Chapter 46 "Exam" - Deng Xiaoping and Farage (3)

The first round of "examination": Facing Farage's barrage of questions, Deng Xiaoping was confident and found a master. Deng Xiaoping was interviewed by Farage in August 1980, and he talked twice. On August 21 and 23, 1980, Farage entered Zhongnanhai twice. For such a competition, Deng Xiaoping was already well prepared. The "examination" has begun.The atmosphere was not easy from the start.Farage's first sentence went straight to the point, touching on the quiet action in Beijing 20 days ago. The "examiner" asked: "Should the portrait of Chairman Mao on Tiananmen Square be preserved forever?"

Deng Xiaoping answered calmly and simply: "It must be kept forever. In the past, there were too many portraits of Chairman Mao, and they were hung everywhere. It was not a serious matter, and it did not show respect for Chairman Mao." Farage's question is very ingenious. This simple question is by no means concerned with the preservation of a portrait.The real intention of such questions is to implicitly "press" the big question of how to evaluate Mao Zedong and Mao Zedong Thought. Deng Xiaoping saw this clearly.He never went around the mountains and rivers, he simply cut to the point, and took the initiative to give a very clear answer to the other party's devious questions.

Deng Xiaoping went on to say: "Although Chairman Mao Zedong made mistakes for a period of time in the past, he is still the main founder of the Communist Party of China and the People's Republic of China. Taking his merits and mistakes, after all, his mistakes are secondary. What the Chinese people have done cannot be erased. From the feelings of our Chinese people, we will always commemorate him as the founder of our party and country." Deng Xiaoping's answer surprised Farage.She may not have thought that Deng Xiaoping took the initiative to give a clear answer to the difficult problem she was seeking to "dig out" with roundabout tactics.She couldn't help secretly admiring Deng Xiaoping's courage and boldness.As a result, Farage immediately made the question more acute and turned directly to his evaluation of Mao Zedong.

"For Westerners, we have many problems that we don't understand. When the Chinese people talk about the 'Gang of Four', they attribute many mistakes to the 'Gang of Four'. Fingers.” Farage’s ability to set up questions is truly extraordinary. Obviously, this is why Western observers confuse Mao Zedong's mistakes with the crimes of Lin Biao and the "Gang of Four".And this is exactly what Deng Xiaoping needed to announce to the whole world. Deng Xiaoping clearly stated: "The nature of Chairman Mao's mistakes is different from that of Lin Biao and the 'Gang of Four'. Chairman Mao has done very good things for most of his life. He has saved the party and the country from crises many times. Come here. Without Chairman Mao, at least we Chinese people will have to grope in the dark for a longer time. Chairman Mao's greatest achievement is to combine the general principles of Marxism-Leninism with the concrete practice of the Chinese revolution, and point out the road for China to win the revolution .”

Then, Deng Xiaoping made a detailed analysis and review of Mao Zedong's achievements and mistakes. Deng Xiaoping said: "It should be said that before the 1960s or the late 1950s, many of his ideas brought us victory, and some of the basic principles he put forward were very correct. He creatively applied Marxism-Leninism to the All aspects of the Chinese revolution, including philosophy, politics, military affairs, literature and art, and other fields, have creative insights. But unfortunately, he made mistakes in the latter part of his life, especially in the "Cultural Revolution", and the mistakes were not insignificant. Small, it has brought many misfortunes to our party, country and people."

Deng Xiaoping spoke slowly while smoking a cigarette calmly.Amidst the curling smoke, a Chinese leader with great foresight and magnanimity became more and more clear in the eyes of Western female reporters. Deng Xiaoping went on to say: "During the Yan'an period, our party summarized Chairman Mao Zedong's thoughts in all aspects as Mao Zedong Thought and took it as the guiding ideology of our party. It is precisely because we followed Mao Zedong Thought that we achieved great victories in the revolution. Of course Mao Zedong Thought was not created by Comrade Mao Zedong alone, including the older generation of revolutionaries who participated in the establishment and development of Mao Zedong Thought.

"Mao Zedong Thought" is the party's guiding ideology established by the "Seventh National Congress" of the Communist Party of China.This ideology guided the Chinese revolution to a complete victory.Then, why did China suffer serious setbacks in the construction of China?Is Mao Zedong Thought no longer working?Deng Xiaoping did not avoid Mao Zedong's mistakes.Deng Xiaoping didn't wait for Farage to ask questions, so he simply explained clearly in one breath. "However, due to the victory, he was not cautious enough. In his later years, some unhealthy factors and unhealthy thoughts gradually emerged, mainly some 'left' thoughts. A considerable part of them violated his original thoughts and violated his original very good ideas. His correct ideas, including his work style. At this time, he had less contact with reality. He did not carry out the good work style in the past, such as democratic centralism and the mass line, and did not formulate or form A good system. This is not only a shortcoming of Comrade Mao Zedong himself, but us revolutionaries of the older generation, including me, are also responsible.”

