Page "Mao Zedong" Paragraph 21

In Peking, Mao found that he had achieved a level of fame among the revolutionary movement for his fervent article writing, and he set about soliciting support in overthrowing Zhang's rule in Hunan.

It was in the city that he also came across newly translated Marxist literature, further committing him to the revolutionary socialist cause: these included Thomas Kirkup's A History of Socialism, Karl Kautsky's Karl Marx's Ökonomische Lehren and most importantly, Marx and Engels ' political pamphlet, The Communist Manifesto.

From Peking, Mao moved along to Shanghai, working as a laundryman and meeting with Chen Duxiu, who had been recently freed from prison ; together, they discussed Marxism, which Chen was also beginning to accept.

Mao later noted that Chen's adoption of Marxism " deeply impressed me at what was probably a critical period in my life.

" In Shanghai, Mao also met with one of his old teachers, Yi Peiji, a revolutionary and member of the Kuomintang, or Chinese Nationalist Party, which at the time was gaining increasing support and influence across China.

Yi Peiji introduced Mao to General Tan Yankai, a senior Kuomintang member who held the loyalty of the troops stationed along the border between Hunan and Kwantung.

Tan was plotting to overthrow Governor Zhang and his pro-Japanese administration, and Mao aided him by organizing the students of Changsha.

In June 1920, Tan led his troops into Changsha, while Zhang fled.

In the subsequent reorganization of the provincial administration, Mao was appointed as the headmaster of the junior section of the First Normal School.

Now receiving a large income, he was able to marry Yang Kaihui in the winter of 1920.