Day: September 25, 2023

Readers, I need not lecture you on the intricacies of the ongoing war. It seems every day we hear of another crime committed, another battle lost in a war with seemingly no end. The Japanese invasion of China, which initially signaled a decisive Japanese victory with vast early gains, has ground to a halt in terms of territorial gain. At this point, it’s tit for tat, man for man, with the greatest victim being the Chinese people. Millions are dead, and for what? Confidence in the government of Chiang Kai-shek has never been worse, rampant corruption is the worst-kept secret in the nation, and to top it off he retreated in humiliation from the Republic’s capital, leaving the city to the brutal onslaught of Japanese troops. The Republic has continuously shown an inability to care for the needs of the public, drowning possibly hundreds of thousands of civilians in the name of tactical advantage. It is no wonder people have flocked, in droves I might add, to the Chinese Communist Party in Yan’an, as well as their various splinter cells across the frontlines. 

The Yan’an Soviet, as many have called it, is a result of the “Long March” led by Chairman Mao Zedong, so remote as to keep the prying eyes of the Nationalist government far away, using the mountainous geography as a means of defense and isolation. I have undertaken the trek to this remote place in order to report back to you, dear readers, so that you may understand the appeal of the Soviet, as well as the not-so-savory aspects. I visited the Jiangxi Soviet, the predecessor to the Yan’an Soviet, a number of years ago as well, in a journalistic capacity, and I was intent on seeing what has changed in the interim. 

Mao is leading a wartime government, I cannot mince words when describing the purpose of this government. The full force of the Soviet is pointed towards the Japanese incursion, the economy is entirely directed towards supporting the wider war effort, and every man, woman, and child seems to have a “nationalistic fervor” if you will. Although in Jiangxi the Soviet was largely characterized by constant Nationalist attempts at their destruction, eventually leading to their expulsion, Yan’an seems to have taken somewhat of a step back from that rivalry. A great many people still prefer Mao to Chiang, evidenced by the mass immigration, however, you don’t hear the same anti-Nationalist rhetoric present all those years ago. Here and now it is about expelling the Japanese. Mao is said to have said something to the effect “There can be no communist experiment without a China in which to implement it.”  People are extremely receptive to this view, focused on a patriotic fervor, centered on the identity of the “Chinese people” fighting off imperialist invaders. While the Nationalist government isn’t entirely opposed to this kind of view Chiang is seen by the people to be something of an imperialist-sympathizer. He resisted any cooperation with the CCP until his hand was forced by his generals, a compromise only found after the Generalissimo was kidnapped and brought to the negotiating table. The people are aware of his fascist sympathies and tendencies, receiving extensive assistance and aid from Nazi Germany, who we are now at war with, as late as 1937. Japan, although an enemy of Chiang’s government, was not as high of a priority as he should have been, instead quarreling with the communists at the most inopportune of times. It has even been whispered, although concrete evidence is scarce, that Chiang’s government continues to withhold troops from the frontlines in preparation for an attack on the communists, possibly before the Japanese are even driven away.

