The secretary recalled Jiang Qing's (11) attitude towards Deng Gong's comeback in criticizing the "February countercurrent."

Author: Yang Yinlu

On August 22, 1972, Jiang Qing arrived in Guangzhou and stayed at the Zhudao Hotel, preparing for a long talk with the American female writer Mrs. Witteke (1). Jiang Qing talked from the 25th to the 31st, talking for a total of 7 days and 60 hours. During this time, one day, before talking to Mrs. Wittek, Jiang Qing called me to her office and said to me: "Xiao Yang, look at this document. "I took it in my hand and saw Chairman Mao's instructions on it. Because she was sitting on the sofa, I was standing next to her, she felt nervous and couldn't stand it, so she said: "Xiao Yang, the chairman's instructions are relatively long, if you look carefully, it will take a long time to watch, I can't stand the tension when you stand there." She patted a couch and said, "You sit there and see if it's good." ”

I said, "Good, good, good. ”

I sat on the couch and looked closely at a letter from Deng Xiaoping to Mao Zedong on August 3, in which he criticized Lin Biao.

On the 14th, Mao Zedong wrote a paragraph of criticism on Deng Xiaoping's letter: "After the premier reads it, it will be handed over to Director Wang (2) to print and distribute to all comrades of the Central Committee." The mistake made by Comrade Deng Xiaoping was serious. However, it should be distinguished from Liu Shaoqi.

(1) He was in the Central Soviet Region, that is, one of the four sinners of Deng, Mao, Xie and Gu, and was the head of the so-called Maoist faction. The whole of his material is two lines, two books since the Six Congresses. The person who came forward to rectify him was Zhang Wentian.

(2) He has no historical problem. That is, the enemy was not surrendered.

(3) He assisted Comrade Liu Bocheng in fighting the war effectively and had meritorious achievements.

In addition, after entering the city, it was not a good thing that was not done, for example, leading a delegation to Moscow for negotiations, he did not succumb to Soviet revisionism. I have said these many times in the past, and I will say them again. ”

After reading it seriously, I turned to Jiang Qing and said, "Comrade Jiang Qing, I have finished reading it." ”

Jiang Qing said solemnly at this time: "I violated the discipline of secrecy today and asked you to see such an important document. Let you see, mainly to hear your opinion on the Chairman's instructions, you say. ”

I said, "I haven't digested it yet, and I don't dare to say it, for fear of saying the wrong thing." I would like to hear Comrade Jiang Qing's opinion. ”

She glared at me fiercely and said loudly: "You listen to me, what else do you want to see?" You said! It doesn't matter if you say it's wrong, it won't condemn you, say it boldly, don't have any concerns, you say. ”

Instead of asking me to say, I said: "First, judging from the Chairman's instructions, there is a difference between Comrade Deng Xiaoping (who has never called him 'comrade' since he was overthrown, and that the Chairman called him Comrade in this instruction, and I immediately called him Comrade) and Liu Shaoqi. Second, the chairman affirmed Comrade Deng Xiaoping. On these two points. ”

Jiang Qing asked, "How do you think you will treat Deng in the future?" ”

At that time, I thought that this may be the main purpose of Jiang Qing asking me to see the document, and it was also the central topic of Jiang Qing's question about me. I said boldly, "Maybe the chairman is going to liberate him and use him." ”

Jiang Qing said: "The first point and the second point do not need you to say, the chairman's instructions are very clear. Third, you have to analyze it with some reason, and you have a certain political acumen and predictability. ”

She said dissatisfied: "I see that the chairman has made up his mind to use him again, the chairman has made up his mind, I can't say anything more, only obey, subordinates obey superiors." I am the chairman's student, and the student listens to the teacher, champions and enforces the teacher's decisions. I believe that the President's decisions are always wise. It is said that Deng's letter was personally sent to the chairman by Comrade Wang Dongxing. Wang and Deng have a very close relationship. ”

On the evening of December 17, 1972, Zhou Enlai came to Mao Zedong, and when talking about the problem of old cadres, Mao Zedong said of Tan Zhenlin: "He is still a good comrade, he should be allowed to come back." ”

The next day, Zhou Enlai wrote to Ji Dengkui and Wang Dongxing, asking them to specifically undertake the matter of bringing Tan Zhenlin back, and at the same time took the opportunity to propose: Comrade Deng Xiaoping's family had asked for some work, please also consider it, and the chairman also mentioned it several times. Later, Zhou Enlai asked the two of them to interview Deng Xiaoping's comeback.

