Chapter 73 I faced a dangerous situation during the Wuhan mutiny 1967

Journalist: “What happened during the Wuhan Incident?”

Mao: “In May 1967, two factions emerged in Wuhan: the rebel faction advocating the ‘Three Red Banners and Three Olds’ and the conservative faction known as the ‘Million Strong Army.’ Both sides had hundreds of thousands or even millions of supporters, and their strengths were evenly matched. The Million Strong Army had the support of the military, giving them an advantage. The conflict escalated to armed clashes and arrests. In March 1967, the military and police arrested 500 rebel faction leaders, and in June, 28 people were killed, with over 60 others seriously injured. The rebel faction frequently organized protests and demonstrations with hundreds of thousands of participants.

The central government initially planned to invite representatives from both factions and military leaders to Beijing in July to report and resolve the situation. According to the stance of the central Cultural Revolution, they would support the rebel faction and persuade the Million Strong Army to change their ways. However, on July 14, I decided to personally visit Wuhan to inspect and resolve the situation. I instructed Zhou Enlai to go to Wuhan first to make arrangements. He was very meticulous, even replacing the staff in the hotel where I would stay with members of the rebel faction. The security guards were also changed to the Central Guard Regiment.”

Journalist: “You fearlessly marched into Wuhan, unafraid of a military uprising?”

Mao: “Yes, in July 1967, the armed conflict between the two factions in Wuhan intensified and became extremely difficult to resolve. Lin Biao, Jiang Qing, and Zhou Enlai all advised me not to go, but I insisted, saying that I would swim in the Yangtze River since there is water all over the world. Wuhan is a good place. After swimming across the Yangtze River, I would visit Changsha and the Xiangjiang River, and once again, 5,000 young athletes would accompany me in swimming the Yangtze River. Everyone couldn’t persuade me otherwise. Zhou Enlai said he would go ahead to prepare everything, and Yang Chengwu assured me of my safety, both on land, water, and in the air. There would be a comprehensive defense plan in place, including a total of 12 aircraft, three trains, one patrol ship, several speedboats, and the option to block the Yangtze River if necessary. A platoon of guards would accompany me, and there would be a grand deployment of sea, land, and air forces.

In Wuhan, there was a strike, and the hotel had been without electricity for over ten days, so we had to start the backup diesel generators. I was informed that the masses were launching verbal attacks on the armed forces, and farmers were coming to the city to participate in struggle sessions, earning one yuan a day. It was chaotic, and I said that there should be chaos, complete chaos. Open for business in one year, develop in two years, conclude in three years. Fire a few shots, set off firecrackers-like explosions. What is there to fear?

While I was in Wuhan, I heard that Li Da had died in August 1966. His decaying corpse was found by the military in Huwan, and he had been dead for at least 4-5 days. He was beaten to a pulp by the Red Guards, and his death was unclear. Let Li Da die, he was not on the same path as me.

I said that Chen Zaidao commanded 200,000 to 300,000 troops in the wrong direction, supporting the royalists and suppressing the rebels. Even tanks were deployed. The Million Strong Army was the royalist faction, but Chen Zaidao accused the General Workers’ Union of having a complex composition, with all kinds of bad elements, labor reform releasees, looters, and gangs. He summed it up as rebellious thugs. But I confirmed that the General Workers’ Union was the rebel faction. They made their own weapons and even produced mortars and anti-aircraft machine guns.

On July 19, hundreds of thousands of people from the Million Strong Army surged from all directions, singing loudly, “We will chop off the heads of the devils with big knives” and looking for Wang Li to settle accounts and fry him. About 700 to 800 senior officers from the military region gathered in the small auditorium for a meeting, while Wang Li boasted and didn’t know any better. Batch after batch of soldiers and trucks arrived to argue with Wang Li. Two police guards, Xie Fuzhi and his subordinate, were shot by soldiers. Xie Fuzhi hid in a wardrobe. Xie Fuzhi and Wang Li were both dragged out and arrested.