Although the communists seem to be the preferable alternative I hesitate to even remotely describe them as a “utopia”, or even approaching such a distinction, which is often the image they try to convey. Mao Zedong, although beloved by a great many people, has shown tendencies reminiscent of an authoritarian, intent on personal rule. Mao Zedong Thought, also known as Maoism, serves as the centerpiece of the Party’s ideology, entirely derived from Mao’s own thoughts and writings in the past few decades. In its ideal form Maoism advocates for Agrarian revolution, the redistribution of wealth to the masses, and the overthrow of imperialist powers. The democratic power of the people is brought up by many, used as a centerpiece justification, a mandate if you will, of continued Communist rule. In practice, if you don’t align with Maoist thought you are purged from any position of authority, and your discourse will not be heard at any level. The Russian-backed intellectualism that characterized the Chinese communists of the 1920s and 1930s, those whom I often found myself surrounded by, have been cast aside entirely. The rectification campaign, as many have described it, seeks to push orthodox Marxism out of the picture. This is Mao’s movement, thus his name is on the “cover”. Although one could understand this in the light of adjusting traditional socialist thought in the face of a foreign situation, China is by no means the industrial European superpower Marx had in mind when describing the revolution of the proletariat, the policy in practice would seem to suggest a more sinister intention. The party has used this opportunity to castigate, and sometimes execute, anyone who does not fall into the CCP-directed mold. If the ideology of a party is derived from a single man, and that man has also instilled mortal fear in the minds of any possible dissenters, someone could reasonably call that a tyrannical rule. All keys to power descend from this single man, he dictates the society as a whole. And, yet, people still by-in-large approve of the Chairman’s Actions. This is wartime, after all, a heavy-handed approach is sometimes necessary to outlast a dire and uncertain situation. However, I would pose the question, where does this lead? The growth of Communists could conservatively be described as “exponential”, the Nationalist Party seems to be waning by the day. A peaceable solution in the aftermath of a Japanese defeat seems almost impossible considering pre-war relations, as well as fundamental ideological differences. Chiang’s government does have the support of foreign governments, the United States has provided abundant monetary and material aid to the Nationalists, while the CCP has largely alienated their natural Soviet (Russian) allies with the rectification campaign. The people clammer for regime change, but is that enough to overcome the might and interests of sprawling imperial nations? History would say no, the Century of Humiliation suggests China no longer can take on such a larger, more imposing, force. However, support for Mao only grows, holding off the Japanese, one of the most advanced militaries in the world, has bolstered the confidence of the Chinese communists in any protracted war. Either way, it seems we may be stuck with a rule that is both uncompromising and undemocratic, a future that does not bode well for the health of China as a whole.

Greetings from Yenan!

I am currently in the remote and desolate corner of northern Shaanxi province known as Yenan. This location has become the epicenter of a revolutionary movement led by the CCP, and is extremely open to new sympathizers. Today, we look into the reason why Yenan is so attractive to so many people and explore why so many are flocking to this place despite its challenging conditions.

Yenan acts as a sanctuary of stability in a nation torn apart by war and foreign invasion. It is the temporary headquarters of the CCP, and the CCP claims to provide security for those who have seen their lives shattered by the ongoing chaos tearing through China. The CCP’s promise of land reform and protection for peasants resonates deeply with those seeking refuge from the horrors of Japanese occupation and the political instability that plagues the rest of the country. This promise rings throughout China, and people who are unable to protect themselves, rely on the CCP’s protection from foreign invaders. Also, many people find Mao to be very charismatic and he comes across as a strong yet generous leader. During times of crisis, it is human nature to stick by someone who is like that. 

In Yenan, ideology becomes a powerful magnet. The CCP’s vision for a more equitable society, based on principles of land redistribution and social equality, captures the hearts and minds of people from diverse backgrounds. It offers hope in a world marred by injustice and oppression, drawing in individuals who dream of a fairer and more just China. Along with this, many people didn’t really have a choice to come to Yenan. The CCP was not forcing them to come to Yenan with them, but with all the chaos happening in China, their two choices were either following the CCP to their “sanctuary city,” or dying. I don’t know about you, but the choice would be pretty easy for me. 

The people who are able to fight back against the Japanese invasion also want to travel to Yenan. They have seen how well the Red Army’s Guerrilla war tactics are working against the invaders and believe the best chance they have to fight against the Japanese is by fighting with the Red Army.  

Many women also find Yenan a great place to flee to. Women have always been restricted to caring for their family and the house. However, in Yenan, while the men are busy fighting the Japanese and the Nationalist party, the women play an integral role in the survival of the people in Yenan. The women are expected to do agricultural work,  produce textiles, and sew since these tasks are no longer able to be done by men. Women would also create things like clothing and blankets for the army. Many women for years have felt very useless due to their low status in society, however, now they are able to contribute to the success of their society. This type of opportunity became very attractive to many women longing for a purpose. 

Yenan is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of revolutionary ideals. Despite the challenges and hardships that come with life in this remote location, people from all walks of life are drawn here by the promise of a better future for China. 

