Chapter 39 2. Mao Zedong suggested that Deng Xiaoping be the "First Vice Premier"

On June 1, 1974, Zhou Enlai was finally overwhelmed and exhausted physically and mentally. He was admitted to the 305 Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army not far from Zhongnanhai for treatment.At this time, Jiang Qing and his gang thought that the time had come again, and spared no effort to stir up a wave of criticism of the "Prime Minister", "Duke Zhou" and "Great Confucianism in the Party" again. In mid-June, Jiang Qing, Wang Hongwen, Yao Wenyuan and others successively interviewed members of the writing team of "Liang Xiao". During the conversation, they tried their best to promote the so-called "modern struggle between Confucianism and Legalism."Jiang Qing pointed out: "The struggle between Confucianism and Legalism in history has been running through to the present, that is, the struggle between restoration and anti-restoration, progress and retrogression, and there are now, and it cannot be said that there is no such thing." He also said: "Modern Confucianism is rarely mentioned in current articles. Is there any Confucianism now? There are great Confucianists, except for Lin Biao and Chen Boda. Otherwise, such a big movement would not be possible.” Afterwards, Jiang Qing went to some factories, villages, and troops in Tianjin to continue to spread the word “Pursuing Great Modern Confucians” and The argument of "criticizing great Confucians in the party" is an extremely explicit allusion to and attack on Zhou Enlai.

Just when the "Gang of Four" took advantage of the opportunity of "criticizing Lin and Confucius" to carry out the conspiracy of "criticizing Duke Zhou", Mao Zedong, who was suffering from senile cataract eye disease and was about to go to other places for recuperation, summoned the members of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee in Beijing on July 17. meeting.Zhou Enlai, who was in the hospital, also attended the meeting due to illness.At the meeting, Mao Zedong gave Jiang Qing's group a head-on blow: "Don't set up two factories, one called a steel factory and the other called a hat factory, and put big hats on people at every turn." He pointed to Jiang Qing and said: "She is considered the Shanghai Gang! You want Be careful, don’t start a small sect of four people!” He also severely criticized Jiang Qing: “You are also hard to change.” Mao Zedong solemnly announced in front of all the members of the Politburo present at the meeting: “She (referring to Jiang Qing) does not represent me. She represents herself", "In a word, she represents herself." This was the first time Mao Zedong pointed out the problem of the "Gang of Four" at the top of the party, and actually pointed out that the leader of this gang was Jiang Qing.

Mao Zedong severely criticized and warned the "Gang of Four" at this time, showing his extreme dissatisfaction with Jiang Qing and others' actions since "criticizing Lin and Confucianism", and it was also a heavy blow to the "Gang of Four".Intimidated by Mao Zedong's warning, from mid-July to the end of September, Jiang Qing and others refrained from attacking Zhou Enlai and other older revolutionaries, but they were still panting for direction, waiting for an opportunity, in order to succeed. On September 29, proposed by Zhou Enlai and approved by Mao Zedong, the Party Central Committee issued the "Notice on Restoring the Honor of Comrade He Long".This limited rehabilitative document under the conditions at the time was still very reluctant to see by the "Gang of Four".Because this means that a group of veteran cadres who were persecuted during the "Cultural Revolution" will be rehabilitated and "liberated".

On September 30, Zhou Enlai came to the Great Hall of the People sick and personally presided over the grand reception for the 25th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and was extremely warmly welcomed by nearly 5,000 people present.Zhou Enlai's brief toast was interrupted several times by thunderous applause from the audience.People's sincere reverence for their Prime Minister is a powerful counterattack to the "Gang of Four" criticizing "Zhou Gong" and "Great Confucianism" and other nasty acts. On October 4, Mao Zedong, who was in Wuhan, proposed to the central government that Deng Xiaoping be the first vice premier of the State Council.At the same time, Mao Zedong also put forward his opinion on convening the Fourth National People's Congress.This important decision made by Mao Zedong after repeated consideration became the most concrete and effective step for Deng Xiaoping to fully replace the seriously ill Zhou Enlai.

