Xiecheng Branch

　　   On January 5, 1930, Comrade Mao Zedong wrote a nearly ten-thousand-word reply letter to Lin Biao here, addressing his pessimistic view that “how long can the red flag continue to fly?” In the letter, Mao conducted a comprehensive analysis and forceful critique of Lin’s pessimistic thinking, clearly pointing out that “the development of political power advances in waves.” He also emphasized the importance of persisting in rural revolutionary struggle, asserting that only by maintaining such struggle “can the revolution achieve 0.” He firmly believed that the 0 of the Chinese revolution was bound to come, and that the current “spark” would soon set the plains ablaze. These discussions further developed Mao Zedong’s idea of “armed agrarian revolutionary base areas.” The essay “A Single Spark Can Start a Prairie Fire” marked the formation of Mao Zedong’s theory of the Chinese revolutionary path — encircling the cities from the countryside and seizing power through armed struggle.

　　   This letter was initially distributed under the title “Estimating the Current Situation and the Question of Red Army Operations” for the study and reading of the broad cadre and soldiers of the Fourth Red Army. When the first edition of Mao Zedong’s Selected Works was published after the liberation, the letter was retitled “A Single Spark Can Start a Prairie Fire.”

　　Mao Zedong (1893～1976)　　   Mao Zedong (December 26, 1893 – September 9, 1976), courtesy name Runzhi (originally Yongzhi, later changed to Runzhi), pen name Ziren. A native of Xiangtan, Hunan. He was the leader of the Chinese people, a Marxist, a great proletarian revolutionary, strategist, and theorist, as well as a principal founder and leader of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, and the People’s Republic of China. He was also a poet and calligrapher. From 1949 to 1976, Mao served as the paramount leader of the People’s Republic of China. His contributions to the development of Marxism-Leninism, military theory, and theoretical contributions to the Communist Party are collectively known as Mao Zedong Thought. Because Mao... Details+

　　Lin Biao (1907～1971)　　   Lin Biao (December 5, 1907 – September 13, 1971), Marshal of the People’s Republic of China (1955). Military strategist. Originally named Lin Zuoda, courtesy name Yangchun, art name Yurong; also used the names Yurong, Yurong, Yourong, and Li Jin. Joined the Communist Party of China in 1925; during the Jinggangshan period, he successively held positions such as battalion commander, regimental commander, army commander, and corps commander; during the War of Resistance Against Japan, he served as commander of the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army; during the Liberation War, he was commander of the Northeast Field Army, among other roles, leading major campaigns such as the Liaoshen Campaign and the Pingjin Campaign; after the liberation, he served as vice-chairman of the National Defense Commission, Minister of National Defense, and vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, among other positions. ... Details+