What are other ways that we know how many of these characters there were?

我们还有什么途径了解这种人的数量呢
There were about 200 to 300.

当时大概有两到三百人
I don't remember exactly.

我记不太清了
Why?

为什么
Because they want money.

因为他们想要钱
On one hand they say, "I don't like this censorship,

一方面他们说 "我不喜欢审查制度
"it's keeping people from recognizing my true genius."

"这使大家不能欣赏到我的才能"
On the other hand they write little sniveling letters saying,

另一方面他们偷偷写信哭诉
"I am a writer and a very good one, indeed.

"我是一个非常好的作家
"Therefore, I merit a state pension."

"所以我应该得到政府赡养金"
They write these letters to the various equivalents of ministries,

他们给相关部门写信
saying, "Please give me some money,

说 "请给我些钱