Mao: The Unknown Story

by Jung Chang

CHAPTER 55 The Boss Denies Chou Cancer Treatment

  1 “no surgery”: Gao Wenqian, pp. 378, 512. Mao pretexts: interview with a doctor of Chou’s, 22 Sept. 1994; Deng Li, p. 170. Surgeons on standby for Mao: Lin Ke et al., p. 162.

  2 –580 Gushing about Chou: Burr 2002, Doc. 40 (Memo for the President, 14 July 1971), p. 26. “secondary figure”: Kissinger 1979, p. 1059. “a nobody”: Nikaido interview, 23 Feb. 1993. Chou’s motto: Shi Zhe 1991, p. 526. Tested Mao’s medicines: interview with a doctor of Chou’s, 2 Nov. 1995; Yang Yinlu, in BNC, 1999, no. 8, p. 55.

  3 –581 Mao demanded Chou self-denunciation: Zhou 1997, vol. 3, pp. 527–31; cf. Zhu 208ff. Chou humiliating speech: Gao Wenqian, pp. 375–7. Cancer worsened, Mao forbids surgery: ibid., pp. 512–13.

  4 –582 “in two stages”: Deng Li, p. 173. Removing cancer: ibid., pp. 173–4; interview with a doctor of Chou, 22 Sept. 1994. Mao hypocritical message: Deng Li, p. 174. Foreign Ministry analysis: Zhou 1997, vol. 3, pp. 603–5; Mao 1987–98, vol. 13, pp. 356–7; interview with an interpreter of Mao’s, 21 Oct. 2000.

  5 “bipolarity … was over”: Kissinger 1979, p. 1096. “My reputation has gone bad”: Fan Daren, p. 123. Kissinger changes position on Taiwan: Burr 1999a, pp. 114–15 (re Feb. 1973), 186 (to Mao, 12 Nov. 1973). “early warning” system: Burr 1999a, p. 204 (to Chou, 13 Nov. 1973). Kissinger heard no more: ibid., pp. 206, 212.

  6 “had been wrong”: Dobrynin, p. 282.

  7 Mao to Kissinger about Watergate: Yin Jiamin, p. 299 (E: Burr 1999a, pp. 181–2). Railed tirelessly: Chen & Zhao, p. 247; Nouvel Observateur, 13 Sept. 1976, p. 23. To Thais: Chatichai (present) interview, 5 Mar. 1993 (to Kukrit, 1 July 1975). To Heath: 25 May 1974, Mao 1987–98, vol. 13, p. 388 (E: Mao 1998, p. 456).

  8 Rolls-Royce deal: CCP Archive Study Office 1991, p. 214; Mann, p. 76; Burr 1999a, pp. 175 n. 17, 423 n. 53.

  9 –584 Disenchantment apparent: Burr 1999a, p. 206; Tyler, pp. 175–6; Kissinger 1982, p. 698; our interviews with Kissinger, 4 May 1995, and Lord, 27 Apr. 1995. Mao bad-mouths Kissinger: interview with Mao’s secretary, 24 Oct. 1995. To Heath: Heath, p. 495 (toned down in Mao 1998, p. 457); cf. to Pompidou, Nouvel Observateur, 13 Sept. 1976, p. 24 (“his remarks are often not very intelligent”). 21 Oct.: Burr 1999a, p. 400. Chou “sparkle … missing”: Kissinger 1982, pp. 687–8; interview with Kissinger. Subordinates attack Chou: interview with a person present, 26 Sept. 1994, 21 Oct. 2000; Zhou 1997, vol. 3, p. 634; Zhang Hanzhi, pp. 64–5; Zhang Zuoliang, pp. 310–11. After meeting with Nepal’s king: interviews with two people present, 24 Oct. 1995, 21 Oct. 2000; Gao Wenqian, pp. 475–6.

  10 –585 Avoid Chou’s staff: Zhang Zuoliang, pp. 312–13. Chou supervised seizure of Paracels: Zhou 1997, vol. 3, p. 645; Zhai, pp. 209–10, 264 n. 84. Pursued during blood transfusion: interview with a member of Chou’s staff, 22 Sept. 1994; Zhang Zuoliang, pp. 322–9. “Operations ruled out”: Gao Wenqian, p. 514. Chou begged: Deng Li, p. 178; Zhou 1997, vol. 3, p. 668. “Let him see Razak”: interview with a member of Chou’s staff, 22 Sept. 1994.