On December 27, Ji Dengkui and Wang Dongxing, according to Zhou Enlai's instructions, wrote a letter proposing to restore Deng Xiaoping to the post of vice premier to Zhou Enlai. Zhou Enlai asked Mao Zedong and obtained Mao Zedong's consent.

In February 1973, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China officially notified Deng Xiaoping and his family to return to Beijing.

On March 10, 1973, on the proposal of Mao Zedong, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China issued the Decision on Resuming Comrade Deng Xiaoping's Party Organization and Life and the Post of Vice Premier of the State Council.

After reading this central document, Jiang Qing pointed to it and said to me: "It seems that what you told me in Guangzhou that 'the chairman wants to use Deng Xiaoping' is correct. I don't know how to use it in the future?! I know the chairman, but if there is doubt, there is no doubt, and the chairman is likely to ask him to preside over the daily work of the Central Committee in the future. Because the prime minister's health is not very good. No matter how I use it, I still support the President's decision. ”

Judging from Jiang Qing's expression and listening to Jiang Qing's tone, she verbally supported the chairman's decision, but in her bones she was very reluctant to ask Deng Xiaoping to come out to work, and she was very afraid that Deng Xiaoping would come out to work, and her appearance was very inconsistent.

After Deng Xiaoping returned to Beijing from Jiangxi and resumed his post as vice premier, Jiang Qing was unhappy and restless.

One day, Jiang Qing called Deng Xiaoping to Building 10, her residence, and Jiang Qing did not respect Deng Xiaoping very much, neither invited him to the office nor invited him to the living room to talk, but called him in the foyer and did not say that he was told to sit down. Jiang Qing sat alone in the chair, and Deng Xiaoping stood in front of Jiang Qing, quietly listening to Jiang Qing's speech.

Jiang Qing said: "Comrade Deng Xiaoping, you made mistakes during the Cultural Revolution, and the chairman adhered to the policy of punishing those who made mistakes before they were punished and treating diseases and saving people. The chairman is magnanimous to you, regardless of previous suspicions, strictly distinguishes you from Liu Shaoqi, tells you to come back to work, and places you in such an important post, you should thank the chairman, you have to correct your mistakes while working. People are not afraid of making mistakes, they are afraid of not changing, and it is good to change. ”

After hearing this, Deng Xiaoping simply said, "Thank you Chairman Mao, and thank you to Comrade Jiang Qing for your reminder." ”

The role in critiquing the "February countercurrent"

After the "January Storm" in 1967, Chairman Mao made a new strategic plan and instructed Premier Zhou to hold a meeting to study and discuss.

At 3 p.m. on February 14, Premier Zhou presided over a daily work meeting attended by party, government, and military leaders and a joint meeting of members of the Central Cultural Revolution in the conference room on the north side of Huairen Hall in Zhongnanhai. Present at the meeting were Chen Yi, Ye Jianying, Xu Qianqian, Nie Rongzhen, Li Fuchun, Li Xiannian, Tan Zhenlin, Yu Qiuli, Gu Mu, Kang Sheng, Chen Boda, Wang Li, Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan and others. At the meeting, with the leaders of the Central Military Commission and the State Council on the one hand and the members of the "Central Cultural Revolution Group" on the other,-for-tat struggles were launched around a series of major issues of principle, such as the factional nature of the "Cultural Revolution."

Ye Jianying and Xu Qianqian, vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission, were extremely dissatisfied with the "Central Cultural Revolution Group's" attempt to disrupt the army. Xu Qianqian used a lot of facts to criticize Liu Zhi as a traitor. Ye Jianying seriously criticized the extremely abnormal phenomena such as the transformation of Shanghai into a Shanghai Commune without a meeting of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee and the absence of grassroots party leadership in all units.

