Episode 18 recap: Mao Zedong wanted to reform the Propaganda Department.
Li Dazhao told them that the foreign powers were acting arrogantly everywhere, and Jiang Jieshi told his soldiers that they would soon embark on an expedition to the east. The Communist International demanded that the National Revolution be led by the Kuomintang (Nationalist Party), and Jiang Xianyun told Mao Zedong that he often didn't know which direction the Communist Party should take.
Mao Zedong realized that they had no intention of participating in the Second National Congress and wanted to clarify the Communist Party's position. Chen Yannian and Zhou Enlai came to meet Jiang Xianyun as agreed, and the three of them waited for Mao Zedong to arrive.
After Mao Zedong arrived, Chen Yannian teased him about keeping them waiting for so long. Mao Zedong and Chen Yannian embraced for a while, and Chen Yannian asked him to drink three cups as a self-punishment. Jiang Xianyun introduced Zhou Enlai to Mao Zedong, and they were both very happy to meet each other.
Chen Yannian believed that Mao Zedong faced Wang Jingwei in the Propaganda Department, while Zhou Enlai dealt with Jiang Jieshi, and both of them faced great challenges. After the dinner, Mao Zedong expressed his concern to Jiang Xianyun about his front-line responsibilities, and Jiang Xianyun admitted to feeling confused from time to time.
After a brief conversation between Mao Zedong and Jiang Xianyun, Mao Zedong left. Jiang Jieshi appeared afterward and told Jiang Xianyun that he was now part of the military and should report any matters directly to him.
Mao Zedong asked his subordinates for a list, but they couldn't provide one. So Mao Zedong instructed Secretary Chen to compile a list of all the personnel in the Propaganda Department and require everyone to sign in when they come to work. Mao Zedong held a meeting with the staff of the Propaganda Department and told them that their articles should be written in a clear and understandable manner. The staff understood this as writing in plain language, but Mao Zedong clarified that it meant writing articles that even ordinary people could understand.
Chen Duxiu and Cai Hesen came across an article that specifically targeted the Communist Party, which made Chen Duxiu very angry. Li Dazhao went to General Maochen's house, and Maochen told Li Dazhao that Zhang Zuolin and Wu Peifu were all birds of a feather.
Maochen felt that they shouldn't confront the enemy but instead end up killing their own compatriots, which made him very sad. He didn't know before that Zhang Zuolin was backed by the Japanese, and he only found out when he went to Japan. He felt extremely ashamed that he had been serving the Japanese before. Maochen swore to Li Dazhao that from now on, he would never again be a lackey for the Japanese and would be a loyal servant of the country.
Mao Zedong suggested that the Central Propaganda Department immediately provide an explanation regarding the remarks made by Dai Ji Tao. However, Zhang Jingjiang thought it was making a big deal out of a small matter. Mao Zedong expressed his thoughts, and Wang Jingwei agreed with him.
After the meeting ended, Wang Jingwei told Mao Zedong to go ahead and do what he wanted and that he would take responsibility if anything happened. Mao Zedong told him that it wasn't about himself but about the Chinese people. Mao Zedong made three requests to Wang Jingwei: first, he wanted the authority to make personnel changes; Wang Jingwei assured him that as the Minister of Propaganda, everyone would listen to him. Second, Mao Zedong wanted to reform the Propaganda Department, and Wang Jingwei asked him to put it into writing. The third request was for Wang Jingwei to bring Dai Ji Tao back to work at the central level. Wang Jingwei didn't understand why, as Dai Ji Tao had a negative view of the Communist Party. Mao Zedong believed that only by keeping him close could they ensure his compliance.
Sure enough, as soon as Dai Ji Tao returned, he started causing trouble. He angrily confronted Wang Jingwei, demanding an explanation. Wang Jingwei called Mao Zedong to his office, informing him that he had caused quite a mess this time. Mao Zedong admitted that he hadn't sought Wang Jingwei's approval beforehand, acknowledging his mistake.
Wang Jingwei said that he had already taken responsibility for the matter, and he found a paper on Mao Zedong's desk. He felt that Mao Zedong had one foot in communism and the other in the Three Principles of the People (sanmin zhuyi), and he wondered if this would lead to division. Mao Zedong explained that he was moving forward with both feet and that there wouldn't be any division.
Wang Jingwei informed Mao Zedong that they would decide who could participate in the Second National Congress, along with four other people. He emphasized the significant responsibility and not to disappoint public opinion. Mao Zedong looked at the list of names and pointed to one of them, telling Wang Jingwei that they had already gone to Beijing to attend the First Plenary Session of the First National Congress and would not participate in the CCP's Second National Congress.
Lin Sen, Xie Chi, Ye Chucang, and a few others gathered in front of Sun Yat-sen's memorial hall for their own meeting.
Comments(Episode 18)