Observations on Chinese Society, Economic Inequities, and Political Alignments

Key Insight

The individual observed a peaceable bureaucracy underpinning Chinese civil life, where wisdom from examinations was respected, corruption was generally contained, and intentions for the common good were credible. He found warmth and polite solicitude in return for his own respect, a stark contrast to past foreign interactions. He noted that Chinese villages, though poor, generally exhibited contented inhabitants who understood their societal standing without overt reminders.

However, he also witnessed stark economic inequities. Inflation was rampant, with wages in 1943 buying only one-tenth of their 1937 value, pushing ordinary workers and academics to the brink of poverty. He acquired nine ancient volumes for just 477 yuan, an amount equivalent to only five pounds of rice. Meanwhile, senior government officials were seen living lavishly with silk-gowned mistresses, chauffeur-driven limousines, and imported luxury goods, benefiting from widespread corruption.

This profound disparity, where academics were forced to sell precious books and family heirlooms for survival, deeply affected him. He deduced that such experiences led many in China's academic community to support the Chinese Communists after the war. His own left-wing leanings resonated with these observations, and his 'guileless interest' in China, coupled with shared economic views, fostered a significant friendship with Zhou Enlai, who became an intellectual ally and ensured his connection with Mao Zedong, positioning him as 'one who brings fuel in snowy weather' for China.