This reminds me of this article that talks about Mao’s Revolutionary Chili Pepper Theory : https://www.chinanews.com.cn/hb/news/2010/04-29/2255341.shtml
He even goes on to joke, “ If you’re afraid of the chilis in your bowl, how can you fight the enemy ? ” And in 1942, Stalin gave Mao a gift, and in return, Mao thought deeply about what to give him as thanks ; after ſome deliberation, he decided to have a unique large cloth pouch made, and filled it with red chili peppers he planted, cultivated, and harveſted from his garden.