escape the Eighteenth Layer of Hell.”

The meeting ended with mutual departures; the conversation was frank, and each spirit returned to its realm.

NEXT: 60. Pan Hannian (1906–1977)