Faced with the chaos of mutiny, Yang Chengwu was at a loss. If Xie and Wang were arrested, the next target would be Meiling, where I was located. It would be like the Xi’an Incident, and I would be arrested and labeled as Chiang Kai-shek. However, I didn’t think Chen Zaidao was a leading figure; he didn’t have the courage for that.

The news reached Beijing, and Jiang Qing was so anxious that she called me and wanted to come to Wuhan to accompany me. I said, ‘Do you want to imitate Madame Chiang in the ‘Xi’an Incident?’ There’s no need. Stay in Beijing and take care of things there.’ Lin Biao said to be on high alert for other military regions to follow suit. The entire military entered a level-one combat readiness status, gathering and waiting for orders, preparing to squeeze Hubei from four directions and encircle Wuhan. Close the gates and catch the dog.”

Journalist: “Oh, so you supported the rebel faction and suppressed the conservative faction?”

Mao: “Yes, on July 16, 1967, after listening to Zhou Enlai’s report, he said that the rebel faction in Wuhan should be vindicated, and the Wuhan Military Region should not align itself with the Million Strong Army but instead turn towards the rebel faction.

On July 17, after listening to reports from Xie Fuzhi and Wang Li, they said that there were mistakes in the Wuhan Military Region, and if Chen Zaidao admitted his mistakes, there was no need to overthrow him.

On July 17-18, Zhou Enlai held consecutive meetings with the Wuhan Military Region. Chen Zaidao’s thinking was not in line, and there were opposing opinions. He didn’t know that I was in Wuhan and gave the materials about the military region’s suppression of the rebel faction to Zhou, saying that the military’s work was not going well, and Zhou should take charge. He even arrogantly slammed the table and said, ‘Beardie Zhou, what’s so great about you? If Chairman Mao himself signs on your speech draft, then we will follow it.’ Zhou Enlai also slammed the table and said, ‘Don’t think that we can’t do anything to you.’”

Journalist: “The Wuhan commander, Chen Zaidao, supported the conservative faction and confronted Zhou Enlai by slamming the table.”

Mao: “Yes, on the evening of July 18, 1967, I met with Chen Zaidao and Zhong Hanhua and said to them, ‘You should handle the matters of the Million Strong Army properly and make significant improvements. Otherwise, you will be in a passive position.’ They expressed their agreement. When I saw them off, I told the staff members, ‘Don’t overthrow your commander anymore.’ On July 18, Zhou Enlai flew back to Beijing.”

Journalist: “You met with Chen Zaidao, and he listened to you, so the issue was resolved, right?”

Mao: “However, on the afternoon of July 19, 1967, the Wuhan Military Region held a meeting for cadres where Chen Zaidao made self-criticisms. During the meeting, the commander of an independent division had a conflict with Wang Li and angrily left the meeting. Shortly after, dozens of soldiers stormed into the military region’s compound, demanding answers from Wang Li and Xie Fuzhi.

At midnight on July 19, more than 200 cadres and soldiers caused a disturbance in the military region’s compound, preventing Chen Zaidao from conducting inspections and demanding to see Xie Fuzhi and wanting to apprehend Wang Li. The Million Strong Army, with over 270 vehicles and more than 13,000 personnel, stormed into the military region’s compound, setting up a command center across from it to apprehend Wang Li. When the leaders of the Million Strong Army learned that I was at Donghu, they decided to meet me in person to convey their grievances.”

Journalist: “Oh, the troops under Chen Zaidao’s command didn’t listen to him and clashed with Wang Li and Xie Fuzhi from the Central Cultural Revolution Group?”

Mao: “Yes, in the early morning of July 20, 1967, 14 members of the Wuhan Public Security Bureau drove their vehicles and attempted to enter the northern gate of Donghu Hotel to meet with Wang Li and Xie Fuzhi. They were stopped and told that they would not be received until daybreak, or else thousands of people would come. Both sides stood about 100 meters apart within the gate.

At 3 a.m. on July 20, the 29th Division was ordered to send a platoon to face off against the Wuhan Public Security Bureau, hand in hand. Meanwhile, another route of the Million Strong Army attacked the western and northern gates, reaching the courtyard where Xie Fuzhi resided. There was also a group of five vehicles carrying armed masses that rushed into the western gate, surrounding the residences of Xie Fuzhi and Wang Li. Xie Fuzhi came out to deal with the situation, and no conflict occurred.”

