Chapter 72 Siege of Zhou Enlai 1967

Journalist: “In 1967, did you incite the Red Guards to besiege Zhou Enlai?”

Mao: “Yes, in July 1967, I issued two instructions: ‘Why are they not allowed to besiege the provincial and municipal committees and the State Council? Why are they afraid to come to the central government? Let them besiege the State Council. Don’t let them go to the State Council. Why are they so afraid?’ After I fanned the flames, big-character posters appeared on the streets of Beijing saying ‘Down with the great traitor Zhou Enlai’ and ‘Expose the double-dealer Zhou Enlai.’ Zhou Enlai was surrounded by the Red Guards at the Great Hall of the People. For three days and three nights, the Red Guards debated with him face-to-face, not allowing him to go home. No one came forward to resolve the situation for him, only the security guards maintained order while the Red Guards took turns arguing with him. It wasn’t until the third night that he explained himself to the Red Guards, the siege was lifted, and he was allowed to return to his home in Zhongnanhai to rest. I was very surprised when I heard about it and admired his resilience.”

Journalist: “Did you also want to get rid of Zhou Enlai during the Cultural Revolution?”

Mao: “Yes, I held deep resentment towards Zhou. I couldn’t forget that he removed me from my position in Jiangxi. At the beginning of the Cultural Revolution, I wanted to take him down and then attack Liu Shaoqi. In the early summer of 1966, I initially planned to overthrow Zhou Enlai first and then deal with Liu Shaoqi. I was remotely controlling Beijing from Hangzhou and instructed Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping to launch a criticism against Zhou Enlai. However, Liu and Deng refused to take action as they understood the interdependence between them. Liu Shaoqi said, ‘Let’s wait for the Chairman to come back and handle the criticism against Zhou Enlai.’ When I learned of Liu’s attitude, I became angry and made up my mind: ‘Fine! When I return to Beijing, I’ll start with you, Liu Shaoqi.’ I instructed the arrest of Zhou Enlai’s secretary, Ms. Xu, but she refused to reveal anything and died by suicide.”