K. This is the 1st working draft of vol. VI. It still ... - From Marx to Mao

372 MAO TSE-TUNG
key with a value of 35 yuan; travelling costs were 70 yuan.
The total 165 yuan. In addition there was salt capital [yanben]
of 20 yuan. The average cost per donkey was thus 185 yuan.
(ii) On average each donkey from First Township carried
130 jin, and from Second, Third and Fourth Townships 110
jin. At present market prices of 200 yuan per 100 jin salt,
each load was worth from 220 to 260 yuan.
(iii) At current prices, after expenses are deducted, earnings
per donkey load ranged from 35 to 75 yuan.
FROM MARX
TO MAO
Notes:
(a) If each donkey were able to carry 150 jin, the guaran-
teed income per donkey at current prices would be above 100
⋆
yuan.
(b) Reports on amounts carried were given by the porters
who were certainly holding something in reserve — most
donkeys here can carry 150 jin.
(c) At the same time the principle is clear that so long as
you have good donkeys you can earn more. The worse the
donkeys the less you earn, and you can even make a loss.
NOT FOR
COMMERCIAL
(7) Experience and lessons:
(i) The victorious return of this salt-transport team from
Chengguan District, Fuxian, proves that the Party and
Government’s plans, estimates and methods for salt transport
are entirely correct. The doubts, lack of trust and considerations
that it would be a burden by various comrades are all
erroneous and shallow outlooks.
DISTRIBUTION
(ii) We smashed the fears of some cadres and masses
about going to Sanbian for salt (“men and animals will die .
. . they will go and not return”). On the contrary the animals
carrying salt returned fatter, and the men were healthier and
merely a little sunburned.
(iii) We proved that salt transport can earn money, and
smashed the inaccurate reckless talk that we “certainly would
lose capital”, “each donkey would lose 100 yuan”, and “it is
the greatest burden ever imposed it the Border Region”.
(iv) We showed that certain cadres at district and township
levels, particularly at township level, did not do their