Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Mao Zedong’s Eighteen Dark Moments

I. Filial Neglect: Ignoring Parents at Death

Mao Zedong’s mother suffered from lymphatic tuberculosis and passed away on October 5, 1919, at the age of 53. Mao did not want to witness her suffering in her final moments, did not accompany her, and did not absorb her kindness or moral guidance. This lack of filial devotion shaped Mao’s later revolutionary rebellion, contributing to his brutal and ruthless personality.

Mao’s father contracted typhoid and died on January 23, 1920, in their village. His father wished Mao would return for a final farewell, but Mao, in Changsha, did not go. His failure to honor his parents foreshadowed his disregard for the well-being of ordinary people once he gained power. A lack of familial respect extended to governing the nation.

II. Yang Kaihui’s Devotion and Mao’s New Love

Mao married Yang Kaihui in 1920; he was 27, she 19, and she was the cherished daughter of her teacher, Yang Changji. By 1925, Mao was having an affair with Li Lisan’s wife, even telling Li: “I am willing to send Yang Kaihui to sleep with you for a few nights.” Yang Kaihui, despite her anger, endured.

In 1927, Mao abandoned Yang Kaihui and their three children to join the revolution in Jinggangshan. By 1928, he had married He Zizhen, leaving Yang Kaihui behind. Despite her unwavering loyalty, she was captured by authorities who offered her a chance to live if she publicly renounced Mao. She refused and was executed. Yang left eight heartfelt letters criticizing Mao’s political and personal misconduct.

In later years, Mao wrote poems like “Butterfly Loves the Flower” in the 1950s to retroactively glorify himself, but he never truly mourned Yang Kaihui. She died for Mao unjustly.

III. Futian Incident: Execution of Over 700 Officers

On December 7, 1930, Mao sent his loyal follower Li Shaojiu to Futian to target the AB Group, executing 40 of over 120 captured individuals on the spot. The massacre triggered a revolt against Mao, with calls to “Down with Mao Zedong.”

Zhang Yunying, under the Comintern’s guidance, criticized both sides. Zhou Enlai, representing Moscow, supported Mao fully. In July 1931, Mao’s forces surrounded the Red 20th Army, arresting over 700 officers, including army commanders and political commissars, executing them, and dissolving the Red 20th Army, incorporating the remnants into the Red 7th Army.

IV. Mao Escapes Under Zhang Guotao’s Red Army Control

In 1935, Mao led 8,000 Red Army troops from Jiangxi to meet Zhang Guotao’s tens of thousands of troops from Sichuan, aiming to unify leadership. On the morning of September 10, 1935, Mao suddenly led his army northward, placing sentries behind to open fire on any pursuers. He asked Zhang Guotao if they would attack; Zhang said, “Red Army does not fight Red Army.” Mao’s 8,000 troops successfully escaped, eventually reaching Wuqi Town in northern Shaanxi, with fewer than 4,000 remaining.

V. Mao Fabricates Escape Story to Snow

In 1936, Mao told American journalist Edgar Snow a fabricated story about being captured by local militias in September 1927 and escaping: “I was captured by several militia members who intended to kill me. I borrowed a few dozen yuan from a comrade to bribe the guards, but the deputy officer refused. I decided to flee, ran across the fields, hiding until sunset. I met a peasant, still carrying seven yuan on me… eventually, I safely reached the peasant self-defense army.” In reality, Mao had disclosed information about his comrades during interrogation, collaborated with the militias, and only received seven yuan to return, effectively “betraying but surviving.”

VI. Mao Sets Trap: Zhang Guotao Falls, 20,000 West Expedition Army Destroyed

By October 1936, Mao had established his base in northern Shaanxi and set a trap to meet Zhang Guotao. He ordered Zhou Enlai to meet Zhang and hold a central committee meeting while dispatching Peng Dehuai to accompany troops. Zhang brought 20 personal bodyguards and joined Zhou and Peng. Zhang left the main army, losing command over the Fourth Front Army, and fell into Mao’s trap. Mao issued orders in Zhang’s name, directing the Fourth Front Army’s Western Expedition, sending them repeatedly into ambushes by Ma Bufang’s forces, resulting in over 20,000 troops being almost entirely destroyed. Mao eliminated internal rivals.

VII. Burying Fourth Front Army Soldiers Alive

The remnants of the Western Expedition reached Yan’an and surrendered their weapons. They were asked: “Do you want to stay in Yan’an or go to the Soviet Union?” Those who chose the Soviet Union were deceived by Gao Gang, who told them cheerfully: “Dig a pit for the Nationalist soldiers.” As they dug deeper, they realized: “We are not Nationalist soldiers!” Hundreds were buried alive under Mao’s orders through Gao Gang.

Mao had previously authorized similar mass handling of “unsuitable for Long March” personnel in 1934 Jiangxi, saving bullets and avoiding alarm.

VIII. Assassination of Liu Zhidan

Liu Zhidan (1903–1936), founder of the Shaanxi Red Area, had an army of 5,000, stronger than Mao’s weakened 4,000 troops. Mao told his commanders, “Liu may not be politically correct,” and orchestrated Liu’s assassination. On April 14, 1936, Liu was allegedly shot by enemy machine guns from 200 meters away at a hill by the Yellow River. In fact, Mao bribed the security officer Pei Zhouyu to shoot Liu from behind. Liu’s left and right-hand men also died soon after. In three months, three top Red Army leaders in northern Shaanxi were eliminated.