Like Lin Biao and his gang, the power-hungry Jiang Qing Group has long been planning the Fourth National People's Congress.They understand that now has come to the critical moment of "cabinet formation".At this time, their "opponent" not only had Zhou Enlai, but also Deng Xiaoping.We must use all means to defeat the "opponent" and seize the power to "form a cabinet". On the evening of October 6, Jiang Qing, who had learned of Mao Zedong's personnel arrangements, rushed to the hospital impatiently, and presented her "opinions" on the personnel arrangements of the Fourth National People's Congress and the candidate for the chief of the army's general staff to Zhou Enlai, who had just received foreign guests and had not yet recovered from his fatigue. "In fact, they want to engage in "preconceived ideas" and "preemptive strikes" before the preparations for the Fourth National People's Congress begin in full swing.Zhou Enlai, who was ill, was weak at this time, but his mind was clear.He dealt with Jiang Qing for two full hours with great restraint and patience, and did not make a single statement on all substantive issues. In fact, he did not agree with Jiang Qing's "opinions."Jiang Qing got nothing and came back disappointed.As soon as she returned to her residence, she shouted to Wang Hongwen: "I reserve my right to nominate!" to vent her dissatisfaction with Zhou Enlai.Jiang Qing didn't know at this time that Deng Xiaoping had already had a private conversation with Zhou Enlai just before she rushed to the hospital.Two days later, Deng Xiaoping had another long talk with Zhou Enlai in the sick room.Naturally, the two old comrades-in-arms were talking about the personnel arrangements for the Fourth National People's Congress.

On October 11, 1974, according to Mao Zedong's opinion, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China officially issued a notice to hold the fourth National People's Congress in the near future.At the same time, the struggle over who will form the "government" at the Fourth National People's Congress is becoming clearer and sharper day by day. On October 13th, Jiang Qing, who was looking for opportunities to attack everywhere, saw a report on the "Fengqing Ship" incident from "Domestic News Proof". "Content.Jiang Qing, as if he had found a treasure, criticized with a pen: "Is the Ministry of Communications a ministry of the People's Republic of China under the leadership of Chairman Mao and the Party Central Committee?" Said: "The Politburo should have a statement on this issue", "and should take necessary measures."

After Jiang Qing gave instructions, Wang Hongwen, Zhang Chunqiao, and Yao Wenyuan followed closely behind, and they all raised the issue of "line issues" with one voice, and demanded that the State Council and the Ministry of Communications seize this matter and carry out so-called "line education." In stark contrast to the "Gang of Four" who criticized the "Gang of Four" for a long time, and put the "outline" on the "line", Deng Xiaoping only drew a circle on this material, and Zhou Enlai later only circulated it in the Jiangqing sent The word "read" was approved on the document.The two main leaders of the State Council dismissed the unreasonable troubles of Jiang Qing and his gang.

On the evening of October 17, at the meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, Jiang Qing and others, who had planned for a long time, jointly launched a surprise attack on Deng Xiaoping.They characterized the so-called "Fengqinglun incident" as a typical example of "worshiping foreigners and fawning on foreigners" and "foreign slave philosophy", and directed their attacks at the State Council under the leadership of Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping.At the meeting, Jiang Qing first stood up and questioned Deng Xiaoping: "Do you support or oppose this matter? Or do you want to stand in the middle? You have to express your attitude."

Deng Xiaoping has encountered this kind of trick used by Jiang Qing and his gang many times in the past.But he generally expresses his "attitude" with silence.But this time, Jiang Qing's arrogant, unreasonable, self-important tone and demeanor made him unable to hold back his anger any longer.Deng Xiaoping stared at his opponent, and sternly retaliated: "I still want to investigate this matter, and I can't impose it on others. I must agree with your opinions!" This is the first time Deng Xiaoping has publicly "contradicted" the "standard bearer of the Cultural Revolution" since his comeback in 1973.Jiang Qing was quite surprised by this.She was stunned for a while before she suddenly understood.After a while of spitting, he attacked and abused Deng Xiaoping with shrew-style language.Deng Xiaoping couldn't bear it anymore, got up angrily, and left the venue.At this time, Zhang Chunqiao, who was watching the situation quietly, looked at Deng Xiaoping's back and said bitterly: "I knew you were going to jump out, and today you did!"

The meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee broke up unhappy. That night, the "Gang of Four" met at Jiang Qing's place.After some planning, it was decided to send Wang Hongwen to Changsha to sue Deng Xiaoping and Zhou Enlai to Mao Zedong, who was recuperating there. The next day, Wang Hongwen flew to Changsha without the majority of the Politburo members behind his back.In the afternoon, Wang Hongwen, who had just arrived in Changsha, hurriedly made a "report" to Mao Zedong according to the caliber discussed by several of them in advance.He said that at the Politburo meeting yesterday, Comrade Jiang Qing had a quarrel with Comrade Deng Xiaoping over the matter of "Feng Qinglun", and the quarrel was very serious.It seems that Deng is still following the old saying that "it is better to buy a ship than to build a ship, and it is better to rent a ship than to buy a ship"!Deng's great emotions may have something to do with the recent brewing of the chief of staff.Wang Hongwen also said: I did not tell the Prime Minister and other comrades in the Politburo that I came here at a risk.Beijing is now reminiscent of the Lushan Conference.Although Premier Zhou was ill, he was busy looking for people to talk to people day and night. Deng Xiaoping, Ye Jianying, Li Xiannian and others often went to the Premier's place.Their frequent visits must have something to do with the personnel arrangements of the Fourth National People's Congress.

It should be said that shortly after Mao Zedong criticized the sectarian activities of Jiang Qing and others, the "Gang of Four" relapsed and sent people from thousands of miles to sue Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping. This is indeed an extremely unusual move.They are not only targeting Deng Xiaoping, but also Zhou Enlai, Ye Jianying, Li Xiannian and other revolutionaries of the older generation who supported Deng Xiaoping.In this way, on the issue of the "Feng Qinglun incident" and its essence - the "cabinet formation" of the Fourth National People's Congress, there appeared the older generation of revolutionaries and Jiang Qing's group who dreamed of "changing the dynasty". "The two armies are facing each other, and the front is clearly defined". After listening to Wang Hongwen's "report", Mao Zedong immediately severely criticized Wang, pointing out: If you have any opinions, you should discuss them face to face, so it's not good!To unite with Comrade Xiaoping.He also said: After you go back, you should talk to the Prime Minister and Comrade Jianying more, don't get involved with Jiang Qing, you should pay attention to her. Wang Hongwen felt ashamed, and had no choice but to go back in a huff. In Beijing, after Jiang Qing and others dispatched Wang Hongwen, they were still worried.When they learned that Wang Hairong and Tang Wensheng from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would accompany Deng Xiaoping to accompany the foreign guests to Changsha to meet Mao Zedong, they couldn't wait to summon Wang and Tang twice, asking them to report to Mao Zedong the State Council's "worship of foreigners" and even falsely accused Deng Xiaoping of " Making a big fuss over the Politburo" is another "February countercurrent". However, just before Deng Xiaoping was about to fly to Changsha, Wang Hairong and Tang Wensheng rushed to the 305 Hospital overnight and reported Jiang Qing's plot to Zhou Enlai.In this regard, Zhou Enlai made it clear: "The 'Feng Qinglun Incident' is not what Jiang Qing and the others said, but they planned in advance to punish Comrade Xiaoping. Comrade Xiaoping has been patient for a long time." He also said that for this Things need to continue to do some work, slowly solve the problem. It turned out that after the Politburo meeting on the 17th, Zhou Enlai had already learned what happened from the conversations of members of the Politburo Deng Xiaoping; The problem is not only for Deng Xiaoping, but also for himself.A few years ago, it was with his approval that some foreign ships were properly purchased. The "Gang of Four" took advantage of this issue and made troubles, which is really too much! On October 20, Wang Hairong and Tang Wensheng accompanied Deng Xiaoping to Changsha with foreign guests.After Mao Zedong met with foreign guests, Wang and Tang reported to Mao the abnormal activities of Jiang Qing and others, and at the same time relayed Zhou Enlai's views on these issues. Mao Zedong was very annoyed when he heard this.He linked this incident with Wang Hongwen's "complaint" two days ago, and felt that Jiang Qing's actions were extraordinary.He told Wang and Tang: "The issue of 'Feng Qinglun' was originally a trivial matter, and Comrade Nian has already resolved it, but Jiang Qing is still making trouble like this. It is very wrong to do so!" He asked Wang and Tang to return to Beijing. Later, he conveyed his opinion to Zhou Enlai and Wang Hongwen: the prime minister is still the prime minister, and Premier Zhou and Wang Hongwen presided over the preparations and personnel arrangements for the fourth National People's Congress, and discussed with all parties; It depends on the condition.He also asked to tell Wang Hongwen, Zhang Chunqiao, and Yao Wenyuan not to follow Jiang Qing in criticizing things.Finally, Mao Zedong solemnly proposed that Deng Xiaoping be the vice chairman of the Party Central Committee, the first deputy prime minister, the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and the chief of the general staff. Jiang Qing and his gang never dreamed that the result of their carefully planned attack in the Politburo and complaints in Changsha was that Deng Xiaoping was promoted repeatedly and held a lot of power!