  11 Mao had two years to live: Li, Z, p. 580.

  CHAPTER 56 Mme Mao in the Cultural Revolution

  1 “Chairman Mao’s dog”: interview with the public prosecutor of Jiang Qing, 13 Oct. 1993.

  2 Personal vendettas: multiple interviews with victims like Wang Ying’s husband, Xie He-geng, and witnesses; Ye Yonglie 1996, pp. 1–18, 355–67.

  3 New secretary’s experience: the secretary, Yang Yinlu, in BNC, 1998, no. 5, pp. 56–9.

  4 –588 Chou’s chief bodyguard: interview with the bodyguard, 8 Nov. 1995. With Mao she was meek: interview with Wang Li, 16 Oct. 1995; Ye Yonglie 1990, p. 343.

  5 Mme Mao lifestyle: Yang Yinlu, in BNC, 1998, no. 5–1999, no. 9; Fu Chongbi, p. 243; interview with the secretary of one of the Gang of Four, 7 Oct. 1993. Blood from young guards: Li, Z., p. 593; Yang Yinlu, pp. 32–5.

  6 Nightmares: ibid., pp. 190–3. Incident in Qingdao: Yang Yinlu, in BNC, 2000, no. 7, pp. 72–3; Deng Li, pp. 164–8.

  7 Mme Mao — Witke: Zhang Ying, pp. 28–9, 56–7, 154–63; Witke 1977, pp. 17–26, 116–18; id. 1991, p. 65.

  8 Danish prime minister: interview with Mr. and Mrs. Hartling, 20 Nov. 1993. American swimmers: Zhang Ying, pp. 133–4 (remarks not to Witke). “masses too excited”: Witke 1977, p. 303n. Nixon on Mme Mao: Nixon, p. 570; cf. interviews with Ford, 15 Apr. 1995, and Haig, 1 May 1995.

  9 –592 Envious looks at Marcos: interview with Imelda Marcos, 17 Mar. 1994; Du & Gu, pp. 504, 521. “national costume”: interview with two members of Mao’s personal staff, Oct. 2000; Yang Yinlu, in BNC, 1998, no. 6, p. 66. Currying favor with girlfriends: Guo Jinrong, pp. 119–20; Chen & Zhao, pp. 196–201. 82nd birthday: Guo Jinrong, pp. 110–15.

  10 –593 Girlfriends no royal mistresses: multiple interviews with girlfriends; Guo Jinrong, pp. 44–6, 122–3, 132–3. Turning Mao down: interview with an insider, 21 Oct. 2000.

  11 –594 Li Na letter: Li Xiangwen, pp. 555–6. “listen to gunfire”: Yan Changlin, p. 52. Li Na at University: conversation with Li Na, 25 Mar. 1993.

  12 On army newspaper: interview with a colleague of hers, 23 Sept. 1994; BNC, 1999, no. 2, pp. 42–54; Mu Xin, pp. 348–50; Zhe Yongping et al., pp. 1–5. Predecessor to jail: Mu Xin, in ZDZ, no. 69, pp. 83–9. Controller of Peking: Yang Yinlu, p. 128. Nervous breakdown: ibid., pp. 125–33; interview with a friend of hers who visited her, 4 Sept. 1994.

  13 Marriage and son: Yang Yinlu, pp. 128–40; former husband Xu Zhiming article, in “Mao and I” Collection Committee 1993b, pp. 251–62; interviews with a relative and a former servant, 25 Sept. 1993, 19 Sept. 1994.

  14 –596 “my little foreigner”: Wang Xingjuan 1993, p. 120. Mao refused to see her: ibid., pp. 265–6; interviews with members of Mao’s personal staff, 19 Oct. 1993, 24 Oct. 1995, 19 Apr. 1999. Son not counted as family: ibid., interviews. Yuan-xin: Li Xiangwen, pp. 600–2. Zhang Zhi-xin: Yan & Gao, p. 276; PRC Encyclopaedia, vol. 4, pp. 4822–47.

  15 trade-off: Yang Zhaolin, p. 292. For detail see below. Mme Mao’s end: interviews with people close to Mao family; Li Xiangwen, pp. 153–6; Witke 1991, pp. 52, 54–5; Rittenberg & Bennett, pp. 428–30 (in Qincheng prison).

