Chapter 42 2. The bankruptcy of the "Gang of Four" conspiracy to form a cabinet

As mentioned above, after the Lin Biao incident, under the leadership of Zhou Enlai, various localities and various departments connected with reality and deeply criticized the ultra-left ideological trend. It was also a process of affirming the achievements before the "Cultural Revolution", correcting the mistakes in the "Cultural Revolution", and restoring the party and the country. normal working process.This will inevitably arouse hatred and opposition from the Jiang Qing clique, which is closely related to the fate of the "Cultural Revolution". Like the Lin Biao Group, the Jiang Qing Group is also a product of the "Cultural Revolution".As early as the launch stage of the "Cultural Revolution", these two groups colluded with each other and used each other.In the chaos of "overthrowing everything" and "all-out civil war", they respectively strengthened their respective forces and set out to achieve the same goal of usurping the supreme power of the party and the state. In 1967, the Central Cultural Revolution Group twice instigated and planned the rebels to besiege Zhongnanhai, attack the State Council, and try to win the party and state leaders.Jiang Qing and others publicly declared: "Now is the struggle between the 'New Cultural Revolution' and the 'old government', and the third headquarters headed by the State Council must be overthrown." , slander Zhou Enlai, and at the same time boast that he can control the overall leadership of the country.Therefore, in terms of realizing their political ambitions, there is no essential difference between Jiang Qing's group and Lin Biao's group.The demise of Lin Biao's clique undoubtedly removed the direct threat to Jiang Qing's clique.However, the subsequent criticism of Lin Biao, especially the criticism of the ultra-left ideological trend led by Zhou Enlai, created a new and greater threat to Jiang Qing and his gang.This is because there is an indissoluble bond between the ultra-left ideological trend and the "Cultural Revolution." Not only Lin Biao and his group were instigating the ultra-left ideological trend, but Jiang Qing and others from the former Central Cultural Revolution Group cannot escape their "connections."In the eyes of Jiang Qing and his group, "to criticize the ultra-left trend of thought is to criticize the Cultural Revolution."

In the spring of 1973, Zhou Enlai presided over the meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee and the Central Working Conference. It was expected that the four National People's Congresses would be held before the National Day of the same year.However, as the situation changed, the original plan was postponed again and again.The question of convening the fourth National People's Congress was not brought up again until after the 10th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in August of the same year. On September 12, according to Mao Zedong's opinion, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee began preparations for the Fourth National People's Congress, and Zhou Enlai served as the team leader of the "Government Work Report" drafting team.All work is expected to be completed by October 5th.Zhou Enlai proposed to Mao Zedong: "If these procedures are carried out smoothly, the formal meeting of the Fourth National People's Congress can solve the problem in five or six days." Almost at the same time that Deng Xiaoping and a group of old revolutionaries returned to the political stage, they fell silent for 22 months The long-awaited "information" about the Fourth National People's Congress reappeared in newspapers.

At this time, Jiang Qing, Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan, and Wang Hongwen, who formed the "Gang of Four" in the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, began to jointly counterattack Zhou Enlai.Under their instigation and manipulation, a large number of articles "criticizing the law and criticizing Confucianism" were published in newspapers and periodicals across the country. , "lifting the Yimin", targeting the older generation of revolutionaries and the vast number of veteran cadres who have resumed work. The interference of the "Gang of Four" interrupted the ongoing preparations for the Fourth National People's Congress.

Zhou Enlai was alert to the movements of Jiang Qing and his gang.Where possible, he criticized and stopped some non-organizational activities in Beijing and other places that were not conducive to stabilizing the political situation.But what Zhou Enlai considered more was those old comrades who were criticized or "stand aside" during the "Cultural Revolution". First of all, Zhou Enlai attached great importance to Deng Xiaoping's reinstatement and work arrangements, and personally preached and implemented it.In March of this year, Zhou Enlai presided over a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee to discuss and adopt the decision to restore Deng Xiaoping's party organization and the position of vice premier of the State Council.When talking about Deng Xiaoping's comeback, Zhou Enlai pointed out: If the problems of Lin Biao and Chen Boda were not exposed, and the victory of Lin Biao's anti-party clique struggle was not crushed, Comrade Deng Xiaoping's problems would not be resolved.He also said that Comrade Deng Xiaoping was in good health. According to the decision of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, Deng formally participated in the work of the State Council's business group and participated in foreign affairs activities as the vice premier of the State Council. Deng attended when the Political Bureau of the Central Committee discussed important issues.Soon, Zhou Enlai personally arranged for Deng Xiaoping to attend foreign affairs activities and announced Deng Xiaoping's reinstatement.During the preparations for the ten major central work conferences, Zhou Enlai reiterated that the Central Committee's document on the reinstatement of Deng Xiaoping was a representative document, and the vast majority of comrades were satisfied with it.In addition, Zhou Enlai also directly introduced Deng Xiaoping to some important foreign guests.He praised Deng Xiaoping to Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau in person and said: This is a Chinese leader who will become a very important person in the future.In December of the same year, Zhou Enlai personally drafted the notice of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China regarding Deng Xiaoping's appointment to the Central Committee of the Party and the Military Commission.Deng Xiaoping's comeback has aroused great concern at home and abroad.

