Chapter 40 3. Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai jointly made the "Changsha Decision"

After Wang Hongwen returned to Beijing from Changsha, he talked with Zhou Enlai several times within a week. During this period, he naturally did not dare to violate Mao Zedong's instructions and make some "reviews" of participating in the sectarian activities of the "Gang of Four". At the same time, Wang Hairong and Tang Wensheng also frequently went to and from No. 305 Hospital to convey a series of instructions from Mao Zedong to Zhou Enlai.Zhou Enlai felt relieved after hearing this. At the beginning of November, Zhou Enlai wrote at his desk in the sickroom and reported to Mao Zedong in Changsha the preparations for the Fourth National People's Congress. He said that he firmly supported and implemented Comrade Deng Xiaoping, who was proposed by the Chairman, as the first deputy prime minister and also served as the chief of the general staff.And tell: My physical condition is much better than when I met the chairman on July 17, but I am weaker. If the National People's Congress is held in the near future, I will be able to bear it.I hope that the chairman will be in good health. During this transitional period, only the chairman can lead well.Zhou Enlai also expressed in his conversation with Ye Jianying, Li Xiannian and other leading comrades of the Central Committee: He sincerely supports Chairman Mao's instructions and will continue to support Comrade Xiaoping's work.

During the period from the end of October to mid-November, there was a lot of traffic in front of the 305 Hospital, and there were many visitors.Zhou Enlai literally "moved" all the offices, reception rooms, and conference halls of Xihua Hall to the wards. On November 12, Deng Xiaoping accompanied the foreign guests to Changsha and met with Mao Zedong.In the afternoon of the same day, Mao Zedong mentioned to Deng the "turmoil" at the Politburo meeting on October 17, and highly appreciated Deng Xiaoping's public boycott of Jiang Qing, saying loudly: "You started a 'steel company', good, I agree with you! He also said, "I'm not happy that she (referring to Jiang Qing) imposed it on others!" Deng replied: "I couldn't help it, more than once. I mainly felt that the life of the Politburo was not normal. Later I went to her (Referring to Jiang Qing) I went there for a while, 'steel company' versus 'steel company'." Mao Zedong nodded excitedly: "This is good!"

During the conversation, Deng Xiaoping also said: "The chairman has already discussed the recent decision on my work, and I should not raise any opinions. But it seems that the responsibility is too heavy." Mao Zedong laughed: "There is no way, I have to Take it up." Finally, Mao Zedong proposed that Deng Xiaoping preside over the drafting of Premier Zhou Enlai's government work report at the Fourth National People's Congress.Considering Zhou Enlai's physical capacity, he asked that the report draft not be too long, only three to five thousand words would be enough.Deng Xiaoping immediately promised Mao Zedong's great trust.

On the same day, Mao Zedong, who was already extremely dissatisfied with Jiang Qing, took a pen and wrote in a letter written by Jiang Qing who continued to demand the "cabinet formation": "Don't show up too much, don't approve documents, and don't let you form a cabinet (as the backstage boss). You accumulate grievances There are many, and we must unite the majority. I will tell you." "People are valuable to know themselves. And." In just one month, Mao Zedong has criticized and issued warnings to the "Gang of Four" several times, but none of these have changed the nature of Jiang Qing and his gang.After receiving Mao Zedong's letter of criticism, Jiang Qing wrote back to Mao Zedong on November 19, titled "Review", which was really an outreach to officials.She wrote: "I am ashamed of the expectations of the chairman, because I lack self-knowledge, self-appreciation, my mind is dizzy, I can't treat objective reality correctly, and I can't properly analyze myself in two." , she took off the disguise, revealing "extraordinary": "Since the Ninth National Congress, I have basically been an idler, and I have not been assigned any work, and it is even worse now."

In this regard, Mao Zedong did not give in. He criticized sharply: "Your job is to study domestic and foreign developments. This is already a big task. I have told you about this many times, don't say that there is no work. This order." Not long after, Mao Zedong criticized Jiang Qing’s idea of ​​“forming a cabinet” with “Wang Hongwen as the vice-chairman, after Zhu (German) and Dong (Biwu)”: “Jiang Qing has ambitions, and she wants Wang Hongwen to be a committee member.” Long, she herself is the chairman of the party." At this time, it was less than a month before the opening of the Fourth National People's Congress.

The Fourth National People's Congress, which has been delayed for 10 years, can be said to be full of disasters and difficult to open. In 1970, Lin Biao and his gang made a big fuss at the Lushan Conference in order to establish the president of the country in the new constitution passed by the Fourth National People's Congress (in fact, Lin Biao wanted to be the president of the country). Four years later, Jiang Qing and others saw the opportunity of the Fourth National People's Congress again, and plotted them to "form a cabinet" by any means. The history of the 10-year "Cultural Revolution" shows that if the two counter-revolutionary cliques Lin Biao and Jiang Qing are not eliminated, there will be no peace for the party, country, and people.