Liu Zhijian, a native of Pingjiang, Hunan Province, participated in the Pingjiang Uprising in 1928, he participated in the Long March, and later served as the head of the Intelligence Department of the Central Military Commission, and after the founding of New China, he served as the propaganda director of the General Political Department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and the first deputy director of the General Political Department.

During the Cultural Revolution, Liu Zhijian served as deputy head of the "Central Cultural Revolution Group" and leader of the "All-Army Cultural Revolution Group." In the "January Storm", Liu Zhijian also became the target of the "fourth figure of the Central Committee" (member of the Politburo Standing Committee and vice premier of the State Council) Tao Zhu was overthrown.

On January 3, the "Red Guards" wanted to fight Marshal Chen Yi, and Ye Jianying asked Liu Zhijian to calm down. On January 4, Premier Zhou and Liu Zhijian spoke with student representatives at the Great Hall of the People. Liu Zhijian said: If there is anything wrong with Comrade Chen Yi's speech to the army, the first responsibility lies with him, because he is the leader of the all-army Cultural Revolution group. Kang Sheng roared, saying that to lift the lid of class struggle in the army, he must first criticize Liu Zhijian. Since then, Liu Zhijian has been criticized and finally designated as a "traitor".

At a meeting on February 16, Tan Zhenlin bravely criticized the Central Cultural Revolution Group, saying, "Your aim is to get rid of old cadres. Knock out the old cadres one by one ... Jiang Qing wants to turn me into a counter-revolutionary. So let you guys do it! I quit! Cut off his head, go to jail, expel from the party..." Tan Zhenlin said and got up to leave.

Chen Yi then Tan Zhenlin said: "Don't go, fight with them!" ”

Zhou Enlai, Ye Jianying, Li Xiannian, Yu Qiuli, and others also expressed their views on some incorrect practices during the "Cultural Revolution." They also criticized the brutal struggle and ruthless crackdown on old cadres during the Yan'an rectification campaign.

At the February 16 meeting, the "Central Cultural Revolution Group" was very embarrassed. That night, Kang Sheng instructed Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan, and Wang Li to go to the Great Hall of the People and "collectively check" the meeting records according to their needs.

Then, Jiang Qing led them to Zhongnanhai to report to Chairman Mao, and deliberately exaggerated the situation in which Tan Zhenlin was leaving the venue, saying that Tan Zhenlin said: Let you people do it! I quit! They also said that Chen Yi, Ye Jianying, and Li Xiannian expressed great dissatisfaction with the Cultural Revolution. The purpose of this out-of-context and exaggerated report to Chairman Mao was to arouse Chairman Mao's dissatisfaction with the old marshals.

On the evening of February 18, Chairman Mao called a meeting of some Politburo members and seriously criticized the old marshals' performance at the meeting.

The group of the "Central Cultural Revolution Group", especially Jiang Qing, felt that the time had come and began to attack the old marshals. From the 25th, seven so-called life meetings were held in a row. At the meeting, Jiang Qing and his gang shouted angrily and corruptly, saying that the speeches made by several old marshals were "against Chairman Mao's revolutionary line" and "against the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution."

He also said: "To deny the Yan'an rectification movement is to oppose Chairman Mao," and "to protect veteran cadres is to protect a small group of capitalists, traitors, and secret agents." "Saying they" opposed Chairman Mao with the aim of overturning the case for Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping! Jiang Qing's senior military master Kang Sheng also described the meeting as "a kind of rehearsal of a coup d'état, a rehearsal of capitalist restoration!" It is the most serious anti-party incident since the 11th Plenary Session! ”

After the end of the "life meeting," the "meeting of the Central Party, government, military, and culture" was abolished, and the "Central Cultural Revolution Group" replaced the Politburo of the Central Committee, and the Central Military Commission Office Group replaced the Central Military Commission Standing Committee. The power of Jiang Qing and his gang has increased since then, and Jiang Qing has become more brazen in cracking down on those who oppose them.