Deng Xiaoping's realistic spirit, broad-mindedness and honest character infected everyone.The translators and staff present all turned their respectful eyes to this lovely and respectable old man. "The political life of our party and the country is somewhat abnormal. Patriarchalism or patriarchal style has developed, and there are more things that glorify the individual. The whole political life is not so healthy, and finally led to the 'Cultural Revolution'." The Cultural Revolution 'it is wrong". After Deng Xiaoping made an objective evaluation of Mao Zedong and Mao Zedong Thought, he reminded that "Chairman Mao Zedong's poor health in his later years" was also related to his mistakes.

Farage immediately grasped the topic of Mao Zedong's body and asked another very sharp question. "You said Chairman Mao was not in good health in the latter period, but Chairman Mao was not in bad health when Liu Shaoqi was arrested and imprisoned and died in prison. There were other mistakes in the past, for example, wasn't the 'Great Leap Forward' a mistake? ? Isn’t it a mistake to copy the Soviet Union’s model? When did this mistake in the past go back? What exactly did Chairman Mao want to do when he launched the ‘Cultural Revolution’?” Farage's successive question marks were like a cannonball, making people overwhelmed.Amidst the gentle voice of the smiling female reporter asking questions, one could clearly hear the sound of metal beating.This kind of question and answer is not that the test is better than the test, and it is not that the battle is better than the battle.

Deng Xiaoping, who loves to play bridge, really found a master.And this is exactly what the calm Deng Xiaoping needs in his heart.He said: "The mistakes started in the late 1950s. For example, the 'Great Leap Forward' was incorrect. This responsibility is not solely the responsibility of Chairman Mao. Those of us who are overheated completely violate objective laws and attempt to Improving the economy at once. Subjective desires violate objective laws, and you will definitely suffer losses. But the main responsibility for the "Great Leap Forward" itself is still Chairman Mao. At that time, after a few months, Chairman Mao was the first to quickly discover these things. In 1962, Chairman Mao conducted self-criticism on these issues. However, after all, these lessons were not summed up enough, which led to the outbreak of the 'Cultural Revolution'."