In December 1974, at this critical moment concerning who would control the leadership of the party and the country, Zhou Enlai, regardless of his frequent medical operations and deteriorating health, followed Mao Zedong's instructions and resolutely took on the responsibility of preparing for the convening of the Fourth National People's Congress. This is an important historical task related to the fate of the party and the country. In mid-December, after reviewing the distribution list of deputies to the Fourth National People's Congress, he wrote to the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, proposing to increase the number of veteran cadres.Immediately afterwards, he reviewed and revised the draft government work report drafted by Deng Xiaoping, and approved it.

On the most critical issue of personnel arrangements, Zhou Enlai was even more deliberate and painstaking.In response to the fact that the "Gang of Four" tried their best to place their selected "new forces" in the departments of culture, education, and sports, Zhou Enlai asked Deng Xiaoping, Li Xiannian, etc. to conduct research and discuss countermeasures many times.In the end, it was determined that the Ministry of Education was of great importance and could not make concessions. It was appropriate for Zhou Rongxin to be in charge; while the Ministry of Culture and the Sports Commission could make some compromises to seal the mouth of the "Gang of Four".

On the afternoon of December 18, Zhou Enlai had a private conversation with Deng Xiaoping in the hospital for the last time in 1974, and decided on various important plans for the Fourth National People's Congress.So far, all preparations for the first session of the Fourth National People's Congress, which have gone through several storms and springs and autumns, have been completed. At noon on December 23, Zhou Enlai was about to leave No. 305 Hospital and flew to Changsha to report to Mao Zedong face-to-face on the preparations for the Fourth National People's Congress.Before leaving, the medical staff found blood occult in his stool again, so he should be checked and treated immediately.At this time, after careful consideration, Ye Jianying, who had been involved in Zhou Enlai's treatment work, expressed on behalf of several veteran comrades: For the best interests of the party and the country.Can't mention it right now.He asked the medical staff accompanying Zhou Enlai to make every effort to control his illness and ensure Zhou Enlai's absolute safety on his way to and from Changsha.

On the same day, Zhou Enlai and Wang Hongwen flew to Changsha with another plane.Zhou Enlai, Wang Hongwen and Mao Zedong met in the conference room of Building No. 6 of the Jiusuo Hotel of the Hunan Provincial Party Committee.As soon as they met, Mao Zedong asked Zhou Enlai to sit beside him and asked about his condition with concern.Zhou Enlai answered them one by one. From the 23rd to the 27th, Mao Zedong had four consecutive conversations with Zhou Enlai and Wang Hongwen.In view of Jiang Qing's group's repeated gang activities during the preparations for the Fourth National People's Congress, Mao Zedong once again severely criticized Wang Hongwen: "Don't engage in the 'Gang of Four'! Don't engage in sects. If you engage in sects, you have to wrestle!" This was the first time Mao Zedong used the "Gang of Four" "This formulation.Mao Zedong also said: "Jiang Qing has ambitions. Do you see it? I think it is." He warned Wang Hongwen: "I advised you several times not to get together with several people, but you always refused to listen! This time, since you Come, stay a few more days, think about it, and write a written inspection."

While severely criticizing the "Gang of Four", Mao Zedong spoke highly of Deng Xiaoping.He said: "He (referring to Deng) has strong political thinking." Mao Zedong pointed to his head with his finger as he said. "Politics ('politics' in English) is better than him." Mao Zedong pointed at Wang Hongwen again: "He (referring to Wang) is not as strong as Deng Xiaoping." To emphasize the meaning of the words, Mao Zedong grabbed a pencil and wrote a large "strong" character on the paper.Seeing this, Zhou Enlai nodded heavily in agreement.Wang Hongwen who was present was not only embarrassed, but also very nervous. He stayed aside and was at a loss. During the conversation, when Zhou Enlai reported to Mao Zedong that according to the agreed personnel arrangement, Deng Xiaoping would be appointed as the first vice premier of the State Council and the chief of the General Staff of the Military Commission. He is also the chief of the general staff." As he spoke, he wrote down the words "Talents are hard to come by" on the paper.Zhou Enlai understood his meaning deeply, and blurted out: "Talents are rare." Mao Zedong put down his pen with a smile. Mao Zedong turned his head and said to Wang Hongwen: "The Prime Minister is still our Prime Minister." He also took care of Zhou Enlai: "You are not in good health. After the Fourth National People's Congress, you can rest assured to recuperate! Comrade Xiaoping can take over the work of the State Council." Zhou Enlai once again Nod solemnly. December 26 is Mao Zedong's 81st birthday.On this day, he sent Wang Hongwen to Shaoshan for a "visit", and he had a long private talk with Zhou Enlai. Together with Zhou Enlai, he reviewed and approved various personnel arrangements plans at the Fourth National People's Congress, and made the "Changsha Decision" with far-reaching influence. Half a month later, the first meeting of the Fourth National People's Congress elected a new leadership core of the State Council represented by Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping, and the "Changsha Decision" was realized.So far, the "Gang of Four" conspiracy headed by Jiang Qing has been completely bankrupted. 1974 - History will forever remember this extraordinary page.