After meeting Liu, Zhou, and Lin, Mao wanted to see Deng Xiaoping. In the spirit world, there are no physical barriers. In the blink of an eye, Mao was before Deng. The two spirits met in Shenzhen.

Seeing Xiaoping, Mao said happily, “You really are capable—look how you’ve built up Shenzhen. I could never have managed this.”

Xiaoping replied modestly, “That was Xi Zhongxun’s work. I only offered a few ideas.”

Mao said, “Your ideas were good! ‘It doesn’t matter whether a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice.’ You didn’t bother with ideology—everything got going.”

Xiaoping explained, “I merely locked your class struggle into a cage and let everyone else out, allowing people to work freely. Then I went off to play bridge.”

Mao praised him, “You were clever. I forced things through recklessly.”

Xiaoping said, “I learned from your failures. Without you going ahead first, I wouldn’t have had even this bit of cleverness.”

Mao said excitedly, “When I heard that steel production had reached one billion tons, I could hardly believe it. Is it true? I worked for thirty years and only reached twenty million tons!”

Xiaoping replied cheerfully, “Now the United States and Germany accuse us of dumping too much steel. We’re forced to cut production and close factories. Steelworkers are losing their jobs—it’s a headache.”

Mao recalled 1958, when he mobilized massive campaigns and backyard furnaces to double steel output, throwing the country into chaos. “Back then the Premier opposed rash advance, and I almost removed him—for just a few million tons of steel. The path was wrong. Now production is more than a hundred times greater, and you don’t even have to manage it—you just play bridge.”

Xiaoping added, “Now a single private factory can produce several million tons—more than the whole country did back then. The common people are resourceful.”

Mao sighed, “The path was wrong. I harmed the country and the people, even brought about the great famine—tens of millions starved. I feel ashamed before heaven and earth. Marx and Qin Shi Huang both curse me. All I can do is reflect and repent. I don’t even know whether the Jade Emperor will let me leave the Eighteen Levels of Hell.”

Xiaoping comforted him, “Your mistakes—I had a share in them. I carried them out as well. And yet the people still support me, don’t they?”

Hearing this, Mao felt somewhat calmer.

Mao continued, “One billion tons—number one in the world. Yet you don’t boast. You speak of ‘keeping a low profile’ and a century-long plan for national rejuvenation. You don’t say ‘rise,’ you say ‘rejuvenation.’ That’s a grand historical vision. You speak of the primary stage of socialism lasting at least a hundred years. Keep your head down for a century, work steadily, and only when the average person reaches the level of the Americans does it count. That’s real breadth and foresight.”

Xiaoping said, “I just worry about petty men who lose their composure at a bit of success, thinking they’re extraordinary, competing for first place and wanting to stand out everywhere. There are still many poor people at home.”

Mao affirmed, “If you continue on your path, it will be right.”

Turning to succession, Mao said, “You didn’t seek titles, just advised from behind the scenes. Very clever. You set rules—no more than two five-year terms, ‘seven up, eight down,’ retirement at sixty-eight. Unlike me, staying in office until death. Your method has vitality. With such succession, you’re more at ease. You set a good precedent.”

Xiaoping said, “Yes. Otherwise, serving until death is exhausting. I didn’t become Chairman, so I didn’t have to receive so many foreign guests or make so many state visits. I had time to enjoy myself and play bridge.”

Mao asked, “What happens when you lose at bridge?”

Xiaoping answered, “If you lose, you crawl under the table.”

Mao asked curiously, “Even you?”

Xiaoping replied, “They’d say, ‘You’re old, you can skip it.’ But I’d say rules don’t distinguish age. If you let me off, I’d feel uncomfortable. So I crawl under just the same. Everyone laughs. No matter how big or small the official, everyone is equal. It’s another kind of enjoyment—very relaxing. That’s why I love playing bridge.”

Mao laughed heartily. “You really know how to enjoy yourself!”

Seeing that it was about time, Xiaoping bade farewell to Mao. “Take care of yourself. I won’t keep you any longer—I have a bridge game to attend.”

NEXT: 36. Xi Zhongxun (1913–2002)