Chapter 98 Kang Sheng named Jiang Qing and Zhang Chunqiao as traitors in 1975

Journalist: “In November 1975, Kang Sheng passed away before you. How did you feel about it?”

Mao: “I referred to Kang Sheng as the ‘representative of terror within the party,’ a renowned expert in purging counterrevolutionaries. Over the decades, he helped me subdue Zhang Wentian and Zhou Enlai, expelled Zhang Guotao and Wang Ming, dealt with Kailan, Huang Jing, removed Peng Dehuai and Huang Kecheng, rectified Xi Zhongxun and Deng Zihui.

During the Cultural Revolution, he first targeted Peng Zhen, Luo Ruiqing, Lu Dingyi, and Yang Shangkun, and later went after Liu, Deng, Tao Zhu, and Chen Boda, as well as Huang Yongsheng, Wu Faxian, Li Peng, Qiu Huizuo, and many others. His contributions were undeniable. However, in the end, he aligned himself with Lin Biao, supporting him as the Chairman of the country. When Lin Biao died in a plane crash, Kang Sheng’s malignant tumor worsened. I agreed to let the experts perform a ‘palace punishment’ on him, but the cancer had already spread throughout his body. Eventually, he departed before me. Prior to his death, he may have felt the need to reveal to me that Jiang Qing and Zhang Chunqiao were historical traitors. It was difficult for me to accept this revelation after so many decades.”

Mao: “Yes, in August 1975, when Kang Sheng was critically ill and close to passing away, he entrusted a matter to Tang Wensheng and Zhang Hanzhi to inform me. He said that Jiang Qing and Zhang Chunqiao were historical traitors. Kang Sheng claimed to have reviewed their files and suggested that Wang Guanlan and Wu Zhongchao could confirm their treachery.

The cunning Kang Sheng wanted to play both sides. At that time, he saw that Deng Xiaoping was gaining momentum and believed that I trusted Deng to settle the remnants of the Cultural Revolution. Therefore, he exposed Jiang Qing and Zhang Chunqiao as traitors to Deng Xiaoping, hoping to avoid being classified as part of the ‘post-party’ in future historical accounts.”

Journalist: “Kang Sheng had a point. How did you handle it?”

Journalist: “So, you mean you were being asked to handle Jiang Qing? How could you do that?”

Mao: “When I heard this, I thought, how could I do such a thing? I was determined to protect her until the end, putting aside Kang Sheng’s accusations. I continued to rely on Jiang Qing, Zhang Chunqiao, and others, regardless of whether they were traitors or not.”

Journalist: “Did you come up with the name ‘Gang of Four’ for Jiang Qing and the others?”

Mao: “Yes, it referred to Jiang Qing, Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan, and Wang Hongwen, also known as the Shanghai faction. However, in November 1975, I had Mao Yuanxin summon Wang Hongwen, Zhang Chunqiao, Jiang Qing, Yao Wenyuan, Hua Guofeng, Ji Dengkui, Chen Xilian, and Wang Dongxing, the Eight Elders, to meet with me. I asked each of them to express their opinions. I said, ‘With the Eight Elders and myself, we form the ‘Ten-Man Faction.’ Now, it is the “Ten-Man Faction” that governs the country.’ I did not say that the ‘Gang of Four’ was bad. In reality, I was the leader of the Ten-Man Faction.”