One day, Mao Zedong’s spirit recalled three elder intellectuals he had criticized in the 1950s: Liang Shuming, Ma Yinchu, and Hu Shi. Liang Shuming, a contemporary Confucian and practitioner of the New Rural Reconstruction Movement, had openly voiced peasants’ grievances and was subsequently sidelined. Ma Yinchu, China’s leading economist, had advocated population control and the New Population Theory, but was criticized and marginalized. Hu Shi, leader of the New Culture Movement, was notably absent from national criticism campaigns. Mao reflected that these masters deeply understood him, and he wished to meet them to curry favor before the Jade Emperor’s tribunal.

The three spirits were summoned to meet Mao in the afterlife.

Mao addressed Ma Yinchu: “Ma Lao, the criticism of your population theory was unjust. Your position was correct. During the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution, China’s population soared while production collapsed, leaving people impoverished.”

Liang Shuming interjected: “Hu Yaobang, when reviewing Ma Yinchu’s case during the rehabilitation process, said: ‘Had we listened to Ma Yinchu then, China would not have exceeded a billion people. One wrongful criticism added hundreds of millions.’ He concluded that the Party should vow never again to persecute scientists or intellectuals.”

Mao acknowledged: “Hu Yaobang is right. The lesson is profound. Honestly, I was wavering on population policy, not consistently opposed to family planning. In February 1957, at the 11th Supreme State Council meeting, you again advocated controlling population, emphasizing that socialism, as a planned economy, must include population in its planning. I praised you then. The Central Committee initially prepared to implement family planning in early 1957. But at the September 1957 Comintern conference in Moscow, I spoke of nuclear war and potential mass deaths. Suddenly, having a large population seemed advantageous for revolution. Back in China, I suppressed family planning initiatives, postponing action. In July 1958, during the Great Leap Forward, Shao Lizi advised me to support contraception. I initially dismissed it, believing overpopulation not yet critical, but by then, my thinking solidified: even over a billion people was manageable, and population policies should shift accordingly.”

Ma recounted: “After the 1959 Lushan Conference, a new wave of anti-rightist campaigns began. Premier Zhou Enlai specifically advised me not to be obstinate and to issue a self-criticism. I took it seriously, reviewing my New Population Theory thoroughly, finding no error. I wrote over 50,000 words rebutting critiques. But Chen Boda, at Peking University’s 60th anniversary, named me to do a self-criticism, while Kang Sheng convened a press meeting to plan my denunciation. Accusations included opposition to land reform and sympathizing with rightists. The criticism drove my blood pressure to 190; I was hospitalized and resigned as university president. Though I lost my post, my living and political status remained; I still held nominal committee roles. In 1962, while inspecting Sheng County, I fell ill with pneumonia, leaving me immobile in both legs. By 1965, one leg was paralyzed. In 1972, I underwent rectal cancer surgery approved by Premier Zhou Enlai; afterward, my lower body was entirely paralyzed.”

Mao asked: “During the Cultural Revolution, did you face persecution?”

Ma replied: “Thanks to your intervention, I was listed among protected individuals. Though some neighbors like Zhang Zhizhong and Shao Lizi were targeted, I was spared. One night, twenty Red Guards mistakenly came to my house but left when they realized the error. After that, I destroyed letters, calligraphy, and even my million-word manuscript Agricultural Book. Subsequently, local authorities informed me that Premier Zhou had instructed protection of my residence, and no one could intrude. Thus, I avoided major disruption during the Cultural Revolution.”

Mao asked about rehabilitation: “When were you officially vindicated? Any remaining issues?”

Ma explained: “In 1979, the United Front Work Department notified me that both pre-1958 and post-1959 criticisms were wrong. The Party restored my reputation, recognizing my advocacy for controlled population as correct. I was pleased, noting that the population had grown far beyond what it should have been, emphasizing the need for production development. I was named honorary president of Peking University in September 1979, and in 1981, the Chinese Population Society elected me honorary president.”

Mao reflected: “This is a fitting resolution. You had already reached ninety, living to a full century. I understand you earned doctorates in economics and philosophy in 1914 in the U.S., and your dissertation The Finances of New York City was used as a Columbia University textbook. Your lifelong scholarship has been continuous.”

Ma Yinchu smiled, joined by applause from the other elders. Mao considered his outreach to Ma successful, having partially regained moral standing in the eyes of these respected intellectuals.

NEXT: 76. Liang Shuming (1893–1988)