Journalist: “The overwhelming force of the conservative faction almost led to a full-scale melee?”

Mao: “Yes, at 5 a.m. on July 20, 1967, 20 military vehicles from the Independent Division and 6 propaganda vehicles rushed into the hotel through the front and rear gates. Soon after, 40 armed vehicles and 3 large fire trucks from the Wuhan Public Security Bureau also stormed in, entering Wang Li’s room and searching his belongings. On the lawn, they encountered Chen Zaidao, mistaking him for Wang Li and knocking him down to the ground. Chen hurriedly said, ‘I am Chen Zaidao, not Wang Li,’ and was helped up. Wang Li was found and taken away in a vehicle.”

Journalist: “The conservative faction has kidnapped Wang Li and they must be approaching your residence, right?”

Mao: “Yes, the atmosphere inside and outside my residence was tense. There were rumors that someone had swum across the lake with a small knife in their mouth. Wang Dongxing made emergency preparations. It was said that amidst the chaos, someone heard a military cadre ask, ‘What happened to that person? The old man who swims.’ It was clearly referring to me. Suddenly, I transformed from a red sun in the sky back into an old man swimming.”

Journalist: “The conservative faction wants to hold you accountable?”

Mao: “Yes, at 10 a.m. on July 20, 1967, the Million Strong Army staged a large-scale armed procession with 396 different vehicles, including 27 fire trucks and 10 modified armored vehicles with light and heavy machine guns mounted on the front. They shouted slogans to overthrow Xie Fuzhi and strangle Wang Li. They demanded Chen Zaidao but not Xie Fuzhi. For the next 2-3 days, there were sieges and arrests of over 100 members of the rebel faction. Each day, 200,000 people marched, and the airport and train stations were blocked. Wang Li was not allowed to escape from Wuhan.”

Journalist: “The conservative faction staged a massive procession and defied you. What was your plan?”

Mao: “On July 20, 1967, Lin Biao and Zhou Enlai, who had returned to Beijing, met with the Central Cultural Revolution Group to discuss strategies. They demanded that the Wuhan Military Region change its stance and support the rebel faction.

At 4 p.m. on July 20, Lin Biao, Ye Qun, Jiang Qing, and others met with Qiu Huizuo at the Great Hall of the People. Ye Qun said they were getting close to the Chairman’s residence. Jiang Qing cried and pleaded with Lin Biao and Ye Qun to go to Wuhan personally to ensure the Chairman’s safety. Lin Biao wrote a letter advising me to leave Wuhan, and he and Jiang Qing co-signed it, which they handed to Qiu Huizuo for me.”

Journalist: “Oh, Lin Biao and Jiang Qing wrote a letter asking you to escape?”

Mao: “Yes, at 11 p.m. on July 20, 1967, Qiu Huizuo flew to Wuhan airport. I met him on the special train and read the letters from Lin Biao and Jiang Qing. I realized the situation was serious and made preparations to leave. Zhou Enlai also returned to Wuhan on the same day to handle the crisis.”

Journalist: “Oh, so by that time, you were already on the special train, ready to escape at any moment?”

Mao: “Yes, at 2 a.m. on July 21, 1967, I took a car directly to the airport and boarded an Air Force plane to Shanghai.”

Journalist: “Was the situation in Wuhan really terrifying?”

Mao: “Yes, with over four million people in Wuhan, the streets were filled with calls to ‘overthrow Wang Li,’ ‘burn Xie Fuzhi,’ ‘down with the small group of the Central Cultural Revolution,’ and ‘long live the Million Strong Army!’ It was essentially a protest against me. Fortunately, Chen Zaidao didn’t have the audacity to resort to violence against me. I sought a peaceful resolution with Chen Zaidao, and I could still maintain stability in Wuhan.