Therefore, Deng Xiaoping went on to talk about the origin of the outbreak of the "Cultural Revolution". He said: "As far as Chairman Mao's own wish was concerned, the 'Cultural Revolution' was carried out out of consideration of avoiding the restoration of capitalism, but he made a wrong estimate of the actual situation in China. First of all, the target of the revolution was wrong. , leading to the arrest of the so-called 'capitalist party members in power'. This hit the leading cadres at all levels who had made achievements in the revolution and had practical experience, including Comrade Liu Shaoqi. "Chairman Mao said a year or two before his death that there were two mistakes in the 'Cultural Revolution', one was 'overthrow everything' and the other was 'all-out civil war'. Just talking about these two points, we can no longer talk about the 'Cultural Revolution' It is correct. Chairman Mao made a political mistake, which is not a small mistake. On the other hand, the mistake was exploited by two counter-revolutionary groups, Lin Biao and the 'Gang of Four'. Their purpose is to conspire to seize power. Therefore, we must distinguish Chairman Mao's Mistakes are the same as the crimes committed by Lin Biao and the 'Gang of Four'." When Lin Biao was mentioned, Farage asked: "But we all know that Chairman Mao chose Lin Biao, just like the kings of the West choose Lin Biao." Deng Xiaoping replied: "This is the incorrect approach I just mentioned. A leader who chooses his own successor is following a feudal approach. I said just now that our system is not sound, and this is included. " Having said that, Farage went on to ask: "When you try the 'Gang of Four' and when you hold the next party congress, to what extent will Chairman Mao be involved?" Deng Xiaoping took a sip of tea, put down his teacup and said firmly: "We must make an objective evaluation of Chairman Mao's merits and demerits in his life. We will affirm that Chairman Mao's achievements are the first, and his mistakes are the second. Yes. We must talk about Chairman Mao’s mistakes in the later period based on facts. We must continue to adhere to Mao Zedong Thought. Mao Zedong Thought is the correct part of Chairman Mao’s life. Mao Zedong Thought not only guided us to victory in the revolution in the past, but should also be the The precious wealth of the Chinese Party and the country." Deng Xiaoping said while gesturing, and finally emphasized, "We will not treat Chairman Mao the way Khrushchev treated Stalin." Deng Xiaoping was well aware of Khrushchev's complete negation of Stalin.Khrushchev was in Moscow when he chose a night to deliver a secret report that completely negated Stalin.Later, during the Sino-Soviet debate, Mao Zedong personally named Deng Xiaoping to "take command" of the expedition, and went to Moscow many times to engage in verbal battles with Khrushchev.In this regard, Deng Xiaoping can be said to be fresh in his memory, and he has also absorbed historical experience and lessons from it.Deng Xiaoping will never let the historical tragedy of Moscow repeat itself in Beijing! Farage asked again: "Does this mean that Chairman Mao's name will inevitably be mentioned in the trial of the 'Gang of Four' and the next party congress?" Deng Xiaoping replied affirmatively: "It will be mentioned. Not only at the party congress, but also on other occasions. But the trial of the 'Gang of Four' will not affect Chairman Mao. Of course, Chairman Mao is responsible for using the 'Gang of Four' .But for the crimes committed by the 'Gang of Four' themselves, it is enough to sentence them." As soon as Deng Xiaoping finished his answer on the relationship between Mao Zedong, Lin Biao and the "Gang of Four", Farage changed the subject and suddenly asked about the relationship between Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. She looked at Deng Xiaoping and said: "It is said that Chairman Mao often complained that you don't listen to him and don't like you. Is this true?" Deng Xiaoping smiled slightly.He knew that these "gossips" were all released to the public in the form of big-character posters during the "Cultural Revolution", and this was his "crime" at that time. To this, Deng Xiaoping answered very frankly: "Chairman Mao once said that I did not listen to him. But it did not refer to me alone, it also happened to other leaders. This also reflects that Chairman Mao's later period was somewhat unhealthy. Ideology, that is to say, has feudalism such as patriarchalism. It is not easy for him to listen to different opinions. It cannot be said that everything criticized by Chairman Mao is wrong. But there are many correct opinions, not only mine, but other comrades He didn't listen to it, democratic centralism was destroyed, and collective leadership was destroyed. Otherwise, it would be impossible to understand why the 'Cultural Revolution' broke out." Then, Farage asked Deng Xiaoping: "You mentioned that there are other people who have made contributions to Mao Zedong Thought. Who are these people?" Deng Xiaoping said: "The revolutionaries of the older generation, such as Premier Zhou Enlai, Comrade Liu Shaoqi, Comrade Zhu De, etc., and many others have made contributions. Many veteran cadres have created and have insights." At this time, Deng Xiaoping also recalled affectionately Premier Zhou Enlai, whom he respected, said, "Premier Zhou is a hard-working and hard-working person all his life. We have known each other very early and lived together when we were working and studying in France. He has always been a brother to me." Culture During the "Great Revolution", we all went down, but fortunately we kept him. During the "Cultural Revolution", he was in a very difficult position, and he said a lot of things against his will, and did a lot of things against his will. But the people forgive him. Because If he doesn't do these things or say these things, he can't keep himself, nor can he play a neutral role in it and reduce losses. He has kept a lot of people." "Why didn't you mention your name?" "I'm nothing. Of course I've always done something. How can a revolutionist not do something?" Deng Xiaoping's rhetorical question convinced Farage.But she didn't stop there, and immediately asked: "The 'Gang of Four' can only be arrested after the death of Chairman Mao....Who suggested arresting the 'Gang of Four'?" Deng Xiaoping said affirmatively: "This is the strength of the collective.... To do this, the strength of one or two people cannot do it." Then Deng Xiaoping also talked about the building of the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall after smashing the "Gang of Four".Deng Xiaoping said: "It should be said that it was against Chairman Mao's own wishes. In the 1950s, Chairman Mao suggested that all people should be cremated after death, leaving only ashes, not remains, and not to build graves. Chairman Mao was the first Signed. We all signed. The autograph book is still there. All these things after smashing the 'Gang of Four' were all based on the idea of ​​seeking stability." Farage didn't stop there, and a more pointed topic followed: "Will the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall be demolished soon?" This question of Farage is also a question predicted and guessed by many Western observers after analysis.Even in China, many people have such doubts. Deng Xiaoping told Farage clearly: "I am not in favor of demolishing it. It may not be appropriate to change what already exists. It is not appropriate to build it. If it is changed, people will talk about it. Now the world is speculating. We're going to tear down the memorial. We don't have that in mind." Time flies so fast, it seems that one morning has passed.It's time to eat. The first round of "exams" is here. The next round of "exams" is two days away.