One day, Jiang Qing conspired with Qi Benyu and the leader of the rebel faction at Beijing Normal University, believing that "anti-Tan Zhenlin can start with the Dazhai exhibition." The next day, there was a "Down with Tan Zhenlin!" in Beijing! "Completely defeat the counter-revolutionary restoration countercurrent!" and other slogans. Later, more than a dozen rebel organizations in Beijing held a "pledge meeting to repel the adverse current of capitalist restoration." The leader of the rebel faction of the Beijing Normal University led more than a thousand people to shout: "Tan Zhenlin's black report is a manifesto against the current in February!" "Tan Zhenlin deceived Chairman Mao and deserves death!" and other slogans.

Instigated by Jiang Qing, the anti-February counter-current" movement became louder and louder. One day in mid-March, 100,000 students in Beijing organized a massive demonstration with the procession chanting, "Defend the Central Cultural Revolution with blood!" and other slogans supporting the "Central Cultural Revolution Group".

On March 24, Beijing established the "Liaison Station for Criticizing Yu Qiuli" for the proletarian revolutionaries in the capital. On April 1, the Foreign Affairs Department established a "Liaison Station for Criticizing Chen Yi". On 5 April, the State Development Planning Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Communications, and various ministries and commissions of infrastructure construction established the "Doubo (Yibo) Approval Yu (Qiuli) Batch Valley (Pasture) Liaison Committee" and other organizations. Under the impetus and influence of these liaison associations, the movement to criticize Tan, Chen, Yu, and Gu has risen wave after wave in Beijing and some major cities across the country.

In the campaign to create and criticize the "February countercurrent", Jiang Qing played a decisive role. (3)

In the summer of 1970, after the Second Plenary Session of the Ninth CPC Central Committee, and especially after Lin Biao fled and fell to his death on September 13, 1971, Chairman Mao began to think calmly about the occurrence and existing problems of the Cultural Revolution and began to correct some erroneous practices.

On October 13, 1971, Chairman Mao decided to abolish the Central Military Commission Office Group and set up a Central Military Commission Working Conference chaired by Ye Jianying, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, to be responsible for the daily work of the Central Military Commission. On the 14th, when Chairman Mao received the members of the Chengdu Regional Forum, he rehabilitated the "February counter-current" and said: "You should no longer talk about them (referring to Ye Jianying and other comrades) 'February countercurrent'. What is the nature of the 'February countercurrent'? It was they who opposed Lin Biao, Chen Boda, Wang, Guan, and Qi. ”

Jiang Qing was surprised to learn that Chairman Mao had rehabilitated the "February counter-current," and was disturbed.

At 2 p.m. on October 15, Jiang Qing asked me to call Kang Sheng, Zhang Chunqiao, and Yao Wenyuan to Diaoyutai Building 10. After she told me to call, I waited for them in the large living room. They came soon after receiving the call, and I led them into the large living room and came out.

At about 3 o'clock, the premier called Jiang Qing, I went to the door of the large living room and knocked (this is the rule, her door can't let you in casually, if something wants to enter, you must knock first, she should be allowed to enter before entering, otherwise, it will be a disaster), I heard Jiang Qing say "come in", I tiptoed to open the door and enter.

Under normal circumstances, when they discussed problems, they saw our staff go in, afraid that we would hear what they were talking about, and they stopped talking, this time it may be that Jiang Qing was too excited, and saw me go in, but uncharacteristically, did not stop talking, she said: "How can the 'February countercurrent' blow the wind?" I would like to speak to the President when I have the opportunity. ”

The sophisticated Kang Sheng said: "The chairman did not blame us, so why set ourselves on fire?" The chairman's words are the highest instructions (Kang Sheng's tone of voice at that time was sarcastic), don't say anything more, you should understand the chairman's temper. ”

Zhang Chunqiao said: "Elder Kang has a point, if we talk to the chairman about this, it is as if we have some problem on this issue." ”

Yao Wenyuan stared wide-eyed, did not speak, just nodded, indicating agreement with Kang Sheng and Zhang Chunqiao.

After I went in, standing opposite them, Jiang Qing didn't ask me what happened? She was interested in talking, and I didn't dare to report to her, and I didn't dare to go if she didn't tell me to go out, which made me embarrassed.