Sincerely,

Miao Bing Rong

Hello all,

 

It’s 1943 and both the Japanese invasion and the Second World War is among us. My brother has joined the CCP in the fight in Yenan. He says he is fighting for a better world than he was born into. He believes in the social justice reform that Mao has the troops and honestly, most of the country believing in. My family and I have been nothing but supportive of him in this choice to fight for communism but we are scared of the uncertainty that is the life of a soldier in this chaos of a country. One reason why we are supportive of his decision is the leadership in the CCP. Yenan is serving as the wartime headquarters for the CCP and Mao and his cohort of leaders excel in organizing and mobilizing the masses. Their grassroots networks, land reforms, and rural cooperatives, empowering ordinary people eventually has paid off in the gain and trust of the majority of the population standing with the CCP. Yenan and the CCP has attracted a large amount of support from people all over the country even though Yenan is such a rural and remote place. A big reason for this is because its location is a relatively safe distance from the march of the Japanese army. This is a big attraction for those seeking refuge from the Japanese. More reason that Yenan is such a big destination for citizens looking to join the communist party is plain and simply the ideals of the communist party. The anti-corruption efforts, community spirit, educational opportunities, land reform, and economic opportunity all are reasons for China’s initial downfall referenced in my earlier posts. The Nationalist Party has fallen victim to corruption and mismanagement over the years of its control but the CCP’s commitment and promise to dig out this corruption in addition to actively not being corrupt (who knows if they will) has appealed to many of the CCP members. The situation in the camps in Yenan is fostering a really unique community environment. The leaders of the party are in the same sleeping arrangements as the peasants and workers. This has led to seemingly egalitarianism among the entirety of the party as my brother feels as if he can talk to Mao and other leaders because they are treated like equals. Lastly, the educational opportunities being awarded are also unique. There are schools, cultural institutions, and other ways to intellectually stimulate the residents. One other way is by the opportunity to learn to be a wartime medic. My brother has written to me that a girl he knows in Yenan came from Shanghai to join the revolution to care for the soldiers but she has never provided medical service before. The group at Yenan taught her how to care for soldiers and now she is able to provide medical attention when needed. There are plenty of reasons why Yenan, despite being such a rural desolate place, is being run to by so many in this dangerous time and I understand why my brother did.

Dear readers,

I am proud to say that not only have I grown as a person since my last report, but Chinese people from around the country have begun to grow out of the traditional confucian lifestyle. With pressure increasing from not only the Japanese but the Chinese nationalist party, the Communist party has been gaining popularity for a few different reasons. It is the year 1943 and I have been called to Yenan where I am reporting live to see this movement with my own eyes. Many people ask, why Yenan? What is different about this part of the country? Why not a big city to spread ideologies more easily? It was less about the land they were on and more about the community that blossomed under the leadership of the masses. 

While reporting on this phenomenon, it is integral to look into the Long March. Mao and the red army set on this march to relocate the Communist party without a set destination. It was easy for people to join this movement because many of them did not see a future at their home. Both men and women had been struggling for the basic living necessities such as food and clothes. The movement had emphasized equality for men and women as both genders were encouraged to join the army to help in any way. Even the rich peasants had a reason to join the communist movement because of the way the Guomindang soldiers would treat the locals. It is said that the soldiers would have two guns, a rifle, and an opium pipe and they “tried to take everything they could from our local people.” The Long March wasn’t about the destination, it was about creating a mobile city where people would come together based on what they wanted the future of China to be like. After Mao and the Communist party gained followers on the March, Yenan happened to be the place they settled and turned into the Communist Party Headquarters.

The leaders of the movement, specifically Chairmen Mao, was the reason why it gained so much traction. Mao lived a simple and natural life as if he was a Chinese peasant. In this sense, it allowed for the majority of the population to relate to him. Many leaders during this time are demanding and are straightforward with their orders while Mao emphasized on moderate social reform. He did this by listening to the masses and taking a theory-practice-theory approach which allowed the people to really drive the revolution. This was appealing to people as it would lead to more organization and discipline within the party and its army.

Furthermore, I see even more organization and coming together based on the daily lifestyles here in Yenan. Instead of having a divide between intellectuals and peasants people have started to come together around a change in art and culture. Mao had led with slogans which was easy to rally behind and which everyone could understand. Thought and emotions would be shown in artwork that would really reflect how the party thinks on a day to day basis. This ‘popularization’ brought the party even closer together and the soldiers, peasants and women would all be able to relate to each other. Schools would even be formed such as the Anti-Japanese University and more people would be literate and create an even more powerful social reform. With the reform movement of 1942, leaders would be able to optimize their units and the Chinese citizens would work together for their goal of liberation from the traditional confucian society.