  CHAPTER 57 Enfeebled Mao Hedges His Bets

  1 Nine minutes meeting: Mao Mao 1993, p. 643.

  2 “keeping a respectful distance”: Mao CCRM & ARL, pp. 3691, 3696; Yu Shicheng, p. 239. Mao tried to keep Deng on board: Wang Jiaxiang’s widow told us that, in autumn 1965, Chou came to brief her husband about the forthcoming Cultural Revolution, and said that Mao’s plan was to replace Liu Shao-chi with either Lin Biao or Deng: interview with Zhu Zhongli, 28 Sept. 1993. Cf. Zhu Zhongli 1995, p. 224; Mao CCRM & ARL, pp. 3691, 3696; Mao Mao 2000, pp. 40, 49; Li Xuefeng, in CCP Archive Study Office 1998, pp. 223–5; Wang Li 1993, pp. 5, 63 (E: id. 1994, pp. 16, 49). “differentiate him from Liu”: Mao Mao 2000, p. 69.

  3 Mrs. Deng told step-mother: interview with Deng’s step-mother, Xia Bogen, 11 Sept. 1985. Most painful time: Deng 1993, p. 54. Screaming during nightmare: interview with Deng’s step-mother.

  4 –600 Declined to advertize Mao’s innocence: Huang Wenhua et al., pp. 92–3. Australians noted: FitzGerald interview, 22 Jan. 1993. Deng comeback: Huang, J., pp. 328ff; Zhu, pp. 208ff.

  5 Mao dubbed “Gang of Four”: Chinese Communist Party, p. 364. Deng alliance with army chief Yeh: interview with a Yeh family member, 2 Nov. 1993. Sun Wei-shi: interviews with a member of Chou’s staff, 20 Sep. 1994, and with Shi Zhe, 29 Sept. 1993, 7 Sept. 1994; Li Yong et al., pp. 162–8; Zhou 1997, vol. 3, p. 264.

  6 “people forgave” Chou: Deng 1984, pp. 329–30; cf. Guardian Weekly, 21 Sept. 1980, p. 18 (Deng to Fallaci, 21 & 23 Aug. 1980). Deng — Chou meeting, 9 Apr.: Mao Mao 2000, pp. 318–19. “walk noisily”: Zhang Yufeng 1993, p. 635; cf. id., pp. 33–5. Books printed for Mao: Wang Shoujia et al., pp. 5, 10, 15, 18.

  7 –602 Mao cried when couldn’t read: SMMM, p. 415. Lou Gehrig’s disease: Li Zhisui, pp. 556–8 (E: id., pp. 581–6). Chou and allies told, not Gang of Four,
or Mao: Li, Z., p. 582; Li Zhisui, pp. 556–60; Chen & Zhao, p. 237; interviews with three of the closest members of Mao’s staff, 18, 19 & 22 Oct. 2000; Guo Jinrong, p. 113.

  8 –603 “shocked and aghast”: 19 Nov. 1974, Wang Nianyi, p. 510; Geng Biao, vol. 2, pp. 270–1. Goodbye to swimming: Chen & Zhao, pp. 228–31.

  9 –604 Chou to Mao against Cobra and Mme Mao: Mao Mao 2000, p. 384; Gao Wenqian, pp. 540–1. Mao: “made a mistake”: Mao Mao 2000, pp. 409, 413. “don’t plot”: Zhou 1997, vol. 3, p. 704. Historical tale: This story was about how, in the 2nd century BC, China’s military chief Zhou Bo teamed up with Prime Minister Chen Ping, and successfully suppressed Empress Lü’s family and gang — after the death of Emperor Liu Bang. Mao was hinting that the military chiefs should follow Zhou Bo’s example. Yang Zhaolin, p. 292. Mme Mao compared herself with Empress Lü: Fan Shuo, pp. 92, 230 (E: id., p. 18).

  10 –605 Ho family letter to Mao: Jin Chongji et al. 1998, p. 1180. Chou implying blame on Mao: Ho’s widow Xue Ming, in CCP Archive Study Office 1991, pp. 617–18. She also mentioned how Chou had sent his wife to her before the service to say that the extremely low-key arrangement was Mao’s decision. Eye operation: Zhang, Y., 1989, pp. 34–5; Li, Z., pp. 604–5.

  11 Media campaign against Chou: Mao 1987–98, vol. 13, pp. 457–8; Zhang Zuoliang, pp. 352–4; Jin Chongji et al. 1998, p. 1187; cf. Yan & Gao, pp. 473–5; Zhu, pp. 210ff. “Barking up the wrong tree”: 24 Sept. 1975, Mao 1987–98, vol. 13, p. 399 (E: PR, 3 June, 1977, p. 22). Investment in urban upkeep: China Today 1989b, vol. 1, pp. 193–4; Kirkby 1985, pp. 165ff; Walder, pp. 193–201.