When they paused slightly, I deliberately took a step forward, and Jiang Qing asked me, "What happened to Xiao Yang?" ”

I said, "Prime Minister please answer the phone." ”

Jiang Qing stood up and took a few steps towards the gate, then turned back to the three of them and said, "Did he (referring to the prime minister) influence the chairman?" Why is the question of 'February countercurrent' blown off? ”

Jiang Qing's words, they listened to it and did not say anything. Jiang Qing walked out of the door of the large living room and asked, "Where is the prime minister's phone?" ”

I replied, "In your office." ”

Jiang Qing answered the phone and came out of the office, looking very unhappy.

After they left, Jiang Qing called me over and asked, "Did you hear the conversation we had just now?" Report to your master! The old lady is not afraid of your complaint! ”

Jiang Qing was afraid that I would report the content of their conversation to Premier Zhou, but she was unwilling to say it to me head-on, but deliberately used the posture and tone of her master's speech to the servant to scare people.

I said, "I don't understand what Comrade Jiang Qing meant? To whom to file a complaint? ”

"What are you pretending to be confused by a smart person? What I'm talking about is that just now I talked with Comrades Kang Lao, Chunqiao, and Wen Yuan about the 'February countercurrent', report to your master!" ”

I said, "I didn't hear what you were talking about, and my task was to report that your Prime Minister was calling, asking you to answer the phone, and I didn't pay attention to what you were saying, and I didn't know who your master was." ”

"Yang Yinlu, you have more courage today than before, you dare to talk back to me, you dare to question me, you are incredible, if you continue to develop like this, do you know what the consequences will be?" Jiang Qing became embarrassed and said to me impatiently, "You go out!" I'm nervous that you're here! ”

I went back to my office and waited for her to drop. However, I was very comfortable that I had done nothing wrong, and I thought: If Jiang Qing takes any control measures against me, I must find a way to report the truth of the problem to the premier.

Jiang Qing attached great importance to the issue of rehabilitating the "February countercurrent," so she put aside my "backtalk" and "questioning." She had dinner, called me, and said, "You call the chairman, and if the chairman is in good spirits, I want to see the chairman." ”

After the Second Plenary Session of the Ninth Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, it was very difficult for Jiang Qing to go to the chairman, and this time, for some reason, the chairman quickly replied: "Please Jiang Qing." "At that time, there were not many cars on the road, there was no traffic jam, and it took about 15 minutes from Diaoyutai to Zhongnanhai.

Jiang Qing entered the chairman's residence and came out after more than 40 minutes. I saw her frowning tightly, her face was blue, and it could be seen from her expression that this conversation was unpleasant.

Jiang Qing went to the chairman for the rehabilitation of the "February countercurrent" and set himself on fire; according to people familiar with the matter, the chairman was very unhappy with Jiang Qing's obstruction of the rehabilitation of the "February countercurrent."

The chairman said to Jiang Qing, the old marshals are opposed to Lin Biao, Chen Boda, Wang, Guan, and Qi, and they are also against you. The chairman pointed to Jiang Qing and said, if you go to find out, who first proposed the term "February countercurrent"? Aren't you very serious about rehabilitating the "February countercurrent"? Find out who first proposed the word and tell me.

After Jiang Qing returned to Diaoyutai from Zhongnanhai, she became angry, and she asked me: "Did you report to the premier about our talk about the 'February countercurrent'?" Otherwise, when I talked to the Chairman about the redress of the February counter-current, the Chairman was so unhappy. You honestly answer me, did you report to the prime minister, you made it clear that there is nothing wrong, I can protect you, if you don't say, if you call me to find out, you will not have a good end! You weigh it well, which head is heavier and which head is lighter? ”

Although Jiang Qing roared like this, I was calm in my heart, and I thought to myself, no matter where the pressure came from, if I didn't do anything, I couldn't admit it when the knife rested on my neck. If I had reported the Prime Minister against my conscience, my fate would have been even worse. On the one hand, she can charge me with "provoking relations between Politburo members"; On the other hand, she could also find the basis for the premier's complaint to Chairman Mao.