It seems that many here in Yenan share my sentiment of disillusionment with the Nationalist Party’s response to the brutal Japanese invasions. I was concerned before that the Communists were not stable enough to counter the Japanese, but now I see that they are the party that truly wants to defend China. Papers I read on the way here detailed Chiang Kai-shek’s rationale for destroying the dikes along the Yellow River, saying it was to stop Japanese forces, but it only goes to show how little he cares for the Chinese people, or rather the peasants that died in the process. He is too much a coward to endure what he puts his people through.

 

The same cannot be said for Mao. It is odd to hear so much about a man in the news, then see him sitting in plainclothes with people from all walks of life here at Yenan. It is said that he spends much of his time in his cave reading, but he is measured yet jovial when interacting with those around the camp.

 

Although I enjoyed my time at university, there was something stifling about academia that I cannot say I feel here. Everyone is filled with such exuberance for learning, building, fighting, and you do not feel the weight of hierarchy or academic competition pressing down upon you. However, the response to my education was rather jarring; I was hounded by young men and women around my age when they saw me writing in the dirt. I heard about the difficult lives that they had led, much like my neighbors back home in the countryside surrounding Chengdu. I learned quickly that they equate things that require learning, money and status to be bourgeois and thus, evil. Although I don’t think such essentializing is fair, it is understandable coming from their situation, and I choose not to share about my experience in university for fear of being ostracized.

 

I have, however, been instructed to teach basic reading skills to people here. The students are both young and old, and although it is bizarre to be teaching in such an informal fashion, I believe that I understand now why people come here. It is a new society, mostly free from the constraints of the old. Even former Kuomintang fighters are here; one young man told me of how he has more to eat here and is treated with more respect and freedom than he did under the Nationalists. It is clear that the appeal of the CCP in Yan’an is not only political, but interpersonal and even individual; one can foster relationships and have such opportunities here. There is still headway to be made for the rights of women, as the local women in this region of Shensi seem to be living decades behind. I hear from some women, who were previously in the Jiangxi Soviet before the Long March, that many communist men seem to be dialing back their efforts for gender equity. Yet, there is still hope.

Hello, fellow intellectuals. I am in Yenan, a remote part of the northern Shaanxi province. I am here observing Mao along with his fellow leaders and revolutionaries who settled in this poor, mountainous region after the Long March. Yenan became the headquarters of the communist party for the second united front with the KMT against the Japanese. I believe a variety of individuals have been attracted to Yenan because of the new communist leadership and the Red Army.

Mao’s ideas have drawn a wide range of individuals to Yenan, peasants seeking refuge from oppression, intellectuals who resonate with communist ideology, and ardent anti-Japanese sympathizers all are drawn to this magnetic place. This convergence creates a distinctive, uplifting atmosphere that stands in stark contrast to the harsh realities faced by the Communist Party. The work here is demanding, and the populace resides in modest cave dwellings, all while the looming prospect of resuming hostilities with the KMT hangs overhead. A spirit of self-reliance and sacrifice for the greater good permeates Yenan. Leaders of the communist party live in Yenan and are not distant figures, but a part of the community, approachable and able to be seen in everyday life. Mao in particular is respected by all who reside here and lives a simple life. An exciting atmosphere simultaneously exists as widespread social change seems imminent. Yenan’s foundation firmly rests upon three pillars of cooperative labor: workers, peasants, and soldiers. Experimental ideas are actively put into practice such as the mass line and training centers are established for the education of party values. Those who did agree were forced to study Mao’s work extensively creating a strong, ideologically unified party that has the potential to unite all of China.  

The livelihoods of peasants are superior to their nationalist counterparts. Peasants in Yenan pool all their resources, labor, and land, so they can achieve economies of scale, and increase agricultural productivity while reducing the risks associated with farming. In agricultural cooperatives peasants work collectively and share in the benefits of their labor. While gaining access to modern farming equipment and improved farming techniques.

Guerrilla warfare tactics that the Red Army employed are proving to be effective against the Japanese. Individuals with patriotism and a strong move here and join the Red Army, wanting to take up arms and fight on the front lines becoming a soldier of this impressive force. The Chinese especially those living in the northern and eastern parts of the country have had terrible experiences with the Japanese imperialists who follow the policy of “kill all, burn all, loot all.” and are sympathetic to the Communist Party which has always held the clear stance of anti-Japanese.    