In Beijing, Lin Biao had already moved into the Zhejiang Hall in the Great Hall of the People. No wonder he wanted me to go to Shanghai. I suspected that Lin Biao wanted to replace me. He wanted to mobilize the five provincial field armies to encircle Wuhan and stage a nationwide armed demonstration, just like what happened during the Xi’an Incident with He Yingqin in Nanjing. If he launched a major military operation approaching Xi’an, Lin Biao’s prestige would rise and overshadow me. Jiang Qing wanted me to go to Shanghai, but she lacked sound judgment.

Zhou Enlai mentioned that Nanjing’s Xu Shiyu had taken a separate division and left Nanjing with an unknown destination. Did Xu Shiyu also want to make a big move? Why didn’t Lin Biao go to see what was happening? Zhou said Xu Shiyu didn’t buy into Lin Biao’s plan, so Lin couldn’t control him. Fine, I’ll go to Shanghai for a carefree time and also see what Xu Shiyu is up to. Zhou asked if I wanted to take a plane or a special train. I said speed is of the essence, so let’s take a plane, and the special train can go to Shanghai as well. I climbed onto the plane in a disheveled manner, with guards carrying my hefty buttocks upward.”

Mao: “The voyage along the Yangtze River became empty. This trip to Wuhan was considered my first failure. I lost all my prestige and dignity. I almost became the second Chiang Kai-shek.”

Journalist: “So, you escaped and flew to Shanghai?”

Mao: “Yes, during this visit to Wuhan, it almost turned into a mutiny, resembling a perilous situation. It was the most embarrassing time I’ve had during my inspection tours. I had to hastily leave. I had initially planned to leisurely travel along the Yangtze River, but luckily, I managed to board the plane safely.”

Journalist: “You had to leave in a hurry, quite disheveled?”

Mao: “Yes, on the morning of July 21, Zhou Enlai met Chen Zaidao again in Wuhan and asked him to find Wang Li and bring him back. Chen said he didn’t know where Wang Li was and couldn’t bring him back. Zhou got angry and slammed the table, saying, ‘What’s your attitude? What is the Million Strong Army? Report to the whole country. The power of 800 million people is immense. You leave here and go to Beijing!’

At 3 a.m. on July 22, 1967, Zhou Enlai met Wang Li at the airport, hugging and kissing him repeatedly. In the afternoon, he accompanied Wang Li and Xie Fuzhi on the plane back to Beijing. Zhou and Li Zuo-peng took another plane, arriving at Beijing airport first to welcome Wang Li. The airport was filled with people’s joy. Jiang Qing and Zhou Enlai supported Wang Li on either side, with Wang Li having an injured foot.”

Journalist: “So, Zhou Enlai acted as your on-site director, welcoming Wang Li back to Beijing as a hero?”

Mao: “Yes, on July 22, 1967, Lin Biao presided over a meeting of the Central Cultural Revolution Group and classified the Wuhan incident as a counterrevolutionary rebellion. When I learned about it in Shanghai, I said, ‘If Chen Zaidao really has any determination, there’s nothing I can do. I can’t come out, and Zhou Enlai can’t go in. I said we should protect Chen Zaidao.’”

Journalist: “Yes, if Chen Zaidao truly had the determination to hold you captive, you wouldn’t have had any options, right?”

Mao: “Yes, on July 23, Wang Li returned to Beijing, and the rebel faction in Wuhan was in turmoil. When daylight came, they were liberated. The Million Heroes couldn’t make their way over, and a large number of people went to Beijing, only to be surrounded by the rebel faction in Beijing.

On July 25, 1967, a grand welcome ceremony with 300,000 people was held at Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Wang Li sat in a wheelchair at Tiananmen Square, with Lin Biao and Zhou Enlai standing on either side.

On July 26, 1967, Zhou Enlai presided over a session at the Beijing West Guesthouse, where Chen Zaidao and Zhong Hanhua were criticized. Wu Faxian and others tore off their lapel badges and cap emblems, and Chen Zaidao was slapped in the face and forced to bend over and be sprayed.

On July 27, 1967, Chen Zaidao was removed from his position, and the Million Heroes disintegrated and faced retribution. According to official reports, around 600 people were killed and over 100,000 injured.”

Journalist: “So, under your instructions, the conservative faction’s Million Heroes, along with Chen Zaidao, were completely disbanded?”