So, I calmly said to Jiang Qing, "I promise that I have never told anyone about your conversation. One is that I didn't hear clearly what you were talking about; Second, we have a strict discipline of secrecy, do not say what we know, do not ask what we do not know, and keep our mouths shut. ”

She said, "Okay then. Do you check for me when and on what occasion I spoke about the definition of 'February countercurrent'? I haven't talked about it! Find out and tell me. ”

As soon as I heard her ask me to look up the source of her "February countercurrent", I suddenly became nervous. I think this is a big problem, a difficult problem, a problem that I dare not deal with.

Why is that? If I promise to check for her, it is not difficult to find out, but what should I do after I find out? If she reported truthfully, Jiang Qing would definitely rake it backwards and say that I had finished her black material; If she didn't report truthfully, she would push the slogan of "February against the current" to others, and she would wash it clean. She is trying to use my mouth to gag other people's mouths.

I said to her: "Comrade Jiang Qing, the opposition to the 'February countercurrent' was in February-March 1967, when I had not yet come to work with you and did not understand the situation. Moreover, the documents and speech materials sent to you by the Central Office will be returned once in two months, and the documents and materials at that time have long been lost here, and they cannot be found here, and I am afraid it is inconvenient to check them in other units. You have a lot of work here, if I go around to check the materials will affect the service for you, do you want to check through the organization? ”

As soon as the clever Jiang Qing heard me say this, she immediately realized that I was unwilling to check on her and would not help her. So, he said unhappily: "Forget it, you don't need to check, I'll ask others to check." ”

I don't think she will go through the organization check, if through the organization check, if it is clear, it will report her through the organization, or report to the central government, so that she will be fully exposed.

A few days later, the Politburo of the Central Committee held a meeting in the Fujian Hall of the Great Hall of the People, and Jiang Qing suddenly walked out of the conference room and shouted: "Xiao Yang! What about Xiao Yang? ”

I heard Jiang Qing call me, and I immediately came out from behind the screen.

She said, "Xiao Yang, you go in." ”

She didn't say what to ask me to go in, and I didn't dare to ask, so I followed her into the conference room. I could see that the Politburo members attending the meeting had serious faces, and I guessed eight or nine points.

Jiang Qing crossed her hands at her waist and asked me loudly: "Xiao Yang, did I first propose the slogan of 'February counter-current' in front of everyone?" Didn't I tell you to check? ”

I didn't know how to answer Jiang Qing's question all of a sudden, and I stopped for about 10 seconds without speaking.

Jiang Qing said in a fierce voice: "Are you dumb? Say it quickly! At her urging, I didn't have time to think about anything more, and blurted out: "I don't have time to check it yet." ”

Jiang Qing said very dissatisfied: "No, I've been telling you for several days, why haven't you checked it yet?" I see that you have found out and dare not say, say! Say it! ”

Seeing that I was so embarrassed, the prime minister stood up and relieved me and said: "Didn't Comrade Yinlu say that he hasn't found time to investigate, don't force me to ask!" He waved his hand and said, "Please Comrade Yinlu go out." ”

Jiang Qing called me into the conference room to tell me lies in front of all the leaders, saying that Jiang Qing had not said anything about the "February countercurrent," and of course I could not lie out of a person's conscience.

Jiang Qing returned to the Diaoyutai, called me into her office, dropped her file bag, and said hoarsely: "You little sesame official, you don't have me as a member of the Politburo in your eyes." Why didn't you answer the question as I meant at the Politburo meeting? You are quite principled, insisted on coming to me, do you want to live in a different place! "In this case, I think no matter how I explain it, it will be useless and I can only remain silent.

Jiang Qing's energy is limited, she has already made a fuss at the meeting, and when she returns to her residence and makes trouble again, she is exhausted, so she said: "Wait and see!" You get out! I take a break. ”

I turned to leave, and she shouted: "You stop, I tell you, this matter is not over, I have always used people who listen to me, and if you don't listen to me, there is no good end, you know this!" If you don't obey, now Yan Changgui's end is your end, I'm not scaring you, you have to think well. "Once again, she made a terrible threat to me.