Women are encouraged to do agricultural work and workshops for textile and sewing as these techniques have been lost to time in rural Yenan. Women would also create things like clothing and blankets for the army while the men are fighting to contribute to the war effort. Women are a key part of this town and have a path to economic self-sufficiency. Yenan is conservative and has a traditional view on marriage. Combined with the male soldiers’ desire for the continuation of the old marriage law, marriage reform is a low priority.

The Communist Party has proven it can unite a variety of people under the same ideology, for the shared vision of a more equitable society. Yenan is proof of this. It is also a glimpse of what a communist China could become.

Hello readers. Nestled in the remote and rugged mountains of Shanxi Province, Yenan has emerged as an epicenter of hope, ideology and revolution in China. My editor has made me travel here to investigate why people of all backgrounds from all over China are flocking to this relatively obscure town. After being here for a few days, it is evident that Yenan has become more than just a geographical location; it symbolizes a vision of a different China and offers a unique appeal that attracts individuals from all corners of the country.

 

The greatest threat to Chinese people, both Communists and Nationalists alike, is the Japanese invasion. Although Japanese troops have occupied  Manchuria since 1931, they have progressively advanced south and west into mainland China. In 1937, the Japanese launched a full scale invasion of China, aiming to conquer the whole country. They have already captured vital cities such as Beijing, Wuhan, Shanghai and Canton. Along the way, the Japanese have been committing atrocities that are hard to imagine. I have spoken with two peasants who escaped to Yenan from a village that was ravaged by the Japanese. One described how her father was stripped naked and then tied in line with 10 other men. The Japanese burned and killed for three days and three nights and then they left. When the peasant went back, she found her father in a pit with several bullet wounds in his chest. The other peasant described how he was able to escape the village at night but when he came back to his house, there was nothing but silence. He remembers how he found his wife and three year old child dead in a well and found his parents and grandparents in a mass grave the Japanese made. He told me with tears in his eyes how he gave them all a proper burial.

 

With these atrocities in mind, Chiang’s response to the Japanese invasion has also left many Chinese people feeling irritated. In the beginning of the invasion, Chiang actually refused to fight the Japanese and even bowed to Japanese demands. It took him being kidnapped and returned to elicit a response to oppose the Japanese. When they did engage the Japanese, they were defeated handedly and pushed back from Nanjing to Chongqing. Contrary to this, Mao and the CCP have confronted the Japanese straight on. They marched to Yenan, which is not too far from Manchuria, to oppose the Japanese invasion. Their guerilla warfare tactics have also helped them to win battles against the Japanese, even though the Japanese have superior military weapons. There is a sense here in Yenan that the CCP -and not Chiang’s government- are the true soldiers fighting for China.

 

The other reason for the mass migration to Yenan is the improved life that many people are enjoying here. To start, Yenan offers a safe and stable environment for these peasants to begin their new life. Many have come here to escape the atrocities of the Japanese but they are also escaping corruption and lawlessness from government officials and landlords. The CCP’s effective governance and control over the region has created an environment where law and order prevail. An example of this order can be seen in The Little Red Book where Mao lays out the Three Main Rules of Discipline and the Eight Points For Attention. The people at Yenan not only accept but study Mao’s teachings. I think this is because they believe Mao is one of them. He lives modestly amongst the people and if someone had not pointed it out to me, I would have never recognized him among the people (he looks different in person than in pictures in my opinion). Through Mao’s teachings, peasants have also been able to receive an education. Mao is helping peasants to become literate and teaching the peasants how to write. For those that are unable to learn to read, Mao has called upon the artists to create pictures that can convey the same messages being taught. Everything that happens here is for the people. Mao and the CCP are first and foremost concerned about the people of China and this concern attracts many people to want to be here. 

 

Readers, I have only been here a few days but I understand why thousands of people are flocking to Yenan. The energy here is addicting. I do not want to leave. I want to stay and be a part of a new China.

Dear Readers,

 

Friends, much has happened since I have last written. In the past few years our homeland has come under attack by a truly devilish enemy bent on the destruction of our nation and our way of life. I myself have been driven from my family’s home in Beijing and there is no sign of when I might be able to return there. Since then, I have fallen in with a Group of refugees bound for the Communist held territories in Yenan. As we travelled it became apparent to me that a great many people were making the same journey, indeed it seemed at times as though the whole countryside was moving ahead of the Japanese advance. Since my arrival I have seen the great progress, the communists have made in their struggle to bring about new China. Spirits are buoyant here; everyone believes that this is the foundation from which we shall drive the Japanese from our shores.