  12 –606 Health and education: Perkins, p. 491. Stark naked: Wei 1997, pp. 234–5. Yenan: Fu Shanglun et al., pp. 4–17. “poorest nation in the world”: Mao Mao 2000, p. 475 (E: Westad et al., p. 194). Operas filmed for Mao: Yue Meiti, pp. 22–6; interview with a technician in the film studio, 3 May 2000; Qi Li, pp. 69–70.

  13 Deng encouraged people to write Mao: interview with a letter writer, 2 Nov. 1993; Yang Zhaolin, p. 290. Mao Mao 2000, pp. 436, 476. Deng refuses to draw up “resolution”: Huang, J., pp. 347–8; Yan & Gao, pp. 480–1. Chou, Yeh urge Deng not to be confrontational: Gao Wenqian, pp. 575–6, 580–1.

  14 Secretary suggests Mao attend funeral: Zhang, Y. 1989, pp. 35–6. “Great morale-booster”: Wang Nianyi, p. 583.

  15 Yeh, army chiefs and “Bearded General”: Fan Shuo, pp. 169–70 (E: id., pp. 16–17); Geng Biao, vol. 2, p. 286.

  16 Mao had to release Deng: Mao Mao 2000, pp. 571–4.

  CHAPTER 58 Last Days

  1 29 May 1975, Mao told scholars: Wang Shoujia et al., pp. 12–13. “bullied” by Deng: Fan Shuo, p. 91. Reciting “Sere Trees”: Zhang Yufeng 1993, p. 639.

  2 –611 Diatribes against Chou: the so-called “9 Articles,” Hu Qiaomu, p. 214. Crossing out references to Liu: ibid. Tried to poison Wang Ming in Russia: Khrushchev 1977, vol. 2, p. 300; interviews with Wang Dan-zhi, 24–5 June 1999. Tirades read a month before death: Hu Qiaomu,p. 215.

  3 “Our navy is only”: Yang Zhaolin, p. 285. Remarked ruefully to Kissinger: Burr 1999a, p. 391 (21 Oct. 1975). Mao told Ford: “Memorandum” of Mao — Ford talk, 2 Dec. 1975 (Burr 1999b), pp. 1, 2, 6; interviews with all five US participants (Ford, Kissinger, Scowcroft, Bush, Lord). “Third World”: Mao to Zambian President Kaunda, 22 Feb. 1974, Mao 1994, pp. 600–1 (E: Mao 1998, p. 454); PRC Encyclopaedia vol. 4, pp. 4712–3.

  4 –613 No tangible leadership: Kim, S., p. 255. US diplomat: Roberts, p. 363 (quote is by Graham Martin, US ambassador to Vietnam, 15 Nov. 1973). Mao congratulated Pol Pot: SPK News Agency, p. 15 (from Pol Pot archive). Keo Meas: Kiernan, p. 33. “reacted with childlike delight”: Eisenhower, J., p. 160. “snoring”: Chatichai interview, 5 Mar. 1993. Singapore premier: interviews with Lee Kuan Yew, 16 Jan. 1993, and Rajaratnam, 15 Jan. 1993; cf. Wood, pp. 182–3.

  5 Staff often saw tears: interviews with three people closest to him, 22 Oct. 1993, 29 Sept. 1994, & 21 Oct. 2000; Zhang Yufeng 1993, pp. 638–9; Guo Jinrong, p. 103. Imelda Marcos messenger to Nixon: interview with Marcos, 17 Mar. 1994; Chen & Zhao, p. 247. Nixon’s daughter told: Eisenhower J., p. 165 (talk 31 Dec. 1975–1 Jan. 1976). Nixon visit: Anson, pp. 126–33; Ambrose, pp. 491–2; Xiong Xianghui, pp. 276–95; Chen & Zhao, pp. 247–8. Mao selected entertainment: Xiong Xianghui, pp. 287–90; cf. Anson, p. 130.

  6 Mourning for entire day: SMMM, pp. 460–2. Farewell poem: Wang Shoujia et al., pp. 17, 871–4; Yue Meiti, pp. 25–6; Xiong Xianghui, pp. 289–90.

  7 –615 Melancholy for Haile Selassie: interview with the recipient of Mao’s remark, 21 Oct. 2000. Did not appoint Hua successor, left no will: conversation with Mao’s daughter Li Na, 25 Mar. 1993; interviews with Mao’s last secretary, Zhang Yufeng, 24 Oct. 1995, 14 May 2001; Hua himself explicitly told Geng Biao, in Geng Biao, vol. 2, pp. 288–90; Guo Jinrong, pp. 222–5; Chen & Zhao, p. 261. Hua guinea-pig: Li, Z. p. 624. “blood rains and winds”: Wang Nianyi, pp. 600–1; Fan Shuo,p. 231.