Zhou Enlai also worked hard to create opportunities for other veteran comrades who came back before and after the Party's Tenth Congress, in fact to further restore their reputation and expand their influence.He told the relevant departments to arrange for Dong Biwu, Zhu De, Chen Yun, Li Fuchun, Xu Xiangqian, Nie Rongzhen, Wulanfu, Tan Zhenlin, Li Jingquan and others to participate in foreign affairs activities. On New Year's Day in 1974, the central "two newspapers and one periodical" editorial once again issued a message to "welcome" the opening of the Fourth National People's Congress.But in just over half a month, a massive campaign of "criticizing Lin Biao and Confucius" was launched across the country. On January 25th, Chi Qun and others delivered a long provocative speech at the mobilization meeting of "criticizing Lin and Confucius" instigated by Jiang Qing, insinuatingly accusing and criticizing Zhou Enlai and Ye Jianying.Subsequently, Jiang Qing created a series of incidents in a row, saying that "revisionism is still the main danger at present", that some people in the State Council "succumb to the pressure of imperialism", "worship foreigners", and so on.Under such circumstances, Zhou Enlai, who was terminally ill, did not back down.Just after the "12th Five-Year" Conference, he told an old comrade who was criticized for his ineffectiveness in "criticizing Lin Piao and Confucius" and planned to "resign": First, if others want to knock you down, no matter how hard they beat you, don't knock yourself down. Second, if someone wants to chase you away, no matter how he chases you, you don’t want to leave; third, if someone punishes you, no matter how he punishes you, you don’t want to die yourself.Facts have proved that this is also the monologue of Zhou Enlai's own inner world. In the early days of the "Cultural Revolution", Zhou Enlai used the sayings "If I don't go to hell, whoever goes to hell" and "Dedicate yourself to death, you will die after death" to express his belief in being loyal to his duty despite the difficulties.This time, he used the three words "don't fall", "don't go", and "don't die" to further express his determination to fight to the end.

Compared with the Lin Biao Group, the Jiang Qing Group has the characteristics of a longer period of chaos, greater energy, and a special status.To fight against them, we must pay particular attention to methods and strategies, and be good at grasping the "heat" and capturing opportunities.From March to December of this year, under Mao Zedong's decision-making and support, Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping, and the older generation of revolutionaries fought repeatedly with the "Gang of Four" headed by Jiang Qing, and finally won the struggle to "form a cabinet" at the Fourth National People's Congress. .

Regarding the candidates for the special session of the UN General Assembly.Since March, Zhou Enlai has lost more than 100 milliliters of blood every day due to cancer recurrence.When he reviewed the "Examination and Treatment Plan" of the medical team, he said: According to the current situation, the resection mentioned in the "Plan" is "not considered this time" and "will be discussed later."The "current situation" mentioned by Zhou Enlai included the unresolved issue of the head of the delegation to attend the sixth special session of the UN General Assembly.When Zhou Enlai's condition worsened and the Fourth National People's Congress was about to be held, who would represent the Chinese government on the international forum and explain China's internal and external policies to the world was a matter of great importance.It has a direct impact on the candidates for the new State Council elected by the Fourth National People's Congress.Mao Zedong keenly saw the "essence" of the problem, and suggested that Deng Xiaoping lead a delegation to attend the special session of the UN General Assembly.Zhou Enlai immediately expressed his support, and through work, most members of the Politburo agreed with this proposal.Despite Jiang Qing's repeated obstructions, he has become helpless.With the support of Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping finally made the trip.It was not until after Deng Xiaoping returned from the United Nations General Assembly that Zhou Enlai discussed his illness and treatment with the medical team.The result of this struggle dealt a heavy blow to the "Gang of Four" headed by Jiang Qing.