I have had the opportunity to interact with a large cross section of the communist party. While I spend much of my time travelling in the local countryside, interviewing the regular members of the party and those living under communist rule, I have on several occasions had the opportunity to speak with the leadership as well. It is here that I believe is the core of why the people are so enthusiastic about the communist party. The leadership of the Communist party, particularly Chairman Mao, has been making use o their time here to put into practice many of the policies they have promised in the past. I have seen a great effort on the behalf of the party to take the great masses of people that have come here hoping for reprieve from the Japanese and to forge them into good members of the communist party. It is here dear Reader that I am skeptical of the methods of the Communist party, effective though they may be.

In an effort to increase the unity of the front that the Party is showing its enemies, both the Japanese and the Nationalists, a new strategy has been put in place to bring everyone around to the same pattern of “revolutionary thought”. The Chairman has on several occasion highlighted the importance of the masses, and that good leadership revolves around the ability to take the general population and make them active for the revolution. With that I must agree for it is the people which must bear the brunt of the burden of revolution and who will sustain it, but there is a very strange and potentially dangerous method of reformation of the thought that I believe has the potential to spell doom for the whole affair. This “thought reform” is based reconditioning a person’s thoughts to be more in line with the party’s goals. Perhaps the most noticeable aspect of this new process was a conference that the chairman held last year where he laid out the groundwork for a new set of literary and artistic pattern where the works of the artists, the authors and the poets must be easily understood by the masses and must portray some aspect of the revolution. Increasing the availability and reach of art is clearly a boon both to the people and to the artist, but the control that the party wishes to hold over the production of art I consider to be worrying. A part of what inspired me to enter into higher education was the depth and breadth of the literature I was exposed to overseas, and I was enthused by the prospect that the revolution might break the hold that traditionalism held over the literature and art of our own nation. If the communist party is able to fully take control of it, have we not just replaced one stagnation for another? In any case it has still yet to be seen just how effective this new program is to be, and I shall be eager to watch and see if the artists and authors shall go along with it.

My friends, I shall write again soon,

Fare well

Dear readers,

 

 It is now 1943, and our society is still mired in chaos. I am now going to Yan’an to document the current situation, although it is a different environment than before where I studied at a university with enough facilities. There are complicated reasons why I am in Yan’an, so I will explain today.

 Beginning this year, we have been traveling within China for extended distances and periods. Specifically, we are moving to Yan’an, which has long been a critical military location. However, Yan’an is very far away, and I am honestly worried about going there. I will keep moving on foot over long roads, primarily through the mountains and other rugged terrain, even through the winter. I am still young and healthy, but see pregnant women and young children walking together on this severe path. I heard that rumor has it that some pregnant women have left their children behind, and some have died. So why are we going through this severe pathway? Of course, there is a reason! Simply put, this is for our Chinese Communist Party to escape the encirclement of the Chinese Nationalist Party forces and move northward to develop an anti-Japanese front. Today, I will explain more about this anti-Japanese movement recently.

 Relations between our country and Japan are at their worst in recent times. Japan had victory over Russia in 1905 and has been gaining strength. For me, Japan has been getting carried away recently! Anyway, Japan is expanding its power more and more to dominate our country. Two years ago, Japan started the Manchurian Incident. The Japanese army blew up the railroad tracks in Manchuria and occupied them. Manchuria, because of its location in the northeastern part of China and its rich resources, was probably targeted by Japan. This is an act that cannot be humane! And the following year, they proclaimed they launched the country in Manchuria. They made Puyi, the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty, the head of state. But it was clear that he had no power at all. For me, as a reporter, Japanese rule in Manchuria is the worst. This included severe human rights violations such as sexual assault and rape. These acts must have caused extreme fear and anxiety among the inhabitants and significantly destroyed people’s lives. Japan is gradually expanding its territory to control China. Anti-Japanese sentiment among us is hard to ignore, and many people sincerely want to fight Japan. 