  8 –616 Giving orders to wife days before death: Chen & Zhao, pp. 259–60; Guo Jinrong, p. 224. Last thing Mao read: interviews with the barber, 22 Oct. 2000, and with Meng, 29 Sept. 1994; Guo Jinrong, pp. 73–4, 215; Qi Li, p. 143. Last words to Meng: interviews with Meng, 19 Oct. 1993 & 29 Sept. 1994; Guo Jinrong, pp. 224–5. Lucid to the end: stated by all Mao’s personal staff by his deathbed, and shown in the medical record of his last two days, photographed pages at the front of *Lin Ke et al., and pp. 190–2.

  BIBLIOGRAPHY OF CHINESE-LANGUAGE SOURCES

  I ABBREVIATIONS USED IN NOTES

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  Geming genjudi jingji shiliao xuanbian

  (Archive Documents on the Economy of Revolutionary Bases), 3 vols, Jiangxi renmin chubanshe, Nanchang, 1986

  CPPCC

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  Heping laoren Shao Lizi

  (Shao Lizi, an Old Man of Peace), Wenshi ziliao chubanshe, Beijing, 1985a

  Liaoshen zhanyi qinliji — yuan Guomindang jiangling de huiyi

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  Bayisan Songhu kangzhan

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  Pingjin zhanyi qinliji — yuan Guomindang jiangling de huiyi

  (Personal Experiences of the Peking — Tianjin Campaign — Memoirs of Former Nationalist Generals), Zhongguo wenshi chubanshe, Beijing, 1989

  Jiefang zhanzheng zhong de xibei zhanchang — yuan Guomindang jiangling de huiyi

  (The Northwest Theater of the Liberation War — Memoirs of Former Nationalist Generals), Zhongguo wenshi chubanshe, Beijing, 1992

  Fu Zuoyi jiangjun

  (General Fu Zuoyi), a collection of memoirs, Zhongguo wenshi chubanshe, Beijing, 1993

  Huaihai zhanyi qinliji — yuan Guomindang jiangling de huiyi

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  DDWX

  Dang de wenxian (Party Documents), periodical, Beijing

  DSYJ

  Dangshi yanjiu (Party History Studies), periodical, Beijing

  DYZ

  Dangshi yanjiu ziliao (Documents for Party History Studies), periodical, Beijing

  DZS

  Dangdai Zhongguo shi yanjiu (Contemporary China History Studies), periodical, Beijing
/>
  GNYJ

  Guangdong nongmin yundong jiangxisuo ziliao xuanbian (Documents on the Guangdong Peasant Movement Institute), Guangdong Peasant Movement Training Institute Museum, ed., Renmin chubanshe, Beijing, 1987

  GS

  Gongfei huoguo shiliao huibian (Documents on the Communist Bandits Bringing Calamity to the Country), 6 vols, Republic of China Documents Editing Committee & Institute of International Relations, comp., Taipei, 1976

  GZ

  Gemingshi ziliao (Documents on the History of the Revolution), periodical, Beijing

  HDT

  Hunan dangshi tongxun (Correspondence on Party History in Hunan), periodical, Changsha

  HNYZ

  Hunan nongmin yundong ziliao xuanbian (Documents on the Hunan Peasant Movement), Museum of the Chinese Revolution & Hunan Museum, eds, Renmin chubanshe, Beijing, 1988

  HZ

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  (Institute of International Relations), comp., Zhonggong jimi wenjian huibian (Classified Chinese Communist Documents: a Selection), Taipei, 1978

  INT

  Interview records with Mao’s relatives, friends, and acquaintances, done in the 1960s, about Mao in Hunan up to 1927, unpublished

  JDZ

  Jiangxi dangshi ziliao (Documents on Party History in Jiangxi), periodical, Nanchang

  JGG

  Jinggangshan geming genjudi (Jinggangshan Revolutionary Base), documents and memoirs, 2 vols, Jinggangshan Base Party History team & Jinggangshan Revolutionary Museum, eds, Zhonggong dangshi ziliao chubanshe, Beijing, 1987

  JR

  Jiefang Ribao (Liberation Daily), newspaper, Yanan

  JSY

  Jindaishi yanjiu (Studies of Modern History), periodical, Beijing