I’m supposed to write a short summary/analysis of this selection written by Mao Tse Tung and, hands down, it’s the most confusing thing I’ve ever read:
THE ‘THREE-THREE-THREE-ONE SYSTEM’ 5 December 1925
“What is communism? Confiscation of property; no private savings permitted; the rich and poor are both poor. A good term is coined. It is called emphasis on agriculture. Three-three-three-one, actually it makes no sense. Thirty percent to the landlord, 30 percent confiscated, 30 percent to oneself, and 10 percent for the association.” This is the “anti-communist” announcement in four-word rhymes posted by Yang K’un-ju [2799 0981 1172] inside and outside Hui-chou. A friend of a rather clear mind newly arrived from Peking asked me: “Is there actually such a thing as the ‘three-three-three-one system’?” I was surprised. Before answering him, I thought: “Do you suspect that the Kuomintang is practicing the ‘three-three-three-one system?” With an ironic expression, I answered: “There is, but not like what Yang K’un-ju described.” He said: “Isn’t the ‘Hong Kong Morning News’ a Kuomintang paper? It also published it.” Only then did I learn that the “Hong Kong Morning News” also had such odd ideas. Before the revolt of Yang and Liu, the paper did have connections with the Kuomintang. After the revolt of Yang and Liu and the strikes in Canton and Hong Kong, it was bought by Liu Chen-huan [0491 7201 1403] to serve as an organ of Hong Kong’s foreign excellencies and the so-called Commander in Chief Ch’en [7115], By taking advantage of the severance of communication between Canton and Hong Kong, many “facts” have emerged in the pages of the paper on the isolated island of Hong Kong. “Three-three-three-one” was but one of the many “facts,” yet it was delivered all the way to Peking to feast the eyes of my Peking friend. I, therefore, thought that, in regard to the things in the world today, whether animate (such as man) or inanimate (such as a newspaper), we must not be too rigid in our view, because, as “revolution” and “counter-revolution” had parted company, the animate and inanimate things could belong to one side today and the other side tomorrow. When the “Hong Kong Morning News” was with the Kuoraintang, it served as the organ paper of the Kuomintang. When bought by Hong Kong’s foreign Excellency Mr. Liu Chen-huan and the so-called Commander in Chief Ch’en, it could only become their organ paper. Precisely like Feng Tzu-yu [7458 5261 3945] and Ma Su [7456 4790], when they were with the Kuomintang, they were Kuomintang party members. Once bought by Tuan Ch’i-jui [3008 4388 3843], though they still claimed to be members of the Kuomintang and labeled themselves with the “Kuomintang Club,” they were Tuan Ch’i-jui’s men. I hold no special grudge against the “Hong Kong Horning News” or Messrs Feng and Ma; I only borrow this instance to warn my friends inside and outside the country against being tricked when observing people and things. As for Yang K’un-ju’s announcement, his composition is fine, except for the phrase “it makes no sense,” which spoiled his pen. Isn’t it that one pellet of mouse dropping spoils the whole pot of soup? But then it was the fault of the secretary.
This is the first occasion Google has ever failed me (when I searched “three three three one system”).
Anyone care to enlighten me? Thank you so much for your time and patience! :]