About the "Fengqinglun incident". In early October, Mao Zedong suggested to the central government that Deng Xiaoping be the first vice premier of the State Council, and then determined the candidate to succeed the premier in charge of the State Council, indicating that the Fourth National People's Congress had entered a critical moment of "forming a cabinet."This is naturally unacceptable to Jiang Qing and his group. On October 14, Jiang Qing saw an internal report about Feng Qinglun, which criticized the so-called "foreign slave philosophy", and asked the Politburo to "state" it.But Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping ignored them. At the meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee on the 17th, the gang of Jiang Qing, who had premeditated it, launched a surprise attack on Deng Xiaoping, forcing Deng to express his position on Feng Qinglun.Deng Xiaoping couldn't bear it anymore and refuted it with reason.After the meeting, the "Gang of Four" secretly planned to send Wang Hongwen to Changsha to sue Mao Zedong for the "statement" of Deng Xiaoping and Zhou Enlai.But they did not expect that Mao Zedong severely criticized Wang Hongwen on the spot.Soon Mao Zedong made it clear: the prime minister is still the prime minister, and Deng Xiaoping will be the first deputy prime minister and chief of the general staff.After learning of Mao Zedong's opinion, Zhou Enlai invited members of the Politburo in Beijing to meet in three batches, and resolved the "Feng Qinglun incident" in a timely manner.When reporting to Mao Zedong, he said: "I actively support the Chairman's proposal that Deng Xiaoping be the first deputy prime minister and also the chief of the general staff."It goes without saying that the essence of the "Feng Qinglun incident" is still the issue of "forming a cabinet" at the Fourth National People's Congress.In July of this year, Mao Zedong severely criticized the "Gang of Four" at the Politburo meeting he convened.Afterwards, he issued a call for "stability" and "unity" to the whole party, which not only expressed his intention to stabilize the political situation so that the Fourth National People's Congress could be held smoothly, but also implicitly warned Jiang Qing and others not to engage in gang activities.However, the power-hungry Jiang Qing and his gang still stubbornly targeted Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping, and they were actually fighting against Mao Zedong.In this sense, the "Gang of Four" is adding "chips" to their failure. On November 12, Mao Zedong sent a letter to Jiang Qing, warning her "don't show up too much, don't approve documents, and don't let you form a cabinet (as the backstage boss)." Except for the selection of candidates, Zhou Enlai presided over the arrangements for the personnel issues of the other four sessions of the National People's Congress.In this way, the right to "form a cabinet" at the Fourth National People's Congress was basically in the hands of Zhou Enlai and other revolutionaries of the older generation.

Regarding the personnel arrangement of the Fourth National People's Congress. In mid-to-late December, preparations for the Fourth National People's Congress entered the final stage. On the 21st, Zhou Enlai convened some members of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee in Beijing to discuss the personnel arrangements of the ministries and commissions of the new State Council.Jiang Qing, Zhang Chunqiao and others tried their best to place their cronies in the departments of culture, education, and sports.After Zhou Enlai exchanged views with Li Xiannian and others, he believed that the Ministry of Education could not let go, and it was appropriate for Zhou Rongxin to take charge, and the Ministry of Culture and the Sports Commission could make some concessions.The necessary compromises made by Zhou Enlai and other revolutionaries of the older generation were in exchange for overall stability and success.In this regard, foreign observers have also noticed that "among the 29 ministers appointed by the State Council, most of them were either officials before the Cultural Revolution or colleagues who were very close to Zhou Enlai personally."On the same day, Zhou Enlai also drew up a list of the chairman, vice chairman and vice premier of the Standing Committee of the Fourth National People's Congress.So far, all preparations for the Fourth National People's Congress have been completed. On the 23rd, according to the opinions agreed by the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, Zhou Enlai and Wang Hongwen went to Changsha to report to Mao Zedong on the preparations for the Fourth National People's Congress.Zhou Enlai, who was traveling sick, said: "Since I have been pushed onto the stage of history, I have to complete the historical task." In Changsha, Mao Zedong continued to severely criticize the "Gang of Four" and at the same time spoke highly of Deng Xiaoping.He also adopted Zhou Enlai's suggestion and proposed to elect Deng Xiaoping as a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee and vice chairman, as well as vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, vice premier of the State Council and chief of the general staff. On the 26th, Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai had a long talk alone and made a final decision on the appointment of party and state leaders.After analysis and comparison, the personnel arrangements for the Second Plenary Session of the Tenth CPC Central Committee and the Fourth National People's Congress were determined, including a new State Council leadership team with Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping at the core.During the trip to Changsha, Zhou Enlai did fulfill his mission.

The far-reaching "Changsha Decision" jointly formulated by Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai was the result of the continuous struggle of the older generation of revolutionaries. It announced the bankruptcy of the long-term conspiracy of the "Gang of Four" headed by Jiang Qing to "form a cabinet".