 Recently, Mao Zedong, who is not yet a leader of the country,  said that we need to look not only at military power but also at the current conflicts in the world as cultural fronts. We need to unite to challenge this situation in our country! Mao was also concerned about the masses, whom no previous leader had paid attention to. His populist beliefs must have won the hearts and minds of the masses, and his charisma is beginning to attract overwhelming support. He must also be a strategically successful leader because most of his target, the farmers, comprise about 80% of our total population. Objectively, he has the ability to analyze the world well and guide people. Having overcome such a long road that we are moving to Yan’an, we want to change our society at its core! I feel that some completely new world will come by Mao’s innovative strategy after this severe movement. We must follow his charismatic lead and adapt new thinking and ideas to old systems and structures! China was originally the center of the world, and the Chinese people were culturally superior, but recently, our country has fallen entirely behind internationally. It humiliates us, and we must change the status quo!

 

Thank you for reading.

I woke up this morning at around 05:30. I was up early enough to hear the birds chirp as the sun rose. I looked around for my old leather briefcase that I had been given as a gift from my father back home in the country. He gave it to me when I left for university here in Beijing. I gathered my papers into the briefcase and made my way to the Zhengyangmen Railway Station. The station bustled with travelers arriving from nearby Tianjin, Baoding, and other nearby cities. Many of these trips could be made in a day if one left early enough. 

 

My trip would take me nearly 3 days. I’d traverse the Hebei, Shanxi, and Shaanxi provinces before arriving in Ya’nan where I would be picked up by a local guide. The guide brought us to the center of this fascinating city that all of a sudden has become the center of the communist parties’ efforts against the Japanese. (Johnson 63) I quickly understood just what was at stake here. Mao Zedong and his communist party had carved out a headquarters here in Ya’nan. Chiang Kai-Shek and his nationalist party in prior years had been looking to wage a war against Mao and his Communists but with the Japanese gaining ground every day, Chiang Kai-Shek is seemingly nowhere to be found. 

 

On the ground here in Ya’nan, I noticed that Mao was commonly referred to as the “Chairman” by his people. He was very much in charge, but there was a sense that Mao was just like everyone else. This in large part is what may make him so popular. Mao was also involved in many aspects of the communist party here in Ya’nan. (Snow 181) What made Ya’nan unique was the fact that communist leaders were different from the ordinary citizens. Many of the leaders lived in caves just like everyone else, and normally hierarchical institutions like the military blended in with the people and were said to be on the same social level as the commoner. (Dietrich 28) I had a chance to sit down for some tea with Guo Qi-min, a woman who was studying at the anti-Japanese University here in Ya’nan. I asked her more about the new exuberance found here in Ya’nan and what it looked like on a day-to-day basis for a woman. She told me, “I went to the anti-Japanese University of Ya’nan in the fall of 1938. We had classes on current affairs, philosophy, and so on. None of us minded the hard conditions, at night we shared huge beds, each person had just this little space.” Guo Qi-min paused to illustrate to me with her hands just how little space each person had. She continued “About a foot, one next to the other. We got up early in the morning, we did morning drill and learned how to use weapons to fight the Japanese.” (China: A Century of Revolution – China in Revolution 1:10:46) Guo Qi-min shared this information with a tone of enthusiasm that I had not seen before in many of my interactions with individuals outside of those in Ya’nan. 

 

What seemed at the core of Mao’s success here in Ya’nan besides all of my aforementioned reasons was the strategy that Mao had when it came to completely reshaping ideology. The idea was to promote things that the people liked while also maintaining complete control over thought within the population. (Dietrich 27) What Mao has channeled in the people here in Ya’nan is something that had very rarely been seen before. Mao artfully crafted a party that could have the potential to grow drastically in large part due to his incredible ability to make his subordinates feel as though they were all together. In just 3 years, from 1937 to 1940, Mao’s CCP and Red Army both had skyrocketed in numbers and the enthusiasm here in Ya’nan was evidence of that. (Dietrich 29) 

 

As I boarded my train back from Ya’nan, I too began to feel a sense of this Ya’nan exuberance. I now understood why it was that many were flocking to this rural city to take part in Mao’s cultural revolution. The fear of the Japanese in the north, combined with Chiang Kai-shek’s rocky and potentially corrupt nationalist party left a sense of urgency in the people who looked for answers and may have found them in Ya’nan. Though I do not know what the future holds, I can say with certainty that this headquarters in Ya’nan will only continue to grow and remain the foundation of Mao’s communist party. 

 

Until next time,

 

Gao An Zhi