The two Mao brothers (China)

After a spate of thrashing cultural relics and overturning the tables of authority on their seniors at home and in school, a Red Guard[1] and her mates decided to go somewhere quieter for a change as they were starting to border on the OTT[2] in their activities.  As transport was free during that time, they chose a place furthest away from Beijing that they could think of, which was right up in the north-eastern corner of China by the Soviet border.  It was so far from the capital that they could receive Radio Moscow more clearly than Radio Beijing.

The eight of them (four boys and four girls) asked the villagers to house and feed them, in return for which they’d work in the fields for them.  

The villagers asked, “So you’re university students from Beijing?”  Yes, the students said.  

“Beijing.  That’s the capital, isn’t it?”  Yes, said the students.  

“That’s where the central government is, isn’t it?”  Right, the students said.  

The villagers said in awe:  “毛泽东和毛主席这两兄弟很能干 / Oh, those two brothers Mao Zedong and Mao Zhuxi[3] are such capable men!”

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[1] The Cultural Revolution in China (1966-1976).

[2] Over the top.

[3] Chinese titles come after the surname, e.g., Mr = xiansheng, so Mr Li = Li xiansheng, so xiansheng could be mistaken for the personal name, which also comes after the surname (e.g., Mao Zedong).  zhuxi = “master seat” = chairman.