Mao allied with Gao Gang through “blood-drinking” oaths, securing his position in Shaanxi.

IX. Deceiving Zhang Xueliang to Gain Soviet Support for Xi’an Incident

Mao and Zhou Enlai deceived Zhang Xueliang into believing Stalin supported his arrest of Chiang Kai-shek and the establishment of a Northwestern government to oppose Chiang. On the second day of Zhang’s arrest of Chiang, Pravda did not support it, leaving Zhang stunned in front of Chiang. Stalin finally allowed Chiang’s son to return to the country in exchange for releasing Chiang. The Xi’an Incident was resolved peacefully, and Zhang Xueliang became a “forever hero” of the CCP, though he remained under house arrest for decades.

X. Mao Advocates World War, Predicts Mass Deaths

In 1955, Mao told a central meeting: “In a world war, China could lose 400 million people, two-thirds of the population.” At that time, China had 600 million people, and no one responded in the meeting.

In 1957, at the World Communist Congress in Moscow, Mao said again: “If a world revolution and the Third World War occur, even if one-third of the world’s population dies, it’s acceptable, at most half, the other half survives.” The world population then was 2.7 billion. No one responded.

XI. Mao Holds Second “Eighth Congress” to Promote Great Leap Forward

The Eighth National Congress had convened in 1956, but Mao ignored it. In 1958, he specifically summoned 1,300 representatives back to Beijing for a “second Eighth Congress” to promote the Great Leap Forward.

From the First Congress to the Fifth Congress, between 1921 and 1925, Congresses were held annually under Chen Duxiu. The Sixth Congress was set by Stalin in Moscow, and Chen Duxiu did not attend. After 1940, the CCP was effectively a military authority. Mao had not established full authority, so he delayed gatherings, using training, rectification, and investigation to remove many, leaving only half by 1945. After rectification, Mao’s absolute authority was established, and the Seventh Congress was held.

XII. 1958 Great Leap Forward: 90 Million People Forced to Steel Production, Prepare for 50 Million Deaths

In 1958, Mao mobilized 90 million people to produce steel and work on water conservancy projects. He openly predicted 50 million deaths. The subsequent three-year famine resulted in at least 50 million deaths, matching his grim forecast.

In November 1958, Mao told top leaders: “Produce steel, build waterworks; I know people will die. If one-third dies, so be it; even if half die, the mission must continue. No one can remove me; kill me if necessary.”

Mao also claimed before 200 central committee members: “Eliminate the family; Marx’s Communist Manifesto already mentioned it. Achieve complete liberation of the body and sexuality. Only then is full liberation possible.” Liu Shaoqi resisted, arguing this should not be disseminated, and it was not included in the Selected Works of Mao Volume 5.

XIII. 1961: Mao’s Darkest Year

The Great Famine worsened. In October 1959, in Henan, a village of 90 people had only 30 survivors; in Jiangzhai Village, Xian County, 397 people were reduced to fewer than 90 within months. Some villages merged due to mass deaths.

By the end of 1961, population ministers Chen Guodong and Jia Qiyun, and the Grain Ministry’s office chief Zhou Boping, discovered tens of millions missing. Mao commented: “Stop reporting; don’t leak this. Millions dead are not important; the key is my power.”

Stalin’s secret clause of the 1950 Sino-Soviet Treaty specified China must lose at least 100 million people due to lack of resources.

XIV. 1962: 7,000-Person Conference Replaces Ninth Congress, Avoids Election

Mao convened a 7,000-person conference instead of the Ninth Congress to avoid elections. If elections occurred, 50 million famine deaths would endanger his position. Liu Shaoqi eventually remarked on the last day: “Seven parts man-made, three parts natural disaster,” expressing outrage. Mao survived the conference unscathed.

XV. Mao Executes Military Coup to Seize Beijing

In March 1966, Mao ordered Lin Biao’s 38th Army to seize Beijing, taking control of key districts, the garrison, broadcasting stations, and 30 strategic locations. Central committee members were trapped. Liu Shaoqi woke up pale and trembling. Mao also asked Wang Dongxing to deploy additional guards for Lin Biao.

XVI. Liu Shaoqi Dies: “Send Me a Photo by Special Plane”

On November 12, 1969, Liu Shaoqi, after three years of imprisonment and struggle sessions, died in Kaifeng, Henan. Mao immediately leaped from bed, saying: “Send me a photo by special plane.” Mao had anticipated Liu’s death, and receiving the news relieved him, securing his power permanently. Liu’s death was not publicly announced until Mao’s death in 1976, seven years later.

XVII. Mao Fears Lin Biao Retaliation, Demands Two Pistols

After Lin Biao’s failed escape in 1971, Mao feared retaliation. He requested two pistols for protection. Zhou Enlai approved but provided no bullets. One pistol was kept on the bed, the other on the sofa, giving Mao a sense of security.

XVIII. Nixon Saves Mao

After Lin Biao’s fall, Mao’s health deteriorated; he spent four months bedridden, unable to walk. When Nixon visited in February 1972, Mao was given stimulants to ensure he could get up and walk to meet the U.S. President. Mao insisted on being updated about Nixon’s arrival at every stage. Nixon landed in Beijing and was to meet Mao immediately, even though Mao was still in the bath, and Zhou Enlai had to fetch him.