Chapter 76 Topple Yang Chengwu, the successor of Lin Biao 1968

Journalist: “Wasn’t Yang Chengwu supposed to be Lin Biao’s successor? Why was he brought down?”

Mao: “Within the military, there are different factions and struggles for power. In March 1968, I had to remove Yang Chengwu, the head of the Military Commission’s Working Group, and sent him to be detained in Luoyang. Yang Chengwu was once considered as Lin Biao’s successor. In the winter of 1967, he published an article titled ‘Extol Chairman Mao’s Absolute Authority,’ praising me extensively. He also gathered several dozen intellectuals to work on the ‘Outline of Party History,’ elevating Jiang Qing to the third position after me and Lin Biao. In the Military Museum, they organized the ‘Red Sun Exhibition’ featuring over 300 photos, prominently featuring me, Lin Biao, and Jiang Qing as the top three figures. Many other leaders were either not mentioned or were criticized by name. By February 1968, when he heard some unfavorable rumors about my thoughts, he ordered the destruction of the manuscripts of the Party’s history. Yang Chengwu did not fully grasp my intentions. I intended for Jiang Qing to rank second, but the timing was not right at that moment.”

Journalist: “Oh, Yang Chengwu praised you so much, wasn’t he loyal to you?”

Mao: “Yes, ever since Luo Ruiqing’s downfall, both Lin Biao and I valued Yang Chengwu highly. Jiang Qing also invited him to her home for discussions several times. Jiang Qing shared her family’s history of suffering while shedding tears, and he accompanied her in shedding tears. He waved the Jiang Qing flag, elevating himself while stepping on both Lin Biao and Jiang Qing’s boats, which caused dissatisfaction among Ye Qun and Lin Biao.

In March 1968, after receiving reports from Ye Qun, I personally held four meetings to address the issue of Yang Chengwu. Jiang Qing discovered that Yang Chengwu was using her as a capital and, contrary to her usual behavior, firmly demanded his downfall in front of me.”

Journalist: “So, that’s how it ended for Yang Chengwu?”

Mao: “Yes, Yang Chengwu’s downfall was also related to the historical files and materials concerning Jiang Qing. In March 1954, Jiang Qing received an anonymous letter that said, “Your historical record, Jiang Qing, is corrupt. Materials have been written and sent to the Central Organization Department.” The case of the anonymous letter was not solved until April 1961, when it was discovered that it was written by Zhu Ming, the wife of Politburo member Lin Boqu. Zhu Ming immediately committed suicide. Later, Jiang Qing learned that the files and materials were in Shanghai. In April 1967, Jiang Qing, Ye Qun, and Yang Chengwu organized a team to go to Shanghai to investigate the “black materials” and found 23 volumes, which were packed in a small box. Yang Chengwu reported to Jiang Qing, and Jiang Qing specifically instructed that the materials must be brought back without losing a single word.

When the materials arrived in Beijing, on July 7, 1967, with the approval of Lin Biao, Xie Fuzhi, Yang Chengwu, and Wang Dongxing were responsible for collectively destroying the materials.

However, from July 13, 1967, Yang Chengwu and Wang Dongxing accompanied me on my southern tour, and the destruction of the materials was postponed. On September 23, when we returned to Beijing, Xie Fuzhi informed Yang Chengwu that Jiang Qing had become angry several times, accusing Yang Chengwu of playing a long game and being dissatisfied with the delay in destroying the materials. Yang Chengwu truthfully reported the situation to Zhou Enlai and sought instructions on how to handle it. Zhou instructed that Xie Fuzhi, Yang Chengwu, and Wang Dongxing continue to supervise the destruction, and after it was completed, the three of them signed their names.”

Journalist: “Oh, Yang Chengwu’s involvement in handling Jiang Qing’s ‘black materials’ caused dissatisfaction from Jiang Qing?”

Mao: ‘Yes. On March 23, 1968, at 1 a.m., I said to Wu Faxian in the Great Hall of the People: ‘You are right about your issue with Yang Chengwu, he is wrong. Remove Yang Chengwu and let Huang Yongsheng take over.’

On the midnight of March 24, 1968, a mass meeting of tens of thousands of troops was held in the Great Hall of the People, where the removal of Yang Chengwu, Yu Lijin, and Fu Chongbi from their positions was announced. Lin Biao gave a speech praising Jiang Qing. Zhou Enlai led the entire audience in chanting slogans: ‘Whoever opposes Jiang Qing will be overthrown! Swear to defend Comrade Jiang Qing with our lives!’ Finally, I suddenly appeared on the stage, and the whole audience shouted ‘Long live Chairman Mao’ and sang the song ‘Sailing the Great Sea Depends on the Helmsman.’

Journalist: Oh, did Zhou Enlai take the opportunity to praise Jiang Qing and please you while dealing with Yang Chengwu?

Mao: “Yes, on March 27, 1968, a mass meeting of 100,000 people was held at the Beijing Workers Stadium. Zhou Enlai read out the central decision regarding Yang Chengwu and the other two, and once again spoke highly of Jiang Qing’s struggle and called for learning from her and paying tribute to her. He was always good at performing and putting on a show, doing it for me and Jiang Qing to see, and he did an outstanding job.”