Chapter 63 Birthday banquet promoting a full-scale civil war 1966

Journalist: “Your 73rd birthday party was very crowded?

Mao: “On December 26, 1966, my 73rd birthday, a banquet was held at the Chrysanthemum Fragrance Bookstore with three tables. The first table consisted of the five student leaders from Beijing, along with Xie Jingyi, Wang Dongxing, and Chi Qun. The second table was hosted by Zhou Enlai and attended by the old revolutionaries. The third table was hosted by the hostess, Jiang Qing, and the entire central Cultural Revolution group. Lin Biao never attended such banquets due to his illness. During the banquet, Tan Houlan said, “Early reporting, late debriefing,” a worship ritual invented in DaZhai, and Zhou Enlai led the applause. I mentioned that the masses were spontaneously organizing these activities without restrictions, but we should be cautious of those who harbor hatred towards me, as well as those who seek to use me as a figurehead while undermining my power. The capitalist roaders are still active.

Zhou Enlai mentioned that he had received over 200 medallions with my likeness, while Kang Sheng claimed to have received over 400. They came in various materials such as gold, silver, copper, and iron. They were collected and treasured. Ye Qun said that Lin Biao would admire the collection of a hundred medallions featuring me every day. Xie Fuzhi said, ‘The more Chairman’s medallions, the better.’ I heard from Kuai Dafu that there is a series of different portraits, including the Tiananmen Square series with 28 medallions made of bronze with gold plating, and the Long March series with 25 medallions made of aluminum alloy with silver plating… The most valuable is the Red Guards series with 8 medallions, commemorating my eight receptions of 11 million Red Guards. These medallions ranged from large ones weighing 30-40 catties to exquisite small ones. There were also 24K gold bricks made by the Ministry of Finance, worth 80,000 yuan per set, and each member of the central Cultural Revolution group received a set, including one for me.

Upon hearing this, I realized that my head could be abused as much as they pleased, without any restrictions, but it was not permissible to use military materials to produce airplanes and cannons. I demanded the return of my airplanes and cannons. Today, on my birthday, the most crucial thing for me is to incite internal strife and create chaos. I raised my glass and said, ‘Cheers to 1967, let’s launch a nationwide comprehensive civil war!’ Jiang Qing and Chen Boda echoed my sentiments. The New Year’s Day editorial had the headline ‘Launch a nationwide comprehensive civil war.’ Jiang Qing was planning to bring Wang Guangmei to Tsinghua University for a mass criticism meeting of 300,000 people. During the birthday banquet, news came that Zhou Xiaozhou from Hunan had committed suicide. He left a suicide note, choosing my birthday as the day to end his life. He hated me to the core. Zhou Enlai feared my displeasure and did not pass me the suicide note.”

Journalist: “It seems you had complete control over the situation. But let me ask, were you fond of the violent aspects of the Cultural Revolution?”

Mao: “I found the violence and armed struggles of the Cultural Revolution exhilarating. It was an opportunity to train the troops and showcase their firepower. When heroes emerged from all corners of the country, even the mightiest would lower their heads. It was a lively spectacle. I would have Zhou Enlai handle the situation with his martial arts skills.

I started as a scholar and transformed into a bandit leader, so I wasn’t afraid of armed struggles. If things became chaotic and difficult to control, I would enforce military governance. The slogan was to protect me. What did I have to fear? I had 5 million troops at my disposal, and I deployed 2.7 million of them under military governance.”

Journalist: “It seems you had a firm grip on power. Now, moving on to the organization of the Cultural Revolution, can you shed some light on the role of the Central Cultural Revolution Group?”

Mao: “The nominal head of the Central Cultural Revolution Group was Chen Boda, with Jiang Qing serving as the deputy. However, Chen Boda complained that he was merely convening meetings, and he wanted Jiang Qing to assume a more formal role. I didn’t allow that. The director of the Cultural Revolution Group’s office was Li Na, who happened to be the daughter of Jiang Qing and me. Hence, people referred to it as the ‘Mao-Jiang-Li Na triumvirate,’ capable of summoning thunder, lightning, and controlling the winds and rains. Jiang Qing was like an empress dowager. The whole Cultural Revolution Group relied on her support.”

Journalist: “It seems you were firmly in control of the situation. Another question: Did you personally oversee the wielding of power?”

Mao: “Yes, I had control over the Central Guard system, the political intelligence system, and the military command system. These three critical aspects were in the palm of my hand, like a Buddha’s palm. I could easily incite and manipulate the masses, use them for movements, and play with the entire Party and the nation. However, during the three years of the Great Famine, when millions of people died of starvation, I felt anxious, fearing that they might unite and stage a coup against me.”